“Did His Majesty really say that?”
“Yes.”
Princess Isabelle curved her lips in satisfaction at the servant’s report. Her persistent pestering of her father had finally paid off.
This time, I’ll make the Grand Duke mine for sure.
Her eyes gleamed with a sinister light. It was no small hassle constantly trampling on the young ladies who coveted the Grand Duke.
Why are there so many women desperate to go to that harsh northern region?
“The Grand Duke came to the capital. Why didn’t I hear about it sooner?”
“Ah, he’s visiting quietly to support Lady Barrett.”
At the mention of Barrett, Isabelle’s shoulders twitched involuntarily.
“That cursed woman?”
“Yes. Apparently, the Barrett heir woke up thanks to some herbs found in the Snowy Mountains.”
“Hmph.”
The princess crossed her arms. If Lady Barrett became more well-known, someone else’s temper was sure to flare up.
“They say she’s a swordmaster—it seems it’s true.”
“It appears so.”
The servant answered stiffly, unable to hide their tension.
“Thank you. Becoming the Grand Duke’s partner—I need to get a completely new dress tailored.”
With two weeks until the party, that was plenty of time. Smiling contentedly, Isabelle dismissed the servant.
“Partner of the Grand Duke! Congratulations!”
The ladies-in-waiting in the sitting room immediately beamed with congratulatory smiles.
“Oh, please. It’s only because he’s currently without a partner and moving for the good of the imperial family.”
Even as she brushed it off, Isabelle couldn’t hide the joy rising in her heart.
“Look into Lady Barrett for me. It seems rumors are circulating that I don’t know about.”
There was hardly anything in high society Isabelle didn’t know, but she was curious how Evelyn Barrett, with her vacant-looking face, had managed to reel in the Grand Duke.
A swordmaster, that cursed woman?
A crooked smile curled on her lips.
No way. She’s the type who can’t even stand straight at parties and clings to the wall.
And now she’s getting the Grand Duke’s support? I’ll finally get to watch Rosy Clover lose her mind again.
With the Grand Duke in the capital, things were bound to get interesting.
Chuckling to herself, Isabelle ordered her writing paper.
“I must share this delightful news with Clover.”
Rosy Clover was a woman who pretended to be kind in public but secretly hated Evelyn more than anyone and was scheming to marry the Grand Duke herself.
This party will be something to look forward to.
A swordmaster.
Someone obsessed with the safety of the North like the Grand Duke would fall for someone like that.
Perhaps she should offer elite knights from the imperial order and suggest he throw away that cursed woman and consider her for the position of Grand Duchess.
A deep smile spread across Isabelle’s lips.
✦✦✦
“Party?”
“Yes. A welcome party is being held by the imperial family.”
“Didn’t you have a bad relationship with His Majesty?”
Evelyn tilted her head in confusion at Elliot’s sudden visit and talk of preparing for the party.
A welcome party for the Grand Duke? That seemed odd.
“It’s not that bad. In return, they’ve agreed to increase support for the North this year.”
“Ah, so it’s compensation.”
“Something like that.”
The emperor clearly wanted to use the Grand Duke for something. And the princess made no effort to hide her affection toward him. This might be their chance to tie things together.
Understanding the situation, Evelyn nodded.
“May we prepare your dress?”
“Aren’t you going with the princess?”
“Yes. Still, as this is the first party I’m attending as your sponsor, I’d like to prepare formal wear for your household.”
So, he wanted to publicly show he was supporting them. Evelyn understood his intention.
“Alright. We’d be grateful.”
The funds coming in from the Grand Duke’s house were already being used to repair the mansion.
The long-neglected home was worn down in many places. She’d even managed to give long-overdue bonuses to the staff.
Thanks to that, the count’s household was bustling with energy for the first time in a while.
“Thank you so much. Because of you, our family escaped the brink of ruin.”
“I didn’t do much. It’s all thanks to your brother waking up.”
It was a reference to her brother becoming a hero. The servants watched them warmly.
Those who had once shunned her changed their attitude the moment they learned the Grand Duke was now sponsoring them.
The change was so obvious it made her feel embarrassed, but at least no one openly insulted or ignored her anymore.
“This is the first party since you began sponsoring us—I’m sorry I can’t be your partner.”
“No need. The princess is more important.”
“I’ll definitely be your partner at the next one.”
She had no intention of going to another party unless it was absolutely necessary, but she nodded anyway.
Elliot’s expression was so genuinely disappointed that she couldn’t refuse.
Though he seemed cold and expressionless, his demeanor had subtly changed since she became a hero.
Perhaps he was simply treating her with utmost respect as someone who could save the North—or maybe he was opening up because they now shared the same goal.
Whatever the reason, with a face like that, even a slight shift in expression was noticeable. Evelyn couldn’t help but be mindful of his moods.
Well, it’s best if a handsome man is always in a good mood.
She prided herself on never being swayed by looks, but the Grand Duke truly seemed like a masterpiece crafted by the gods.
“You don’t have to worry about me.”
Standing next to the Grand Duke might earn her the glares of every noblewoman in the empire.
Even if they were just sponsor and beneficiary, Evelyn’s goal was to maintain enough distance to avoid their envy and jealousy.
“Then I’ll see you at the party.”
She couldn’t keep such a busy man for long. Intent on returning to her training, Evelyn didn’t notice the slight tightening of Elliot’s expression.
Once the conversation ended, Evelyn saw him off as she would any sponsor.
“I’ve never seen someone that handsome in my life.”
As soon as the Grand Duke’s carriage pulled away, Tinya spoke, eyes shining with wonder.
“You’ve seen him before, Tinya.”
“You don’t get used to a face like that just from seeing it once!”
The servants nearby all nodded in agreement. It always happened when the Grand Duke visited.
Even though they were busy, the moment he arrived, servants gathered at the mansion entrance as if drawn by an invisible thread.
“You can’t treat a sponsor with those kinds of feelings.”
“But couldn’t good feelings grow into something more?”
“No, Tinya.”
Evelyn shook her head firmly at the hopeful look on Tinya’s face. Good feelings?
The Grand Duke was someone who truly loved the North. He was supporting her family because she was the hero who would save it.
To harbor impure thoughts toward someone showing such sincere support would be a betrayal of that trust.
“We’ve received his grace. We must repay it with our best efforts.”
“You never know with people, miss. Especially when it comes to men and women.”
As they walked toward the training grounds, Tinya hurried to catch up, mumbling in a voice that sounded almost tearful.
“I can’t do that.”
She had already received so much just for being a hero—she couldn’t ask for more.
Besides, you couldn’t love someone based only on their looks. Though he was stunning, she hadn’t developed feelings for him yet.
Looks might influence attraction, but love was a separate matter.
“I can’t repay pure kindness that way.”
As she shook her head, Tinya sighed deeply.
“You can’t keep your heart closed like that forever, miss. You’re of marriageable age now, and you’re even going to the North—you have to think about your future.”
Tinya murmured as if on the verge of tears.
“It’s fine—I get to become stronger.”
“You’ll take me with you, right?”
“You want to come too, Tinya?”
She hadn’t expected Tinya to want to follow her to the North.
“Of course! How could I not go if you’re going, miss? Who else would you bring?”
“But I’m going as a knight. Why would I need a maid or an attendant?”
And the weather in the North was dreadful.
It could be sunny one moment, then a blizzard the next. The skies would clear, then snow again.
At least inside the buildings, magic kept things as warm as the capital.
But you couldn’t ignore how harsh and barren the territory was overall.
“It’ll be hard when you don’t know anyone in the North.”
“What do you mean I don’t know anyone?! I know you, miss!”
Tinya confidently declared, hands on her hips.
