Chapter 10
I poked Cerulean’s side a few times, meaning for him to back off at the right moment. Luckily, he understood and took a step back with me, one step at a time.
Of course, even as I retreated like some villain making a tactical backstep, I didn’t stop bombarding.
“Since my dear one has come to fetch me, I’ll be taking my leave. It’s a shame I can’t stay longer at this wonderful party you’ve so graciously invited me to.”
My heart clenched, worried that someone might scold me for leaving without permission before the elders. But Lady Sage latched onto something else entirely—the way I had just addressed Cerulean.
“‘My dear one’?”
“Was that wording a little too much? Then maybe… darling? Honey?”
“How dare you! Who told you to use such vulgar terms of address!”
Ah, well. Honestly, I think the same.
But without so much as wetting my lips, I let the lies flow smoothly.
“It may seem bold, but I simply can’t restrain my heart. We truly love each other. We married for love.”
“Ha!”
The more I spoke, the more twisted and hostile Lady Sage’s face became. She lost even the energy to sneer and instead erupted, shouting at Cerulean.
“So your stomach was strong enough to dally with a commoner girl, Sir Cerulean? You ought to be ashamed!”
What nonsense. Since when did love have social rank?
But with this type, logical rebuttal only guarantees defeat. So I just blushed like a peach, feigning shyness, and cheerfully cried out:
“It’s the victory of true love. So, I look forward to your blessing, Mother.”
It was meant to provoke Vanerin into shutting Lady Sage’s mouth.
And Vanerin… was smiling serenely, like some holy Madonna, as if her emotions had never stirred at all. The moment I saw that perfect smile, warning bells went off in my head.
“I look forward to it as well, daughter-in-law. Your confidence and liveliness remind me of my first encounter with His Grace. It’s delightful.”
Vanerin spoke with a radiant smile.
“But you would do well to watch your tongue. Should there be even the slightest falsehood, not even merciful I could shield you from the dreadful consequences. In this country, defaming the imperial family—by any measure—means the gallows.”
Leaving those words behind, she waved her hand at us, as though dismissing us.
I froze for a moment, managed a clumsy bow, and turned away.
The moment we were out of her sight, my legs nearly gave out. If Cerulean hadn’t supported me, I might have collapsed disgracefully.
The warning lights in my head didn’t go out. I bit my lip.
“I’ve just jabbed a hornet’s nest blindfolded.”
I’d let anger get the better of me and charged in recklessly. I had never even met the Duke, yet I’d claimed he liked me…
“I should have prepared more before confronting her.”
I had no information to fight her with. And yet, I’d pushed her temper to its edge. The problem was, seeing her openly disregard Cerulean had made my blood boil.
Once we were far enough from the garden, Cerulean stopped and looked at me.
“Edel, just now you…”
But I couldn’t hear him out.
“Oh no, I feel dizzy. The world is spinning.”
I must’ve stayed too tense for too long. Sudden vertigo swept me, and I clung to Cerulean’s arm.
“Cerulean.”
“Yes?”
His eyes widened.
And strangely, just meeting those eyes made me relax inside. In a faint voice, I called his name.
The sudden closeness startled him, but I leaned close and whispered into his ear:
“…I can’t walk anymore.”
So this was what dizziness was.
I’d managed to raise everyone else’s blood pressure, but in the end, mine had dropped.
After that, I didn’t even have the strength to open my eyes, just panted shallowly. Cerulean silently lifted me into his arms. Even then, I mumbled an apology against his chest.
“Sorry, I must be heavy.”
“It’s not unbearable.”
“Shouldn’t you at least say ‘you’re light as a feather’ as a courtesy?”
“…I’m not one to lie.”
He carried me into the drawing room.
After a cup of chamomile tea with plenty of honey, I finally felt clear-headed and calm again.
Cupping the warm teacup in both hands, I sighed.
“Ahh, now I feel alive again.”
As my body warmed, things I hadn’t noticed before came into view: gilded wall decorations, murals that looked like a miniature Creation of the World, velvet sofas.
And Cerulean, sitting at the very opposite end of the sofa, leaving me stranded at one end.
I couldn’t help but ask:
“Why are you sitting so far away?”
Cerulean narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Pay me no mind. When I sit too close, my senses become overly sensitive. So I keep my distance.”
“…?”
Do I smell or something? That stung a little.
“Really, this man is peculiar.”
The words could have felt insulting, yet his dry tone stripped them of any sting.
He continued, calm as ever:
“I was surprised. I’ve never seen anyone confront Lady Sage and the Duchess so boldly.”
I thought he’d bring up my collapse, but instead he recalled how I’d riled up Lady Sage.
I gave a crooked smile.
“Bold? More like making a scene. And I fainted right after.”
The moment I’d seen Lady Sage look at Cerulean with contempt, it had dragged me right back to those days when Vanerin had framed me.
“How many times must I say it! I didn’t do it!”
Her followers scolded me, never listening, never giving me a chance to explain.
“How dare someone so lowly deny Her Highness’s words?”
At first I thought the palace guards would investigate and clear me naturally. But nobody ever questioned me. They only proceeded on Vanerin’s testimony.
The only witness and victim, the maid, was unconscious. The palace physician declared she had been beaten for more than an hour.
Fortunately, I had colleagues who could vouch for me, since I had been doing paperwork with them the whole time. Otherwise, they might have framed me as the culprit.
Even so, though I was clearly innocent, Princess Vanerin told the investigators:
“Still, there is a victim. We can’t simply let this pass without action.”
Her face had been so untroubled, so natural. It was no wonder people nodded along, praising her as merciful.
“I won’t give up! I didn’t do it! I’ll fight this to the end!”
I protested, but in the end I was forced out of the palace, carrying a box of belongings. And outside, waiting for me, was news that crushed my spirit.
“Where were you last night, Edel? Your mother went looking for you, and then Roer…”
That was when I learned my mother had been killed by Roer.
“Lady Sage’s eyes looked just like those who sided with Vanerin back then.”
That was why I couldn’t hold back. I knew Cerulean must have suffered far worse indignities than the ones I witnessed today.
I hadn’t stepped up for his sake, but because I saw my own past reflected in him.
Leaning against the sofa, I let out a long breath.
“Still, it felt good. Even if I’m worried about the consequences.”
Times had changed. Who would’ve thought I’d ever get to provoke Princess Vanerin like this? It was a priceless experience.
“It was thanks to you. If you hadn’t come, I probably would’ve just endured it. Though not quietly—I might have cried afterward and given an interview to the press.”
At least then, the public would rally around me. People loved Cinderella stories. A commoner destined to be the future Duchess of Luc—yes, they’d sympathize.
“But how did you find me? Did you know I’d be here today?”
“I… felt your presence.”
“…Excuse me?”
Presence? In this enormous mansion? Is that even possible?
I wanted to press further, but he shook his head.
“Even if I explained, it would be hard to understand. It’s difficult for me too, since it’s the first time. In any case…”
His deep blue eyes fixed on me, as though he could read every corner of my heart.
“You said you resent her.”
Such an elegant way of putting it. I chuckled and waved a hand.
“Resent? That’s far too light a word. I wish lightning would strike her three times over and leave nothing but ashes.”
My tone turned sharp at the mere thought of Vanerin. But when I remembered the Duchess’s last gaze, all sharpness melted away. I shivered.
“Still… facing that smile of hers, my heart clenched like it might stop. I thought I might die.”
Such a warm and gentle expression, yet colder than zero degrees—there couldn’t be another smile like that in the world.
So I looked at Cerulean with sparkling eyes.
“That’s why you have to protect me! Promise?”
He tilted his head.
“I’m not the kind of man to abandon his wife.”
I trusted his character, but good people could still be pushed by bad circumstances. I crossed my arms and pouted.
“You never know. Maybe you’ll think it’s better for public sympathy to be a widower than a divorcé and just let me die.”
“A sharp analysis. You truly are a journalist.”
He blinked slowly, as though genuinely impressed. I scratched my cheek with a sheepish laugh.
“Guess I’ve heard too many trashy stories covering scandals.”
