Chapter 69
“Did you take notes even when talking with the priest?”
Odette looked at the notebook with curious eyes. The fact that someone needed to record things to avoid forgetting them seemed endlessly fascinating.
Perhaps it was unusual that even someone they had chosen as a close aide needed to take notes, even if most people assumed this was common.
“I didn’t write in real time; I wrote everything down as soon as I left the temple.”
“Hmm. Then we have to consider that some parts might be missing.”
“I’m not that thick-headed, you know?”
Marien pouted her lips for a moment but then began reading her notes in a dry, matter-of-fact tone. Odette didn’t interrupt at all until the report was over.
“That’s all.”
She left out the parts at the end where Leslie mumbled something about her thoughts wandering regarding Vaileon.
The more Marien thought about it, the more irritating it became. The ridiculous part was that even though she hadn’t recorded those words, they remained vividly in her mind.
‘That man has feelings for me? Impossible.’
His first love was a spy more than ten years older than him. Since then, Leslie had only been linked with mature noblewomen.
In short, Leslie Anais preferred women far older than himself. To him, Marien would seem like a newborn baby.
‘And is that something you say to someone you like?’
Having loved one person for so long, could Vaileon be considered “divorced” in terms of emotions?
Although Vaileon was the target of criticism, in the end, only Marien’s mood was spoiled.
But Odette seemed to think differently. Had the Fourth Princess read between lines invisible even to Marien? She stared intently at the new aide.
“No matter how I look at it, it’s fascinating. Do men really like girls like you? After Beers and Blackwood, now even Priest Anais.”
Odette’s expression grew subtle, like someone sniffing food, unsure if it had gone bad.
“Could it be that while I wasn’t paying attention, the standards of men in the Empire have really dropped…?”
“Why is it considered ‘lower’ if they like me?”
“I exist, you know?”
“Hmm.”
Marien fidgeted with her fingers. This was dangerous. She wanted to argue, but situations kept arising where the other person’s words weren’t entirely wrong.
“But let’s say Duke Blackwood is one thing.”
Cain had openly expressed his possessiveness over Marien and even sent a courtship gift.
“Are you certain about Priest Anais’ feelings? I worry I might have only passed along information from our side unnecessarily.”
“Among the stories you delivered, which ones are relevant to the current political situation?”
Odette lightly scolded her. Marien nodded, albeit a beat late.
Of course. It was all old news. In fact, the supposed “solo escape” of Savril had actually been due to Leslie, which she had already admitted to herself.
Since this story could never reach the ears of the royal family, Leslie would naturally keep quiet.
“Still… I can’t really trust him.”
“I don’t either. He’s just trying to hold your hand briefly using his memories of my mother and a tiny affection toward you.”
“Do you think I’ll fall for it?”
“Well…”
Odette looked at Marien and faintly smiled.
“Considering he didn’t even lay a finger on you and sent you back safely, maybe there’s a little hope.”
“That… how can that show he likes me?”
“Got it!”
Odette suddenly jumped up. The princess seemed extremely excited.
Though she had to sit back down, swaying from dizziness, the excitement shining in her rosy eyes remained.
“You… are really oblivious to men’s affection toward you.”
“Oblivious? You’re insulting me naturally again. I’ll admit a little, though.”
“I’ve made it obvious enough that men should notice, but since you don’t move, it’s strange. It’s strange… so you keep thinking about it.”
Odette’s voice began to tremble.
“You keep thinking, wondering why I’m like this… and that ends the story.”
“Your Highness, am I strange? Logically, if you like someone, you want their happiness. Conversely, if you want them to like you, you must first know what they like.”
Marien believed love was like that: attention, effort, respect, and wishing for the other’s happiness.
Therefore, in Marien’s view, both Cain and Leslie were pursuing the wrong directions.
“I can’t understand why someone who normally kills without blinking would spare me and that’s interpreted as rational affection.”
“Are you realizing this as you speak?”
“No, the standard for judging affection is too low…! Priest Anais didn’t harm me because I was your messenger, right? He’s smart, so he must’ve thought there’s no gain in killing me. And it’s not like he bought me a peach cake I like.”
“Even though he spared your life, you’re criticizing him for not buying cake…”
Odette muttered.
“It seems that his absurdly extraordinary side fascinates you.”
“So what I mean is… Priest Anais probably doesn’t like me. His first love was Your Highness’ mother, so naturally, if he were seeking new love, it would be someone resembling her—like you. That’s it.”
“Could you say the same thing in front of the priest?”
“Why not?”
Marien countered. Odette nodded silently.
“The mystery is solved.”
“What do you mean, you solved it alone?”
“Your talent is clearly something I can’t match.”
Marien felt complicated. This compliment disguised as a critique… but Odette insisted it wasn’t a criticism.
“You’re naturally gifted, Marien Didi.”
“…the more I hear it, the worse it feels.”
“You were born with it.”
Since Odette emphasized it as something good, Marien reluctantly believed her, giving a small, awkward thank you.
Then a maid entered to announce it was time for medicine. Odette took the foul-smelling potion without complaint.
Once the maid left and closed the door, Odette spoke again.
“Didi, there may be an ideal form of love. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only ‘real’ love. Even if Blackwood or Anais’ reactions don’t seem ‘real’ to you, they see it differently.”
Just as people have different values, love takes different forms. For some, it’s devotion; for others, it’s imposing feelings or material demands.
“The latter is completely unacceptable to me.”
“Understandable for you.”
A faint mist of doubt passed over Odette’s face.
“Honestly, beyond being bad, I wonder if the love people talk about is really that good. People overvalue love too much. The sweetness is fleeting, but the suffering endured is immense.”
After becoming conscious of her feelings toward Vaileon, Marien had begun to experience new anxieties.
For instance, comparing herself to the perfect old love standing before her, Odette.
Such useless thoughts were increasing—Marien even admitted they were foolish. Her prickly feelings could never be confessed to Vaileon.
“If this were a transaction involving money, not the sweet notion of love, most would refuse. All conditions are unfavorable and volatile. The love I knew… was wrong from the start.”
Odette seemed to recall her mother’s last moments. Marien stayed silent. After a moment, Odette broke the silence.
“Anyway, you worked hard today. Since you’ve come this far, will you take something with you?”
“Thank you, but I have a prior engagement.”
Marien politely declined.
“The pie with cold custard cream and red bean… what was it again? Anyway, you’re going to have it with Sir Beers.”
“You didn’t write the menu in your notebook, I see.”
She phrased it as if Marien had forgotten already. The tragic mother-reminiscing session was over. Quite the change in tone.
‘Today, I’m treated as not-so-bright here and there. It’s fine. I’m seriously cute. And a foodie. Can’t help balancing the stats.’
Marien tried not to pout like a duck.
“Yes, I didn’t write it down.”
“You even forgot that you need to write things down to remember the menu.”
“…Are you enjoying this?”
“Childish.”
“Huh.”
Marien couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“You started it unilaterally! And now you call it childish?”
“Being with you makes me a little naive too. Didn’t know it was contagious… Go on, leave.”
Odette sighed briefly and added,
“Before my brain gets even clearer.”
“Brains are naturally pink, not clear… mine or yours…”
Marien grumbled all the way out of the parlor. Odette suddenly wanted a pie topped with cold custard cream.
◇ ◆ ◇
“Oh, my head!”
Before knocking on Vaileon’s office door, Marien quickly let down a braid she had tied and made a lively ponytail. Vaileon greeted her with a smile.
“Good heavens, it’s the aura of purification!”
Marien shielded her face as if blinded by light.
“I can’t bear the light coming from Sir Beers. Summer sunshine or what… stop laughing! My heart is pounding too fast.”
“Our Marien.”
Vaileon had approached her.
“Seems you’ve done many things that weigh on your conscience, judging by the flattery right as you entered.”
“Flattery? It’s pure sincerity.”
Marien looked at Vaileon through her spread fingers. Up close, he smiled gently but with a hint of unease and nervousness.
After sending Leslie away, he must have been quite anxious. Poor Vaileon, jealousy still traces on his face.
“I’m so happy…”
Marien whispered like a sigh. Vaileon slightly furrowed his brow.
“Suddenly happy? Out of nowhere?”
“Yes…”
“What is it, Marien? This makes me even more uneasy.”
