Chapter 40
For several days I tried to think of a way to bring Eloise and Marcel together, but no good ideas came to mind.
The first method I considered was simple: “raise their affection for each other until they fall in love.”
“Hey, Marcel.”
While waiting for Payson for a health checkup, I struck up a conversation with Marcel.
Since Eloise’s crown princess lessons had gone long, I came alone—an absolutely perfect opportunity.
Hearing compliments about someone from another person can often raise one’s favorability toward them.
“Hm? Lisette, go ahead.”
Marcel set aside the papers he was looking at and focused on me.
His blue eyes reflected in the clear sunlight were like the sea in a distant memory.
That kind of sea that makes you feel refreshed just by looking at it.
“Eloise is really pretty. If a goddess of beauty existed, she would probably look like Eloise.”
“Lady Monclair is indeed beautiful. Even as a child, painters would line up at the duke’s gates hoping to paint her portrait.”
“Eloise is also so kind. She might seem cold at first, but she takes good care of her people. She’s like that with me too. You know how they say people who are kind to animals are truly good at heart?”
“Didn’t I tell you? She even prepared gifts for the palace servants, so the attendants in the imperial palace actually welcomed Eloise more than me.”
Ah, I think I remember him saying something like that before. Probably on that first carriage ride to the Monclair duchy.
No matter what compliment I made about Eloise, Marcel always accepted it as if it were completely natural.
“You know, Eloise is really rich too.”
“That’s right. She never wastes her wealth. As far as I know, she invested her monthly allowance as a duke’s daughter and now owns several townhouses in the capital.”
“Wow! Ah, and Eloise plays the piano really well!”
“You heard about that? I was quite disappointed when I thought she had stopped. She even used to play with court musicians sometimes, and everyone praised her endlessly.”
I lost. Even if I gave just one compliment, Marcel would reel off a whole string of anecdotes about her.
If he likes Eloise this much, why on earth did he let her become engaged to the crown prince?
Was it really like the empress said—that the emperor stole her away so Marcel gave up? Or is it just because he’s the “second male lead” so he’s doomed to give up quickly?
“I’m glad you see Eloise properly, Lisette.”
Marcel’s lips curved into a smile and his eyes softened. It was such a beautiful smile.
At this rate, I should quickly switch the target of my “operation” to Eloise herself.
That day too, Payson declared me very healthy, and I returned to the empress’s palace in Etienne’s arms.
“I don’t know what you’re plotting…”
“When the time comes, you’ll have to help too. For now, just wait.”
Etienne set me down with a sulky expression, then disappeared in an instant.
Was it because he was a wolf? He was unbelievably fast.
While I watched his retreating figure, Sophie, who had come to greet me, approached.
“That was Sir Etienne just now, wasn’t it? He sure vanished quickly. He was always fast on his feet, even long ago.”
“Sophie, when did you first meet Etienne?”
“Quite a long time ago. I was your lady’s maid even before you became His Highness the prince’s playmate. I often accompanied you to the palace.”
“I see.”
“When I first saw him, he was so small and cute.”
Sophie held me in her arms and told me various stories about Etienne.
Apparently, when Etienne was four years old, he was so tiny that it was heartbreaking to see such a young child living in the imperial palace all alone.
She said his face looked sullen, yet always on the verge of tears.
“He’s grown so much compared to back then.”
“Well, he’s still in his growth spurt. I’m sure he’ll grow even taller.”
“You too, Lady Lisette. You’re at the age where you’ll grow quickly as well.”
Sophie gently stroked me and then opened the parlor door to Eloise’s room.
Her lessons must have ended, because Eloise was sipping tea, indifferently reading the latest society newsletter.
“Eloise! I’m back! What does the newsletter say today?”
“Curious, are you?”
“Yeah!”
Of course, I could read it myself, but I couldn’t reveal that I knew how to read just yet.
Besides, Eloise’s voice was so sweet and clear—I wanted to keep hearing it.
“A new star of the imperial family descended to the slums. A few days ago, His Highness the Second Prince, Marcel de Valois, was sighted in the slums, causing a stir. His Highness personally bought bread and water with his own funds and gave them to the poor. This was supposed to remain a secret, but countless…”
Eloise’s brow furrowed slightly as she read the phrase “countless.”
“… countless noble ladies’ anonymous letters revealed it. The Crown Prince shines light on the bright places, while His Highness the Second Prince brightens the dark ones. Thus, the future of Calenia is radiant.”
The last line clearly sounded hastily added, probably to appease the emperor.
Even in the original story, the crown prince had interest in relief for the poor, but his approach was more about reforming the system itself—he later restructured welfare policies.
In contrast, Marcel believed in solving immediate problems first, so he took action directly.
Maybe this was the perfect chance to appeal Marcel’s charms to Eloise.
“Marcel is really kind and gentle, don’t you think?”
“Yes. He’s naturally a kind and good person.”
“And he’s dazzling too—like radiant sunshine.”
“Well, if you put it that way, the Crown Prince also—”
“No! It’s different!”
Wait, Eloise—you’re not the type to judge only by looks, are you? …Right?
My pupils shook nervously. I had to quickly mention another one of Marcel’s strengths.
“Um, Marcel makes people feel so comfortable! And he’s playful too!”
Eloise narrowed her eyes.
Playfulness wasn’t exactly a compliment—my desperation had made me say the wrong thing.
“Lisette, I can’t begin to guess what goes on inside that little head of yours.”
That tone… it was the one duchesses used when they looked down on someone.
It seemed raising Eloise’s favorability toward Marcel by praising him wasn’t going to work.
My brain sank deeper into thoughts about my ‘Eloise & Marcel Lovey-Dovey Romance Operation.’
The next day, after Eloise’s lessons ended early, we were having refreshments in the greenhouse together.
Even as I munched on cookies, I kept nodding off.
No matter how much of the tart tea the empress had sent me I drank, I couldn’t shake off the sleepiness.
It was because I had stayed up late last night giving her a massage.
“I have to quickly break Eloise’s mana seal.”
The greenhouse, gifted by the emperor, was filled with enchantments so that it felt like spring even in winter.
The gentle warmth, the breeze like shimmering haze, and the tender hands stroking me—
Everything was so perfect for a nap. But in novels, it’s always at times like this, when you let your guard down, that something happens.
“…!”
They say words can become reality.
Suddenly, it felt like my body was on fire—hot, stinging, burning.
This sensation was unmistakable—the signal that my body was about to change.
I leapt to my feet and ran toward the hiding place I’d used before, without even telling Eloise.
“Lisette!”
I heard her call after me, but my throat felt like it was burning, so I couldn’t reply.
Even my legs, running desperately, were losing sensation as my whole body turned into an inferno.
I barely stumbled into the thicket, hiding myself among the dense bushes.
“Etienne, Etienne.”
I didn’t want Eloise to see this incomplete, unconfirmed form of mine.
The only one who knew about it was Etienne, so I desperately called his name in my heart.
My heart pounded wildly.
The pain was excruciating, like my muscles and bones were being forcefully pulled apart.
I thought I might actually die from it.
But then, a cool breeze soothed my burning body.
“You really do manage to cause trouble every single day.”
That prickly, slightly sulky voice reached me, and the pain began to ease.
When I lifted my head, Etienne was standing there, holding a rolled-up blanket in his hands.
I wanted to say something, but only a weak groan came out.
“Mrrr….”
The large blanket dropped over me.
When I peeked at my hand beneath it, I saw smooth, soft skin instead of white fur.
I felt it happening, but just to be sure, I touched the top of my head—today too, cat ears were there.
“Etienne. I… again…”
“It’s fine.”
For some reason, hearing that calmed my heart.
I poked my face out shyly from the blanket.
As always, that old-soul, dependable face was watching me.
Etienne carefully adjusted the blanket I had clumsily wrapped, tucking it securely around me.
“For now, it’s best to get out of the greenhouse.”
“Okay.”
He wrapped the blanket over my head as well.
Since Eloise might chase after me soon, we’d need a proper excuse.
