Chapter 61
A few days later, a rumor spread throughout the Imperial Palace.
It said that Eloise was flirting with Marcel to make the Crown Prince jealous.
The funny thing was—the source of the rumor came from none other than the Crown Prince’s own palace.
“Sophie, where did you even hear that?”
“I happened to see the maids from the Empress’s palace gossiping about it. They’re surprisingly close to each other, you know.”
While Eloise attended her dance class, Sophie and I whispered together in a corner.
Come to think of it, I should probably tell Sophie that I’m a beastkin.
My medical check-up wasn’t a secret, but the results were, so I hadn’t been able to tell her anything.
“Hey, Sophie—”
“What an amusing rumor.”
“Ah, my lady!”
Before I could finish, Eloise’s sharp gaze fell on us—apparently, her class had ended without me noticing.
“It’s almost funny, really—how they think I have feelings for the Crown Prince. I suppose that’s what bored nobles want to imagine.”
“That’s just how people with too much time on their hands think. Ellie, is your class done for today?”
“Yes. I was just wondering what to do with my time… perhaps I should visit the Crown Prince’s palace.”
Her teal eyes gleamed sharply, and I could almost feel a dark aura rising from her body.
Ah—no! In the original story, the villainess storms into the Crown Prince’s palace and torments the heroine!
“Rizet thinks the Prince’s palace is boring! The Prince’s brother’s palace is much better!”
I was so desperate that I accidentally referred to myself in the third person—but whatever.
When I clung to Eloise’s dress hem like a cat biting fabric, she looked down at me suspiciously.
“Rizet, I’ve been sensing this for a while, but if you’re trying to matchmake me with Marcel, you should stop.”
“Mwaah (I don’t know what you mean.)”
I shook my head quickly, and Eloise sighed softly.
“You probably don’t understand, but—”
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a maid from the Empress’s palace entered the classroom.
“Pardon me. My lady, the Duchess is waiting for you in the first-floor parlor.”
“My mother?”
“Yes. She’s having tea with Her Majesty the Empress.”
Eloise’s expression immediately darkened, and the polite maid flinched slightly.
Even with her naturally feline features, she looked downright intimidating when annoyed.
I was so startled that I quickly let go of her dress hem.
“Let’s go down.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The maid followed Eloise out of the classroom.
I trailed behind them with my clumsy steps—having been advised to diet recently.
I thought I’d lost a bit of weight, but when Payson checked me today, he said otherwise.
When we arrived at the parlor, the maids opened the doors and announced Eloise’s arrival.
“Your Majesty, the young lady has arrived.”
“Come in, dear.”
Eloise stepped inside. She gave a polite nod to the Empress—who she had already greeted earlier that morning—and then bowed to her mother.
“It’s been a while, Mother.”
“I thought you might’ve injured your hand or something, but you look perfectly fine.”
“Eloise, Catherine’s been quite upset that you haven’t written her any letters,” said the Empress with a teasing smile.
Both mother and daughter frowned identically—proving they were related.
Eloise sat to the Empress’s left and faced her mother.
“You look even more radiant than before, Mother.”
“And you look much healthier, my dear.”
“I suppose the Imperial Palace suits you better than the Duchy—”
“Lady Catherine! I missed you too!”
Before the two could let their frosty tension build further, I jumped in hurriedly.
Hearing me, the Duchess smiled warmly and reached out to pat my head.
“You’ve grown so much, Rizet.”
“I’m twelve years old now!”
According to the orphanage record, my birthday had just passed—so yes, I was now officially twelve.
Eloise’s eyes flickered briefly.
Oops. This is why fools shouldn’t keep secrets.
I really hoped the day would come soon when I could tell everyone the truth. It was exhausting keeping it in.
“Did Lady Catherine come to see Her Majesty today?”
“She came to scold me, apparently. What do you think, Rizet?” said the Empress playfully.
“Your Majesty, I told you—I only came to fetch my children,” replied the Duchess calmly.
“I bet you rushed here the moment you heard the rumors. Catherine, this is the first time you’ve come to the Empress’s palace without notice—you nearly gave me a fright.”
The Empress’s voice was friendly, but her words carried a clear sting.
Even the mighty Duchess could only sip her tea silently under that sharp rebuke.
Having gained the upper hand, the Empress smiled faintly, then turned to Eloise.
“It’s already been a month. Eloise, your room’s renovation is finished—you can return home now. Rizet’s check-ups don’t need to be daily anymore, right? You can leave together.”
“It’s thanks to Your Majesty’s gracious care that I’ve learned so much over the past month.”
“And I’ve enjoyed your company as well—perhaps too much. I might get greedy.”
Her words were sweet, but her eyes looked dark and calculating—almost as if the Empress herself had become the villainess.
The Duchess noticed it too.
“Your Majesty… you’re not planning to trouble the Monclair family, are you?”
“Of course not. Why would I trouble the partner of my mana resonance—the one I love?”
“Your Majesty’s mana feels… unstable. That’s why I ask.”
My eyes widened.
Wait—what? They weren’t just friends? They were mana resonance partners?
The Empress sipped her tea again and, still smiling, said something chilling.
“Catherine, I intend to take back everything that was stolen from my son.”
“Your Majesty… I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“One day, you’ll see things my way.”
“……I’ll be taking the children now.”
The Duchess rose with a face cold as ice, but the Empress only smiled serenely.
“See you soon, Eloise. Rizet.”
With the Empress’s permission, we had no choice but to leave the palace in haste.
The maids helped us pack up our things—our rooms were cleared out in no time.
The carriages loaded with our mountain of luggage left first, heading for the Duchy.
Just as we were about to board our own carriage, someone approached the Empress’s palace.
“You arrived suddenly, and now you’re leaving even faster.”
“Peace upon you, Prince Calenia. It’s been a while.”
“The Duchess looks well as always.”
“And Your Highness has grown taller.”
It was Marcel and Etienne.
Marcel exchanged warm greetings with the Duchess before turning to Eloise with a light smile.
“I’ll write to you, Lady Eloise. About Rizet, I mean.”
“All right.”
While the two exchanged pleasantries, Etienne bent down and whispered to me quietly.
“What they found in the Crown Prince’s quarters—you should discuss it with Marcel first.”
“What is it?”
“A war. With the Beastkin Kingdom.”
My heart plummeted.
According to the original story, that war wasn’t supposed to happen for a long time—and even then, it only began after Marianne’s kidnapping.
Something… something had gone terribly wrong.
I couldn’t say anything, so Etienne continued.
“They’re still preparing. There’s time to stop it.”
“…Okay. Make sure to tell Marcel, but not too directly.”
“Got it.”
Etienne nodded, then straightened up—and to my surprise, he scooped me up in his arms and handed me over to Eloise.
“You know better than anyone that this little one’s a walking disaster. Be careful.”
“A disaster? She’s just an adorable ball of charm,” Eloise replied smoothly.
“…Ha.”
Etienne sighed helplessly, and Marcel chuckled, ruffling Etienne’s hair.
“As long as you two get along, that’s all that matters. Take care, Lady Eloise.”
“You too, Your Highness.”
With their farewell, we finally boarded the Duchy’s carriage that had been waiting for us.
Watching the palace scenery fade through the window filled me with mixed emotions—relief and nostalgia.
Still, the thought of returning home made my heart flutter.
Wait for me, cat wheel! I’ve only ridden you once!
A week had passed since we returned to the Duchy.
During that time, I played to my heart’s content in my playroom—and maybe even lost some weight. Maybe.
But the biggest change since our return was the atmosphere in the Duke’s household.
I glanced at the luxurious dinner table before me.
“Let’s eat.”
At the Duke’s signal, everyone lifted their forks.
Since returning from the Imperial Palace, Duke Monclair had joined us for dinner every evening.
“The abandoned mine Rizet mentioned was purchased yesterday. You can visit whenever you wish.”
“Thank you, Your Grace!”
“What’s so fascinating about that ruin anyway…”
“There are tons of diamonds buried there!”
