IS, IDMMYLM 08

Chapter 8

Silence is Golden

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“Well, perhaps it’s because of that that he gets tired of it and meets other women,”

Eliana held her breath, eavesdropping on their conversation.

“Princess, you’re so willful. How hard must it be for the Crown Prince to keep up with you? And….”

“And?”

“Who knows who he met and what he did in a foreign land?”

Eliana clicked her tongue at the vulgar conversation.

‘What do they know to be talking like that?’

She straightened her posture.

Her late father, the Duke, always said that baseless slander should be crushed at the outset.

Suddenly, the door to the dress room flung open with force.

“Well, I didn’t know the ladies were so interested in my private life.”

“P-Princess!”

The women who had been gossiping and mocking froze, their mouths hanging open.

Eliana’s gaze, filled with coldness, swept over the pale-faced women.

She mentally scanned her list of noblewomen and searched for their names.

“Would you like me to tell you in detail what I did while I was abroad?”

“No, no, Princess.”

As she approached, the two women jumped to their feet.

They clasped their hands together and bowed their heads deeply, looking like mice in front of a cat.

No matter what, Eliana was the daughter of a prominent Duke and a future Empress.

She had lived her life as a predator in the aristocratic class, and while she might be carefree, she was never kind.

“You seem to be looking for some juicy gossip, but unfortunately, all I did was study. Baroness Lawrence.”

The Baroness Lawrence, who had been the most vocal in gossiping, flinched slightly.

“It seems like it’s not the story you were hoping for, Countess Stern.”

Countess Stern, who had been eagerly joining in, stopped mid-sentence and lowered her eyes.

Eliana’s green eyes, now cold, seemed to command silence.

“Well, it seems the two of you have big events coming up this year,” she continued.

At once, the noblewomen looked up.

Their eyes were filled with anxiety and fear.

“Baroness, your son’s wedding is just around the corner, and Countess Stern, your daughter is making her debut this season.”

Eliana elongated her words.

“With such good things coming up, would it be wise for you ladies to act so recklessly?”

In contrast to her bright smile, her eyes were devoid of any joy.

She glanced out the window where sunlight filtered in and casually added,

“It’s a beautiful day, perfect for going out. If you have no other plans, perhaps you two should go out and enjoy a little

outing together.”

The veiled message was clear: it was a polite eviction order.

Realizing Eliana’s intent, the women hurriedly left the room.

“Ah, hello!”

As the women exited, Eliana heard a familiar voice she had heard before.

It was none other than Charlotte.

“Well, what a pleasant surprise. I’m so happy to see you again!”

“Ah, yes…”

“I came here to have a fitting for my dress! I’m going to make my debut this season, but since my family is poor, I couldn’t get a new dress. But you know what? The Crown Prince heard about it, and he bought me one!”

Her little lips babbled on, revealing unnecessary details.

Charlotte twirled around, showing off the dress that perfectly matched her silver hair.

Was she teasing her? Eliana’s insides began to boil.

“Well, it’s lovely. I’m afraid I’m busy, so I must go.”

“Wait, just a moment!”

Charlotte grabbed Eliana’s arm.

A chill ran through Eliana’s body, and she was startled, turning to face Charlotte.

Her blood-red eyes looked up at her sadly.

“I’d like to stay a little longer. Is that alright?”

“No, it’s not. I’m busy.”

Eliana firmly pulled her arm away.

As she did, Charlotte pouted, her expression on the verge of tears.

“The Crown Prince and his friend are both so busy.”

A crack appeared on Eliana’s brow.

The word “friend” didn’t sit well with her.

‘Who is this friend, really?’

Eliana’s eyes sharpened.

“Who’s this friend you speak of? Did the Crown Prince say that?”

“Well, not exactly, but since he seems so close to him, I thought they must be friends.”

Eliana was speechless.

“I think you’re mistaken. I’m the Crown Prince’s fiancée, not his friend.”

“Oh, I see. I do remember you saying that yesterday.”

Charlotte’s careless attitude, as if it didn’t matter, provoked Eliana.

“Don’t you understand the meaning of being engaged?”

“I do! It means you’re promised to marry, right?”

Charlotte replied quickly, a little defensive.

Despite understanding the meaning, her reaction only irritated Eliana.

When Eliana stared at Charlotte with suspicion, she tilted her head and spoke with a bold look in her eyes.

“But engagement is just a promise. And promises are very easy to break, aren’t they?”

Eliana felt a shiver run down her spine.

Charlotte’s eyes, as clear as the purest white, were strangely tainted.

“Princess, the carriage has arrived. You must go now.”

“Ah! I’ll see you later then!”

Charlotte waved her hand as she left.

“Shall we investigate?”

Once Charlotte had left, Milla cautiously approached and asked.

“Aren’t you curious who she really is?”

“I have some sense, you know.”

Milla glanced back at the door through which Charlotte had exited.

As a merchant’s daughter, Milla had an excellent instinct, especially when it came to bad news.

“Let’s find out everything about her.”

There was nothing but the fact that she was the daughter of a poor Count.

Eliana desperately tried to shake off the ominous feeling creeping over her.

Around noon, Eliana returned to the mansion.

The servants were moving with disciplined precision, an air of solemnity hanging in the atmosphere.

It was a far cry from the casual atmosphere when she had left. She grabbed one of the passing servants and asked what was going on.

He stammered nervously before answering.

“Master Helio just arrived at the mansion.”

Helio, Eliana’s second older brother, held the position of the head of the Imperial Ministry of Finance.

Although he was part of the Imperial family, he often took on the family’s primary duties in place of their weak eldest brother, Emil.

It was no surprise that the household was bustling now that he had returned from his trip.

Unlike the gentle Emil, Helio was a strict idealist who didn’t tolerate any mistakes, no matter how small.

“Helio’s back.”

Eliana clicked her tongue.

Helio’s strictness wasn’t limited to the servants.

It was because of him that Gerard had left the house, and the reason Eliana couldn’t go abroad easily.

His rigid principles were the backbone of the Greyston family’s power, but his excessive focus on rules made him suffocating to be around.

She hadn’t received a single letter from him after the incident three years ago, and she wasn’t expecting a warm welcome.

She felt it was best to report that she had returned safely and headed to the Duke’s office as instructed by the servant.

She knocked on the door and heard Emil’s voice call out, “Come in.”

“Eliana, you’re back from the fitting, I take it?”

When she entered, Emil greeted her with a gentle smile.

“Yes, I just got back to the mansion.”

“Got something to say?”

Helio, sitting across from Emil, asked indifferently.

Could it be because of what happened three years ago that he still seemed cold?

Eliana studied his expression carefully.

He still had the same unreadable face.

“I heard Helio was here.”

Helio, holding his tea cup, paused.

His gaze turned toward her.

She took a step closer, lightly lifting her dress.

“Eliana Greyston has safely returned to the Empire.”

“Good. But next time, if you want to greet someone, wait until after they’ve finished their duties.”

Helio spoke with a hint of reprimand.

It seemed like he couldn’t go a single day without nagging.

“Now that the report is done, I’ll take my leave.”

Helio stood up from his seat.

After staying in the mines, he smelled of coal, something that clung to his clothes.

“Good work as always, Helio.”

“Nothing special. Just doing what needs to be done.”

“Oh, and I forgot to mention, we have a guest in the mansion.”

“A guest?”

“The Duke of Norbert is staying here for a while.”

“Oh, yes. The Duke?”

Helio’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Since Gerard’s here too, let’s have a meal together next time.”

“Gerard too? What happened?”

“Busy, busy. I’ll leave the details to Eliana.”

“Me?”

Emil gently ushered them out, guiding them away from the office.

Standing in the corridor, Eliana hesitated before stepping back.

“Eliana.”

Helio grabbed her shoulder.

His gaze was insistent.

“About what…?”

“The place to explain isn’t here. Come with me.”

Helio turned around.

Reluctantly, Eliana followed Helio through the winding corridors of the mansion, her heart sinking as she anticipated what would come next.

Helio, as always, was unreadable. His stoic demeanor made it hard to decipher his emotions.

He led her to a small study room at the back of the mansion, far from the main hall.

The air in the room felt cooler, and the dim lighting added to the tension.

“Sit.”

He gestured toward the chair in front of his desk, his voice firm.

Eliana sat down, trying to steady her nerves, but her hands were cold, betraying her composure.

Helio took a seat across from her, his piercing gaze fixed on her face.

He didn’t speak right away, letting the silence stretch between them.

Eliana felt the weight of his gaze, but she knew better than to break it first.

After what felt like an eternity, Helio finally spoke.

“I heard about the engagement cancellation.”

His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, something Eliana couldn’t quite place.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She had expected him to mention it, but hearing it out loud made her stomach churn.

“I didn’t know you would be the one to announce it,” he continued, his tone almost casual, as if he were discussing something insignificant.

Eliana stayed silent, biting the inside of her cheek.

What was there to say? She had already made her decision.

“Do you still think you’ve made the right choice?”

Helio’s question was blunt, almost harsh.

Eliana’s eyes flicked to his face, searching for some kind of emotion, some sign that he wasn’t as unaffected as he appeared.

But there was nothing.

“I think I’ve made the only choice I could,” she replied quietly.

Helio leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he regarded her.

“You’re still so stubborn,” he said, almost to himself, before looking at her again.

“You know, your choices have consequences.”

The words hit her like a slap. Eliana tensed, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

“I’m fully aware,” she responded, her voice tight.

Helio let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. But I need you to understand that what you did isn’t without ramifications. The house, the family… all of it.”

Eliana’s breath caught in her throat.

“I didn’t want this,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

“I never wanted to hurt anyone. But Albert… he didn’t give me a choice. You know that better than anyone.”

Helio’s expression softened for a moment, just the slightest flicker of understanding.

But it quickly faded, replaced with his usual impassive look.

“I know,” he said quietly.

“But you’re not the only one who’s affected.”

Eliana met his gaze, her chest tight with emotion.

She couldn’t believe this conversation was happening, but part of her had known it was inevitable.

“I understand,” she whispered.

“I just… I just wanted to be free.”

Helio’s gaze lingered on her, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

“I understand that too,” he said softly.

“But freedom doesn’t come without sacrifice.”

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Eliana’s mind was racing, her thoughts swirling like a storm.

She had made her choice, but now, faced with the cold reality of the consequences, she wasn’t sure how to move forward.

Helio stood up, breaking the silence.

“I’ll speak with Father. We’ll figure something out.”

Eliana stood as well, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly.

“Thank you.”

Helio gave a curt nod, but his eyes softened for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but didn’t.

As Eliana turned to leave, she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, the burden of her choices heavier than ever.

She stepped out of the study and into the quiet hallway, her heart heavy with everything she had lost and everything she stood to lose.