CHAPTER 04
“Mom, did you go there again this year?”
Meryl’s daughter, Mia, greeted her mother as she returned from an outing.
“Aren’t you tired of going every year? It’s been forever since her mom died…”
“Mia.”
Meryl cut off Mia’s words with a slightly stern tone.
“Thanks to being Margaret’s friend, I’m able to stay in the duke’s household. So don’t speak carelessly about the duchess.”
“Hmph. Fine.”
She always gets touchy whenever the duchess is mentioned.
Mia grumbled inwardly as she continued eating her cake. The soft sponge and bursts of raspberry made her keep reaching for more.
“By the way, what’s that cake?”
“I found it in the kitchen and brought it. If they had something like this, they should’ve told me in advance. I think they were planning to eat it without me. You should scold the head chef later, Mom.”
Meryl noticed the number “17” on the cake that Mia had stabbed and mushed with her fork.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
“Would you like a bite, Mom?”
“I’m good. More importantly, nothing happened while I was out, right?”
“Oh, right! A bunch of wagons suddenly arrived—it was chaos.”
“Wagons?”
“They said it was from His Highness the Crown Prince. Probably sent them for someone’s birthday.”
Mia pouted.
She didn’t know the details, but hearing that Linaria had received a bunch of gifts from the Imperial Family made her jealous.
“The Crown Prince, huh. Sounds like things are going smoothly.”
Unlike Mia, Meryl, who understood the situation, was satisfied.
If things continued this way, Linaria would enter the palace.
Head of the house, Dante, would remain bedridden, and his only direct heir, Linaria, was destined for the Imperial Court.
Meanwhile, the estate was managed by a collateral relative and successor, Ricardo.
With the family scattered, Meryl could soon start pulling the strings.
‘I really don’t understand what the Empress is thinking.’
Wanting that unwanted girl as a daughter-in-law?
The Empress had even made a secret request.
To subtly push Linaria into thinking it was the Obel family—not the Imperial Family—that wanted the engagement from the start.
Though Meryl couldn’t grasp the Empress’s motives, she was gaining clear benefits.
‘It was unexpected that Linaria spoke with the Duke today… but I’ve molded her to my liking, so it should be fine.’
She could probe into their conversation later.
For now, Meryl soothed her sulking daughter.
“You were lonely since I went out early, right? That’s why I prepared a gift.”
It was a hairpin inlaid with red rubies.
It was originally meant to be Linaria’s birthday gift from Dante.
But this wasn’t the first time Meryl had quietly diverted a gift to her daughter.
“You’re the best, Mom!”
Mia, now cheerful, stuck the hairpin in her hair, cream still smeared around her mouth.
“How do I look? Pretty, right?”
“Yes, it suits you perfectly—as if it was made just for you.”
As long as she wasn’t caught, everything was fine.
The gift had been personally chosen by Dante, so the household staff wouldn’t know.
Meryl stroked her daughter’s hair with satisfaction.
Later That Afternoon
A carriage bearing the Imperial Seal arrived at the Obel estate.
Upon seeing it, Meryl bit her lower lip anxiously.
“They say Linaria returned the gifts. His Majesty must be furious.”
But contrary to Meryl’s expectations—
“His Majesty the Emperor summons Lady Linaria of House Obel.”
The Emperor had called Linaria to the palace.
“He wishes to arrange a meeting between her and His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Hoping she would face the man she so deeply loathed.
“What are you talking about?”
Dante frowned upon hearing the Emperor’s message.
Before the Imperial attendant could respond, Dante quickly added,
“There’s no need for that. Inform His Majesty that I’ll visit him personally.”
“Duke Obel. The gifts sent by His Highness the Crown Prince have been returned.”
The attendant spoke in a low, cautioning tone.
“His Majesty believes there’s been a misunderstanding. If Lady Linaria visits the palace, the gifts will be sent again.”
“Does he intend to scold my daughter?”
“Certainly not. His Majesty is simply concerned.”
“Concerned?”
“Because the Lady hasn’t formed a contract with a divine beast… she’s missed out on many social events.”
Only those bonded with a divine beast may participate in noble gatherings.
As a direct descendant, Linaria had failed to be chosen by one—so her absence had been unavoidable.
“His Majesty worries that the young lady, now nearing adulthood, is isolated from society. He hopes this opportunity might help her build connections.”
“…”
“Also, since she and the Crown Prince have only exchanged portraits, this would be a good chance for them to get to know each other.”
“So it wasn’t a misunderstanding that the gifts were returned.”
Glance.
Dante looked toward Linaria, who had silently listened to everything.
He spoke firmly:
“This isn’t something to discuss through a middleman. Tell His Majesty I’ll speak to him directly, soon.”
“…”
“Also, the meeting between my daughter and the Crown Prince is unnecessary—there’s no need to arrange it.”
“Your Grace. Even His Majesty’s patience with House Obel has limits. Why escalate something that could be easily resolved?”
Though phrased like advice, the attendant was overstepping.
Dante, pipe in hand, gave him a cold stare.
Just then—
“Father. I’ll go to the palace with you.”
“Riri. You don’t need to overdo it.”
Despite being the ill one, Dante was worried about Linaria instead.
Linaria shook her head.
“As your daughter, I’ll eventually have to face the Crown Prince at least once. It’s better to avoid any unnecessary conflict.”
“Then I shall accompany you.”
“No. You should meet with His Majesty. Just come with me to the palace.”
Normally, such a suggestion wouldn’t have come up. Perhaps her desire to be with him moved her father.
It was surprising to see Dante take initiative—but she couldn’t simply defer to him.
“Even ten-year-olds attend social events without their parents.”
“…You’re right. I’ve treated you like a child for too long.”
Linaria hated Maximilian. Just hearing his name made her shudder—there was no way she’d want to see his face.
But if it meant bringing him down, she could face him anytime.
This meeting was an opportunity.
An opportunity to stop the future tyrant who would drench the Empire in blood.
‘Only I can do this.’
“Then I’ll inform His Majesty that you both will soon enter the palace.”
The attendant bowed respectfully and departed.
“Father, you must be tired. Please rest.”
“Riri.”
“Yes?”
“There are things you must be cautious about in the palace… no, never mind. Go ahead.”
“You were going to warn me to watch out for people trying to find fault with me, right?”
“I’m sorry for treating you like a child.”
“I may not be a child anymore, but I still like that you worry about me.”
Dante looked a little surprised at her honest words.
“I’ll be careful, just like you said.”
Linaria knew her father wasn’t worrying for nothing.
After reassuring him, she told him to rest and left the room.
But when she returned to her own room, Anna was pacing nervously.
“Anna? What’s wrong?”
“My lady! Something terrible has happened!”
Terrible?
“I just checked—your birthday cake is gone!”
“…The cake?”
“I searched the entire mansion but couldn’t find it. I’ll make sure it’s replaced, I promise!”
“No, don’t. Just leave it.”
“But…”
“Your thoughtfulness was enough. Thanks to you, it was the happiest birthday I’ve ever had.”
“My lady…”
As she calmed Anna, Linaria thought:
‘That cake shouldn’t have gone missing.’
It had disappeared while she was with her father.
She had a good idea of who the cake thief was.
‘There’s only one person who would pull something like this.’
A Few Days Later, Late Afternoon
As Linaria was preparing to enter the palace, an unwelcome guest barged into her room.
“I’m coming too!”
It was Meryl’s daughter, Mia.
“I want to see the palace too, so just know that I’m going.”
“This isn’t a palace tour—we’re going to meet the Crown Prince.”
“I know. That’s why I want to go. Who knows? Maybe His Highness will fall in love with me at first sight!”
Hearing such a ridiculous statement, as if her head were a flowerpot, Linaria didn’t even feel like laughing.
“It’s not a big deal for one more person to come. You know full well that my mom always put you ahead of me—can’t you even do this for me?”
Since childhood, Mia and Linaria’s relationship had always been the same.
Mia: the boss.
Linaria: the pushover.
Ever since Linaria made one wrong remark as a child.
She must’ve been five.
Maybe because the meal that day was sparse—she was especially hungry.
She’d waited eagerly for snack time, but her nanny, Meryl, never came.
Unable to bear it, she went out… and saw Meryl feeding Mia sweets with her own hand.
Maybe it was the sunlight making the scene seem so warm. It wasn’t even a big deal, but it felt strangely touching.
“M-Mom… me too…”
So much so that it made her envious.
