Chapter 19
Caleb’s handwriting resembled him—soft and round. As Alessia read the letter written in those gentle strokes, her eyes began to glisten.
Sara, who had been carefully observing her mistress’s reaction, jumped in alarm when she saw Alessia wipe away tears.
“Milady, are you all right?”
She gently dabbed Alessia’s eyes and asked with concern.
“I must’ve done something wrong. But you were close with the Baron, so I thought you might want to see it…”
“No, you did well. Thank you, Sara.”
Alessia gave a small, sincere smile after Sara finished drying her tears. She folded the letter neatly and placed it back into the envelope.
Sara watched her with concern, and Alessia offered a faint, self-deprecating smile.
“Caleb isn’t like his mother. He didn’t say anything that would worry me.”
“Then… why were you crying?”
Sara still looked troubled as she asked.
Alessia pressed her lips together and exhaled softly. She stroked the letter envelope and began to speak slowly.
“Because I feel sorry.”
She gently touched the red rose seal on the envelope.
According to the letter, word had already spread to House Ambrose that the wedding banquet hall would be decorated with red roses.
Patricia had apparently thrown a fit, insisting she must attend the banquet.
Caleb, however, repeatedly assured Alessia not to worry.
Especially regarding his mother—he said he would handle her and that there was no need for Alessia to concern herself. That was the main purpose of the letter: to contact her in advance so she wouldn’t be caught off guard.
Alessia could easily imagine how much Caleb must have endured.
‘He’ll suffer because of me.’
She felt guilty toward him, but that didn’t mean she would change her decision.
As the bride’s family, it was customary for House Ambrose to attend the wedding and banquet. But Alessia had not invited them.
In her past life, Patricia’s lack of manners had humiliated her thoroughly.
During the wedding ceremony, Patricia had snorted loudly just as the priest declared Alessia part of the imperial family.
She couldn’t accept that Alessia would enjoy prestige as a royal.
Nor could she accept that she would have to refer to Alessia as “Her Highness the Princess Consort.”
Though many heard Patricia’s grumbling, they pretended not to. Criticizing a royal marriage was borderline treasonous—but she was forgiven because she was the bride’s mother.
That inappropriate privilege inflated Patricia’s pride even more.
Eventually, she had blatantly demanded the dowry from Alessia at the banquet.
When Alessia was too shocked to respond, she even asked Prince Franz directly—without a shred of shame.
Even the Empress had frowned at Patricia’s rude behavior. But it was Alessia who bore the full shame.
So this time, Alessia made a bold decision not to invite House Ambrose.
Publicly, she claimed the rainy season made it impossible for them to leave their estate.
To compensate for the absence of family, she chose to decorate the hall with red roses.
That was just a week ago.
‘News spreads faster than I thought.’
Alessia leaned her chin on her hand and fell into thought. She had expected a reaction from Ambrose.
Letters from Patricia were being handled by Sara, and no replies were ever sent. No doubt Patricia was restless. Caleb must have written because the situation had become unbearable.
Feeling a shared sympathy, Alessia said to Sara:
“From now on, if anything comes from Caleb, show it to me. I don’t know if he’ll write again, but still.”
“Yes, milady.”
“And as for a reply…”
“Caleb? Who’s that?”
A high-pitched voice interrupted them. Turning around, they saw Glena, dressed in a dazzling gown.
“…Your Highness the First Princess Consort.”
“Lady Ambrose.”
Glena entered the parlor with confident steps, nodding slightly with her chin raised and eyes cast down in elegance.
She was signaling Alessia to mind her etiquette. Alessia quickly rose and knelt in greeting.
“I greet Your Highness the First Princess Consort. May the glory of the sun shine upon you.”
“…”
Glena looked down at her in silence.
Until her superior acknowledged her, Alessia could neither move nor speak.
Glena leisurely unfurled her fan and began fanning herself slowly. It was obvious she was just wasting time.
“Hmm.”
So much time passed that Sara behind her began fidgeting nervously. Alessia’s knees started trembling.
Trying to maintain her balance in a kneeling position was difficult. Eventually, she lost balance slightly and swayed.
“Ah…!”
“Oh my.”
Glena frowned as if witnessing something grotesque. She closed her fan with a sharp snap and shook her head.
“You shouldn’t move until I permit it. You truly lack etiquette.”
Even if you came from the countryside, really.
She clicked her tongue and tapped Alessia’s chin with her fan.
Lifting her chin, she furrowed her brows and feigned concern.
“How will you survive in the palace like this?”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“You should answer my question first, Lady.”
The fan that had been lifting her chin lightly struck her cheek.
A sting of pain bloomed, and behind her, Sara gasped audibly.
‘She’s really going too far.’
Alessia calmly stared at Glena with level eyes.
Glena looked utterly satisfied, her face glowing with amusement at tormenting Alessia.
It must’ve really stung her pride that she couldn’t humiliate Alessia in front of the Empress last time.
‘How childish.’
Alessia resisted the urge to laugh and lowered her gaze.
Glena, seeing her avert her eyes, continued smugly.
“Well, go on. I asked—who is Caleb?”
She gestured gracefully for Alessia to rise. Once Alessia straightened up, Glena giggled behind her fan.
“Is he your secret lover from Ambrose?”
“He’s my brother.”
Alessia answered dryly, staring at her as if unimpressed.
“He’s Baron Ambrose—Caleb Ambrose. He sent a letter to wish me well for the wedding.”
“Your brother?”
“If you don’t believe me, would you like to see the letter?”
As Alessia offered the letter, she added with a small note of realization:
“My brother is a classmate of Prince Creighton at the academy, actually. Did you not know?”
“How would I know every little detail? Barons are a dime a dozen.”
Finally, Glena outright mocked Alessia and her family. Alessia raised her brows slightly.
In a way, this was easier.
Better to deal with someone who shows their true face than one who acts sweet in front of you and schemes behind your back.
‘Glena is so transparent she might as well be glass.’
Alessia’s lips curved faintly into an unconscious smile.
Seeing her radiant smile, Glena’s face twisted with displeasure. She clapped her fan angrily.
“What’s that look for? Are you imagining some nonsense about Creighton and me not getting along?”
Alessia said nothing, just looked at her.
Glena snatched the letter and skimmed it, then glared at her again.
After a moment, she made an unexpected suggestion.
“Invite him. At least one family member should attend the wedding.”
Glena smiled meaningfully.
She believed that Baron Ambrose was Alessia’s stepbrother.
The letter showed concern, but she doubted it was sincere.
The previous Baron’s title had passed to Caleb, but the wealth had gone to Alessia.
That was something Charlotte had personally investigated—so it had to be true.
Alessia, still unmarried, couldn’t access the inheritance. But once she wed, a significant fortune would come under her control.
Alessia might think she had nothing left since the title went to Caleb. She probably hadn’t been properly informed about the estate.
That’s why she could exchange letters so nonchalantly, calling him “brother.”
But would the Ambrose pair really be so relaxed?
‘In backwater places, money matters more than honor.’
Glena smiled sweetly, eyes narrowing.
Alessia looked startled, and Glena quite enjoyed that stunned expression.
“He’s Creighton’s classmate, right? All the more reason to invite him. If you’re worried about the rain, let the baroness stay behind.”
Alessia silently stared at her.
Just moments ago, Glena’s thoughts had been so transparent—but now, they weren’t as easy to read.
Alessia quickly began thinking through the implications of Creighton and Caleb’s relationship.
