NRAL | Chapter 52

~Chapter 52~

A Letter from the Imperial Palace

Eleanor was always curious about the reasons behind people’s kindness, including Karsian’s and Hilda’s. No one had ever been kind to her without a purpose, so she found it puzzling.

“…About six months ago, when I had just started working at this mansion, you went to the Imperial Palace, and during that time, one of your rings went missing. There was a huge fuss over it. It was also the first time I cleaned your room, and of course, I was blamed for the missing ring,” Hilda began, recounting a story that seemed to be very familiar to her.

“The ring wasn’t anywhere in my pockets, bags, or the room, but they all accused me of stealing it. Nora was the one leading the charge. Now that I think about it, she probably lost the ring or hid it, trying to frame me,” Hilda continued.

“That makes sense,” Eleanor muttered.

“Anyway, I was about to be punished for being accused of theft when, by coincidence, you returned and discovered the truth. You said the ring had been lost by you and that I wasn’t at fault. That’s when I decided I would serve you from then on.”

Eleanor faintly remembered that incident. At the time, she had quietly covered for Nora when she realized it had been Nora’s mistake.

However, even after hearing Hilda’s explanation, Eleanor couldn’t fully understand her feelings.

To go so far as to protect her life over such a small act seemed excessive. After all, Eleanor hadn’t done anything for Hilda in return.

Hilda read the confusion in Eleanor’s eyes and added more to her explanation.

“It may have seemed like nothing to you, but it meant a lot to me. At that time, I was in a very bad place. Before coming to the mansion, I worked at the Freihill family’s estate, and I was beaten a lot there. Even things I hadn’t done wrong were blamed on me, and the lady I served would throw things at me or slap me. I ran away to this place, but when something like that happened here, I started to wonder, ‘Is it really me? Is everything my fault?’”

“…Hilda…” Eleanor murmured.

The name Freihill. Eleanor mentally repeated it. Since they were high nobility in the capital, she might meet them someday.

Hilda, with a faint smile, responded, “But that day, you told me that I had done nothing wrong. Even if you said it casually, it was like a lifeline for me. I didn’t realize how much hearing someone stand up for me would help. It was like a breath of fresh air.”

“Salvation.” That was a word Eleanor had only heard in the teachings of Luke—something grand and far removed. But something as simple as her small action had become salvation (rescue) for someone else. It felt strange.

“After that, everything that used to torment me seemed like nothing. The situation didn’t change, but my heart did. I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. You had confirmed that for me. That made me feel bolder around others and even toward myself. I promised myself then that I would stand by yourside, always.”

Eleanor felt a sense of déjà vu, remembering a time when someone had told her she wasn’t at fault, and how it had lifted the heavy weight off her chest.

“Now, do you understand why I’ve been so nice to you?” Hilda asked, noticing Eleanor’s puzzled expression. “I know you’ve always been curious.”

“…Did it show?” Eleanor asked.

“Oh, yes, a lot. You’re cute, so I just pretended not to notice. Anyway, now that I’ve answered your question, I’ll go get some food. You haven’t eaten all day, so you must be starving. You should at least have some soup.”

“I’m fine,” Eleanor said.

“I’m not fine. I’ll be back soon, so just rest for now!” Hilda said as she dashed off before Eleanor could protest.

Eleanor watched Hilda’s retreating figure, a little dazed, before she smiled softly. The sense of déjà vu lingered, as Hilda reminded her of Duke Royster. The Duke had also ignored her protests and insisted she take his coat.

It was funny that looking at the small and cute Hilda made her think of the large and imposing Karsian. If someone heard her thoughts, they’d probably think she was losing her mind.

‘The common point is… both of them like me,’ she thought.

Unlike Hilda, who was genuinely kind, Karsian’s affection, based on romantic feelings, was uncertain, but Eleanor closed her eyes slowly.

***

At Hayden Palace, where the royal family of the Jubnail Kingdom resided, Marcus, the secretary to the crown prince, had been troubled by his duties lately.

The crown prince, Arlo, had always been a source of stress for Marcus, but recently, it had gotten worse, especially after the ball at the Astria Duke’s mansion.

Arlo had been absent-minded all day, delaying work and sometimes saying ridiculous things that put Marcus in awkward situations. Today, however, Arlo had said something particularly strange.

“Marcus, have any of the past emperors ever taken a queen’s sister as a concubine?” Arlo suddenly asked as he lay back on the sofa in an odd position.

Marcus was taken aback by the question.

“If they weren’t blood relatives, I suppose it wouldn’t be an issue. What do you think, Marcus?”

In truth, Marcus didn’t think it would matter even if they were blood relatives.

Arlo’s strange statement was the only consideration he showed Marcus, who had been surprised by his words.

“There has never been such a case, Your Highness,” Marcus replied.

Marcus patiently suppressed his urge to shout out and calmly answered, “If the empress’s family allows it, it would be possible, but… it wouldn’t look very good. A wise ruler should be an example for the nobility.”

“You’re not my teacher, so stop the boring talk. You mean it’s not impossible under the system, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Hmm…”

After Marcus reluctantly gave the answer he wanted, Arlo finally lifted his head from where it had been tilted back. He sat up properly and fiddled with the pen on the table before grabbing it.

“Get me some stationery.”

Giving the order arrogantly, Marcus opened the drawer as if used to it. Whether he was a wise ruler or not, the crown prince was, at the very least, a tyrant, if he wasn’t an outright fool being swayed by women.

“Bring me the prettiest one. You know, something women would like.”

Or maybe, he wasn’t even capable of being a tyrant and would end up being a fool, completely swayed by women, without even realizing it.

***

Thanks to Hilda’s tender care, Eleanor’s leg was slowly healing. However, her condition was still poor, and she couldn’t move for about three days, unable to leave her bed.

On the fourth day, she was finally able to walk a little, but every step still made her thighs ache, making movement difficult.

“I’ll have to ask them to take turns hitting one leg next time. Maybe then I could use a cane,” she joked, but both Hilda and Ernst looked at her sternly.

Hilda’s eyes even glistened with tears, realizing she would eventually have to punish Eleanor again. After seeing that, Eleanor promised herself not to make such jokes again.

Ironically, the one who had caused her leg to be like this, Duke Astria, went about his day as if nothing had happened. His face was calm as he handed Eleanor the documents to deal with, looking like a creature incapable of any emotion, as though he felt nothing.

What was even more chilling was the fact that he had also forced Eleanor to behave as if nothing was wrong.

Despite her still struggling to move, the Duke had ordered her to join him for Friday breakfast. Of course, there was no room for refusal.

As a result, Eleanor hobbled down the stairs, walking all the way to the dining room, not even accepting Hilda’s assistance. She knew very well that this was the image the Duke wanted to see.

“…Sit down, Ellie.”

The Duke, who had arrived unusually early, smiled at her appearance with satisfaction. Normally, he would have gotten upset if she had arrived later than him, but this time, her compliance seemed like an act of consideration.

Nora, who arrived soon after, also greeted Eleanor with a bright smile.

“Ah, Ellie. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Her smile and the way she asked seemed to imply that she knew exactly what Eleanor had been through. Or perhaps, she had even been behind the whole thing.

Before Eleanor had met with her father in the study, Nora had probably already gone to consult with him, suggesting that the latter was more likely. It seemed like she had taken revenge for ruining her debutante ball by doing this.

“Well, I’ve been fine. What about you? I heard Kiara has been spreading gossip everywhere.”

Considering how badly Nora had behaved at the debutante ball, there’s no way things had been fine for her.

The Cardiff social circle had been abuzz with talk about Nora, and even strangers were laughing at her. Apparently, she had refrained from going out recently, as her debutante ball had been a disaster. Given that her dream had been to mingle with many nobles, this humiliation must have been unbearable for her.

However, Nora casually laughed it off, pretending nothing was wrong.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Anyway, time will solve it.”

“Right, you’re so optimistic, it’s nice to see,” Eleanor replied with a smile, though her words carried an underlying sharpness.

The two young ladies sat down, and the breakfast of the Astria family began, excluding Damian, who was locked in his room.

The sound of dishes clinking filled the heavy silence when the Duke’s cold voice broke it.

“Elli, has there been any communication from the Royester Duke?”

The first question he brought up was about her relationship with Karsian. Despite having answered him multiple times during her punishment that there was no connection, the Duke asked again, as if it were the first time.

“Well, I imagine he might reach out soon,” Eleanor answered, feeling the Duke’s curiosity growing.

“Let me know immediately when he does.”

“Yes, Father.”

She nodded obediently, but from the corner of her eye, she could feel a sharp gaze. It was Nora, glaring at her.

Eleanor knew that Nora must have been angry upon learning that the “man of Eleanor” turned out to be none other than the famous Duke. It was making her uneasy.

Eleanor suppressed a smile, sensing Nora’s discomfort, as she could feel Nora’s arm trembling slightly from where they sat.

Before long, Nora’s innocent voice came.

“By the way, Father. We received a letter from the royal family this morning.”

“A letter from the royal family?”

Nora nodded excitedly, and then glanced at Eleanor with a sly look.

“Yes. The Empress wishes to meet with me. She thinks it’s better to become familiar before the wedding.”

Eleanor took a sip of her tea, forcing a smile as she hid her amusement. Despite whatever had happened at the debutante ball, she would eventually marry the crown prince and join the royal family. Nora, on the other hand, was openly boasting about meeting the Empress, not realizing that Eleanor had no interest in that position.

“Well, I guess she would be curious to meet the future daughter-in-law. When does she want to meet?”

“The day after tomorrow morning. Since it’s our first meeting, I think I should prepare something. What do you think would be appropriate?”

“That’s up to you… No, from now on, you should ask Lady Geoffrey.”

“Yes, Father.”

Seeing Nora smiling brightly, the Duke of Astria sighed quietly. Unlike Eleanor, who took care of everything on her own, Nora required a lot of attention. If left to her own devices, she might cause another disaster like the debutante ball, so some supervision was necessary.

Meanwhile, Eleanor found it hard not to laugh at Nora’s complete confidence about meeting the Empress. She almost felt sorry for her.

When she finally met her future mother-in-law, she wouldn’t be able to feel the same joy.

‘Not one, but two mothers-in-law… how troublesome.’