# 23
“You said that if I met Princess Glazee, she would overlook one thing I did, right?”
Empress Kaliosa vaguely remembered that she had made a similar promise to Aachen.
‘From whom did he inherit this precision?’
“Okay, I'll skip it.”
Aachen always managed things himself and told others later.
Empress Kaliosa could not understand this disregard.
‘This boy, he will get into big trouble because of this habit one day.’
Empress Caliosa clicked her tongue, expressing her dissatisfaction with Aachen's behavior.
Regardless of the outcome, maintaining friendly relations with Betstein was essential.
In fact, Aachen's second marriage was more urgent than Violet's, so it ended well.
“Since you insist on this, what about Duke Tisza’s granddaughter? Princess Elenia, who is studying abroad in Adelaer.”
Aachen responded firmly to Emperor Kaliosa's proposal:
“If it wasn't for Princess Helen, I wouldn't do it.”
“……”
“I have already sent a marriage proposal to the Fourth Princess.”
Kaliosa sighed deeply.
‘He is my son, but I don’t understand him.’
When Aachen announced his decision to marry a commoner to raise Rose's son, whom he had never seen, it was inevitable, so Kaliosa accepted it.
But it seems that Aachen really wanted to marry Princess Helen.
Because Emperor Caliosa knew that arguing would be of no use, he gave up trying to persuade him.
“You've always handled things your way, but I'll take care of the rest, like exchanging gifts.”
“As you wish. I will excuse myself now.”
As Aachen walked away, Kaliosa let out a deep sigh.
At that moment, Count Hever, Empress Caliosa's assistant, entered, carrying a frame.
"What is this?"
“It is the picture of Princess Helene that you requested. It appears to have been sent from Betstein some time ago.”
Empress Caliosa stared at the picture carefully, then slowly opened her mouth.
“She looks just like Lariat. Her hair is like moonlight reflecting on the sea.”
Her bright silver hair and deep green eyes were reminiscent of a lush forest.
“My free friend who died because she refused to marry…”
Princess Helen's appearance reminded Empress Kaliosa of the only person she had ever trusted.
“Princess Helen is Lady Lariat's niece, after all.”
Count Heifer answered as if it were normal, knowing their kinship.
"But apart from her face, she looked completely different. Lariette couldn't sit still long enough to paint a picture of herself."
Empress Kaliosa laughed as she recalled her friend.
One photo can't reveal everything, but her slender figure and intelligent look were attractive.
I understood why Aachen insisted on marrying Princess Helene.
“Do you remember what I intended to present to the bride of Aachen?”
“How could I forget, Your Majesty?”
“Take him to Princess Helen. We must prepare to receive Crown Princess Riquier.”
“Mom!”
Helen suddenly woke up from her nap on the sofa, to the sound of Shivalin sobbing and rushing towards her.
“...Shivlin?”
Her heart contracted. The drowsiness dissipated in an instant.
Helen quickly pulled her daughter to her chest and hugged her tightly.
"Oh, my God."
Her face is covered in tears and snot.
Helen felt pain in her heart to see her daughter's face stained with tears.
What happened this time?
It hurt her to see her daughter crying more than ever since the divorce.
Helen wiped away Sheveline's tears with a handkerchief, trying to calm her down.
“Baby, what happened?”
“…”
Sheviline clung to her mother's dress, still sniffling.
"My little girl."
Helen was disturbed by her daughter's silence.
"Are you hurt? What's wrong?"
“…”
To know what happened, Helen needed to know.
Helen picked up Shivalin and left the bedroom, finding Elisha waiting for her with a deep bow.
“Elisha.”
“…Her Highness.”
Elisha was taking care of Shivalin recently, because Helen was busy preparing for the party.
Maybe Elisha knew what was bothering Shevelin.
“Bring me some warm milk with honey.”
Helen did not press Elisha for answers.
Calming Shevelin was the priority.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Elisha soon returned with warm milk.
After Sheveline drank it, she fell asleep in Helen's arms.
As her daughter's sobs subsided, silence fell over the room.
While Helen was gently stroking Shevlyn's hair, Elisha asked:
“What happened?”
“The Princess met Lady Nigel during a walk.”
Elisha answered, looking down.
“Mrs. Nigel?”
Mrs. Nigel was not one to hide her thoughts or words.
Many maids and knights quit because of her harsh words.
“You haven't been to Largon Palace in a long time. Why now...?”
Helen frowned when she heard that Shevelin had met Mrs. Nigel.
“It seems that Lady Nigel was aware of the princess's silence, and said something about it...”
“…”
“Servants from Remir Palace and Tyson Palace heard what was said.”
Helen rubbed her temples upon hearing Elisha's report.
“So that's why she came to me crying.”
Very few were aware of Shevellin's silence.
Only the royal physician, Glizi, and a few servants who...
Everyone knew this secret.
Revealing information about the health of a member of the royal family could expose one to severe punishment, so everyone was cautious.
“It's only a matter of time before rumors spread that Sheviline cannot speak.”
“What did Lady Nigel say to Chevelin?”
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but I cannot repeat myself...”
Elisha knelt on the ground, begging for forgiveness.
“I am at fault for failing to take care of the princess. I will accept any punishment.”
“…Get up, Elisha.”
Helen was not angry with Elisha. She didn't intend to punish her unfairly.
Elisha made no excuses, and it was understandable that she could not face Lady Nigel.
Helen extended her hand to help Elisha up.
“I need to go see Lady Nigel for a moment.”
She couldn't ignore this.
Helen went straight to Wynn's Palace, where Lady Nigel was staying.
She hadn't told her in advance, as she didn't want to give her any time to prepare.
“Nigel Tessa.”
Lady Nigel, Duke Tisza's only daughter, was made the first Empress, and gave birth to the second Princess, Elenia.
Living under the protection of Duke Tessa, she did not care about her words.
“What could she have said to a five-year-old?”
Helen needed a formal apology to prevent rumors from spreading.
When I arrived at Wen's Palace, I felt an unusually cold atmosphere.
"What is this?"
There were no servants, not even a greeter. The head butler was not visible.
“Who's next?”
Lady Nigel's sharp voice was heard.
Helen held her breath. As she approached the door, the voice became clearer.
“The Second Princess is expected to return.”
She seemed to be with Duchess Tessa.
'The second princess is returning?'
After the fall of Emperor Roman, Elenia, who had gone to study abroad in Adelie, did not return to Beitstein.
"I don't want her here, Helio. Tell her not to come."
“Madam Nigel, there is no need for all this excitement.”
Duke Tessa was patiently trying to calm Lady Nigel, who kept repeating herself.
There was something strange about this.
It was not just that Lady Nigel did not want the Second Princess to come, it was that she seemed to truly despise her daughter.
And also…
“Helio is the name of Duchess Tessa.”
It made sense for her to formally address Duke Tessa since she was Emperor Roman's first empress.
‘Helio is the name of Duke Tissa.’
“I said I didn't want to see her. How many times do I have to say it, Helio?”
“Ms. Nigel, if Elenia doesn’t come this time, rumors will spread.”
“I don't care! Helio, I don't care.”
“It's making a lot of noise in Adele too.”
Listening to their conversation, Helen realized something strange.
‘Why does Lady Nigel call Duke Tessa by his name?’
Their conversation was not like that of a father and his daughter.
“...!”
“…Princess Helen?”
It was the head butler of Wenz's Palace who called Helen. She was holding something in her hands.
"What is this?"
“Ah, well...”
When the head butler was asked about the dark liquid, she began to tremble and dropped the tray she was holding.
The stench broke through, making Helen wrinkle her nose.
Even as she sniffed for a few moments, she felt extremely dizzy and quickly covered her nose.
'Is it possible that this is... Rooster?'
Rooster.
A type of drug that was banned a long time ago.
Mere possession of it could land its owner in prison.