# 25
After a long time, when Helen finally met the head butler, she smiled lightly.
“I kept you waiting.”
“Greetings to Her Highness.”
The head butler of Wenz Palace bowed deeply without any complaint.
Since it was the head butler who brought the drugs to Lady Nigel, she was also complicit.
If Lady Nigel was punished, the head butler would not be safe either.
“Lady Nigel stated... that she had made a mistake with Princess Cheveline.”
"mistake?"
When Helen answered in an annoyed tone, the butler shuddered.
“Lady Nigel speaks with the Third and Fifth Empresses.”
Although she didn't want to accept the apology, it wouldn't be in her best interest to prolong the matter.
As a courtesy, Helen made up a response.
“Tell Lady Nigel I appreciate her apology.”
“Yes, Your Highness...”
After the head maid of Wenz Palace left, rumors began to spread quickly.
The inability of Princess Shevlin, Princess Helen's daughter, to speak was not the main topic of conversation.
What was even striking was that Helen kept the head maid of Wenz Palace waiting for a long time.
Not only did Lady Nigel apologize to Helen through the head maid.
Rumors spread quickly that Lady Nigel had visited the Empresses directly at Helen's suggestion.
After that, Helen had a relatively quiet day.
Duke Tisza did not even enter the palace.
“Lady Nigel has been staying at the palace lately. She hasn't even had tea parties.”
Elisha, who had been spying on the quiet Wenz Palace, reported the news.
"Really? No wonder he's so quiet."
Helen said as she fed Shevlin pureed fruit, which she was eating greedily.
Elisha watched the scene with tenderness, and clapped her hands as if she remembered something she had forgotten.
“Your Highness. On my way here, I met Countess Qin, and she said that an envoy from the Emperor of the Rikuir Empire will arrive soon.”
“An envoy from Emperor Caliosa?”
“Yes. They are coming to exchange gifts for the party.”
“It's time to exchange gifts.”
After mentally preparing herself, Helen looked at Elisha.
“We have to prepare as well. Elisha, go to the royal chamber and bring the gifts of Riquir’s side.”
"…I?"
“As my personal maid, you will go with me to Belzeit, right? Then you must also bring gifts.”
The look of confusion on Elisha's face gradually dissipated.
When a member of the royal family marries and travels to another country, it is customary to bring along a personal maid who is the daughter of a count or of higher rank.
However, in terms of status, Elisha was the third daughter of Baron.
There had been similar cases before, but it was not uncommon to hire a personal maid of Elisha's stature.
However, Shevlin had a particular crush on Elisha.
Helen, who was thinking of including Elisha, overheard her arguing with someone last night.
“Lily, are you out of your mind? Asking me to steal information from Her Highness?”
“Hey, don't say it like that. It's not stealing, just sharing a little. I said the reward would be generous.”
“You are really crazy. If you do that again, I will tell Her Highness immediately.”
“Elisha! Why are you being so petty?”
"Men of Dayan never betray their master, no matter what. It is a lifelong choice."
Elisha firmly rejected her friend's request to become a spy.
“Elisha...I think you will be a good helper for me.”
This gave Helen the confidence she needed.
“I will go to the royal chamber immediately, Your Highness!”
Elisha answered enthusiastically and walked quickly towards the royal chamber.
It's the day to exchange gifts.
“I hope the preparations live up to their expectations.”
Helen waited for Emperor Caliosa's envoy in the dining room, where lunch was being prepared.
“Your Highness. Emperor Caliosa’s envoy has arrived at Largon Palace.”
“Bring them here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Elisha, who had delivered the news, closed the door and left.
After a while, the envoy entered, and Helen rose from her seat.
“Nice to meet you. I am Count Ena Hever, advisor to Emperor Caliosa.”
“Nice to meet you. I'm Helen Pitstein.”
“On behalf of Emperor Caliosa, I have the honor to meet the Fourth Princess of Betstein.”
Count Heifer spoke in a steady voice and bowed respectfully.
When Helen extended her hand for a handshake first, Count Heifer froze for a moment before belatedly taking her hand.
“…I am pleased to receive you warmly.”
Her facial expression didn't match her words, which almost made Helen laugh.
After clearing her throat, Count Heifer carefully took out a jewelry box from her pocket.
“This is the Tear of Ifrit, a gift from the Rikuir to the Fourth Princess.”
“Efreet’s Tear? It’s a necklace traditionally worn only by the Crown Princess of Riquier... Why...”
Helen realized the significance of the gift from Emperor Caliosa.
‘…They still consider Grand Duke Belzeit the Crown Prince of Ricoeur.’
Helen didn't ask why he gave it to her.
It was better not to interfere in matters of succession in another country.
"Thank you."
“Pardon, Your Highness.”
Helen kissed the goblin's tear softly.
“Elisha, give Count Heifer the gift.”
Helen handed the jewelry box to Elisha and gestured with her eyes.
Elisha immediately handed the prepared gift to Count Hever.
“They are Saint Liuden’s earrings.”
Count Hever immediately recognized the gift and was impressed by it.
“I will deliver her safely to Grand Duke Belzeit.”
“Please have a seat.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
After exchanging gifts, Helen raised a glass of wine.
A month has passed since Count Heifer's departure.
Autumn has come to Beitstein, and the time for departure to Belzeit, where winter is approaching, is approaching.
There are three hours left until the ceremony.
“It's getting cold in the north, so I packed a lot of luggage, and now we have a lot of carts.”
Elisha, who had been checking the luggage outside, returned and prepared Helen and Shevlin's gowns.
“Your Highness, I will dress you now.”
"Help yourself."
Helen, who had not slept last night due to stress, was feeling very sleepy.
Fortunately, Elisha was very skillful, and with a little powder under her eyes, she did not appear tired.
“Her Highness’s silver hair resembles that of Amphitrite.”
Elisha said, admiringly applying the essential oil and gently combing Helen's hair.
“Amphitrite?”
“Yes. Amphitrite, the nymph who symbolizes beauty, also has silver hair... Oh, Your Highness, I'm sorry. I've been talking too long.”
“Hmm?”
“It's my first time traveling to another country, so I guess I'm a little excited.”
Helen smiled slightly at Elisha, who suddenly looked depressed.
"No, thanks to you, my fatigue has eased a little. Can you tell me more about Amphitrite?"
“Her Highness...”
Elisha's eyes sparkled as she regained her vitality.
“My mother always told me about Amphitrite, who lived in the Oswalt Sea.”
“Oh, I remember. Baroness Diane told me about it too.”
Helen had visited that place herself.
Oswalt Sea.
A place where she went to end her life, but found it too pure and beautiful to throw herself into.
'When I first found out I was pregnant with Shevlin, I was really happy that I didn't end my life in that sea.'
The thought of the Oswalt Sea seemed to wake her up a little.
“Your Highness, I will style your hair now. Shall I carefully braid it and put it up?”
“Or...”
Countess Kane interrupted Elisha's speech by entering with the maids from Ignace's palace.
“Countess Kane?”
The maids were carrying jewelry boxes.
“Hail Princess Helen.”
“What does this mean? What is this?”
“The Crown Princess has prepared gifts. Elisha, please show them to Her Highness.”
“Yes, Countess Kane.”
At the Countess's request, Elisha brought over a very ornate jewelry box and opened it.
There were earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches – every type of jewelry imaginable.
“Why...”
Among them was even a tiara worn by previous empresses.
They were all clearly precious and valuable.
The Countess took out a pair of shoes and said:
“This was sent by the Empress of Barin Kingdom.”
“Empress Isabella…?”
Helen touched the shoes sent by Empress Isabella.
The shoe was decorated with roses made of clear glass.