# 46
Rosanna, who seemed to remember the banquet, addressed Helen: “Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
However, her expression was not satisfied.
“Do you need help?”
“Yes. If that were the case, I, Rosanna, would gladly help you...”
Despite Rosanna's provocations from the moment of her arrival, Helen did not respond to the provocation and ignored the matter.
“There wasn't anything too difficult.”
“…Is that true? By the way, this is my nephew. Henry, greet Her Highness.”
Rosanna waved her fan gently and pointed at Henry.
“I am Henry Daphne.”
Like Rosanna, Henry held his head high, showing no intention of bowing.
The noble ladies nearby gasped in shock at his impudence.
“Forgive him, Your Highness. Daphne’s royal family teaches their members not to bend easily.”
Perhaps noticing the looks of the others, Rosanna made a lame excuse.
“…Are you saying that I, the Grand Duchess of Belzeit and Princess of Bethstein, am not in a position to receive a greeting from the Crown Prince?”
Helen was surprised by this logic, so she let out a light laugh as she asked.
Rosanna sighed softly and looked at Henry.
“Henry. Greet Her Highness as befits her.”
“But, auntie...”
“Henry!”
When Henry refused in a complaining tone, Rosanna's voice grew louder.
When Henry saw that his aunt did not support him, he had no choice.
“…Greetings to Her Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
Henry reluctantly bowed to Helen.
“Your Highness, you must remember that this is not Daphne. You should be fully aware of this fact and the identity of the person standing before you.”
“Yes… I apologize.”
Despite Helen's sincere advice, Henry's face still showed clear displeasure.
‘What arrogance! How did Daphne grow up to be so different from Luan?'
Compared to Luan, who was always polite, Helen saw no reason to waste time with a child.
“You should go now to join your friends.”
Without answering, Henry maintained a frowning expression and quickly left.
More guests kept arriving, and Helen chose to avoid any undue emotional tension.
“Viscountess Merry, Countess Kissilan. You have arrived.”
Viscountess Merry and Countess Kissilan, distant relatives, descended from the same carriage.
“I apologize for being late, Your Highness. There was a carriage accident on the way, which delayed us.”
Viscountess Mary wiped her forehead wet with cold sweat.
“A car accident...? Was anyone hurt?”
Helen checked on the two women and their children.
“No, we're all fine. Thank you for your concern.”
Viscountess Merry answered gravely, then turned aside.
“I, Camellia of the House of Kissilan, greet Her Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
“I am Dio Kecilan.”
The Countess Kissilan and her child saluted in curt expressions.
“Countess Riole. I see you arrived early.”
At first, Helen thought Countess Kesselan was reserved, but she showed great respect as soon as she saw Rosanna.
This was exaggerated, given the similarity of their noble rank.
“Camellia. Are you okay?”
Rosanna answered calmly, looking satisfied
'Is she willing to push me away just to get closer to Countess Reul?'
Instead of getting angry, Helen sneered:
“Send the children to the garden, and all sit down. We will start the reading session.”
Helen suppressed her anger and pointed towards the ward.
“We will each read a prepared piece of poetry and share our thoughts on it.”
“By the way, Your Highness, where is His Highness Aachen?”
While Helen was explaining the session, Rosanna suddenly asked where Aachen was.
“…The Grand Duke went to inspect the area. Why do you suddenly ask?”
“Oh, he's on a inspection tour. I was just curious because I haven't seen him.”
“So, there was no specific reason.”
Helen suppressed her annoyance and resumed her reading session.
After Luan took the kids on a tour of the park, he sat on a bench to rest.
“…From the ends of the earth, I will call upon you when my heart is weak; lead me to the rock that is higher than me.”
“It is Her Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
He heard Helen's sweet voice as she chanted a psalm.
[My brother!]
While Luan smiled, Shivalin ran towards him with a worried face.
"Shivlin? What's going on?"
[Johann and Henry are quarreling.]
“...fighting?”
Luan followed Chevilin's gaze and saw Johan and Henry arguing fiercely.
“Give it to me!”
"no!"
"I just want to play with him a little. What's all the fuss about?"
“...Henry, the chick is injured. Please don’t disturb it.”
A small bird, its wing damaged, lay limply in Johann's palm.
“You dare to oppose me? Do you know who I am?”
Henry tried hard to grab it.
To protect the bird, Johann pushed Henry aside.
Henry fell on his back, so Luan rushed to help him up.
“Henry, are you okay?”
“Don't touch me!”
Henry immediately slapped Luan's hand despite his help.
“Johan! How dare you push me? Did you know that I am the Crown Prince of Daphne? I will tell my aunt and make you cry.”
“Sure you'll pay!”
He looked at Johan angrily, breathing anger.
Luan intervened between them, trying to mediate.
"Henry, let's stop here. You're the one who pounced on Baron Hess's son to torture the chick."
“…A Muggle-born half-blood dare to lecture me?”
Henry scoffed, reminding Luan of his lineage.
“Do you even know who I am?”
“……”
“Oof, enough bothering!”
Since Henry had always belittled him with such comments at Kimmich Academy, Luan could bear it.
“I don’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble at the Grand Duchess’s first reading meeting.”
“…Shivlin?”
Suddenly, Shevlin stood between them, demanding that Henry apologize.
[Apologies to Luan!]
Henry frowned angrily.
"And who are you? Are you mute?"
When Shevlin saw that she only moved her lips without saying a word, Henry laughed sarcastically.
“Hey.”
Shevlin's eyes teared up at Henry's sarcastic words. Luan quickly pulled him behind him.
“Watch your words.”
Luan stared at Henry and gently patted his shoulder.
“You are…!”
“If you talk to my sister like that again, I won’t stand by.”
Henry shuddered for a moment at Luan's warning, but his pride was wounded.
“Someone like you...”
Luan ignored him and turned to Johan.
“Johan, is the little bird okay?”
“I smell… I think he passed out.”
Luan gently patted the bird's nest and reassured Johan.
“We must treat him quickly.”
“H…”
At that moment, Garen was approaching carrying a tray.
“Garen?”
“Young Master, Her Highness has asked everyone to return.”
Garen relayed Helen's message, and Luan nodded.
“Understood. Oh, an injured bird chick. Please take Baron Hess’s son with you and treat him.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Johan, don't worry too much. I'll explain it to Baroness Hesse. Go.”
“Thank you, Mr. Luan...”
Johan wiped his tears and followed Garen.
“Let's all go now.”
As Luan led the kids back, he felt Henry's intense gaze.
“What are you looking at?!”
Henry shouted sharply.
“Then stay here alone.” Luan turned his face, but the sound of Henry's hurried steps followed him.
Helen tilted her head slightly when she noticed Johann's absence among the arriving children.
“I'm back...hmm? I don't see Baron Hess's son.”
“Johan treats an injured bird chick.”
Luan answered Helen's question, then turned to Baroness Hesse.
“Madam Baroness Hess, I sent Johann with Garen, so there is no need to worry.”
“Thank you, young master. You are very kind.”
“This was normal.”
Luann humbly responded to Baroness Hesse's gratitude.
“Well done, Luan.”
Helen complimented Luann and sat him next to her with Shevlyn.
“Please have a seat. I have asked them to bring me the pumpkin pie prepared by Viscount Eldin’s wife.”
“I heard that Viscount Eldin's wife baked it herself? I'm looking forward to tasting it.”
“My skills are weak, young master.”
Viscountess Eldine blushed at the flattery, so she looked away.
As the number of people looking at Luan with admiration increased, Henry's face frowned.
“By the way, I heard that the Crown Prince is good at singing psalms.”
Countess Kesselan, sensing Henry's mood, quickly complimented him.
“This is only because His Highness is very religious. He simply enjoys memorizing some psalms.”
Rosanna spoke gently, covering her lips with her fan.
“Henry, can you recite a psalm?”
“Certainly. Your kindness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
(I ask forgiveness from God)
Henry recited a psalm with confidence and added a commentary.
“This is my favorite psalm. I hope one day to rule Daphne with goodness and mercy.”
Rosanna looked at Henry proudly and praised him, saying:
“As the Crown Prince, you must always keep this in mind and rule Daphne wisely.”
“Yes, aunt.”
“His Highness is truly special. It is hard to believe that he is the same age as my son.”
“He is Daphne's crown prince, and this is normal.”
Countess Kecilan praised Rosanna enthusiastically.
Henry folded his arms and looked at Luan.
“Of course, the undeserving will get nothing from Freya.”