Chapter Thirty-Seven: His Highness’ Plan to Redeem his Honor
We boarded a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of the royal capital, leaving the glittering royal palace behind.
Women who were shopping could be seen walking down the streets. A man was yelling at a certain merchandise store. A dog ran in front of him with a boy folloacwing not too far behind it.
The royal capital was as lively as ever.
On the surface, nothing had changed about that scenery. But to me, it looked so different yet refreshing. I felt like I was turning a new leaf.
As the carriage began to move, Nolan looked outside the window at the streets of the royal capital. He quietly spoke a few simple words.
“It’s over.”
Perhaps, Nolan was finally able to put down the cross he’d been carrying all by himself since the death of the first prince.
It took almost a full day to travel from the royal capital to the rural island of Dahl by horse-drawn carriage.
Since we left the royal palace in the afternoon, we were forced to spend a night in a town along the way.
However, unlike before, Nolan didn’t hesitate to choose a high-class inn this time, perhaps because he’d cleared his name.
After passing through the marble-paved lobby, we were treated to a room that was so luxurious, it could be mistaken as a royal palace. At the center of the room was a lovely arched ceiling and pillars, with a gorgeous balcony in the back.
I was stunned by the difference in price from the inn we’d stayed at before.
Standing in the middle of the room, I turned to Nolan. He closed the thick, ivy-patterned curtains at the back of the room, and quickly sat down on the sofa to relax.
“Lord Nolan… Is it truly all right for me to stay in such splendidly… expensive room?”
As he sat down, Nolan took off his cloak and threw it at Ricardo, who was unloading his luggage nearby. Ricardo caught it with great athleticism.
“Don’t worry. It’s not that expensive.”
No, it is. I replied in my head.
Even though I was worried about my family’s financial ruin, I was drawn to the beautiful handrail. A pattern of intertwined flowers was carved into the columns. Then, I went to the balcony.
The balcony was directly facing the town squares, where several food stalls draped with white tarps could be seen. Leaning against the railing, I could see the colorful vegetables and fruits lined up in front of the store.
Near the fountain in one corner of the square, several men with musical instruments were playing music, and children were dancing around them. The atmosphere was fun and lively.
“It’s a pretty nice view.”
I heard a voice from behind, so I turned around and saw Nolan coming out to the balcony. Nolan stood next to me, one hand on the railing, his light blue eyes watching over the people in the square.
There were a lot of pigeons hanging out near the fountain, probably looking for food from the stalls. Cutting right into the middle of the group, a boy ran in with a fierce smile, causing the flock of pigeons to fly away. However, the flock of pigeons soon reassembled, and the boy rushed towards them again.
As the two of us watched the scene, Nolan casually reminisced.
“I used to do that a lot when I was little, too.”
I didn’t expect that at all. I couldn’t help but stare at Nolan as he stood beside me. A smile appeared on my face as I imagined little Nolan chasing pigeons. Surely, as a child, he had the appearance of an angel.
I turned my attention back to the boy who bravely challenged the pigeons in the square. No matter how many times the boy disturbed the flock of pigeons, they’d gather together again and trot without any remorse.
Suddenly, I was reminded of my own childhood.
“…When I was little, I’d sometimes imitate pigeons trotting in the garden. The way they walked was just so funny.”
“You’d imitate them?”
“Yes. Whenever a pigeon walks, its neck and legs would stick out at the same time. It’s actually quite difficult to imitate.”
“…Why don’t you try it here?”
“No way! That’s too embarrassing!”
“Why? Please show me.”
“No, you’ll laugh at me!”
“The more you resist, the more I want to see it.”
Nolan teased me, but I firmly refused and clung to the railing of the balcony.
I shook my head, insisting that I wouldn’t show it because I was no longer a child. Nolan patted me and laughed.
“You’re so cute when you’re flustered.”
I didn’t know whether to be angry or happy.
…Honestly, I’m happy.
Nolan would sometimes tease me. But if he thought that I was cute, then maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.
Somewhat baffled, I looked up at Nolan. His expression had become serious.
Then, he said something unexpected.
“Actually, I once imitated a pigeon too.”
“Really!?”
I couldn’t imagine Nolan engaging in such a low-level play. I ended up blurting my honest feelings.
“I never thought a prince would do such a thing.”
Nolan was taken aback.
“Aren’t you putting the prince on too high of a pedestal?”
“Is that so…?”
Nolan spread his arms, hugging me from behind. He placed his hands on top of mine, which were on the railing.
Nolan’s face was right behind mine, and I could almost feel his breath on my temple.
“Liese… I promise that from today onwards, you won’t suffer from any hardships.”
Nolan wrapped his hand around mine, his thumb slipping between my thumb and index finger. I gently squeezed his thumb back.
As our hands touched, my heart started to beat faster, and my face became flushed. I summoned all my courage and answered him.
“I’m Lord Nolan’s wife, so I’m willing to go through hardships.”
“…Really.”
“I am, well… If it’s only a bit.”
“Only a bit?” Nolan chuckled.
When I turned around, his eyes were peering into mine. Basking in the afterglow of the dusk, Nolan looked so appealing, I found myself almost averting my gaze in haste.
Still, I wanted to keep staring at him, so I persevered.
Eventually, Nolan’s expression relaxed, and he gently kissed my cheek. After he’d let go, I asked mischievously as I stayed within his arms.
“…I also want to see Lord Nolan imitate the pigeon walk. Please show it to me.”
After a brief pause, Nolan let out a rare, hearty laugh.
“So you can put up a fight now?”
Nolan pulled away from the railing, taking my hand in his.
“Shall we go to dinner? Would you like to go to the cafeteria or a restaurant, Madam?”
When I answered, “the dining room.” Nolan smiled somewhat bitterly.
Marco, a self-proclaimed “Conqueror of all Dining Halls in the Royal Capital,” chose the dining hall based on his intuition and mood. Despite the largeness, the dining hall was clean and already crowded with customers.
Unusually, the four of us sat around a table and ordered food. As some of the dishes and everyone’s drinks were being served, a voice happened to come from a faraway seat.
“Cheers to His Majesty the Future King, Ethan!”
All four of us tensed up.
When I looked back in the direction of that cheerful voice, I saw a man standing up, holding a glass in his hand high. Seeing that the man was beaming, people stood up one by one from their seats and expressed their approval by saying, “Cheers!”
The dining hall erupted in a storm of toasts as smiles spread across the room.
As he watched the situation unfold, Nolan muttered.
“Words sure travel fast.”
As the Commander of the Royal Cavalry, the first prince was adored by his people. I could see that everyone was wholeheartedly happy that he’d been chosen as the next king. I was the same.
Nolan reached for the cutlery, stuffing his mouth with the pile of leafy salad. Taking that as a signal, Ricardo and I also started eating.
Marco was gleefully cracking open peanut shells. He was so strong, the hard-looking shells were reduced into smithereens.
While savoring the tasty food, I asked him about something that had been bothering me.
“Lord Nolan, what will happen to His Highness Stefan?”
To be frank, I felt somewhat sorry for him. He was merely caught up in his father-in-law’s scheme. However, when Nolan answered, there was an unexpected cold glint in his eyes.
“Maybe he’ll leave the palace like I did.”
“Is that so…?”
“I’m sure that my second brother was well aware of Marquis Dortrek’s ambitions. His daughter wasn’t exactly subtle about it, either. Yet, he still did nothing. I won’t feel sorry for him.”
Ricardo shared his sentiment.
“There’s no way a man can govern a country if he can’t even control his own wife.”
Nolan’s expression suddenly darkened.
“If you know anyone who is capable of such a feat, please introduce him to me. It’d be great if he can show me how.”
I could only watch with mixed feelings as Ricardo and Marco laughed.
I puffed my cheeks a little, lowered my fork, and looked at the sparkling amber liquor in the glass. Soundlessly, tiny bubbles rose one after another from the bottom of the glass.
Perhaps, the second prince was the most cunning.
Like a bubble that suddenly appeared then disappeared, a question arose within me.
“Lord Nolan, do you ever covet the throne?”
When I turned to him, Nolan burst out laughing.
“You always say the most unexpected things. No, not just say, but do.”
“Is that so…?”
“Now you’re trying to mess with me.”
“I-I’d never…!”
Ricardo, who was looking at me and Nolan, chuckled.
“Until he welcomed his wife to the mansion, Lord Nolan was worried if his wife would stay cooped up in the newly-built library.”
“Ricardo, that’s just unnecessary…”
Ricardo ignored Nolan’s complaints and went on.
“—But in reality, you barely stepped inside the library.”
“…Now that you mention it, that’s true!”
Even though they painstakingly built a library for me, I hadn’t read much since I came to Dahl Island.
Remorseful, I glanced at Nolan, and he looked at me with a slightly concerned expression.
“You always do things that I never expected. As your husband, I can’t help but worry about you.”
When Nolan said that, Marco’s face was flushed red as his oversized body squirmed on the small chair.
The carriage finally completed its long journey from the royal capital, crossing a narrow bridge between the glittering silver sea.
The carriage carrying us finally returned to Dahl Island.
The sight of swaying yellow and orange trees, along with the tranquil lake, greeted us.
Awash with relief because I’d finally returned, I slid the window open, and my cheeks tingled at the cold wind. From the rustling branches, yellow leaves were falling, carpeting the road ahead. Basking under the sunlight that filtered through the trees, the leaves shimmered golden.
“I feel at ease when I’m on Dahl Island…”
I couldn’t help but utter that. When I turned around, I saw Nolan nodding along.
When we arrived at the mansion, Olivia rushed over to us out of concern. We stepped into the mansion while being bombarded with questions by Olivia.
Marco grumbled as soon as he saw the wallpaper in the hallway, which was soggy from after the fire.
“Ah, that’s right… I completely forgot about the fire.”
I burst into laughter. I was a bit jealous of Marco for forgetting that.
Marco was a bit embarrassed when he realized that I was laughing at him.
“Well, my brain is also made of muscle.”
I can’t exactly deny that.
With Olivia’s help, I removed my cloak and settled into a chair in the parlor. Exhausted from the long journey, I sat down. I’d lost all energy and couldn’t seem to stand up. I felt like a deflated balloon.
The shell-crafted box that was my mother’s memento, which had been left on a desk, glowed softly, reflecting my face.
As she leaned against the box containing the valuables, Olivia sighed.
“That box is so heavy that I can’t move it… What’s inside it?”
“It’s a keepsake of my mother.”
Olivia covered her mouth with a look of understanding on her face. ‘The box looks so expensive.’ Murmured Olivia. In fear of damaging the box, she unconsciously backed away.
“But I’m thinking of giving half of it to Leticia. After all, it originally belonged to our mother.”
I was sure that Leticia would appreciate it as well. Although she probably didn’t even remember our mother’s face.
Then, I found Nolan staring intently at me.
Did he think that I’m being stingy for saying that I’d give it to my little sister too!?
“I found it unexpected,” he said with profound emotion. “Despite being mistreated by your bullish stepbrother, you remain kind.”
That was a surprising thing to say. I laughed mischievously.
“I’m not that noble of a person. I mean, I’d been calling my stepbrother a ‘Walking Ball’ ever since I was a kid.”
Nolan, who was standing at the side while staring at me, gushed. Marco and Ricardo, who were at the entrance of the room, also laughed after briefly making eye contact. I spoke triumphantly.
“If you laughed, you’re all equally guilty!”
“…By the way, what’s your nickname for Viscountess Teddy?”
“Walking Perfume.”
“It’s one pattern.”
“It’s fine! They’re a couple, so it suits them!”
I suddenly thought about the jewelry in the box. Surely, they’d fetch a considerable amount of money if sold.
After I stopped laughing, I spoke with a serious face.
“I’ll sell my jewelry… Maybe I can use it to supplement my living expenses.”
“You don’t need to worry about that anymore.”
When I looked up and saw Nolan, he lifted his eyebrow in slight surprise.
“Didn’t you hear what my father said at the royal palace? I was bestowed the duchy.”
Duchy?
Will Nolan become a duke?
I hadn’t heard of anything like that. A lot was going on in my mind at the time. Even when I heard that now, I couldn’t really feel it.
Certainly, the king complained a lot about Nolan’s poverty.
“It’s the Duchy of Schwan. I originally owned it before I married you.”
“…So, you were able to get it back.”
Nolan, the Count of Dahl, will now become the Duke of Schwan? My husband is a duke?
“So, my Lord is becoming a duke! What an auspicious occasion!”
Olivia said in an emotional tone, placing her hand on her ample breasts.
I’m happy that Nolan will become a duke.
But does that mean we’ll have to leave Dahl Island?
Anxiously, I asked Nolan.
“Are we going to move from here?”
“We’ll go back and forth between the duchy and this place. I’m fond of this place, too. But the fact remains that it’s burnt down. Therefore, it might be a good idea to move to the duchy during the repairs… Will Olivia come too? I don’t mind doubling your salary.”
“Regardless of the salary, I’ll follow you wherever you go!”
“Really? You didn’t even think about it…”
The guest room was filled with laughter.
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