Part 1: Duke William's Manor (Afternoon)
The surgery is finally over, and the room breathes a collective sigh of relief. Lily, with Jiggly, my trusty Slime, managed to pull off the impossible and save Duke William's life. The air in the Salon room is thick with the scent of medicinal herbs and the remnants of tension.
"How did it go, Lily?" I inquire, stepping out of the Duke's bedroom. The sunlight streams through the window, casting a warm glow on the scene.
"It's done, Your Highness," Lily replies, bowing with a mixture of exhaustion and pride.
Madam Isabella wears a genuine smile, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you sincerely for your help."
The room eases into conversation, the weight of the recent events slowly lifting. "Give it a few days, and he'll be back on his feet," Lily reassures Madam Isabella.
"Lily, could you give us some privacy?" I request, and Lily gracefully exits, leaving us alone in the room. The tension returns, this time between Madam Isabella and me.
"What's on your mind, Isabella?" I ask, my eyes piercing through hers.
"?! What's this all of a sudden, your highness?" Isabella seems caught off guard, her eyes widening.
"That trip of yours. There are rumors, and I've heard about them," I say, settling into a chair and taking a sip of tea.
"Forgive me, I'm not sure what you mean," Isabella replies, a veil of confusion covering her face.
"Playing dumb can be cute, but I've heard whispers. Is it another man?" I cut to the chase, watching her reaction closely.
"Making baseless accusations is a serious offense, Your Highness," Isabella retorts, her tone sharp.
"Not just by me. I've gathered information that after a few weeks of your husband being bedridden, you took a trip. Isn't that suspicious?" I press on, my confidence in the knowledge evident.
"Didn't I mention it was a business meeting? I have proof of the conversations regarding that," Isabella defends herself, offering a friend's fake testimony.
"Even if it's disguised as a business meeting?" I challenge, narrowing my eyes.
"Do you think I, a mother, would abandon my son and husband, after all we've built together?" Isabella snaps back, her frustration palpable.
"Funny, considering that business doesn't seem to benefit the family fortune, and you still have the audacity to call yourself a mother," I point out, my patience wearing thin.
"Huh?" Isabella falters, struggling to come up with another excuse.
"I have Blanc. She memorized most of the documents and pointed out that the country's relations aren't under your family name. And don't dare say it's a new business," I warn, the truth hanging in the air.
"It's all just assumptions. Well, it's been a lovely evening, your highness. I best make my wa-" Isabella attempts to leave, but I cut her off.
"Elias," I utter his name, watching Isabella's reaction closely.
"?!" Isabella is shocked, her composure slipping.
"Strange, isn't it? Or should it be Elias Blackthorn?" I reveal the last name, dropping the bombshell.
"You've made your point, Lady Tatiana. What do you want from this confrontation?" Isabella sits back down, defeated but ready to negotiate.
"Now you're willing to listen, typical of humans," I mutter, my frustration evident.
"I understand if the reward wasn't enough. How about I sweeten the deal?" Isabella offers, desperation in her eyes.
"Come in, Lily," I call, ignoring Isabella's plea. Lily enters, holding a new contract.
"Here you go, your highness," Lily says, handing me the contract.
"This is the new contract. I want all of this delivered," I demand, showing details of tools, equipment, and building materials.
"You can't be serious. We don't have that many things," Isabella protests after a quick glance at the contract.
"Well, tough luck, Isabella. My mouth seems incapable of closing," I state firmly, refusing to negotiate. The room brims with the tension of a deal struck, leaving Isabella frustrated with her own slip-up.
As Lily and I leave the manor, heading back home, the weight of the confrontation lingers in the air.
Part 2: On Route to Manor (Almost Evening)
As the sun dips toward the horizon, I release a relieved sigh. The weight of the day's events slowly dissipates. Beside me, Lily, my loyal companion, walks in step, her curiosity evident in her expression.
"Ah, finally, it's done," I say, the accomplishment sinking in.
"Such a remarkable feat, Lady Tatiana. How did you pinpoint her having an affair?" Lily's intrigue sparks in her eyes.
"People with too much time on their hands will slip up eventually," I explain, revealing Blanc's early suspicions. Our joint investigation served as insurance for our original plan.
"Such wisdom, Lady Tatiana," Lily acknowledges, her admiration shining through.
*Bump*
Two children playing carelessly bump into me, apologizing immediately upon realizing who I am.
"I'm sorry, Princess," one of them says, eyes wide with innocence.
"Be careful next time," I instruct sternly, the responsibility of my position evident.
After they scurry back to their parents, Lily and I resume our conversation.
"Do you like kids, Lily?" I ask, my gaze now on the fading sunlight.
"If Lady Tatiana wanted one, I would gladly bear for you-" Lily begins, attempting humor.
"I detest them—their innocence, their ignorance of the world, and their routine make them so defenseless," I admit, a truth I rarely voice.
"Lady Tatiana..." Lily hesitates, understanding the complexity of my emotions.
"Perhaps their non-existence might be better," I contemplate, my judgment a reflection of the fractured world we live in.
"I have no words," Lily agrees, the weight of our shared understanding lingering.
"Thank you for listening, Lily," I express my gratitude, a rare moment of vulnerability shared.
"It was the least I could do," Lily bows slightly, appreciative of the trust I've placed in her.
"Remind me that your punishment for breaking my favorite cup will be dire. I do need to keep up my pace and make this a daily basis," I warn Lily playfully.
*Shudder*
"Yes… mistress. That's the best reward you can give me," Lily eagerly anticipates her punishment, our peculiar dynamic providing an odd comfort in this uncertain world.
Later that night, as I traverse the hallways, Blanc once again warms my bed. Seeking solace in the quiet of the night, I decide to take a walk. It's during this stroll that I encounter someone I'd rather avoid.
"Still not sleeping?" Sakuya, dressed in her kimono, approaches me.
"You..." I mutter, my disdain apparent.
"Since you have time, will you join me in a tea ceremony?" Sakuya invites me, her tone carrying a mischievous edge.
"Sure, what are we celebrating?" I reluctantly agree, suspecting there's more to this invitation than meets the eye.
"Tatiana, of course, and not you," Sakuya clarifies, a reminder of the duality within this world.
"Sigh... fine, let's entertain you for once," I concede, not in the mood for confrontation.
Sakuya gracefully prepares for the tea ceremony, her movements holding an air of unpredictability.
"While I said a tea ceremony, I'm going to skip a few pleasantries," Sakuya announces, the tension in the air palpable.
"So, it's just going to be normal green tea?" I question cautiously, attempting to humor Sakuya.
"Sure, but the invitation and the feeling are important. Do you like green tea, Tatiana?" Sakuya smiles mysteriously, her words laden with hidden meanings.
"I don't dislike the taste," I offer a non-committal response, my eyes narrowing as I try to decipher Sakuya's intentions.
"Ufufu, you must be tired," Sakuya enjoys my company, her eyes studying my every move.
The tea ceremony unfolds with meticulous preparation and setting, greeting and bowing, cleansing and purification, appreciating the tea utensils, making and serving the tea, receiving and drinking the tea, cleaning and returning the utensils, and closing and farewell.
"This is good tea…" I appreciate the temporary respite, the subtle flavors providing a momentary escape.
*nod*
*Thump* Suddenly, a knife comes dangerously close to my eyes, the tranquility shattered by a surge of tension.
"...Why didn't you try to dodge it?" Sakuya, holding the knife close, questions, her eyes intense.
"I knew that you wouldn't land it on me," I respond confidently, the unspoken understanding between us prevailing.
"First time I've met people like you. Truly an exciting experience. Forgive me, Tatiana," Sakuya pulls back the knife, an air of excitement surrounding her.
*Chuu* Sakuya kisses my cheek, catching me off guard and leaving me flustered.
"Wha-what are you doing?" I protest, my face turning bright red.
"It's just that I remembered Tatiana and couldn't help it," Sakuya, enjoying my reaction, reveals a sentiment beneath her enigmatic exterior.
"This is just a bad experience for me! I'm going to bed now," I declare, not entertained and eager to escape the eccentricity.
That woman—one day, I will exact my revenge on you. The thought lingers as I retreat into the solitude of my own space, the night holding both the promise of rest and the weight of unresolved tensions.
Chapter 60 End