episode_0021

The weekend arrived with the visit of the Duke of Verbreitz.

It was an early morning as the sun began to rise slowly beyond the hills surrounding the mansion in the distance. From this early hour, Beaurne Ga’s townhouse was bustling in various ways as it welcomed guests after a long time.

Albris, who had been the owner of the townhouse, was not the type of man to bring someone home.

If he had to entertain someone, he preferred his own office in front of the council hall or the elegant wine bar next to it. Besides, since he had no lady friend, he was even more inclined towards solitude.

Eleanor, the only one suitable for inviting someone to the mansion, had been bedridden since falling ill three months ago. She had lost her memory upon waking up, so there was naturally no chance of inviting anyone.

Of course, there had been some visitors during that time.

Some had come to inquire about Eleanor’s health, and Lady Rosha, who lived nearby, had also visited.

However, there was no need to pay much attention to the visitors.

Lady Rosha was not the kind of person who required elaborate treatment, and she, too, disliked such bothersome things.

So, it was truly a rare occasion to welcome guests.

Eleanor, rubbing her heavy eyelids full of sleep, descended to the first floor and was surprised by the noticeably changed atmosphere of the dining room from the day before.

“We have this carpet in our mansion….”

Eleanor murmured to herself as she looked at the stylish cream-colored herringbone-patterned carpet on the floor.

While the stone floor gave a cool yet sophisticated feel, the cream carpet added a touch of warmth. It complemented the elegant walnut dining table and chairs placed in the center quite well.

Honestly, it now looked somewhat like a dining room.

Perhaps it was due to the etiquette training with Etienne that had been ongoing. What used to be overlooked now seemed quite fresh and appealing.

“I ordered something new this time. Your father is oblivious to these things.”

And from behind came a familiar and warm voice.

Etienne, who had approached silently, gently held his daughter in his arms and rested his arms on her open hips.

“Good morning, Ellie. From now on, you’ll have to take care of these things instead of your father.”

“Good morning, but… your arm is a bit tight…”

Although Eleanor was surprised by the changed dining room, she didn’t immediately regain her composure. Still groggy from sleep, she squirmed cutely in his warm embrace, playfully complaining.

If she had been in her right mind, she would have noticed the precious little tantrum of her adorable daughter that she rarely saw unless it was a time like this.

Just a year ago, she was always her cute little daughter running into her arms, but now, she hardly saw her like this unless it was a moment like this.

So naturally, her grip tightened around Etienne’s waist.

“We’ll have to part soon, don’t cling too much. It’s a pity.”

Startled by Etienne’s words, Eleanor exclaimed, “Parting? Are you going down to the border?”

“Yes, we are. Your little brother is quite reliable now, but we can’t leave the border unguarded for too long.”

As Etienne continued to stroke Eleanor’s waist without a wrinkle on her skirt, he added, “Besides, your father is getting restless and seems ready to die.”

“What nonsense at your age,” Etienne said with a tone of annoyance. In response to her mother’s playful tantrum, Eleanor subtly raised the corners of her mouth.

Every morning, the most important part of Obert’s morning routine was sparring with the knights of the family and the training grounds of the townhouse.

Running away from her father who approached her with a sweaty smell was also the most important part of Eleanor’s morning routine.

Soft weight was felt on Eleanor’s shoulders. In the familiar and warm scent she encountered every night, Eleanor gently turned her head and rested her cheek against her mother’s forehead.

“Mother, are you leaving too soon?”

“The approved stay period in the palace is one month. There isn’t much time left. Even if I want to stay longer, there’s nothing I can do, Eli.”

Ettie’s voice that followed particularly tickled Eleanor’s ears.

“Eli, you’re not planning to descend to the estate, are you?”

Ettie spoke in a low voice, her hand embracing her daughter’s waist with even more strength.

Upon her mother’s words, Eleanor gently closed her eyes.

For survival, descending to the estate as her mother suggested would be a wise choice. In fact, Eleanor had not failed to consider her mother’s recent words.

The fertile plains of the West were said to yield crops even when sown upside down. The heretics beyond the mountains had been eyeing those fertile plains for ages.

However, the tightly knit West, led by the Beorn family, had never succumbed to their invasions over the years.

The reason the Beorn family was called the unwavering shield through generations was precisely that.

So, as her mother said, descending to the estate would likely allow her to live comfortably in her parents’ warm embrace. Her life as the princess of the West would be much richer than her original life in the capital.

Yet, every time such thoughts arose, an indescribable sense of reluctance clouded Eleanor’s mind.

The Empress, Yulian, even Domi—all seemed intent on using her to secure the Beorn family’s position, yet strangely, she felt no desire to descend to the estate.

It wasn’t that she enjoyed life in the capital. Nor was it that townhouse living suited her well.

Eleanor herself did not know the reason behind this vague reluctance.

Perhaps, just maybe…

Do not disrupt the flow of the novel, do not hinder Yulian’s ascent to the throne, whom you love so dearly.

Somewhere in her mind, was there a trace of Eleanor left?

Was this vague reluctance stemming from remnants of Eleanor?

But yes, sorry, Eleanor.

Even if you love Yulian so deeply, I will not perish as easily as you think.

“Now that I’m feeling better, I’ll come down more often so you won’t be upset, Mother.”

Eleanor said with a bitter smile.

It was a phrase she often used in her original world, and now she found herself saying it here.

“Please don’t phrase things so beautifully, our daughter.”

Her mother’s lips, now so familiar against her soft cheek, gently touched hers. Feeling the moist sensation on her skin, Eleanor gently closed her eyes in her mother’s warm embrace.

I don’t know.

Certainly, this woman was not my mother. My mother didn’t have sky-blue eyes or white skin.

So why does my heart ache like this?

At some point, the faces of my original mom and dad began to fade from memory. And Ettie and Obert, a man, were filling that gap.

It almost felt like the woman embracing me from behind was my mother.

Is this also due to Eleanor’s remaining traces?

Ah, I don’t know, I don’t know.

Princess, don’t dwell too deeply. The real you was hit by a truck, and the woman behind you is your current mom.

The mother-daughter duo sharing a back hug disturbed the busy servants going back and forth in the dining room since morning.

Thanks to Beaurun’s morning meal at the Ga estate, it started a bit later than usual, unlike the bustling early hours.

#.

The Changbaek couple seemed to silently favor Grand Duke Dmitri as their youngest daughter’s sweetheart.

For the past few days, whenever Obert saw Eleanor, he would shower praises on Dmitri.

Of course, Obert’s usual interests were in battles, duels, fights, and wars. While these tales might be dismissed as mere fatherly indulgence by most women, they were quite intriguing to Eleanor.

Although this world resembled a romantic fantasy novel, her father’s stories were not fiction but rather genuine adventures with a touch of clumsy humor added for his daughter’s sake.

It was a genre that the former warrior once adored.

Eyes lit up with sky-blue hues as he set out to find the missing scout beyond the castle walls, only to stumble upon a goblin village and single-handedly sweep through it.

The tale of facing off against trolls converging in an isolated warehouse, where moonlight gleamed off the bloodied troll blades, transformed into the radiant face of a woman before dazzling jewels.

As the Grand Duke leaped from the wall to swiftly sever an ogre’s neck using gravity to his advantage, gasps escaped involuntarily.

Obert finally realized, through his daughter’s keen reactions, that it was time for him to see his grandchildren, as he sipped his kimchi soup.

However, these were merely Obert’s tales, and while Dmitri’s exploits were fascinating, Eleanor wasn’t ready to harbor romantic feelings towards a man, even though she admired him as a fellow warrior.

Well, who wouldn’t be struck dumbfounded by a Grand Duke so strikingly handsome!

At that moment, Eleanor shivered unconsciously at the thought that crossed her mind.

“Hey! Are you crazy, Lord Sojuha? What? Who’s as insanely good-looking as whom?”

“Hah! You, wench. Next time you meet Julian, you’ll probably spread your legs right away.”

Standing before the mirror to change clothes, the young lady shivered and lightly slapped her cheek.

Witnessing the lady’s actions after so long, the maids momentarily paused their tasks.

Since the Changbaek couple had ascended, there had been a pause in such behaviors… Upon hearing that the parents were descending, it seemed that our lady was still a young girl.

The maids gazed affectionately at the young lady without considering their own positions.

“Ah… sorry, please continue.”

Seemingly aware of her embarrassment, Eleanor’s face turned crimson, making her fair complexion appear even redder.

Between the busy hands of the maids once again in motion, Eleanor stole a glance at the blouse and skirt hanging beside the mirror.

Not only Obert but also her mother had been trying to link her daughter with the Grand Duke.

Her mother had been dragging Eleanor around the capital’s dressing room, making excuses about needing attire for social gatherings and teatimes with the princess.

Thanks to this, the empty room next to her bedroom had become Eleanor’s exclusive dressing room.

Yet, her mother insisted on another visit to Mrs. Olivia for a dress fitting for the upcoming date… no, dinner with the Grand Duke.

Furthermore, this time it was emphasized that one must be careful, and the time for decision-making was longer than usual. Thanks to that, Eleanor had to receive a calf massage for a long time that night.

The clothes Mrs. Byun carefully selected were the white blouse Sophie was holding now and the sky-blue skirt.

The white blouse, like many things in the closet, was an elegant blouse adorned with frills.

Certainly, it seemed like that to Eleanor. Her mother forced her into her arms, saying that the wrinkle decorations were different, and the ribbon sizes were different.

And the issue was the skirt she had to wear underneath.

Honestly, skirts weren’t uncomfortable anymore.

To put it in my own words, well, anyway, compared to pants, skirts were much more comfortable. Eleanor and Seoju thought so too.

But the skirt in front of her was different. Unlike the long skirts she usually wore, the skirt that now swayed just above her knees was the shortest she had ever worn.

Of course, by modern standards, it might not be considered that short.

Looking down at the skirt Sophie brought, Eleanor asked hesitantly, “Sophie, isn’t this too short?”

In response to the young lady’s question, Sophie replied with a surprised expression, “Really, did you come from some old countryside? Miss, why do you think this is so short! You said the same thing last time with the dress.”

What did you say? Oh, come on! I don’t want to hear that kind of talk from you! Why don’t you try your mini skirts or dolphin pants!

Of course, those were clothes she hadn’t tried on herself.

Watching Sophie lift the skirt above her hips, Eleanor swallowed the words she had held onto.