episode_0083

A sharp spear soaring high into the sky.

In the hands of the palace guards clad in sparkling armor, holding a spear that seemed impractical for combat due to the royal lily pattern adorning the spearhead and the flag hanging from it, which was embroidered with the royal crest.

The scene of long ceremonial spears lining both sides of the path leading up to the mansion’s entrance was quite magnificent.

Eleanor took a deep breath as she gazed at the grand and ornate carriage approaching through the ranks of spears.

The carriage, stamped with the Galatea Royal Seal and further embellished in gold symbolizing Galatea, was adorned splendidly with a pristine white color representing maiden purity, accentuated by the elegant simplicity of a white dress cascading gracefully along Dominic’s long and slender figure.

Descending from the carriage that had now come to a halt in front of the mansion’s grand fountain, a knight with brown hair stepped out.

He was an exceptionally refined man for his gender, from his face to the flowing brown hair at the nape of his neck, down to his well-defined physique.

At first glance, one could tell he was a man who could make many women swoon. He delicately raised his beautiful hand in escort of the carriage owner.

Perhaps it was due to the knight’s striking appearance.

Though there was little difference between him and an ordinary escort, the scene captivated the gazes of the onlookers, exuding elegance and nobility, punctuated by occasional sighs that resembled gasps of admiration.

Receiving the escort, the princess alighted from the carriage, and her arrival elicited such fervent cheers from the women present that it swiftly engulfed the surroundings.

Dominic’s slim and graceful figure, complementing Eleanor’s long and slender physique, was draped in a simple yet beautiful white dress that elegantly flowed down her body.

Beneath neatly combed ebony locks, rose gold earrings accentuated her hair color.

Her moist crimson lips seemed to hold within them a large topaz, while her golden eyes, a trait unique to the Galatea royals, shimmered and sparkled.

Despite being adorned so beautifully, as soon as her white heels touched the ground, the princess abruptly lifted the hem of her dress and dashed towards a platinum-haired woman.

“Your Highness! Please don’t run like that!”

The knight left behind, Siril, desperately shouted after her, but it seemed his voice did not reach Dominic’s ears as she ran towards Eleanor, embracing the platinum-haired lady without hesitation.

“Prin- Princess?”

The sudden softness of the entwined woman, followed by the delayed approach of a fresh lily fragrance, caused Eleanor’s eyes to widen significantly.

“Eli! We agreed not to use such formal titles!”

The impulsive princess pulled Eleanor even closer, drawing her delicate waist against hers, intertwining in each other’s softness.

“Oh, um… there, Domi. Let’s calm down for a moment. There are many eyes watching. Just let go of this for now-”

Even though they were women, Eleanor attempted to detach Dominic amidst their rather intense intimacy, glancing around at the surrounding gazes. When Dominic noticed the white bandage wrapped around Eleanor’s slender neck over her beige blouse, she displayed a surprised expression.

A thick bandage around her neck.

It was a sight unfitting for a noble lady, not a soldier involved in war.

“Wait a moment. Eli, you! What’s this on your neck, this bandage?”

“Haha… I got slightly injured. The wound wasn’t too deep, but you know how sensitive this area can be.”

“Slightly injured? It’s your neck…. How did this happen, how did you end up like this…?”

The golden eyes began to glisten with moisture at that wound.

Disregarding the princess’s dignity, even going so far as to mobilize palace guards, Dominique started to glare at her dear friend with wide eyes.

Caught off guard by Dominique’s tearful state and her friend’s unwavering emotions towards her, Eleanor was equally taken aback.

“Wait a moment. Don’t do that, Domi. I’m fine now, okay? Just calm down for now.”

However, Dominique did not cry out as fiercely as other women would have.

She was a candidate for the Galatea Empire’s throne succession. She couldn’t show weakness.

With determination in her reddened eyes, Dominique locked gazes with Eleanor.

“What’s fine about this! Is it Edmund’s doing? Those red-headed scoundrels, right? My Edmund—these people—”

“Oh, come on, Domi!”

Eleanor raised her voice in front of the princess, a display that could easily be misconstrued as disrespectful given the number of onlookers.

Dominique, caught in the warm and gentle scent enveloping her, softened her gaze and rested her chin on Eleanor’s shoulder.

Even Dominique’s eyes and voice, previously filled with intensity, seemed to calm down a bit in that softness.

“Domi, it’s all over now. I really am fine, so you can relax.”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Eli. I must have gotten too excited.”

“No, Domi. You did all that for my sake.”

Eleanor gently released Dominique from her embrace. The two women stepped back slightly, facing each other.

As if realizing the moment, Dominique flashed a charming smile, then turned past Eleanor towards Albreis, who stood there gazing with wide eyes at the unfolding scene.

“Albreis Raoul de Beaurne, it’s been a long time.”

“Ah… Your Highness, it’s been a while since we last greeted.”

Gracefully extending her right hand before Albreis, Dominique returned to her princess demeanor.

Albreis gently knelt and pressed his lips onto the white ring atop Dominique’s lace glove.

Their last encounter hadn’t changed with the passing seasons since they first met in the front yard of the mansion on a dark morning, but the two who had grown up together in the imperial stables pretended not to know each other.

“The last time we met was at your debutante ball, wasn’t it? You must have gone through some trouble because of your cute little sister. Your face looks more bruised than back then.”

Smiling wryly, Dominique withdrew her right hand, and Albreis responded with a smile.

“If Eli can stay healthy and happy, I’d give up my life hundreds of times over without hesitation.”

#.

Honestly, Albreis wasn’t entirely pleased with the current situation.

Inside the townhouse, in Albreis’s study.

Five men and women, who had moved from the drawing-room to Albreis’s study to avoid prying eyes, were sharing light refreshments before preparing for lunch.

It was true. Initially, it had been like that.

Like holding a cherished doll. Dominique, cradling Eleanor on her lap and embracing her tenderly.

Raising a teacup to his lips and covering them, Albreis sighed softly at the sight.

The decision to officially elevate Eleanor within the family had not yet been made. He had not directly spoken with those red-headed rascals who had kidnapped Eli since then.

Of course, he couldn’t join hands with the one who had kidnapped Eli, Edmund. No, he had to bring them down, obliterate that accursed name with all his might.

But the sight of the princess, flaunting Eleanor, the precious treasure of the Beaurne family, as if she were her own, had been continually unsettling Albreis.

Of course, Albriss did not display the displeasure outwardly like an amateur.

However, Dominique had long been aware of Albriss’s feelings. Dominique, who grew up alone in a jungle-like palace after losing her mother, could not help but notice such subtle changes in atmosphere.

“Do not worry, Albriss. I’m just here because I was worried about my dear friend.”

“K-Khuk.”

Startled by the sound, Albriss coughed a few times. With Dominique appearing like this, Albriss had nothing to say.

But there was one corner of Albriss that she trusted.

“Dominique. Isn’t it quite grand for something like this?”

Instead of Albriss, Dmitri, who had been dozing off, coolly scratched his itchy spot.

“Ha… It couldn’t be helped! I had to show them that much if I wanted to warn those bastards who insulted Ellie!”

Dominique, holding Eleanor tightly as she cried out, leaned gently against Eleanor’s small, soft chest over the beige blouse.

“Domi… I feel a little suffocated.”

As Eleanor squirmed in her arms.

“No, Ellie. This is a lesson! You need to realize how precious your body is!”

“Hng… I didn’t even advertise for someone to kidnap me…”

Dominique pulled Eleanor closer, who was struggling to break free from her embrace, and glared at Dmitri, who was watching the scene with disapproval.

“By the way, Dmitri, why are you here in the townhouse of Beaurne? What about the perfectly fine townhouse in Verberitz? The northern finances aren’t that bad, are they?”

Although it was a sarcastic remark, Dmitri did not easily overlook her words.

“Well… Albriss Gongja requested to stay in the mansion. Near Ellie, it seems.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Dominique, stretching her large eyes slightly, made Dmitri’s black pupils start to avoid her intense gaze.

“For now, let’s drop the ‘Ellie’ title.”

Unlike Dmitri, Dominique continued confidently.

“Just staying in Beaurne’s townhouse for that? At this precious time when preparations should be made to return north?”

“You managed to go back without me until now.”

“That was last year. Even if the blonde girl below you is good at her job. This year isn’t different from last year, right? I heard that the Duke of the North has become a big player in the capital.”

Dmitri simply bowed his head deeply in response to Dominique’s words. Seeing his reaction, Dominique continued in a triumphant tone.

“Dmitri. Honestly, you have your own agenda for staying here, don’t you? Setting me up like this and then pushing me away. Oh, right. The Empire’s sword and the guardian of the North have turned into a cowardly snake.”

Once again, there was no response.

With a grin, Dominique hugged Eleanor tighter.

“Really. Everyone is good at lying, aren’t they? Right, Ellie?”

“Domi… I said I feel suffocated.”

“Oh! Right, I want to see Ellie’s room. Who knows what these shady men might do if I stay near them.”

Facing two men with sullen faces, Dominique turned her head and politely looked at the standing Oujeni behind her.

“Hey, wasn’t it Oujeni? Would you mind bringing some snacks to Ellie’s room? It should be fine, right, Albriss?”

At the Princess Consort’s words, Eleanor, Albrice, and the Beaurens siblings all let out a small sigh.