ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 103

Chapter 103

Merican’s Wedding (2)

Time passed, and evening had finally arrived.

At dinner, Olivia, Petrica Harmon, and Tablo with Cassel joined them.

“Wow, Marican, this food is absolutely delicious.”

“Right? Petrica, our chef is quite talented,” Marican replied proudly.

Petrica scooped some stew onto Harmon’s plate.

“Harmon, try this stew—it’s really good.”

Harmon, in turn, cut some steak from his plate and placed it on Petrica’s plate.

“You should try this too, Petrica. It’s much more tender than the royal meat and melts in your mouth. I’ve cut it so it’s easy to eat.”

“Thank you, Harmon.”

Petrica tasted the piece of meat Harmon had placed on her plate.

“Hmm… You two seem to get along really well,” Olivia said, observing Petrica and Harmon closely.

Harmon smiled and replied, “Yes, Aunt. We’ve been getting to know each other lately.”

“Getting to know each other? Oh, that’s a wonderful idea.”

“Although the royal court keeps us busy and we can’t always make time, we plan to go on dates whenever possible,” Harmon added.

Olivia looked at them in mild amazement.

“Dates, huh? That doesn’t sound bad at all.”

Harmon gently held Petrica’s hand and spoke.

“When I first met Patrica in Allomande, I didn’t think I’d become Crown Prince or marry her. But the moment I saw her, I knew I wanted to marry her. It was love at first sight, I suppose.”

Love at first sight?

Petrica’s eyes widened at Harmon’s confession.

“I thought if I revealed my feelings right away, she wouldn’t believe me, so I suggested a political marriage while secretly proposing a romance. Fortunately, she accepted my offer. You can’t imagine how happy that made me.”

Petrica’s eyes grew even wider as Harmon continued his heartfelt confession.

“Hohoho, so it seems the Crown Prince truly adores the Crown Princess,” Olivia laughed.

“Yes, Aunt.”

Raising her wine glass, Olivia continued, “Then let’s toast. Since fate has brought us together today, let’s celebrate the successful romance of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the happiness of Marican and Ruan’s wedding, and may Zelda and Tablo find wonderful matches this year.”

Marican smiled at Olivia.

“And may Aunt remain healthy next year as well.”

“Oh, only Marican remembers to take care of me. Now, everyone, let’s toast!”

Everyone raised their glasses and drank.

At first, Zelda felt awkward, but soon she was animatedly recounting stories from Phenomenon with Marican, occasionally joined by Tablo’s own observations.

Ruan added his own remarks to Zelda’s stories.

After a while, Petrica leaned toward Marican and whispered,

“Empire home parties are really fun. Having the whole family sit together, enjoying delicious food, chatting… Our kingdom doesn’t have annual events like this.”

Marican noticed the faintly bitter look on Petrica’s face.

“Petrica, actually, this is only my second home party too.”

“What? Marican, I thought you were a noble. I heard home parties happen every year for nobles, regardless of rank.”

Marican took another sip of wine and said,

“Even nobles find it hard if they’re poor. By the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you, Petrica.”

“What is it?”

“When I visited the royal palace last time, I asked about the western staircase. You said it was forbidden. Is it really off-limits to everyone?”

Petrica glanced at Harman before whispering,

“Oh, that’s where the deposed Empress resides. The Emperor ordered that no one speak of that area.”

The deposed Empress is there?

“I see… so that’s why it’s forbidden.”

“But why were you asking about it last time?”

Marican’s curiosity prompted her to ask.

“Who is allowed to enter that place?” she whispered.

“Anyone? Originally, anyone could go, but since the Empress was confined there, likely no one dares. Only the maids who serve meals and change the bedding are allowed,” Petrica explained.

The maids who serve meals and change bedding…

“So, only maids go there?”

“Of course. Even without the Emperor’s order, people avoid it because the deposed Empress causes so much trouble—people fear a curse or misfortune.”

Ruan recalled a familiar silhouette near the western staircase the day he visited the palace.

“Can noble daughters become maids?” Marican asked.

Petrica tilted her head. “I learned there are two types of maids at the palace. One is noble daughters, who serve the Crown Princess or young princesses, mostly giving guidance rather than doing chores. The other type is commoner girls who handle actual labor.”

“So noble daughters may serve as maids but do not perform tasks like serving meals or changing bedding?”

“That’s correct. Those are the duties of commoner maids.”

Marican recalled the maid she had seen by the western staircase, wondering if she had been mistaken.

“What about the wedding? How would you like it to be?” Petrica asked.

“Huh?”

“The wedding at the palace, I’ll be in charge of it. If you have a favorite flower, I can prepare it for you.”

Marican smiled warmly. “If you prepare it, Petrica, I’ll like anything.”

“Anything? What do you mean?” Zelda, talking with Olivia, asked. Marican blushed.

“Oh… I meant the flowers for my wedding.”

Zelda pouted.

“That’s right. Since the wedding is at the palace, I can’t attend.”

“Why not, Zelda?” Petrica asked.

Harmon looked troubled. “The palace isn’t a place commoners can enter freely.”

“Wait, I—”

Just as Tablo was about to explain, Olivia said to Zelda,

“Hmm. If you want to attend Marican’s wedding, I can make it happen.”

“You, Aunt?”

“Yes, Zelda. Didn’t I tell you to call me Aunt? I can bring you as a maid. You won’t sit beside me, but you can stand behind the garden and watch Marican’s wedding.”

“That’s enough. Thank you, Aunt,” Zelda replied gratefully.

“Wow, so Zelda can attend my wedding too? That’s wonderful!” Olivia’s announcement brought joy to everyone, except one person.

Tablo’s expression stiffened. He had planned to take Zelda himself as his partner but hadn’t expected Olivia to do it instead.

Watching Zelda rejoice, unaware of his thoughts, left Tablo feeling strangely frustrated.

He had first thought Zelda, whom he saw at Marican’s shop, was a peculiar commoner girl. But at the festival with Ruan, she showed a charm unlike any noble daughter he’d seen.

Especially in that perfectly fitted dress with a cat mask—it made her the most beautiful sight in the summer festival.

After dancing and leaving him behind, promising to meet next year, she had seemed even more captivating.

Hiding that he knew her identity, Tablo had intended to get closer slowly. Now Olivia had stolen his chance.

“And since I didn’t properly reveal my identity last time, I’ll personally fit Marican’s wedding dress for her,” Petrica said.

“Wait, the dress I wore last time is fine, though.”

Marican’s remark made Petrica frown.

“Are you kidding me? This is a royal wedding! Reusing a wedding dress is out of the question. Accept my gift, dear sister.”

Marican laughed at Petrica calling her sister.

“All right, all right. Thank you, dear Petrica.”

“Good. Now, shall we hear more of Zelda’s stories? I can’t believe Ruan bowed to others to greet them,” Petrica said with amusement.

Zelda continued her stories for a long time, filling the room with laughter.

Thus, the year slowly drew to a close at the Ducal estate and for those who held home parties.

The New Year of Empire 513 had arrived.

In the second week of January, the empire’s newspaper announced that Ruan and Marican’s wedding would be held in the palace garden.

The empire’s nobles, learning that Marican would marry with royal status, began to take steps to get closer to the Crown Princess.

“Will our wedding invitations come from the palace too?” Marican asked Ruan, after learning that a palace attendant was waiting outside.

“Yes. Since the wedding is hosted by the palace, it’s only right that the invitations come from them,” Ruan replied.

“But…”

It’s our wedding, yet I have no say in anything.

Marican felt slightly disappointed, as if her role had been taken away.

Wait, if the palace sends invitations to nobles… does that mean to Mom and my sister too?

Seeing Marican’s worried expression, Ruan held her gently.

“Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll make sure the Countess doesn’t receive an invitation if you prefer.”

I don’t need to avoid them after all.

Marican lifted her head in Ruan’s embrace.

“No, Ruan. Send it to them as well.”

“Are you sure, my lady?”

“Yes. Last time I said they would be invited if I married. Send it to the Countess and her daughter.”

Ruan looked at Marican for a moment before giving her a brief kiss on the forehead.

“As you wish, my lady.”