IPWDP 33

Chapter 33

Epilia’s uncle and aunt no longer abused her openly the way they did when she was young. Or rather—they couldn’t.
On her second morning back at the duchy, before even having breakfast, Epilia pulled the bell cord to call a maid. The girl who appeared—Gina—was someone she had never seen before, likely hired after Epilia had left.

“Milady, you’re already awake. Shall I prepare wash water?”

“Yes. But don’t call me ‘Lady of the House.’ Call me miss.”

“…Pardon?”

For a daughter of a duke, being addressed as Lady was only natural. Even if Epilia had appeared out of nowhere, she was the duke’s daughter. To Gina, addressing her as anything else seemed wrong. But strictly speaking, Epilia was no longer the duke’s biological daughter.

Perhaps that was why, when the bell was pulled and Gina announced that she was going to attend to the “lady,” the older maids’ expressions turned strangely guarded. At first Epilia assumed it was the typical territorial bullying of senior servants—but it was not.

“That’s what you should call me. It’ll be easier for you.”

“O–oh… yes. Understood. Miss.”

“And where is my uncle?”

Having lived for years with her foster parents, Epilia woke early out of habit. Back there, she had to rise, eat breakfast, and head to work at the inn. Even if there weren’t many customers, she was the only staff member—busy from dawn to dusk. It was nothing like the life of a noble, who woke late and only stirred around lunchtime.

“He’s still sleeping.”

Some nobles woke early. Denold was not one of them. He enjoyed only the title of duke and the wealth attached to it.

“Tell me when he wakes.”

“Yes. Do you need anything else?”

“Just bring me a light breakfast.”

“Yes.”

Epilia let out a bitter smile. The meal Gina returned with was anything but light. It was practically a full banquet. After so many years of simple meals, the lavish food felt oppressive.

“This is more than enough for me. You can have the rest.”

Epilia took only a few small items and pushed the plates toward Gina. She could have simply sent the leftovers away, but it seemed kinder to give them to the clueless maid.

“M–me? I couldn’t…”

“You’re my assigned maid. Just eat.”

Servants were not allowed to touch food of such quality. And she was new—she’d never tasted such things. Gina looked around nervously, then finally nodded.

“…Thank you, miss.”

Epilia started with soup, then salad, then a bit of bread. Halfway through, she stopped eating. A knock sounded.

“Come in.”

“Miss, the master has awakened.”

Epilia rose without hesitation.

“Take me to him.”

“But…”

Epilia already knew what the maid feared: that approaching him without being summoned would cause trouble.

“It’s fine. Guide me.”

“Yes.”

Her uncle’s room was unchanged. It had belonged to her biological father—the former duke—and to every duke before him. There were better rooms in the mansion, but its symbolism could not be abandoned.

Just as Gina lifted her hand to knock, a rough voice sounded from inside.

“If that insolent girl has returned home, she should greet her father at dawn! How dare she sleep in? Drag her here immediately!”

“Yes, sir.”

Footsteps approached. The door opened, and the butler stared in shock at the sight of Epilia standing there.

“Inform him.”

“Ah… yes.”

The butler stepped back inside.

“I told you to bring her, why are you back?”

“Well, sir… the young miss is already waiting outside.”

“…What?”

Of course. He needed something to scold her for. Epilia had anticipated this—that he would complain she hadn’t come to greet him. That was why she had gone the moment she woke.

“Good morning, Uncle.”

“…Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. Thanks to the good preparations, I rested comfortably.”

In truth, she had not slept a single minute. The luxurious bed felt suffocating. The enormous, lavish room was so overwhelming she couldn’t breathe.

“Then I will go greet Aunt as well.”

“Yes, do that. About what I said earlier…”

“It’s fine. Anyone would be upset if I returned after so long and didn’t greet you in the morning.”

“…Right. Then you may go.”

After that morning greeting, Epilia stayed in her room. She wasn’t forbidden to leave, but she felt trapped. Day after day, her world was only this room. Her life was becoming empty.

She looked out the window. Sunlight filled the beautiful garden. She stared blankly, sighed, and sat on the sofa.

She felt stifled. This room was huge, yet she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

“Miss. The imperial banquet has been scheduled.”

“A banquet?”

There shouldn’t have been one this season. She remembered that clearly. Had they decided on a special event?

“Oh, Miss—your return celebration banquet. The imperial family offered to host it.”

Gina grinned, clearly amused.

“Ah, right. When is it?”

“I overheard it’s in two weeks.”

“In two weeks?”

Epilia couldn’t help her shock. The date had been chosen unusually fast—just two weeks after her return. Normally, imperial events were planned far in advance. This haste meant someone was rushing—him.

What meaningless hours would she waste today? She didn’t live; she was merely killing time.

Until a sudden visitor arrived.

An unannounced guest is always inconvenient—but when that guest is the Crown Prince, the situation changes.

“Your Highness… you came without notice?”

The whole household assembled to greet him. Epilia was just as surprised as Denold was. She almost laughed.

So there really comes a day like this.

She already knew why he came. The banquet was in a few days. Yet it was not even midday. There was no reason for him to be here—unless he had come to collect her.

“Sorry for arriving unannounced.”

“No, we are honored by your presence.”

“We are honored, Your Highness,” Seluna answered sweetly. She knew the reason for his visit—she only pretended not to.

“Please come inside.”

“No. I don’t have much time. I came to take Epilia. Preparations must be made.”

“We’ll get ready and come out together shortly, then. Please wait just a moment.”

Her tone carried the implication: Surely you didn’t come only for Epilia.

Anyone else would have taken the hint.

But Regios’ answer was ruthlessly blunt.

“My apologies, but there are no preparations for you. It would be best if the young lady of the house gets ready here and attends the banquet from the duchy.”

“…Your Highness…”

“So—you came only for Epilia?”

“The banquet celebrates her return. Naturally, I should be the one to escort her.”

The room froze.

They never imagined he would say it so directly—choosing Epilia over Seluna.

The imperial family had invited them many times before. Though both girls were daughters of the duchy, Epilia alone was permitted to enter the palace first, because she was the Crown Prince’s destined partner. But never before had he come personally to collect her.

This was what Epilia had once dreamed of—that he would come for her and take her away from this terrifying house to the palace.

She had wanted it so desperately.

So why wasn’t she happy now?

Denold smiled politely, but inside he must have been raging. His daughter, long considered the future Crown Princess, had been ignored.

At a time when the position of Crown Princess had not been officially decided, a single gesture from the Crown Prince could shift power dramatically.

And by coming here for Epilia—openly, deliberately—he showed that his heart was already set.