CMI 04

Chapter 04

What on Earth Have You Done?!

The House of Duke Ertman was a prestigious family, so much so that, to exaggerate slightly, there was no higher position to attain within the Empire.

Of course, due to a “certain incident,” they had been living in relative isolation recently.

It wasn’t because they lacked wealth or influence—on the contrary, this time, Duke Ertman himself had even delivered news of a military victory, further solidifying his power.

He was a heavyweight that even Empress Dowager Katarina would be eager to win over.

So why would someone like him bother with such petty tricks?

If there was anything to suspect, perhaps it was this…

“…Come to think of it, Duke Ertman thought I liked Count Clovis.”

“Huh? But didn’t he know Your Highness was going to enter a contractual marriage?”

“Yes. Maybe he just guessed that my choice of partner—Count Clovis—was for love.”

Of course, Ellie knew that Odette’s reason for the proposal wasn’t love.

But if someone had eavesdropped and relayed part of the conversation, it would have been difficult to convey everything accurately.

It was quite possible that in the process, they hadn’t mentioned why Odette had chosen Louis.

Moreover, Odette had been staring at Louis all through the banquet to deliver the note, so Duke Ertman might have guessed her intentions based on her behavior.

“Whatever the reason, since Duke Ertman misunderstood… maybe that’s why he cooperated—because of Count Clovis.”

In high society, love rivalries often spark scandals.

And Odette thought perhaps this was another one of those situations.

“So I didn’t bother clearing up the misunderstanding yet. I figured it’s better to observe the situation first.”

“Count Clovis and Duke Ertman… are they enemies?”

“Hmm. I don’t know that for sure… but it’s definitely caused complications.”

If the two were truly adversaries, Louis might view Odette negatively for rumors about her secret meetings with Walter.

‘And if Empress Dowager Katarina knows about my plan…’

She would certainly prevent me from meeting Count Clovis.

Even without this, failing to meet Louis already made things difficult; having interference on top of that would be even worse.

That was why Odette had summoned Ellie early, even though she was on leave due to an injury.

“You just got your leg injured, and I’m calling you in so early. I’m sorry. But I needed your help.”

“Oh, it’s nothing! My leg is almost healed. If I’d known this would happen, I’d have come with you to the victory celebration!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t need to go anywhere. Just deliver this letter quickly.”

Odette handed her the letter she had written alongside her.

It was addressed to Count Clovis.

‘Yesterday, I was interrupted in meeting Count Clovis, but I cannot give up.’

Fortunately, when Louis entered the terrace, he only saw Walter and didn’t notice Odette, who was hidden behind him.

Of course, if he had heard the rumors, he might have quickly figured out who the owner of the partially visible dress hem was—but that didn’t matter.

Walter would soon explain that the current scandal circulating for reputation’s sake was false.

So Odette had quickly written a letter to resume the meeting with Louis that had been interrupted last night.

The letter apologized for missing the previous appointment, clarified that the circulating rumors were false, and expressed a desire to meet again.

Normally, someone else could deliver such a letter—but given that even conversations with Ellie had been leaked, Odette couldn’t trust anyone else.

“We need to deliver this before Empress Dowager Katarina tries to interfere again, Ellie.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not difficult.”

As Ellie said cheerfully and rose from her seat, the door suddenly swung open.

The person who appeared was none other than…

“Odette!”

Third Princess, Regina Rodel Celestine.

“What on earth have you done?!”

True to her reputation as the flower of high society, she was adorned in extravagant finery.

Her lovely pink hair was decorated with gemstones, likely crafted meticulously by a skilled artisan, and her delicate features were made even sharper and more captivating by the touch of a talented maid’s makeup.

Her strong and somewhat fierce appearance could have been intimidating, but her noble status as a princess and her commanding confidence made even her flaws seem like strengths.

It was said in high society that no man could resist her charm.

However, one difference stood out: Regina was visibly furious from head to toe.

As a result, the carefully pleated hem of her gown, crafted painstakingly by her maids, was now creased in another way entirely by her hands.

Even though Regina had a fiery temper, she had been educated to maintain her dignity as a princess.

For her to be this openly angry was unusual.

‘Why is she this mad?’

Odette stood and asked.

“What’s the matter, sister? If you had contacted me, I would have been prepared…”

“Contacted you? Do I need to notify someone like you just to meet? Someone might think you’re the superior here!”

“That’s not what I meant, sister. I just thought it would be rude if I weren’t prepared since you came.”

Odette was used to Regina suddenly appearing in a rage.

“Next time, give me a heads-up through your maid. It would be nice to have some tea when you come by.”

“Hah! And what kind of tea could you possibly serve? You speak so well when it suits you!”

Regina’s reaction was always similar, no matter Odette’s attitude.

She would nitpick, show her displeasure, and somehow drag Odette into it. Today was no different.

“Cut the pretense and tell me straight. What on earth have you done?!”

“What do you mean?”

Odette couldn’t even guess why Regina was angry.

“Don’t play dumb! You knew everything and pretended not to, you despicable girl!”

Regina’s red lips twisted aggressively.

“You do know what rumors are circulating in the palace, don’t you?!”

“I have heard, but this doesn’t seem like something to make you angry about, sister.”

Strictly speaking, Odette was the victim.

Yesterday’s events had clearly been orchestrated by Regina and Walter to embarrass her.

Even if rumors circulated, she had only tripped over her own feet.

From Odette’s perspective, there was no reason for Regina to be upset.

“If you’re angry because of the rumors, they’re false. Nothing happened between me and the Duke.”

“Ha! False rumors?”

Regina let out a sharp laugh, her eyes narrowing viciously.

“Don’t lie, Odette. Do you think I’m only angry because of a rumor?”

“…?”

“Those kinds of rumors mean nothing! They circulate all the time in society. But this is different!”

“Different? How?”

Odette’s eyes widened in confusion, and Regina suddenly shouted.

“What method did you use that made Duke Ertman believe the rumors about you were true?!”

“By now, the story must have spread.”

“Oh, you mean the part about His Excellency admitting he was two-timing between the Empire’s only two princesses? It’s quite the talk of the town.”

Duke Ertman’s aide, Russell Huntley, clicked his tongue.

Even though he himself had been the one to spread it.

“I was just following orders, but His Excellency is remarkable. How does he even think of creating a scandal involving two princesses?”

“Speak plainly, Russell. I didn’t spread the rumors myself. At least not about the third princess.”

Walter finished signing the last document, placed the quill in its holder, and responded.

“It’s not my fault the Empress Dowager was desperate to marry her daughter off to me.”

“You could have refused, sir. Honestly, I can’t understand your intentions at all.”

Russell’s half-open eyes furrowed slightly. Lately, he had noticed something strange about his master.

‘Was it about a month ago?’

He remembered the timing clearly.

Just before leaving the battlefield to return to the capital, Walter had acted unusually.

• What day is it today?
• Not at the mansion, so not the capital. Could it be then? Cedric?
• Is anyone in the royal family married currently?

Walter asked questions so basic they seemed almost like common sense, as if he had returned from a place completely detached from everyone else.

‘And ever since… I really don’t understand His Excellency’s intentions.’

After that day, Walter seemed strangely different.

Not a different person, but his behavior was unusual.

He had hurried the march unusually to reach the capital, sought out Empress Dowager Katarina repeatedly, and met with the third princess.

He even ordered rumors about secret meetings with the fourth princess to be spread.

None of this was typical of Walter Ertman.

“You refused the Crown Prince’s requests before, saying you didn’t want anything to do with the royal family. What changed? The third princess is one thing, but why the fourth?”

“Nothing major. I’m considering marrying the fourth princess. Just clearing obstacles.”

“Of course marriage is fine, but… the fourth princess? Wait, marriage? With the fourth princess?!”

Russell’s eyes, usually half-open, widened completely.

Even a bird flying past the window would have clapped at such a perfect circle of astonishment, but Walter answered calmly.

“It’s nothing particularly remarkable, so I didn’t say anything. I didn’t expect you to think that way. I’ll tell you next time beforehand.”

“No, no, what do you mean beforehand? Marriage! You rejected all the match proposals your grandfather offered not long ago!”

“I was young then. I’m a bit older now.”

“Only half a year ago!”

“Half a year changes a lot.”

Walter leaned back, resting his chin casually, speaking with a detached tone.

“By now, the Empress Dowager and the third princess must be panicking… I’m curious to see how they’ll react.”