TGDHC Chapter 166

Chapter 166. Tender Reunion

Galid Monastery.

After finishing night prayers, Meisel quietly slipped away from the returning worshippers and headed toward the kitchen.

The kitchen had already been tidied up and felt cold and empty, but when she searched a corner, she found some oat porridge saved for animal feed.

Today, too, she hadn’t received any food all day for breaking some minor rule.

Her hunger was unbearable.

She hurriedly tore at the hardened, dried-up porridge when a voice suddenly spoke.

‘How did a noble princess end up in such a state?’

Startled, Meisel spun around.

“Y-you…!”

A sorcerer had appeared, his yellow eyes gleaming as he approached.

“How did you get in here?”

Seeing her flustered expression, he gave a sympathetic smile.

“To think the woman who was to become Grand Duchess is here wasting her time on pig feed—it pains me deeply.”

Meisel’s shock quickly turned to anger.

“This is all your fault! I ruined my entire life just because I listened to you!”

Perhaps he had even come all the way here to retrieve the necklace.

Her face flushed red as she shouted, clutching the necklace tightly to prevent him from taking it.

“Ruin it?”

The sorcerer chuckled softly.

“No, the one who ruined things was you. Would you like me to tell you an interesting fact?”

His calm gaze fell on the necklace.

“Have you ever heard of the Dragon’s Word?”

The sudden question made Meisel furrow her brow.

The Dragon’s Word—a legend said that words spoken by a dragon carried great power, and reality would bend to the dragon’s will.

“The gemstone in that necklace contains the power of a dragon. It is weak, but whoever possesses the necklace can benefit from the Word’s power.”

“So… does that mean it really grants wishes?”

“That depends on the wearer’s ability.”

The sorcerer shrugged lightly.

“Not many can control the Word. Most, like you, over-rely on the necklace and gradually lose their sense of self.”

“…Lose their sense of self?”

“They become puppets, acting only as instructed.”

Was he joking?

Meisel frowned at his calm tone.

“But you, princess, are a bit special.”

Taking a step closer, the sorcerer stared at her face.

“You are clearly not very clever… but perhaps because of your arrogance and stubbornness, the brainwashing hasn’t taken as deeply as expected.”

“What?”

“It’s fine. This level is sufficient for you to carry out the task.”

Meisel wanted to protest but couldn’t. It was as if her mind had gone blank at his words.

Amid her confusion, the sorcerer snapped his fingers with a sharp click.

“Let’s go now.”

“Go where?”

“You wanted to become Grand Duchess, didn’t you? I will make that wish come true. To align the timing, we should hurry.”

The sorcerer extended a hand with a gentle smile.

“Grand Duchess?”

That’s right—I was meant to become Grand Duchess.

Thinking of the kind Duke waiting for her in the bright garden made her heart flutter.

Meisel raised the corners of her lips gracefully, like a proper Grand Duchess, and took the sorcerer’s hand.

“Annette, are you really okay going alone?”

Loic, looking unusually anxious, fiddled with my hand.

“It’ll be unfamiliar since it’s your first time there.”

“I’m not really alone.”

After staying at the villa until noon, I was about to depart for Selvanis Castle.

As I tried to board the carriage, Loic refused to let go of my hand.

Even though it was an unofficial visit, for the sake of Grand Duchess etiquette, Cecilia, many servants, and the knights accompanied us.

Still, Loic fussed over me like a child going to the city alone.

“Why not stay another day at the villa before leaving? Your body isn’t fully recovered, and riding now—”

I hurriedly pressed my hand against his mouth to stop him from continuing.

“I-I’m fine.”

Truthfully, when I woke up this morning, my entire body screamed in pain.

I thought I could manage a little, but as I got out of bed without thinking, I collapsed straight onto the floor.

Eventually, Loic personally lifted me, bathed me in the tub, and massaged my sore muscles with essential oils until I could walk again.

“I feel much better after Loic massaged me.”

Whispering softly, worried someone might overhear, Loic immediately pulled me into his arms.

“Annette.”

Even with the knights present, he buried his head against my shoulder.

“I don’t know if I can endure a day without you.”

My face flushed bright red from embarrassment.

Even though we had already confirmed our feelings…

With this closeness, it was as if yesterday’s events had been broadcast for everyone to see!

And yet, I didn’t mind Loic clinging to me like this.

I must admit, I wasn’t entirely sane either.

“Loic, you said you’d go on inspection, right? I’ll just sleep one night, so wait patiently.”

“Return early.”

Loic lifted his head, lowering the corners of his eyes.

“No matter what the Countess says to convince you to stay, do not give in. Come back immediately.”

“Understood. See you tomorrow.”

I patted his broad back and boarded the carriage.

He stood there for a long time, watching me until I was completely out of sight.

“Cecilia.”

Once seated, I looked across at the maid who hadn’t stopped grinning.

“Stop teasing me now.”

“Tease Your Highness? When?”

“Your expression has been teasing me the whole time.”

“What do you mean! I’m simply overflowing with joy!”

Cecilia wiggled in her seat, grinning.

Thanks to Loic leaving me so flustered, there was nothing left to hide from her.

“Has Your Highness always felt this way?”

Cecilia was clearly thrilled that her plan for the “night event for the couple” had succeeded.

“Even that negligee was Madam’s masterpiece. We had about ten others, but we voted and picked the one with the least fabric!”

Thanks to her chatter, the ride passed quickly, and I didn’t feel bored at all.

By the time I felt ready to stop listening, we had arrived at Selvanis Castle.

“Grand Duchess of the Rebria Empire, it is such an honor to welcome you to Selvanis.”

Aside from the Count and Countess, many others had come out to greet me.

Seeing the Countess, I silently admired her resemblance to me.

Her light blonde hair was styled up, and her face bore a clear family resemblance to mine.

‘Ah, Annette was fostered out.’

The Countess seemed surprised to see me as well.

“My goodness…! You are so much like Ollie.”

She covered her mouth with trembling hands.

“How did you grow up so beautifully?”

“Madam.”

The Count, standing beside her, softly called her attention. She blinked and regained composure.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I am simply overjoyed to meet you…”

She placed a hand on her chest gracefully.

“Elian Selvanis greets Your Highness.”

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Speaking kindly made the Countess smile warmly.

The Count supported his wife with a gentle hand.

“She has awaited Your Highness so eagerly that she couldn’t sleep properly last night.”

Strictly speaking, the Countess was not my real family, but her heartfelt welcome warmed my heart.

“I was very excited too, since it’s my first time meeting my aunt.”

Hearing “aunt,” the Countess’s eyes widened, then softened into a round shape.

Despite the slight wrinkles near her eyes, her smile was as lovely as a young girl’s.

“The journey must have been tiring. Let me guide you to your room first.”

The Countess led me into the castle.

Her warm hand briefly touching mine made me feel comfortable.

That evening, an extravagant feast was laid out.

All kinds of meat and seafood, pies, cooked vegetables—there were so many dishes that the table was filled beyond reach.

“Your Highness, what kind of meat do you prefer? At this time, duck is excellent. As for seafood, try it with this lemon juice.”

She asked endlessly about my favorite foods, the tea I liked to drink, and showed genuine interest.

“Ollie loved fish dishes,” she mentioned.

Through this, I learned a few stories about Annette’s mother, Odeline, whom she affectionately called “Ollie.”

The Countess avoided mentioning the Marquis, but a few stories slipped out, tinged with frustration.

“…I sent letters to the Marquis several times, but never received a single reply.”

I wondered why she hadn’t tried contacting him sooner, but apparently the Marquis had blocked all contact.

Perhaps out of anger at his unfaithful wife.

The Countess’s face trembled when mentioning the Marquis, but soon she smiled.

“I worried that sending letters to the Grand Duchy would trouble Your Highness, but thanks to you, I had the courage to reach out.”

When her husband was mentioned, I couldn’t help but smile faintly.