I Will Save The Princess - Chapter 27

The Offer (10)

“Take care of yourself.”

 

‘You too, Lady Adeline…”

 

‘Is it a daughter’s destiny to be swayed by her father?’

 

The reason Adeline entered the Palace as a concubine was simpler than expected. Count Perse wanted to establish a relationship with the Imperial family and wield power as a maternal relative.

 

For that reason, the aristocratic house heavily lobbied, but the Emperor threatened that he would never marry an Empress.

 

However, the aristocratic court cited the law and asked for Adeline to be married as a concubine, and the Emperor eventually gave up. So Adeline broke off her engagement with her fiancé and became the Emperor’s concubine.

 

So far, it was just an ordinary arranged marriage.

 

Before officially entering the Palace, the Emperor met Adeline and said just one thing.

 

‘If you want to have an heir, I will give you one. Other than that don’t bother me. It’s too much for your father to bother me.’

 

After hearing that story, Hannah could understand why the Emperor and Adeline were annoyed at each other at the entrance ceremony.

 

How could they be so different from each other?

 

In her previous life, they were in a relationship where they liked each other and couldn’t live without each other.

 

It was a surprise.

 

Something unexpected.

 

Shaking off her thoughts, Hannah changed the topic.

 

“How come the Imperial Palace is quiet these days? Maybe it’s because His Majesty isn’t here.”

 

“Yes? I hate to say this, but he stays in the South.”

 

“It’s already been half a year since he went down to settle the rebellion… When will it be sorted out?”

 

After the last war of conquest, the Imperial army was able to quickly stabilize the conquest by organizing a large number of troops in the North.

 

Of course, the reason why the North boasted a defence like an iron fortress was because of the contributions of Vincent, the General in charge of the Imperial army in the Northwest.

 

But half a year ago.

 

Suddenly, a rebellion broke out in the South, and the Emperor declared his own decision, saying that he would suppress the rebellion and reorganize the army in the South.

 

The Emperor headed down to the Southern Palace, and peace reigned in the Palace. Peace also came to Hannah.

 

‘Of course war is not good! But the Emperor is no better.’

 

The constant worry of the Emperor suddenly coming in and saying, ‘You said you would do anything for me back then. Follow me right now,’ caused Hannah anxiety. However, the Emperor left for the South!

 

Oh, how relieved she felt when she heard the news!

 

Thinking about it made her feel like her body was dirty again, so Hannah caught her breath and focused on the trip.

 

The tip of her nose felt the scent of roses in the garden before the scent of tea.

 

Feeling the spring breeze tickling her face, Hannah quietly smiled.

 

* * *

 

“Hannah. C-can I go play with Cordelia?”

 

Ophelia tilted her head, her pretty ruby-red eyes shining.

 

A twisting gesture.

 

Two twinkling eyes.

 

Hannah thought for a moment whether to allow that act of showing off cuteness, but she said in a stern tone.

 

“No. I heard you visited two days ago.”

 

“Eh. That was, that was two days ago! And today is today.”

 

Ophelia, with a sullen face, was angry.

 

Ophelia was already 10 years old, but her stubbornness was still the same as when she was a baby.

 

Hannah put her hands on her sides and engaged in a staring contest with Ophelia in silence. In a familiar situation, Ophelia also looked straight at her without looking away.

 

A few minutes passed, and Hannah sighed and changed her words.

 

“Okay, then I’ll let you go once you finish studying arithmetic and history.”

 

Then, as if she had waited, Ophelia showed Hannah a pile of books and papers and answered.

 

“It’s already done. Later, teacher, I will see you in class later. Oh, I can go!”

 

Ophelia shouted with a triumphant expression on her face, and Hannah was speechless.

 

History must have progressed by more than 10 pages.

 

‘You mean you’re done already? Besides, arithmetic… Ugh, 12 chapters? Did she solve all of this?’

 

Mmm…

 

Ophelia finished preparing, but Hannah couldn’t say no.

 

Finally, she sighed and nodded.

 

Ophelia jumped up and down, grabbed her hand and ran out of the villa.

 

“Princess! Are you going out like this? At least take a parasol and a hat…!”

 

“Gwa, it’s okay! Hu, the palace is right next to us.”

 

Even if it was next to them, it was more than a 15-minute walk.

 

‘Will she be okay in this sunny summer?!’

 

…Ophelia covered the long garden in 5 minutes and arrived at the concubine’s residence.

 

“Oh my God… Wait, Princess. You are running a lot… You’re fast.”

 

“Ha, Hannah! Work out! Ooh, get some exercise!”

 

Hannah was proud of living busier than anyone else in the Palace. The stamina of a 10-year-old child could not catch up to her no matter how much she tried.

 

Ailee played with Ophelia in the garden for over two hours every day.

 

She saw her.

 

“Oh. Hannah? Are you okay?”

 

A thin voice echoed from inside the garden.

 

Adeline, wearing a parasol, smiled brightly and approached them, perhaps just out of the garden.

 

“Welcome, Princess Ophelia. I thought you couldn’t come today because it was hot.”

 

“Oh, hello. Adel, Adeline. Where is Cordelia?”

 

Adeline smiled and pointed towards the inside of the garden.

 

At the end of her finger, Ophelia saw a small girl crouched in the corner of the garden.

 

Ophelia smiled broadly and rushed in the direction Adeline pointed, and Adeline, who saw her, smiled calmly with her eyes drooping.

 

“Still, Cordelia has been waiting for Princess Ophelia since early this morning. I heard she promised to meet her today. Oh dear, how many times she had been looking for Ophelia. She kept sitting in the garden saying she would show the flowers to her sister.”

 

“Even Ophelia, whenever she opens her mouth, she keeps talking about Cordelia. Yesterday too, she drew a lot of Cordelia’s face and then fell asleep.”

 

At Hannah’s words, Adeline laughed out loud. Adeline looked down at the Princesses with a serene gaze, wearing her signature bright smile. Hannah turned her gaze to the two Princesses who were happily playing along together.

 

A cute Cordelia smiling all over the room.

 

Blazing red hair, ruby ​​eyes, white skin, and slightly raised eyes all resembled the Emperor.

 

The Emperor must have been horrified because of how much she resembled him.

 

…Of course, not now.

 

Four years had already passed since Adeline gave birth to Cordelia.

 

The Emperor went down to the South and easily subdued the rebellion, but since then, he spent more time in the Southern and Western villas than in the Imperial Palace, as if he had decided to reorganize the army.

 

There were times when he came up to the Imperial Palace to handle Imperial events and external affairs, but not for long periods of time. Hannah was able to enjoy a very pleasant daily life thanks to him.

 

The Emperor has probably forgotten about her face by now, right? Because Cordelia said she had only seen him once since she was born.

 

Fortunately, or unfortunately, since there was no Emperor, Ophelia and Cordelia were able to get along well.

 

Two Princesses neglected with indifference.

 

The two sisters, who could not have been close to each other in their previous lives, embraced each other with heartfelt sisterly love in their current lives.

 

Hannah was lost in thought as she looked at the two sisters with vague emotions.

 

First, as of now, the Emperor had nothing to discriminate against. He had no interest in either Adeline or Cordelia.

 

She didn’t know yet if Cordelia’s existence will do any harm or good.

 

‘Is it okay as it is?’

 

A new human relationship spread in the world of Ophelia, where originally Hannah was the only one.

 

Lily, Ailee, and Tessa. Vincent, whose face sometimes shone whenever he came to the Imperial Palace. Cordelia, the most desired blood relative of her stepmother, Adeline.

 

Ophelia, who was afraid of people, has now become a bright and active child who liked people.

 

She studied well and discovered her own special talents.

 

If she kept going like this, it was possible everything would pass without any issues.

 

“Come to think of it, there’s a painting Ophelia gave me a while ago, right?”

 

Hearing Adeline’s voice, Hannah suddenly returned to reality. Putting down the teacup, she quickly reflected on her thoughts.

 

The painting was a picture,

 

“Ah, ah, yes. Do you mean that oil painting? Of Princess Cordelia standing in the garden.”

 

“Yes, that picture. It was so wonderful that I showed it to my aunt. She entrusted it to an art appraiser.”

 

Adeline’s aunt would be the Marchioness of Athleen.

 

“I heard that she is a person who likes beautiful things, and she has a lot of interest in art.”

 

Adeline’s eyes twinkled and she spoke in a strong tone.

 

“And then! The art appraiser said that the expression was great, and asked if it would be okay to exhibit it at the Yandil Art Festival.”

 

“Art festival?”

 

“Yes. It is a huge art exhibition sponsored by the Duke of Yandil, but only the works of top-notch artists are exhibited. So?”

 

Hannah knew that Ophelia had a talent for art, but was it that great? It was embarrassing that Ophelia’s name was known for no reason.

 

Adeline must have noticed what Hannah was thinking, she continued.

 

“They say it doesn’t matter if you use a pseudonym for your name anyway. It’s too precious to see alone, so I want a lot of people to see it at the exhibition.”

 

Hanna understood that feeling, too.

 

Apart from drawing well or not drawing well, Ophelia’s paintings had the power to stir the heart.

 

Ophelia, who had already started drawing at the age of 7 and learned water color and oil painting at the age of 8, drew, created, and expressed using everything around her. Looking at those pictures, Hannah could see how Ophelia saw the world, and it was quite beautiful, but it made her feel nostalgic.

 

“I know, right? There are times when I think it’s a waste for it to be hanging in the Palace like this.”

 

Hannah didn’t have to think about it for long. She knew what to do. She accepted her offer with a smile.

 

“I will gratefully accept Adeline’s proposal.”

 

“I am sure you will hear good news. Trust me.”

 

Adeline smiled lightly as she placed her hand on her chest.

 

Her beautiful smile was still there, but somehow, she looked more emaciated than before.

 

Come to think of it, these days, Adeline always wrapped herself in thick clothes and shawls. She also seemed to cough frequently.

 

“Adeline. How is your body? I’m worried that the cold has lasted too long.”

 

“Maybe it’s because I don’t get enough exercise, but my cold won’t go away. This is the first time that a summer cold has lasted this long.”

 

Even as Adeline spoke, she coughed slightly. She shook her head, pounding her chest.

 

“It’s all right. Hannah has too many worries.”

 

Adeline smiled and said calmly, but Hannah couldn’t smile.

 

A feeling of uneasiness flooded into a corner of her heart, and she just looked at Adeline with a worried face.

 

 

After spending a happy time at the concubine’s Palace, Hannah returned to the Palace with Ophelia.

Ophelia, who said she would only stay at the concubine’s Palace until the tutor arrived, played hide-and-seek with Cordelia until the sun went down.

Normally, she would have been nagging, but the two sisters looked so happy that she forgot to dissuade them and just watched them.

‘It’s because I’m too soft. I should be more strict.’