I Will Save The Princess - Chapter 35

To Take The Initiative (1)

At the apex of the Imperial nobility were three Dukes.

The Duke of Chaconne, Fenrir Chaconne, whom Hannah met at the ball.

This grubby man, the head of the Royalist Faction, is also a celebrity in the social world. Hannah had met him in person at a ball.

And the Duke of Orphenoch, Antilon Orphenoch.

He was a founding figure of the Empire and once held the largest territory within the Empire, but his family’s influence has significantly weakened. As the leader of the republican faction, he is the family the Emperor dislikes the most.

Moreover, Duke Antilon Orphenoch is famous for having a peculiar and eccentric personality. Rumours say he delves into dark magic, summons witches, and worships demons.

Fortunately, he was always confined to the manor, so there was little chance of seeing him in the capital.

Finally, the Duke of Yendil, Torneus Yendil.

As the head of the Yendil family, a branch family of the Imperial lineage, it was said that his unwavering support played a significant role in Locard becoming the Emperor.

According to Imperial law, women cannot become the Emperor. Thus, with no Crown Prince at present, Duke Yendil is currently considered the top candidate for the next succession to the throne.

He seems well aware of this position as he doesn’t delve deeply into politics or noble circles but rather focuses on arts and philanthropy.

‘…Hah.’

Hannah was not familiar with the Yendil family. Not that they were famous, but because Yendil was originally a family close to her enemies.

Heir of the Yendil family, Eshriel Yendil.

The kid was the fiancé of the Second Princess, Cordelia, in his previous life.

While Ophelia struggled even to find a debutante partner, Cordelia was set to walk the path of glory with the Empire’s top nobleman. Hannah remembered Ophelia crying alone with a heavy heart when Cordelia’s engagement ceremony took place a month before the debutante ball.

Well, that was an old story now. Hannah didn’t expect to face the Duke in person like this.

“It’s been a long time since I visited the White Rose Palace. I’ve come to see Princess Ophelia.”

A dignified baritone voice. As the Duke smiled and narrowed his eyes, his deep red pupils gleamed even darker. Hannah bowed deeply with great tension.

“I was waiting for the Duke’s visit. I am Hannah Torrens, the handmaid. The Princess is waiting for you in the studio.”

Careful not to make a mistake, she led him into the studio.

His dark grey suit, slightly cascading silver hair, and dark brown skin accentuated his hair colour.

She felt it even when she first met him. Elegance was felt from every visible aspect of him.

That skin colour and silver hair were amazing, no matter how much you look at it. Even in the capital, she could see people with brown skin from time to time, but she had never seen such a beautiful man.

Was it because of his aura? Or because he was an aristocrat?

The moment Hannah glanced sideways slightly out of curiosity, their eyes met.

The Duke’s eyes widened slightly. He raised the corners of his mouth and gave me a soft smile.

“Looks like it has started.”

“Yes?”

“It’s okay to look at me. Because you are also curious about me, so you keep looking at me.”

Looking at the Duke, wondering what he was talking about, Hannah realised that her intentions had been revealed, and her face flushed.

“Oh, no! It’s not like that…”

“Everyone who sees me for the first time is amazed, so it can’t be helped. Tanned skin like this is common in the southern part of the Empire.”

Hannah could feel the composure of an adult in the Duke’s gentle smile and talk. She forced a smile, covering her burning cheeks with her hand.

“Well… Ha, ha. I guess my appearance is also a bit unusual, isn’t it? People often ask if I’m not from the Eastern Continent when they first meet me.”

“Looking at you saying that, it does seem true.”

“Yes. Although I think my mother’s lineage might have some connection to that, I am actually from the Empire.”

“Right. I am also from the Imperial capital, but there are many times when people do not believe me, and I am in trouble.”

His humorous remark made Hannah burst into laughter unexpectedly. The Duke slightly lowered the corners of his eyes upward and flashed a charming smile.

‘Though our age gap is not that significant, how does he exude such a mature aura?’

Hannah wondered if she could exude that kind of aura in about ten years.

Lost in thought, they arrived in front of the workshop. Hannah cautiously opened the door.

When she opened the door, there was a thick smell of oil.

A large room with a raised ceiling on the second floor. When they moved to the new palace, Hannah paid the most attention to this studio. It was the place where Ophelia would spend the most time.

Special curtains were hung to protect the painting, and all the furniture was custom-made for the short Ophelia.

Next to the small easel was Ophelia, even tinier in comparison.

“Oh, h-hello, Duke… I’m the Fi-First Princess Oph- Ophelia Se-ver Cah… Carlton.”

Reciting the greetings she had memorised, Ophelia bowed her head. She was visibly tense, knowing that an important guest had arrived. The slight mark on her lower lip beneath her plump cheeks was evidence of her nervousness.

The Duke raised his eyes slightly and gazed at Ophelia before lowering his waist to meet her gaze. With a gentle smile, he spoke.

“I’m Duke Yendil, Princess Ophelia. I feel like I’m seeing you for the first time since you were a baby. You’ve grown so beautifully, and I’m truly grateful.”

…Had the Duke ever met Ophelia as a baby?

He embraced Ophelia like an uncle meeting his niece after a long time. She seemed shy for a moment but soon held the Duke’s hand and smiled brightly.

“D-Duke, do you also enjoy painting?”

“Hmm. I’m embarrassed to say that my painting skills are mediocre at best. I enjoy appreciating art, but creating it… well…”

“If you work hard, I’m sure you’ll be good at it too! Duke, I believe you can do it well.”

“Unfortunately, talent is something that exists in the world. You have it, Princess, but I don’t possess such a gift. I’m satisfied just with appreciating what others create.”

The Duke gently raised an eyebrow and recalled an elegant smile. He held Ophelia’s hand and moved towards the side where canvases were stacked.

“Is this the sea? No, it is the sky.”

“It’s the view from the Palace roof. When it rains, the sky looks like this.”

“The marbling is very unique. What about this painting?”

“I used my fingers to paint this with watercolours… I sprinkled gold dust only on the yellow colour.”

The Duke nodded approvingly, showing genuine interest in the painting. He seemed to be observing a teacher and a student as he provided feedback and explained techniques to Ophelia.

Then, suddenly, the Duke stopped him and fixed his gaze on a corner.

He let go of Ophelia’s hand and took out a canvas leaning against the wall. The sunlight streaming through the window gently illuminated the painting on the canvas.

It was a fairly large canvas the size of a window.

Above it was a picture of a woman with black hair neatly tied up, looking straight ahead with soft eyes.

A white face, black hair and eyes of the same colour. On a dark background, only the figure was delicately painted with a thin brush, even to each eyelash. Overall, it was a picture in very dark tones, but the expression of light was three-dimensional, so the whole picture was permeated with warmth.

That picture…

Ophelia was extremely flustered and rushed towards the canvas.

“This, this was supposed to be a se-secret…”

Ophelia kept her mouth shut and covered the painting while looking at the Duke. However, it was unreasonable for her to hide the canvas with her small body.

The Duke silently watched her for a moment and then slowly kneeled down.

“Princess, touching it like that will ruin the painting. You’re an artist too, so you must know. Let me take a quick look and then put it back.”

“Th-then… Just a m-moment. Only for a moment, please.”

Hurriedly, Ophelia stepped aside, and the Duke smiled and stroked her hair. The Duke took a step away and slowly began to observe the painting.

The gentle atmosphere vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp intensity that glinted in his eyes. Hannah could only watch with complicated emotions as the Duke alternated his gaze between Ophelia and the painting.

——♦ ⋄· 🜲· ⋄ ♦——