I Will Save The Princess - Chapter 36

To Take The Initiative (2)

Until they moved to the garden, the Duke seemed lost in thought without saying a word. Seeing a hint of something he wanted to say, Hannah asked all the servants to get tea and snacks.

The moment he put the teacup down in front of him, a low baritone resonated over the tea table.

“I’m not sure how to express it correctly.”

Hannah recalled a strange expression, seeming both embarrassed and delighted. Faint traces of contemplation could be seen on his beautiful face.

The Duke elegantly lifted his hand and clasped both hands together, placing them on the table.

“When I first saw the painting you submitted to the art festival, I simply thought it was the work of a very talented artist. A 10-year-old girl… and when I heard it was painted by the Princess herself, I thought she had a genius talent. That’s all I thought.”

The Duke carefully chose his words, keeping his eyes on his clasped hands. The corners of his lips curled into a small smile.

“From now on, I should refrain from using the word ‘genius’ too casually. I never imagined someone could create such an enchanting painting that captivates people to this extent.”

There was a deep weight in the slow voice. Hannah didn’t answer anything, just looked at the Duke silently and thought.

‘What can I say?’

Only now that she felt she understood Adeline’s words, there was no need to be humble.

To teach Ophelia how to draw, Hannah also looked at many pictures. However, the picture she saw earlier was different from all of them.

“The Princess seems to hold you very dearly. Her passion for the model seems to extend beyond the canvas.”

It seems the Duke was looking at the painting with eyes similar to Hannah’s.

He raised his head slowly, with a gentle smile on his lips. Beneath his silver eyebrows, his ruby-red eyes sparkled like jewels. His prominent facial features harmonised perfectly with his skin tone.

When their eyes met, a handsome face filled her field of vision.

The Duke stroked his chin and stared at her without a word. It looked like he was appreciating something, but it wasn’t particularly unpleasant.

Hannah met his gaze with a curious expression, and finally, the Duke smiled and spoke.

“Oh no, it’s not that the painting is beautiful. It must be that the model was beautiful.”

With one hand on his chin, he slowly lifted his hand. His large hand passed over the teacup and approached Hannah’s face. His hand grazed her cheek and lightly touched her hair.

A strange feeling of discomfort spread through her chest. Red eyes looking at her, A large hand brushing her cheek. The warmth from his touch on her hair felt strangely hot.

It seemed like there was a similar situation before… Hannah couldn’t recall the memory. But she only remembered that the emotion in that memory was embarrassment.

The Duke rolled his eyes like a crescent moon and smiled beautifully. His hand, which had been in her hair, returned to the table, holding a small leaf in his hand.

Blinking my eyes, Hannah glanced at the leaf and gently raised her hand to cover her cheek. The fiery heat spread through her palm.

‘…What is going on?’

Just now… a strange feeling…

“T-Thank you.”

Mumbling her words, Hannah turned my gaze away, feeling embarrassed. Behind the Duke, a bit further to the side and even further on the side of the garden entrance, she saw someone approaching them.

Though the figure was quite distant, she could immediately recognise who it was. Her eyes widened.

The figure, approaching them with quick strides, grew larger and larger.

Three men. Among them, the man walking towards them made her realise the identity of the vague deja vu she had just experienced.

…The Emperor.

Locard, with his stern face, was walking towards me.

Unlike his usual loose attire, the Emperor was wearing a dark grey ceremonial gown. He still had a sculpted appearance, but Hannah could sense a slightly human-like expression from his slightly furrowed brow.

The person who was generally expressionless, when approaching with emotions revealed, instilled unnecessary fear in Hannah.

As the Emperor, who had walked straight towards them, stopped, the Royal Guards following him also stopped at the same time. Hannah quickly got up from her seat and greeted him. However, the Duke of Yendil slowly turned his head and looked up at the Emperor, then stood up reluctantly as if annoyed.

“Glory to the one who is above all. It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

“Looking good, Duke. What’s happening at the White Rose Palace?”

The Emperor looked at the Duke with a cold gaze. The Duke shrugged and smiled gently.

“There is an artist overflowing with talent in the White Rose Palace. I came to see their artwork.”

“I heard Ophelia was doing something… and several paintings were taken out of the annexe. Was it for you?”

Though his words were vague, the Emperor grasped the essence and gave a sharp response.

‘Do you know that Ophelia paints?’

‘Moreover, that the paintings were taken out was none of your concern, right?’

With her eyes wide open, Hannah turned to the Emperor. As if responding to her thoughts, the Emperor only moved his eyes and looked at Hannah.

“Since the incident with the escaped rabbit, I know everything happening within the palace.”

Without thinking deeply, Hannah could immediately figure out that the ‘runaway rabbit’ was her. The Emperor raised the corner of his mouth and recalled a bright smile.

“I saw the lady-in-waiting and the Duke looking quite affectionate. I wondered what kind of conversation was making them so joyful.”

“Hmm.”

The Duke, who had tapped his lips with his finger, said with a smile.

“We were discussing whether Your Majesty still remains indifferent to the Princess.”

The Emperor’s face hardened slightly. And Hannah’s face hardened even more. Enough to break apart.

‘What are you talking about, now?!’

Why was the Duke provoking the Emperor? Hannah looked at the two men alternately with an uneasy feeling. She heard the two were casual, but did this count as a casual conversation?

She heard that the Duke of Yendil had protected Lokard since he was the Crown Prince. She heard they had a good relationship due to their long acquaintance, but the current atmosphere didn’t seem so friendly. Hannah glanced around and flashed a smile at the Emperor.

“Uh, um, Your Majesty! We were just having some tea. Would you like to take a break too?”

In my heart, Hannah wanted to tell him to leave right away, but she tried to lighten the mood with a casual remark.

The Emperor’s gaze returned to Hannah.

Hannah blinked her eyes repeatedly, trying to appear innocent.

The firm expression remained the same, but the Emperor was obediently seated.

“…”

“…”

——♦ ⋄· 🜲· ⋄ ♦——