Please Be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 83

“Lady Canillia.”

The words were something even she was not familiar with.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Canillia bent her knees slightly to bow, then linked her arms with Claude and approached the table. The closer she got, the darker the astonishment that bloomed on the faces of the nobles. The most surprised was Anastasia.

Canillia approached the marchioness, who was unaware that she had dropped her wine glass.

“I’m sorry I’m late, mother,” she greeted.

Was it because of the firm confidence in her greeting? Anastasia’s lips twitched, and she unconsciously swore. Those who were close enough to hear frowned.

The marchioness was able to regain her composure only after the servants removed all the broken glass.

“Canillian, you surprised me. I really thought you became a woman. Do you know how surprised I was to find out I had a daughter?”

Anastasia smiled brightly and hugged Canillia. Claude laughed as he became speechless at her performance, and Wade’s hands were shaking trying to hold back his laughter.

“Mother, why are you acting like this? Did you lie again today?” Camellia asked. She hoped her nervousness did not seep.

As Rosina and Pepe had told her, she kept her back straight and tried to look as elegant as possible. They said that she had to keep her lips still and make the other person listen to her, as that way they could not read her thoughts.

“Do not deceive me. How shameless,” Anastasia said, hugging Canillia even tighter.

Wade cleared his throat as the hug carried on longer than expected.

“So the rumors are true, marchioness.”

Only then could Canillia be freed from Anastasia’s arms.

“It’s not a rumor, Your Highness. My son must be very angry with me to dress like this, no matter how beautiful he is.”

Anastasia’s eyes curled with terrifying grace as she covered her mouth and smiled.

Wade smiled and raised his glass. Anastasia finally sat down.

Claude wrapped his arms around Lia’s waist to express his affection. Then, as they went back to their seats, Ian, who had been waiting for her all this time, kissed the back of Canillia’s hand.

“Lady Canillia. It’s nice to see you.”

“Hello, Your Highness, Archduke Sergio.”

The nobles were now about to collapse as they bubbled with excitement. In addition, the noble ladies who had actively spread rumors of infidelity between the two did not even feel the wine flowing from their mouths at this unimaginable event.

Canillion Vale from Louvre. It was surprising that the illegitimate child, the disgrace of the marquess, was a woman, but what was even more shocking was that she could be so confident among the great nobles.

That wasn’t all. It was as if she was the hostess. It seemed that the whole greenhouse had been set up for Canillia.

“Well, then. Let’s start again, marchioness. Weren’t you apologizing to Canillia?”

Anastasia, who was glaring at Lia at Claude’s words, smiled awkwardly and nodded.

“Okay. I forgive you, Canillian. Even if you act surly like this, you are my dear son. So why don’t you forgive your mother’s mistakes, too. I didn’t mean it, Canillian.”

Canillia stood speechless at Anastasia’s sorrowful expression. Instead of answering, she just nodded lightly.

The music that had stopped filled the room again, and the servants resumed serving food. Everyone enjoying this exciting situation shared meaningful glances. The noble ladies were busy creating rumors to spread after the banquet.

Their interest was not the relationship between Anastasia and Canillia. The target of their gossip was Canillia, who was sitting confidently between the two grand dukes. While the marchioness insisted that her son was dressed as a woman, no one believed her.

The grand duke could not tear his eyes from the woman next to him. Like lovers, the two did not hide the affection in their eyes.

He gently held Canillia’s hand and wiped the sauce from her mouth. Not only was he whispering gently to her, but the archduke’s body was completely turned in her direction.

“This has turned into something else. I can’t believe he was actually a woman…”

“I wonder what Marilyn Shelby saw.”

“I know. And why do you think she raised her daughter as a man? The marchioness herself.”

“It’s strange. It would be simpler to raise a girl as there are no complications in the property inheritance.”

“Her pride probably didn’t allow it. Since the marchioness was not well, it seemed that relatives often came to ask for their son to be adopted. I remember hearing about it a long time ago.”

“Oh, my. In other words, they were practically praying for the marchioness to stay sick.”

“I understand where they’re coming from, but still… raising a girl to be a man is a bit…”

Like water had dropped on a fireplace, their temperature had changed in the blink of an eye.

Every time they burst out laughing in unison, the sound of the instruments also grew louder. Anastasia, unable to touch the food, continued to drink wine.

“You should cut back on the alcohol, mother.”

When Kieran, who had been quiet until now, raised his head and spoke, everyone focused on his low tone. The marchioness had just picked up the wine glass. Her hands trembled.

“It’s just one glass a day, Kieran.”

“That one glass may do the trick.”

Some expressed their discomfort at his choice of words, but Kieran continued speaking regardless.

“Call Dr. Blanchett tomorrow and make an appointment. He was worried your symptoms were getting worse these days.”

“Kieran…? What do you mean by that?”

“I heard that you were making up stories, that you’re either hearing nonsense or seeing it. Dr. Blanchett contacted me saying you believed someone would kill you.”

Hearing and seeing nonsense? Anastasia glared fiercely at Kieran, who was treating her like a patient, and gulped down her wine.

“The doctor must not be in his right mind,” she snapped.

“No, I don’t think so. Even though I tried to convince you that Canillia wasn’t the culprit, you didn’t believe me. Why did you do it? It was you who gave them the diamonds, right?” Kieran asked.

“Kieran!”

“Stop it, mother. Anher told us everything. Before he passed out, he saw you handing the diamond to Frank Ash.”

“Stop!” Anastasia shouted sharply. Kieran was now accusing his mother of being a criminal. He was letting everyone know that everything was planned by Anastasia.

The prince stood up, wiped his lips, and spoke coldly.

“This is disappointing, marchioness. How dare you invite me to such a rude and vulgar banquet.”

“No, it’s not true! Your Highness, I’m being set up!”

Anastasia shook her head like someone possessed and breathed heavily. The marquis belatedly returned to his seat and shouted when he saw how the situation had turned out.

“Today we will end here! Everyone please go back. I will apologize for today soon.”

Only then did the nobles get up one by one and leave the greenhouse. Each of them did not hesitate to drop a vicious comment, saying that this was the first time such a low-level banquet had been held.

They were itching to spread this rumor as soon as possible.

To think it was all the plan of the marchioness! Was she in collusion with the anarchists? The contempt on their faces confused Anastasia.

The greenhouse that was full of guests just a moment ago was now empty except a few that were seated at the top table.

Ian smiled, breaking the cold silence, and refilled an empty glass and crossed his legs. The marchioness clenched her eyes shut as she looked at Canillia sitting with Claude.

“Everyone, please leave my house. Kieran, you too.”

She wrapped an arm around herself.

“I should have cut off her leg… I should have had her throat cut. When she had you, we should have cut up that stomach!”

Anastasia screamed as she looked at Canillia. She seemed like someone who was possessed: a blue face, red eyes, and trembling hands.

It was when Canillia’s eyes widened.

The marquis slapped Anastasia across the cheek. His eyes wide, his body shook wildly as his hands trembled.

Anastasia covered her cheek and looked at Gliad with a bewildered face.

“Take her.”

The maids approached her at the marquis’ order and grabbed Anastasia’s arms. Anastasia, with a dazed expression, left the greenhouse with them without any resistance.

Only then did Canillia realize that she was holding Claude’s hand as tightly as she could. When she caught her breath and let go, he grabbed her hand again. Lia caught his eye. They were extremely aloof despite the fact that they forebode everything, as if she was the only one who excited him.

“Canillia, you’re beautiful.”

She raised her head at the voice of the marquis. He approached her with a tired expression, bowed to Claude, and clenched his jaw as he looked at their entangled hands.

“Father…”

“Archduke Sergio. I accept His Majesty’s offer. My daughter… Take her to Geore.”

Canillia felt a tingle in her head, as if she had been hit. Ian held out his hand to the marquis with a faint smile on his face.

Claude stood up with a stern expression.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness Ihar.”

It was then Gliad knelt on the floor with a thud. The marquis knelt with both hands and lowered his head so that his forehead touched the ground.

“Please, Canillia. Please, leave.”

***

After taking something to calm her, Anastasia caught her breath and sat down in an overstuffed chair. Soon after, the bedroom door opened and Rosina entered with a cold expression.

At the visit of the princess, Anastasia struggled to get up.

“I’m sorry for how I acted.”

“So you are aware of your actions.”

The marchioness’ eyes narrowed at her sharp tone. The two women sat across from each other with a small nightstand between them.

“You have harassed Canillia long enough,” Rosina said.

“You will soon be a part of our family. Use your words sparingly.”

“My father values ​​honor and loyalty. However, more important than that is the will of his children.”

“Are you saying you want to break off the engagement?” asked Anastasia.

“Of course not. I love Sir Kieran.”

Then why are we having this conversation? Anastasia thought. Her head hurt just thinking about Canillia, which was why Rosina’s visit was not welcome. As she had said, it wasn’t Kieran who pushed this marriage talk.

“However, I’m thinking of persuading him. Maybe he can throw away the Vales and establish a new family. This is not my opinion. Do not forget that this is the opinion of my brother, who will become the emperor.”

“Princess!”

The surprised Anastasia yelled.

“I don’t like people who have lost their heads. You crossed a line.”

Rosina stared indifferently at the frozen Anastasia and then left the room.

The midday sunlight streamed in through the window on the left. Normally, the banquet would have reached its climax by now. However, as expected, the excitement was gone, and the only thing that was left were scars.

Through the window, she saw someone approaching a driver who was leaning against a car that stood in a long line of cars. Even though it was difficult to see from a distance, it was a woman wearing the maid’s uniform of the marquis family.

A red-haired maid poured hot tea and handed it to the driver. He thanked the marquis for his consideration and accepted it.

The other drivers also expected warm tea, but the maid just turned and disappeared into the mansion.

The maid was strangely familiar.

The driver who received the cup of tea smiled, regardless of the seeping jealousy of his colleagues.

Soon, Canillia came out holding Claude’s hand and got into her car alone. She broke free from his grasp but he grabbed her arms again. He pursed his lips and whispered something.

I will throw away the Vale family. Then I will no longer be the daughter of the marquis, and no one will pay any attention to me.

It was the words of a wounded child that was full of thorns and knives. Poison was among them.

To ask her to leave? She had never heard such nonsense.

Rosina shook her head, recalling what happened earlier.

A wave of relief washed over her as she had said what she wanted to say. She was about to visit Kieran when a maid opened the door to the path where only servants used and entered.

It was definitely the woman who handed the cup of tea to the driver a while ago.

A long scar across the maid’s neck pulled Rosina out of her thoughts.

“Marilyn…?”

The woman who heard her murmur was startled and quickly ran through the door.

Rosina stopped.

Why is Marilyn…?

She felt uneasiness overwhelm her. It was an unpleasant aura that pushed people into confusion.

“No way…”