Queen of The Scalpel - Chapter 6
The eldest glared at his younger sister, and Elise didn’t say much. In that awkward silence, dinner ended.
“Excuse me, I have something to think about so I’ll leave for my room first.”
And she returned to her room.
“… …..”
Her second oldest brother, Chris, frowned at Ren.
“Brother, you’ve been gone for a while so why are you treating Elise like that after returning home?”
“I only said what I was thinking.”
“You don’t know how nice Elise is being these days!”
“Nice? Elise, that child?”
Ren snorted. Chris furiously responded.
“You haven’t even seen for yourself! These days Elise…!”
“I have seen. For the last 15 years. That child has become nicer? I’d rather believe it if you said the Sun rose from the West.”
“Brother!”
Chris was about to raise his voice, but Ren shook his head.
“No more of this useless talk. I’m going back to the Rifle Knightage.”
“…….”
Chris sighed. His stubborn brother was never going to believe it until he saw it for himself. ‘Will he believe it, though. He is always so suspicious.’
“You’re always busy these days. When are you coming back?”
“Not sure. It’ll be hard to come back here for the time being.”
“The Rifle Knightage isn’t participating in the Creme Expedition, right?”
Baron Red nodded his head.
“The Second Knightage will be participating. But if the Francoen Republic enters the war, then us Royal Knights will probably also participate.”
“Then it’s not like it’s impossible.”
“Yeah. The Republic also won’t easily give up the chance to control the Black Sea.”
The weather outside was still cold, so Ren put on a light coat.
“Chris, do good.”
“What?”
“Everything. Take care of father at home. And don’t stain his name at the administration.”
Chris pouted.
“Stop nagging. You have to be careful, since bullets don’t have eyes.”
Ren laughed.
“Alright, see you next time.”
***
Upstairs. Elise was lying on the bed, trapped in her thoughts. ‘What should I do? There’s less than 2 months until the Royal Birthday Ball.’ Elise thought of the Crown Prince. Her marriage with him was too much. If only she had not married him, her first life wouldn’t have ended like that.
‘For him, I must stop this marriage.’ But there was one problem. The engagement with the Crown Prince was set because of her strong urging.
One year ago, when she was 15, she had fallen for the Crown Prince. It was too intense to say that it was a crush, and with her personality of having to get everything she wanted, she begged her father for this marriage. ‘The problem is that it worked.’
It was because her father, Marquis El de Clarence, was the Empire’s Chancellor, and the best friend of the current Emperor. The Emperor gladly accepted his most loyal subject to be a part of the Royal Family, and that was how the tragedy began.
‘Haa, there’s nothing I can do just because I changed my mind now. It’s an engagement with the Crown Prince. And if it’s announced, the reputation of the Emperor could take a downfall too. What do I do?’ But no matter how much she thought about it over the days, she couldn’t think of a solution. How was she supposed to overturn the Emperor’s decision?
While she was thinking with a concerned face, her maid, Mary entered the room.
“Tea, my lady.”
Mary set a fragrant tea down.
“Thanks every time, Mary.”
“……”
But Mary didn’t leave right away, and slightly hesitated.
“Hm? What’s wrong, Mary?”
“Um, my lady.”
“??”
Mary finally spoke up after a pause.
“I don’t know what the problem is….but don’t worry too much. I’m sure it’ll all be fine.”
The young maid looked down, face red with embarrassment.
“You haven’t looked well since this morning. Sorry if I’m overstepping my boundaries.”
Elise, who had been looking at her with a blank face, softly smiled at those words.
“Mary, will you come here for a moment?”
As Mary approached, Elise patted her head like she was proud of her.
“Thank you. Our Mary is all grown up now.”
‘Our Mary.’ At those words, Mary’s head beat faster. She had never heard those words before at this residence. The new version of the lady was so different. She was only 16, but it was like looking at a much older person. ‘I hope she doesn’t change.’