The Saintess Became the Northern Grand Duke’s Daughter - Chapter 32

Liriette didn’t quite understand.

 

Why are they laughing at the way she cares for her dog?

 

As if reading Liriette’s mind, Olivia spoke.

 

“There is a cool and tough knight. Nobody thinks of fighting him, and they don’t think of coming close to him. However, it turns out that the knight is being swayed by a small chick. So what do you think people will say?”

 

“Won’t they like the knight because he’s actually a kind person?”

 

“Some will. Most of them would think so. Ah, that knight wasn’t as scary as I thought. I deserve to fight and win.”

 

Only then did Liriette understand Olivia’s words.

 

Olivia was no ordinary woman. She was a woman who once had the position of the Duchess of Windsor-Ice.

 

The fact that such a woman feared that something would go wrong with a puppy, that she had a warm character, wasn’t to be praised.

 

Rather, seeing the iron-blooded woman exceptionally trembling, she would be ridiculed.

 

“I have no intention of giving anyone that gap.”

 

Olivia, who said that, looked strong.

 

Her perfectly manicured eyebrows. Unwavering blue eyes. Red lips that don’t seem to let out even the slightest scream.

 

But…

 

“Whine.”

 

The solemn lady’s face collapsed in an instant at Mello’s soft voice.

 

Olivia was startled and looked at the Mello in her arms. Fortunately, it must have been a simple drool talk, and Mello exhaled with its relaxed face.

 

Her face contorted.

 

“Why is it so heartbreaking that… a dog is sick, I wonder.”

 

As she spat out those words, she shut her mouth with a wretched face.

 

Her eyebrows furrowed at the thought that she had uttered something uncharacteristic of her, to a child.

 

But Liriette didn’t laugh at such Olivia. She wasn’t even upset.

 

She just gently turned her eyes and spoke cautiously.

 

“Mello is so cute and lovely because Grandma gave it so much love. It will be fine.”

 

“…”

 

“Mello will be fine, Grandma.”

 

A simple and clumsy consolation without any rhetoric or logic. But the words wrapped Olivia’s heart.

 

Amazingly warm.

 

Olivia muttered, raising her eyebrows.

 

“Laurencio. I think I know a little bit why you took this child as your daughter.”

 

***

 

One day when peaceful days continued, Olivia said.

 

“The classes must be stopped for three days starting tomorrow.”

 

Liriette, who was stroking Mello lying on the cushion, widened her eyes.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“There is a prayer ceremony.”

 

Four times a year.

 

The famous ladies of the north gathered at the temple and prayed for three days. It was a place to pray for the tranquility of the north.

 

It was conducted in a very solemn atmosphere, but there were some rules among them.

 

“Don’t sleep or eat for three days during the prayer ceremony.”

 

“Never leave the prayer room until the prayer ceremony is over.”

 

At Olivia’s words, Liriette opened her eyes wide.

 

‘When I was at the temple, I also skipped meals and prayed without sleep.’

 

However, it was because it was a prayer with the priests who worshiped God. She had never seen an ordinary person pray so hard.

 

Olivia lowered her eyes.

 

“It’s because they think that prayer will give strength as much as noble women suffer. I don’t know who started it, but what a damned custom it is.”

 

Liriette pricked up her ears in surprise at the uncharacteristic harsh words.

 

Olivia didn’t bother to correct herself, just continued.

 

“Of course there are gains. If we worked hard for three days, we would be condescending, saying that we had done a great job for this land. Also, the bond between the nobles who prayed together is strengthened.”

 

“…”

 

“That’s why the noble women of the north actively attend prayer ceremonies. It’s just another master of society.”

 

In this way Olivia would often inform Liriette about the noble society. The saying wasn’t meant to be fun.

 

It teaches what she needs to know as the Princess of Windsor-Ice.

 

“I will remember it.”

 

Liriette, who understood her will, said with a lot of strength in her eyes.

 

Even so, it was an innocent face that seemed far from power, so Olivia raised one eyebrow.

 

‘She’s cute. But being cute in an aristocratic society isn’t a weapon, it’s an abomination. She needs to practice more expressions in the future.’

 

 

The next day, Olivia got ready for the outing.

 

Liriette’s eyes lit up, looking at Olivia in an unusual white dress with little decoration on it.

 

“Whoa, you’re so pretty, Grandma.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Yes, just like a princess.”

 

Referring a woman who even has a granddaughter to a princess. Olivia’s cheeks unknowingly went up.

 

“Anyway, you’re quite good at flattering.”

 

At her words, Liriette raised her eyebrows and muttered.

 

“I’m not flattering, though…”

 

One corner of Olivia’s lips went up on Liriette’s resentment, which was shown on her face.

 

She knew.

 

She knew that Liriette wasn’t clever enough to flatter adults. She’s incredibly sincere in all of her sweet words.

 

So Olivia said in a much softer voice.

 

“I said something stupid. I won’t say it again. I’m glad to hear the compliment.”

 

Liriette’s downcast face brightened in an instant.

 

‘The way her face changes from time to time is just like Mello.’

 

Olivia lowered her gaze to see Mello in Liriette’s arms.

 

“Every time I go out, you whine to come after me, yet today you’re quiet. Is it because you’re with Liriette?”

 

Liriette smiled at Olivia’s words.

 

“Is that so, Mello?”

 

Mello wagged its tail instead of answering her.

 

She said briskly with a flushed face.

 

“Don’t worry, I will take good care of Mello.”

 

Originally, when Olivia was forced to go out, she entrusted several maids with Mello. She thought that if one particular person was in charge, they could subtly harass Mello.

 

However, today, she didn’t feel that anxiety at all.

 

Because there was Liriette.

 

‘Strangely enough, I can trust this kid. Without a speck of doubt.’

 

Olivia looked at Liriette with her eyes filled with wonder, then opened her mouth.

 

“Then I’ll be going.”

 

“Yes, please have a nice trip.”

 

Liriette greeted her with a bright smile.

 

Mello, held in Liriette’s arms, stared at its master leaving with its black eyes.

 

She got smaller and smaller, until she was finally out of sight.

 

***

 

Olivia arrived at the temple, which was as white as snow. Inside the temple, many women had already arrived.

 

The women in plain white dresses bowed their heads in unison at Olivia.

 

“Welcome, Madam Windsor-Ice.”

 

Olivia laid down the title of duchess after her son received the dukedom. It was already five years ago, yet she was still revered as the noblest woman in the north.

 

Olivia walked among the women with her chin up and her back straight.

 

A woman approached beside Olivia, who was seated at the very front of the prayer room.

 

She was Marchioness Nersa.

 

“Long time no see, Madam Windsor-Ice.”

 

Olivia nodded her head.

 

“Yes. Have you been well?”

 

“I would like to answer yes, but in reality I’m so busy that I lose my mind. Because of the sudden preparations for my son’s wedding.”

 

“I heard the story. Young Lord Nersa has come to form a deep bond with Her Highness the Princess.”

 

A month ago, there was a scandal that turned the capital and the north upside down.

 

Young Lord Nersa and the princess, who had gone to study abroad in the capital, were caught secretly dating.

 

It wasn’t a fresh meeting that involved them shyly exchanging letters. It was the fellowship of lascivious and eccentric adults.

 

Marchioness Nersa laughed and began to repeat her words.

 

“Isn’t His Imperial Majesty famous for his love for his children? So, I was very worried that he would get angry by blaming my son. Yet His Imperial Majesty, far from being angry, boldly said that now that things had turned out this way, the two of them should marry.”

 

“…”

 

“At first, it was burdensome to have a relationship with the Imperial Family, but as time passed, my joy grew.”

 

Marchioness Nersa raised her arms. Golden bracelets glittered on her plump wrists.

 

“A few days ago we received gifts from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. It’s like being part of his family.”

 

The Emperor’s favor didn’t end there.

 

Having become the husband of the Princess, he bestowed the count title on Young Lord Nersa, and he also gave him preferential access to Imperial villas throughout the continent.

 

The status of the Nersa family has risen higher than ever before. All sorts of congratulatory greetings and invitations were sent to the nobility of the capital.

 

“Thanks to my son’s marriage, I have a luxury beyond my means. Madam Windsor-Ice has a grown-up son, so it would be great if you could enjoy the same blessings as mine.”

 

The laughing Marchioness Nersa covered her mouth with a pitiful face.

 

“I apologize, Madam Windsor-Ice.”

 

Olivia asked in a calm voice.

 

“What are you sorry about?”

 

“It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but I heard that His Grace the Duke of Windsor-Ice, has a child out of wedlock.”

 

“…!”

 

“Madam Windsor-Ice must be very upset that it happened to your only son, yet I made a slip of my tongue carelessly. Please forgive me.”