Chapter 33

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"Everything is my responsibility. The princess has done nothing wrong."

After bringing Princess Florenzia and Legion back to the inn, Legion stood protectively in front of the weeping Princess Florenzia, as if guarding her. Olivia thought it looked like a wounded animal, extremely sensitive and ready to attack at any moment.

In Alan's room at the inn, soldiers were stationed both in front of and outside the door, and as a precaution, Legion's hands were restrained behind his back. Although she didn't think they could escape, she felt a sense of danger, unsure what they might do if given the chance. No matter what she asked, Princess Florenzia only cried, and Legion only repeated, "The princess has done nothing wrong." Realizing that no progress would be made, and considering the presence of others, Alan decided to prepare and return to the capital the next day.

"It seems we've gotten ourselves into quite a mess."

After locking Princess Florenzia and Legion in separate rooms with guards, Olivia returned to her room, where Taylor greeted her with a sweet milk tea.

"Yes, I never expected things to turn out like this."

"Yes, but it's a good thing Princess Florenzia was found quickly."

"…Yeah."

Olivia took a sip of the milk tea and nodded slightly. Taylor, noticing her mistress's troubled expression, tilted her head.

"Is something wrong?"

Olivia finished the sweet milk tea and lay down on the sofa.

"…It just feels like a bad aftertaste, you know? I can't help but wonder if this was the right thing to do."

"What do you mean?"

"From Brion's perspective, capturing Princess Florenzia safely was the right decision. But… we've certainly interfered with their happiness, haven't we?"

Given what had happened, Princess Florenzia would likely have even less freedom, and her engagement to Alan would certainly be broken off. The King of Lebonne, fearing a second attempt, would likely arrange a quick marriage to a suitable noble within the country. Legion would undoubtedly lose his status and be imprisoned, possibly facing a severe sentence, though probably not the death penalty. The two would never be happy again.

Thinking about this, Olivia felt a heavy weight in her chest. As a duchess's daughter in Brion and a prospective fiancée to Cyrius, Olivia's actions were not wrong. The result was the responsibility of the two who had attempted to flee. However, it was another matter to be able to cut ties and say that their future was none of her concern.

In the rose garden, Princess Florenzia had looked at La Porte with a determined expression. Olivia didn't know Legion's status in Lebonne, but he was likely not of a rank to marry the princess. Perhaps their only option was to flee.

When Olivia sighed heavily, there was a gentle knock on the door. Taylor went to check and found Ponini, Princess Florenzia's maid, standing in the hallway.

"Ponini, what's the matter?"

Ponini was supposed to be with Princess Florenzia. Taylor's eyes widened, and Ponini, looking distressed, turned to Olivia in the room.

"I'm sorry, but Her Highness insists on seeing Lady Olivia… She's been crying uncontrollably, and she's finally calmed down a bit. I know it's a bother, but could you at least come and see her…?"

In other words, Ponini wanted to avoid another outburst by not refusing Princess Florenzia's request to see Olivia.

"Lady…?"

Taylor looked back worriedly.

Princess Florenzia wanted to see Olivia, but for what reason? Was she going to express her resentment? The thought of meeting her was a bit frightening, but ignoring her was not an option. After all, Olivia had interfered with their happiness, and it was only right that Princess Florenzia might resent her.

Olivia smiled reassuringly at Taylor and stood up.

---

Princess Florenzia's eyes were red and swollen from crying.

When Olivia entered the room, Princess Florenzia bit her lip and, with a look of restraint, bowed her head.

"…I am deeply sorry for the trouble I have caused."

Her voice was calm, as if suppressing all her emotions.

Olivia felt that any response might upset Princess Florenzia further, so she sat down across from her without saying a word. She didn't think Princess Florenzia had called her just to apologize.

After a while, Princess Florenzia, still looking down and gripping her dress, spoke softly.

"I know I have no right to ask this, but… I'm asking anyway. Is there any way you could let Legion escape? If we return to the country, he will…"

"That's… not possible."

Olivia understood Princess Florenzia's feelings, but this was not something she could decide on her own.

Princess Florenzia looked up, her red, swollen eyes meeting Olivia's directly.

"It's all my fault! It's all my selfishness! Legion has done nothing wrong… It's all because I wanted to be with him…"

Tears welled up in Princess Florenzia's eyes, but she bravely wiped them away with her sleeve and continued.

"I planned everything. I wanted to be with Legion. I know it was a reckless decision. But if we didn't do this, Legion and I could never be together. Legion is the second son of the Heinrich family, and he doesn't meet the criteria for my marriage. But I… I don't want to marry anyone else! I was being selfish… Legion only listened to my selfishness!"

"The Heinrich family…"

Indeed, while the eldest son of a baron's family might have been acceptable, the second son was not suitable for a princess's marriage. At the very least, the eldest son of a marquis's family would have been more appropriate. Even then, it might have been a stretch, but with Legion, it was impossible. However—

(The Heinrich family… where have I heard that name before?)

A small nagging feeling came to Olivia, and she placed her hand on her chin. The Heinrich family. She had heard the name somewhere before. She knew all the noble families in Brion, but not all in Lebonne. The fact that the name stuck in her memory suggested she had heard it somewhere.

She was very curious about where she had heard the name, but now was not the time to think about it. Her focus was on Princess Florenzia.

Olivia took Princess Florenzia's hand.

She couldn't fulfill Princess Florenzia's wish, but she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

"I will do… everything I can. However, I'm sorry, but I cannot help Legion escape."

Princess Florenzia's face turned to despair, and she broke down in tears.