Chapter 53

After tearfully parting with the servants, Seddia entered the detached palace, only to be met with an unexpected commotion. The fitting for the next day’s ball had already begun.

Before she knew it, the two men had been sent away, and Seddia was being made to try on dress after dress in a room with a large mirror. Necklaces and other accessories were also tried on, and their balance and atmosphere were compared to select the dress that suited Seddia best. Once this was done, the seamstresses took on the task of making subtle adjustments to parts that did not fit perfectly.

There was no time for a proper dinner, so light snacks were provided amidst the rush. By the time she realized it, the sun had long set, and she learned that Prince Celtes had already left for a banquet with the royal family.

Finally, the preparations for the ball were complete, and a lady-in-waiting was giving her a detailed explanation of the schedule for the next day when the entrance area became noisy. It seemed that a guard was arguing with someone, and occasionally, angry voices could be heard intermittently.

Recognizing the voice as that of Lord Caines, Seddia’s expression hardened. He must have heard that she had left the residence without permission and had come to take her back.

As she was wondering what to do, the sound of someone hurrying towards her was heard. Then, a familiar voice struck her ears with a light knock.

“Lady Seddia, are you well?”

One of the maids hurriedly opened the door, and Ruitas entered. It seemed he had rushed from his room upon hearing about the commotion.

The attendant who had gone to deal with the situation soon returned to the room.

“Lord and Lady Caines are here. They demand that Lady Seddia be brought to them immediately.”

Ruitas nodded.

“Indeed, they have come,” he murmured to himself. Knowing that Prince Celtes had been called to the banquet, they must have seen this as an opportunity to take her back. They probably think that with a bit of coercion, they can use the head of the family’s authority to do as they please.

Ruitas turned to the pale-faced Seddia and smiled.

“Don’t worry. Lady Seddia is here with the permission of the King of Sies. No noble has the right to interfere with this decision.”

He then asked the attendant.

“Have you told them that Lady Seddia is already resting?”

“Yes, but they won’t accept it. They insist that as the head of the family, they must see her immediately.”

“...I see.”

Ruitas let out a small sigh and straightened his jacket collar.

“Please show me the way.”

At the entrance of the detached palace, a great commotion was taking place. It seemed that the couple had come and was confronting the guards.

“You’re not worth talking to. Do you know who I am!

If His Royal Highness is not here, then Seddia should show herself.

Does she refuse to see her father-in-law, who has come all the way to the detached palace!”

“...What’s going on here?”

The door opened, and Ruitas appeared, causing Lord and Lady Caines to look around in confusion. They had not expected to see Lord Ruitas, a close confidant of the Emperor of Anchease.

“I would like to see Seddia.”

Despite their insistence, Ruitas politely refused.

“I’m sorry, but she is already resting.”

“By the order of Prince Celtes, no one is to be admitted. I suggest you leave for today.”

Lord Caines’ face turned red.

“Seddia is a bride of the Caines family. It is extremely rude for her not to show herself when her father-in-law has come to see her.

She has become so spoiled that she is truly a problem. Please tell her to come here immediately.”

It seemed that Lord Caines wanted to plant the impression that Seddia was a rude and spoiled person among the nobles of Anchease. Recognizing his intention, Ruitas smiled wryly.

“Is it urgent?”

“I am the head of the family. That should be enough, I think.”

“As I mentioned earlier, Lady Seddia is already resting.

If you have something to discuss, I suggest you wait until Prince Celtes is here or until Lady Seddia returns to the residence.”

Ruitas then turned to them with a smile.

“By the way, what has brought you here? I heard that you have not visited Seddia for years, having locked her away in the residence.”

Lord Caines, usually mild-mannered, was taken aback by Ruitas’ venomous words and fell silent. His wife spoke up for him.

“This is a family matter. It is not for a foreigner to interfere.”

“I see.”

Ruitas nodded easily.

“You are right. It is not for a foreigner to interfere.

If you must speak with Lady Seddia, I suggest you speak with your own king.”

The lady bit her lip.

She knew very well that this was not something she could bring up to the king.

“...Why suddenly Seddia? Has she written something to you?”

The lady asked, her voice trembling with suppressed anger.

Ruitas thought for a moment and began.

“Actually... it is the wish of our Empress.

She is currently pregnant and suddenly expressed a desire to see her younger sisters.”

“Huh?”

“Pregnancy can make one’s mood swing easily.”

Ruitas spread his hands as if to say that the Empress’ whims were a bit of a problem.

“So it’s not just Lady Seddia. I believe inquiries have also been made to Lady Mariage and Lady Liliaserene, who are married to Securt.”

The lady’s face momentarily turned demonic, realizing that they were being put in a difficult position for such trivial reasons.

“...Her whims are excessive.”

Her voice trembled with anger.

Ruitas watched her with a cold eye and smiled thinly.

“Given these circumstances, I suggest you leave for today.

If you continue to cause a disturbance, we will have to call the guards.”

Returning to the living room, Seddia was waiting for Ruitas with an anxious look.

“Have they left?”

“Yes. It would do Lord Caines no good to cause more trouble here.”

He returned reluctantly, clearly upset, but Ruitas was not bothered by their thoughts.

“...What will happen tomorrow?”

Seddia, unaware of Ruitas’ expression, spoke softly.

Prince Celtes would expose the truth, and all she had to do was attend. Despite knowing this, Seddia could not shake off her anxiety.

“I have not even made my debut in society.”

Seddia continued in a self-deprecating tone. She had received strict ladylike education until she was eleven, but for the past ten years, she had been living in seclusion.

“It will be my first time in a public setting, and I have no experience interacting with princesses of my age.

I truly do not know how to behave at the ball.”

Seddia’s concerns were understandable. The social scene was a battlefield for the nobility, where a single mistake could be fatal.

Understanding this, Ruitas, who did not want to further fuel Seddia’s anxiety, smiled softly and knelt before her, who was sitting on the sofa.

“If you are worried, it would be good to receive some instruction from a lady-in-waiting on manners and responses for tomorrow.

However, from what I have seen, I don’t think you have much to worry about.

The manners you learned as a child have become second nature to you, and your every movement is very graceful.”

Ruitas then gently took Seddia’s hand. Feeling its warmth, Seddia finally raised her eyes.

“Tomorrow, the main focus will be on restoring your status, so there is no need to deepen your relationships with the nobility.

Most importantly, Prince Celtes and I will be by your side, and we will not let you face any difficulties.”

“No matter what happens?”

Seddia asked in a small voice, and Ruitas nodded.

Seeing the still anxious look in her eyes, Ruitas lowered his gaze thoughtfully.

For Seddia to face the challenges ahead, she needed to have the resolve to do so. It was almost certain that she would be disparaged by Lord Caines in public, as the Empress had feared.

Ruitas believed that the Caines couple would never admit their guilt in public, as the King of Sies had hoped. They would attack Seddia without hesitation, fighting for their survival as nobles.

“...Lady Seddia.”

Ruitas spoke quietly.

“You once said that Lord Glen was an important family member to you.”

Surprised by the sudden question, Seddia looked up.

“That’s right.”

“Then, for Lord Glen’s sake, please hold your head high. Only you can clear his name.”

“Clear Lord Glen’s name...?”

Seddia repeated the words slowly.

Ruitas was right; it was up to her to speak out. It was foolish of her to think that she could just be protected by Prince Celtes and do nothing.

Seddia remembered the young Glen, who had been sewn to a bed and cried out in despair.

Glen had been locked away in a detached palace far from the capital, unable to go anywhere. He had no legs to walk, no arms to grasp, and could only move his head.

How frustrated he must have been. How much he must have cursed his fate. Having lost everything he had envisioned for his future, Glen was also abandoned by his family.

Tears welled up in Seddia’s eyes as she recalled this.

She had only recently learned that Glen’s friends had visited him multiple times. Concerned about the lack of communication, they had visited the mansion and sent letters. Seddia had cried in regret that night, wishing she could have brought Glen and his friends together while he was still alive.

Why... Seddia wondered.

Why did they take even his friends away from Glen, who had lost everything? As parents, they should have been by his side, comforting him and saving him from the darkness of despair.

“Glen hated his parents.”

Seddia whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“He hated and cursed them, but deep down, he always waited for them to come and see him.”

Glen had kept a painting given to him by his father, which he had received when he returned from Brunya. He had never asked for it to be taken down from the wall.

How much he must have waited for his family to visit. Even if he could do nothing, even if he had no words to say, just being by his side would have been enough. Listening to his words, touching his face, and hugging him would have brought him so much comfort.

“I want to tell them Glen’s words.”

Seddia whispered, her voice trembling with tears.

“I want to tell them what Glen thought and how he lived. I am the only one who can convey his thoughts.”

Saying this, Seddia wiped away her last tear and smiled bravely.

She had already surpassed Glen’s age. No matter how much older she got, the Glen in her heart would always be nineteen. Just as the gentle memories had supported her, now it was her turn to be strong for Glen.

As if reading her resolve, Ruitas nodded gently.

“You will only see Lord Caines tomorrow. Whether they admit their guilt or not, everything will be settled tomorrow.

Please convey your thoughts without any regrets.”

The story will end in two more chapters.

In the next chapter, Seddia will finally have her status restored. Both the next and final chapters are a bit long, but I want to finish them in one go to avoid breaking the flow.

Thank you very much for your long-term support.