I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 104
“I’ve prepared bathwater to warm you from the cold. If you need anything, please let me know.”
Mirabel ignored Paolo as he followed her to the stairs but stopped. She sighed when she sensed his persistent attempt to gain favor.
“Do you have something else to say to me?”
“Yes, that is…”
Paolo quickly looked around to ensure no one else was in the corridor before speaking.
“Could you please speak well of me to the Grand Duke?”
Mirabel’s eyebrows twitched at Paolo’s request. Like Bianca, now Paolo too was seeking her help with the Grand Duke. She couldn’t understand why everyone was asking her to intervene with the Grand Duke.
Frankly, she wasn’t even curious about their reasons, it was merely annoying.
“I really don’t understand.”
Mirabel sighed and stared at Paolo and continued.
“Why would a butler ask a guest for such a favor?”
“Because you are the Princess.”
Paolo’s eyes gleamed. Mirabel scoffed at his appearance.
Paolo had been stern and harsh with Armilla. She hadn’t realized how good he could smile and flatter.
Observing Mirabel’s reaction, Paolo cautiously added,
“You were supposed to become the mistress of Renato.”
“There’s already a Grand Duchess, I heard.”
“Oh, that woman…?”
When Mirabel deliberately mentioned the ‘Grand Duchess’, Paolo’s expression soured. He shook his head with a disgusted look.
“She’s dead. Has been for a while.”
“I see. How did that happen?”
Mirabel crossed her arms and asked with feigned curiosity. She wanted to hear what Paolo would say.
“It must have been difficult for the butler, with the Grand Duchess dying so soon.”
“Yes, it was. But it’s better than having such a woman sit in the Grand Duchess’s place. The Grand Duchess of the Arcangelo Empire should be a noble person like you.”
“…What kind of woman was she?”
“It’s distasteful even to speak of, but since you ask. She was nothing more than a woman warming the Grand Duke’s bed. With just her looks, she seduced the Grand Duke, causing nothing but turmoil. The Grand Duchy was so turbulent because of her.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I have nothing to say. It’s unbelievable how the Grand Duke was enchanted by such a woman. At least since you’ve been here, he seems to be getting back to his old self.”
“Does the Grand Duke also think that way, as the butler says?”
Mirabel was agreeing with Paolo when she suddenly looked away.
Paolo flinched and followed her gaze. Standing at the foot of the stairs, the Grand Duke was glaring at the butler with fiery eyes.
Unaware that Ricardo had overheard Paolo insulting Armilla, Paolo turned pale when he realized his blunder.
“Ah! Ma, Master!”
“To think I spared someone who should have been killed.”
Ricardo growled lowly. As he approached menacingly, Paolo collapsed to the ground.
Paolo clutched at the Princess’ skirt and began to plead.
“Please, help me, Princess!”
“Do not touch me.”
Mirabel spoke coldly, removing Paolo’s hand. She looked down at Ricardo, who radiated an intimidating presence, and said,
“The issue with the servant is for the Grand Duke to resolve.”
“…I will handle it.”
Mirabel turned away after hearing Ricardo’s response.
Paolo had tormented Armilla without offering a shred of sympathy.
So, Mirabel decided not to extend any sympathy to him in his moment of crisis. Her face was calm as she walked to her room.
* * *
The Grand Duke’s residence was briefly in disarray after the sudden dismissal of the butler. However, Ricardo quickly found a new butler. It seemed he had already considered replacing Paolo.
The new butler, from the region of Adalberto, appeared competent. This was evident from how much neater the green room, where Mirabel was staying, had become.
“It’s almost time for Charles to have dinner.”
“Yes, should I bring the crystal?”
After her bath, Sophie quickly asked. While combing the princess’s lustrous golden hair, she continued,
“He cried a lot yesterday. Hopefully, he calms down quicker today.”
“I need to tell him that I must stay here longer, but it’s hard to say.”
“That’s understandable.”
Sophie sighed deeply. She looked at the princess, dressed in a nightgown edged with lace.
“He must be missing you terribly. It’s the first time Prince Charles has been apart from you for this long.”
“That’s true.”
“Just wait a moment, I’ll bring it right away.”
After Sophie finished braiding Mirabel’s hair and placed the remaining ribbons down, she left the room. While she was seated at the vanity, Mirabel looked into the mirror with a face full of worry.
‘Will I end up staying here for over a month?’
She had anticipated the worst-case scenario, but hadn’t expected it to actually happen.
The bridge collapsing was the biggest issue. If the repair work wasn’t done, she would consider returning to Segolinde, but even that seemed impossible now.
‘The founding celebration is out of the question.’
Mirabel pursed her lips in thought. She needed to meet the Emperor to discuss the treaty, but that seemed unlikely now.
Moreover, she was worried that the lily bulbs brought from Segolinde might freeze.
It seemed like one problem led to another without end.
“What are you wondering about so seriously?”
Ricardo’s voice cut through Mirabel’s worries. His reflection appeared in the mirror, leaning against the doorframe.
Mirabel tightened her robe and straightened up. She kept her eyes fixed on the mirror as she spoke.
“It’s improper for you to visit a lady’s room at this hour.”
“I was on my way to my own room.”
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