I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 88
Mirabel’s heart thudded wildly. Memories cascaded like a waterfall as she arrived at the Renato estate.
Most of which she wished she could forget.
Memories of being tripped by Bianca, scolded by Ezio, and coldly dismissed by Ricardo.
Through her veil, she noticed Paolo and Missus Catarina bowing their heads quietly, and she bit her lip in silence.
“Where is His Grace, the Grand Duke?”
Sophie looked at the welcoming party for the princess and asked. Paolo and Missus Catarina exchanged a glance. Mirabel narrowed her eyes at their behavior that was fraught with awkwardness.
‘Why are they behaving like this?’
As a princess of Segolinde, it was only proper for the Grand Duke to greet her. Yet, Ricardo did not show himself even as Mirabel entered the lobby. This was a significant act of disrespect.
“My apologies, Princess. His Grace is unwell and unable to greet guests at this time.”
Paolo finally said after a moment and bowed even deeper. Mirabel clenched her fists silently.
She had been tense about meeting Ricardo, yet he didn’t even appear.
It felt somewhat anticlimactic.
‘Maybe it’s for the best.’
Just being in Renato was headache-inducing enough. Seeing Ricardo might have been too much for her heart to handle.
A faint sigh escaped Mirabel’s lips, and Paolo, noticing her mood, offered a strained smile.
“We deeply regret this inconvenience. The Grand Duke has expressed his intentions to greet you once he recuperates. Please understand.”
“In his stead, all of us here at Renato will serve you with all our dedication. You must be tired from the long journey. We have prepared a bath for you to relax and recuperate. Please, this way.”
After Paolo, Missus Catarina followed, stepping forward to lead the princess.
Mirabel nodded slightly and followed Missus Catarina’s lead, walking through the lobby and up the stairs into the hallway. She felt everyone’s gaze upon her.
Everyone was curious about the princess.
‘Good thing I wore a veil.’
The veil provided a barrier from the stares, lessening her discomfort. Mirabel resolved to keep her veil on throughout her stay in Renato.
“Please rest well. I’ll return when dinner is ready.”
“I’ve brought the towels.”
Mirabel was about to nod to Missus Catarina in greeting and enter the green room. At that moment, a maid came in with her sleeves rolled up carrying a stack of towels. It was Luce.
‘Luce!’
Seeing Luce, Mirabel almost blurted out her name, but bit her lip to stop herself.
“Lots of towels, hehe. Hello, Princess. I’m Luce.”
Luce said, placing the towels in a basket by the bathroom and curtseying to Mirabel.
After greeting, Luce looked curiously at Mirabel. Her eyes met with Mirabel’s behind the veil and she tilted her head slightly as she began to speak.
“Uh? Lady Ar…”
“Thank you, that will be all.”
Mirabel quickly interfered, cutting Luce off before she could say more. She had planned not to speak much in Renato, but she felt compelled to intervene as Luce almost mentioned Armilla’s name.
“Yes.”
Luce responded, still looking puzzled but obediently. After Luce and Missus Catarina exited, Mirabel sighed in relief.
She realized she needed to be more careful during her stay in Renato.
* * *
In the office, Nasir frowned as he entered, he was immediately struck by the strong smell of alcohol. He set the documents he brought on the desk with a troubled expression.
Ricardo’s gaze was fixed out the window, not on Nasir. His eyes were unfocused as he stared blankly at the mountains in the distance.
Nasir looked sadly at Ricardo’s sharp jawline. Although Ricardo was technically alive, he was living a life worse than death, neglecting basic needs like eating and sleeping. It was surprising he hadn’t collapsed yet.
Ricardo’s robust constitution meant he hadn’t visibly wasted away.
But his complexion told a different story. Ricardo’s face was distinctly that of a sick man. Nasir glanced at his sunken eyes and then grimaced at the overwhelming scent of alcohol.
“I had asked you not to drink today…”
“Why?”
Ricardo responded without turning his gaze from the window.
“Why should I do that?”
Nasir felt relieved at Ricardo’s response. Judging by his reaction, It seemed he wasn’t in too bad a condition today, although it was disappointing that he didn’t remember his instructions.
“Because Princess Mirabel is visiting today.”
“Is that so?”
Ricardo replied indifferently. Even the news of the princess’s visit elicited only that much reaction from him.
Nasir frowned slightly and shook his head.
At one point, Nasir had thought Ricardo was returning to his old self because he had started to engage with his duties again.
But that was a misconception.
Ricardo only worked out of obligation and did not lead a normal life. When he wasn’t working, he drowned himself in alcohol, and sometimes he even disappeared.
At those times, he could be found in the Red Room or at Armilla’s grave.
There, Ricardo would cry out Armilla’s name in anguish.
“Alright, you can leave now.”
Nasir watched Ricardo dismiss him. Although he acknowledged him, he hadn’t really listened to anything Nasir said. His lack of movement was proof of that.
Nasir sighed deeply but didn’t leave the room as a sharp violet gaze fixed on him.
“What is it?”
“You need to greet the princess.”
“Fine.”
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