I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 93
Mirabel looked out the window with a troubled gaze.
Three days ago, the rain in Renato had turned into snow overnight.
As time passed, the snowflakes became thicker, blanketing the desolate garden in white. The snow piled up layer upon layer.
“It’s already been three days. At this rate, we’ll be stuck in Renato.”
Sophie said with a worried tone as she poked the fireplace logs with a poker. She tried to lighten the mood as she looked at the princess, who was silently gazing outside.
“At least we wrapped the lily bulbs well so they won’t get damaged, right?”
“…”
“Princess?”
“Hmm? Ah, yes.”
Mirabel responded absentmindedly as she wrapped her shawl tighter around herself and rested her forehead on her hand, looking down.
‘It looks like we won’t be able to leave for a while.’
In Renato, once the snow starts, it often leads to a heavy snowfall.
The snowfall can last from a couple of weeks to even a month. If it snows continuously for a month, traveling to the capital might have to be postponed.
But the more pressing issue was that she had to stay in Renato for that month.
If it were possible, she would brave the snow to return to Segolinde. However, the thought of crossing the already knee-deep in snow was nearly suicidal.
“My goodness, look at the wind. It’s going to be another cold night. Just a moment, I’ll prepare a hot water warmer for the bed.”
Mirabel blinked her eyes as Sophie bustled about and murmured to herself.
“A hot water warmer…”
Mirabel whispered, ensuring Sophie couldn’t hear.
Had coming to Renato stirred old memories? Even trivial matters seemed to revive memories of the past.
‘Do you feel like something just because you’re called the Grand Duchess ? You’re nothing but a bed warmer. Just a hot water warmer for warming the Grand Duke’s bed.’
Bianca’s voice, filled with malice, echoed in her head. Mirabel grimaced as she recalled the contempt she faced.
How much she had suffered from people’s cruel words.
And it hurt all the more because it was true.
Bianca was right. To Ricardo, Armilla was nothing more than something to warm his bed.
Whenever she tried to make herself meaningful, Ricardo coldly pushed her away.
Mirabel pressed her lips into a thin line.
The Ricardo she saw a while back was different from the one she remembered. He seemed like someone who was deeply in love with Armilla.
‘It doesn’t make sense.’
Mirabel furrowed her brow. Ricardo had never shown her even a sliver of affection. He was as cold as the wind blowing outside the window now.
‘Maybe it’s because he’s ill.’
Trying to dismiss the thought, Mirabel turned away from the window.
In fact, Ricardo had been bedridden since that day three days ago. Mirabel hadn’t seen him since.
Fortunately.
She had managed to steady her shaken feelings while he was confined to his bed.
His change wasn’t due to love for Armilla, but rather, his mental state wasn’t stable.
Whatever triggered this, Mirabel was certain it wasn’t simply because of Armilla. No one goes mad just because his bed warmer is missing.
Knock knock.
“Princess, excuse me.”
As Mirabel was moving towards the bed, she quickly adjusted her veil at the sound from outside the door. She composed herself and said.
“Come in.”
With the princess’s permission, the door cautiously opened, and a maid entered the room with a modest demeanor. Recognizing her, Mirabel bit the inside of her cheek.
“My name is Bianca.”
Mirabel eyed Bianca sternly as she introduced herself politely. Bianca had been one of the maids in Renato who actively participated in tormenting Armilla.
Had it not been for her, Armilla’s life might have been less miserable.
If Bianca had not tormented Armilla or provided Ricardo with contraceptives…
Then perhaps…
Mirabel quickly banished the thoughts of what could have been. There are no ‘ifs’ in things already done. She can’t undo what has happened.
Similarly, she could not erase the past. The past where Bianca scorned, despised and mistreated her had left a clear mark in Mirabel’s heart.
“What brings you here?”
Mirabel spoke in a chilly tone. Bianca flinched at her cold demeanor. Mirabel sat down on the bed, appearing tired.
“I didn’t call for a maid.”
“I’ve come with a proposal for the Princess.”
“A proposal?”
Interest sparked in the princess’s voice, prompting Bianca to smile slyly.
She bowed deeply, her gaze fixed on the floor. As a mere maid, she couldn’t look directly at a royal’s face.
“If you help me, I can also help you, Princess.”
“I don’t need your help. Leave.”
Mirabel said sharply, rising from her seat. As she started to move, Bianca spoke quickly in desperation.
“It’s something that would benefit Segolinde!”
At Bianca’s words, Mirabel stopped and sat back down on the bed, looking down at her.
“Speak.”
“If you help the Grand Duke take me as his wife, I can mediate between him and Segolinde.”
“What?”
Mirabel barely suppressed a laugh.
It was outrageous.
Mirabel knew that Bianca had affections for Ricardo, but she didn’t realize she would go to such lengths.
To think a mere maid would propose to mediate diplomatic relations.
“Who do you think you are?”
“What?”
“You seem to think you’re someone important. At best, you might serve as nothing more than a hot water warmer to warm the Duke’s bed.”
Mirabel’s scorn made Bianca freeze. Her neck was red with humiliation.
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