I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 99
Sophie looked at Mirabel with concern as the princess donned a blue coat made of rabbit fur and slipped on her gloves.
Though she was well-bundled, the weather was far too severe for going out. Even the knights had retreated indoors to escape the cold.
“Why not wait until the snow stops?”
“I’m worried it might delay our schedule too much if we wait for the weather to clear.”
“That may be true, but…”
Sophie reluctantly expressed her concerns.
Right after breakfast, Mirabel had insisted on visiting Sarah’s grave and planned to head straight to the capital afterward. Sophie shook her head at the idea.
She understood Mirabel’s eagerness to visit Sophie’s sister’s grave, but she didn’t want to risk them freezing to death.
“If it’s because of me, it’s okay.”
Sophie said gently, straightening the golden locks peeking out from Mirabel’s coat.
“Sarah wouldn’t want us shivering on our way to see her, right?”
“Even so.”
“The only person who would go out in this weather is that mad maid.”
Mirabel blinked at Sophie’s comment, which prompted a slight smile from her.
“Have you forgotten? That maid who came up with such nonsensical talk the other day. I heard she left the castle this morning.”
Remembering Bianca, Mirabel turned her gaze to the window. The world was a blur of white, indistinguishable in the heavy snow.
“So, Bianca was expelled.”
“You remembered her name?”
Mirabel, who was caught muttering to herself, turned to Sophie and awkwardly smiled.
“She was quite memorable.”
“She was.”
Sophie agreed, adjusting the hood on Mirabel’s coat and pulling it back.
“Anyway, I was told that aside from the banished maid, no one else is going out today. So, please, Princess, don’t even think of going outside.”
With a firm tone, Sophie fully removed Mirabel’s coat. Mirabel swallowed her anxiety, tightly clenching her hands.
‘I need to go today.’
Ricardo had not shown up for breakfast that morning. When Mirabel arrived at the dining room, the butler informed her that the Grand Duke had fainted last night.
Hence, Mirabel had planned to leave Renato while he was bedridden. However, unaware of her intentions, Sophie firmly suggested,
“And you should bid farewell to the Grand Duke before you leave.”
Mirabel sighed. Protocol dictated that would be the proper thing to do. Unable to argue, she picked up a book from the nightstand.
With things as they were, she planned to kill time reading for the day.
“But that’s strange.”
Sophie said, as she folded coats, heading towards the dressing room.
“The Grand Duke must be quite frail. I thought he was robust, given all the military honors and beasts he’s reputed to have slain. Doesn’t that seem odd?”
Mirabel brushed off Sophie’s question and sat down on the sofa. When she didn’t respond, Sophie, emerging from the dressing room, asked further.
“How did he look during the banquet? The Grand Duke, I mean.”
“He seemed normal.”
“Really? But…”
Sophie hesitated, then held back the words she was about to say. She remembered how pale Mirabel had looked leaving the dining room after their meal with the Grand Duke.
As far as Sophie knew, Mirabel had never met the Grand Duke before.
Yet, she visibly tensed up whenever the Grand Duke was mentioned. Every time Sophie brought him up, Mirabel’s lips tightened, and her gaze flickered.
“But what?”
“Never mind.”
Sophie smiled lightly and sat down on the sofa. As she joined Mirabel, a comfortable silence settled between them.
“Why are you in such a hurry, Princess?”
Mirabel looked up from her book, closed it, and spoke calmly.
“I need to get to the capital quickly so we can return just as fast.”
“Ah, because of Prince Charles.”
Sophie nodded with a sigh. She leaned in closer to Mirabel and spoke warmly.
“You haven’t been apart this long before, have you?”
“No, this is the first time.”
“I understand you must be worried. The prince kept crying when you left. Should I bring a crystal ball so you can see him?”
Mirabel’s expression softened at Sophie’s suggestion.
Asil had given Mirabel a crystal ball when she was en route to Arcangelo. This crystal served as a means of communication, connecting Mirabel to the Segolinde royal family.
Activating the crystal ball would allow her to see Charles, though only through the crystal’s interface. However, after glancing at the wall clock, she said regretfully,
“It’s Charles’s naptime now.”
“I’ll bring it later then.”
Sophie replied regretfully. Having watched over Charles since his birth, she had grown to adore him like a nephew.
“I think children grow up so fast that you don’t recognize them anymore just after a while. Prince Charles too. Last time I went to my parent’s home…”
“Excuse me, Princess,”
Just as Sophie began to chatter, a polite knock interrupted her.
Sophie exchanged a look with Mirabel and then opened the door. While Sophie attended to the visitor, Mirabel took the opportunity to don her veil. Sophie spoke for Mirabel.
“Chief Maid, what brings you here?”
Missus Catarina bowed stiffly before lifting her head.
Mirabel turned to face the Missus, whom she had only glimpsed briefly before. This was their first proper encounter. Missus Catarina’s hair had noticeably more gray than before, but her posture remained impeccable.
“The maid who caused the disturbance the day before yesterday has been expelled. I’ve come to apologize once again to you, Princess.”
“It’s alright.”
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