The Abandoned Princess’ Secret Bedroom - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

***

It was a terrifying thought. Marrying into a royal family was awkward to begin with, besides, she didn’t want to marry anyone from this terrible country.

“I’ll find a way to help you. I will leave the palace for a while and then come back.”

Llewelyn tilted her head. “Are you leaving the palace?”

Ernel replied with a soft smile… “If it means you will leave with me one day.”

“Isn’t the reason for the existence of the Seongguk* to drive away the power of evil spirits?”

[*E/N: the church]

“Yes. We will do our best to find a way to remove the stigma. If the stigma burns, write to me.”

Somehow, her heartbeat began to slow down. The worries she had had since that morning seemed to fade away.

Was this what it felt like to share a difficult situation with someone else? Ernel may later betray her and leave, but…

Llewelyn arrived at her detached palace with a more relaxed expression. Then she saw a man with red hair waiting for her at the doorstep. 

As she got closer, Llewelyn’s face turned cold.

“Looks like you had a good breakfast, Princess.”

At the sound of Duke Biserk’s voice, Llewelyn scowled further. She hoped she would be spared from hearing his awful voice. She turned to face him fully and said coldly.

“What’s going on here, Duke of Biserk?”

“I came here because I wanted to see the princess again. I was going to ask you to join me for breakfast, but you were already with the Patron”

“Yes, I was.” 

“It seems that you have become very close with the priest whom you have just met.” Any passer-by would recognise his sarcastic tone. 

“Yes, we have become friends. It makes sense to me to have breakfast with a friend.”

“You are friendly with each other? Or is it simply because he is attracted to you and you to him?”

Llewelyn frowned. Alman had never outright accused her in this way. 

“Now, what rude thing to say…”

“I am planning to marry the princess.” he blurted. 

At Almondite’s words, Llewelyn laughed coldly.

“Planning is free. The execution is not. But I’m curious. Why the hell would you want to marry this abandoned princess?” 

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“Of course.”

“It’s to rekindle our broken relationship.”

Llewelyn clenched her teeth. She furrowed her brows and glared at Almondite. Something flashed in his turquoise eyes, but she ignored it.

“Are you really? Quit over-simplifying your intentions. You are talking about engagement!”

“That’s right.” he admitted after a pause. 

“The engagement that was only communicated about verbally, without any official document exchange?”

“…”

“The engagement that the Biserk family unilaterally cut off and betrayed?” Llewelyn smirked. “Duke Biserk, if you are looking for a fiancée, please look for another woman. It seems that the only way your family will be happy is if you bring a princess that can be the pride of the family. Lower your eyes.”

“…”

“Now I am a poisoned apple. If you don’t want to be killed by the queen, you should give up.”

Although their honor was downgraded, the Biserk family belonged to the five major noble families. They were public officials who helped to found the country.

Half of the Biserk’s land was taken away by the queen, but the rest was left intact. Although the Biserk’s honor was tarnished by the work of the previous queen and they left the capital for five years, they would surely become a powerful family when Almondite regained power.

“Also, Almondite Biserk, I hate you.” His brows shot up at her words, but she wasn’t finished. “So, if you decide to settle down in the capital, we will go our separate ways. Don’t mess around with broken relationships. They are broken for a reason. And will remain that way.”

It was time for Llewelyn to turn her back on him. Almondite asked sharply. “So you slept with that b*stard?”

Llewelyn flinched. 

“Did you have someone spy on me?” Llewelyn’s amber eyes trembled with anger.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t have planted anyone in the palace? Believe me, I only have your best interests at heart, Princess.” 

At Almondite’s words, Llewelyn had a look of incredulity. Wasn’t he the one who gave up everything? No matter how crowded the palace was, planting a spy was a lot of effort. In other words, they were possibly planted several years ago.

“I thought you lost interest in me.”

“Well.” he pursed his lips.

“Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?” She turned away, her eyes flaring. 

“Llewellyn.”

“I forbid you to use my name.” she snapped. 

“Listen to me.” Almondite approached her. She had to raise her head to look at him. The red-haired boy became a man like this. 

“Llewelyn, I’m here to keep my promise to you.”

“…” 

“The promise I made to you a long time ago.”

Llewelyn made a puzzled expression. Then, as if realizing something, her eyes widened.

“Crazy how you’ve forgotten so quickly.” Almondite mused softly. 

*

Looking at the vast green field, Llewelyn pulled her hat on more tightly. The sun was glaring, but thanks to the wide awning, her eyes were comfortable. The advantage of the awning was that it cast a shadow on her face and hid whatever expression she might have. Llewelyn nervously clenched her hands.

“What’s wrong, Princess?” The maids asked anxiously. They had been doing their job for a long time. With Pamela and Bastian by their side, they pretended to be vigilant.

“Are you sick again?” When Bastian turned his head and asked this, Pamela added immediately. “Is the princess dissatisfied with the recent royal events? Your expression has not been bright.”

“No. I’ve simply had a lot to think about.” Llewelyn responded, her tone dull. 

“It doesn’t look like she is sick, but she does seem to be thinking a lot. Mother, don’t be too harsh.” Bastian said worriedly. Llewelyn nodded and looked at him. Her half-brother who took care of her. It was never mutual. Why was he always like this? Even though she knew she treated him unfairly.

“Llewelyn, why are you looking at me like that?” Bastian opened his eyes wide and smiled mischievously. It was a friendly gaze. A fire broke out in Pamela’s eyes when she saw it. 

“Princess!” Pamela, who was always superficially friendly, raised her voice. Llewelyn was startled by the overreaction. So was Bastian. Pamela bit her lip and trembled, as if she was offended by exchanged glances. She didn’t know why.

“The princess is already here, so how about you participate?”

“Mother, Llewelyn is not feeling well.” Bastian spoke as if he were reluctant, but it had been a long time since he had ignited Pamela’s anger. 

She deliberately raised her voice. “This mother is very happy that the princess, who has always been absent from events, is attending. How about actually participating?”

*

The eyes of the girls sitting next to her were focused. Pamela was suddenly showing displeasure at her participation in the equestrian club. When Pamela’s maid, Countess Rocher, blinked, her daughter, the young Countess Rocher, led her friends to Llewelyn.

“Since the princess hasn’t been here for a long time, I can’t contain my joy.” It was a friendly conversation. However, Llewellyn knew how clever the young Countess Rocher was. This was not simple bullying. She knew Pamela’s intentions and was trying to insult her.

How dare a young Countess so boldly speak to the princess? Llewelyn was a little startled. Besides, now she was suggesting that they go horseback riding, even though Llewelyn had not expressed any intentions of doing so. Everyone’s eyes were shining as if they were happy.

“Making friends like this…”

“Then will it happen?”

The young Countess Rocher seemed to force her happiness. There was no particular reason for Llewelyn to not participate in the equestrian club. First of all, it was safe because everyone was gathered in one place, unlike the hunting competitions. Even Llewelyn enjoyed horse riding. The most crucial reason was…

‘Come to horse riding.’

‘Why?’

‘I’ll bring him.’

‘Who?’

‘Your horse.’

Because, absurdly, Almondite said he would bring Llewelyn’s favorite horse. The two were childhood friends, so they spent a lot of time together. In particular, she often rode horses, and her relationship with the mare brought from the Biserk household was quite close.

Almondite said he would give her the horse when it was grown, but the promise was not kept.

‘I don’t want to put my faith in it, but…’

Sometimes it was good to hope.

***