CL Chapter 22

Having shouted for the return of the tattered dress, Charlotte feigned indifference, tilting her chin toward Ferndel as if nothing had happened.

 

“If your business is concluded, you may leave now.”

 

“Since I was already on my way, allow me to escort you back.”

 

What stubbornness compelled him, Ferndel himself could not say, but he stepped forward to escort Charlotte to her chambers.

 

He had expected a sharp refusal. Yet, to his surprise, Charlotte simply turned away, granting him permission with an air of nonchalance.

 

Trailing behind her, his pace slower and more measured than before, Ferndel only understood her unexpected composure at the very last moment just as the door was about to close.

 

“Make sure to inform Madame Pelletier.”

 

It was unclear whether she referred to the new ceremonial gown to be made or to that pitifully worn out dress. But it was not difficult to discern where her attention lay.

 

When Ferndel bowed slightly in acknowledgment, the door shut between them.

 

For a moment, he stood there, watching the sealed entrance in silence.

 

Then, his gaze shifted toward a nearby maid who lingered in the corridor.

 

There was something he needed to say. And judging by her expression, she, too, had something on her mind.

 

“Keep a close watch over Her Highness. If anything happens, inform me immediately.”

 

It was not an extraordinary command. After all, it was a maid’s duty to tend to the one she served and report any incidents to her superiors. Ferndel had merely reiterated her role.

 

Yet, for some reason, the maid regarded him with suspicion before retorting with a sharp tongue.

 

“Even if you hadn’t said so, of course I would watch over the princess. But if you expect me to be your informant, I refuse.”

 

An informant? He had never asked her to report Charlotte’s every move had she truly interpreted his words that way?

 

Ferndel opened his mouth to correct the misunderstanding, but the maid was quicker to continue.

 

“You told me there was nothing dangerous about this situation. Do you have any idea how much the servants have been gossiping about Her Highness all day?”

 

“Ah…”

 

Understanding dawned upon him. He let out a faint sigh.

 

It was not difficult to imagine how the morning’s events had twisted and spread among the uninformed staff. He had failed to consider that.

 

“Why must they be so careless with their words?”

 

“Because it concerns the princess.”

 

At his exasperated murmur, the maid pursed her lips and muttered as if stating the obvious.

 

“I know because I’ve done the same.”

 

Because it concerns the princess.

 

The simplicity of that truth left Ferndel momentarily speechless.

 

The servants of Rosa Castle were known for their unwavering loyalty. They took great pride in serving their lord, not merely regarding it as a means to earn a living.

 

Thus, their tongues were naturally guarded. The very fact that Leo’s condition had never leaked beyond the domain was proof of their discretion.

 

Yet Charlotte de Ignator the princess who had come to Rosa to become the esteemed lord’s wife had not become the object of their loyalty.

 

To them, she was the traitor who had once turned her back on their struggling lord, the disgrace of the Ignator family, scorned by the entire kingdom.

 

Regardless of her royal blood, regardless of the gravity of insulting a member of the royal family, these people perhaps believed that speaking ill of her was, in its own way, an expression of devotion to Leo.

 

Ferndel reproached himself for failing to foresee and prevent this from happening.

 

Taking a deep breath, he turned back to the maid, deciding that if no one else would, he would at least make sure she understood the truth.

 

“It was His Lordship who filled the princess’s dressing room.”

 

“I thought as much. I’ve already told those closest to me as much.”

 

Her unexpected answer took him aback. For a servant caught gossiping in front of the very subject of her whispers, she was remarkably astute.

 

Relieved that at least one thread of misinformation had been cut short, Ferndel softened his tone not issuing an order this time, but a request.

 

“I never meant for you to be a spy. Only to watch over her with care. And… I ask that you relay to me anything I should know, so that I may do the same.”

 

The maid narrowed her eyes slightly, as if searching for any trace of deceit. Finding none, she gave a reluctant nod.

 

As Ferndel turned away, he felt a sliver of relief. At least there was one person who would speak up for Charlotte. Now, it was time to retrace his steps to return to where it all began.

 

⚜︎ ⚜︎ ⚜︎

 

By the time Ferndel reached Leo’s bedchamber, the door was already opening, Stepping out was Mona.

 

Though she saw him, she did not announce his arrival to the one inside. Instead, she firmly shut the door behind her.

 

Standing before it like an unwavering sentinel, she fixed him with a guarded stare.

 

“If your business is not urgent, I suggest you return at a later time.”

 

There was no greeting, no deference, only a curt dismissal spoken on behalf of the room’s occupant.

 

“Is that so.”

 

Ferndel did not ask what had happened. He had just come from witnessing Charlotte’s tears. He could well imagine the state Leo must be in.

 

Yet, as if unwilling to let him draw his own conclusions, Mona chose to reveal the scene he had yet to see.

 

“The princess was here. And whatever she did this time, the room is in complete disarray. The table, the chairs, we’ll have to replace them all. And His Lordship’s hand…”

 

She trailed off, her lips trembling as though she might cry.

 

“If he’s injured, we must call for the physician.”

 

“He refuses. And I, I was sent out before I could even set things right. That princess, she always…!”

 

“Mona.”

 

Ferndel cut her off, understanding her anger all too well, yet unable to bear hearing another word. The image of Charlotte, silently weeping, was still fresh in his mind.

 

“I’ve just come from seeing the princess.”

 

In the end, he found himself standing against Mona, choosing to defend Charlotte.

 

“I do not know what happened between them, but the princess… she was in tears.”

 

“Ha!”

 

Though he had taken care to temper his words, it was no use.

 

Mona recoiled as though struck, then burst out with bitter disbelief.

 

“Tears? Her? And what right does she have!”

 

But even in her outrage, some sense of restraint remained. With a sharp glance at the closed door, she fell abruptly silent. Then, with a flick of her eyes, she gestured for Ferndel to follow.

 

Understanding her intent, he nodded and walked alongside her to a more private place.

 

By the time she spoke again, her voice had settled into forced composure.

 

“Master Steward.”

 

But he had misjudged. No sooner had he signaled his willingness to listen than Mona suddenly dropped to her knees before him.

 

“M-Mona! What are you doing!”

 

Startled, Ferndel reached down to lift her, but she refused to rise.

 

From her place on the ground, she spoke, her voice raw with desperation.

 

“Please, I beg you, Master Steward.”

 

“Mona…”

 

“No matter how shabby the princess’s wardrobe may be, no matter how threadbare the gowns she wears, no matter, even if she shed tears, please, do not relay these things to His Lordship.”

 

Ferndel, who had been regarding her with pity, suddenly hardened his expression. His voice turned stern.

 

“Are you asking me to silence not only his eyes but his ears as well?”

 

“Yes. If it is about her, then yes.”

 

Blind hatred is never without cause. He understood that. But even so, he could not accept robbing Leo of the chance to choose, of the chance to know.

 

Ferndel shook his head.

 

“I cannot. Our duty is not to weave secrets around our lord. You know this.”

 

Mona’s eyes welled with hot, indignant tears as she looked up at him.

 

“And yet, Master Steward, was it not you who first tried to hide the princess’s collapse from His Lordship? If your heart has since softened toward her, do not condemn me for being disloyal.”

 

Her words struck true. Ferndel found himself momentarily at a loss for reply. A heavy silence stretched between them.

 

At last, he spoke.

 

“Yes. I was hypocritical. I do not deny it. But that was before I saw another side of her, one that rumors alone could never have revealed. And I believe His Lordship, too, deserves to know.”

 

Just as he had paused after hearing her plea, Mona now fell silent in turn.

 

Then, after a long moment, she exhaled softly. Rising to her feet, she dusted off her skirts, as if shedding the weight of the conversation.