ETDO Chapter 42

Such chaste beauty, like this hydrangea, yet behaving in a completely contradictory manner. He chuckled and gently cupped the abundantly blooming blue flower in his palm, a bloom large enough to fill both his hands.

He always thought this flower resembled a cluster of countless butterflies, descending momentarily to fold and unfold their wings in rest. The elegant form of the brilliant blue petals, like a swarm of butterflies in bloom, evoked his admiration every time he saw them.

Judging by the size of the flower and the number of petals, they were extravagant, almost excessive so. Yet, blooming profusely on a single thick stem, the flowers were simultaneously flamboyant and abundant, simple and shy. It bore a striking resemblance to that woman’s contrasting atmosphere; innocent yet alluring.

The hydrangea, whose color changes depending on the soil’s composition, interestingly has two opposing meanings in its flower language: sincerity and change of heart. Amusingly, these meanings perfectly mirrored his own feelings towards the twins.

His admiration for the twins, who always surpassed him, the Crown Prince, had initially been sincere. At least, that was the case during their childhood, when they grew up together, bickering and playing.

However, each time the Emperor praised their exceptional abilities, each time he was, willingly or not, reduced to an insignificant point of comparison for the twins, his pure admiration quickly transformed into jealousy and a sense of crisis.

When his elder brother, who had been destined for the throne, was still alive, he had always been compared to him. After his brother’s death, the comparisons shifted to the twins. Unlike his capable and intelligent older brother, he was the son who failed to meet his father’s expectations.

His father’s grief over the loss of his firstborn son was immense, and as his brother’s shadow loomed larger over him, he began to rebel. His father had never seen him for who he truly was.

Every time the twins’ abilities grew exponentially, every time his father praised their competence, a question grew in his mind like a dark mold.

How long would they remain merely loyal subjects? 

When would their ambition turn into treason?

He knew that the faction supporting the twins within the Empire’s nobility was quite large. Ethan’s overwhelming military achievements, rendering their oaths of loyalty almost meaningless, had significantly elevated Beaufort’s standing.

‘Damn it, that’s why I arranged for him to never return alive…!’

It had been a foolproof plan, so he couldn’t understand how it had failed. He had specifically chosen the most skilled assassins.

He couldn’t fathom how not a single one had succeeded. As a result, his plan to eliminate the most dangerous one, Ethan, first, without anyone knowing, and then to gradually dispose of Arthur as well, had been thwarted.

To make matters worse, the Emperor’s illness was progressing far too slowly. Of course, poisoning worked gradually, so it was natural for it to take time. Moreover, a slow, undetectable pace was essential.

It would be suspicious enough for the Emperor, who was usually healthy and never even caught a cold in his life, to suddenly fall ill, but to show signs of poisoning? That would instantly jeopardize his own support base and any legitimate claim he had.

He had finally succeeded in reforming his image after breaking away from his frivolous and dissolute past, so he couldn’t afford to risk it. The problem was that he didn’t have the patience to wait indefinitely for the Emperor to die of natural causes.

He was sick and tired of his father’s moralizing lectures and his incessant praise of the twins.

He licked his lips. He was dissatisfied with everything, but he had no choice but to endure a little longer. He would just have to wait for the right moment to strike back.

Suddenly, he shifted his attention from the blue hydrangea he was stroking and abruptly plucked a white one beside it. The dazzlingly brilliant small blossoms captivated his eyes, making him momentarily forget the meaning of the white hydrangea – a change of heart.

If he were to steal her away from the twins and make her his mistress, it would suit this flower’s meaning perfectly. The thought of her, looking as pure as this white hydrangea, lying naked in his bed, waiting for him, filled him with immense satisfaction.

She was worth stealing for the sole reason that both twins were infatuated with her. Furthermore, it would be even better if he could make her fall for him. That way, he would add the exquisite gift of betrayal to their pain.

The Crown Prince, pleased with his thoughts, lifted the flower to his nose and inhaled deeply. The intense fragrance was almost intoxicating. Just like that woman herself.

“Ahh…”

He inhaled deeply, letting the fragrance permeate every corner of his lungs, and then slowly exhaled. Gazing at the flower with satisfaction, he recalled the irony of the hydrangea and suddenly smirked.

Unlike its captivating beauty, which could enchant anyone instantly, the hydrangea bore no fruit. Because it was a false flower. It expended all its energy creating such large blossoms that it had no strength left to produce fruit.

‘Come to think of it, that suits the role of that woman, who is destined to be a mistress, quite well.’

A flamboyant and beautiful flower, existing solely for pleasure, a false flower. After all, the true flower that would bear fruit would be his wife. 

Pleased with his idea, he smiled with satisfaction.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

The bright summer sun shone refreshingly on the fragrant flowers. The Crown Princess’s baby shower was in full swing in the garden of the Crown Prince’s Palace, bustling with noblewomen.

As it was the first child of the Imperial family, everyone offered small gifts, wishing her a safe delivery. Good wishes were exchanged in a cheerful atmosphere, and tea and delicious cakes delighted the eyes and palate.

Sitting quietly for a long time, I excused myself from the Crown Princess and stood up. I used the excuse of wanting to stroll and admire the beautiful garden, but it was actually because of Lady Wellington, who was right in front of me. It was a strategy I devised because I couldn’t handle her uncomfortable presence.

The Crown Princess only knew that Ethan and Lady Wellington had simply had a lovers’ quarrel. She seemed to think that with a little more effort from both sides, such misunderstandings could be immediately cleared up.

Therefore, as a first step towards a smooth reconciliation, she also naturally arranged this meeting between Lady Wellington and me. She seemed to believe that if the wives of the two ducal families met frequently and built a strong friendship, they could naturally overcome such discord.

Of course, this was also due to the Crown Princess’s ignorance of my relationship with the twins. The problem was, I was plagued by intense guilt every time I saw Lady Wellington.

Every time I saw her face, I couldn’t help but recall all the immoral and obscene acts Ethan and I engaged in. Even though it hadn’t begun by my own volition, the result was the same.

It was an undeniable truth, one that couldn’t be overcome by any self-justification of the feelings Ethan and I had for each other. From Lady Wellington’s perspective, I was nothing more than the woman who stole her fiancé.

I sighed and pretended to admire the flowers, glancing around the flowerbeds as I walked. The countless, unknown, lush flowers everywhere were breathtaking, but my eyes were merely skimming over them.

Then, I heard footsteps behind me. I knew who it was without even turning around. I subtly slowed my pace, almost imperceptibly.

Lady Wellington quickly caught up and began walking beside me at the same speed. She glanced at the Crown Princess and then spoke.

“Admiring the flowers is better than being subjected to excessive attention.”

I stared at her silently. Honestly, I didn’t know what the right response was. Glancing at my expression, she shrugged.

“There’s no need to make that face. No matter what anyone says, I will definitely marry Ethan.”

Rumors of a broken engagement and other unsavory gossip about Lady Wellington were circulating. The social circles were abuzz with speculation about the Wellington Ducal family’s silence in the face of such rumors.

Marriages among the nobility were strategic unions driven by political factors rather than emotions. The head of the family’s decision was absolute, and the parties involved had no say in the matter.

The problem arose when such a marriage failed to materialize. In such cases, people generally assumed that there was some flaw with the woman.

I was more surprised by the fact that Lady Wellington was continuing her social activities as if unaffected by the rumors. If it were me, timid as I am, I would hide to avoid the dreadful situation. 

Just how strong-willed was she?

I wondered why she was telling me this, considering her feelings towards me were likely unfavorable. As I stared at Lady Wellington, whose intentions were unclear, I suddenly remembered something.

“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”

She glanced at me and nodded.

“About what you said to me at the birthday party at the Duke’s mansion…”

She stared intently at me. 

Unsure how to begin, I plucked a leaf and fidgeted with it, hesitating slightly before finally speaking.

“That day, you mentioned two things. First, that the two of them, the twins, are the same, like mentally conjoined twins. Second, that I should be careful, or I might end up being devoured. May I ask what you meant by that?”