WBWB | Chapter 47

Rumors were just rumors. I hadn’t seen or experienced anything regarding the Princess firsthand.

‘But why would Her Highness come all the way here?’

On the other hand, I felt a sense of unease.

‘Why?’

No matter how much I thought about it, there seemed to be no logical reason for her to visit this remote place.

‘What if… just what if…’

She was coming to see a prospective husband?

Several noblemen, including the king of a neighboring country and the deceased Duke Choiseul’s son, had been mentioned as potential suitors, but nothing had materialized, and the Princess remained unbetrothed.

Wouldn’t Duke Baldr de Skadi be a suitable match for her? He possessed unmatched martial prowess, capable of defeating any opponent in a duel, and although not widely known due to his avoidance of social gatherings, he was undeniably handsome.

He possessed everything the Princess could desire. Except, if she came here, she would have to give up the glamorous court life with its daily balls.

‘But would she be willing to do that?’

I couldn’t fathom it.

Under Madame Pauline’s direction, the mansion underwent a complete transformation in preparation for the princess’s arrival. Everything old was either replaced or polished to a gleaming shine. The marble floors were so highly polished that you could see your reflection in them.

About a month after hearing the rumor of her visit, a magnificent procession arrived at the mansion: a gilded four-wheeled carriage drawn by six white horses, followed by an entourage and some forty royal cavalry guards. It was a dazzling spectacle.

My room overlooked the courtyard, so I could see the princess disembarking from the carriage, albeit from a distance. And the Duke, taking her hand as she stepped down.

I knew she possessed the kind of beauty that could bring any man to his knees.

‘What if she came here to personally assess her potential husband?’

At that moment, my heart sank.

And I knew… that contrary to the rumors circulating in the court, he wasn’t frightening, rough, or arrogant. He was kind…

He was a captivating man. With him, I felt I could endure even this cold weather and the monotony of this place. At least, I could.

That evening, the Princess and the Duke would have dined together. Sitting alone in my room with my meal, I thought, ‘It’s a good thing I didn’t accept his offer to be his mistress.’

‘It’s truly fortunate that I’m not her rival.’

I didn’t even feel any jealousy towards her, with her slender, elegant figure, her lustrous hair, her sparkling black eyes, her beauty, her title. Jealousy required a certain level of equality to ignite. They looked like a well-matched couple.

But at the same time, I felt a pang of fear and pain.

‘What if he falls prey to the Princess’s charms?’

If the rumors surrounding the Princess were true, she was a cruel and heartless woman who hunted men with her beauty as a weapon, taking pleasure in their physical and emotional suffering. What if he fell into her trap? The mere thought made my heart clench.

But what could I do?

‘Perhaps her behavior was youthful indiscretion? Surely she wouldn’t engage in such games after marriage?’

If he married the Princess, she would become Lady Ana’s mother and my employer. The authority to supervise the tutor was a right granted to the mistress of the house.

“…”

I tried not to think about it, but an ominous future painted itself in my mind.

But what could I do? It was all presumptuous of me. I could only hope that he would be wiser than the men who had fallen at her feet.

I learned the reason for the Princess’s visit from Lady Ana, who was deeply interested in her. She said the Princess had come to encourage the soldiers of Skadi. But hearing that only strengthened my suspicion that there was another motive.

‘Why would Her Highness suddenly come all the way to this remote place to encourage the troops?’

The Princess had brought numerous ladies-in-waiting with her, and the mansion was bustling with visitors for the first time in a long time. Looking out the window, I often saw the Princess, surrounded by her entourage, riding horses and taking walks. Lady Ana was even invited to a tea party hosted by the Princess.

“The Princess is so kind and beautiful! Even more so than the illustrations in fairy tales!”

The Princess’s presence had Lady Ana completely enthralled.

“And you know what else? The Princess asked the Duke to host a ball! She said she wanted to honor the soldiers for protecting the border and asked him to invite all the nobles of the Skadi territory. Teacher, the Princess held my hand and said I should attend and grace the occasion! You’ll come too, won’t you?”

Lady Ana’s words put me in a difficult position.

“Only those who are invited can attend a ball.”

“I’ll tell the Princess! I’m sure she’ll invite you too.”

“Lady Ana.”

I stopped Lady Ana before she could commit a serious blunder.

“I’m here as punishment, you see. His Grace entrusted me with your education because he values my abilities, despite my being a criminal. If I attend the ball, I’ll only become an object of ridicule, and it will also damage the Duke’s reputation.”

“…”

Lady Ana looked puzzled.

“Punishment, Teacher? What did you do to deserve punishment?”

I just smiled wryly, unable to explain.

A few days later, as Lady Ana had predicted, a ball was held, and lessons were suspended for the preparations.

Madame Pauline took charge of the role of the hostess, preparing Lady Ana’s dress and finding a suitable noblewoman to act as her chaperone at the ball. She even summoned me and asked about courtly balls and etiquette, seeking my advice on the proceedings. I did my best to answer, but having never attended one myself, I wasn’t of much help.

And then, the night of the ball arrived.

The mansion was filled with guests, and the noise of the festivities reached even my room. It was the first time since my arrival that the mansion was filled with the sounds of music and laughter.

Lying in bed, I wondered if he was enjoying himself in the ball.

‘He must be dancing with the Princess now… with her, someone who looks like a fairy from a myth, even to me, a woman…’

The thought kept me awake. I wanted to escape.

‘Yes, let’s escape.’

Making up my mind, I got out of bed, opened the wardrobe, and put on my bearskin coat. I lit a lamp and slipped out of the mansion unnoticed, using the servants’ stairs.

The night was dark, damp, and cold. It was an impulsive decision.

‘But where should I go?’

Bright lights and music spilled from the windows of the mansion. Everything was beautiful and alluring, but forbidden to me. I walked away from the light, as if fleeing, without a destination in mind.

Dew-laden grass brushed against the hem of my coat. I walked and walked, and before I knew it, I had arrived at the lone tree on the hill.

‘I often read here last autumn.’

A cold night breeze caressed my forehead, and looking up, I saw the moon, partially hidden behind the leaves.

‘I’ll stay here until the lights go out, then go back inside.’

To think I had escaped only to end up under a tree. It was ironic, but I didn’t want to go back.

I carefully placed the lamp on the ground and sat down, leaning against the tree trunk. The thick coat kept me warm. I pulled my knees up to my chest, rested my head on them, and wrapped my arms around my legs.

How long did I stay like that?

“What are you doing here?”

The voice from above startled me.

“Aaaaaah!”

I screamed. It was the middle of the night, and both the servants and the guests would all be busy with the ball. I hadn’t expected anyone to come here. I screamed and recoiled, hitting my back against the tree trunk.

I scrambled to my feet and saw the Duke standing there, holding a glass-encased lamp. Even though I recognized his face in the lamplight and knew he wasn’t a ghost, my heart continued to race.

“Wh-what are you doing here?”