.jpg)
but the one who selected and personally procured the supplies for the orphanage was Ivan. He provided a great deal of help in allowing me to decide and execute the minor details regarding the orphanage with my own hands.
'Thanks to him, I also found out that Ivan is quite popular on the outside.'
Ivan played a huge role in helping me adapt to volunteering at the orphanage. By secretly observing and imitating the way he blended effortlessly among the workers, the children who had found me uncomfortable opened their hearts a bit faster.
Leaning against the doorway with my arms crossed, I asked Ivan.
“Why did you tell Valentin that I was Tanya?”
“Did he say that?”
“Yes.”
“To be precise, I never mentioned your name or Tanya's. I only referred to you as the Princess. He simply assumed it was Tanya on his own after confirming your identity.”
“I'm the one close to Valentin, not Tanya. Even if you just said 'Princess,' I should have been the first person he thought of.”
Closing the box again, Ivan scanned me up and down with a nonchalant attitude.
“Have you forgotten that you've grown at least 15cm in the last five years? The last time we met, you were barely thirteen. Who could possibly think of Princess Larisa when looking at someone who has grown so tall and is covering her face?”
“I sent photos every year.”
“Seeing someone in a photo or a painting is strictly different from facing them in person, my naive little sister. Keep in mind that you didn't recognize Valentin at a glance either.”
I had no choice but to shut my mouth at those words.
Indeed, I hadn't noticed Valentin's presence at the ball. I didn't even know a clergyman in bishop's robes had attended. Not until Valentin approached me and spoke to me himself.
'...What has Valentin been doing for the past four years?'
Did he really go study abroad?
But no matter how much I racked my brain, there was no reason for him to be away from Ohala for so long unless it was for study or travel. Yet, the reason my suspicions about Valentin continued to spiral was...
[If I had known the bait was Her Highness Larisa in the first place, I wouldn't have planned the operation this way.]
[Who planned the operation?]
[Who else but me?]
It was likely because such a 'situation' felt far too familiar to Valentin.
Had Valentin become a soldier?
But Valentin was a noble. He wasn't just a noble in title with no inheritance or estate; in terms of status, he was strictly of royal and imperial blood. It was hard to accept that such a person would be a soldier—and not even an officer, but someone participating in operations involving special forces.
'Then was that day truly just an exception?'
I really don't know. In any case, the only way to find out for sure was to ask Valentin directly.
Giving up on digging into Valentin's tracks, I went back to checking the documents. However, Ivan still hadn't left the bedroom. As I handed the documents back to Fedora, I asked him.
“Do you have something to say?”
Ivan answered without hesitation.
“Who are you going to have your first dance with?”
“You mean at my first Imperial Ball? Obviously...”
Who should I pick? Honestly, I hadn't thought about it.
Since the first dance is usually with family, it would be either my father, Vasily, or Ivan. If I had to choose one of them, the answer was already decided.
“Vasily.”
“Why? I've spent more time with you lately. Think again.”
“Ugh. Why are you whining? It doesn't suit you.”
I furrowed my brows in annoyance. It wasn't as if he actually wanted to dance with me. As I racked my brain with suspicious eyes, the answer came quickly.
“You made a bet with Vasily, didn't you?”
“No.”
“What did you wager? Tell me, I might help you.”
Of course, that was a lie. I'd pretend to help while actually dancing with Vasily. Ivan studied me with a suspicious expression before answering quietly.
“Debt clearance.”
“Debt clearance? Just how much debt did you accrue to wager your clearance on me?”
“I get enough nagging from Brother and Tanya. Just tell me if you'll help or not, Lara.”
Hmm. While the servant who came to move the boxes was talking to Fedora, I approached Ivan and whispered.
“There's a condition. In exchange for helping you clear that debt, tell me exactly who the people targeting me in Shaharansk were.”
“...Who else? You know they were rebels.”
“That's why I'm asking you to tell me 'exactly.' You're not going to tell me I don't have the right to know, are you? If so, it can't be helped. I'll just find out some other way.”
With a small sigh, Ivan held out his fist.
“I'm counting on you, sister. We're a team.”
I bumped my fist against his.
“Fine. Just for today.”
It was a week before the coming-of-age ceremony.
***
The morning of the long-awaited day dawned.
Rarely is there a day as important as today in a year. As soon as I opened my eyes, I leaped out of bed and stood before the blackout curtains. Then, I clasped my hands together and prayed.
'I'll be well-behaved during my coming-of-age ceremony this year, so please, just for today, please let the weather be clear. You know my friend is Valentin, who is favored by you, right? He has returned to Makhachkala. For the sake of Valentin's face, please let the weather be clear.'
After finishing my prayer, I composed myself and pulled back the curtains. I pressed myself against the glass window to check outside.
The sky? Clear. Clouds? None. The ground? Not a trace of that fluffy spring snow. The air? Refreshing. The scenery before my eyes was the very definition of heavenly weather, perfect for the start of spring!
“Hooray!”
No, no. Let's stay calm. I can't just be happy.
Even if the weather is clear now, snow clouds might gather in an hour. I had to finish the task as quickly as possible before such an unlucky mishap occurred. Just then, Fedora, who had opened the door and entered, smiled softly upon seeing me already awake.
“To think it's not snowing on March 1st. Your wish has finally come true. It seems you'll have good luck this year.”
“It's not that I have good luck this year; it's that I've had bad luck until now. Does it make sense for it to snow on March 1st for three years straight? Everything has finally returned to normal this year!”
“Yes, yes. Your Highness is correct.”
“Tie my hair up for me. Skip the brushing; it takes too long.”
While I quickly washed my face with the water Fedora had brought, she tied my hair up in a high bun. Soon, a second tray entered the bedroom. It was warm tea to lightly warm the body before breakfast. I felt sorry for the maid who brought it, but today, there was no luxury of time to drink tea.
I pulled out a small basket I had hidden under the bed. It was the 'March 1st Zinnia Planting Set' I had prepared last night.
I had kept it stored away for four whole years, but today, I could finally use it. I picked out only the cardigan from the clothes Fedora had brought, hugged the basket, and left the bedroom.
“Your Highness! At least you should change your clothes...!”
“I don't have time for that!”
First, I plant. With that mindset, I rushed out of the room, ran down the stairs, and sprinted toward the eastern garden.
.jpg)