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"That's all I have to say. I'll be going now."
With those words, he turned away resolutely.
The Empress clutched the embroidery, staring blankly at her son's retreating figure.
The maid attending her cautiously spoke.
"...Your Majesty, are you alright?"
At that moment, the Empress distorted her face and threw down the embroidery frame.
Whoosh-.
The embroidery frame flew and fell at her feet, causing the maid to shrink back in surprise. The Empress didn't even look at her, clenching her teeth.
'Who is all this for...!'
She only felt sorry for her son, who didn't understand her true feelings.
'This is troublesome. If something happens to Princess Peony on the coming-of-age ceremony, I won't be able to avoid Darian's suspicion.'
The Empress pressed her lips tightly, deep wrinkles etched on her forehead.
She already felt a headache coming on, thinking about how much Darian would resent her when that time came.
'That's why I wanted to hide it from him until the end.'
The Empress wanted to bear all the burdens alone. She didn't want to unnecessarily reveal the secret and make Darian anxious.
She simply wanted Darian to live happily without knowing anything. Just like he had always done, proudly considering himself the Emperor's first son.
'He could just live like that... why?'
If Darian started to get deeply involved in this, the story would change.
A deep anguish settled in the Empress's eyes.
'Should I just tell Darian everything?'
The Empress covered her face with both hands, wiping it as if washing away her worries.
Darian, unable to control his confused mind, wandered aimlessly.
He hoped that walking would clear his thoughts, but his head remained complicated.
'Why did Mother call Peony's maid? Is she really planning something...?'
Since some time ago, his trust in his mother, whom he had believed to be rational and wise, had begun to waver little by little.
It was the same with her undisguised hostility towards Peony.
If he had lived apart from his sister like strangers, it might have been different, but Darian, who had already grown deeply attached to her, couldn't help but feel repulsed by that attitude.
'Besides, Lona was the one who took care of Peony's nursing.'
Recalling his memories, it was clear that the Emperor had personally bestowed her as a maid, concerned about his sister's health.
The fact that his mother had secretly called such Lona was chilling.
He had an ominous feeling for some reason.
'Could it be that Mother has been doing something to Peony until now...?'
What if Peony's condition had worsened because of that?
His face turned pale at the terrible thought.
Until now, his mother had pitied Peony, who was weak, and tried to take care of her meticulously.
But what if all of that was just acting to deceive others?
'...No. No matter what, Mother wouldn't do such an evil thing.'
Darian wanted to believe that.
No, he had to.
He couldn't possibly accept the fact that his mother, whom he had respected and followed until now, was someone who could harm others.
As he walked without knowing where he was going, he found himself in front of a familiar palace.
Without realizing it, he had come near Peony's palace. He smiled bitterly.
'Come to think of it, Peony has also started to distance herself from me lately.'
That was probably because Peony had started aiming for the throne, as his mother had said.
Was it no longer possible to laugh and spend time together without knowing anything, like when they were children?
Just as his heart was being dyed with a sense of stuffiness, a familiar face suddenly entered Darian's sight.
'Ayla Blanche?'
Her pink hair neatly tied up, she was busy inspecting a ceremonial carriage with several maids.
She seemed very busy preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony.
Having entered the palace and dressed in refined attire, she looked even more beautiful.
Ayla meticulously examined every corner of the carriage, giving detailed instructions to the artisans.
"The paint is peeling off here and there. Repaint it in ivory and add a generous amount of floral decorations from here to there. It will look much brighter."
"Understood."
"I'd like you to show it to me once everything is finished."
"Yes, we will contact you as soon as the repairs are completed."
The artisans bowed politely to Ayla. The maids also seemed to follow her without complaint.
'That kind of appearance suits her quite well.'
A firm yet decisive tone, and an attitude skilled in handling others.
Was that what the years of growing up as a Princess Consort of the Blanche Noble house had made her?
'No, rather, she became more radiant after leaving that place. She must have had that kind of aspect from the beginning.'
Darian stood still, watching her intently, not even realizing that Ayla had finished her business.
Soon, Ayla, who was turning around with the maids, turned her gaze this way. Her eyes widened.
'Ah, this is bad.'
Darian bit his lip awkwardly and nodded slightly.
"It's been a while, Lady Ayla."
"...Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Ayla, who had been staring blankly at him, belatedly lowered her head with a look of realization.
"I apologize. I should have greeted you first."
Seeing her still showing a polite attitude, a bitter smile appeared on his face.
"I came here while taking a walk. By the way, is that the carriage that will be used for Peony's coming-of-age ceremony?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I used to ride that and go around in procession. It was really hard because I couldn't drink water and had to endure the sun for hours."
Darian shrugged and looked at Ayla.
"Now Peony will have to go through that hardship. Take good care of her before the procession starts."
"Yes."
Ayla nodded with a expressionless face.
Darian hesitated for a moment. She seemed to be distancing herself from him, no matter who looked at it.
'Is it natural since she started working at Peony's palace?'
Knowing that, he still wanted to talk to her a little more for some reason.
Darian eventually couldn't overcome his feelings and impulsively opened his mouth.
"How is palace life these days? Are there any inconveniences?"
"Everyone takes good care of me, so it's bearable."
"Just now, it seemed like Peony's people were following you well too."
"I think it's because Princess Peony and I are close friends."
"Yes, that's understandable. It's nice to see the two of you together."
"Thank you."
A concise answer followed, and Darian soon lost his words.
'It would be better to just say hello and send her away.'
He was about to put on an awkward smile and say that he had to go now.
Suddenly, seeing the maids standing quietly with their heads bowed behind her, he remembered the matter about Lona.
'Does Ayla know that she's suspicious?'
Darian, who had been hesitating, carefully opened his mouth.
"Come to think of it, Peony seems to have become much healthier these days. Everyone must be taking good care of her."
"Everyone is doing their best."
"Peony's caregiver... was it Lona? Is she with Peony now? I don't see her here."
"..."
As soon as she heard those words, Ayla's face turned cold. A cold gaze reached Darian's face.
"Did you just say Lona?"
Darian was momentarily flustered.
It was because Ayla's reaction was somehow sharp. It felt as if he had touched something he shouldn't have.
"Yes, the maid that the Emperor bestowed for Peony, who is weak. I think she's been serving her for quite a few years."
A suspicious look was directed at Darian. Soon, Ayla opened her mouth as if she was reluctant.
"...Lona is currently on vacation. She is scheduled to return just before Peony's coming-of-age ceremony."
"That maid is on vacation? But..."
A look of bewilderment crossed Darian's face.
"When did she go on vacation?"
"Three days ago."
"..."
It was a question he had asked with the last hope, but the answer that came back was all the more shocking.
Then, did his mother deliberately call the maid who was supposed to return just before the coming-of-age ceremony to talk to her?
Even the maid who had taken a vacation three days ago and should be out of the palace by now? Why?
Feeling as if all the blood was draining from his head, Darian staggered greatly.
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