CHAPTER 117
Madden left, and Sir Schuster entered.
"I was thinking of getting rid of it quickly. The Marquis is fanning those thoughts."
As his most trusted subordinate, Philip's words were unreserved.
"When do you think you can summon it?"
"That, I'm not sure..."
Sir Schuster replied hesitantly. Unfortunately, it was as Philip had expected.
He could tell from Madden's troubled expression whenever he was pressured.
It would take more time, he thought.
"I was trying to focus on something important, but the Marquis is disrupting my plans."
Not only were his plans disrupted, but he was also humiliated.
Philip couldn't let this go.
"If I don't retaliate against that arrogant fellow..."
As Philip pondered, an idea suddenly came to him.
"Oh, come to think of it, we do have something we can use."
"Yes?"
"The Marquis's weakness."
"His weakness?"
"Lady Elsner. The Marquis needs her."
Philip answered Sir Schuster's question.
"Aren't they in a mutually beneficial relationship? If we separate Lady Elsner from him, the Marquis will be in trouble."
Sir Schuster's face grew serious.
"When you say separate, do you mean to eliminate her?"
"No. If we eliminate her, we'd have to go to war with the Marquis."
Without being able to summon the demons, they wouldn't be able to handle the consequences.
"I just want to see that arrogant fellow suffer from anxiety. I mean to keep them apart."
"I see."
"If she suddenly disappears, the Marquis will be quite troubled."
Their relationship was one of necessity.
In other words, without Selina, Lewis might suffer withdrawal-like symptoms.
"So you plan to kidnap her?"
"No. There are plenty of ways to keep them apart without such drastic measures."
A way to bring Selina to his side, away from Lewis.
Philip had an excuse that would make this possible.
"I need to see His Majesty."
Philip smiled as he turned to the window.
"And, on this occasion, it would be good to fulfill my mother's wish."
* * *
Lewis's plan to humiliate Philip at the temple succeeded.
The nobles had been talking about it for days.
It had only been a few days since that incident, but now, looking at Lewis, he didn't seem like the man plotting against Philip...
"Marquis?"
I was about to enter the drawing room of the Duke's mansion, thinking about the events of a few days ago when I saw Lewis standing by the door.
The problem was that he had his arms open towards me.
Does he want a hug... again?
"Again?"
"It's not 'again.' It's been a long time since you last stopped."
"Really?"
"Yes. So do it again."
Lewis pleaded again as I hesitated.
It was a relief that the noise had completely disappeared for a few days, but if I had to hug him every time...
I approached hesitantly and hugged him.
Lewis held me tightly for a moment without moving.
My heart seemed to be beating faster than his.
Being like this...
"Selina."
Just as I was about to get lost in thought, Lewis called my name meaningfully.
"You've been acting strange lately."
"What? What do you mean?"
I turned my head in surprise.
Lewis, pulling away from our embrace, spoke.
"You've been tense. Why is that? You flinch whenever you see me."
"Oh..."
Did he notice that?
My face flushed again.
In contrast, a smile spread across Lewis's face. It was a look of pure joy!
"You once said you needed time to think."
He was referring to the day I couldn't accept his confession immediately.
We both needed time to understand each other's feelings.
"My feelings are firm. I'm even more certain."
His voice was full of conviction.
And now I knew. There was no doubt that he liked me.
"What about you? Still the same?"
"Well..."
How could I still feel the same?
I was already overly conscious of Lewis. More than when he first confessed.
But suddenly expressing my feelings wasn't easy.
What do I need at times like this?
"How about we have a drink and talk?"
Alcohol!
Even though I don't drink much, alcohol can give me courage at times like this.
It makes me brave, right?
"Nothing's impossible, I think."
"What isn't?"
I was talking about moving beyond a friendship.
Does Lewis really not know what I'm trying to say? Or is he pretending not to know?
"So, Marquis-"
At that moment, there was a knock on the drawing room door.
"Lady?"
It was my maid.
Lewis asked her.
"What brings you to see Selina?"
"Oh, a letter from the palace arrived for the Lady."
The palace? Why would the palace send me a letter?
As I received the letter, I heard the sound of shoes from outside.
The only one who walks so busily in the Duke's mansion is Bella.
"Selina!"
"Yes. Bella, you're here?"
"A letter from the palace? I didn't get one. Why don't I have one?"
Right?
As I wondered, Bella asked me.
"Did you read it?"
"No, not yet."
Under everyone's watchful eyes, I opened the letter on the spot.
"Huh?"
As soon as I read it, my eyes widened.
"They're selecting a crown princess?"
"What?"
Bella and Lewis immediately came to my side.
[An imperial selection for the crown princess will be held, presided over by the Empress.]
Bella spoke in astonishment.
"Wasn't this just a rumor last time? When we received invitations from the Empress."
Right. Many ladies were excited and then disappointed when the rumor died down.
"When Philip appeared at Lady Redmond's birthday party, many ladies were disappointed, thinking they had lost their chance."
"This time, it seems to be real."
I read the rest of the letter aloud.
"Only some of the ladies who were acquainted with the Empress last time are selected."
It seemed they had evaluated the ladies during the last tea time.
"It says the crown princess will be chosen from those who receive this invitation. We are to stay at the palace for a few days and take tests?"
"Why suddenly select a crown princess?"
Lewis said, sounding annoyed.
"Why create such a spectacle? Especially after the attention from the temple incident."
"Why didn't I get one?"
At Bella's words, Lewis turned to her.
"Do you want to go instead of Selina?"
"I'm not saying I want to go."
Indeed, it was strange even to me.
Why would I, from a mere count's family, receive an invitation, but not Bella, who is from a duke's family?
Bella gestured to the letter and spoke to me.
"Selina, you should decline. Why go?"
"Can I do that? Should I?"
It would be easier for everyone if there were one less candidate.
For both the selectors and the ladies who truly wanted to be the crown princess!
However, there was this note at the bottom of the letter.
[Ladies selected as candidates cannot express their refusal in writing.
If you wish to withdraw from the crown princess candidacy, please come to the palace on the designated day.]
The letter ended by saying the palace eagerly awaited the candidates' visit.
After reading it aloud, Bella spoke in disbelief.
"To decline, you have to go there in person? What is this?"
Indeed.
A few days later, when I met Charlotte, she had also received the letter.
"Lady Yaniels, you received one too!"
Thank goodness. I wasn't going alone!
Seeing my relief, Charlotte asked cautiously.
"Are you going to apply?"
"No, I'm going to decline."
"I'm thinking of declining too."
So, Charlotte was declining as well.
Charlotte added, tilting her head curiously.
"I thought I wouldn't be considered, even if they selected a crown princess..."
She didn't explain why she thought so. But now, everyone knew.
Philip no longer viewed Charlotte as special.
"I don't understand their selection criteria."
"Indeed."
* * *
On the day I had to go to the palace.
I left, bidding farewell to Bella and the Duke, who wished me well.
It felt like just going out for a bit. After all, I was just going to express my refusal and return!
Upon arriving at the palace, the carriage went further inside and stopped at the Empress's palace.
Inside, Charlotte was already there.
I stood next to Charlotte, looking around.
"Quite a few ladies from the last tea time aren't here."
Among those present was Lady Redmond.
There were many rumors that she would be the crown princess, but the royal family remained silent, and the rumors died down.
If it were me, I'd be upset. Maybe Lady Redmond was here to decline too?
"Lady Redmond, are you here to decline as well?"
So I asked, and she opened her eyes wide.
"What?"
"You can decline the crown princess candidacy."
I winked at her.
I understand your feelings, Lady Redmond!
"Lady Yaniels and I are declining. Are you too?"
"What are you saying?"
Just as Lady Redmond was about to say something, the head maid entered.
"Please take your seats."
"Oh, let's talk later!"
I returned to my seat next to Charlotte.
The head maid called out each name.
After confirming the attendance, she spoke.
"Her Majesty the Empress will be here shortly."
Quickly sensing the situation, I raised my hand.
"I have something to say!"
"Please speak."
"Not here... Can we go outside?"
I smiled awkwardly, and the head maid, looking puzzled, spoke.
"Then let's go to the next room."
"Come on, Lady Charlotte."
Let's get this over with quickly!
I signaled Charlotte with my eyes, and she stood up with me. Everyone's eyes followed us, wondering why we both stood up.
When will Lady Redmond speak?
The next room was an unused empty room. As soon as we entered
, I brought up the matter.
"We're here to decline the crown princess candidacy."
"What?"
"You said those who wish to decline must come in person."
Seeing the head maid's puzzled expression, I added.
"That's why we came."
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