Chapter 13
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#13.
The moment my allergy to Delus flowers became known, Hadelus Castle erupted into chaos.
Everyone was scandalized that the young lady they'd assumed to be thoughtless and willful had been concealing such a condition.
They'd believed I spoke every thought that crossed my mind, so naturally they were all quite taken aback.
"Why would you hide something like that!"
Hannah dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice trembling with tears.
Vivian's expression beside her was nothing short of fierce.
"If you were going to do this, why not just live alone? Did you never think of your worried handmaidens? I knew you were foolish, but not to this extent!"
"Vivian, there's an awful lot of venom in those words. I'm getting the distinct impression you're taking this as an opportunity to scold me—but I'm probably imagining things, right?"
"Of course you are!"
Vivian's expression betrayed her completely as she snapped indignantly, then huffed and turned away.
I deliberately pretended not to notice and smiled softly.
After all, I had genuinely surprised everyone.
When I proved unexpectedly docile, Shuri ground her teeth and began disparaging someone.
"If that physician had possessed even a modicum of competence, you wouldn't be suffering like this."
"If it weren't for Arkid, we would have overlooked it entirely this time. What a charlatan!"
At Shuri's words, Vivian erupted in anger as well, snapping and shaking out the garments she'd been folding. Hannah joined in, picking up the thread of conversation.
"Still, we're fortunate that Arkid reported it directly to the Grand Duke, and you've been assigned a new physician."
"Honestly, I never liked that doctor anyway. He always conducted his examinations so carelessly. No matter how particular our young lady can be!"
Calling what I'd done merely "particular" seemed far too generous a description.
I caught sight of Vivian's arm curving inward and deliberately averted my gaze.
In any case, the physician had indeed been negligent in his duties.
Had he examined Rhoena properly when she fell ill last year, I wouldn't have been wandering about the Delus Flower Field in such a pitiful state.
Above all, what truly moved my heart was that Arkid had gone to the Grand Duke on my behalf.
"I never expected Arkid would seek out the Grand Duke."
Feeling oddly shy, I fidgeted with the blanket, and Hannah spoke.
"It was unprecedented. We were all shocked as well."
The Grand Duke was likely shocked too. It was the first time Arkid had ever sought him out of his own accord.
"Still, it seems Arkid is the only one who truly cares for our young lady."
"And here Vivian was complaining just the other day about how she keeps her distance from you."
"Shuri, be quiet."
Vivian pouted, and Shuri burst into laughter.
In any case, thanks to Arkid, the physician who'd been enjoying a comfortable salary was dismissed. The new physician, Marsha, proved quite dedicated and attended to me with meticulous care.
I suspected she simply didn't know that I was called the "mouth of hell"—or "Hell's Mouth" for short.
'But the flower festival is coming up soon. Will things be alright as they are?'
I counted off the days on my fingers, lost in thought.
Allergy or not, I was the Grand Duchess of Hadelus. I couldn't continue avoiding Delus flowers indefinitely.
And remaining idle like this was tantamount to foisting all the flower festival preparations onto the Grand Duchess.
Our relationship was already strained, and burdening her with additional work would surely sour her disposition further.
'What can I possibly do?'
I was lost in thought when Hannah and Vivian suddenly became absorbed in their conversation about the flower festival.
"Have you decided what seeds to plant? The ones I planted last time died right away."
"I don't know. I think I'll just use the same ones as last time. Planting seeds is such a hassle anyway."
"How uninspired. If you're going to be like that, just go around shaking dandelion seeds."
"Oh! That's actually a good idea?"
I clapped my hands in agreement, and Vivian looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Regardless, I bounced out of bed, and Vivian hurried after me.
"Wait? Miss, where are you going?"
"To see Mother."
"I heard she was going to the Seed Farm today...."
"Oh, a carriage is just arriving."
Shuri, who had been adjusting the curtains, informed me that the Grand Duchess had arrived.
Seizing the moment, I grinned and dashed down the corridor with rapid footsteps.
Since Elena was on her way back from the Seed Farm, it seemed like the perfect time to share my plan with her.
"Let me come with you, young miss—or rather, young lady!"
Vivian corrected herself while glancing around, then followed after me.
I didn't wait for her and hurried down the stairs with quick steps.
The Grand Duchess, who had just entered the mansion and was about to ascend the stairs, widened her eyes in surprise.
"Mother, welcome back—oof!"
I tried to stop and curtsy properly, but my foot caught on the hem of my skirt, and since we were on the stairs, I ended up launching myself toward Elena like a projectile.
With Elena's startled expression, I crashed into her embrace.
"Gasp!"
I heard Vivian, who was following behind, gasp in shock.
I hung limply in Elena's arms, breaking into a cold sweat.
I hadn't intended to give such an enthusiastic welcome, but my blasted legs refused to obey my will.
It was like a puppy wagging its tail when its master arrives home.
Elena seemed startled as well, her body stiffening, yet she didn't forget to hold me firmly so I wouldn't fall.
Oh, I wanted to die.
Mortified, I pulled her neck closer in my embrace. Then Elena spoke.
"That's quite an enthusiastic welcome. My neck hurts a bit."
"I-I-I welcome you back?"
My face flushed crimson as I hastily stepped back.
Or rather, it was more accurate to say she gently lowered me down.
If she hadn't caught me, I would have ended up embracing the floor instead. The feeling of being held in her arms wasn't unpleasant at all.
Then Elena, with a leisurely expression, crossed her arms and asked.
"What wind blew in to make you act so flustered this time?"
"Ah! I have something I'd like to discuss with you regarding this flower festival."
As I quickly broached the subject, Elena's expression seemed to stiffen for a moment before she spoke coldly.
"I thought as much."
"Do you have time, by any chance?"
"Even if it's not fine, you've already come to tell me, haven't you?"
"Hehe."
"Come along."
The moment Elena granted her permission, I quickly moved to her side.
Her pace was quite brisk, and as I struggled to keep up, I noticed her subtly slowing down for me.
'She has a surprisingly thoughtful side.'
I'd expected her to be frighteningly demanding about the work I'd taken on, but she didn't seem angry at all.
Upon arriving at the Terrace, delicate refreshments were arranged neatly on the table.
The macarons gleamed with lustrous colors, practically begging to be eaten.
Now that I thought about it, snack time was approaching, and I was rather hungry. I was deliberating whether to eat when Elena spoke with a sly tone.
"Anyone watching would think I'm the one making you self-conscious about eating. What's with this sudden coyness?"
"I'll eat with gratitude!"
At her jab about not being coy, I promptly popped a macaron into my mouth.
That's right—when had Rhoena ever been one to worry about such things?
The allergy incident had made me realize she'd become more cautious, but in truth, she was utterly shameless.
The pink macaron boasted a sweetness as delicate as its color. The shell was chewy and tender, melting perfectly on my tongue.
The filling inside dissolved like clouds, and with a sip of milk, it was nothing short of heavenly.
Completely absorbed in my macaron feast, I belatedly felt Elena's penetrating gaze and flinched.
Ah, I'd forgotten myself in the deliciousness.
"Um..."
"Have you always eaten this well?"
"Pardon?"
"You've been eating barely a bird's portion all this time, so I thought you had no interest in food whatsoever."
Elena muttered something incomprehensible and frowned. For some reason, she looked quite displeased.
'Oh, did I eat the Grand Duchess's share too?'
Only then did I realize I'd consumed all four macarons on the plate without a trace.
"Um... I wasn't trying to eat them all by myself."
"I brought them for you to eat alone."
Elena said curtly while sipping her black tea.
How to put it—she looked displeased, but it didn't quite feel like my fault?
In any case, since it wasn't about the macarons, I'd satisfied my hunger, so I broached the main topic.
"I heard that Mother has been having a difficult time because of my allergies."
"Which scatterbrained maid told you such a thing? Give me her name."
Why on earth was my mother-in-law suddenly in mad dog mode?
I'd only mentioned it casually, assuming it was natural, but she was glaring and growling.
She looked ready to pounce like a fighting dog if anyone gave her the slightest opening.
Feeling sweat bead on my skin, I spoke respectfully.
"No, it's not that anyone said anything. I just jumped to conclusions on my own."
"Never mind. It's not your concern. I handled it alone last year anyway. Helping now would only be more troublesome."
This mother of mine certainly had a knack for cutting remarks.
The flower festival preparations were originally the responsibility of the Grand Duchess and the Grand Duchess Consort.
She said not to worry since she had been handling such matters alone anyway.
It was as if a group project leader, exhausted from coordinating, had declared they would drag all the members along single-handedly.
In that instant, I felt like a worthless free-rider coasting through a group assignment.
If she was doing this intentionally, then she had a talent for argument; if not, that was problematic in its own way.
I smiled cunningly to prevent the Grand Duchess from shouldering the entire burden alone.
"I'd like to help you too, Mother. I actually have a wonderful idea—would you like to hear it?"
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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