# 12
“Maybe he developed feelings after seeing a picture of Princess Helen?”
"image?"
“Before her marriage to the Marquis Ratta, a photograph was sent to Ricoeur.”
“Is that so? Helen is really beautiful, just like her Auntie Lariette.”
After remembering the picture of Helen, Glizzie agreed.
“That is why His Majesty the Emperor loved Princess Helen so much.”
“Helen was like his sister.”
A sarcastic laugh escaped from Glizzy's lips.
Emperor Roman pampered Helene because she closely resembled his beloved sister, Princess Lariette.
People envied her for being a beloved daughter, but that was not Helen's true place.
For Emperor Roman, she was not a dear daughter, but his substitute for his dear sister.
The Emperor's love for his daughter soon turned into concern for his son, leaving Empress Mele in a constant state of worry.
Thus, Helen was forced to imitate every little habit of her aunt she had never seen, from her frequent facial expressions to her clothes and favorite food.
“Nanny, everything about Helen is just like her aunt.”
“Even her name, which was given to her with the same meaning.”
Countess Qin nodded in understanding.
“Indeed. Nothing that Helen owned was really hers.”
“…….”
Glizzy complained about her situation, where she had to exploit and manipulate her sister.
“I said I would help her, but I am no different than our father.”
“But Your Highness, you suggested this because you trust the princess...”
Even this was Helen's deception.
“Shivlin.”
I found Helen Shevlin hiding in the corner of the sofa, covered with a fragrant blanket.
“Baby, Mama's here.”
"mama?"
When Shevelyn heard Helen's voice, she nodded as she hugged her rabbit doll.
“Shivlin, get out.”
“Cherry loves this place.”
But she didn't come out.
Forcing her out would have backfired.
“Hmm, so...”
Helen thought about how to convince Shevelin.
“How about we go out for some dessert?”
Normally, Helen wouldn't give her candy because of her tooth decay, but this situation was urgent.
"sweet?"
Shivalin's eyes sparkled as she raised her two little fingers.
“But mom, Cherry wants strawberry and grape flavors together.”
"both of them?"
“Yes. But I'll avoid the watermelon flavor!”
Just like Glizzi, Shevelin proposed a deal.
‘She is indeed the Crown Princess’ niece.’
With her knees covered in scratches and bleeding, Helen couldn't refuse.
Shivalin stuck out her pinky sheepishly.
“Okay. Mama will give you strawberry and grape candy.”
Helen quickly clasped her pinkies, knowing that the injuries could lead to infection if left untreated.
“First, let's get out of here.”
Helen picked up Shivalin and motioned to the maid outside to call the royal doctor.
After a while, the royal doctor arrived, and when he saw Shivalin's knees, he immediately brought out an antiseptic.
Shivalin hid behind Helen in fear, tears streaming down her face as she moaned.
“Cherry doesn't want to, I don't want to. I'm scared!”
When Helen put the strawberry candy into her mouth, she immediately stopped crying as if nothing had happened.
She happily ate the candy.
“Make sure the wound doesn’t get wet for a while,” the royal doctor said as he disinfected Shivalin’s knee and applied ointment to it.
“Have you been in contact with that friend?”
The royal doctor looked worried as he answered.
“Yes, recently...”
“Okay. I’ll give you a message to deliver.”
"concept."
Helen took out a letter from a drawer and handed it to the royal physician.
The letter was a request for counseling sessions for Shevlin.
While he was taking the letter, the royal doctor spoke in a complicated tone.
“Your Highness, even if you meet my friend… I hope you won’t be too surprised.”
Helen felt something unusual.
“Is it someone I know?”
"Yes."
She tried to guess who it might be, but couldn't think of anyone possible.
As she thought, Shevlin yawned.
“I overlooked you.”
“No, Your Highness. Call me anytime.”
After the royal doctor left, Shevlin turned on the bed.
She buried her face in the pillow to block out the sunlight reflecting through the window.
Helen gently stroked Shivaline's bangs and asked her:
“Shivlin.”
“Hmm?”
“What do you think if a new family member joins us?”
Helen explained in a way that Shevelin understood.
“A new member...in the family?”
Shivalin mumbled into the pillow.
Helen waited patiently without prompting.
"mama."
"Yes?"
“Would you be happy if a new family member joined us?”
Shivalin suddenly sat on her knees, looking into Helen's eyes.
Helen was surprised by the unexpected question.
"Huh? Happy?"
“If Mama is happy, Cherie will be happy.”
Shivalin threw herself into Helen's arms, smiling as bright as a flower in the spring.
Helen's heart ached at Shevelin's response.
She wasn't worried about the new family member.
“Are you more worried about my happiness?”
Helen thought it would have been easier if Sheveline had gotten angry.
“Even if we have a new member in the family, the most important thing to your mother is you, baby.”
Helen whispered gently in Shevelin's ear.
“Well, haha.”
Shivalin clung to Helen tightly by the waist.
“Hi, mom.”
"Yes?"
“Cherry wants grape candy.”
Shivalin reminded her of the forgotten promise in a firm tone.
As they entered the Grand Duchy of Belzeit, Countess Qin opened the window to enjoy the view outside.
Belzeit is located in a remote northern region, so the seasons change more quickly than others.
Unlike Beitstein, where summer had just begun, autumn was beginning to taper off in Belzeit.
When they arrived at the castle gates, they were greeted by the butler.
“I received news of your arrival and have been waiting for you. I am Garn, serving His Highness, the Grand Duke of Belzeit. Welcome, Countess Kane.”
Countess Qin followed the butler, and took a look around.
Hestor Castle looked old-fashioned.
In the foyer hung a portrait of the Grand Duke's son.
“Platinum blonde hair and red eyes… He doesn't look much like the Grand Duke, so he must have inherited his mother's traits.”
“Come from here.”
The butler led Countess Kane into the drawing room, where she sat on a sofa.
After a while, the butler served her tea.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke, will be arriving shortly.”
It was not long before he entered Aachen with careful steps.
“Countess Kane.”
Even inside his home, Aachen wore gloves. His simple clothes, a shirt with gloves, looked strange.
'Does he have an obsession with cleanliness?'
He seemed reluctant to shake hands that day.
“Greetings to His Highness, the Grand Duke of Belzeit.”
“No need to stand.”
Aachen waved his hand casually, and sat down across from her, his legs outstretched.
“Did you bring a response regarding the official marriage?”
He crossed one leg over the other and nonchalantly picked up a teacup.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Your coming, Countess of Qin, all this way means your acceptance of the Empress Dowager’s offer.”
He felt a vague pressure.
“So, who is Imperial Princess Violet’s marriage partner?”
Upon Aachen's question, the nervous Countess of Caine handed him the official letter written by Glazet.
“…?”
Confused, Aachen opened the letter with a paper knife. He seemed uninterested in the long, formal greetings of the first part.
But he couldn't take his eyes off the last paragraph.
[...We gladly accept the will of His Majesty Emperor Kaliosa, Emperor of the Rikuir Empire, and gladly agree to the official marriage.
Unfortunately, in Beitstein there is no member of the imperial family of the appropriate age for Princess Violet.
Therefore, we propose a formal marriage between the 1st Prince of Ricoeur, Aachen Ricoeur, Grand Duke of Belzeit, and the 4th Princess of Betstein, Helene of Betstein.
If you agree, we will gladly proceed.
—Crown Princess of Betstein, Gleze Betstein.]
Aachen's lips moved slowly as he finished reading the letter.
“An official marriage... between me and Princess Helene Pittstein?”
His face, which had been expressionless, began to lively, and his ears turned slightly red.
“Her Highness, the Crown Princess, sent me to consult your opinion first, Your Highness.”
“…Does Princess Helen know about this too?”
Aachen kept playing with his lips.
“She has shown a positive attitude, but if this matter worries Your Highness, we can ignore it...”
Before Countess Kane could finish her words, Aachen hurriedly replied:
"It's not like that...it's too sudden. I need some time to think."