# 8
“…Countess Qin. I’m leaving now.”
Before she could ask him how he knew her childhood name, he snapped his fingers and disappeared.
“He's charming.”
It seemed that he used teleportation magic.
A cold scent lingered where he was standing.
'I couldn't have misheard...'
It was a secret that even her father, Emperor Roman, did not know.
A precious memory with her mother, who used to call her by that name only when they were alone...
Helen never revealed this dear name to anyone.
“It seems that he felt embarrassed to meet you, because he came quietly and without any formal arrangement.”
Countess Kane's explanation seemed logical and convincing.
“He came as a guest without an entourage, so the countess must be right.”
However, no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't understand how he knew that name.
Helen decided to put off thinking about Aachen for the moment, and focused on the matter at hand.
“Can you inform Her Highness?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Whatever way he knew, that wasn't what mattered now.
“Princess Helen is here.”
“Bring it in.”
A low, curt voice was heard.
“Please speak at ease. I will take care of the princess.”
"Thank you."
After obtaining the Crown Princess's permission, Hélène Scheveline carefully handed the sleeping woman over to Countess Kane.
At the same time, the big door opened. Helen entered slowly.
“I salute Her Highness, Crown Princess Gleize, little sun of Betstein.”
“……”
“May Lady Freya’s blessings be her glory.”
Helen placed her hand on her left breast and glistened.
Scratching scratching sound.
The sound of the writing pen and the turning of pages continued.
“……”
Helen did not raise her head until Glizzy spoke.
“Sit down.”
Seeing this, Glizzy put down her pen.
“If you're busy, I can come back another time.”
“I have time to have a little tea with you.”
At Glizi's gesture, a maid brought the rose tea.
The pink tea water with grapefruit chips gave off a refreshing scent.
“I heard you divorced Marquis Rata.”
Before sipping her tea, Glizzi mentioned the divorce.
"…Yes."
Helen was about to pick up the teacup, but she put it down again, making Glizzy laugh.
"Oh my God. There's no need to pretend guilt. I'm not mentioning it to blame you."
Glizzy has always been an unpredictable person.
"How are you?"
“Thanks to your highness, I am fine.”
Helen has always found it difficult to get along with Glizzy.
She always had to be careful around her.
“I didn't do anything to you. There's no need for this formality.”
A friendly relationship, but not intimate. Such was the relationship between Helen and Glizi.
“Helen.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“This raccoon, Duke Tessa, is getting on my nerves again.”
Duke Tisza. The Queen's father is Nigel and the maternal grandfather of the Second Princess.
“You have to be very careful too.”
“I will.”
Helen now had to be more vigilant. She couldn't afford to let up.
Especially with Duke Tessa, who hid his evil nature behind a mask of kindness.
“Are the preparations for Shivalin’s baptism going well? If you need anything, let me know.”
"Thank you."
“By the way, I would like to invite Duke Belzeit to Chevelin’s baptism.”
Glizzy suggested, enjoying the scent of the tea.
“Duke… Belzeit?”
“It wouldn't hurt to build a friendly relationship.”
“…I will ask the Prime Minister to send an invitation to the Duke.”
"Good."
Glizzy smiled with satisfaction and turned to Helen.
“You must be tired, and we can continue our conversation later when I have more time.”
Glizzi pointed to the stack of documents. Helen bowed slightly and went out.
“Ricoeur has proposed royally, and Hélène has just been divorced...”
Unaware of Glizzy's stuttering words.
“Where is Countess Kane?”
After she left, Helen massaged her tense shoulders.
It wasn't a bad idea to send an invitation to Duke Belzeit as Glizi suggested.
If the Duke attended Chefeline's baptism, she could ask him again then.
“I have a feeling I shouldn't miss this opportunity.”
‘How did he know the name “Ish”? '
“Waaah!”
Shivalin's loud cries were heard from afar.
“Shivlin?”
Helen ran towards the source of the sound coming from the garden.
“Princess, are you feeling uncomfortable? Her Highness will be leaving Her Highness the Crown Princess’ office soon. Yes, yes. Is it because of the extreme heat of the sun? Shall we go inside?”
Countess Kane is seen comforting a crying Sheveline.
“Your Highness! You have arrived.”
“Shivelin, come to your mother.”
“Ah, ah!”
She was so frightened that she almost hiccuped, so she buried her head in Helen's lap.
Countess Kane was accustomed to looking after young children, as she had many grandchildren.
From the way Helen comforted Shevlin, it did not appear that she had done her any harm.
Helen had visited the garden of the Chateau Agnasse several times, and this was not the first time she had met Countess Kane.
“Shivlin isn't usually this shy, so why now?”
It became even more strange and mysterious.
“I failed to take proper care of the princess. I apologize.”
Countess Qin couldn't raise her head.
"Don't blame yourself. She must have been so terrified when she woke up and found me gone."
"no."
Helen spoke as she patted Sheveline on the back to calm her down.
“Your Highness, I have ordered the luggage to be transported from the carriage to Largon Palace.”
“Largon Palace? Why there? My residence should be in the west at Florin Palace.”
Largon Palace was traditionally the residence of the Crown Prince. Although Sheveline, as a princess, had the right to reside there, no one would interpret this as a simple gesture.
“Is it possible that Her Highness the Crown Princess decided this?”
“Due to the delay in the restoration work at Florin Palace, Her Highness has temporarily allowed it.”
While Helen was questioning her seriously, Countess Qin explained what had happened.
Largon's palace was close to Ignace's, making it likely that their movements would be reported to Glizi.
“You mean both protection and surveillance?”
Helen realized that.
It wouldn't do any good for Shevelin to live in the Royal Palace.
However, the idea of constant surveillance was not entirely comforting.
“Better than being in danger, I guess.”
“Your Highness. Largon Palace is connected to this garden.”
“So, it's like a shortcut.”
“Yes. Let me guide you.”
After Countess Qin followed, an outbuilding similar to Ignace's palace appeared in front of her.
“Okay, I'll go now, Your Highness.”
“Take care of yourself.”
As soon as Countess Kane left, Cheveline spoke.
"Mom. Cherry wants to come down now."
“Do you want that?”
Helen and Shevlin then wandered into the Largon mansion alone.
Largon Palace was magnificent, a beautiful, luxurious palace.
The maids who passed him bowed respectfully.
The finely carved decorations throughout the palace were extremely beautiful.
Even the Palais Florin, where she resided before her marriage, was no match for the Palais Largon.
“Mom, look at this flower!”
“Baby, be careful. Don’t run, walk slowly.”
“Oh my God, there's a fountain here too! Mom, come quickly!”
I followed Helen Shevlin, who was jumping excitedly.
“Shivlin, did you cry because you woke up and couldn’t find your mother?”
"no."
“Then why?”
Shevlin turned around, furrowing her eyebrows.
“Hmm?”
“It's just... I can speak in front of my mother, but... because she wasn't my mother, I couldn't speak, and that made me sad.”
Shivalin stamped her feet and looked at the ground.
‘She couldn’t speak because it wasn’t me…? Do you find it difficult to adapt to the new environment?'
Helen took Shevelin's hand, who was frowning in frustration, and felt that the most important thing was to help her child adjust to the unfamiliar place.
“Shivlin, shall we come in now?”
"Good!"
Time passed, and the day of Shevelin's baptism came.
“Everything is arranged well. Well done.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Helen, who arrived at the temple early in the morning, was walking around the prayer hall with the minister of the imperial court.
“Your Highness, well...”
“Yes?”
The minister suddenly spoke hesitantly.
“We sent an invitation to Marquis Rata for a paternity test, but he has not arrived yet.”
“……”
“Shall we send someone to the Marquis’ residence?”