The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 117

Chapter 117. Parting Gift

“Could you step outside, young lady?”

“Oh my, I am Her Highness’s lady-in-waiting. I must always remain by Her Highness’s side.”

Lina raised her voice so Emilia could hear, emphasizing her role. It was so the Crown Princess would know how unfairly the aide to Count Dalton was treating her.

“It’s late, so you should leave the palace now, Lina. You said you were attending the banquet.”

But her intention failed. Emilia, who had just entered the sitting room, gave the order for her to leave the palace. Lina stood there for a moment with an unpleasant expression before reluctantly stepping outside.

‘How long do I have to keep doing this?’

Once outside, she placed both hands on her waist and fumed. Being a lady-in-waiting truly didn’t suit her. It was something she chose for herself, but of all people, Emilia had to be her superior. It hurt her pride, and she rarely had the chance to run into Louid. The Marquess of Carrion, who said he would handle things himself, did nothing, and even Prince Ian kept losing the initiative to Louid.

Still, I can’t just back down.

She stood outside the door, pressing her ear against it to listen in on the conversation between Damian and Emilia.

“Lady Lina, what are you doing here?”

But before even a minute passed, Helen’s rough voice came from behind her.

“Keep it down. They can hear everything inside.”

“I’ll stay here, so you should leave the palace now. You have a banquet to attend today.”

Even though Lina pressed her index finger to her lips in warning, Helen spoke even louder as if shouting, forcing her to cover her ears and leave.

“Welcome back, Damian.”

Emilia greeted Damian with a bright expression for once.

Damian asked with a worried expression, “Are you alright? You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

“I see. I brought what you asked for.”

What Damian took out from his chest was the contraceptive medicine Emilia had requested. Emilia quickly took the vial.

“Thank you.”

A piece of paper with instructions was attached to the black vial. She couldn’t keep refusing Louid at night, so she was relieved to have obtained the contraceptives.

“Do you need anything else?”

“Not yet. Did you look into what I mentioned last time?”

“Yes. I found a suitable place with a house and a vineyard.”

During the founding festival, Damian took leave and went down to the south.

He withdrew money using the deposit certificate under Roe’s name and bought a vineyard and a house by the southern coast. It was a quiet village at the far edge of Count Dalton’s territory, with a vineyard and house that were neither too large nor too small, and a single caretaker lived there. There were no neighboring houses nearby.

‘Even if the count finds out later, he will understand.’

He trusted Asher’s generous nature. Count Asher was someone who would understand everything.

“If we both change our names and stay there, no one will find us.”

“That’s a relief. Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”

Only then did Emilia let out a sigh of relief.

Before she came to love Louid even more, it was time to leave the imperial palace. She had already made her decision, and now all that remained was to carry it out.

***

“Among the narrowed list of suspects, investigate the Marquess of Carrion and his daughter first.”

“Yes, understood.”

Before going to the banquet hall, Louid instructed Alex to investigate the Marquess of Carrion and Lina. Based on Eddie’s reports, he had deployed secret agents and monitored the movements of nobles living in the eastern region for several months. As a result, the list of suspects had been narrowed down to a few people, and the Marquess of Carrion and his daughter were among them.

However, more suspicious details had recently emerged.

When he examined the carriages of the young ladies who were involved in the carriage accident on the day of the tea party at the marquess’s residence, he found that the connection between the wheels had been cleanly cut in the same way as when Emilia was involved in her accident.

It was too strange to be a coincidence, so Louid was almost certain that the Marquess of Carrion was involved. And among the suspects was also Prince Ian.

After giving his orders, Louid headed to the banquet hall alone.

On the final day of the ten-day founding festival, a banquet was held at the imperial palace to celebrate Louid’s appointment as Crown Prince, his birthday, and the closing of the founding festival. It was a banquet that began late at night and continued until dawn.

“Helen, could you help me?”

“You’re going to attend the banquet?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve made a good decision. You don’t have to stay all night.”

“Yes.”

Emilia had originally decided not to attend the banquet, but she changed her mind. Today was Louid’s birthday. She wanted to sincerely congratulate him. She thought that if not this time, she might not have another chance to see him again. She put on the dress she had designed as Roe for the last time, adorned herself with jewelry and a tiara, and headed to the banquet hall.

Late at night, fireworks marking the end of the founding festival were held in the square in front of the imperial palace, and a grand banquet began inside.

Louid stepped up onto the platform in place of the Emperor and delivered a speech announcing the closing of the founding festival.

“Happy birthday, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

After the speech ended, congratulations for his birthday poured in from all sides.

“But I don’t see Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Her Highness the Crown Princess will not be attending today’s banquet due to accumulated fatigue.”

In response to the questions being asked from all around, Eddie announced the Crown Princess’s absence.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess is entering.”

At that moment, the announcer’s voice was heard from the entrance of the banquet hall. Everyone turned toward the entrance in surprise. Even Louid, who rarely showed surprise, stood still in front of the platform and looked toward the entrance.

“Oh my.”

“Didn’t he say she wouldn’t be able to attend today?”

“If His Highness the Crown Prince is attending, there’s no way Her Highness wouldn’t come.”

“I suppose so.”

“Wow…!”

Admiration spread throughout the hall at Emilia’s appearance.

She said she wouldn’t attend today, so why did she come?

Lina also looked toward the entrance in shock. She had been planning to capture Louid’s full attention today, so she struggled to suppress the irritation rising within her.

After exchanging greetings with the nobles, Emilia went and sat at a round table as usual. She thought Louid would be busy as always during banquets. But he walked toward her in long strides.

No way….

Just as she thought he must have some other business, Louid stopped in front of her. Then he held out his hand.

“My lady, would you grant me a dance?”

Right. We should at least dance once as a couple.

She recalled that at banquets, she had always shared the first dance with Louid.

Even though they pretended otherwise, everyone’s attention was focused on the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Sitting at the table instead of going to him right after entering had been her mistake. As long as they were still members of the imperial family, they had a duty to show others that their relationship was harmonious.

Realizing her mistake, Emilia rose from her seat with her cheeks flushed pink and extended one hand to Louid. The two walked to the center of the hall and began to dance in time with the music.

“Happy birthday, Louid.”

Emilia, resting her hand on his shoulder, offered her congratulations.

“Mm. I told you to rest.”

“I’m fine now.”

“Really?”

Louid stared intently into her eyes. Emilia, feeling embarrassed for no reason, avoided his gaze and answered in a small voice.

“…Yes.”

When the song ended, Emilia tried to return to her seat as if she had fulfilled her duty. But Louid didn’t let go of her hand.

“…?”

Emilia looked at him with a questioning expression. Louid slightly raised his brows at her silent question and simply led her without saying anything.

In the past, he would only dance for show and then leave her alone, but today, for some reason, he kept taking care of her and led her back to the table.

After the dance, Emilia, who was thirsty, picked up a glass of champagne from a servant’s tray. Then Louid took the champagne from her and handed her a glass of juice instead.

“Since you’re not feeling well, it’s better not to drink alcohol for a while.”

“…Alright.”

Why is he like this?

Emilia looked at his face with eyes that had grown even wider than before.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing.”

Throughout the banquet, Louid stayed by her side.

After an hour or two, Louid whispered in her ear, “We’ll leave now.”

“Already?”

Emilia looked at him in surprise. It was nearly midnight, but today’s banquet was one that lasted all night. So it was a bit early to leave.

“You’re tired. And I’m bored as well.”

“Yes, alright.”

Emilia agreed with Louid and left the banquet hall with him.

“They look like such a good match.”

“That’s true.”

“I wonder how beautiful their child will be.”

The noblewomen admired and chatted as they watched the two, who had stayed together all day and left together.

***

“Sleep well.”

Louid, who had walked with Emilia to the entrance of her bedroom, turned to leave and spoke. Even though he had nothing to do at this hour, he strode quickly down the corridor as if he were busy.

“Will you come to my bedroom tonight?”

At her words, Louid stopped in his tracks. Then he answered in a low voice, “Alright.”

After changing her clothes and finishing her bath, Emilia sat at the table in her bedroom and waited for Louid. After a short while, Louid, dressed in a robe, opened the connecting door and entered. It seemed he had come straight after washing, as droplets of water clung to the ends of his dark hair.

“Happy birthday.”

Rising from her chair, she presented Louid with a white formal outfit embroidered with gold thread. It was something she had designed and sewn herself, stitch by stitch.

“….”

“You only wear black clothes, so I tried making this.”

Emilia spoke shyly when he gave no response.

“Thank you. It’s a wonderful gift.”

Louid’s face was filled with emotion. Emilia thought she must have imagined it.

“I’m glad you like it.”

The formal outfit was a parting gift for him. She felt sad while making it, but seeing that he liked it made her chest tighten.

Louid, thank you.

She conveyed her gratitude to him in her heart and kissed his lips. Normally, she would drink a glass of wine first and then gather the courage to begin, but today was different. It might be their last night together. She didn’t want to waste time.