Chapter 14: Tell them who I am
The fifth day of the engagement dawned. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Adeline’s heart had been pounding since the moment she opened her eyes. It wasn’t from fear, but rather a pleasant excitement. The thought of seeing the expressions on their faces when she appeared in the Hall of Glory filled her with delight.
For the first time in a long while, Adeline indulged in a long bath. Collin, unaware of her plans, was worried the water might affect her wounds, but Adeline was fine because of the ointment the errand boy had given her.
“Princess, you seem to be in a good mood today,” Collin remarked with an awkward smile as Adeline sat in front of the mirror after her bath.
“Do I?”
“Yes, you were even humming a tune earlier….”
‘Was I? I didn’t realize.’
Collin had gotten the wrong impression. After the Lion King’s visit the previous day, Collin had squealed in surprise upon seeing the dress box lying in the middle of Adeline’s room. If Adeline hadn’t scolded her for being nosy, Collin would have pestered her with questions all night.
Adeline smiled at her. “Collin, please do my hair.”
“Of course!”
“I’ve been lying down for so long because I was unwell. I look a mess. Work your magic.”
“Should I?”
Adeline didn’t plan on asking Collin to do much. Her hair was thick and long, cascading down her back once it was dried and combed. Collin skillfully dried her hair and applied balm to maintain its softness. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Would you like me to do your makeup as well? We didn’t have the chance when we were in the carriage, and since you’ve been bedridden, there hasn’t been an opportunity to apply any.”
This was a stroke of luck. Adeline nodded in agreement. She knew how to do her own makeup, but Collin’s skill was far superior.
Adeline secretly laughed to herself. If Collin knew what she planned to do with the makeup she had just helped apply, she would probably freak out. Collin might even regret it so much that she’d hit herself in frustration.
Time seemed to crawl by slowly.
The engagement announcement came between lunch and dinner, signaled by the North Temple bell ringing three times.
Adeline closed her eyes and waited for Collin to finish her makeup.
“Princess.”
“What is it?”
“Did you accept it?”
Adeline had thought Collin had dropped the subject, but apparently not.
Collin quietly asked the question she’d been holding back: had Adeline accepted the Lion King’s marriage proposal? The misunderstanding that the dress the Lion King had left was for an engagement ceremony with Adeline lingered in Collin’s mind. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
In Marma, it was common for men to give dresses as courting gifts, so Collin’s assumption was understandable.
It was a fortunate misunderstanding.
Adeline smiled but did not respond.
“Will he come again?”
It seemed Collin’s greatest interest was in the Lion King himself.
Adeline smiled silently, amused. Cesare had chosen her watchdog poorly. This maid, who was supposed to monitor Adeline’s every move, spent the whole day excitedly thinking about the Lion King.
‘Oh, she is that good.’ Adeline thought as she looked in the mirror, pleased with Collin’s work. Her skills were better than expected.
“Collin.”
“Yes, Princess?”
“I’m expecting a guest. Could you prepare some refreshments?”
“A guest?”
“Yes. And if possible, go to Cesare’s palace and bring back some good wine.”
“Of course! What would they prefer to drink?”
Collin’s voice was high with excitement. Adeline could practically feel her anticipation. She hadn’t even mentioned who the guest was, yet Collin had already assumed it was the Lion King. Collin rushed off, eager to prepare the drinks and refreshments. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Adeline smiled as she stood up from her seat. The dress still lay neatly in the box—it was one of the most fashionable dresses she had brought from Nova. The errand boy had grumbled about choosing it at random, but it turned out he had a good eye for such things.
Adeline didn’t need help getting dressed; she was used to doing things on her own. She swiftly put on her underwear and slipped into the dress, fastening the thin straps tightly. Then, she placed the tiara atop her long, flowing hair.
The tiara resembled a crown, with sparkling jewels adorning each pointed tip, symbolizing the authority of the royal family. The dress was long enough to drag along the floor, and the sleeves followed suit. Golden bands circled the ends of the sleeves, heavy and long, trailing with the hem of her skirt as she moved. Everything about the outfit symbolized royalty.
Adeline walked out of her annex, a satisfied look on her face. She didn’t encounter anyone as she made her way down the hallway, but as she reached the entrance, she spotted the haughty lady’s maids from the queen’s palace approaching her. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Your Highness?”
“Where are you going… Heok!”
The maids were startled. Adeline looked stunning in her regal attire. Even when she was young, her doll-like beauty had caught the king’s eye, leading to her adoption as his daughter. As she grew older, she became known as the most beautiful woman on the continent. Even when she was sent to Nova and later returned to Marma, her nickname, “The King’s Flower,” had remained.
Adeline walked with grace and confidence. “This is good. Open the door.”
She then climbed into the waiting carriage with the maids, issuing a brief command.
“Take me to the Hall of Glory.”
***
A vast hall, towering staircases, and glittering chandeliers. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
The Hall of Glory was the second-largest banquet hall in the royal palace, a place even the royal family could not use without the king’s permission. Nobles who hadn’t been invited were not allowed entry.
Previously, Adeline had never been allowed here either. She was a princess who wasn’t invited to parties, let alone the Hall of Glory.
Instead of taking the royal route, the white-carpeted path leading to the Hall, she crossed through the garden like the other nobles.
Colored glass sparkled in the light of the swinging chandelier. The nobles of Marma were all gathered inside.
Murmurs echoed from the entrance—the engagement ceremony was about to begin.
“Ah, someone arriving late. From which family, I wonder….”
A palace official stood by the entrance, checking the guests. When he saw her face, his expression froze, and he silently gasped as if he’d seen a ghost.
He was quite old and seemed too stunned to speak properly. His lips moved several times, but no words came out.
Deng–
Just then, the magnificent bell from the North Temple rang in the distance.
Adeline raised a finger in his direction, her voice calm. “No need to record it.”
“P-Princess… Are you truly the princess?” he stuttered.
She lowered her shoulders, raised her chin, and gave him a cool, moon-thin smile.
Soon, it would be announced—the heir to the king and the most precious lady in the land would become destined partners. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Deng–
The second bell rang.
And they would know.
“Tell them,” she said, her voice steady, “Adeline Vita Marma, the princess who plunged into enemy territory in Nova to prevent war, has returned.”
The official couldn’t disobey.
Adeline ascended the stairs slowly, reaching the wide-open doors. She gazed straight at the crowded hall of nobles.
Behind her, the official’s trembling voice announced, “Ah, ADELINE VITA MARMA, HER HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS, HAS ARRIVED!”
Thousands of eyes turned to her: women dressed like peacocks, drunken nobles with red faces, the priest about to declare the crown prince’s engagement, the musicians preparing to play.
Cesare and his fiancée, dressed in white robes.
Her father, the King, and his wife, seated high above.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Adeline.
Then, the final bell rang.
Deng–!
Adeline smiled.
Her eyes were cold, unflinching, even under the flood of nosy stares raining down on her. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
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