Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 73

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 73

‘Abandon Deshion?’

Bewilderment flashed across Heidi’s expression.

Of course, thinking about it, it wasn’t such a strange request. Heidi was well aware of the antipathy Anastasia harbored toward Deshion.

“Why?”

“He’s a thorn in my side. He’s the one who discovered you and brought you before The King in the first place.”

“…”

“I need someone to take my anger out on too, don’t I? After having my pride trampled like that, I can’t just let it slide without doing anything.”

Anastasia straightened her back as she spoke.

“So think about it…”

“No.”

Heidi answered in a clear voice.

“I refuse.”

“What?”

Anastasia raised her eyebrows.

“This isn’t something you should answer so easily.”

“…”

“Perhaps this is the last mercy I’ll show you. I guarantee you, if you make me your enemy, life won’t be easy.”

Of course it wouldn’t be.

Heidi knew well too. Just how cruel Anastasia could become.

But if there was something Heidi couldn’t let go of until the very end, it was people.

Had she asked what she hoped to gain by coming to this place?

Heidi wanted to protect the people precious to her.

She wished for the Dalton couple who had raised her with such care to live long and healthy lives. She wanted to soothe the injustice done to Eloise, who had been such a pretty and bright girl. So…

‘I hoped Deshion could be even a little more comfortable.’

Heidi clenched both fists tightly. There wasn’t the slightest waver in her eyes as she looked at Anastasia.

“I’ll try living the hard way.”

Heidi pulled up the corners of her mouth and smiled brightly.

“After all, we only live once – what fun would it be if it were only easy? Don’t you think so?”

* * *

Dawn before daybreak.

In one corner of the vast garden of the Pretium Estate, there was suspicious movement.

“Ah, it’s damp! I’m already freezing to death…”

Lawrence, who had been hiding behind the bushes, brushed off his shirt that had gotten wet with morning dew. His grumbling face was full of irritation.

At a time when he would normally be wandering through dreamland in a daze, Lawrence had secretly slipped out to the garden.

‘Now is the only chance to get into the greenhouse. If I miss this opportunity, who knows when another chance will come.’

As a result of Lawrence’s careful observation of the Estate’s servants over the past few days, the servants’ day began around six in the morning.

‘They’re all so diligent too.’

Fortunately, the gardeners’ arrival was a bit later than that.

Lawrence looked at his pocket watch and thought.

‘So… about two hours from now. I have to get out of the greenhouse within that time.’

Lawrence took a deep breath. After glancing left and right around him, he carefully opened the side door leading to the greenhouse.

Creak.

The door opened with a dreary sound, and Lawrence stepped inside the greenhouse.

The air inside the greenhouse was distinctly different from outside. Warm and humid.

Lawrence carefully lit a lamp. It was far too dim and gloomy to illuminate the entire large greenhouse, but it couldn’t be helped since he mustn’t be caught by anyone.

The spacious greenhouse was filled with plants whose names he didn’t know. About half were planted in the ground, and the other half were planted in pots.

“What? There really are only plants here?”

He had expected something like a safe to be placed there, but there were no suspicious objects inside the greenhouse. Lawrence, who had been staring intently inside a watering can, let out a deep sigh.

There were only green leaves, so could there be some secret in these plants?

‘Even if there were, how would I know! I’m not an oddball like my brother.’

Lawrence ruffled his hair. Unlike his brother Clovis, he had absolutely no interest in grass or trees.

What to do.

Lawrence’s mind flashed as he chewed the inside of his mouth.

‘I don’t know what this is, but someone outside would know.’

Oh, whatever.

Lawrence began picking one leaf from every plant he could see and stuffing them into his pocket. Gardeners or herbalists might be able to tell what kind of plant it was just by looking at the leaves, right?

Lawrence stood in front of numerous flower pots. He let out a deep sigh and muttered.

“Now it’s these ones’ turn.”

Pluck. Pluck.

Lawrence’s brow furrowed as he picked off leaves one by one.

“Why is this one so tough.”

It was a bonsai with particularly pointed leaves. Lawrence grumbled and grabbed the leaf, applying force.

“…Huh?”

Startled, Lawrence quickly let go. He had only tried to pick a leaf, but the plant’s roots had been pulled out entirely.

“No, I didn’t pull that hard, so why did this… I can just replant it quickly, right?”

Lawrence frantically reached out his hand.

That’s when it happened.

“…What’s that?”

Something strange caught Lawrence’s eye.

Next to the exposed white fine roots, something like light brown leather was faintly visible. Lawrence narrowed his eyes and leaned forward.

“It’s a notebook.”

Lawrence’s heart began to beat rapidly. He carefully took it out with trembling hands.

“If it was hidden in a place like this, then surely…”

Tap tap.

Lawrence carefully brushed off the dirt on the thin leather cover and looked around.

Crouching in front of the lamp, he opened the notebook with trembling hands. On the damp and faded paper, neat handwriting was densely written. It was Clovis’s familiar handwriting.

Lawrence’s eyes widened at the contents.

“No way, this is?”

* * *

“This person isn’t it either…”

How many wild goose chases was this now? Deshion, who had been counting inwardly, let out a hollow laugh.

He had thought it wouldn’t be difficult to find Mrs. Schuhaitz’s nephew, but who would have thought the lady had as many as eight siblings? Because of that, he had traveled all over the empire until his feet were sore.

“Then there’s exactly one person left.”

Tap.

Deshion’s finger lightly touched the name written at the end of the list.

Cecilia Nardin.

It hadn’t been easy to find her since no one knew her current situation, but fortunately she lived not too far from the Capital City.

The carriage that had traveled for a long time stopped in front of a small house in a suburban quiet village. It was an ordinary two-story house with a small courtyard.

Deshion, who had gotten out of the carriage, straightened his clothes.

“Is this the place.”

Deshion knocked on the door.

“Is anyone there?”

After a moment, the door opened slightly and a woman in modest attire poked her face out halfway.

The woman with a pale face devoid of color looked Deshion up and down with eyes full of wariness.

“Who are you?”

“Excuse me for a moment. I have a few things I’d like to ask.”

“I’m sorry, but my husband isn’t here right now. Please go to his office or come back later.”

Just as the woman pulled back to close the door.

“Are you Miss Cecilia Nardin?”

The woman hesitated at Deshion’s words.

“…What? Who?”

Deshion looked straight into the woman’s eyes and spoke.

“I’m looking for Miss Cecilia Nardin.”

“How do you know that name…”

“You are her, aren’t you?”

At Deshion’s words, her already pale face turned not just white but blue. Deshion placed his hand on the door frame and spoke.

“I am Deshion Carlos Haizen. I have a few things I’d like to ask you. Please spare me a moment of your time.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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