The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 173

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 173
Heidi found Miller increasingly difficult to bear after meeting April, especially as his nerves grew ever more frayed.
He kept drinking to dull that edge.
The children, frightened of their father, would not approach him and instead came whimpering to Heidi.
Though they had a nursemaid, it was not enough. Joshua, the eldest, was now at an age to begin his proper succession training—a time when Miller should have been at his side all day, teaching him—and his absence left Heidi anxious.
With nothing going as she wished, Heidi grew weary. Sadness crept over her.
Her only comfort was that March had arrived and the Social Season was stirring to life once more. Yet the weeks remaining until spring truly came felt painfully long.
The Left Island, by contrast, was already bustling with preparations for social events.
The Rasa Empire, far warmer than the Dieusz Grand Duchy, began its Social Season in March, marked by the Coronation Anniversary celebration.
Several nobles in her circle spoke of attending the Coronation Anniversary in Rasa. It would be comforting to go, she thought—but she had no excuse.
March brought heavy snow again. Yet the temperature had risen enough that the bitter cold no longer bit at the skin.
Having been confined to the Grand Duke’s Residence during the citizens’ protests, Heidi ventured out for nearly the first time since April and Pejin’s wedding, taking tea with friends and walking the promenade.
Those she passed greeted the Duchess, who had seldom been seen of late.
Throughout the Grand Duchy, everyone bowed to her. Heidi smiled back at them with practiced ease.
As she walked, she stopped suddenly.
A flag hung from a university gate visible from the promenade—the flag of a shelter.
One of her attendants noticed her gaze, questioned a student who frequented the university, and returned with an answer.
“It seems the shelter designated during the Fog was of great help to the citizens. Miss April Lunos came to consult with one of the university’s professors today, and the university hung this flag as a gesture of gratitude.”
……
For so long, the people of this island had despised April Lunos. This sudden shift in sentiment pressed down on Heidi’s heart even more.
If the citizens turned favorable toward April, they would surely point fingers at her for breaking their betrothal—a fear already borne out when Pejin, of all people, had heard idle talk and questioned Joshua about it so persistently.
In Heidi’s memory, April Lunos was not a woman worthy of gratitude.
How had she looked at her? That arrogant, insufferably arrogant woman did not deserve to be honored.
Heidi spoke.
“Take down the flag.”
“Pardon?”
“At once.”
“Ah, yes, of course. It should come down. It’s not a shelter anymore anyway.”
At Heidi’s command, her attendants hurried to remove the flag.
Having wielded power in a way she seldom did, Heidi returned to her carriage.
On the drive back to the Grand Duke’s Residence, it was all she could do to calm her racing heart. Her body trembled as though shocked by her own actions.
Whenever she became entangled with April Lunos, her patience drained away. Even after all this time, it still did.
When Heidi at last returned to the Grand Duke’s Residence, having cut short her outing, an unexpected joy awaited her.
An officer of the Empire Police approached with a respectful bow and spoke.
“Commissioner Pejin entrusted me with a request before he lost consciousness, and so I have come to see you.”
“Pejin?”
Unable to guess what he might have asked, she furrowed her brow as the officer handed her a box containing an Invitation.
“As you know, the Rasa Social Season begins far earlier than in the Grand Duchy. Commissioner Pejin made a request to Her Majesty the Empress—that you, the Duchess, be able to enjoy the Social Season early. Her Majesty graciously accepted his request and sent this Invitation.”
……
It had always been so. Since childhood, it was Pejin who soothed her heart when she was troubled.
Heidi opened the box and found an Invitation to the Coronation Anniversary celebration.
She smiled. Then her expression grew wistful.
“I’m grateful for the invitation, but I don’t think I can go alone and leave Miller behind.”
“You need not decide at once, but…declining an invitation from Her Majesty the Empress would be difficult.”
The implication was clear: the choice was not hers to make.
As Heidi hesitated, the officer continued.
“The Coronation Anniversary celebration is the largest and most splendid party in Rasa. It would be well worth attending.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
With that, the officer who had delivered the Invitation took his leave.
Heidi opened the box once more.
It was decorated with silk as white as snow. That such fine silk should be used merely for a box holding an Invitation spoke volumes about the grandeur of the party.
Of course, she could host an equally lavish party if she wished. But what she needed now was a turning point, a way to break through this suffocating despair.
Above all, she wanted to put some distance between herself and Miller. And she wanted to check on Pejin’s condition.
She wanted to see the early spring blossoms.
* * *
Professor Ram, who had been speaking with April and was Kritz’s master—a man whose knowledge had often aided her research—apologized in apparent embarrassment.
“I do apologize. Since the Duchess issued the order, we had no choice but…”
“It’s fine. I appreciated the thought behind it.”
April watched as the flag was lowered.
She felt grateful to the university for making her come into such sharp focus in Heidi’s vision.
She had intended to unsettle her, but she hadn’t anticipated the university would make her so conspicuous by hanging the flag. That the flag had been ordered down meant Heidi’s anger had been provoked.
Learning that alone was a significant gain.
April turned her gaze from the flag and returned to their earlier conversation.
“We can’t keep that factory closed indefinitely. But we can’t operate it if it’s not safe.”
“Yes, I thank you once again for your brave decision to halt the factory for the Grand Duchy’s sake.”
April wanted to say that Pejin’s role had been large. His name circled on her tongue. But she could not speak it. He had to remain the Empire’s hero.
April smiled and spoke.
“Brave is generous. It was the obvious choice.”
“You are too modest.”
“I’m not a modest person. I calculated that it would benefit me more. Anyway…I heard the Empire couldn’t do anything about the Gas buried beneath the factory because they had no way to transport it.”
“It would have been good if they could have supplied it to the Grand Duchy.”
“They wouldn’t have wanted that. Sharing anything they’ve extracted with us?”
“True enough. That’s the sort of people they are—those Empire bastards.”
As Professor Ram warmed to the subject, April laughed and spoke.
“Mind your tongue. You never know who might be listening.”
“I’ve lived long enough. I’m not so old that fear keeps me from speaking my mind.”
Professor Ram replied, then continued.
“I shall take charge of the research you mentioned regarding that Gas.”
“Thank you. You must be busy.”
“This is clearly the research that must be done first.”
“Come to my Fiefdom whenever you wish to conduct your research. I’ll keep my doors open to you and your students at all times.”
“Understood. I’ll remember that.”
Once they had finished their discussion, Professor Ram walked April out across the campus.
He asked.
“How is Kritz? Is he being helpful?”
“Very much so.”
“I hear he’s been researching spirits.”
“Once safety is confirmed, I’ll bring you a lifetime supply.”
“Ha, so your thirst runs that deep, does it?”
Professor Ram chuckled. Then he stopped walking. Turning to April, who had stopped as well, he spoke.
“Thanks to you, we have been delivered from the danger of the Fog.”
His voice trembled as he spoke.
“I am grateful. For accomplishing what we scholars could not.”
“No. It was Kritz who discovered the connection between the Fog and the factory. Without the scholars’ help, I would have been able to do nothing.”
April continued, looking around the university.
“This is the finest research institution on the Right Island. If there are any problems with your work, tell me. I’ll solve them. And take this to the bank. It’s a donation.”
At the sum of the donation April presented, Professor Ram’s eyes widened.
“I—I cannot accept such a large donation!”
“What do you mean? Yes, you can.”
“You have a keen talent for business, or so it seems to me. Wouldn’t it be better to invest elsewhere?”
“This is money I recovered from a Gas merchant who was a swindler. Commissioner Pejin’s financial manager said I could spend it as I saw fit. If I have that much discretion over funds, then I’ll use it to gain deeper knowledge of our island so I can restart the factory. That’s a fundamental and certain investment in the Right Island.”
……
“Again, that subsidy comes from Commissioner Pejin. Perhaps you could commission a commemorative stone.”
Having said this, April turned to leave.
Professor Ram checked the figures once more, clutched his head, and hurried off to seek the knowledge he would return to her.

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