Timid and Shy - Chapter 31

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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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31.

When Palma returned to the Garris Mansion, she asked the maidservant who had come to attend to her.
“What novel is all the rage these days?”
The maid replied with a flustered expression.
“I’m afraid I have no interest in novels, miss, so I cannot answer you.”
“Is that so? Then ask one of the other servants about it.”
The maid answered and left. Palma sensed something amiss—the maid’s anxious reaction to such an innocent question was unlike her usual demeanor.
‘What are they hiding from me?’
Palma resolved that if there was indeed something being concealed from her, she would not let those responsible for obscuring the truth escape her notice.
The maid’s hands trembled. Miss Palma had sensed something was wrong, and it was only a matter of time before she uncovered the truth.
The maid immediately informed the steward, who in turn reported the matter to the Duke. Duke Garris realized he would have to intervene directly.
Duke Garris took a bound collection of serialized novels and made his way to Palma’s chamber. Moments later, a shriek erupted from within, followed by the sound of breaking objects. Then silence fell.
Once Palma had calmed down after her outburst, Duke Garris spoke with composure.
“It must be Viscount Wiscom Family’s doing. They’ll deny it outright, of course.”
“It couldn’t be anyone else.”
“No, it couldn’t.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“If we act directly, everyone will think we suppressed this novel.”
Duke Garris threw the book to the floor as if discarding something filthy. The cover bore the title “The Language of White Roses” stamped in gold leaf—a title of utterly pedestrian taste.
“Are you satisfied with this approach?”
Palma was furious, but she understood what Duke Garris meant. She was acutely aware of her own notorious reputation.

***

In keeping with the social transformation, young noblewomen and young nobles armed with new convictions continued to appear in High Society. Palma paid them little mind, considering the matter irrelevant to her own concerns.
The problem began when these newly emerged factions openly criticized in Palma’s presence young nobles and noblewomen who lacked any capability beyond their family name.
Anyone would naturally take offense at such remarks made to their face. Yet they assumed that, given Palma’s status as a duke’s daughter, she would suppress her displeasure for the sake of propriety—as other noble ladies did.
But Palma was not the sort of lady they imagined. House Garris did not simply overlook those who dared to slight them. Neither did Palma.
Whenever a young noblewoman spoke carelessly in her presence, Palma invariably repaid the slight tenfold. On this occasion too, a young lady had criticized those engaged in Idle Living, subtly mocking Palma in the process.
Palma let out a harsh laugh and spoke.
“And what exactly makes you better than me? You must have spent hours since arriving here putting on makeup, fixing your hair, and donning your dress. How many times have you attended such parties in pursuit of a suitable marriage match and useful connections? Yet you stand here mocking me and strutting about as though you’re somehow different. How laughable.”
As the young lady Palma had scorned began to scoff and offer a rebuttal, Palma smiled coldly and continued.
“Are you shameless, or simply incapable of understanding? If you’re going to speak, at least make your words worthwhile. If you truly believe ability matters more than anything, then don’t grace these gatherings with your presence—leave and go prove your worth through action. Show it through deeds, not by standing before me spouting empty platitudes that make you sound superior. What good does that do?”
Palma extended her empty glass and said.
“Why don’t you start by clearing away this cup? Then you could hardly be accused of Idle Living.”
The insulted young lady cried out loudly.
“Work does not mean attending to your whims!”
“Do you even remember how many people have served you since you arrived here? Who put you in the carriage, who steadied your hand as you stepped out, who opened the door for you? If you truly wish to transcend your station, then show gratitude to those who move in the shadows beside you—learn their names, acknowledge their labor. Do that rather than standing before me like this.”
Palma gazed at the young lady’s flushed face and shook her head disapprovingly.
“How does your ability to offend me with a few careless words serve your precious ideals and cause? You parade about as if you possess great talent and skill, yet your judgment is so shallow.”
The circle of offended young ladies raised their voices in protest.
“Isn’t your response disproportionate to a mere comment? Duke Garris’s daughter—do you lack all dignity befitting your station?”
Palma answered curtly.
“Whether my response is excessive is for me to decide. If you provoke me, you must be prepared for the consequences. It seems you’ve grown comfortable mocking House Garris. Do you dare question my dignity?”
Each time someone dared challenge her, Palma returned the blow with multiplied force. As a result, the number of young nobles and noblewomen who disappeared from High Society, driven out in disgrace, steadily increased.
Naturally, fewer and fewer dared to commit any offensive act or utterance in Palma’s presence. House Garris possessed the power to ensure it.
Yet a notorious reputation could not be escaped. Many spoke of Palma’s temperament as rough and cruel. Dark rumors circulated about the young nobles and noblewomen who had vanished. Palma cared nothing for such slander.
But now Palma was the betrothed of Crown Prince Frederick. More than that—she would soon become Empress. While she need not cultivate a spotless reputation, adding to her infamy was unwise.
For the sake of Palma’s future life in the Imperial Palace, Duke Garris wished to protect her honor. The disposal of this vile novel required careful handling.
Duke Garris spoke gently to Palma, who glared at the scattered book as she breathed heavily in anger.
“Palma. Their shameful scheming has but one purpose—to tear Frederick away from House Garris by any means. So tell me, how should we respond?”
“We must never let them take him. But that alone isn’t enough.”
“I know. It isn’t. I will repay Viscount Wiscom Family for this. We own several magazines. We can publish a novel too—one written exactly as you wish.”
“Who would read such a thing? There are already entertaining novels in circulation. It would be of little use.”
“Then what do you propose? Tell me your thoughts.”
“For now, we stay silent. We weren’t the only ones harmed by this. Let’s see what the Imperial Palace does—how Crown Prince Frederick and the Empress handle matters. This is an opportunity to gauge their capabilities.”
Duke Garris smiled and spoke.
“Quite right. It would be far better for the Imperial Palace and the Crown Prince to step forward than for us to.”
After consoling Palma, Duke Garris returned to his study. He felt relief that matters had settled to this point. The Duke spoke again, his voice noticeably more at ease.
“What is Crecida saying about all this?”
The Duke’s secretary spoke.
“Only that it’s nothing worth worrying about, sir.”
“Damn Crecida. They’re telling us to deal with House Wiscom ourselves. The Imperial Palace needs to step in, as Palma said. Are you certain the novel isn’t Crecida’s doing? Untrustworthy lot. Not a single one of them worth trusting.”
The secretary spoke carefully.
“What if we sought the cooperation of Crown Prince Robert? He’s the greatest victim of the novel—I doubt he’ll simply sit idle.”
“When criticism flooded the papers about the Crown Prince himself, he was cautious but never pressured the publishers. This time will be no different.”
“Even so, this could be an opportune moment to strengthen our bond with Crown Prince Robert. As you say, Crecida cannot be trusted. Even if they become in-laws, they’ll exploit and undermine House Garris rather than aid us. It would be no loss to cultivate stronger ties with those capable of checking Crecida.”
Duke Garris spoke again, his expression still dark.
“You’re right about that. Arrange a meeting. A discussion might serve well enough. See that Crecida learns of the meeting between Robert and us—use your wits about it.”
“There’s no need, sir. Crecida is already watching Crown Prince Robert.”
“Hmph! Crecida seems bent on manufacturing trouble where none existed.”
The secretary nodded in agreement.
“I share that assessment, sir. The more Crecida constrains Crown Prince Robert, the more the Emperor will move to protect him. Crecida’s actions will grate on the Emperor’s sensibilities.”
“Just so. A family risen overnight fumbles everything they touch—crude, inelegant, the lot of it. We need not answer to their game of pushing House Wiscom onto us. Find some other way to put this matter to rest, will you?”
“I shall look into it further, sir.”
Duke Garris fell silent in thought. His son was currently in the Fiefdom, receiving instruction in his duties as heir. The Duke considered summoning him to the Capital, then decided against it.
Gaining experience came first. Dealing with the Capital’s petty intrigues was work for the Duke himself.
Garris’s strength lay not in political machination or cunning—it came from the military. And in the military, the capacity of the leader guiding them mattered most.
His son needed time and experience to cultivate that capacity.
Duke Garris spoke, his voice tinged with preoccupation.
“We ought to keep our distance from the likes of House Wiscom, who deal in nothing but scheming in the Capital.”
The secretary ventured carefully.
“Shall we keep watch on Crown Prince Frederick?”
“Why resort to Crecida’s tactics?”
“It’s only that if House Wiscom should approach, or if Crown Prince Frederick were to meet with Isabel Wiscom in secret, we cannot predict how Miss Palma might respond.”
“If Crown Prince Frederick is caught meeting with Isabel, the betrothal will be broken.”
“Sir?”
“If the Crown Prince acts in such a manner, what choice do we have? If he thinks he can meet with Isabel Wiscom and still claim House Garris, he is sorely mistaken.”
“Then wouldn’t that play into House Wiscom’s hands?”
“Do you truly think House Wiscom can simply secure a betrothal with Crown Prince Frederick?”
The secretary frowned slightly, as if struggling to follow.
“Isn’t everything happening now designed to break the betrothal? By any means, House Wiscom intends to become betrothed to Crown Prince Frederick instead of House Garris.”
“That is not how I see it. Should the betrothal truly be severed, the Empress will have to mind her step toward us for some time—as she ought. More than that, House Wiscom will not go unpunished. They will exact a price from the Empress. They will demand something in return. Can the Empress or Crecida afford to pay it? Can they, truly?”
“Then…?”
“This crisis will show us whether Crown Prince Frederick is a worthy husband for Palma—or if he possesses the mettle to be Emperor.”
“But Crown Prince Frederick is young, sir. He may commit errors…”
Duke Garris fixed the secretary with a sharp gaze, and the man fell silent, lowering his head. The Duke finished the thought for him.
“Errors of youth… Do you not know why Crown Prince Robert dwells where he does in the Imperial Palace? That too was a mistake of the Emperor in his younger years. Do you grasp my meaning?”
“Yes. I spoke rashly, sir.”
“Let us meet with Crown Prince Robert. I’m curious what manner of man he is. He seemed to keep to the shadows always, yet of late he grows remarkably active. I should like to know why.”
Duke Garris wished to unsettle both Crown Prince Frederick and the Empress, but he was genuinely curious about Crown Prince Robert as well. By all accounts, the Crown Prince seemed devoid of ambition, yet recently his movements had taken on a different character altogether.
‘Is there some hidden reason why Crecida keeps provoking Crown Prince Robert?’

***

Crown Prince Robert’s head had been pounding of late. Between managing his Fiefdom’s affairs and attending countless gatherings, his days blurred in endless busyness. And now a new problem had emerged.
Robert cast down The Language of White Roses and turned to Bian.
“How many copies has this sold already?”
“Including newspapers and books, it’s crossed the million mark. As you can see, it’s marked as Part One, isn’t it? The sequel is expected soon, and pre-orders alone have already surpassed ten thousand copies.”
“I’m sure I’m this ‘R’ in the story, aren’t I?”
Bian nodded. Crown Prince Robert gave a bitter laugh. He couldn’t decide whether to respond to this wretched novel or ignore it entirely—neither sat well with him.
“Why do those who abuse freedom always seem more vocal than those who use it properly?”
“When you give tools to those who don’t yet understand them, they cannot use them well. Those already skilled in using them can only sway those still ignorant.”
“Exactly. I can’t simply leave it be, yet I can’t pretend to care either. What am I to do?”
As Robert struggled with the dilemma, Bian offered counsel.
“If you’ve made up your mind to leave it alone, then do not torment yourself with it. You’ll only exhaust yourself and scatter your thoughts. Rest instead.”
“That’s the trouble—I cannot simply will it away. Very well. Have the overdue reports brought to me.”
Robert quickly set aside the matter of the novel and threw himself into his work.
A few weeks passed, and already it was time for the second volume to be released. Just then, the Duke of House Garris sent word that he wished to meet with Prince Robert, and the Prince accepted at once.

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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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