Timid and Shy - Chapter 33

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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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33.

Two days after reading the manuscript, Bian approached with a luminous expression, cradling the pages to his chest.
“It’s excellent. The story is compelling and entertaining. Most importantly, you’ve cast Prince Robert in a most favorable light. The ending suggests he and Miss Parma Gelis will fare well together—and that stark contrast to the other narrative should make it quite the sensation.”
“Hmm?”
“In the novel, Miss Isabel Wiscom and Prince Frederick’s poignant love affair is portrayed as a couple causing trouble for those around them. Prince Robert and Miss Parma Gelis suffer the consequences of their reckless affections. Isabel Wiscom appears as an ambitious woman, Frederick as a fool ensnared by a commonplace scheme. Brilliant. It suits the piece that will emerge soon.”
“Is that so?”
Prince Robert withdrew the manuscript from Bian’s arms and flipped through a page or two. After turning several leaves, he spoke.
“Parma and myself…. The Cressida house will be beside themselves. Do you approve?”
Bian nodded in agreement. It was politically expedient. Robert laughed aloud for the first time in ages—and with each passing moment, Sophia found her way deeper into his favor.
“The title should be tactlessly direct as well. The Thorn of the Rose. ‘The Thorn of the White Rose’—what do you think?”
“Dreadfully crude. Yet I understand perfectly what you’re aiming for.”
The two men exchanged sinister smiles.

***

Sophia was repotting orchids in the greenhouse. New shoots had sprouted, and she was transferring them to fresh containers. If cultivated well, each pot would fetch five coins or more.
Plants kept for three years or longer could command a silver coin, but the time required was prohibitive.
‘Should I sell quickly even at lower prices, or split them—some for fast profit, others for longer growth?’
Sophia devoted herself once more to calculations of profit. Developing and operating the salt mine, then marketing the yield, would consume time. The schedule might slip further, so she needed contingencies. The greenhouse had demanded considerable investment; she was determined to recoup at least that much in returns. It was then that Jack burst through the greenhouse door with urgency.
“Someone’s arrived from Umbreel.”
“Is that so? But why the fuss?”
“Well, they’ve asked specifically for you, Miss Sophia. Usually they ask for the Baron or your father—but they came asking for you. Do you know what this might be about?”
“I think I do. Let me wash my hands quickly.”
The response came faster than she’d anticipated—or perhaps a rejection would naturally be swift. Sophia rinsed her hands, steeling herself inwardly against disappointment. She took meticulous care with her expression, betraying nothing.
Sophia found Maeve waiting in the entrance hall. Maeve’s smile was radiant as she greeted her.
“Good day to you, Miss Ariel. I am Maeve Closter, managing Prince Robert’s affairs here in Umbreel. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Sophia found herself wondering whether Maeve’s brilliant smile signified acceptance of her proposal or was merely the practiced grace of a polite refusal.
Sophia led Maeve into the garden. The weather was splendid. After hours in the greenhouse, the open air and breeze felt invigorating. In such a mood, Sophia felt she could accept whatever answer Maeve brought with genuine equanimity.
Maeve was pleased to see Sophia pour tea without hesitation and savoring the weather with such ease.
Maeve herself indulged in the rare luxury of leisure. Over refreshments, they conversed about the beloved dessert shops of the Capital—a city she missed. There was a wistful note in her voice.
“I never imagined I’d end up in the north. When I took up service in the Prince’s household, I assumed life in the Capital was simply… how things would be. But more than anything else, it’s the people one cannot see. Letters alone…” She trailed off with a sigh. “They’re not enough.”
Sophia understood completely.
“You’re right. People are what we miss most. This is the recess season—why not invite them to Umbreel? The north’s summer arrives late and autumn comes early, so we do receive visitors seeking respite.”
“I’d like nothing more, but there are practical limitations—and frankly, I cannot spare myself. With Prince Robert away, I’ve no one to cover my duties.”
“Well, they say those who work best find their workload only multiplies.”
“That’s the truth. The more you wish to succeed, the more ambiguous it all becomes. You want to finish quickly, but then you think—there will only be more tasks awaiting.”
“Umbreel is said to be thriving and stabilizing day by day. People from Umbreel who fled to Ariel are returning to their homes. All of this is thanks to you, Closter. You’ve restored their home to them.”
Maeve beamed at the praise, though she was quick to deflect.
“Please, just call me Maeve. How could all of this be my doing alone? It’s the Emperor’s grace and Prince Robert’s leadership.”
“Such modesty as well. You truly are the Prince’s right hand.”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t claim such a role. His real right hand stands beside him even now. I’m merely here, you see.”
“Yet you administer an entire fiefdom. One doesn’t entrust such responsibility without extraordinary confidence. I’ve watched my father long enough to know how demanding territorial governance truly is.”
“That much is fair.”
Maeve’s spirits lifted considerably under the weight of genuine praise. The breeze carried fresh sweetness; the tea was delicious, the pastries divine. She gazed out over the grounds and spoke.
“Prince Robert wished me to convey his gratitude for your proposal. He is most pleased to accept it. And should you wish to publish further works, you need only send the manuscripts here.”
Maeve produced an address, which she handed to Sophia.
“Send them to that location, and we’ll ensure they reach the publisher. In this way, your authorship remains concealed.”
Maeve withdrew a purse from within her clothes.
“This is an advance. Should sales flourish, we’ll provide additional compensation based on the number of copies sold.”
The purse contained ten gold coins—far more than one would expect for a debut novelist’s contract.
Sophia turned the purse over in her hands while Maeve kept her gaze on the landscape as she continued.
“There are perpetual conspiracies against Prince Robert in the Capital. Having someone like you—someone who can help him in such ways—is a true blessing. The intensity of the Cressida assault is relentless. The Prince has endured it since childhood, so he’s grown accustomed, yet… it still causes him pain. Until Prince Frederick marries, Prince Robert will struggle to form genuine connections with anyone.”
Sophia was struck by the depth of Maeve’s concern for the Prince. “So Maeve worries about Prince Robert to such a degree. It seems he’s remained standing all this time through the support of those around him.”
Maeve nodded unconsciously before catching herself and waving a hand in protest.
“No, no. It’s all the Prince’s own strength. He keeps people like me nearby precisely to conceal that strength.”

Sophia weighed the purse in her hand, her thoughts drifting.
‘Prince Robert is certainly generous. Maeve seems quite loyal to him too. He might be a better person than I gave him credit for.’
Sophia smiled faintly as she spoke.
“I haven’t given much thought to the next novel yet. It seems better to understand the Capital’s situation first, then craft a story I truly want to tell. How is the Capital these days? Is Prince Frederick still holding his ground? With the White Rose craze sweeping through, I imagine he’s having trouble managing Lady Gelis.”
Maeve shared what she knew with Sophia.
“Well, from what I hear, Lady Gelis appears to be managing better than expected. The real problem is Prince Frederick. A novel called ‘The Language of White Roses’ has become all the rage, so all eyes have turned to Prince Frederick and Isabel Wiscom. And just like in the novel, there are widespread rumors that Prince Frederick watches Isabel Wiscom with obvious interest.”
“So it seems certain that Prince Frederick has feelings for Isabel Wiscom?”
“Yes. Everyone seems to think so. Lady Gelis has stopped attending parties entirely, but Prince Frederick participates eagerly. I’ve even heard reliable accounts that he constantly watches Isabel Wiscom.”
“And yet Lady Gelis does nothing? She doesn’t rush off to confront Wiscom or Prince Frederick? The rumors suggested she’s not the type to hold her tongue.”
“Lady Gelis must also be cautious because her betrothed is a prince. If she made a scene, the betrothal could be broken. House Gelis wouldn’t want to sever their ties with the royal family either. And why would anyone benefit if the betrothal were broken now? I certainly wouldn’t break my engagement.”
“So Prince Frederick can behave even more brazenly because it makes no difference to him whether the betrothal holds or breaks.”
“Is that the case? I hadn’t considered any ulterior motive—I simply thought that was his nature.”
Sophia’s eyes brightened as she spoke.
“As expected of someone who’s worked in the royal court—you understand the princes well. This is fortunate. I had so many questions.”
Sophia lowered her voice and asked.
“What I’m most curious about is the Empress and the Emperor. Does the Empress speak to Prince Robert in ordinary circumstances, or does she only treat him well in front of the Emperor?”
Maeve also glanced around before speaking in a hushed tone.
“Even though I worked in the royal court, I’m attached to Prince Robert’s service, so I can’t wander through the entire palace freely or pry into things. If you work in the palace, you don’t touch matters concerning the royal family’s private affairs. It’s forbidden.”
Sophia felt a pang of disappointment at Maeve’s words, but Maeve pressed on firmly.
“However, I can tell you how the Empress treats Prince Robert. The Empress never looks at Prince Robert’s face. When she does, she never meets his eyes. She doesn’t even scowl at him, but she doesn’t offer the slightest artificial smile either. The Empress unilaterally ignores Prince Robert in almost every instance.”
“I’ve heard Cressida was known for always having Prince Frederick at her side. Then who did Prince Robert spend his time with? I understand he also traveled to various territories to gain experience.”
Maeve spoke with concern in her voice.
“He carried the Emperor’s messages to visit the palace’s relatives, or else he followed the administrative officials in their work. Most of his time was spent reading. The royal relatives are numerous but distant, and since Prince Robert had virtually no maternal family, he was truly a lonely figure.”
Maeve sighed once more before continuing.
“As a marriage prospect, he needs to find a house capable of protecting him, but that’s not easy. It’s heartbreaking. If only he could find someone through marriage who would embrace him wholly—but power matters more than that.”
“Hmm… in such circumstances, Prince Robert has grown quite well. Perhaps the reason Cressida constantly checks Prince Robert is because she truly doubts Prince Frederick’s abilities.”
Maeve suddenly stood up and spoke.
“Exactly. That’s precisely it.”
Sophia looked at Maeve in confusion. Maeve continued excitedly.
“The reason they’re so obsessed with Prince Robert is because they lack confidence in Prince Frederick. They’ve observed Prince Frederick since childhood. If he had possessed superior qualities, they wouldn’t check Prince Robert to this extent. They know better than anyone. Prince Frederick lacks the qualities to be emperor.”
After her lengthy speech, Maeve seemed to realize what she’d said and sat down with a sheepish laugh.
Sophia smiled.
‘Maeve is no ordinary woman. Did Prince Robert deliberately separate her from the others?’
Maeve, feeling awkward, crunched on a cookie while gauging Sophia’s reaction.
‘She’s looking at me like I’m mad.’

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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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