Chapter 58

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 58

Chapter Title: Hilia's Expulsion Order

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No one had anticipated Hilia's command, and everyone froze like ice.

They had been fidgeting anxiously at the Grand Duchess's harsh words, but when she laughed at Hilia's calm response, they had relaxed.

It had seemed like the perfect, gentle flow at first glance.

'The elderly power broker of a father-in-law testing his young daughter-in-law in need, then graciously accepting her once she passed.'

But in an instant, it all flipped on its head.

Hilia hadn't said it just to prove her guts—she had genuinely issued an expulsion order to the Grand Duchess.

"Have a safe journey back. I won't see you off personally."

"What?"

The Grand Duchess Aksion's fury was not something one could easily withstand.

Even the Emperor and Empress couldn't treat her lightly.

Yet here was Hilia, young and green, her position still precarious, issuing an expulsion order.

'This is clearly a stage where Her Highness the Grand Duchess tests and takes in the Crown Princess!'

Everyone thought so.

Even Hilia's close maid, Annie.

But Hilia thought differently.

She stood ramrod straight and spoke calmly.

With everyone frozen in shock, forgetting even to breathe, Hilia's clear voice rang out sharper than ever.

"As a member of the imperial family, I must prove my worth. But I have no intention of begging someone who can't even follow basic etiquette for her support."

Principles.

Only then did it click for everyone.

Hilia's words when she first entered.

"I am Crown Prince Arpad's wife, the Crown Princess. The only woman I must show courtesy to first is Her Majesty the Empress."

So the Grand Duchess should show courtesy to the Crown Princess first.

This was an objective fact, untouched by any political views or stances.

Hilia concluded evenly.

"I haven't exchanged greetings with anyone yet, so I haven't met anyone."

A low voice leaked from the Grand Duchess's lips, which had been set in a rigid line.

"So... you don't need my help?"

It was the first time the Grand Duchess had used honorifics.

I felt a thrill race up my spine.

'Got her!'

But I didn't let it show.

Still, I answered her question honestly.

"Yes, I do. Desperately so."

No one was unaware that I needed Grand Duchess Aksion's help.

Denying it would only make me look more ridiculous.

The Grand Duchess asked, puzzled.

"Then why are you chasing me away?"

I smiled brightly in reply.

"I've never chased anyone away. I haven't met anyone here."

The Grand Duchess still hadn't shown me proper courtesy, so technically, we hadn't even greeted each other.

If I stuck to my guns, my claim that I hadn't met anyone was spot on.

In the end, my stance had been consistent from start to finish.

'You're not taking me in—I'm taking you in.'

Age and private hierarchies didn't matter.

It was all about power and rank.

And a Crown Princess dragged around by a collateral imperial couldn't hope to win against the Empress.

The Grand Duchess sighed.

"I never thought I'd get outmaneuvered by a child at my age."

I said nothing more.

I merely spoke to Annie.

"Hurry and prepare the send-off..."

The Grand Duchess cut in coldly.

"Never mind."

She slowly rose from her seat.

I felt my heart pound with anxiety.

'She wouldn't really leave, would she? That would ruin everything.'

But I didn't show it.

Partly because I had one firm conviction.

The Grand Duchess absolutely couldn't leave just like that.

The one message I'd sent via Lady Solenu had been simple.

"Do you truly believe there was no suspicion surrounding Empress Roxellin's death?"

No mother who lost a daughter could ignore those words.

The Grand Duchess's very appearance in the capital—where she hadn't set foot despite her seclusion—was proof enough.

So I could act unfazed.

And I wasn't surprised when the risen Grand Duchess didn't leave the room.

Nor when she finally bent her knee before me and paid her respects.

Even at her age, without her maids' aid, she maintained her dignified poise as she greeted me.

"Martine of the Aksion Grand Ducal House pays her respects to Her Highness the Crown Princess."

At last, I could smile and "meet" the Grand Duchess.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Grand Duchess Aksion. We can be of great help to each other."

It was my victory.

And with this, the social circles of the Empire's west had effectively knelt before me.

"Haa..."

Arpad was deeply irritated by Yulken, who was sighing as if the ground might swallow him whole in the office next door.

Yulken spewed venom when he did, but sighing didn't suit his personality.

"Haaa... Your Highness..."

And that title tacked onto the sigh grated even more.

'Why is he muttering Hilia's name to himself?'

It hadn't been long since he'd rejected every document Yulken submitted.

Yet here was Yulken scraping at his nerves again.

Arpad's hand paused as he moved to tear Yulken's latest document in half and toss it.

He'd seen the title.

-Overall Budget Allocation Request for the Artanus Hall Banquet.

-Procedures and Budget for Chartering Transport Ships for Banquet Supplies.

-Budget Allocation Request for Crown Prince's Palace Gardens and Exterior Pathways Construction.

-...Labor Costs...

...And so on.

"......"

Naturally, Hilia was leading the banquet preparations.

So these budget requests were undoubtedly for her or at her command.

He couldn't reject them just because Yulken annoyed him.

'The Artanus Hall banquet is important to me too.'

Yes.

He needed to topple the Empress and gain the Emperor's recognition.

'Only then can Hilia be officially acknowledged as Crown Princess.'

After that, no one could deny she was his wife.

"?"

Arpad paused, puzzled.

His train of thought felt off.

'This makes it seem like securing my position isn't the priority—it's Hilia being recognized as Crown Princess that matters more. Perfect setup for misunderstandings.'

Soon, Arpad sorted his thoughts.

Either way, Hilia being acknowledged as Crown Princess was good for him as Crown Prince.

Husband and wife were one body.

'Right. And she's handling the Empress check perfectly too.'

Yes. That was all.

Arpad reined in the strangely lingering thoughts and stamped the Crown Prince's seal on the documents.

They redirected every spare budget in the Crown Prince's Palace to the Artanus Hall banquet preparations.

Then, once more, Yulken let out a ground-shaking sigh.

"Haaaa... Your Highness... too..."

Arpad finally couldn't hold back.

Bam!

He slammed the office desk and snapped at Yulken.

"What's with the muttering to yourself since earlier?"

Yulken looked baffled.

"Pardon? Why do you say that? I was just lamenting a personal matter to myself..."

"If it's personal, why does Hilia come up?"

Yulken's face crumpled like he might cry.

"Ah, well... there's a good reason for it."

"Don't be cryptic—spit it out properly!"

Yulken tilted his head.

"But didn't Your Highness always say you had no interest in my personal affairs?"

True. Yulken talked a lot. Conversation was his greatest joy.

He shared tons of private stories, and Arpad always shot him down coldly.

"Isn't this your workplace? Stick to work talk."

"I have zero interest in my retainers' private lives."

Arpad declared it again now.

"Same as always. I don't care about your private life."

"Then why this time...?"

"Didn't I say? You're the one who brought up Hilia."

"......"

Yulken fell silent for a moment, rolling his eyes, then asked.

"Have you noticed anything strange lately, Your Highness?"

"What?"

Arpad's irritation flared. He hated retainers who dodged answers with nonsense.

This was the same guy who'd spouted drivel just days ago about Hilia liking him or whatever...

Then Yulken's nonsense smacked the back of Arpad's head.

"Lately, Your Highness, you've been acting just like a lovesick pup—er, I mean, a green boy unable to get his first crush out of his head. Noticed that?"