Chapter 74

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Returning to Lily Palace with Adrian, Artie found the maids in a fluster.

“Princess Marie has woken up.”

The reason was that Marie, having regained consciousness, had caused quite a commotion.

Apparently, Marie had gone off on Diano and was making a scene, demanding over and over that Artie be brought to her.

The moment Artie returned to the bedroom, Marie rushed at her and demanded.

“Artie, where on earth did you go?”

Adrian, who had entered with Artie, clicked his tongue.

“She went to clean up the mess you made.”

“The mess I made?”

Marie tilted her head and looked at Artie.

“Didn’t you hear? We went to see Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty the Emperor.”

“What? Why did you go there!”

“You came back unconscious. Of course I had to explain what happened.”

“Then it’ll be even harder to go out next time! Waaah!”

Marie, tearing at her hair, grabbed a pillow and threw it at Adrian.

“Oppa must have tattled!”

“What?”

A cold current instantly rose between the two siblings.

“It was oppa who tattled, wasn’t it!”

Marie pressed him as if there was nothing more to hear. As Adrian’s expression turned cold, Artie stepped in first.

“Marie, calm down. Sibling affection shouldn’t be damaged over something like this. I was the one who said I would tell them first.”

“What? Really?”

Marie looked unconvinced, but as Artie kept persuading her, she wavered.

“Adrian, would you step out for a moment?”

“Why should I?”

Adrian, who had taken his position with arms crossed while glaring at Marie, shrugged.

“I want to talk to Marie alone.”

If Marie had asked, he wouldn’t have pretended to listen, but since Artie asked, Adrian had no choice but to step aside.

Ever since Grace Palace, Adrian had been unable to stay by Artie’s side for some reason, so his mood was thoroughly sour.

In any case, once Adrian stepped away, Artie smiled and took Marie’s hand.

“Don’t worry. I spoke well to Their Majesties so that you can go out again next time.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

Marie’s face, which had been on the verge of tears, brightened.

“Kyaa! As expected, I only have Artie! Artie is the best!”

Of course, a condition had been added to going out, but it seemed best not to mention that now.

“But Artie. Did Mother or Father say anything strange?”

Marie, who had been stomping her feet in delight, quickly regained her senses as if she had never been excited and asked.

Artie recalled what she had heard but shook her head.

“They didn’t say anything in particular.”

“Really?”

Marie tilted her head.

“That’s strange. They wouldn’t do that.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m the only normal one in this household.”

Marie answered confidently. Artie barely suppressed the urge to deny it outright.

“Is it all over now?”

Unable to hold back any longer, Adrian appeared with a knock.

“Can’t you wait even a moment?”

“No.”

Adrian, who had appeared shamelessly despite Marie’s reproach, jerked his chin at Marie.

“Now get out.”

“Ah, seriously.”

At other times Marie would have resisted, but this time she retreated obediently. Having driven Marie out with his eyes and attitude, Adrian turned to Artie with concern.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. I’m fine!”

When Artie smiled and showed she was perfectly fine, Adrian finally felt relieved.

“You went through trouble for nothing because of Marie.”

“I’m fine, Adrian.”

It wasn’t just words—she truly was fine. When Artie smiled brightly, Adrian felt a sense of worry.

‘How is she going to survive this harsh world alone, being that kind and naive?’

It seemed he really would have to protect her.

“Next time Marie throws a tantrum, use me as an excuse and slip away.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

When Artie obediently nodded, Adrian smiled in satisfaction.

But soon, recalling the day’s events, Adrian let out a deep sigh.

“As expected, I’m the only normal one in this family.”

As if that could be true—but because it was Adrian, Artie kept her words to herself as much as possible.

‘……As expected, I’m the only normal one in this imperial palace.’

Chapter 19. After All, Digging a Hole Is Best Done Unknowingly

I quietly recalled what had happened yesterday.

Adrian, who had seemed unusually displeased, and Essen, who had maintained a cold attitude, would not leave my mind.

Even in that urgent situation, seeing how Adrian’s gaze would not leave Essen for a moment, an inexplicable sensation pushed me into a pit.

“It’s obvious, though.”

Those two were in love.

I had briefly forgotten because I was busy with life as the future Crown Princess, but Adrian’s side had originally belonged to Essen.

“What Essen said about a man’s jealousy must be related to this too.”

Suddenly realizing reality, my mood sank.

“Artie, Artie!”

The cheerful voice I hadn’t heard in a while lifted my spirits slightly. Terni came running and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Artie, didn’t this oppa miss you all this time?!”

“Come to think of it, it’s been a while.”

“Come to think of it?! That’s too mean! Isn’t that cold?!”

Terni protested with a tearful face.

“Do you know how much I’ve done for you, huh?! How many things I’ve done?!”

“How many things have you done?”

“I don’t know either.”

“…….”

That was Terni’s power—making even the joy of reunion melt away.

“I heard something interesting happened yesterday!”

“It wasn’t interesting.”

“No, I heard everything. Something happened with Diano and Princess Marie.”

“Nothing happened.”

“Don’t make me laugh! This morning, Princess Marie came to the office and dragged Diano away!”

Terni’s words surprised me more.

“Marie did?”

“Yeah!”

When Terni pressed me about what on earth had happened, I had no choice but to spill everything that had happened.

“My little sister, you’ve grown a level.”

“……?”

“As expected, you have the qualities to be my little sister!”

In the past, when Terni was like this, I had struggled because I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but now I just let it pass.

Humans really are creatures of adaptation. Nothing that person does surprises me anymore.

“So where are Marie and Lord Diano?”

“I don’t know?”

Terni tilted his head and said.

I felt a flash of anger but kept my smile as best I could and opened my mouth again.

“Oppa is an all-rounder who knows everything, aren’t you?”

“That’s right!”

“So naturally, you must also know where Marie and Lord Diano went, right?”

“Ah, as expected. You’re the only one who appreciates me, Artie. Is this why people raise younger siblings!”

I didn’t know when he had ever raised me. In any case, I got the answer I wanted.

“He dragged Diano off to the rear garden! He looked ready to destroy him!”

The moment I heard Terni’s answer, I shot to my feet.

I didn’t know exactly why Marie had dragged Lord Diano off, but it was certainly not a good situation.

“Marie already received a reprimand from Her Majesty the Empress.”

If she caused trouble in this situation, things would only get worse.

Whether Marie and Diano were still there was uncertain, but I hurried to the rear garden.

“Artie, where are you going? I’m coming too!”

Ignoring Terni, who trailed after me, I arrived at the rear garden—

“Kyaa! So cute!”

Hearing Marie’s voice, I stopped in my tracks.

What was this?

There was no way Marie would be delighted by Diano. Terni, who had stopped beside me, also questioned Marie’s voice.

“What is that sound?”

“I don’t know either.”

“What’s cute?”

Unable to contain his curiosity, Terni tried to rush over to Marie, but I grabbed him by the collar and cautiously approached where Marie was.

“This is the first gift Acacia ever gave me, and I always carry it with me.”

“How old was Acacia when she gave it to you?”

“Fu fu. Fourteen months.”

“Sob, sob. I want to see it too! Acacia as a baby!”

Marie wailed. Diano, the victor who had watched Acacia’s childhood up close, merely wore a faint smile.

I, too, muttered sorrowfully like Marie.

“I want to see it too. Acacia as a baby……!”

As the president of Asa-mo, I couldn’t help but regret not having met Acacia sooner. In this situation, only Terni tilted his head.

“Who was Acacia again? Ah, Diano’s younger sister?”

Ignoring Terni’s question lightly, I observed the two.

I had expected a murderous atmosphere, but the mood between them was incredibly warm.

It seemed Marie’s assessment of Diano had changed.

“Turns out he was a good person after all?”

Diano also nodded with a satisfied expression toward Marie.

“Please take good care of me from now on.”

“Likewise, Asa-mo senior.”

I had been watching in case I needed to mediate if their relationship was cold, but in this state, it seemed I could quietly slip away.

As I cautiously backed away, my back touched someone’s chest.

Naturally assuming it was Terni, I frowned and raised my head—

“What are you two doing here?”

Adrian was looking down at me with a furrowed brow.

“Ah.”

Startled, I pulled away from Adrian and stepped back. Adrian looked at me as if something displeased him.

“Your Highness, when did you arrive?”

“Name.”

“Ahh, Adrian.”

Adrian, having pointed out the form of address, still looked at me dissatisfied.

“I came to catch the fleeing Terni, and he was going somewhere with you. I followed. So what are you doing here?”

“That is…….”

I glanced back—Marie and Diano were still deep in conversation about Acacia.

“To catch two slackers in one place.”

Adrian laughed in disbelief. Terni retorted.

“What are you talking about, Adrian. I’m not slacking off! I’m on a great mission.”

“And what great mission would that be?”

“It’s this! Family harmony!”

Terni boldly grabbed my hand and shook it.

Why is the embarrassment always mine to bear?

Watching Terni delight like a child, I was the only one feeling embarrassed, and Adrian clicked his tongue.

“The one who will become family with Artie is me now.”

And he took my other hand—the one Terni wasn’t holding—and pulled me into his arms. My cheeks flushed bright red.