Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Side Story 2

Throughout the summer, the two had stayed in the capital and only returned to Cladis just before the harvest season. Now, it truly felt like home to Miesa, and a familiar face awaited them there.

“Mother!”

As the carriage stopped in front of the castle gates, the former Margravine of Cladnier, who had been eagerly waiting, greeted them with a broad smile.

“I heard you were coming back, so I made sure to be here on time. It seems you stopped by several places on your way back again. It took an extra week.”

“That’s right! Mother, look at this!”

While most people might feel uneasy if the previous lady of the house had taken over in their absence, Miesa was happy, showing off the flower crown that her husband had made for her.

“Eirik made it for me the day before yesterday! Originally, the flowers here were red… though they look brown now.”

“Did he make it himself? Impressive.”

“But they’ve all withered. There’s no way to bring them back, is there?”

Seeing Miesa’s disappointment, the great madam offered a solution.

“…Why don’t we call a painter tomorrow and have them sketch the flower crown first? After the harvest festival, when we have some time, you could have a portrait painted wearing it. That way, the crown will always remain fresh.”

Miesa smiled in relief. As they continued talking, she noticed that the great lord, who was usually by the great madam’s side, was nowhere to be seen. Only the line of attendants standing behind them bowed respectfully.

“Where is Father?”

“He said he’d come once we set the date for the banquet. Thanks to you, I get to enjoy peaceful days, one after another.”

The great madam smiled contentedly, grateful for having managed to keep her troublesome husband occupied.

Whenever Miesa asked questions about battles and tactics, the great lord would lose track of time while explaining everything to her. One day, inspired as if by a revelation, he decided to write a tactical manual to pass down through the generations of the Cladnier family.

“He’s only gotten to the battles from ten years ago, so I think I can enjoy this freedom for another two or three years. He locks himself in the study day and night, asking incessant questions about whom I’ve met and what I’ve done.”

The great madam laughed in relief, but she noticed Miesa’s expression darken.

“Still, if you want to see him, he would drop everything and come right away. If I send a messenger now, he could be here by tomorrow evening.”

“Alright.”

Despite the great madam’s comforting words, Miesa forced a smile. She still felt uneasy.

“Is Hagail’s firstborn healthy?”

“Yes. They say the king can’t stop smiling.”

It was late at night. Siata, the maid and spy who had accompanied the Cladnier couple to the capital, reported to the great madam first. This was to spare the tired couple from a barrage of questions after their long journey, and both Eirik and Miesa had readily agreed.

“While the other lords’ gifts were sent directly to storage, the king ordered that the treasures prepared by the Margrave be used to decorate the central palace.”

As Siata calmly relayed what she had observed, the great madam’s expression grew more satisfied. When she mentioned that the king had reciprocated by sending boxes of jewels and gold coins matching the number of chests they had brought, the great madam even laughed aloud.

“It seems like ages ago that people called Hagail a madman.”

Siata continued her report, not omitting that the Margravine had gone to the royal bedchamber and met with the queen.

“…I hear the king is especially devoted to the queen. In any case, Miesa must have been very happy to see someone she cherished.”

As the great madam nodded, Siata hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Actually, the Margravine seemed a bit unsettled afterward.”

“Why?”

“No one knows for sure. She didn’t seem happy when she saw the prince, and after meeting the queen, she seemed even more…”

Hearing the unexpected news, the great madam tilted her head in confusion.

“Did the king say something during their private conversation? Or perhaps someone dared to say something unpleasant about the future heir of the Cladnier family.”

However, Siata had no answers. The great madam decided she would have to ask Miesa herself when the time was right.

With the Cladnier couple’s return coinciding with the harvest festival, preparations for the celebration were in full swing within Cladis’s castle. While the great madam was busy attending to all the details, Miesa sat beside her, leisurely nibbling on sweets.

“Miesa, are you watching and learning? You’ll have to oversee everything yourself next year.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m deliberately not listening to what you’re saying.”

The great madam raised an eyebrow in surprise, and Miesa, lounging on the sofa, continued with a bright smile, “I don’t know anything yet, so I’ll need your help for next year’s harvest festival, and the one after that, and the one after that too…”

The great madam tried to glare at her, but seeing the crumbs on Miesa’s lips made her attempt fail.

“If you eat so many sweets, what about dinner later?”

Though she tried to sound stern, her expression couldn’t hide her affection. As she reached out to brush the crumbs from Miesa’s cheek, Miesa grinned.

“It’s alright. I’ll climb a few trees in the garden, and then I’ll be hungry.”

“…Very well. Just be sure to come back before sunset.”

The great madam tied Miesa’s hair ribbon securely and patted her, pointing toward the back garden.

“There are a lot of people moving around for the banquet preparations, so it might be dangerous. Go play in the back garden instead.”

“Yes.”

“Take at least two knights with you.”

“Alright.”

After all, even if Siata, disguised as a maid, was one of the best spies, she couldn’t wield a sword in public. Miesa nodded obediently and laughed as she headed to the back garden with Siata.

The great madam stood by the window, watching until Miesa was out of sight, then turned, meeting the butler’s eyes and giving a wry smile.

“Spoiling her too much is becoming a problem.”

“Madam, the Margravine behaves quite differently when you’re here compared to when you’re not.”

The steward spoke with a troubled smile, and the great madam sighed.

“I know. No matter how well she does, she acts like a child whenever I’m around. Perhaps I shouldn’t visit the castle too often.”

But what could she do when she missed her so much whenever they were apart? The great madam chuckled and asked the butler to double-check everything before the banquet, then remembered something.

“By the way, did Miesa say she would wear a pale pink organza dress?”

Now that she thought about it, she still hadn’t decided on her own outfit for the banquet. The great madam’s question had an underlying intention of wanting to ensure her choice of attire would complement Miesa’s.

The butler bowed and answered, “The madam mentioned she was considering changing to a blue satin dress, as well as wearing the rare emerald necklace gifted by His Majesty in return.”

Since the king was emphasizing his friendly relationship with the Cladnier family, it seemed like a good choice to reciprocate. Other guests from different regions were also expected at the banquet, so word would likely spread on its own.

“When did Miesa begin considering such things? How commendable.”

The great madam nodded in satisfaction, smiling.

For the wife of a high-ranking noble family, such behavior might have been as natural as breathing, but coming from Miesa, it was especially moving to the great madam.

The day of the banquet arrived. In the central hall, where everyone was gathered, Miesa appeared in her blue silk dress. Her elegant demeanor evoked memories of her past as the ruler of Esquillir.

The necklace adorning Miesa’s slender neck, featuring a central emerald surrounded by radiant diamonds, drew everyone’s attention. Noble ladies marveled at her dignified presence and the rare royal gift, bowing in admiration.

Beside her stood Eirik Cladnier, the lord of Cladis, whose long scar from the last war with Sidate added a rugged touch to his handsome features.

Both the vassals and visiting guests from other regions gazed at the Cladnier couple with awe. They could only wonder what conversation the couple might be sharing.

“I’ll dance the first dance with you, but the second will be with Viscount Skaella.”

“If we’re prioritizing, the eldest son of Marquis Hetav should come before Viscount Skaella, since we should respect the guests from other families.”

“Fine, but I’ll still dance the third with Viscount Skaella.”

“As you wish. I’ll accompany Madam Raviate.”

Eirik readily nodded, but Miesa was not pleased. She had been openly chatting with the young and handsome Viscount Skaella, the youngest of the Cladnier family’s vassals, yet Eirik seemed oblivious.

It wasn’t just that. During the banquet, Miesa had subtly praised Viscount Skaella multiple times, but Eirik only smiled in response.

“The Skaella family has always been loyal. The young viscount, though inexperienced, has great potential.”

The more generously Eirik smiled, the worse Miesa’s mood became. Even after dancing twice with Viscount Skaella, Eirik discreetly offered her compliments in private.

“You only stepped on his foot three times. You’ve improved.”

Though he spoke matter-of-factly, and it was a compliment nonetheless, Miesa returned his smile, but her insides were boiling.