Chapter 71

Since that day, Kathleen discovered several more magic stones in the mansion.

She was not conscious of them before, but now, she found that the stones were installed little by little in every nook and cranny of the entire mansion. The only difference was that, unlike the greenhouse, they were magic stones that did not emit light, hidden in the corners covered by tapestries and curtains.

As she passed by pretending not to know, she memorized the locations of the magic stones one by one. After she did, she could see that the magic stones were placed at regular intervals.

Magic stones installed in certain areas would suddenly disappear all at the same time then sometimes be replaced by new ones in other areas. She did not know where the vanished magic stones went.

However, the layout didn’t change much, so most of the time, Kathleen would go to the maze garden, where the magic stone’s power was weak, and try to see if her power would manifest there.

‘Is there a difference now than when you believed that I was the empress’ spy?’

Kathleen thought bitterly, confirming the coldness on her fingertips.

If she was in the same situation, she thought for a moment that she could fully understand him, but she was mistaken.

Alexis Walten was not someone who could trust her. He just wanted to grab her ankle and make her stay next to him.

Kathleen called her power back, put on her gloves and left the garden. It was time for her to check the newly tailored robes for the ceremony.

“Madam, the robes of the Grand Duke are more splendid than the Duke’s.”

Emily admired and showed off the robes the tailor had brought.

The white dress, embroidered with gold thread, started from the end of the skirt, and was covered with red velvet on the waist, chest, and sleeves. The red velvet, which was connected at the sleeves and hung long from the shoulders, was also embroidered with the elegant Walten family pattern, which was also in gold. Exactly the same color as Alexis’ eyes.

The large diamond kept in storage decorated the red velvet, and a long veil hung like a veil worn in a wedding.

“Look at this, the young master’s robe has the same design.”

With a proud face, Emily brought Luci who was playing with his toys from the couch. Likewise, a robe with white, red, and gold colors harmoniously combined looked cute.

“It’s so cute, our Luci.”

Kathleen took the child in her arms and burst into laughter. Emily explained excitedly.

“I heard from the butler that originally babies don’t wear robes because they don’t often participate in the ceremony for conferment of titles, but the master still ordered one. Seeing it look so good on him, I would have been sad if they didn’t get it right.”

If she took her child to the conferment ceremony, he would be widely known as the heir of Walten.

She was dumbfounded by the cynical thought that struck her, but she had to act so as not to be suspected until they left. Kathleen stood in front of the mirror as she put on the dress of the Grand Duchess.

She was unfamiliar with the reflected image of her gorgeous appearance. She had never seen herself like this before.

“Somehow, seeing the young master and the Duchess together makes me so proud.”

With joy in her eyes, Emily blushed. Luci also smiled and stretched his arms towards Kathleen. As Emily moved closer to let her hold the child, Kathleen lowered her voice.

“Emily. You told me before, right? That you’re coming with me.”

“Huh?”

“You asked me to take you. Let’s go together.”

“Madam, it can’t be…”

Emily’s eyes widened. She couldn’t open her mouth to ask if she was going to leave again. Kathleen nodded her head slowly.

Just as she was about to say something again, the door opened. They both looked back at the same time.

“Kathleen.”

Alexis, dressed in the robes of the Grand Duke entered. Kathleen smiled brightly.

“Alec. What brings you here?”

Seeing Kathleen standing in front of the mirror holding Luci, he paused for a moment and then came closer.

“You look good, both of you.”

“I’m glad. I think Luci likes it too.”

Alexis nodded his head and scanned the engraving of the Walten family on Kathleen’s sleeves. It seemed that the child and her were very much happy to be tied together under the Walten name.

A slow touch reached her neck. His body temperature was felt on her bare skin as she hadn’t worn any jewelry yet.

Every time his calloused fingers brushed against her, she felt a strange feeling. Kathleen flinched and stepped back.

“I brought accessories. Something befitting the Grand Duchess.”

He opened the lid of the black velvet box he was holding in his other hand and held it out. It was a necklace made by weaving the finest pearls in several rows. Each pearl, emitting a subtle light, was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

“It’s a necklace that goes really well with the Madam.”

Emily admired and praised, but Kathleen, without realizing it, first checked the necklace for magic stones. Having thrown away her broken earrings, she feared that he might be trying to put another shackle on her.

It was only after she confirmed that there were no magic stones, that she became filled with bitterness.

“You don’t like it?”

Alexis asked. Kathleen shook her head quickly.

“No, I like it. I was just wondering if it’s too fancy……”

“It’s for the Grand Duchess, but this is frugal enough.”

He said as he took the necklace out of the box.

“I’ll put it on you.”

Emily took Luci, and quietly left the room. Kathleen gathered her flowing hair onto one side and tied it up, waiting for him to come.

She could feel his breath in the distance. A warm touch gently brushed against her skin, contrasting with the cold pearls hanging from her neck. Kathleen quickly lowered her gaze. His scent, which seemed familiar yet unfamiliar, wafted to the tip of her nose and made her heart beat unusually.

For the brief moment he finished clasping the lock, it felt as if she was in his arms, and her heart felt strange. Kathleen clenched the hem of her dress and waited for him to move away.

“It’s done.”

It was only a few seconds, but after what felt like a few minutes passed, Alexis stepped aside. Kathleen’s whole body was fully reflected in the large mirror. The skin, which was all white, was softly dyed with a pink color.

“Your face is red.”

“……It’s a little hot.”

“You’re the type of person who easily gets cold.”

“It must have changed after having a child.”

“Then I’ll tell them to make more leather-lined coats this winter.”

Noticing her lie, Alexis answered with an extremely satisfied smile. There was no suspicion in his eyes. Kathleen thought it was rather fortunate that her face blushed.

“I will definitely wear this necklace for the award ceremony. It was a pity that the earring you gave me last time broke.”

“Yes.”

Alexis’ eyes slowly scanned Kathleen, surrounded by the symbols of Walten. He said slowly.

“If there’s anything else I don’t know, let me know. Even the smallest things.”

“You don’t know?”

“I want to know everything about you, because I haven’t been able to.”

Her neck became stiff. Unknown emotions flooded her and she couldn’t answer anything. Alexis whispered as he carefully grabbed her hand and held it.

“I won’t leave your side anymore, so tell me slowly. I’ll wait.”

His lips were warm as they softly pressed against the back of her hand. After Kathleen barely nodded her head, Alexis opened the door and walked out.

She grabbed the hem of her bell-shaped dress and walked behind the mirror. She wanted to quickly take off the clothes of the Grand Duke of Walten.

There was a rattling sound from her neck as she untied her ribbon behind her back. It was then that Kathleen remembered the pearl necklace and removed it from her neck. She wasn’t wearing much, but her free neck felt empty.

‘Why did you do that?’

Looking at the milky pearl necklace, the urge to run out and ask him immediately arose.

He was no different from Everton Winston, her biological father. Because he wanted the child of the winter fairy to hide her manifesting powers as if they didn’t exist.

Without even speaking to her friend who helped her at the risk of losing her life, she wanted to scream that and ask if she had to live with her eyes blindfolded, locked in his cage.

‘I wanted to love you, but you are the one who made it impossible.’

Kathleen wiped the wet corners of her eyes with her trembling hands.

***

The coronation and conferment of titles went smoothly.

Peter, who wore the emperor’s crown with the blessing of the High Priest, granted Alexis the title of Grand Duke. At that moment Walten, which was only a name given to a collateral line of the imperial family, now had comparable authority as a crown prince.

There were some who thought that Duke Walten was just lying low until the political situation was stabilized, and that he would betray the emperor by striking the back of his head at the right time.

“Now the whole family is together.”

After the ceremony was over and there was a break, Peter, reunited at the informal luncheon, was happy to see Luci.

“Our baby young master seems to have grown a lot more than the last time I saw him? Has he started to walk?”

“Yes, these days, he can walk well on his own. Thanks to Your Majesty’s great care.”

Luci also recognized Peter and stretched out his hand. Seeing that, Kathleen felt proud to have a child who remembered her aunt even though she hadn’t seen her face for a long time, all with her coming-of-age ceremony, the sudden death of the emperor, and preparations for the coronation ceremony.

“Can I give him a hug?”

“As much as you want.”

Luci’s nanny handed the child over to Count Schenberg, who was waiting behind her, and carefully carried the child to Peter. Perhaps Luci wasn’t afraid of the unfamiliar space and people he met for the first time because he laughed softly throughout the process.

“Luci, come visit the Imperial Palace often.”

With lovely eyes, Peter, who held her nephew for a while, handed the child back to him. Kathleen unconsciously looked at Alexis. He didn’t seem offended.

‘I’ll have to come to Peter with Luci to say our last goodbyes.’

Count Schenberg embraced Luci and gave him to his nanny. However, the smile suddenly disappeared from the child’s face, and his arms drooped as they tried to grab his nanny’s clothes.

Tableware dropped from Kathleen’s hands at the sight of her child that had stiffened and started convulsing.

“Luci!”

Alexis called out the child’s name and got up quickly. The sharp sound of the marble scraping pierced the ears.