Capítulo 1853: Chapter 1852: Breakfast at Rose Manor

Continuous rain, it’s clearly early Tuesday morning, yet the air feels stiflingly oppressive.

On the north shore of Green Lake, inside Rose Manor where Miss Galina is staying, Angelina, aided by maids, is at the dressing table made of three large mirrors, putting on makeup and tidying up. Meanwhile, she hears her maids discussing last night’s events.

Angelina went to bed early last night, which is her habit, as the Little Princess still hopes to grow taller and have a better figure… even though she’s already 17. Meanwhile, the maids who couldn’t rest early because of work noticed something unusual in the sky last night:

“It didn’t rain last night, but the clouds were heavy, and strangely, it seemed as if many people were moving inside them.”

Angelina’s ears twitched:

“Kyra, was there any commotion in the city last night?”

“Your Highness, we heard there were plans to lock down the city last night, but somehow it was not carried out.”

The tall maid responded. Angelina realized there must have been an unusual event last night, but it has already been resolved.

“Oh, Your Highness, there’s more news. Some say the shadow of an Angel appeared over the city around ten o’clock last night.”

The maid behind Angelina, combing her hair, spoke again, and looking at her reflection, the Little Princess pondered it but couldn’t quite grasp what happened. In any case, things outside are just fine now, so whatever happened last night is inconsequential.

In a good mood, she contemplated what to have for breakfast when the brown-haired maid picking shoes for Angelina added:

“About that gentleman last night, it seems he arrived at the manor around ten and hasn’t left since.”

“That gentleman” naturally refers to Shard, but the maids often use terms like “that gentleman,” “you know who,” or “him (emphatically)” when discussing him privately.

“Jane, are you sure it’s him?”

Seeing Angelina’s bright eyes in the mirror, the maid assuredly said:

“It should be true. Although the gentleman was in a hurry, I didn’t see his face, but I’m quite certain Miss Servit followed him with an orange cat.”

“Oh, such an important matter, why mention it only now?”

A wide smile blossomed on Angelina’s face, urging the maid behind her to quickly finish styling her hair. Then suddenly, she thought of another question:

“Since he didn’t leave last night, where did he stay? At Aunt’s place?”

“I don’t think so, Your Highness, please close your eyes.”

The maid quietly instructed Angelina while using an eyebrow pencil:

“Last night, Miss Servit had us prepare the guest room in the manor, yes, the one on the third floor. I think the gentleman probably spent the night there.”

Angelina then understood that Shard likely stayed at Rose Manor due to urgent matters. With this thought, her mood lifted even more, and she eagerly anticipated seeing Shard at the breakfast table.

Once finished grooming, Angelina lifted her skirt and hurriedly led her maids to the manor’s dining room, despite their reminders to slow down. A maid at the door opened the dining room door for her, revealing a grand table enough for ten people, currently occupied only by the Red-Haired Duchess at one end.

Although Angelina wasn’t the only member of the House of Cavendish accompanying Miss Galina, the Duchess only allowed Angelina and a few other princesses to dine with her. Others might still be freshening up at this time. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Miss Galina held a porcelain cup of black tea, looking at a newspaper, with no breakfast on the table, presumably waiting for others.

Angelina softly greeted her aunt at the door, then approached her side, and a maid pulled out a chair for her to sit on the Duchess’s left.

She pondered her words, noticing the newspaper detailing the aftermath of last week’s train intrusion into the city and the attempted assassination of the Princess across the lake.

“Aunt, isn’t Miss Servit here?”

“I’ve sent Tifa to the kitchen to remind them not to forget to prepare extra breakfast. You’ll soon see someone who will surprise you greatly.”

Holding the newspaper in one hand, the Red-Haired Duchess spoke, her golden eyes looking at Angelina:

“You came really early today. Didn’t you sleep well last night?”

Angelina quickly shook her head, then eagerly asked:

“Is it someone familiar, from Tobesk?”

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“Yes.”

The Duchess replied once again and complimented her grand-niece:

“You don’t seem surprised at all, which is right. A girl who makes a fuss over everything cannot accomplish great things.”

The maid placed the black tea by Angelina’s side. She took a small sip, feeling her good mood was like the sunshine outside… even though it was raining outside.

Angelina didn’t have to wait long before the sound of footsteps in the corridor reached the half-open dining room door. So, Miss Galina put down the newspaper and looked towards the door:

“Here they come, I thought I’d have to wait a bit longer. It’s been a while since I’ve had breakfast with him, these negotiations really are troublesome.”

Angelina immediately adjusted her dress and then stood up, showing a genuine smile on her face.

She looked at the door, and as the maid opened it wide, the footsteps had already reached outside the door:

“Good morning, Shar…”

She stopped mid-sentence as she made eye contact with Lecia walking through the door.

Lecia was quite puzzled by the expression on her sister’s face and looked towards Miss Galina, who also had a smile, apparently pleased about something unknown.

“Why did you stop walking?”

Shard’s figure appeared at the doorway with a cat on his shoulder, and he curiously asked. The somewhat leisurely Lecia shook her head, took Shard’s hand, and they sat down by the table. She then looked across to her awkwardly seated sister:

“Angelina was acting strange just now. When she saw me, she first had a heartfelt smile—kind of like when a royal tutor unknowingly finds a funny plot while she’s sneaking a look at a knight novel during class. It’s something that can’t be faked. Then, her expression turned to disappointment. I remember it’s only been a little half-month since she last saw me. Could she have grown tired of me so quickly?”

She said, touching her own face as she spoke. Angelina kept her head down, staring at the tablecloth, fervently wishing she was still dreaming. Fortunately, Shard came to her rescue:

“Lecia, let’s not joke around so early in the morning.”

He said, and then explained to Angelina:

“Lecia was still in Tobesk yesterday but appeared here unexpectedly. We found her in the city last night, and Tobesk has already been informed, so Yordle Palace need not worry. Fortunately, such space transfers have happened quite a bit lately, and the Church has been informed. They’ll probably send someone to talk with Lecia shortly. It’s not a big deal.”

“Then, how do we explain to the public why my sister is here?”

Lecia isn’t a minor character. If she doesn’t show up in Tobesk for a long time, it will definitely arouse suspicion.

“Today or tomorrow, have Lecia accompany me to attend a meeting, and then announce that Lecia was secretly dispatched to deliver some secret orders from my nephew. Recently, there’s been a rumor in the city that because negotiations have stalled with no result, both countries intend to halt negotiations. So, Lecia’s appearance will only lead people to guess that Yordle Palace has come up with a new idea.”

Miss Galina said. For Lecia, of course, this is not a big issue, but if they use this excuse, she might not be able to return to Tobesk for a short while:

“It’s just as well since I’m short-handed. Let Lecia stay and help me with some matters.”

The beautiful Duchess, with a morning laziness to her demeanor, looked at Shard:

“I’m entangled by these negotiations, but this matter involves the national borders and future new trade routes, so I can’t ignore it. Now that Lecia’s here, it can lessen my burden. Angelina, learn more from Lecia, your level of writing official documents is far below Tifa’s, not to mention even compared to Lecia.”

“Why do I feel like you’re mocking me for being inferior to your Head Maid?”

Lecia asked, and the Witch smiled without answering:

“In some aspects, you indeed can’t compare…”

Her gaze moved down from Lecia’s face with a smile at the corner of her mouth, and before Lecia could realize, she continued:

“Last night, seeing you were exhausted in body and mind, I agreed to let Shard stay with you. Little Lecia, the girls of the House of Cavendish must learn gratitude.”

Shard, who was inadvertently dragged into the conversation, coughed once, and placed the cat that was expecting breakfast onto the high stool newly brought by Miss Maid:

“Lecia’s arrival was indeed unexpected, but since she’s here, she should stay at the manor for now. Angelina, do me a favor. Keep an eye on Lecia, and if she suddenly disappears, please inform us in time.”

Lecia had no objections to this; she also knew that the simultaneous space transfer she and Dorothy experienced was quite unusual. Angelina quickly nodded, noticing the worry on Shard’s face and realizing he had encountered some other troubles.

The rain outside drizzled down. Though the Little Princess knew many things at this time, she was still on the brink of awakening and remained an ordinary person, aware that she couldn’t help him. The inner yearning for power quietly surged again, and gazing at Shard across the table, Angelina gently pinched her right hand beneath the table. She seemed to hear someone chuckle, knowing that another self within her was becoming increasingly clear.