Chapter 210 (2/2)

A female doll in a dress was dancing to the serene melody.

‘Oh, it’s the Orgel.’

After listening to the calm melody for a while, I was going to cover the lid when I suddenly noticed the shape of a doll spinning to the tune of the music.

‘This one is… ?’

I pulled the Orgel with my trembling hand and looked at the doll. The female doll, dressed in a light blue dress, had shiny golden eyes with wavy silvery hair as if I was made a miniature.

But it wasn’t that important. A tiara decorated with sapphires was placed on the doll’s hair, the very tiara that only a royal woman could wear.

I stared blankly at the tiara for a long time.

A doll that looks just like me and the jewelry tiara…

Is this a simple coincidence or has he intended it? If this was intended, what is his motivation behind this gift?

Calming down my confused heart, I sighed deeply.

‘Let’s not think, Aristia.’

It had to be just a simple gift. Yes, it had to be a mere gift. I already declared in public that I would break off my engagement with him, and he accepted it. So, his attempt to restore the broken relationship was the last thing I wanted.

I shook my head vigorously to shake off my complex thoughts about it.

Pretty soon, I will successfully have the coming-of-age ceremony and solidify my position as the successor of my family. I didn’t want to be afflicted with complicated thoughts about it in the process anymore.

Looking at the silver-haired Orgel still spinning, I slowly closed the lid of the music box.

Blowing out the candle, I closed my eyes, burying my face in the pillow.

The chandelier lights, decorated with multiple layers of crystals, danced gracefully, and the walls made of transparent mirrors produced a halo of yellow light. The dark blue curtains draped on the balcony swayed in the night breeze, and the crests of the spears and shield embroidered with silver thread made a silver halo because of the swaying soft cloth.

Normally, I would have gotten carried away with the beautiful scenery, but I couldn’t concentrate, no matter how much I looked at it. Even the gentle melodies played by the musicians were going in one ear and out the other.

I kept sighing in spite of myself. Why are things being messed up like this?

“Why are you sighing like that?”

“… Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

It was the man in front of me that made me all the more confused.

The man who looked at me blankly smiled up at me, sweeping up his honey-colored hair.

When I sighed, looking at him, I suddenly noticed a brooch hanging on his collar.

The leveling scale, and the three-eyed snake and ivy coiling it.

Why did he come to my coming-of-age banquet? He was the successor of the Marquis Mirwa family, highest rank after Duke Jena in the noble faction.

“Isn’t it a banquet to commemorate your coming-of-age? It’s a happy day, Lady Monique. Why do you look pale?”

“…Oh, I’m a little tired. ”

“Oh, I see. As you don’t have your mother, I guess you must have had a hard time preparing for this big banquet. ”

“I’m okay. Thanks for your concern.”

“You’re welcome.”

I really felt uncomfortable when he kept speaking to me and acting kindly. I looked around to get away from him, but didn’t see the right person. My father already disappeared somewhere with Duke Veritas, and the members of the pro-emperor faction didn’t try to approach me after their relations with me were soured at the recent meeting. They just keept an eye on me and the son of Marquis Mirwa.