The Departure of the Princess
Bang!
The door slammed shut with a harsh thud, leaving Olivia alone in the silence. Her throat felt raw, burning with a sharp, stinging ache. Did I play it well? Did I look composed enough?
She prayed that she had. She had to treat last night as nothing more than a fleeting dream; she had to act with reason now.
Theodore’s wife. The words felt impossibly surreal. She had never once imagined that he would desire her.
Even though a dull, lingering ache remained in her lower body, the events of the night felt like a fever dream. She suddenly traced her lips with her fingertips, feeling as if the ghost of his kiss still lingered there.
"Our marriage."
Theodore had spoken as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But to Olivia, it could never be natural. She had to leave. If he were to be dragged into her fate and die again, she didn't think she could bear it.
Tears threatened to spill, so she bowed her head in silence for a moment before wiping her eyes with her sleeve. I wish there were a mirror here, she thought.
Once she was certain that the pain in her neck had subsided and that no moisture remained on her lashes, she opened the door. Marquis Asensio and the old butler, Henry, were standing there, their expressions tight with discomfort. Olivia felt a surge of anxiety, terrified they might notice she had been crying.
"Are you alright? Theodore didn't say anything harsh to you, did he?" Marquis Asensio asked. Henry, too, looked at her with concern.
Olivia forced a calm smile and replied, "Not at all. Do I look that exhausted?"
"My lady..."
Knowing it was improper in the Marquis's presence, Henry spoke up anyway. Olivia gave him a subtle shake of her head to signal she was fine, then said in a steady voice, "More importantly, there is something I would like to ask you, Marquis."
"Of course. Ask me anything."
"When will I be able to receive my share of the inheritance?"
If possible, she wanted the narrative to be that a greedy woman had seduced the sick and delirious Count Lutgarth to steal his fortune. That way, if she failed, the Lutgarth family would not be implicated.
She felt a pang of guilt for those who would be caught in the wake of her actions, but her resolve remained firm.
At her question, Marquis Asensio could not hide his bewilderment. "Are you saying you've decided not to marry Theodore?"
"...Yes. Being the Countess of Lutgarth isn't bad, but it doesn't compare to having a fortune I can use as I please."
Olivia hoped she looked sufficiently shameless. It seemed to have worked; the Marquis's expression soured slightly.
Still, he answered honestly. "If Theodore agrees, it won't take very long."
"Does his consent matter? Even if the woman does not wish for the marriage?"
"Usually, a rejected proposal is the end of it, but Pavel seems to have never considered the possibility that you would refuse... He wrote down clauses for if Theodore were to refuse, but not for if you were to. So, we will need to settle this beforehand."
"I understand," Olivia replied calmly. "I intend to appoint a lawyer and a property manager. I will let you know once I have decided."
"Very well."
Once again, the Marquis looked stunned. It was natural that she would need a lawyer and a manager now that she was coming into a large fortune, but he was surprised that Olivia, having only finished the funeral yesterday, was already thinking of such practical matters. He felt a mix of relief that she would be fine and a slight sense of pity for Pavel. He decided he didn't need to worry about her anymore.
Olivia parted ways with Marquis Asensio and returned to the West Tower. The bedsheets had already been changed, and the room had been aired out; there was no trace of last night left. Feeling a strange sense of loss, Olivia sat on the bed, her body heavy with fatigue.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door. She sighed, wondering if she wouldn't even be granted a moment of rest, but then Mary poked her head inside.
"My lady, are you alright?"
Having finished tidying the room, Mary had been waiting in the West Tower, too worried to leave.
"What did the young master say? Surely the wedding date will be set for the full six months out, right? Even with the will, it wouldn't look good to hold a wedding immediately after the funeral."
"I am not getting married."
At Olivia's words, Mary’s mouth fell open in shock, and she burst out, "No! How could the young master do that?! After the way he treated you last night!"
"Mary."
"It’s true! It’s the very day of the master’s funeral, and if he just satisfies his own desires and ignores everything else, what are you supposed to do...!"
"I was the one who refused."
"...Pardon?" Mary cried out in surprise. "Why?"
"Mary, this is my business."
"But you love the Lutgarths. Who else is as suited to be the Countess of Lutgarth as you? That’s why the master left such a will..."
"Mary."
Finally, Olivia’s voice took on a sharp, reprimanding tone. Only then did Mary seem to realize she was overstepping her bounds as a maid; she quickly shut her mouth and lowered her head.
"I’m sorry. It’s just... it’s so unfair..."
"It’s alright. Why wouldn't I know that you say these things because you worry about me? But I don't want to feel burdened by this. Last night was... a mistake for both of us."
"My lady..."
Perhaps failing to mask her composure, Mary looked at Olivia with a pained expression. Meeting her gaze, Olivia said calmly, "I am going to leave Lutgarth."
"...Pardon?"
"You know as well as I do. The Count is gone, so what would I do staying here? Since I am to inherit a considerable sum, I intend to go to the capital and live in luxury."
"My lady..."
Mary hesitated, then offered a bright, forced smile. "Yes. That sounds wonderful. What is the point of staying in this house where all the relatives are terrible? You’ve suffered for years nursing the master, so you should take this chance to rest and do many fun things."
Knowing Mary was saying this for her sake, Olivia simply smiled. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "So, would you come with me?"
Mary’s eyes went wide. Olivia continued, "There will likely be many things different from what you expect. But I will pay you much more than you receive here. I am a wealthy woman now, after all."
She was fully aware that she was dragging Mary into a dangerous situation. But she needed someone she could trust, and above all, she needed to take Mary with her to keep the secret of last night.
Mary, unaware of Olivia’s true thoughts, beamed with joy. "If I don't follow you, who will? Don't worry! I’ve already decided to serve you until you’re a sweet old grandmother!"
"Thank you," Olivia said with a gentle smile. "Now, help me pack."
"Pardon?"
"I’m leaving early tomorrow morning. Oh, I don't mean for you to come right this instant. Just help me pack my bags, and then you should return home for now. You’ll need to say your goodbyes and settle your own things. I will explain the situation to the butler."
Mary looked dazed. While Mary went to fetch the travel trunks, Olivia wrote several letters with the calm efficiency of someone who had been preparing for this for a long time. First to the lawyer and property manager she intended to hire, then a note for Mary detailing when and where to meet, and finally, a letter to someone at her destination, giving them advance notice of her arrival.
If possible, it was best to leave quickly. This was not running away from Theodore.
Three days after the funeral, an imperial messenger would arrive. Nominally, they would be coming to discuss Theodore’s succession ceremony, but there was a reason they were sending another person only days after already sending condolences.
With the public disclosure of the will, the Schwab family had discovered that Pavel Lutgarth’s adopted daughter was not the illegitimate child born between him and Peril.
In other words, this was the first move the Schwab faction was making to verify the existence of Princess Olivia.