The Saintess Became the Northern Grand Duke's Daughter - Chapter 85

 

Liriette smiled faintly at Simon and Marie’s compliments.

 

Raphael, who was watching from a step away, raised the corners of his lips.

 

‘That’s right. The Young Princess is wonderful. You can’t believe she’s just a ten-year-old child.’

 

Despite that, she still had a naive side.

 

“Is it really necessary to wait that long?”

 

Liriette, who was in Simon and Marie’s arms, widened her eyes at Raphael’s voice.

 

He continued in a soft voice.

 

“I have a clever plan that will quickly change the perception of the Kukurk fruit. Would you like to hear it?”

 

***

 

The mansion of Marchioness Nersa.

 

The mansion of Marchioness Nersa, who had decided to take the Imperial Princess as her daughter-in-law, was filled with famous nobles from the north.

 

A noblewoman approached and whispered.

 

“Marchioness Nersa, have you heard that story?”

 

“…?” 

 

“I’m talking about the story that His Grace the Duke of Windsor-Ice bought the land of Kukurk.”

 

Her eyes widened at the woman’s words.

 

‘I’m now the royal in-laws, so I shouldn’t be disturbed by such a thing.’

 

Marchioness Nersa nodded with her face as calm as possible.

 

“Of course I heard. It was the most shocking thing I’ve heard in recent times.”

 

The land of Kukurk.

 

A land cursed with a curse that no crops could grow on it anymore.

 

The nobles were horrified that such a place existed in their territory.

 

So the nobles sold the land to the Duke who wanted to buy it without asking the price. Some even gave it to him without taking any money, saying that they were grateful for taking away the trouble.

 

However, as news spread that the Duke had bought more than one or two pieces of land, the nobles began to whisper.

 

“Why did His Grace the Duke of Windsor-Ice buy the land of Kukurk?” 

 

“I wonder if there is a precious treasure hidden somewhere in the land of Kukurk.”

 

“I heard that they’re trying to make a terrible weapon of massacre using the soil contaminated with Kukurk’s poison. A terrifying weapon that will kill anyone who touches the soil.”

 

The nobles chattered about the Duke’s intentions with excited faces. Marchioness Nersa, who was listening to the story, laughed.

 

“You all talk nonsense that a child would say. That’s not why His Grace the Duke of Windsor-Ice bought the land of Kukurk.”

 

The people’s eyes widened at her words.

 

Marchioness Nersa, who felt excited by the people’s gaze, took a sip of wine and continued speaking.

 

“The reason His Grace bought the land of Kukurk is because of the Young Princess of Windsor-Ice.”

 

“Because of the Young Princess?”

 

“Yes. The Young Princess visited the village of Kukurk a while ago. She said they would help the starving residents of Kukurk who couldn’t even leave the village.”

 

It was a very shocking move for a high-ranking noble family’s daughter to go to Kukurk on her own.

 

Rumors spread in an instant.

 

The nobles clicked their tongues, asking why she would go to such a dangerous place, yet the commoners’ reactions were different.

 

‘The Young Princess is the first among the nobles to show interest in the land of Kukurk. As rumored, she has an angelic heart.’

 

Liriette’s popularity among the commoners increased significantly.

 

Marchioness Nersa raised one corner of her lips, saying.

 

“That’s why the Duke of Windsor-Ice became very busy. He had to give in to his daughter’s wish to help the residents of Kukurk without any plan.”

 

The nobles said with surprised faces.

 

“So what Marchioness Nersa said is that His Grace the Duke purchased the land of Kukurk in order to protect the Young Princess’ reputation?” 

 

“If not, why would he buy such useless and unlucky land?”

 

The nobles blinked and nodded.

 

The Marchioness’ words were plausible.

 

A woman muttered with a mischievous smile.

 

“His Grace is suffering because of his reckless daughter.”

 

And the next day, invitations arrived for several nobles.

 

The person who sent the invitation with the seal of the Duke of Windsor-Ice was Liriette von Windsor-Ice.

 

***

 

Several famous ladies in northern society received Liriette’s invitation.

 

No one laughed at the invitation of a mere ten-year-old girl.

 

After all, the Young Princess of Windsor-Ice was one of the five noble women of the Empire.

 

Moreover, it was the first invitation the Young Princess of Windsor-Ice officially sent to an outsider.

 

The noble ladies arrived at Windsor-Ice Castle, feeling proud that they had been specially chosen.

 

The women who were adorned in elaborate attire opened their eyes wide. The women were greeted by Liriette in a pink dress and a young boy in a white shirt with a pink ribbon around his neck.

 

‘That person is…’

 

The women immediately realized the boy’s identity.

 

‘His Highness Prince Raphael!’

 

The women knew full well that the Prince was staying at Windsor Castle.

 

However, the Prince only stayed in the castle, and the northern nobles had little interest in a half-prince born to a lowly woman.

 

However, that was only a moment ago.

 

The women’s faces turned red like roses.

 

Pink hair fluttering. Purple eyes sparkling.

 

He looked like a fairy sent by a goddess.

 

Liriette said to the noble ladies who were staring at Raphael absentmindedly.

 

“Thank you for coming to the tea party, everyone. However, His Highness the Prince has requested to sit with us today. Is that fine with you?”

 

A tea party was a women-only area where men weren’t allowed.

 

However, to the women, Raphael wasn’t yet a man.

 

He was just a young prince with an unbelievably pretty smile. So the women nodded happily.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Raphael smiled brightly at the woman’s words.

 

“Thank you. It’s an honor to drink tea with the brave and beautiful ladies of the north.”

 

The women’s hearts thumped.

 

‘How could he do that!’

 

‘How can he smile so beautifully!’

 

‘He even speaks so beautifully. He’s so different from my son, who only knows how to eat meat despite having grown up.’

 

The women sat on their chairs, trying hard to hold back the urge to hug Raphael tightly.

 

The tea party flowed happily.

 

A beautiful garden with colorful cosmos flowers in full bloom. Fragrant tea. Sweet desserts.

 

More than anything, the host of the tea party, Liriette, led the tea party wonderfully.

 

“Countess Penelope, your hairpin looks like a butterfly. It feels like spring has come.”

 

“Baroness Asila, Grandma has told me many stories about you. I have so much to learn from the elegance that you have your fingertips covered. As she said, the way you drink tea is really elegant.”

 

“Countess Kreke, I heard you’re well-versed in literature. Can you recommend some books to read?”

 

The ladies’ cheeks bulged at Liriette’s honest yet sophisticated compliment.

 

“The Young Princess is really great at speaking. Madam Olivia taught you so well.”

 

Liriette laughed instead of answering the ladies’ words.

 

‘No. Grandma told me that I should be dignified and elegant as a princess of Windsor-Ice, but she never taught me how to shower me with such sweet compliments.’

 

The one who taught Liriette this kind of speaking was Raphael.

 

[Compliments are the most effective way to quickly gain the favor of a noblewoman. However, simple compliments that are given without thinking are meaningless. They’re completely unimpressive. You have to shake her heart by mentioning the part that a lady is most interested in and likes.]

 

Raphael met Liriette’s eyes and continued with a bright smile.

 

[The Young Princess’s blue eyes are truly beautiful, like Duke Windsor-Ice’s.]

[…]

[That’s what I mean.]

 

Liriette grabbed her chest.

 

Wow, the corners of my mouth twitched without me knowing it.

 

If he had just complimented her eye color, she wouldn’t have been so impressed. However, when she heard that she resembled the Duke, her mood was greatly lifted.

 

How could he compliment so well? Raphael answered Liriette’s question.

 

[Should I say it’s a skill that a powerless prince learned to survive in the Imperial Palace?]

 

The speaking skills that Raphael had taught her were truly amazing.

 

The women laughed heartily, their faces much more relaxed than before.

 

Feeling the softened atmosphere, Liriette felt that it was time. Raphael was the same. The two people who met eyes nodded slightly.

 

‘Now, it’s time to execute the plan.’

 

Raphael spoke first.

 

“Young Princess. The dessert that came out now is great, but I want to eat ‘that dessert.’”

 

That dessert?

 

The women opened their eyes wide and perked up their ears.