The Princess is Going on Strike - Chapter 30
Chapter 30
I smiled and took out the proposal documents that I had been holding. This was one of the several alternatives that I came up with Ethan. Count Greeves stared at the papers, looked up at my face, then accepted which was handed to him. He quickly examined the contents before covering it again with a sigh. He stared at the ceiling with a blank expression for a time as if he were thinking. I gave him time to organize his thoughts as I picked up the tea cup and brought it to my lips.
“It is definitely an attractive plan that can crack open their flaws. However, it’ll be impossible to bring down the Brixia Family with this alone. Besides… I honestly don’t understand.”
Count Greeves rubbed his chin and looked at me. The wrinkles around his eyes made him look older than his actual age. It was as if to show evidence of the distress in his life.
“Aren’t you a member of the Brixia Family, Miss Aerylle? I’m sure you can take full advantage of that fact despite having some bad rumors circulating about since you are still born with the blood of the Brixia family. Why are you trying to destroy your family with your own hands?”
It was such an obvious question that I wasn’t surprised, and one that I heard many times. I put down my tea and spoke.
“Benefits in the name of the family, a good marriage, a wonderful life… Unfortunately, I have never received anything like that. The only things I’ve ever received were contempt, insults, and humiliation. Before you discuss my family name, think about what they call me.”
Count Greeves looked at me with a confused expression, so I decided to answer for him.
“Bastard.”
I fixed my posture.
“My family, my Father, never once recognized me as a daughter. They see me as a possession. Like a stone rolling down the street….. A possession that can get kicked or thrown around. Therefore it’s quite funny that I still have the last name Brixia attached to my name.”
I picked up the proposal that was on the table and shook it lightly. I tilted my head and asked again.
“And this isn’t some kind of trivial revenge. This is a way to protect the Brixia family name. How long do you think the Greeves family, which has established their prestige as vassals of the Brixia family for many years, last? My Father is quite talented when it comes to passing on his faults onto others. And that means….. your loyalty won’t exempt your family from being at the end of that pointed finger.”
I pushed the stack of papers back to the Count and gave him the ultimatum.
“Make your decision. Will you follow me or will you be the Brixia family’s last card which is abandoned after swearing loyalty to them, just as you’ve been doing until now?”
It was sincere advice as someone who has already been abandoned once.
“The choice is yours to make, Count Greeves.”
* * * * * * *
[Sigh.]
“I’m dead tired.”
I slumped over the bed and buried my face in my pillow. Alissa, who had followed behind me, told me that I should take off my mask as she pulled up the blanket. I turned and pulled it up to my chest then looked at Alissa. Our eyes met. Normally, people would be scared of me because of my mask, but she treated me calmly. She was a talented maid, speaking with bright words and having a quick wit in the Imperial Palace where there were many gazes and rumors that circulate. She is someone others would covet.
“Where did you go today?”
“I went to go meet Sir Bill Hellen.”
Alissa’s eyes grew wide as she asked in a surprised voice.
“Isn’t Viscount Bill Hellen famous for being quite strict?”
“Do you know of him as well?”
“Of course.”
It’s pretty interesting that you even know him.
No matter how interested one is in the aristocratic society and how keen one’s eyesight is, it’s amazing that she knew of Viscount Bill Hellen since he didn’t participate in any social activities. Alissa answered so confidently that it made it sound like she would know everything about any noble that was mentioned. I looked at her, nodded, and continued.
“Anyway, we met but had a hard time communicating well.”
“Then did things not go well?”
“No, the outcome wasn’t bad.”
But it wasn’t particularly good, either.
A few days ago, after recruiting Count Giles Greeves, I began to approach some of Oledin’s assistants who were present during the festival. With the count’s help, each one of them started to fall apart after poking at their animosity and doubts. Despite dedicating themselves to their work for many years, a lot of dissatisfaction had accumulated because of Oledin. Of course, there were some who were extremely inflexible amongst them, but that wasn’t a problem. While we were busy making preparations, Oledin was busy attending parties and enjoying himself, uninterested in knowing what was going on behind the scenes. Thanks to this, I had no problem recruiting the nobles. There were a total of 13 nobles I had my eyes on. The situation right now wasn’t bad as I had already brought 8, more than half of them, to my side.
Just as I planned…..
“Alissa.”
“Yes?”
“What is that?”
I saw Alissa unpacking a box on the table as I was organizing the events and reviewing the plan in my head.
Did I have a box like that?
I asked her what she brought this time and she shook her head.
“This arrived for you this morning.”
“Who sent it?”
“Well….. There was no sender written. I believe it’s anonymous.”
“Anonymous?”
I got up, pulled away the blanket, and walked over to the box.
It’s not a bomb, is it?
I pulled on the string to untie it and opened the lid.
“Hm…..”
“It seems to be a dress.”
She’s right. It’s a dress. Why is this here?
Alissa stared at the dress then her eyes grew wide as she pointed to a spot.
“This! Isn’t this a dress from Garrick Aldman’s Salon?”
“Garrick Aldman?”
“Yes!”
It was a name I’ve heard of before. He was a well-known dress designer in the capital who led fashion trends by often presenting unconventional dresses. I don’t really know the details, but I do remember Asterin mentioning how she absolutely had to get one designed by Garrick Aldman this year.
Why is a dress that he is known to make 4 or 5 a year here?
I stared at the dress with a blank expression then tilted my head.
“Was it delivered to the wrong person?”
“That’s impossible. Your name was written as the recipient. Aerylle Frey Brixia. Your name, Miss.”
I narrowed my eyebrows at what Alissa said as she pointed to the box. My name was written on it, but…..
How can I accept this Garrick Aldman dress? Did Ethan send it? Or is it Prince Estian?
Alissa pulled out the dress and hung it on the wall as I continued to ponder. She walked up next to me, glanced at the dress, then spoke in a voice of admiration.
“I heard that Garrick Aldman’s designs were unprecedented, but I never expected it to be to this extent.”
“…..Isn’t it too revealing?”
“Hm, it’s fashionable to wear revealing clothes these days. But it is the first time I’ve seen one this revealing.”
Alissa glanced at my chest as she spoke.
“However, I guarantee that this will suit you perfectly. You normally wear puffy dresses, but if you wore a gorgeous dress like that, I know that everyone will look your way as they pass by.”
“That’s probably because that dress is extreme.”
“That’s true, however, I don’t think anyone could just wear it.”
Alissa spoke with a long face as I slowly walked over to the dress. The color was beautiful and impressive. There was a time when I, too, dreamed of wearing a dress like this. But of course, that dream was soon shattered. I tilted my head trying to think of myself wearing a fancy dress. I couldn’t really imagine it. I had originally prepared a black dress this time as well, but now I have this bright and revealing dress…..
“I believe you can wear it to the masquerade ball tomorrow.”
“The masquerade ball…”
I did say that I would attend it, but my intention wasn’t to enjoy the ball but to meet the prince to apologize.
Besides, how can anyone dare to turn down a personal invitation from the Crown Prince?
My plan was to leave after talking to the prince, but I’d stand out too much if I wore such an eye-catching dress. I rolled my eyes, contemplating how to deal with this situation. I thought about asking Verissa if she could lend me a dress, but hated the thought of that. I pushed back my bangs and rolled my eyes.
I guess it can’t be helped.
Regalius Tome: Merry Christmas~ Additional paid chapters!