Two-Faced Princess

New Embers (10)

Adrian read the letter and Apollonia accepted this.

“What about the other piece of paper?”

“It’s for you, Your Highness. If you don’t mind, he wants to see you around noon tomorrow at the innermost part of the Albrate garden where the lilies are. I think he knows that you don’t want people to know about your business, Your Highness.”

“A proposal to come and meet me in person.”

Apollonia read the letter and checked Aiter’s seal again. This matched the shape she knew. The same was true for the handwriting.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Albrate Garden,” Apollonia muttered to herself. She used to visit the place with Sid as a child. In the past, the place, which was created by someone named Albrate who opened the private property for the public, was famous for gathering plants from each continent in one place to create a spectacular view. Although it was a little less popular now, quite a few people would still visit it, including Apollonia. Every time something upsetting happened in the royal family, Sid would take her to that garden to soothe her.

“Did I ever tell Count Aiter about that?”

She traced her memories. She met him more than once as Lady Eileen Idena with her face covered. Two of those meetings were about business but the other two, which were quite congenial, were just small talk that had nothing to do with her.

“I did mention my favorite city attractions in the Capital.”

Adrian, who had changed her hair and eye color a couple of times to accompany Apollonia, said. “If he told him that story, he must really be the Count’s close confidant.”

Since so many people visit Albrate Garden, such information wouldn’t reveal her identity. Apollonia folded the letter, put it in the drawer, and replied, “We need to go and meet him.”

“Uriel should go with you. Just in case.” Adrian said. She was always worried about Apollonia, but she knew that if Uriel was with her, her master wouldn’t get hurt easily.

“I should.”

Apollonia was ready to go out at noon the next day and proceeded to Uriel’s room. She planned to leave the palace on the pretext of horseback riding.

“Hello.” Uriel greeted her with a small smile. Recently, he laughed more often than before. His smile was even prettier in broad daylight. “What’s that in your hand?”

“It’s a letter containing sudden but important news.”

He handed the paper he was holding to Apollonia.

“It’s an invitation from Marquis Trion. They want me to come to dinner——-”

She raised an eyebrow. She had expected Marquis Edwin but she didn’t expect Marquis Trion to be interested in Uriel after the victory party.

“Is it for his daughter?”

Apollonia remembered Laila Trion’s dreamy glance at Uriel at the ball.

“I thought so but it turned out that Marquis Trion was hosting the book club. Also, Marquis Edwin and Viscount Esteban are said to be there.”

Apollonia scoured the letter quickly and her expression brightened. It was an active invitation. The reason wasn’t clear but it was a sign that their hearts, which hadn’t clearly supported Caelion, were finally moved.

“I’m a little sad that I couldn’t attend, but I’ll have a chance next time.” Uriel said.

“You won’t participate?”

“Yes. Look at the date.”

Her eyes stopped at the date of the dinner invitation.

“It’s at noon?”

Uriel took the letter back and put it in the drawer. “That’s why I can’t.”

However, Apollonia opened the drawer and took out the letter again.

“Your Highness?”

“You must attend, Uriel.” Apollonia spoke briefly.

“What?”

“This is a rare opportunity. Those three are wishy-washy and it will take a long time to call them back once you refuse an invitation. Maybe, they might not call you ever again.”

“But——-”

“They definitely called you with Caelion or me in mind, and I need to know their intentions.” Apollonia held the invitation in his hand. “I’ve been there many times, and it’s a place I can go alone. Don’t worry. I can hire someone else to be my guard anyway.” Apollonia reassured him truthfully. Sometimes when she was out as Lady Eileen Idena without an escort, she would often hire a reliable civilian with experience and skills. As long as she paid money on time, they didn’t really care about their clients’ identities.