The Archduke’s Flower is in Jeopardy - Chapter 152



Only Krnovel

Episode 152 Side Story: Secret Society
2024.03.14.

　
The fragrant scent of afternoon tea spread softly like the languid afternoon sunlight. Six men and women of different ages were sitting at a table in the imperial palace’s drawing room where elegant tea food was prepared.

If you only looked at it from the outside, you could have misunderstood that they had gathered to enjoy a leisurely tea time, but that wasn’t the case. There was even a sense of solemnity in the eyes of those who looked at each other.

“What is the purpose of our gathering here today…” … “Everyone knows this, right?”

Among them, Ophelia spoke first.

“Sure! “Princess Ophelia was so upset when she heard about Her Majesty’s concerns.”

As Vienne answered with her eyes furrowed, Marlene, who was sitting next to her, also let out a deep sigh as if she was in deep sympathy and added her words.

“I also knew through Vienne that Her Majesty the Empress had such concerns, and she regretted paying a little more attention to it.”

Pierre, who was next to Marlene, also patted her daughter’s shoulder and opened her mouth.

“After seeing this child Marlene struggling with Her Majesty’s affairs, the old man also wanted to provide a little help, so he came along.”

Gregory, who was next to Pierre, also spoke next.

“I also received word from Marlene in advance. Aren’t Her Majesty’s concerns directly related to the future of her imperial family? “As the Chamberlain, I will do my best to resolve this matter.”

These people strengthened their solidarity by sharing their reasons and determination for gathering here.

Ophelia’s eyes filled with satisfaction looked at Vienne, Marlene, Pierre, and Gregory sitting around the table one by one, and then stopped at the last person.

Her Gregory The man sitting next to her felt Ophelia’s gaze on her and smiled at her, closing his eyes.

It was a charming smile that could shake a woman’s heart, but Ophelia, receiving her man’s smile, only grimaced. Ophelia asked him in a voice full of displeasure.

“Why is the Duke of Hilburn here? “The Prime Minister must be very busy with his work.”

Shade, who had been smiling at Ophelia’s straightforward words without asking questions, was incontinent. But soon he answered cheerfully, hiding her embarrassment.

“It would be difficult if I were to be left out of this matter. Moreover, in order to resolve Her Majesty’s concerns… … “Isn’t it necessary to approach the ‘most core essence’?”

The faces of those who understood what Shade meant when he mentioned ‘the most core essence’ turned slightly red. Despite the dumbfounded reactions of those who cleared their throats by saying ‘hmm hmm’, Shade continued speaking calmly and confidently.

“I can confidently say that out of all the people here, I am the one who knows that approach best.”

“… … what… … . “I understand first.”

Most of the people gathered here, including Ophelia herself, were single with little dating experience. Ophelia, unable to find room to refute Shade’s words, put on her shocked expression and reluctantly accepted him.
　

As a result, a total of six secret societies were formed.

“We have only one purpose.”

Ophelia once again emphasized the purpose of the death squad in her serious voice.

“It’s about resolving the Empress’s concerns. “Her concerns are also our concerns.”

“of course.”

Everyone else responded to Ophelia’s words with determination.

“I’m sure everyone has heard about it to some extent, but… … “It was by chance that I heard about the Empress’ concerns.”

The beginning of this organization began when Ophelia visited the Jupiter Empire some time ago.

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Ophelia saw the face of her close friend for the first time in a long time.

– Welcome. Ophelia!

– Eidel, how are you? Even though we’ve exchanged letters, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other in person.

– I missed you. I’m glad you came to Jupiter.

While Aedel returned to her home after giving birth and juggled her studies and imperial duties, Ophelia was also busy promoting the activities of the ‘Women in Action’ association in Lisandro.

The joy and joy of seeing each other for the first time in a long time was overflowing in their eyes.

– The prince must have grown up a lot during that time. They say Rainion looks a lot like you.

-Would you like to meet in person? It’s just about time for the prince to finish his morning training.

Her maid, who understood Eidel’s will, headed to the emperor’s womb, and soon after, Lillian arrived in the garden of the empress’ palace where they were.

– mom!

– Lillian, don’t run, walk slowly.

When Lillian, who was walking with her maid, noticed her child Del and showed signs of running towards her, she smiled softly and skillfully comforted her.

At her words, Lillian started walking with a dignified expression on her face, but I couldn’t help but speed up my pace without realizing it. Idel bent down and spread her arms, and Lillian came to her side and fell into her arms.

– Did you enjoy studying today?

– yes! Learn the history of the empire. (I learned.)

Lillian, now three years old, was gradually improving her verbal expressions. Expressing herself and answering questions has also become much better than before.

After she finished her education, Lillian loved talking to her mother about what she had learned. Even today, she chattered like a little bird to her child Del. She loved the child’s smiling face.

– oh my god… … .

Meanwhile, Ophelia, who was quietly watching them from the side, let out a low exclamation. She didn’t know that her eyes filled with emotion would leave the prince.

She said, ‘She didn’t know when she saw it from afar… … .’

When the child spotted the prince walking from afar, he looked like a miniature version of his father. But when the prince, with his dark hair, dark blue eyes and handsome features, smiled at Idel, her mood completely changed.

‘Her smiling face looks exactly like Idel’s.’

The way they looked at each other and smiled was clearly a mother and son relationship.

-Who is this person?

Lillian’s curious eyes, which were only looking at her mother, finally turned to Ophelia.

– I use Dharma for my mother’s friend. (It looks similar.)

– That’s right. This is her and her brother and sister, Princess Ophelia of the Lysandro Empire. Ophelia is also her mother’s precious close friend.

Upon hearing Idel’s introduction, Lillian’s gaze towards Ophelia quickly changed from curiosity to fondness.

– Say hello to Ophelia.

– hello. This is Lillian.

Lillian came out of Idel’s arms for a moment and greeted her with an upright posture, placing one hand on her chest.

– nice to meet you. Prince Lillian. I’ve been missing you for a while, and I’m glad I got to meet you like this.

Ofelia smiled and responded to her child’s polite and cute greeting. Then Lillian asked Ophelia again, her eyes filled with curiosity.

-Ophelia is her younger sister?

– Oh, were you asking if I was Rainion’s younger brother?

She nodded as if it was Lillian, and Ophelia answered with a bright smile.

– that’s right. I am Rainion’s younger sister.

-Her younger sister… … .

At the words Lillian muttered, Eidel’s expression hardened slightly. Before her child had even a look of embarrassment on her face, Lillian looked at her and asked innocently:

-Do I also have a younger sister? (Is there one?)

To be precise, the question was whether she could have a younger sister. Lillian, who understands and gets to know the relationships of her family members, had asked a similar question last time.

After she explained the relationship between Caeron and Pascal. After learning about the concept of ‘younger brother’, Lillian asked if she had a younger brother as she does now.

Even then, he was tired of explaining to Lillian that her little brother could not be born right away. Idel smiled awkwardly in response to Lillian’s embarrassing question again.

– Lillian… … As she said last time, her little brother won’t be born right away.

– So how does it come about?

Idel closed his eyes for a moment in response to the series of questions that followed. An explanation appropriate to a child’s level was still needed.

– that… … As her father and mother share their love with each other, new life is created, grows, and is able to be born. Just like Lillian did.

Lillian, who had been listening to her child Del’s explanation while rolling her eyes, looked at her as if she understood and exclaimed in her bright voice.

– Then dad and mom make love! Please share! (Share a lot!)

She gave Lillian her dainty arms up and around as wide as she could.

– If your younger brother has a lot of money, use it as a joke! (I hope I have many younger siblings!)

– Lillian… … .

Eidel looked at her son’s flawless face with a troubled expression. As she noticed her child’s dark expression, her concern flashed through Ophelia’s eyes as well.

After a while, Lillian left her place to go to her afternoon training, and Ophelia, who was left alone with Idelle, asked her something.

– Eidel, are you worried? Earlier, when Prince Lillian brought up the story of her younger brother… … Your expression looked dark.

– ah… … that is… … .

After a moment of hesitation, Idel confessed to Ophelia her inner pain that she had kept to herself.

– actually… … I also want to make Lillian her little sister.

Whether it was her younger sister or her younger brother, Idelle wanted to have a second child just as Lillian did. but… … .

– However, my thoughts and His Majesty’s thoughts are different.

-If it’s different… … ?

-Perhaps it was because she saw that she suffered from difficult birth when giving birth to Lillian… … It seems like he doesn’t want me to get pregnant again.

Last time, Lillian learned about the sibling relationship between Caeron and Pascal and mentioned that she wanted a younger brother.

As they went to bed together and shared the day’s events with Caeron, Idelle brought up the story of what Lillian had told her, and how she had secretly asked him about her intention to have a second child.

But Caeron flatly refused, saying he could not risk her childbirth. He said that Lillian alone is enough for the child between him and her.

– I don’t know how to change his mind. I want to give Lillian a brother before it’s too late… … . Because I can’t make a child by myself.

Looking at Idel sighing heavily, Ophelia also had a sad look on her face.

– Eidel, don’t worry too much.

Ophelia, who had been pondering for a while, seemed to have decided on something, and took Eidel’s hand.

– I will do my best to help you. So that your concerns can be resolved. Just trust me. Okay?

At Ophelia’s firm voice that seemed to contain her promise, Idel nodded her head without thinking.

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At this time, Eidel thought that Ophelia’s words were just meant to comfort her.

However, when she encountered the six members of the secret society gathered in the living room, she realized that it was not just comfort.