Chapter 5

The move to Oakhall Palace went smoothly. In truth, Dianne hadn’t needed to lift a finger. The palace had sent a carriage to fetch her, along with a full retinue of maids and servants.

In the end, she boarded the coach with nothing but a single small suitcase.

‘Me? The princess’s governess? If my father ever found out, he’d most likely faint on the spot.’

Her family, still living out east in the Ervinzel grand duchy, had no idea she was entering the imperial palace. Grand Duchess Ervinzel had strictly advised her to tell no one.

They would find out eventually, of course. But for now, the only ones who knew where she was headed, aside from the palace itself, were the people of House Ervinzel.

Through the window of the carriage, the grand duchy slowly receded into the distance. Dianne quietly said goodbye to the place that had been her home for the past year.

‘Please, let me return alive. And when I do, let my position still be waiting for me.’

With that silent prayer in her heart, Dianne arrived once more at Oakhall Palace.

It was just as quiet and beautiful as it had been the first time she saw it.

Countess Evelina of Ornin greeted her with the same graceful poise as before. But instead of the group of ladies-in-waiting who usually accompanied her, a single large man stood at her side. He was dressed simply, with no visible weapons, but his presence alone was enough to tell Dianne that he was no ordinary man.

Countess Evelina spoke gently.

“Welcome back, Miss Ortenza. You’ve had a long journey.”

“Thank you for receiving me, Lady Ornin.”

Dianne spread the hem of her dress and offered a respectful curtsy.

It was clear that Countess Evelina would be her direct superior from now on. Even if it was the Emperor himself who had summoned her to the palace, it wasn’t as though she would ever have the opportunity to speak with him directly.

The countess turned slightly to gesture to the man at her side.

“This is Sir Marek Reussen, of the Imperial Guard. He’ll be in charge of your protection while you stay at the palace.”

Sir Reussen gave her a slight bow. Caught off guard, Dianne quickly returned it, doing her best to hide her confusion.

‘Protection? In the palace? What kind of danger would I need protection from here?’

She couldn’t make sense of it, but neither Countess Evelina nor Sir Reussen showed any intention of explaining. The countess began walking ahead, as though it were the most natural thing in the world for a governess to be assigned a personal bodyguard.

Dianne moved to follow, reaching for the travel case the coachman had just set down, but Sir Reussen stepped in front of her.

“I’ll carry that. Please, after you.”

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“I can manage this much myself.”

“His Majesty has ordered that you be treated as a lady in full.”

Faced with an imperial decree, Dianne had no room to argue.

Countess Evelina led her deep into the heart of Oakhall, to a room at its very center. To call it a “room” was an understatement. It was more like a small residence. It included not only a bedroom, but a private parlor for receiving guests, and a dressing room. The furnishings were all heavy and antique, but the light curtains and soft bedding added a touch of warmth, striking a gentle balance.

The maids and servants who followed in behind moved quickly, unpacking Dianne’s luggage with practiced ease. She kept her expression carefully composed, but couldn’t quite stop the corner of her mouth from twitching.

She’d been treated generously at the House of Ervinzel, no doubt. But this… being received as a “lady” at Oakhall, where generations of imperial women had lived? This was on an entirely different level.

Countess Evelina spoke with effortless composure.

“I do hope the room is to your liking. I selected the bedding myself, but if it’s not to your taste…”

“Oh– no, not at all. It’s a beautiful room. I’m just grateful for such kindness.”

“I’m glad to hear it. In that case, get some rest for today.”

“Um, Lady Ornin?”

The countess had just turned to leave with Sir Reussen in tow when she paused and looked back. Dianne hesitated, then finally summoned the courage to ask. She would have to face it sooner or later, so why not now?

“When should I offer my greetings to the Princess?”

The countess didn’t answer right away. Her gaze lingered somewhere on Dianne’s face, unreadable.

An awkward silence hung in the air. Then, at last, she replied.

“It seems that will be your first assignment, Miss Ortenza.”

“…Pardon?”

“The maids will take care of your meals. And if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to come find me.”

With that, the maids who had finished unpacking swept out after the countess, leaving Dianne alone in the room.

She heaved a deep sigh and lay sideways on the long settee.

“Right. I didn’t expect this to be easy…”

But if even offering a greeting was this complicated, what was the princess’s condition? Maybe her health was far worse than people knew. Or perhaps, like Erin, she suffered from a wound no physician could see.

‘Or maybe, she’s just incredibly ill-tempered.’

Dianne sincerely hoped it wasn’t the last one.