Gold Coin and Freesia

“Did you really say you wouldn’t take any servants with you to the Tride estate?”
At the queen’s question, Cordelia nodded and took a spoonful of the tart fruit sherbet served as dessert.

“What do you mean?” The king, hearing this for the first time, asked with wide eyes.
“Cordelia said she wouldn’t take Mrs. Lament and the maids.”
“Why?”
The king’s face showed he couldn’t understand, but the queen, being her mother, easily guessed the reason.

“Edwin hasn’t received his title yet. In such a situation, taking Mrs. Lament and the maids isn’t appropriate.”
Cordelia’s answer was close to what the queen had guessed. Though having her attendants would show their loyalty, it would complicate their social standing. Marrying a commoner without a title made Cordelia’s position awkward, and those who followed her would be seen as insignificant.

“Cordelia, we still love and care for you. Why should that matter?”
“It doesn’t matter to me, but it does to Chester and Anna. They have potential marriage prospects, and I don’t want to cause any issues for them.”
The queen, though understanding, disliked the idea of Cordelia leaving the palace alone. She already felt guilty about many things and didn’t want her daughter to appear more vulnerable.

“Then at least take Mrs. Lament with you.”
“If I take Mrs. Lament, it would look like Chester and Anna abandoned me. I don’t want to appear pitiful.”
Cordelia replied cheerfully, pushing the dessert spoon into her mouth and squeezing her eyes shut from the tart taste.

“Who would dare say such a thing? You are the only princess of this royal family and my only daughter!”
The queen, upset, raised her voice. The king had never taken a mistress and had always been devoted to her, making them the center of the social world. To think someone would mock the royal family was unthinkable.

“People might gossip behind our backs.”
Cordelia didn’t seem bothered by her mother’s anger. Her tone suggested that once she made a decision, others had to follow. She often made decisions for her parents as well.

“When Edwin gets his title, I’ll call them. It won’t take long.”
Cordelia spoke as if everything would be settled quickly, even though she knew the compensation proposal was still floating around Parliament.

“Your Majesty.”
The queen, distressed by Cordelia’s attitude, forgot about the pain in the king’s foot and pleaded. The king groaned.

“Let’s follow Cordelia’s wishes for now. She must have her reasons.”
The king unexpectedly sided with Cordelia, looking guilty for forcing her into a marriage with a commoner.

“Your Majesty!”
It seemed like he might also be planning to give Edwin a title soon to silence any gossip.

***
After finishing their meal, Cordelia and Edwin stood up to leave. The king looked disappointed, and the queen seemed to have more to say, but Cordelia expressed her wish to leave, saying she was tired.

“I didn’t sleep well.”
At her words, the king’s gaze turned sharply to Edwin. Edwin simply smiled, knowing it wasn’t entirely untrue.

“Yes, I should have thought this through. Sharing a meal together must have been too much.”
The king, realizing his daughter’s private life was no longer his business, restrained himself, though he seemed on the verge of tears.

“……”
Do fathers always become so doting over their daughters?

Honestly, Edwin wondered about this as he looked at the king. His own father, Aaron, had only sons like Edwin and Barton, and he had never behaved so foolishly.

“If your head is useless, why not leave it in your room?”
“If I did that, my headless body would roam the estate, and would you not faint at the sight?”
Aaron, who often used rough language to criticize his sons, was not one to be easily flustered, and Edwin was not one to shrink from such attacks either.

“Are you sure it’s okay to leave even Mrs. Lament behind?”
Edwin asked Cordelia, who blinked her long lashes. Cordelia’s lashes were so long that even a blink was noticeable.

“My closest maid since childhood, Jane, recently passed away from illness. It wouldn’t make much difference who stays by my side.”
“……”
“And there are plenty of servants at the Tride estate.”
“There are more than enough servants.”

Lady Rian and Hailey prided themselves on the number of servants and the size of their estate, though it was a bit ridiculous without any guests to entertain.

“Bend down a little.”
While thinking about Rian and Hailey, Edwin bent down at Cordelia’s request. She brought her lips close to his ear.

“Mrs. Lament won’t let me sleep in.”
Just as Edwin thought he smelled a pleasant scent, he heard an unexpected reason and quietly rolled his eyes.

“You might enjoy the peace for once.”
The urge to laugh almost overwhelmed him, but he managed to keep it in check. He couldn’t let this feisty princess see any sign of it.

“If you wish.”
“……”
“Do as you please.”
Edwin straightened up and kindly told Cordelia to do as she liked. It was more comfortable for him without Mrs. Lament around to make any critical remarks.

“Please pretend not to know.”
“As you wish.”
He did feel a bit sorry for Mrs. Lament, who had cared for Cordelia with all her heart. Her devotion was not much different from that of a parent, yet Cordelia’s ingratitude was no less than any other child.

“Go on ahead, Your Highness. I have a secretary to talk to.”
When they reached the lobby, Edwin sent Cordelia up the stairs and approached Scott, who was waiting by the entrance.

“Is there a problem?”
“The Estana branch is facing an issue.”
“What issue?”
“The Estana government is trying to revoke the mining rights for iron ore. It seems Aaron is planning to send Barton to handle it.”
Edwin’s brows furrowed deeply, reflecting his irritation.

“Why send Barton? That’s my job. Did they request him?”
Edwin’s face showed he was ready to argue, but Scott, knowing nothing, looked puzzled.

“No. I think Aaron thought it wouldn’t look good for you to leave the princess so soon after your marriage…”
“He’ll only mess things up. Has he gone mad?”
Edwin cursed openly. Scott, sensing Mrs. Lament’s gaze, quickly pushed Edwin outside.

“The royal family is listening. Please…”
“Does it matter who hears when my job is being taken?”
In the garden, away from prying ears, Edwin loosened his tie in frustration.

“If Barton goes to Estana and handles it, Lady Rian won’t miss the chance.”
“I think so too.”
Scott agreed quickly. Lady Rian was always looking for opportunities to position Barton as Aaron’s successor.

“Go tell my father I will handle it myself.”
Edwin couldn’t let that happen. He ordered Scott coldly.

“Aaron doesn’t trust Barton’s abilities. He just worries about you leaving the princess alone so soon after marriage.”
Scott looked uncomfortable, struggling with how to frame Edwin’s harsh words.

“Tell him I won’t stand by while Barton takes over.”
Even though Barton was also Aaron’s son, Edwin didn’t care. He refused to let Barton take his place.

“Tell my father directly. If he ignores me and sends Barton, I’ll break the carriage and Barton’s legs.”
” ……”
“And if he still sends him, I’ll personally throw the carriage off a bridge.”
Edwin’s words were harsh, and Scott, knowing better than to argue, stared off into the garden, thinking he must never raise such a rebellious child.