NIYTR 26

Chapter 26

Edelweiss’s Diary

From the start, Tessen knew the Count of Redian intended to use Edelweiss as a means to seize control of the House of Stern.

Fearing that the emotionally transparent Edelweiss might suffer harm, he had told her not to lie, pretending to support the Count to protect her.

The day Edelweiss sent a letter saying she was in pain, Tessen had immediately begun preparing to return to the ducal estate.

But the drunken Count of Redian threw a violent fit, preventing him from leaving.

Each year, his visits to the Redian estate were not for sentiment, but strategic: to gain the Count’s vote in the Council of Elders, thereby securing succession over the Duke of Stern.

If successful, he could send the Duke and Rosemary to their fiefs—and live in the ducal manor with Edelweiss alone.

In time, he could find her a good match, someone gentle who would treat her well.

He left her alone only temporarily.

He thought just a little while wouldn’t hurt.

But then everything went awry.

Through a loyal steward, he learned that Edelweiss had discarded the Stern name and accepted Prince Damian’s proposal.

Though sleep-deprived the night before, Tessen rode out on horseback to the Marquisate of Blossomweaver as soon as he heard.

And the moment he saw her face—rage overtook him.

He had sacrificed everything in his life for Edelweiss.

But her choice to walk away from Stern felt foolish to him.

Edelweiss didn’t explain why she had done it.

Instead, she asked what right he had to interfere—insisting they were no longer even family.

He thought it was childish sulking.

That she was simply upset because he had been distant.

But Edelweiss refused his apology.

She remembered every cruel word he had carelessly said in his younger, more ignorant years.

The rash, insincere string of words born from a fleeting moment of impulse.

Tessen, who had been sitting in a daze, lost in thought, suddenly stood up.

He was determined to clear up the misunderstanding.

But on his way, a brazen maid blocked his path.

“I’m sorry, Young Lord of Stern. The young lady said she does not wish to see you.”

“Step aside immediately. I have something to say to her, so—”

“I am the young lady’s exclusive maid, and I follow only her orders. I’m sorry, but please return.”

Just as he was about to push the maid aside and go upstairs—

Click, clack.

With calm footsteps, the Marquess of Blossomweaver intervened.

“That’s enough, Tessen.”

The Marquess stopped him.

“I told you you wouldn’t be able to persuade her even if you saw her. You were so confident you’d take her back no matter what—look at you now.”

When Tessen first arrived at the Blossomweaver estate, she was certain Edelweiss wouldn’t go back.

He hadn’t understood it at first.

He had been so sure she would never choose the Marquess of Blossomweaver over someone who had lived with her all her life.

But his prediction had been completely off.

“You’re still as ill-tempered as ever.”

“And you still talk like that to your Uncle. How charming.”

He didn’t have time to spar with the Marquess.

He had to take Edelweiss back before her name was officially removed from the Stern family registry.

He couldn’t bear the thought of her marrying Prince Damian and suffering because of it.

“Leave Edelweiss alone.”

“You only make decisions for the sake of Blossomweaver. Leave my sister out of it.”

“When she came to me, Edelweiss’s eyes were dead. She looked exhausted, like she was forcing herself to breathe. It didn’t feel like she was alive because she wanted to be.”

“……”

“So what will you do? Take her back now and lose her forever? Or will you wait until she’s gone and regret it when it’s too late?”

The moment he heard those words, it felt like a splash of cold water hit him.

He kept imagining Edelweiss lifeless, her body cold after ending her life.

His heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst. He was dizzy, nauseous.

It felt like someone was tearing into his chest with bare hands.

He had already lost the Duchess of Stern—he couldn’t lose Edelweiss too.

Edelweiss was all he had left now.

For the first time, he bowed his head to the Marquess of Blossomweaver and made a request.

“Uncle.”

“What?”

“…Please, take good care of Edel. My sister.”

He had to become the Duke of Stern sooner than planned.

Only then could he make Edelweiss the Lady of Stern again, so they could live together.

He turned and returned to the Stern estate, heading straight for Edelweiss’s old room.

It was the most tucked-away room in the entire estate, where sunlight barely reached.

Even in that short time, the room had become dusty, as if no one had bothered to maintain it.

So she had been left alone, treated like this.

Waiting for him, who never came.

By her bed sat the bunny doll he had given her on his fourth birthday.

“If it’s this worn, she should’ve just thrown it away.”

It was frayed and threadbare, as if it had been hugged night after night.

On the nightstand lay a diary.

Tessen slowly opened it.

The handwriting was small and neat, just like Edelweiss’s personality.

[Year 311, November 27.

Older brother returned from the Count of Redian’s estate. He looked tired, so I couldn’t bring myself to talk to him. I hope he won’t overexert himself without thinking of his health.

He’d probably hate it if I acted clingy.

Would he like it if I made the lemon cake he likes?]

It had tasted good. Back then, Tessen had eaten all of the lemon cake Edelweiss made for him.

[April 6, 312

I prepared gloves as a birthday gift for my brother, but he ended up not wearing them at the hunting festival.

Did he not like them?

I hope it’s not because he hates me.]

He hadn’t worn them because he was worried they might get damaged during the rough hunting event, so he had deliberately stored them in a drawer.

He truly hadn’t realized Edelweiss had kept that in her heart.

Tessen quietly closed the diary and gazed out at a distant spot beyond the window.

It was still okay—for now.

Edelweiss was kind and softhearted.

If he just waited a little longer, one day she would forgive him.

A morning weighed down with fatigue. As she barely opened her eyes, Anna informed her that Madame Teresa had arrived.

It seemed she came to record the measurements she couldn’t take yesterday.

Madame Teresa apologized, saying her schedule was tight, so she had to visit early.

Edelweiss gave a polite smile and let Madame Teresa take her measurements.

“I’ve thought this before, but even without a corset, you’re far too thin.” Madame Teresa said with a tone of wonder as she measured her waist.

“Thank you.”

“Miss Edelweiss—”

At the same time, Anna’s voice asked if she could enter.

Since Anna knew Madame Teresa was taking measurements but still came in, something must have happened outside.

There was a hint of urgency in her tone, so Edelweiss asked Madame Teresa for her understanding.

When Madame Teresa said it was fine, Edelweiss allowed Anna to come in.

“What is it, Anna?”

“Miss, I think you should take a look at this…”

In Anna’s hands was a copy of the Boniel Times.

The Boniel paper was known for publishing anonymous tips about noble gossip.

‘…It’s about me?’

It reported that Edelweiss had been removed from the Stern family registry due to conflict with the Duke, and became the adopted daughter of Marquis Blossomweaver.

And that she had accepted Prince Damian’s proposal—

with speculation on whether it would end in another broken engagement.

At the bottom, it was again noted the article came from an anonymous source.

‘Was it Rosemary?’

There was no one else who held such negative feelings toward her or who would stoop to something like this.

But with it being anonymous, there was no solid proof.

“Anna. Don’t worry about it. It’ll all be resolved on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony and the wedding anyway.”

This was why she had taken the brooch from Rosemary.

At the coming-of-age ceremony, she would reveal the green butterfly and bloom a blue rose to awaken her ability—proving herself a Blossomweaver.

“Yes, Miss.”

Anna was relieved to see Edelweiss not too shaken.

“Um, Lady Edelweiss. If it’s not too forward, may I also take a look?”

Madame Teresa’s face was full of curiosity.

Since she’d learn about it eventually, there was no need to hide it. Edelweiss handed it to her.

After reading it, Madame Teresa glanced at Edelweiss, then bit her lip as though holding something back.

“Is something wrong, Madame Teresa?”

“Actually, yesterday, Lady Rosemary Benel left her fan at the boutique, so I went after her to return it. But I saw the Benel baronet’s daughter handing something to a Boniel Times staff member.”