Chapter 11
"N-no! I'm really not sick anymore. Not even a little~"
Trinia hurriedly waved her hands and even forced a bright smile.
But Riena only looked more concerned.
"You don't have to force yourself to smile like that. If you're hurting, you can just say so, right? Don't tell me the maids have been making you uncomfortable!"
"What?!"
The maids immediately lowered their heads.
"It was our mistake! We apologize, Your Highness!"
Everything flowed so perfectly that Trinia didn't even have a chance to interrupt.
"Pay. More. Attention. From now on, okay~?"
"Yes! We'll be even more attentive!"
"Come to think of it, you must be bored all day. Ah, Trinia! Should I find you some friends?"
"N-no, that's all right! I'm sick anyway, so I don't have anything to do all day."
"Exactly! That must be so boring! I'll find you some friends too!"
This was a disaster.
Trinia managed an awkward smile, though her face looked ready to twitch.
"I'll arrange it as quickly as possible, so just trust me!"
Riena clenched her tiny fist and lightly thumped it against her chest, wearing a proud, confident expression.
"Your Highness is so thoughtful!"
"It's an honor to serve you. Where else could we find someone so kind?"
As praises poured in from all sides, Trinia finally closed her mouth.
There was no point trying to argue.
"Then I'll be going now! I'm supposed to take a walk with Mother."
"...Yes."
Trinia finished her farewell with a hollow expression.
The gentle autumn breeze had already begun to turn into a cold winter wind.
"The wind is getting colder. From now on, let's take our walks only inside the greenhouse."
"Yes! As long as I'm with Mother, I like anywhere at all~"
A walk with the mother she had missed even in her dreams.
What did a little cold matter?
Riena felt as though she could run through snow if she had to.
When they reached the greenhouse, the Empress stopped.
"I want to spend some time alone with the princess. Wait outside."
The greenhouse door closed behind them.
The quiet inside felt almost comforting.
"There is something I wish to ask you, not as your mother, but as the Empress."
The atmosphere changed at once.
What could the Empress possibly want to ask a six-year-old Riena?
Riena swallowed and sat at the table.
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress!"
The adorable answer made the Empress chuckle as she leaned against the table.
"What we say here will remain a secret between the two of us."
"Yes!"
The Empress slowly looked around before speaking carefully.
"Riena, are you happy being an Imperial Princess?"
Riena hadn't expected that question.
Because she was an Imperial Princess, she had lost her mother, the people she loved, and her sight.
But because she was an Imperial Princess, the Empress was her mother, and she had met the people she loved.
It was a difficult question.
After moving her lips wordlessly for a moment, she finally answered.
"I think... I'm happy."
"You think?"
The Empress frowned at the unbelievable answer and stared into space.
But Riena didn't try to explain herself.
Because that truly was the best way she could describe her life as an Imperial Princess.
I think I'm happy.
"An Imperial Princess only needs to be virtuous and kind. That alone is enough for the position."
After saying that, the Empress fell silent and gazed at the flowers.
She looked as though she had a great deal more to say, but was deliberately holding herself back.
So Riena didn't speak either.
"I thought you were still just a child. You've grown so much."
The Empress's eyes trembled faintly.
They looked dangerously close to tears.
"Perhaps His Majesty did not bring up that subject without reason."
That subject?
Riena hurriedly searched her memories.
But unfortunately, she found nothing.
What did I even do when I was six? I feel like I just ate, played, and slept.
While Riena was searching through her memories, the Empress took her hand.
"You're still young, but I respect your choice. You must tell me exactly what you think, and only the truth. Do you understand?"
Riena nodded without thinking and looked up at her.
"A few days ago, His Majesty mentioned giving you a new kind of education."
The Empress's golden eyes darkened between her furrowed brows.
"Imperial studies."
"I-Imperial studies...?"
It felt as though lightning had struck Riena's head and raced down her spine.
Imperial studies!
In her previous life, no one had ever mentioned such a thing, not even as a joke.
"Nothing has been decided yet, but your own choice is the most important part, so I wanted to tell you in advance."
If she had to choose, she was far more curious about the life of a Crown Princess than the life of an Imperial Princess she had already experienced.
And beyond that, she wondered just how ugly the life of an Emperor could become.
There's no reason I can't do it.
Even imagining it filled her with excitement.
Her heart pounded so hard it almost hurt.
"What about you, Mother? If I say I want to become Crown Princess, what will you do?"
The Empress could only stare at the visibly excited Riena.
Those fiercely shining eyes.
And the way she asked what her mother would do if she wanted the position.
Facing Riena's eyes, full of anticipation, even the Empress felt her own heart begin to race.
"You have grown into an excellent Imperial Princess. Anyone in the Empire would agree with that."
Riena's reputation was quite good.
Of course, it would have been difficult for a six-year-old princess to have a truly bad reputation.
"But becoming Crown Princess is different. There will be people who oppose you for no reason. There will also be those who pretend to be loyal while hiding behind masks. Of course, I will deal with such people. As long as I am alive, I will do everything I can."
The Empress spoke calmly.
But Riena looked at her with sadness.
Her tiny hand wrapped around the Empress's.
"Mother, I'm actually not all that kind or gentle. That's why I think I can do well as Crown Princess too. I'll do my best so you won't have to worry."
For a moment, the Empress was speechless.
She stared clearly at Riena.
Then the sadness in her eyes disappeared, replaced by her usual determination.
"Good. I'll stay by your side, so spread your wings and fly. Fly as high as you can...."
For a long time, mother and daughter simply held and stroked each other's hands.
There were no tears.
No laughter.
Barely even any words.
Yet the silence felt warmer than ever before.
"Riena. Let me ask one more thing."
Riena tilted her head and looked up at her.
"When are you planning to bring back the maids you sent to Trinia's room?"
"Oh, but Lady Trinia still has a looong way to go before she's fully recovered."
The answer was short, firm, and immediate.
Instead of replying, the Empress burst into a quiet laugh.
The moment the two of them stepped out of the greenhouse, the attendants waiting nearby followed as they resumed their walk through the garden.
Father should be coming out around this time too.
Speak of the tiger.
Just as expected, the Emperor was slowly approaching from the other direction.
Riena tugged at the Empress's hand with her tiny fingers.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Mother, I have a favor to ask."
A favor from her little troublemaker.
The Empress paused briefly, then smiled warmly.
"What kind of favor? As long as you're not asking to leave the Imperial Palace, I'll hear it."
"Well, I visited Lady Trinia this morning because she was ill."
The Empress didn't interrupt and simply nodded, listening kindly.
"But she looked soooo bored, and before I knew it, I promised I'd assign some ladies-in-waiting to keep her company."
Riena put on a troubled expression and carefully watched the Empress's reaction.
"So you want me to assign ladies-in-waiting to Lady Trinia?"
"Yes! I already made the promise, so I should keep it. But... I'm sorry I made the promise first without asking you, Mother."
"That's hardly something you need to apologize for. You simply did what needed to be done before I did. I'm grateful."
Riena immediately broke into a bright, innocent smile.
Then she noticed the Emperor quietly listening behind them and ran straight into his arms.
"Father!"
"Hahaha! Haven't I told you not to run around like that? At times like this, you're still very much a baby."
Riena buried her face in the Emperor's elaborate uniform and rubbed against him like a child.
Francio's large hand stroked her hair.
"You smell so nice, Father. Hehe...."
"And I like the sweet scent that comes from our Riena."
Only after hugging Riena to his heart's content did the Emperor gently ask, looking between them.
"By the way, what were the two of you talking about so pleasantly?"
"Ah, the princess made a promise to Lady Trinia. I was thinking of helping her keep that promise."
"Oh? Riena made a promise to Trinia?"
Emperor Francio's eyes naturally turned toward Riena.
Riena held the skirts of her dress and nodded.
"What kind of promise did you make?"
"Lady Trinia looked very bored, so I promised to send her some ladies-in-waiting to talk with. I'm sorry I made the promise without permission...."
The Emperor thought for a moment.
Then he smiled brightly and nodded.
"That's the sort of promise an Imperial Princess can make! Since you were the one who promised, you may choose the ladies-in-waiting yourself and assign them."
Riena had to work hard not to laugh.
Who could have imagined that a six-year-old princess would end up playing the Emperor's beloved mistress in the palm of her hand, when even the Empress couldn't openly touch her?
"You're the best, Father!"
She pressed her soft cheek against the Emperor's rough face and smiled brightly.
The abundant autumn finally passed.
The first snow covered the Empire in white.
"Countess Sertua won't be able to come to the Imperial Palace today. She asked us to tell you she's sorry...."
"Is she sick? Is it bad? I knew she'd been overworking herself lately! I really...!"
"Please don't worry too much. Fortunately, Young Lord Sertua is with her right now."
Riena looked at the snow piled outside and let out a deep sigh.
"...Are you very worried?"
"Of course. And it's snowing so much too...."
"I thought you liked snow...."
Did I?
Well, perhaps an ordinary six-year-old would.
"I think white snow is a lot like lies. Once it covers everything, that's all anyone sees."
The ladies brushing her hair widened their eyes.
Had those words really come from a six-year-old?
"Oh, come now. You used to love building snowmen."
"Snowmen? What about the people of the Empire? They must be freezing. At least when it's hot, people can sleep outside. But when it's this cold...."
The Empire's winters were especially long and harsh.
Just thinking about it made her heart sink.
Then a memory flashed through her mind.
Her entire body stiffened.
No way. It can't be. Or... is it? Is it today...?
