Chapter 31
"Who sent all those letters?"
"My son."
The Grand Duke chuckled and spread out the stack of letters with a flick of his hand.
"He sent me two or three every day. Said it was the first favor he'd ever asked of me and even threw a bit of a fit about it, so I came immediately."
Chernuier glanced at the dates written on the letters and tilted her head.
"That was the day the fire broke out in the Cartes territory."
"I heard Riena went there personally to inspect the situation. He was probably worried about her."
"...I suppose so. They've been spending quite a bit of time together lately because of those magic lessons. He must have grown attached."
The Grand Duke silently looked at her and shook his head.
She was wiser than anyone he knew.
But when it came to romance....
"Melance seems to like Riena."
"Of course he does. They see each other every day."
"That's not what I mean."
Chernuier's golden eyes trembled slightly.
Not that kind of affection?
Surely he didn't mean Melance actually liked her?
"They're too young. Both Melance and Riena."
"They may be young, but they still have feelings. Personally, I approve of the two of them dating."
"?"
Chernuier stared openly at the Grand Duke.
"Aren't you jumping to conclusions?"
"You think I don't know my own son? I can tell just by looking at his eyes."
"They're too young. Once they're both struggling to survive in their respective positions, they'll probably forget all about it."
There was a sorrowful look in Chernuier's eyes.
Perhaps the beginning and end of her own marriage had flashed through her mind.
The Grand Duke watched her quietly before letting out a long sigh.
"We lived that way. That doesn't mean we should make our children live the same way."
"......You're right. We should have done that from the beginning."
Chernuier clenched her fist and slowly nodded.
For a while, only the chirping of insects filled the night.
But the tranquility didn't last.
"Your Majesty the Empress!"
A frantic voice pierced the silence.
Chernuier immediately rose, as though she'd sensed something was wrong.
"W-we have an emergency! You must come to the Rose Palace immediately!"
The urgency in the maid's voice made anxiety rise inside her.
Riena stared blankly at the Imperial Palace garden hidden beneath the darkness and let out a sigh.
So it really ends up like this.
You reap what you sow, they said.
Even so, the result was so brutal that a chill ran down her spine.
No matter how much she believed they were suffering the consequences of their own actions, she couldn't completely shake the discomfort in her chest.
It almost feels like... something is watching my regression.
Otherwise, how could everything line up so perfectly?
Riena frowned and sank deep into thought.
Romi carefully spoke.
"Your Highness... would you like some sweet cocoa?"
Riena firmly shook her head.
Romi stared at her back with wide eyes.
Refusing cocoa?
This was serious.
"...Do you think Mother is all right?"
"Of course! Her Majesty is a strong person."
Everyone knew that.
But that very fact had probably tightened the noose around Chernuier's neck even more.
I knew Mother and Father didn't get along, but I didn't realize it was that bad.
Remembering what had happened earlier made Riena grind her teeth.
In front of nobles who loved gossip, Francio had accused her mother first without any real evidence.
No. Father was always that kind of person.
Indecisive.
Unable to recognize the people who stayed by his side.
An incompetent Emperor.
Knock, knock.
Riena startled and turned toward the door.
A small cough from Melance sounded from outside.
Click.
"Your Highness, were you resting?"
He asked, but Melance already knew the answer.
There was no way she had been resting.
She was surely staring out the window and sighing.
Knowing that, he had postponed his own work and come straight to her room.
"As you can see, I haven't been able to rest."
"Then try some fruit."
Perfectly ripe fruit had been neatly sliced and arranged on a plate.
"What's this?"
"Fruit from the north."
Romi gasped and covered her mouth.
"I thought northern fruit could only be found in the north! Wow, Young Lord, you must have put a looot of thought into this!"
As soon as she finished explaining, Romi looked at Riena while desperately suppressing the grin tugging at her lips.
Riena merely nodded and stabbed a piece of fruit with her fork.
"Thanks, Melance. Let's eat together."
"I'm fine."
"Things like this taste better when you share them. Come on!"
Before he could stop her, Riena pushed a piece of fruit into Melance's mouth.
Then she smiled in satisfaction.
She immediately speared another piece and put it into her own tiny mouth, chewing happily as her golden eyes sparkled.
Watching her, Melance gave a small smile.
"Even after I return north, I'll make sure to send you fruit."
"You're going back?"
"It wouldn't look proper for the heir to a Grand Duchy to remain in the Imperial Palace at a time like this. I intend to return with Father."
The people who had been quietly watching the two exchanged glances and slipped out of the room one by one.
They had sensed something unusual in the atmosphere.
"Given everything that's happened, I would like to remain by Your Highness's side a little longer, but...."
"Melance, you were the one who asked Grand Duke Jeremier to come, weren't you?"
His violet eyes widened.
Then he slowly nodded.
"Thank you. They say a true friend is someone who stays beside you when things are hardest.... Melance really is a good friend."
A friend....
"I'm honored that Your Highness thinks of me that way."
Moonlight filled Riena's room for a moment.
The cool silver light suited Melance beautifully, almost as though it belonged to him.
He hesitated before speaking.
"The next time we meet, I expect to address you not as Imperial Princess, but as Your Majesty the Emperor."
"!"
