Chapter 40
"It's not a position you can earn through effort alone. You have to stay tense every moment, as naturally as breathing."
Melance nodded firmly.
Well, even being the Grand Duke's aide was difficult enough.
How much harder would it be to serve as the Emperor's aide?
He couldn't help but agree.
"Even a small mistake could cause all the blame to fall on you. And at any moment, you may have to become a shield for Her Highness."
That was the position of the Emperor's spouse.
The Imperial Consort.
Jeremier's thoughts became complicated.
He had spoken so confidently to Chernuier before.
But now that the matter had come crashing down like a wave, even he couldn't hide his confusion.
"I'll make sure you have nothing to worry about. Still... I apologize for making a promise with Her Highness without your permission."
Jeremier snorted and smiled.
"You're apologizing awfully quickly."
"...I'm sorry."
"Still, it's fortunate. Her Highness is quicker to notice things than Her Majesty."
Melance lifted his head and blinked.
Quicker to notice things?
"I meant it's fortunate that the two of you recognized your feelings and made a promise."
"Feel...ings?"
What feelings?
Melance frowned and tilted his head.
Jeremier continued.
"There's no need to be embarrassed. Naturally, you confessed first, didn't you?"
"Confessed...? I don't understand what you mean."
"Now that things have come this far, there's no point pretending. You promised to become the Imperial Consort and remain beside Her Highness...."
"I-Imperial Consort?"
The Grand Duke tilted his head and stared at him.
"You said you promised to remain by her side...."
Melance's pale cheeks flushed bright red.
He quickly shook his head.
"I only promised that I would become her aide. I-Imperial Consort? What are you talking about?"
"Didn't you have feelings for Her Highness?"
"!"
His face was already burning red.
His violet eyes were wide.
Anyone could tell he liked her.
Yet he was denying it so desperately with his entire body.
Jeremier could only stare.
"So you're saying you promised to become her aide and remain beside her?"
"That's right."
Jeremier let out a short sigh of frustration.
At the same time, relief washed over him.
They can slowly figure out their feelings for each other.
The Grand Duke smiled and rose lightly from his seat.
"All right. Don't worry about the northern territory. Stay beside Her Highness. I'm sure you'll handle yourself well, but always be careful."
"Yes, Father."
"Politics is like a ship that can overturn at any moment."
That was how quickly the situation in the Empire was changing.
In particular, opposition toward the first female Emperor was like a tidal wave that could rise at any time.
But Chernuier wasn't careless enough to give her enemies an easy opening.
"Watch your surroundings carefully and do your best from your position."
"Father, please take care of your health as well."
Instead of answering, Jeremier patted Melance's shoulder.
Then he turned toward the door.
"Don't get sick."
"Father."
Just as he was about to leave, the Grand Duke turned back.
"...Thank you."
Melance lowered his head deeply in respect.
Jeremier smiled with ease.
Yet beneath that smile was the worry any father would naturally carry.
Lying in bed, Riena traced the finely carved patterns on the ceiling with the tip of her finger.
Perhaps because the moonlight was unusually bright, she couldn't fall asleep.
She simply blinked in the darkness.
If Duke Cartes really used black magic and that's why no trace of him can be found....
Then what she had read in that book about black magic might be true.
She was only seven years old now.
But there was no stopping time.
Eventually, there would be no way to hide it.
But I've never actually used black magic.
A wave of frustration surged endlessly through her.
Even if she had successfully taken revenge, if she stopped growing like this, everything would become meaningless.
A Crown Princess who used black magic!
What better prey could there be for enemies waiting like starving jackals?
Riena shuddered and shook her head hard.
Then she slowly calmed herself and folded her hands over her chest.
First, calm down.
Calm down and find Duke Cartes.
Right.
If she found Duke Cartes, all her questions would be answered.
But where in the world was that damned Duke Cartes?!
It would be nice if he simply came to her on his own.
"W-wait."
Riena suddenly sat upright.
A strange smile appeared on her lips.
Why didn't I think of that?
That's right. I can make him come to me himself.
Her ivory hair, soaked in moonlight, shone brilliantly.
The sweet scent of cocoa and the rich fragrance of expensive tea filled the Emperor's office.
Between the occasional clink of teacups, Chernuier looked at Riena with the gentle eyes of someone watching a child.
"How are your swordsmanship lessons?"
"They're going great! I've been practicing two hundred basic forms a day, so my body got used to them really quickly!"
The Emperor's relaxed brows immediately drew together.
Two hundred basic forms?
What kind of ridiculous schedule was that?
It sounded as though Riena alone were expected to defend the entire Empire.
Chernuier wanted to order her to cut it down to one hundred immediately.
But she couldn't interfere so openly, so she pressed her lips together.
"A strong castle can only be built on a solid foundation. ...It seems I chose well by entrusting you to Young Lord Ruth."
That was what she said.
But her eyes were filled with anxiety.
Riena, oblivious to what her mother was thinking, simply smiled brightly and nodded.
Ruth smiled too.
Of course he did.
The Emperor herself had praised him.
How could he not feel honored?
Meanwhile, Chernuier carefully lowered her teacup with a solemn expression and looked directly at Riena.
She took a small breath before speaking.
"And the restoration work for the people of the Cartes territory has been completed."
Riena's heart thumped at the sudden news.
The tears and cheers of the Imperial citizens who had waited for her help among the ashes flashed through her mind.
At the same time, she remembered the grief of those who had lost loved ones.
Her chest grew heavy.
"I shouldn't go visit the bereaved families myself, should I?"
As expected, the Emperor calmly shook her head.
There were only two members of the Imperial Family left now.
And it hadn't even been a month since the new Emperor's coronation.
They needed to avoid leaving the Imperial Palace as much as possible.
"Instead, the Grand Duke personally visited the bereaved families and offered his condolences. It won't completely ease their grief, but for now, this is the best we can do...."
A small hand suddenly covered the back of the Emperor's hand.
"They're our people, aren't they? They'll understand that much. I believe they will."
Chernuier placed her other hand over Riena's.
"My Crown Princess has grown so much that she's comforting me now. Very well. I won't dwell on it any longer. Instead, I'll spend that time strengthening Imperial authority."
"I'll do my best too. I promise."
Chernuier's eyes curved warmly.
"The Crown Princess is already doing well."
"Um... actually, I figured out a way to find Duke Cartes."
The Emperor's previously calm eyes sharpened with expectation.
She had found a way to deal with that troublesome man?
Even after gathering the best people in the Empire for meetings, they had failed to locate Duke Cartes.
They had even been considering launching a search across the entire Empire.
"Even the Imperial Knights couldn't find him. How do you intend to do it?"
Riena's eyes sparkled brightly as though she'd been waiting for the question.
"If we can't find him, then we can make him come to us on his own! Just leave it to me!"
Try to lure him out?
Turning the situation around wasn't a bad idea.
But how exactly did she plan to drag that ant of a man out of hiding?
"He's a small-minded man, so I don't think it'll take long to find him, Mother."
Even after Riena finished speaking, a long silence settled between them.
"...Do you intend to get involved personally?"
Chernuier's voice lowered with worry for her child.
"I can find him without putting myself directly in danger, so don't worry."
Only then did the Emperor's tightly set lips relax.
Taking advantage of the opening, Riena carefully continued.
"...There's one thing I'd like to ask."
"Go ahead."
"What are you planning to do with Prince Turio...?"
"You already know the answer, yet you're asking."
The Emperor's eyes shone sharply over the rim of her teacup.
She had boldly told her mother to leave it to her.
But this was a future she had never experienced even in her previous life.
She couldn't afford to relax.
Lost deep in thought, Riena slowly tapped the desk with her small, thin fingers.
Knock, knock.
Her gaze reflexively turned toward the door.
Ruth stood there neatly.
"I have something to tell you, so I apologize for knocking without permission."
Even a single knock came with a long explanation.
That was very much like Ruth.
Riena rested her arm against the desk and gestured for him to sit.
He normally remained beside her like a silent shadow.
So she couldn't help wondering what had made him knock this time.
Then his knee hit the floor.
"I'm sorry!"
"H-huh?"
No matter how many times she saw it, she could never get used to that knightly posture.
"What is it? First, stand up and tell me."
"I am unworthy of being your personal guard. Please punish me!"
"Then tell me why you think you're unworthy. I can't judge anything unless you explain."
The guilt in Ruth's blue eyes made him look exhausted.
Only after swallowing hard did he carefully begin to speak.
