Chapter 55
Three golden letters!
Kanter pressed both hands against his small chest, afraid his wildly pounding heart might burst.
Did Her Highness send me three letters?
He had been growing impatient with the occasional single letter that arrived, as though someone were feeding tiny morsels to a bird.
But three letters!
Kanter stretched out his arms and carefully accepted them.
His fingertips trembled faintly, as though even brushing against the envelopes might wear them out.
"......"
He struggled to steady his trembling hands and breathing, then slowly examined the outside of the first envelope.
I-it really came from Her Highness!
There was no doubt it had been sent from the Crown Princess's Palace.
He wanted to stamp his feet in excitement right then and there.
But he restrained himself and opened the envelope.
memo2
"......?"
After seeing the handwriting, Kanter tilted his head in disbelief.
He even turned the innocent envelope and letter over, examining both sides.
"Is something wrong?"
"Ah, no...."
It was surprising enough that Melance had sent him a letter.
But to send a letter with only that tiny amount written in it?
It was such a Melance-like thing to do that Kanter couldn't help letting out a small laugh.
He opened the next letter.
memo3
Anyone who saw this would think I'd gone to heaven.
The letter was serious yet innocent.
It was exactly the kind of letter Ruth would write.
Finally, the last letter.
His heart, which had been fluttering gently, was now pounding so loudly he could almost hear it.
Kanter swallowed and slipped the unopened letter into his clothes.
"Aren't you going to read that one?"
"Nanny, please organize those letters carefully and put them on my desk. I'll read this one tonight after I've made myself properly presentable."
Was this what it felt like to be completely soaked in sweet happiness?
A pink blush spread across Kanter's pale cheeks as he carefully tucked the letter against his chest.
I can't read a letter from Her Highness while everything is so messy...!
His bright green eyes sparkled like stars.
The scratching of a fountain pen against paper.
The gentle breeze playing with the curtains.
It was exactly the kind of peace and quiet he'd wanted so badly.
And yet....
"Wow, it's seriously too quiet. Without Kanter, the place feels completely empty!"
"I think it's perfect just the way it is."
No matter how hard Melance tried to hide it, he couldn't quite control the corners of his twitching mouth.
How long had it been since he'd enjoyed such peace and quiet?
Riena slowly shook her head as she watched him.
"Still, we spent several months together. Melance, don't you have any affection for him at all?"
"An unnecessary emotion."
"There's no such thing as an unnecessary emotion! That tiny little thing left because he wanted to become more mature, and you won't even reply properly to his letters, will you?"
"Young Lord Kanter is not some 'tiny little thing.' He's a proper young lord, so he should have steeled himself and become strong much earlier. Of course, I'm glad he's finally come to his senses now."
He really couldn't let a single remark pass without arguing, could he?
Riena clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"Fine. The Grand Duke's heir is so impressive. I wonder if he'll ever manage to date anyone with an attitude like that."
"!"
Melance slowly turned toward Riena as though he'd malfunctioned.
Then he let out a disbelieving laugh.
Date?
Had she just wondered whether he could even manage to date someone?
Him?
Melance, of all people?
At the northern Grand Duke's residence, Melance had five entire storage rooms.
And all five were filled exclusively with love letters!
Even though the letters had come from young ladies he had absolutely no interest in, he'd kept them out of courtesy.
So Riena's provocation struck him exactly where it would be most effective.
"W-what? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have a problem?"
He let out a small sigh and answered stiffly.
"Of course not. I merely think Your Highness is taking your joke too far."
"Joke? I'm not joking. If you're always that stiff, you'll never get a girlfriend. I'm serious."
"Hah?"
Melance scoffed and firmly decided that there was no point continuing this conversation.
He turned his attention back to the book he was holding.
But no matter how much he thought about it, her words continued to bother him.
Eventually, he closed the book.
"Let's make one thing clear. It's not that I can't date. I simply choose not to."
"Of couuurse~ I'm suuuure that's it~"
Riena was beginning to enjoy teasing him.
As her eyes curved with amusement, Melance's eyes widened and his mouth even fell slightly open.
Wasn't that the perfect reaction for someone who wanted to tease him?
Riena turned toward Ruth, who was standing silently beside her.
"Ruth, this is our little secret. Melance doesn't have trouble dating. He just chooses not to."
Ruth waited a moment before answering gently.
"My apologies for interrupting, but Young Lord Melance is actually quite popular. I even heard a rumor that a servant sent by a young lady to deliver him a love letter froze to death...."
F-froze to death?
The atmosphere suddenly turned icy.
"That never happened."
"It's a famous story among the young nobles."
"That's what people call a baseless rumor, isn't it?"
"I see. It seems I was mistaken. My apologies."
What was going on?
Why were those two suddenly acting like this?
She'd only started the conversation because she wanted to tease Melance a little.
Yet sparks practically seemed to fly between the two boys.
No, they looked ready to start fighting openly.
Since when does Ruth argue back like that?
Riena lifted the cocoa beside her and took a drink, deliberately avoiding their gazes.
She'd finally sent Kanter away, only for Melance to start getting along badly with Ruth instead.
It would be nice if Melance had a slightly gentler personality.
She immediately scoffed at her own thought.
What am I talking about? I keep him beside me precisely because he's capable of making firm decisions.
Gentleness wasn't even included in the qualities Riena wanted from her people.
If anything, it could become a weakness.
Wasn't that exactly why she was spending so much time with Melance now, hoping to keep him by her side when she eventually became Emperor?
Human greed truly had no end.
With that thought, Riena lowered her cocoa.
"Let's write Kanter another letter. It's been a while. This time, you'll finish yours and let me inspect it before you leave."
"Do you really have to inspect it?"
"Mm. If I don't, who knows what you'll write? Did you think I wouldn't notice how little effort you put into the last one?"
"Your Highness, you should be wary of excessive censorship."
"Right? So don't make me inspect your letters in the first place. Okay?"
Ruth, who had been carefully watching their exchange, casually interjected.
"Surely Young Lord Melance wouldn't write insults in a letter?"
Melance, who had been busy bickering with Riena, immediately turned his head and glared at Ruth.
"Hmm. Knowing Melance, he might."
"I would never do something so uncivilized."
He looked ready to snap, but merely continued glaring without saying anything more.
Ruth, however, met his gaze with a perfectly innocent smile.
He was several steps ahead of Kanter when it came to dealing with Melance.
Honestly, they're acting like children.
Riena simply shook her head as she watched them.
Still, wasn't it wonderful to have days like this?
There was nothing more precious than a peaceful everyday life.
Only the occasional clink of teacups could be heard in the Emperor's office.
The room was so silent that the atmosphere felt almost cold.
There was no trace of the casual conversation in which they'd shared their frustrations in the Imperial garden some time ago.
Here, they were nothing more than the Emperor and the Grand Duke.
Even the maids serving their tea could barely breathe comfortably beneath the pressure surrounding them.
"Everyone leave. We will speak privately."
The word privately had come directly from the Emperor's mouth.
The attendants and maids who had been keeping their heads lowered widened their eyes.
"It's an Imperial order."
Only after Marquis Sertua reinforced the command did the dozens of servants immediately clear the room.
"Marquis Sertua, you will remain. This is an important matter, and I need your advice."
At the Emperor's calm, measured instruction, the Marquis stayed as well.
The enormous office doors closed with a heavy rumble.
Then Chernuier spoke.
"Grand Duke, having capable people beside one's heir is a blessing. But that doesn't mean I intend to pluck a flower that's only just beginning to bloom."
Her words were concise and firm, as though she'd already reached a decision.
But the Grand Duke's eyes were even more determined.
"Isn't it said that no parent can win against their child? Melance wishes to become Her Highness's aide. Besides, they've already exchanged promises, so the matter is no longer entirely in our hands."
His voice was not merely calm.
It was almost relaxed.
"It's simply a waste of his potential. The Grand Duke's heir is exceptionally intelligent, isn't he?"
The Emperor studied Jeremier's expression with concern.
"Besides, he's your only heir. And at such a young age, he's already saying he wants to serve as an aide in the Imperial Palace."
There was nothing inherently wrong with Melance volunteering to become Riena's aide.
It was simply that, considering his age and abilities, the position seemed like a waste of his potential.
"Thank you for valuing my son so highly. However, I intend to trust his decision."
It wasn't as though the Grand Duke himself wanted to see his only son become an aide.
Of course, once the Crown Princess grew up and became Emperor, Melance would naturally rise to the position of chief attendant.
But Melance wasn't the sort of person who would become Riena's aide merely because he coveted that position.
"Then why don't we try something else?"
The low voice of Marquis Sertua, who had been listening quietly until now, drew both their gazes.
"Serving Her Highness will require considerable experience and knowledge. In that case, how about studying abroad?"
"Hmm."
"Studying abroad. That's a good idea."
Chernuier nodded enthusiastically and turned toward the Grand Duke.
Jeremier merely nodded slowly.
"I won't force him. But at least mention it to your son. I'll even use my personal funds to send him abroad if necessary."
"Your offer alone is greatly appreciated. I'm having lunch with Melance this afternoon, so I'll ask him then."
"An excellent idea."
Chernuier seemed genuinely eager for the plan to work.
Apparently satisfied with the Grand Duke's answer, she finally smiled.
"It's thanks to Marquis Sertua. Your sons are both every bit as stubborn as the Crown Princess. Then again, I suppose they need at least that much determination."
"I can only apologize for causing Your Majesty concern."
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not blaming you. I'm simply... grateful. Aren't Young Lord Ruth and Melance both admirable?"
The two fathers' shoulders straightened proudly.
Of course they were!
Whose sons did she think they were?
"I'm counting on both of you from now on."
"We are the ones who should be grateful for Your Majesty's boundless generosity."
Behind the Emperor's relaxed smile, Marquis Sertua and Grand Duke Jeremier bowed deeply in respect.
