Chapter 67
For some reason, Empress Miriel seemed to hold me in very high regard.
Having received more praise than I had expected, I felt a slight flush rise to my ears.
I had heard she wasn’t normally a very talkative person…
But Empress Miriel’s questions kept coming.
“You two are engaged, right? How did you end up becoming partners?”
“We met through business, and it gradually led to mutual interest,” I replied.
“How did you know you worked well together as business partners?”
Of course, I didn’t answer with something like: Actually, Polyus, the half-brother of Lord Damian, who was my ex-fiancé, ridiculously asked me to be his partner…
I had coordinated my words with Lord Damian to some extent, so I was able to answer smoothly.
“What an ideal pairing. I think Duke Clotilde would be pleased. And as for Count Beldert… hmm, how pleased were you?”
“…….”
There were moments where I stumbled, and the conversation had become mostly me answering a barrage of questions, yet I found it quite enjoyable.
After all, this was the first time I had been asked such serious questions since starting my business.
‘Everyone else only asks about the video stones since I started with them… but she’s asking about the magical artifact business itself. She really has broad vision.’
Empress Miriel was certainly not an ordinary person.
It was intimidating in a way, but at the same time, I thought she was remarkable.
“If air conditioners and fans become widespread, people who struggle with the heat could be freed from suffering. I would like to commend that. Is there anything you wish for?”
And, as I had heard, she spoke quite straightforwardly.
I didn’t answer immediately.
“Your Majesty, it is enough that I brought you joy…”
“That’s fine. During Harimines Week, isn’t it the case that the Empress listens to the hardships of her people?”
Harimines Week was useful at times like this.
It allowed me to mention to the Empress what I wanted without hesitation.
“You could have aimed to impress me with some grand creation just because you have a wish, couldn’t you?”
That’s true. I wasn’t the type to try and establish a reputation in social circles.
It’s much easier if she herself steers the topic; it spares me from talking too much.
“Actually, there was something that surprised me during my engagement to Lord Damian.”
“What was that?”
“In the Empire nowadays, marriage is considered a union of families rather than individuals, so the proposal letter doesn’t even include the person’s name.”
Of course, I didn’t go into the details of Polyus clinging to me over the engagement.
“Fortunately, I was able to cancel the engagement comfortably with my ex-fiancé’s understanding, but I was amazed that there was no need to make another proposal.”
Empress Miriel nodded at my words.
“I’ve heard stories of many people suffering because of that. It was quite different from the kingdom I came from, so it was surprising.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Others usually only make personal requests; you’re the only one with such a request.”
From my conversation with the Empress today, it seemed many people, myself included, didn’t know her very well.
Since she’s delicate in summer and rarely attends social gatherings, she had been underestimated.
‘She’ll surely exert even greater influence in the future.’
Even without mentioning the proposal letters, it was good to have established a connection with Empress Miriel.
“Now that you’ve come this far, aren’t you going to show the famous home theater? I hear people are curious since it takes months to order one.”
“It’s an honor that Your Majesty is interested.”
She mentioned wanting to see the home theater without me bringing it up first. Normally, people request the Empress to see something, but here she initiated it herself…
‘I didn’t plan to show her the video stones since it’s obviously my business…’
It seemed the air conditioner and ion drinks had left a deep impression on Empress Miriel.
‘And… she must have also noticed the potential of magical artifacts.’
I hadn’t particularly prepared, but now there was no reason not to show them.
“Is there a particular video stone you’d like to see?”
“Well, could you recommend one?”
I felt as if I were being tested again.
After a moment’s thought, I prepared a video stone showing the sights of the Kingdom of Estria for the Empress.
In our village, it always snows.
White, truly white scenery…
Since I had to show it to the Empress, I prepared something moderately moving, without being too provocative.
“It’s a play I saw as a young girl.”
“Oh, if you’ve already seen it, I can show something else.”
“No, leave it. I loved that play… it gives a warm feeling.”
Empress Miriel leaned back in the soft chair.
And as she sipped her ion drink, she gradually fell asleep.
The lady-in-waiting who had accompanied her whispered:
“Actually, she often has trouble sleeping in the heat. May I assist her briefly?”
She mentioned that the Empress had recently grown thinner.
I nodded willingly.
I considered moving Empress Miriel somewhere more comfortable, but worried it might wake her, so I refrained.
Instead, I brought a light blanket and draped it over her.
‘Having a nap under a blanket with the air conditioner on for the first time in her life… it must feel like heaven.’
“Thank you for treating Her Majesty so well,” the lady-in-waiting said with a subtle nuance.
It seemed the Empress had fallen into a deep nap, not just a simple doze.
The next day, without me spreading the word, it became rumored that the Empress had even fallen asleep at the Duke’s residence.
‘Was this what the lady-in-waiting meant?’
Shortly after, I was selected as the “Wing of Harimines.”
When Melanie was chosen as the Wing of Harimines, Natalie couldn’t hide her frustration.
‘Why would a young lady who rarely appeared in society because of “illness” suddenly become the Wing?’
Even the most prominent noble ladies had failed to satisfy Empress Miriel.
And yet, a Duke’s daughter who had no social standing suddenly appeared and received the highest honor.
Despite the video stone business and all, the scandal with Beldert’s half-brother was more famous in society, wasn’t it?
Natalie guessed that there must be several other young ladies and wives, besides herself, who were displeased.
“It’s really unexpected that Miss Clotilde became the Wing of Harimines.”
Her prediction was correct. As soon as she hinted at it, a few eagerly took the bait.
“She’s from abroad, so her standards might differ from ours. Perhaps that’s why Miss Clotilde seemed so fresh, despite never having been noted for her ceremonial skills.”
It meant the foreign Empress picked a relatively insignificant young lady.
“Perhaps she wanted to build a connection with the Duke’s daughter.”
Purely the power of her family.
“Even at yesterday’s tea party, people were surprised. There’s probably never been a Wing of Harimines that caused such a stir!”
Meaning it became controversial in a bad way.
‘Yes, most people don’t understand why Melanie Clotilde became the Wing of Harimines.’
Natalie interpreted the remarks at the gathering to her satisfaction.
Though no one could openly question Empress Miriel’s criteria, she could at least influence the opinion of a portion of society.
Natalie’s plan was to prevent the Wing’s selection from automatically raising Clotilde’s social reputation.
‘Miss Clotilde isn’t close to the younger ladies anyway.’
Natalie glanced at Scarlet, cheerful and sociable. She was known as Melanie’s childhood friend, but that was just one person.
‘If I step forward here just because of perceived impropriety, it would only be futile.’
Family power and social influence do not always correlate.
Despite being the Empress and the Duke’s daughter, the foreign Empress lacked a social foundation, and the Duke’s daughter, being in poor health, was barely present in society.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes, Miss Scarlet Euphorna?”
“It seems people don’t understand why the Empress chose Miss Clotilde as the Wing of Harimines…”
“Oh my, that can’t be.”
“We only ask out of genuine curiosity.”
Wouldn’t it be amusing if this was told to Melanie?
Just as Natalie, full of anticipation, was about to smile,
“Ahhh, I can’t even listen, it’s so funny.”
But Natalie’s attempt to single out Scarlet as an unusual young lady, relying on numbers, was instantly blocked.
“You know, none of you have ever been invited to the Duke Clotilde residence, right?”
“……Excuse me?”
“Then it’s no wonder you don’t understand the selection criteria set by Empress Miriel.”
Her soft, cute appearance belied a brazen, relaxed tone.
It was Clara from the Martis family, known as one of the wealthiest households in the Empire.
“I’ve visited the Duke’s residence, so I know immediately why the Empress selected Miss Clotilde as the Wing of Harimines.”
