Chapter 46
“Pardon?”
“I thought it was strange from the beginning. There really isn’t a reason for His Majesty to hate me so much, is there?”
Verdy thought for a moment and then nodded.
“That’s right. You two… haven’t met each other very often, have you?”
“The first time was last year, at the party hosted by the Marchioness of Talips.”
“You only got to know each other that recently?”
“Yes.”
Verdy’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I didn’t realize it was that recent. Well, when His Majesty was still the Marquis of Magnum… there were some unfavorable rumors. And the Grand Duke was… a bit sensitive about such things.”
“Exactly. That’s why they made sure the two of us wouldn’t cross paths.”
“That’s right. But I wondered why he hated me so much even though we’d never met…”
Anel recalled Johann’s words—the words that said everything from the beginning should have belonged to him: the throne, Anel… everything. From the very start, everything was meant to be Johann’s. At least, that’s what he thought. But…
“I feel like there’s something I don’t know.”
Just that alone couldn’t explain his twisted emotions. There seemed to be something Anel didn’t know.
“Like it or not… I have to adapt to this palace.”
“That’s true. After all, you two are now in the same boat.”
“That’s part of it…”
If she could adapt to this palace and establish her own power, she could help Samyu. She couldn’t return the throne to him, but at least she could help him survive and live honorably—as Duke Geers, not as Crown Prince of Stein.
“Anyway, to do that, I think I need to understand him more.”
“So you plan to give him a gift. To get closer to His Majesty.”
“…Something like that.”
She didn’t want to get closer. Not to someone so cold and inscrutable.
“Even if I can’t have a normal marital relationship with him… at least I should aim to be an ally of sorts.”
“Well thought out, Your Majesty. Seeing how bad things look between you two made me nervous myself.”
“So, help me. What exactly should I give him as a gift?”
Verdy looked troubled at Anel’s question. A gift for a man? That was completely outside his area of expertise.
“Didn’t you discuss birthday gifts? His Majesty didn’t give you any hints?”
“…He told me to guess what he would want.”
“Pardon?”
“He said he already knows what I want, so I should know what he wants as well.”
“Of course, it’s supposed to be the Majesty’s choice of gift… but he’s such a strange man.”
Verdy couldn’t hide his disbelief. Neither could Anel. What a strange man indeed.
“But is it true? That His Majesty… knows everything he wants?”
“Yes. He even knew that I went to ask the nobles to cooperate because of the birthday celebration.”
It was as if he could read her mind. At first, she thought Ern might have reported it. But that didn’t explain the look in Johann’s eyes when he first met Anel at the hunting grounds. He seemed unaware of why she had come. It was as if he simply read her mind on the spot. Why did this man know her so well? Am I really that easy to read? Anel sighed.
“Did he say anything else? Any more clues?”
“Ah.”
The word “clue” triggered a memory for Anel.
“He asked me how far I was willing to go.”
She said it with a bitter smile.
“At first, I thought… he might just be someone with no limits in what he expects from me.”
She genuinely wanted to untangle all these intertwined fates. Even though she knew it was impossible, she wanted to at least try. Perhaps that was why God had sent her to this palace. But…
“Looking back, I think he’s just someone who wants to completely dominate everything about me.”
Anel couldn’t shake the thought that God had overestimated her.
“Your Majesty. The Second Empress requests an audience.”
A firm door. A voice answered from beyond.
“Let her in.”
Giselle smiled upon hearing the voice. When Johann had accepted her sudden request for an audience, she gained a strange sense of confidence.
‘I heard the First Empress’s requests were constantly rejected. But my requests… have all been accepted so far…’
Perhaps he thinks I am somewhat useful. Or maybe he wants something more from me. Giselle’s heart swelled with anticipation. In fact, now that she thought about it, there were many unusual aspects. Why would he choose her, the Empress’s maid, as a candidate for the Empress? Not Anel, not anyone else—himself, the Emperor, personally. Anel wouldn’t have nominated Giselle, so it must have been Johann. If he didn’t consider her special, why bother? Until now, she hadn’t thought much due to fear, but now Giselle began to recognize the uniqueness of this situation. The Emperor treated her specially.
‘I don’t know why, but I won’t waste this!’
Anel and Flora both used their origins. Giselle saw no reason she shouldn’t use this special favor. The opportunity had come, and she intended to use it.
“Lately, we see each other quite often, Vi.”
Johann, glasses perched on his face, lifted only his chillingly cold eyes.
“It’s an honor to see you again, Your Majesty. Thank you for granting me an audience—”
“Forget all the awkward etiquette you’ve learned. What’s your business?”
No matter how much she had studied… Giselle blushed from embarrassment. Surely the knights and attendants in the room were quietly mocking her. In fact, Ern, standing beside the Emperor, was openly full of sympathy.
“…I request an increase in the budget assigned to my palace.”
Giselle used the word “increase,” which she had learned from Garden. She hoped it would at least hide her ignorance a little.
“Why?”
“…The budget is too low.”
“Is that the reason you give, Vi?”
Johann’s voice was full of derision. The knights and attendants began to smile, unable to hide it any longer.
“Do you want to buy something? I heard you’ve been collecting horses recently.”
“…Horses, yes.”
Johann’s eyes showed doubt at her unexpected answer. He thought he might have misheard.
“What did you say?”
“I want to buy horses. As expensive as the ones the Empress has.”
Giselle deliberately mentioned Anel. For some reason, this man hated Anel. She could tell even from the contract with Giselle to crush Anel’s heart. Ironically, the key to moving this man was Anel Morata. Giselle’s lips were bitter, but she couldn’t ignore reality.
“You want horses as expensive as the Empress’s, I see…”
As expected. Johann’s expression softened considerably.
“Vi, it seems you’re finally adapting to this palace.”
Johann nodded to Ern.
“Ern.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“What’s the budget assigned to the Second Empress’s palace?”
“…Your Majesty. The budget assigned to the inner palace is the Empress’s prerogative. Even I, as Chancellor, respect her authority—”
“I asked how much.”
Johann cut Ern off as if he had no interest. Giselle inwardly rejoiced. Even the proud Marquis Lars was nothing before His Majesty. Giselle felt the power of authority—though it wasn’t hers.
“About 3,000 gold per month, Your Majesty.”
Considering that 1 gold equaled the annual wage of a commoner, 3,000 gold per month was a considerable sum. But unlike other members of the imperial family, Giselle had no wealth. With 3,000 gold, she couldn’t match the lifestyle of the Empress or other consorts.
“But Buttercup is quite an expensive horse.”
“To get a horse of that caliber… you’d need at least 7,000 gold.”
“You’re ambitious, Vi. Coveting a 7,000-gold horse.”
Johann’s voice dripped with ridicule. Yet Giselle felt no shame. Nobles all coveted and possessed such horses. Why shouldn’t she?
