CHAPTER 168………………………………………..
“Sister-in-law!”
Aaron, who had been waiting all morning without managing to wake her, approached Adele as she came down the stairs and held out his hand.
Cayden, who had watched his sister slip away right before his wide-open eyes, immediately radiated killing intent—but it was already too late.
Adele, clearly pleased by Aaron’s impeccably gentlemanly behavior, curved her eyes in a smile and accepted his hand without hesitation.
“They say you can know ten things from seeing just one. Your Highness will make a fine ruler.”
“What are you saying? Now that we’ve found the Dragon’s Heart, it is my brother who must break the curse.”
Telling her not to say such things, Aaron focused solely on Adele—worried she might get hurt, worried she might trip over something.
“I was quite concerned that you might have overexerted yourself. We had originally planned to go to the Imperial Palace yesterday, but we had no choice but to bring you here instead.”
“No, it’s quite splendid here as well.”
Not far from the ducal villa where Chloe had been hiding stood an imperial secondary palace. As a property of the imperial family, it exuded grandeur and majesty throughout.
“So this must be the style of the Imperial Palace.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes. Not only the Imperial Palace, but most estates in the capital are quite similar.”
As her gaze reached every corner of the palace, Aaron diligently explained. Even if his sister-in-law had little interest in such matters, she would soon ascend to the position of Empress—it would be better for her to know in advance.
“It must be quite different from the South where you were.”
“It is. The climate and soil differ, so there are many differences.”
“That’s true. The architectural style, even the clothing.”
Adele found it rather interesting and continued looking around long after she had descended the stairs.
Having focused solely on obtaining the Dragon’s Heart, she had failed to notice these things before—but now they began to reveal themselves one by one.
Perhaps due to the inland’s colder climate, practicality stood out more than extravagance.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind if I’m going to expand into the capital in the future.”
“Ha ha.”
If she becomes Empress, conducting business will likely be difficult…
Aaron started to object, but the sharp, piercing killing intent from Cayden made him remain silent.
Though the young man was impudent, he would soon be family—and as the younger brother of the lady in question, Aaron wanted to stay on good terms with him.
And come to think of it, she would realize it herself once she became Empress. There was no need for him to dampen her spirits beforehand.
“I’ve dismissed all the attendants in case you felt uncomfortable. They are tight-lipped, so there’s no need to worry.”
“You’ve gone to great trouble, Your Highness.”
“Not at all. Then shall I have them prepare for departure to the Imperial Palace?”
“To the Imperial Palace?”
“Weren’t you planning to go immediately?”
Aaron tilted his head in confusion. His sister-in-law seemed entirely absorbed in examining the interior décor, with no sign of intending to leave at once.
“Surely you don’t mean in this state?”
“Pardon?”
“No matter what, I have my dignity. I can hardly pay my first visit to the Imperial Palace looking like this.”
Adele frowned in dissatisfaction, gesturing at her appearance.
The hastily borrowed gown hung loosely on her frame. Her beauty prevented it from being unbearable to look at, but honestly, even the servant’s uniform from San Fidelio might be better.
“I have wounds here and there as well. I’ll need some time to prepare.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Aaron nod. Clothing aside, she was scratched in several places—and the lovely Lady Noella seemed to have lost a noticeable amount of hair.
“However, His Majesty will not mind. After all, you are bringing the Dragon’s Heart that can save my brother.”
“That is one matter, and dignity is another. He already doesn’t care for me—if I go looking like this, he certainly won’t welcome me warmly.”
From her perspective, she would be meeting her father-in-law for the first time. The Archbishop was a man overflowing with both affection and hidden schemes—but the Emperor was different.
This is why they say men just don’t understand.
After examining the stuffed animals mounted on the wall, Adele shrugged.
Lions, bears, wolves—each one a formidable predator. Even the wildlife differed from that of the South.
“At the very least, I should present the proper appearance. He must be lamenting that his son has married some unheard-of provincial noblewoman.”
“W-Well…”
Knowing his father all too well, Aaron could not bring himself to deny it and merely cleared his throat.
Though his father claimed not to value material things, his faith and pride in his eldest son were immense.
Besides, even Aaron himself had known almost nothing about House Sergio before traveling south to see it with his own eyes.
“You don’t have to look so troubled. Our family deliberately stayed hidden in the South to avoid drawing rumors.”
“…Pardon?”
“So there’s no need to keep doing that anymore.”
Adele waved her hand at Aaron, telling him not to look so apologetic.
As expected of protagonists—they’re refreshingly straightforward with their emotions. Since they can’t hide their thoughts, there’s no need to waste time playing push and pull.
“Then would you grant me a few days here to prepare? There are quite a few people curious about me, so please consider my position as well.”
“That may be so, but there is nothing lacking in the Imperial Palace. Even if you make every effort to prepare, it may not be enough to satisfy His Majesty…”
“That only applies when one merely makes an effort.”
I’m not just going to try.
Releasing Aaron’s hand, Adele turned toward Cayden, who had been waiting for her command.
He had done this enough times already; he was fully prepared to act the moment she spoke.
“Contact Father immediately.”
“What?”
As Cayden moved as if to write it down at once, Adele grabbed his arm.
The path to becoming a devoted daughter back home did not require lengthy or complicated instructions.
“Tell Father that his beloved eldest daughter has found herself in a situation requiring an urgent visit to the Imperial Palace…”
“……”
“And that he should take this opportunity to do absolutely everything he has ever wanted to do.”
