Chapter 15
“Crown Princess, Robert is the son of Count Neville and my secretary. He helps me with most of my work. You remember what I told you yesterday, right?”
At Edward’s words, Leah remembered the mineral shares that had been transferred to her and nodded.
“Let me properly introduce myself. I’m Robert Neville. I handle all sorts of errands for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Edward shook his head and laughed like he couldn’t help it after hearing Robert’s introduction.
Leah also laughed along with him, feeling the friendly and cheerful atmosphere between the two.
“What should I do? It seems like you’ll be handling all sorts of my errands from now on too.”
“Hahaha. I’m prepared for that, Your Highness.”
“Please take care of me, Secretary Robert.”
“No, please take good care of our Crown Prince, Your Highness.”
“Hah!”
Edward let out a short laugh at Robert’s bold comment.
“You two must be very close.”
Leah said with an amused expression while looking between them.
“No, Your Highness.”
“No, Your Highness.”
Edward and Robert answered at the same time.
Leah burst out laughing like a child.
***
Later
Leah sank into a bath filled with red rose petals.
The fragrant scent of roses and the comfortably warm water wrapped around her body and slowly relaxed her tension.
“Today the water feels softer. The color looks different too.”
Leah said lazily with her eyes closed.
“We added a bath product that the Crown Prince personally brought.”
“The Crown Prince?”
Leah opened her eyes in surprise.
“Yes. It contains ingredients that help relieve fatigue and are good for the skin.”
“Mm. I already feel my fatigue melting away.”
Leah smiled pleasantly and closed her eyes again.
“Even we didn’t know the Crown Prince could be this considerate.”
One of the maids said with a light laugh.
“Really? Isn’t he normally like this?”
Leah replied casually, thinking they were just trying to make her feel good.
“He’s not exactly affectionate… he’s more of a polite person.”
…Isn’t that the same thing?
***
Later That Night
After finishing her bath, Leah returned to her bedroom wearing cream-colored pajamas.
Tea had already been prepared.
Edward stood up as if welcoming her back.
“It’s chamomile tea. It will help you sleep well.”
Edward pulled out the chair across from him for her.
After Leah sat down, he placed a light pink robe over her shoulders.
“Thanks to the bath product you prepared, my fatigue and tension are gone. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
He answered lightly and poured tea for her.
Leah inhaled the soft aroma for a moment before taking a sip.
“Crown Princess.”
Edward spoke after she set the teacup down.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be quite busy.”
“Yes. I expected that.”
“I’ll return to the palace whenever I have time.”
Leah quietly looked at him, finding his constant kindness interesting.
“Is Secretary Robert always by Your Highness’s side?”
“Yes.”
“What about John?”
“John is usually with me too, but these days he only accompanies me to outside schedules.”
Wait… why?
“Are you worried because Sasha alone doesn’t feel safe? Should I assign John to you as well?”
Edward asked with concern after noticing her uneasy expression.
“No. I’m not worried about myself… I’m worried about you. What if something dangerous happens?”
“To me?”
Edward looked puzzled, then chuckled softly.
“You don’t need to worry about me. It’s not easy to harm me inside the imperial palace.”
But it still happened…
Leah wanted to say it but only moved her lips silently.
“Do you not trust me that much?”
Edward asked gently with a soft smile.
Leah shook her head at his soothing voice.
“It’s just… I’m worried.”
“…Then… would you feel better if John stayed with me too?”
Leah’s face immediately brightened.
She nodded eagerly.
Seeing that, Edward laughed.
“Well… it seems you trust John more than me, Crown Princess.”
***
The First Morning After Their Vacation
After their short vacation ended, Leah and Edward went to the training ground in the morning.
After eating breakfast, they prepared to meet the Emperor and Empress.
Under the guidance of Head Maid Cecil, Leah wore a mint-colored dress decorated with layered white lace at the sleeves and finished with ribbons.
She looked lovely.
An emerald necklace added elegance befitting the Crown Princess.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Leah admired Cecil’s taste.
While waiting for Edward after finishing her preparations, the two maids sent by the Empress were brought into the living room.
“Mary will be in charge of Your Highness’s appearance and general care, and Lila will assist with your outside schedules.”
Leah carefully observed them after Cecil introduced them.
“Please take good care of me.”
“Please lower your speech, Your Highness.”
“Oh, right. Please take care of me.”
Leah quickly corrected herself after Cecil pointed it out.
Mary and Lila bowed deeply.
Mary had curly brown hair and a friendly expression.
Lila had neatly tied black hair and looked a little cold, but her eyes were deep.
Completely different types… interesting.
Leah smiled while looking between them.
“Sasha looks pretty today too.”
Leah greeted Sasha warmly, who was standing behind Mary and Lila.
Sasha, who had been expressionless, suddenly blushed.
“N-No, not at all.”
“Sasha, why are you standing back there? Come here.”
Leah deliberately called Sasha warmly and gestured to her.
She wanted to see Mary and Lila’s reactions.
Sasha shyly stepped forward.
“Sasha, please take good care of Mary and Lila. You’ll all get along well, right?”
“Yes… of course, Your Highness.”
“I’m counting on you, Sasha.”
Leah held Sasha’s hands and smiled brightly.
At that moment, Leah noticed Mary and Lila’s eyes sharpen briefly.
Just then, Edward entered the room wearing a navy-blue formal uniform.
“Crown Princess, are you ready?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Leah replied with a bright smile and walked toward him.
Then she looked up at his face from close by.
“Your Highness looks wonderful today.”
“The Crown Princess looks beautiful as well.”
***
Meeting the Emperor and Empress
“Have you been well, Your Majesty?”
Edward and Leah bowed before the Emperor and Empress in the second audience hall of the imperial palace.
“I’ve been very comfortable since no one woke me up early in the morning.”
The Emperor joked as he welcomed them.
“Your Majesty, please… maintain proper dignity in front of the Crown Princess.”
The Empress sitting beside him shook her head.
She had soft brown hair styled elegantly upward and wore a ruby tiara.
Her red dress with golden details showed off her glamorous figure.
If she didn’t smile, she looked rather sharp, so she tried to keep a gentle smile on her face.
“Well, the Empress can worry about dignity. Let’s move over there.”
At the Emperor’s suggestion, they moved to a round table by the window where warm sunlight was shining in.
Leah was extremely nervous and wanted to quickly drink the tea placed in front of her.
But the Emperor hadn’t picked up his cup yet, so she just stared at it quietly.
“It’s milk tea.”
Noticing her nervousness, Edward gently suggested she drink it.
Leah looked at him gratefully and carefully took a sip.
The slightly sweet tea, probably because of honey, helped ease her tension.
“So, Crown Princess, are you feeling less tired now?”
The Emperor asked kindly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for allowing me time to rest.”
“Yes, yes. It wasn’t exactly my idea, but I allowed it, so it counts. Hahaha.”
Leah tilted her head slightly at his words and looked at Edward.
He simply smiled softly.
“Crown Princess, do you like the maids I sent?”
The Empress asked, trying to hide her sharp gaze.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I was resting and didn’t properly thank you. I apologize.”
“That’s fine. I already received a letter and a small gift from the Crown Prince.”
Leah had no idea about that.
She didn’t even know how many times she should be surprised by Edward’s thoughtful actions.
“So that’s why you’re in such a good mood today, Empress.”
At the Emperor’s teasing remark, the Empress’s calm expression slightly twisted.
