Chapter 45
The Truth and Sincerity Hidden Behind the Smile
Contrary to her expectation that they would head straight back to the palace she stayed in, Shanel guided Tervan somewhere else.
“Today’s the first day we’ve met in a while. Let’s spend just a little more time together. You’ve been so busy lately, we hardly got to see each other.”
“It’s already quite late.”
“That’s fine. The weather’s nice. Why don’t we take a walk? You’ve been stuck in your office all day.”
“…Alright.”
Shanel swung Tervan’s hand playfully and led him outside.
He had already been out earlier, but now, with her insistence, he let himself be dragged along to where she wished to go.
“Mmm, this is nice. Breathing the night air after so long, I feel refreshed.”
The two of them strolled through the quiet night palace, their steps unhurried and intimate. For Tervan, too, the night breeze loosened some of the heaviness from the endless paperwork.
And the sound of Shanel’s lighthearted chatter left him no room for other thoughts. That was a comfort in itself.
Yes, this is where I belong.
Maybe because this tranquility reminded him of what he had felt during his earlier outing, Tervan asked Shanel a question he normally would never have voiced.
“What if I weren’t the Emperor? What would you think of me then?”
“…What?”
Shanel froze mid-step at the sudden question. She quickly tried to hide her surprise and asked back.
“What do you mean? Not the Emperor?”
“It’s just a thought I had. If I weren’t Emperor, if I were just one of the ordinary people, what would it have been like?”
He smiled faintly, recalling the children who had followed him without knowing his identity. But Shanel, unable to read his true intent, was only unsettled.
What is he getting at?
But without a pause—so he wouldn’t notice her hesitation—she replied smoothly.
“If you weren’t the Emperor, Tervan…”
Then you’d be useless. Just another pebble kicked aside on the street.
“…I’d probably welcome it. If you weren’t Emperor, you’d have more time to spend with me. We could be together every day, talking about the smallest things. Of course, that’s not to say I dislike you as you are now. But if something ever weighs on you, I want you to lean on me without hesitation.”
Hearing that, Tervan felt a strange comfort, as though she had given him exactly the answer he wanted.
“Thank you… for saying that.”
“Of course. You’re that precious to me.”
With a smile of affection, she walked on at his side.
So remain where you are. Because if you’re not the Emperor, then being by your side means nothing to me.
Behind Shanel’s gentle smile lay nothing but cruel truth.
“Are you ready, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Come in, Borens.”
When Borens entered, Elroa was already seated, her preparations complete.
“Is it time?”
“Yes, it’s about time to leave.”
Today was the very day of the arranged gathering with the young ladies at Shanel’s palace.
Funny how time always seems to fly only at times like these.
When Elroa rose, Borens and Jane followed, but only Borens would accompany her beyond the palace gates.
“Jane, guard the palace well.”
“Yes, please don’t worry and have a safe trip.”
Since the meeting was an important one, it was only natural Borens went along.
Jane, left behind, stood watching with a faint sense of regret as the two departed. Then Mari came up beside her.
“So you’re not going along this time, Jane.”
“It’s an occasion where mistakes can’t be allowed. That’s why Lord Borens accompanied her.”
“I see. Well, it makes sense. If Her Highness makes a blunder, even the head maid would have to step in quickly to cover it up.”
“What do you mean by that, Mari?”
Jane snapped at her. Mari had spoken as though Elroa making mistakes was a certainty.
“Why are you so upset? I said it because I worry about her too.”
“That’s not what you meant and you know it.”
“And what about you? Just because you serve her up close, you think you’re something special? What, hoping scraps will fall your way?”
“Mari!”
Jane finally lost her patience and raised her voice, but Mari went on blithely, ignoring her anger.
“You’re deluding yourself, Jane. This is Ruben. The one you serve is nothing more than a foreign princess tucked away in the corner of the imperial palace. Once she leaves, you won’t be strutting around so proudly anymore.”
Mari hurled her cruel words and then sauntered off.
Jane could endure insults aimed at herself, but disparaging Elroa was intolerable.
Because she knew better than anyone that Elroa was a genuinely good person.
That wretched girl…
She nearly ran after Mari to confront her, but then Borens’ reminder—that she must watch over the palace in his absence—echoed in her mind.
If a disturbance broke out here, it would only trouble Elroa.
“You don’t understand at all. Her Highness is the kindest person.”
No, better to be relieved that Mari isn’t near her right now.
Swallowing her anger, Jane turned back inside the palace.
Meanwhile, on her way to the destination, Elroa looked up at the unusually clear sky.
The weather’s lovely, yet I must go to that place…
It almost felt like the heavens understood her resolve, for she hadn’t crossed paths with Tervan even once since then. That had allowed her to live in relative peace—until today.
If it weren’t for Heris, I could have simply ignored this.
Soon she arrived at a familiar palace.
The last time she had come here, she hadn’t known it was a trap. Now, she entered knowing full well.
She couldn’t help but wonder: if she hadn’t stepped into this place that day, would things have turned out differently?
“Truly, life is impossible to predict.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Let’s go. I hope I’m not the last to arrive.”
Together with Borens, she stepped inside, where a maid greeted her.
“Your Highness, welcome. I’ll guide you to the gathering.”
“And Borens?”
“I’ll remain here. Call me if anything happens.”
“Alright. Lead the way.”
The maid guided her—not into the palace, but toward the garden.
“So it’s outdoors.”
“Yes. Lady Shanel personally chose this place because of the fine weather.”
“I see. And the other ladies?”
“All except Lady Shanel have already arrived.”
So I really am the last one.
Walking through the beautifully arranged garden, Elroa soon spotted them.
A group of young ladies were gathered around a round table.
She even recognized some faces from the banquet, those who had lingered at Shanel’s side.
“You’re all here already.”
Pushing aside her weariness, Elroa approached with a polite smile and exchanged brief greetings.
She then sat down beside Heris, greeting her warmly.
“Hello, Heris. It’s been a while.”
“It has. I was hoping to see you again. It’s a pity it has to be in a place like this.”
Heris’ last words were whispered low, for Elroa’s ears only.
Elroa gave a small nod in response. When their eyes met, both realized they were thinking the same thing, and they barely held back their smiles.
The other four young ladies paid them little mind, exchanging only formal pleasantries. That suited Elroa just fine.
“You noticed too, didn’t you? That Lady Shanel invited me on purpose.”
“Of course. She told me she’d be inviting you. And you still came, knowing that?”
“I worried you’d walk into the enemy camp alone. But you too?”
Realizing Heris had come with the same thought, Elroa was surprised—and grateful. They had only met once before, yet she cared enough to worry.
Heris felt the same gratitude for Elroa’s concern.
“My intuition was right that day.”
“What do you mean?”
“The moment I met you, I liked you instantly.”
“…Me too.”
As the two shared quiet words, the other ladies stood, having noticed someone approaching.
Heris murmured, “The one who lured us here is finally arriving. Not that I plan to let her have her way. Do you?”
“Of course not.”
Exchanging a determined look, they turned.
And Shanel made her entrance, last of all, like the star of the stage.
“You’re all here already? Forgive me, I hope I’m not too late.”
Her apologetic words drew quick reassurances from the other four ladies, who even waved their hands.
“Not at all. We only just arrived ourselves.”
“I’m relieved, then.”
As the hostess, Shanel took her seat, and everyone followed. By coincidence—or design—she ended up directly opposite Elroa.
What a choice of seating.
Meeting Elroa’s gaze, Shanel smiled sweetly as she introduced her.
“You all met before, but let me introduce once again: this is Princess Elroa from Zebenica. I arranged today’s gathering to get to know her better, and also to apologize for my rudeness at the banquet.”
Though her words said this was for Elroa, Elroa had no illusions about her sincerity. Still, she matched her tone with equal politeness.
“An apology? Lady Shanel, all you did was chat with other ladies. Thank you for hosting this gathering in my honor. It’s a lovely place.”
“This garden is one of my favorites. I truly wanted to show it to you.”
Thus, in an amicable atmosphere, conversation flowed.
Elroa also exchanged short remarks with the young ladies Shanel introduced.
Meanwhile, maids brought out trays of tea, setting cups before each of them.
But instead of retreating, the maids lingered by their sides.
Strange…
Elroa soon learned why.
“The maids will taste the tea first. I ask for your understanding. Of course, they’ll taste yours as well.”
Shanel smiled apologetically, and the young ladies nodded readily.
“Of course, we understand. After what happened, it’s only natural.”
“Yes, when I heard of it, I was so shocked. It left me anxious too.”
At those words, Elroa’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably. She quickly hid them beneath the table so no one would notice, but her knuckles turned bloodless white from the force of her grip.
Because she knew the truth of that day.
And the knowledge filled her with an unendurable fury.
