#88. An Unexpected Meeting (2)
The Emperor’s favor, whose true intention could not be known, meant little to the couple.
With a calm smile, Sasha answered politely.
“Like my husband, I feel the same. It is already a great honor that we were able to give even the smallest help to Your Majesty. Therefore, I wish for no other reward.”
It was a gentle but firm reply. You could see the will in it—that even if asked two, three, or more times, the answer would not change.
“…Hooh.”
Natalya the Great glanced back and forth between Sasha and Pavel, her eyes glinting secretly.
“Is that so…”
Her murmuring carried an emotion that could not be identified.
‘So, I was not mistaken.’
The young couple’s respectful but not timid attitude satisfied her.
They answered without hesitation, not excessive nor lacking, even when subtly provoked.
Natalya nodded after finishing her evaluation.
“If you have nothing you want, then it cannot be helped.”
Sasha let out a quiet sigh of relief inside.
Thankfully, the Emperor did not seem offended by their refusal.
But then the next words made her tense again.
“Still, I cannot simply wipe it away with just my words. I would like to treat you to a meal—would that be alright?”
Since they had just refused the Emperor’s generous offer once, they could hardly reject the invitation to lunch as well.
“It would be an honor if Your Majesty does so.”
Sasha and Pavel answered together.
“Then, let us move.”
All the way to the dining hall, Natalya spoke to them kindly.
When the door opened and the figures inside appeared, Natalya suddenly said as if remembering:
“Ah! And there will be two others dining with us. Is that alright?”
Sasha and Pavel looked startled at the sudden addition. Natalya, smiling mischievously, called to the ones inside.
Two young people approached, their golden hair resembling Natalya’s.
“These are my grandchildren. They are of similar age, so it would be good if you grew close.”
Sasha guessed who they were.
Natalya pointed to the young man beside her.
“This is my grandson, Ruslan. He will be my successor.”
He had shining sandy hair, light-brown skin, and blue eyes—features not common in the north.
‘He looks like a southerner.’
His appearance was typical of people from the southern coasts, where hot summers lasted all year.
But it wasn’t just his looks.
“Nice to meet you, Grand Duke’s heir Pavel Volkov, and Lady Volkov. I truly wished to see you both, so I am glad to meet you now!”
With a cheerful greeting matching his smiling face, Ruslan stretched out his hand for a handshake.
“…It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
Pavel looked at the hand for a moment, then reluctantly shook it.
The crown prince’s tanned hand gripped Pavel’s still-gloved hand tightly, shook it, and released it.
“I look forward to you in the future, sir.”
“…Yes.”
But Ruslan didn’t stop there.
After shaking hands with Pavel, he extended his hand toward Sasha.
Pavel frowned slightly, and Sasha’s eyes widened.
Handshakes between men were common, but with women? That was not Imperial etiquette.
‘They say he grew up in the south. So that’s why?’
Thinking this, Sasha accepted the handshake while carefully avoiding direct eye contact with the crown prince.
But Ruslan tilted his head and suddenly locked eyes with her.
His blue gaze pierced straight into her.
“……”
“……!”
Startled, Sasha blinked.
It wasn’t just the sudden eye contact that shocked her, but also the darkness and depth she saw in his eyes, so unlike his glittering outer appearance and cheerful demeanor.
It was only a brief glimpse, but it felt like his true self.
As Sasha narrowed her eyes instinctively, Ruslan chuckled.
The tense air tightened, then eased—
“Grandmother. Are you not going to introduce me?”
The girl who resembled Ruslan suddenly interrupted.
Startled, Sasha quickly released Ruslan’s hand and stepped behind Pavel.
Left alone, Ruslan watched her go, but the girl didn’t mind at all. Instead, she smiled at him challengingly.
“Yes.”
Natalya introduced her.
“This is my granddaughter.”
“Nice to meet you. My name is Irina Ivanov.”
The imperial princess, smiling brightly, was a vivid beauty with the same elegance and stubbornness as Natalya.
“I truly wanted to meet the ones who helped my grandmother.”
“It is an honor to meet you.”
Sasha smiled and greeted her. Pavel gave a blunt greeting as well.
Irina, watching him closely, asked,
“Sir Pavel Volkov, correct?”
“…Yes.”
“I am glad to meet you. I had long wanted to, but only now do I see your face.”
She extended her hand directly to him.
‘These siblings are both open.’
In this Empire, such gestures were not small matters.
Outside of escorting or dancing, men and women should not touch.
For a woman to offer it first—it was practically a bold sign of interest.
Pavel surely thought the same.
“……”
But he avoided her gaze, pretending not to see her offered hand.
Irina shifted awkwardly, wiggling her fingers. Surprised, Sasha nudged Pavel.
Only then did Pavel frown and shake Irina’s hand briefly.
Watching the scene, Natalya spoke.
“Now then, let us sit. The food will grow cold.”
She pointed to the long table filled with delicacies. For a meal of only five, the variety and amount were overwhelming.
The royal family were truly famous for being heavy eaters.
Sasha sat beside Pavel, amazed.
Natalya sat at the head, Ruslan and Irina on her right, and Sasha and Pavel on her left, facing them.
“Eat.”
At her word, the meal began.
Sasha already felt drained, but there was no escape.
Looking for something to eat, her eyes widened.
That was—
‘Karto dish?’
Common in the north now, but not here.
Seeing Sasha’s gaze, Natalya explained,
“You must find it familiar. I heard it was quite famous in the north, so I had it made. The recipe was so detailed that the chef mastered it quickly. It tasted good, so I often have it served.”
Taking some of the dish onto her plate, Natalya asked,
“I heard you made the recipe?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hoho, truly versatile.”
Her smile carried hidden meaning.
‘Versatile?’
Sasha blinked. It felt like there was more behind the words.
Then Natalya added with a playful laugh:
“What a pity. You would have been the perfect bride for my grandson. If you were not already married, I would have arranged the match.”
Pavel’s face stiffened.
Seeing that, Natalya waved it off.
“Haha! No need to glare at me so fiercely. Would I ever separate such a close couple?”
Then don’t say such things at all.
While Pavel frowned, Ruslan chuckled smoothly.
“Her Majesty enjoys such teasing. But it is only because she likes your wife, so I hope you do not take offense.”
Then he winked at Sasha.
“Of course, I too share the regret. Had I met you earlier, I wouldn’t have had to endure Her Majesty’s nagging about not being married yet.”
Was he doing this on purpose?
Pavel’s eyes grew sharp, and Sasha could feel his anger rising.
If Ruslan were not the crown prince, and if this were not the Emperor’s dining hall—Pavel would have struck him.
[Pavel. Calm down.]
Under the table, Sasha clasped his hand.
[I don’t know why he’s like this, but don’t get dragged in. Don’t show your emotions.]
She intertwined her fingers with his, sending warmth and her thoughts.
“……”
His hand twitched beneath hers, then finally relaxed.
