CHAPTER 92……………….
The Empress did not feel any particular threat from Emin.
She was of commoner birth, and since Dmitri—who already possessed considerable qualities as crown prince—had been designated, there was no real need to keep Emin in check.
Still, nothing could have been more suitable than Emin as a pawn to tighten the noose around my neck.
The Empress was a woman desperate to ruin both me and my mother.
Between Evgeni, whose mind was pure but lacking, and me, who was slightly more qualified as an imperial princess, I naturally stood out.
Therefore, to a woman who believed her own child had to be the very best, I must have seemed nothing more than a villain trying to overshadow Evgeni’s glory.
And now, she was using Emin to strangle me and Callipsa as a pawn to make up for Evgeni’s lack of intellect.
Since Nakari was a strategist, whatever mistakes Evgeni made, Nakari would certainly step in to protect her.
Perhaps sensing my steady gaze, my eyes met Nakari Callipsa’s for a brief instant.
“Congratulations on your birthday, Your Highness the First Princess.”
Nakari smiled enchantingly and bowed politely, then quickly melted back into the circle of noble ladies.
“…What a pity.”
Clicking my tongue, I tore my gaze away from Nakari. I had hoped I might win her to my side and make Evgeni pay together, but since she was staunchly pro-Empress, I could not recklessly attempt to sway her. With a faint click of my tongue, I walked away.
Emily, following at my side, whispered.
“What a shame. Lady Callipsa did the same at the last tea party. Is she deliberately trying to estrange herself from Your Highness?”
“Perhaps. Have you heard anything?”
At my words, Emily closed her eyes for a moment, then suddenly whispered, “Ah!”
“There are malicious rumors spreading from Princess Evgeni’s circle directed at Your Highness.”
“What sort of rumors?”
“That the First Princess misinterpreted Princess Evgeni’s concerned words and became angry.”
So that was the reason for the silence. It seemed they had taken advantage of Mullin, Illia, and Cecile’s return to spread their talk.
As nobles sensitive to honor, they must have been displeased that three who had failed to protect the imperial family’s safety were still wandering freely within the palace.
“You must be cautious for a while.”
“Yes.”
I nodded at Emily’s words and walked into her group. Soon, after a small gift-giving ceremony arranged by the young ladies in my honor, I was finally released.
‘So tiring…’
I staggered slightly as I moved, when a warm hand lightly grasped my shoulder and turned me around.
Startled, I gasped as I looked at the hand’s owner.
“There you are. Are you enjoying the banquet?”
“M-Mother.”
Since this banquet had been prepared by my mother, I had been able to spend the time more comfortably. But unlike my polished self, my mother’s face was worn with fatigue.
“You look tired, Mother…”
I gently brushed her face with my palm. She only chuckled softly and shook her head.
“No. I haven’t enjoyed preparing something this much in a long time. Thinking that I could personally arrange a banquet for you made me so happy I even forgot my weariness.”
“Thank you!”
“How could you be so lovely?”
She smiled tenderly, touching my cheeks. My face was pressed slightly under her broad palm, and seeing me like that made her own cheeks flush faintly.
Still held in her hand, I asked quietly.
“Are you not exhausted, dealing with all the nobles? I’ll be fine, so you should return to the palace and rest. You’re weary.”
“No, I cannot. This is the first banquet I deliberately prepared for my daughter. Besides, with His Majesty at my side, it was not too difficult.”
“…His Majesty?”
“Surprising, isn’t it?”
I nodded slowly. Mother’s lips curved faintly as she looked at me.
“I only feel sorry toward you.”
“I’m all right.”
“…I see. More importantly, dear, as you asked, I summoned ‘him’ to the fifth balcony. He should already be there—go.”
My eyes lit up, and I nodded.
As I was about to leave, my mother caught me again with a worried voice.
“If anything happens, you must shout. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Do not ever try to handle it alone. This time I will refrain, since you pleaded so earnestly. But if you are endangered again, I will never send you alone.”
“Yes!”
I smiled and hugged her tightly once before running toward the fifth balcony.
When I arrived, the curtain was drawn—signifying someone was inside.
Peeking in through the balcony door, I slipped in quietly.
And then—
“…! Y-Your Highness, the First Princess…?”
I met her eyes.
To be precise, it was Baroness Rain Panachat, who had stayed passive despite belonging to the Empress’s faction at Mother’s tea party.
The baroness looked visibly flustered at seeing me instead of my mother and retreated a step like a frightened rabbit.
Smiling, I darted inside. The baroness frowned warily.
“W-What brings Your Highness to this place? Forgive me, but I was here first.”
“Yes, I know.”
“You… knew? Then you entered knowingly, despite the rudeness?”
“Yes!”
“…Good heavens…”
The baroness shook her head in disbelief. She was about to leave when I spoke quietly as she passed.
“Are you sure it’s wise to leave?”
“…Pardon?”
“You were summoned by my mother, were you not? You’re aligned with the Empress—what business did you intend, meeting so secretly with my mother here?”
“W-What…!”
The baroness turned pale and cried out, then clapped her hands over her mouth, glancing anxiously toward the party. Thankfully, the noise had drowned her out.
She quickly drew the curtains shut.
“I-I don’t know what you mean. It’s true the Second Consort summoned me, but I only came to exchange harmless words. Did His Majesty not say? That tonight, even old enemies must lay down their quarrels.”
“Yes, he did.”
“So I merely heeded his words and answered her call. As a lowly baroness, how could I ignore a consort’s summons?”
“That makes sense.”
“Then I will take my leave now. Please enjoy yourself.”
As she hurried for the door, I laid my hand atop hers on the knob, smiling gently.
Her eyes wavered in confusion.
“You do know, don’t you? That Lady Viola Matra was discarded by Her Majesty?”
“…!”
“Are you not afraid, Baroness?”
“I-I don’t understand what Your Highness is saying…”
“Didn’t the Marchioness of Rubiz ever imply? That if Matra had comported herself better, it would have been you cast aside instead of her?”
“No! That’s not—!”
The baroness shoved me and gasped, clasping her mouth again. She looked at me, trembling like a leaf.
I only smiled softly.
“You did well.”
“E-Excuse me…?”
“You did well, Baroness. Continue to act against me like that, and you’ll hold firmly to the Empress’s side.”
“W-What…?”
I raised my lips in a sly smile.
“Shall we form an alliance?”
You’re just as anxious, aren’t you?
As I rise in prominence, you cannot know how the future may change. Do you really have the heart to oppose me and my mother with such a timid spirit?
It was perfect.
If we agreed, she could keep her place in Marchioness Rubiz’s faction without being cast out.
“Mock us, pour tea on us—I’ll tolerate it.”
“W-What do you mean…”
“Originally, weren’t you supposed to disgrace my mother in place of Matra? But you hesitated, so Matra acted in your stead, unable to bear it.”
“…!”
“We escaped thanks to Matra this time. But next? Can you throw tea on my mother yourself? Can you crush me as society’s leader?”
The baroness looked as if she had seen a ghost.
I stood, dusting off my skirts, smiling as I extended my hand.
“You only need to keep tormenting us as planned.”
“…So you do have a purpose.”
“Of course.”
She bit her lip.
“Give me… time to think.”
“Fine. Within one month.”
“Yes…”
“I’ll look forward to a favorable reply.”
Before she left, I waved her off with a chilling smile.
She departed, pale as paper.
“Perhaps I should apply some pressure.”
I only promised time—I never said I would wait quietly.
Grinning, I leaned against the balcony rail, humming to myself.
The sun set, and night fell.
After lingering too long on the balcony, my breath fluttered white in the cold.
Rubbing my arms, I reached for the door.
Just then—
Bang!
“Kyaa!”
I nearly fell as I collided with something solid, but a strong arm quickly wrapped around my waist, holding me upright.
The familiar scent tickled my nose. Looking up, I saw jet-black hair and blue eyes.
“Little Duke?”
“So here you were.”
“Ah, yes. Were you coming to use the balcony? I’m done—please, go ahead.”
I tried to step aside, but Richard did not release me, simply gazing down in silence.
Our eyes met, and the closeness sent a shiver down my spine.
As I rubbed my arms against the goosebumps, he placed his hand over mine.
“Allow me to give you my coat.”
“It’s fine, I was just about to go back inside…”
“The Tower Master ordered everyone to step onto the balconies.”
“Lord Adix?”
“Yes. He said he had something to show, and especially summoned Your Highness by name, warning that if you were absent, he would fetch you himself with his son.”
What a lunatic.
“I think so too.”
Richard, reading my face, agreed with a cold glance.
I stepped back inside the balcony, while Richard busied himself at the door, making noises.
When I asked, he replied, “I latched it—so no one disturbs us.”
“Oh… I see.”
I nodded.
Richard then joined me quietly, gazing at the night sky.
Though the winter was harsh, the sky was breathtakingly beautiful.
If only it weren’t so cold.
“Sniffle…”
I sniffled from the chill. Richard’s eyes lingered on me. After a pause, he removed his coat and draped it over my shoulders.
Startled, I tried to return it, but he stopped me gently.
“I brought this just in case.”
In his hand glowed a red magic stone—the same firestone I had seen in the Forest of Darkness.
“Take my hand.”
“…Why?”
“It works best when shared this way.”
With a teasing smile, he added, “Forgive my discourtesy,” and clasped my hand.
My body stiffened—yet warmth spread through me, soothing my tense muscles.
‘What do I do with my hand…?’
Should I squeeze back, or let go? I blinked, lost in the trivial dilemma.
Silence, short but intense, fell between us. Richard squeezed my hand gently.
“Are you warm?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I’m not cold anymore.”
“I’m glad.”
“Yes.”
“….”
“….”
Maybe I should just jump off the balcony…?
I was thinking such nonsense when he spoke.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, Little Duke?”
“Though late, happy birthday. I wanted to congratulate you first, but I was held up by others.”
“You’re just as popular as I am.”
“Not nearly as much as you.”
He smiled, adjusting the coat that had slipped from my shoulder.
“Your Highness… about the wish token.”
“…Eh?”
“You gave me one.”
“Ah…”
I remembered. When he had arranged for me to meet my maternal grandfather.
‘But now?’
It was my birthday, wasn’t it?
As I looked at him, puzzled, he smiled bashfully.
“Of course, I’ve also prepared a gift. Once the banquet ends, please open mine first.”
“All right. And the wish token?”
“…May I use it now?”
I blinked.
What wish could he want, hesitating like this?
“Very well.”
I nodded readily, feeling cheerful.
His lips began to form words.
“My—”
Just then—
Boom!
Fireworks exploded in the sky.
“Are you watching, First Princess?”
Adix’s voice echoed.
So this was what he meant to show. My eyes sparkled as I gazed at the blossoms in the air.
“They’re so beautiful! Little Duke, look!”
“….”
“Isn’t it lovely?”
“…Yes. Blindingly so.”
Unaware of his gaze fixed on me, I stared in awe at the scattering fireworks.
Thus ended my tenth birthday.
Time passed, and passed again.
“Congratulations on turning eighteen.”
Amidst everyone’s blessings, I held my debutante.
