Chapter 38
The emperor, who had seemed so solemn in the novel, looked just like a regular neighborhood uncle in front of Eloise.
This is why you need to see all sides of a person. Ah, even the favorite novel I had read multiple times.
“Since he’s a member of the royal bloodline, according to custom, it’s better for a wet nurse to raise him.”
“Stagnant customs are better off changed. Just like how I appointed Arno as Crown Prince.”
Changed? Yeah, right. Thanks to that, the empress was sharpening her blade without him realizing.
As I chewed my steak, I also chewed on the emperor in my mind.
The emperor’s power was immense, but by now, he must have been troubled by his own son doing the same thing he had.
“I hope Your Majesty continues the late emperor’s intentions.”
“These days, that kid is making life unbearable. From commoners to nobles, there isn’t a single citizen who isn’t gossiping.”
Of course. Was he trying to eat, or hold a conversation? The emperor kept complaining.
The fact that the unmarried Crown Prince had brought a lover into the palace first was bound to be provocative.
The more sensational the rumor, the more it spread, and such stories naturally undermined the royal authority.
“It would have been fine if she were content just being a lover, but now she’s the adopted daughter of Ronsbleur—ugh.”
“She’s beside Your Majesty; it’s better if they match in status.”
“Thanks to that, she went from being the idol of commoners to the subject of criticism.”
Despite being a commoner, Marianne had awakened her magic and become an idol among them. But her noble registration created resentment. It was almost like denying her commoner origins.
Even while listening to complaints, Eloise elegantly cut her steak and ate.
The emperor gulped wine as if his insides were burning.
“Where did you find such a child… tsk.”
The emperor had kept a commoner as his consort and even had children with her. Hypocrisy at its finest.
“Do not worry. The Crown Princess is only yours.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Eloise gave a polite, artificial smile. Her face was already cold, but with just the corners of her mouth lifted, she looked even more like a porcelain doll.
There was only one reason the emperor treated Eloise well.
Montclair filled the void left by the wolf beast tribe.
“It would have been better if Étienne had resonated with Arno.”
The wolf beast tribe had been dissatisfied with the emperor appointing Arno as Crown Prince before the next heir of their tribe was even born.
Though they didn’t outwardly show it, they didn’t actively support the emperor. Normally, the wolf tribe leader should have stayed by the emperor’s side, but instead, he resided in his own village.
“As Your Majesty said, it is a stagnant custom, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Still… the power of the beast tribe.”
The emperor licked his lips as if regretful. Thanks to the wolf tribe, the empire had gained an advantage in wars with the beast kingdom.
In the novel, their support was ignored to emphasize the male lead’s abilities, but their existence could not be dismissed.
“With Montclair by Your Majesty’s side, there is no need to worry further.”
“Yes. Very reassuring. Oh, I almost forgot a gift.”
“A gift? That’s not necessary, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t refuse. I am merely giving it in advance, as it will eventually be yours anyway.”
At the emperor’s gesture, a servant handed Eloise a golden key.
Decorated with rubies, the key looked obviously expensive.
“This is the key to the greenhouse on the east side of the palace. It was given to the Crown Princesses, but after Michelle left, I’ve been managing it myself.”
He proudly mentioned that it had been given to a consort, not the current empress, who was once a Crown Princess.
Eloise took the key with a slightly uneasy expression.
“Cat—or rather, Lisette—what do you think? Don’t you like it?”
“It’s beautiful.”
The greenhouse was indeed dazzling and gorgeous. I suppose the emperor had noticed me looking around in awe as I entered.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Hearing my reply, Eloise took the key with a resigned expression. She was glad to have a place to occasionally visit while staying at the empress’s residence.
Then it happened.
“Huh…”
My whole body tingled again. This feeling… no way. I jumped out of the chair I had been sitting on.
I had to find a place to hide, just in case.
“Lisette!”
“Bathroom!”
Sorry to interrupt the meal, but nothing else came to mind as an excuse.
I ran in the opposite direction of the dining area, toward the farthest corner of the greenhouse.
‘I must not change here…!’
My body felt prickling and burning.
At the destination, I could hide among thick foliage, but the pain only worsened. My joints throbbed, making tears well up. Pain was all I could think of.
Then I heard rustling and curled up tighter. Surely, no one should be here…!
“You’ve hidden well.”
A deep but kind voice. It was Étienne. He parted the plants reaching his chest and came beside me.
As before, he grabbed my tightly clenched paw and let mana flow into me.
The aching pain gradually subsided. I looked at my paw, hoping. Thankfully, the white fur remained fluffy.
“How did you know?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
“You must tell me… and, thank you.”
“You… never mind.”
He always spoke teasingly, saying things almost but not quite. It made me more curious.
I pouted, and he moved his lips as if he was going to say more.
“Um…”
“Lisette! Where are you?”
Just then, Eloise’s shout cut him off.
Following the emperor, Eloise’s scent grew near.
Étienne closed his mouth, leaving the words unsaid.
“Étienne?”
Eloise, having spotted him first, then noticed my small crouched form and lifted me.
Her eyes scanned me sharply.
“You’re not hurt, right?”
“No, I just suddenly needed the bathroom.”
“…I see.”
Satisfied that I was fine, Eloise finally looked at Étienne again, holding me tightly.
“Étienne, have you been well?”
“Hello, Eloise.”
“Didn’t the knights block your way outside the greenhouse?”
“…They’d probably be knocked over.”
Eloise’s turquoise eyes widened again.
“What happened at the Crown Prince’s palace?”
Hearing that I had overpowered the knights guarding the greenhouse, her surprise was understandable.
More importantly, should the knights protecting the emperor be so easily defeated by a young beast?
Eloise didn’t comment on that, instead worrying about Marcel first. Étienne shook his head.
“So the Lisette inspection was moved up?”
“…Ah, yes.”
‘Ah, yes.’ A lie anyone could see through.
Yet Eloise nodded casually. Did she actually believe it?
“I see. Then just inform His Majesty and go together.”
“Is that okay?”
“Marcel is urgently looking for you. Right, Étienne?”
He flinched at his name, nodded, and slowly stepped back toward the greenhouse door.
“Yes. I’ll go first. Tell His Majesty and take your time coming.”
“Okay. Could you also tell Marcel to prepare a snack?”
“Yes, got it.”
Étienne nodded a few times, then disappeared in the blink of an eye. The wind he created made the leaves flutter.
I stared blankly at the direction he vanished, then tapped Eloise’s arm.
“The emperor must be waiting for a long time.”
“Yes, let’s go quickly.”
Though I mentioned the emperor, Eloise seemed to be thinking of someone else.
The place I had run to was farther from the dining area than expected.
After marveling at plants I hadn’t seen before, we finally returned to where we had started.
“Apologies, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Lisette, did you manage your urgent matter well?”
Embarrassed by the emperor’s teasing, I merely nodded, knowing politeness wasn’t enough.
The table had already been cleared, leaving only tea cups and empty dessert plates.
“I heard Étienne came. Go quickly. I’ll get up now, and we’ll eat again later.”
The emperor left the greenhouse, scheduling a meal on his own terms. It was amusing how he acted magnanimously despite having finished eating first.
As expected, like father, like son. The Crown Prince’s personality was identical.
“Who does Marcel resemble?”
“Hmm… his eyes are the same color as Her Majesty’s.”
Eloise replied to my musing and tried to leave the greenhouse.
If only the Crown Prince hadn’t been waiting by the glass door the maids had opened.
