Chapter 11
—Knock, knock.
“Father, I’m here.”
As she knocked on the study door, a crash of books tumbling inside could be heard. Perhaps he had tried to rush out and accidentally knocked over a bookshelf.
Just as she was about to worry whether he had gotten hurt, footsteps approached. Ailye listened intently to the approaching sound and lifted the corners of her lips. Her pale cheeks, which always seemed drained within the palace, were now flushed with life.
A reunion with her parents, her three older brothers, and a childhood friend she hadn’t seen in six years—this was far too much, yet it was the fortune that Ailye was originally meant to have.
In the original story, Rick didn’t leave for studying abroad so soon.
Ailye recalled hazy memories.
Rick, Ricar Albero, was a supporting character who appeared intact in the original story.
A loyal ally of Ailye, unconditionally. In the original story, Ailye left for her studies a year after her wedding. She had already made a romantic partner at the academy, so there was no direct romantic connection with Ailye.
Perhaps because there was no romantic subplot, he exited mid-to-late story, though he served as a lively supporting character in the early part.
He was a bit ridiculous, a bull who only charged ahead, but in many ways, he had been dependable.
Yet in this possession, Ricar left to study abroad after only three years. At that time, Ailye was fifteen, about to be engaged to Benate.
I should have realized that something was off from then.
If she had, she might have vaguely sensed that things would deviate from the original story and perhaps taken fewer wounds from Benate.
—Clatter.
Lost in thought, the study door opened, revealing Count Erdei.
Compared to Ailye and her mother, he had darker blond hair and red eyes. The deep wrinkles between his brows gave him a stern appearance at first glance, but his warm, gentle smile softened it immediately.
“Ah, you came right on time, Ari!”
The study behind the door was in chaos, books scattered everywhere. Ailye peeked at the mess and let out a small laugh.
“Yes, Father. But you didn’t need to come out in such a hurry. I’ll be spending the next three weeks at Erdei, after all.”
“Well, my daughter comes back after two years, and I can’t exactly keep my composure.”
Her father scratched the back of his head awkwardly, as if his words were meant as a joke.
As they laughed at each other, another laugh joined in. Right, Ricar had come too. Ailye called out her childhood friend’s familiar name toward the door.
“Rick?”
Someone hiding behind the door suddenly popped out.
Curly, bright red hair and vividly shining black eyes.
“You…”
Tall enough that she had to crane her neck to see him, with a solid build…
“…Is it really you, Rick?”
Her hesitant, faint voice escaped. The red-haired young man grinned widely at her.
“Long time no see, huh?”
“Ah…”
It really was Ricar. Ailye’s mind lit up with certainty, her rose-colored eyes wide.
The brave boy who had once wielded a long sword slightly shorter than her height. His appearance had changed a lot, but she could recognize him—the playful tone, the relaxed expression, and the hearty laugh, all unchanged.
“By the way, Ricar stopped by Erdei on his way back from studying abroad. When he heard you were here, he insisted on seeing your face first.”
“Back from studying abroad?”
Startled, she repeated the question. Ricar shrugged his shoulders.
Instead of explaining how or when he had returned, he pulled out a long, flat box wrapped in red velvet from his coat.
Count Erdei’s gaze on his son was full of warmth, as if looking at him with pride.
“Open it.”
Ailye carefully opened the box.
Inside was a document lavishly decorated with gold foil—his graduation certificate from the Bris Swordsmanship Academy and his teacher appointment letter.
“You’ve already graduated? Or… become a teacher?”
“Yes.”
“Uh… how?”
Ailye handed the box back to Ricar with a bewildered expression. Was what she just saw really true?
The Bris Swordsmanship Academy was the empire’s most prestigious school. Without talent, one could never graduate, and even the most skilled graduates rarely became instructors immediately after graduation. Only geniuses who could face upperclassmen upon entering could achieve such a feat.
Ailye looked up at her childhood friend in stunned amazement.
Even in the original novel, Ricar was described as naturally talented in swordsmanship. Yet he was free-spirited and had postponed joining the academy. His playful mischief even caused friction with Duke Albero.
Consequently, in the original story, he never graduated; he became too busy with academy life, eventually disappearing from the story.
To think that a single change in study abroad timing could alter his growth so much…
A chill ran down Ailye’s spine, worrying that one of her choices since reincarnation might have been wrong.
“By the way, Ailye,”
Ricar said, pouting playfully as if slightly disappointed.
“…Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”
It was as if he had worked so hard just to receive her praise. His dark eyes sparkled with anticipation.
He looked like a puppy desperately waiting for praise, and Ailye smiled, crinkling her eyes.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Your Majesty.”
As if a wish had been fulfilled, Ricar clenched his fists and beamed. She could faintly see traces of the boy he had been. When they once skipped etiquette lessons to play in the garden, he had been just this happy. When she gave him a birthday gift of a portrait she drew, he had reacted the same way.
Unlike the stoic emperor, Ricar was transparent with his emotions. He didn’t hide his feelings, and even if he tried, they always showed on his face.
Many readers regretted that he had no romantic storyline with Ailye in the original novel. They would have rejoiced reading this part—coming back from studying abroad and visiting Erdei first, without even knowing if Ailye was there.
“Aren’t you going to Albero?”
“I’ll go eventually, but I’ll stay longer at Erdei first.”
“Are you sure that’s okay?”
“Since I finally get to see you.”
Even so, three weeks packed with visits? Nothing had changed about this childhood friend besides his more mature appearance.
Ailye tried to suppress her amused laughter as she followed her father into the study to sit and talk carefully, avoiding the fallen books.
Now that I think of it, I wonder what gifts my brothers will bring.
She found herself curiously pondering this, as though she had truly returned to her childhood.
“So, for the banquet…”
The Emperor of the Terre Empire, Benate Serault Lenovar, was lost in thought, letting the words of the Knight Commander wash over him. He rested his chin on his hand and blinked slowly.
Dark circles under his eyes. Was it the exhaustion from four full days on the road for the international conference, or an unshakable worry in his mind?
Benate recalled the Empress before his eyes. Ailye, bowing her head, avoiding his gaze. Even when he suggested she recover at Erdei, her half-hearted smile did not deceive him—it was a forced one.
No matter how indifferent a person is…
He let out a frustrated sigh, and his silver hair fell over his forehead. The Knight Commander paused mid-sentence.
“Are you feeling unwell, Your Majesty?”
“No, I just can’t focus.”
“I see. Then please take a rest for now; we will report again when the time comes.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
With a thud, the Knight Commander quietly closed the door. Benate covered his face with both hands.
This was no time for hesitation. The international conference involved a critical matter: deciding the treatment of abandoned lands in the empire’s frontier, areas once used by wizards of the old era.
Was there a powerful relic capable of obliterating a small kingdom, or merely a ruin?
During the reign of Benate’s father, the former Emperor, a decision was deferred—leave it untouched for ten years. This year marked the final year. A new decision was needed.
“…This is difficult, so difficult.”
The critical conference matter, and above all, the unease in his heart.
Benate could not understand why Empress Ailye avoided him. He summoned Dr. Sirion for multiple examinations, but the answer was always the same: nothing was physically wrong.
Even the smallest clue would suffice. If something strange occurred during the examination, tell me. But Sirion shook his head. He was doing his best, yet he could not say. Even if he wanted to. He added:
Perhaps Your Majesty, if you face Empress Ailye directly, you might see something.
But that was impossible. Benate could not approach an Empress who trembled before him. She did not look him in the eyes, as if he were a reaper come to claim her life.
So Benate waited. Until everything dulled and passed. Until they could meet face to face. Hesitating at her bedroom door, he often turned back. For more than a month, he merely lingered near her, doing nothing.
I wish I could…
He wanted, countless times, to knock on that door and behold her rose-colored eyes.
Then a forgotten possibility came to mind. That woman who had been with Ailye during the New Year festival.
Your Majesty, I know I was at fault last night, so I understand if Empress Ailye is displeased with me.
She was definitely a stranger. If he had heard her name, he might have known her family, but he did not. Yet her words had been as if…
As if she were my hidden concubine.
Those piercing golden eyes, that sharp, almost tearing voice. It was not an act of fabrication.
Yet…
That is impossible.
Benate swore he had never taken a concubine.
