#155. Ah, My Lady Has Arrived
Melchizedek had yet to decide how he should act.
He resolved to be honest with Blanche. In his previous life, his lack of honesty had caused their paths to diverge.
He also decided not to force his feelings on her. In the past life, doing so had ended tragically.
So which approach was correct now? Should he confess his feelings openly, or should he keep them to himself without imposing them on her?
Dealing with people was usually so simple—but why was she always so difficult for him?
He rubbed his throbbing forehead.
Walking a path where even a single mistake wasn’t allowed felt like treading on thin ice.
“Lord Melchizedek, excuse me.”
Just then, a knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
Raising his voice, Melchizedek granted entry.
It was the maid who attended Blanche—her name was apparently Barbara.
“Princess Blanche wishes to have dinner with you. She said she will adjust to your schedule and asked for your available dates.”
Of all times… Melchizedek forced a bright expression over the wry smile that wanted to escape.
“Princess Blanche? My, what an honor.”
Half of that statement was true, half false. Normally, he would have been genuinely pleased, but since he hadn’t decided on a course of action yet, it was hardly something to welcome. He wanted, if possible, to postpone the meeting indefinitely.
And he could have done so—excuses were endless. There were countless meetings he absolutely had to attend, gatherings of utmost importance.
Sitting right there, he could easily fabricate reasons to avoid Blanche for at least a month.
Of course, she would notice eventually, but in that case, she probably wouldn’t invite him again. Blanche was that kind of person.
But wouldn’t that be counterproductive? Hesitating to avoid hurting her, only to end up rejecting her invitation, would be no different from the past life where trying to protect her had ultimately constricted her freedom.
“If the princess requests it, I must go at once. Please tell her I can even make it tonight.”
With that, Melchizedek made up his mind. For now, he would bury the confusion and chaos deep within his heart until he could make a decision.
“Yes, I will convey that message.”
Luckily, Barbara’s skill in maintaining a cheerful expression had not faded, and she withdrew with a bright smile.
“Well, you should have seen it yourself! ‘If the princess requests it, I must go at once,’ he said, smiling so brightly—it was so handsome! Well, he’s always handsome, but his face practically bloomed like a flower when he smiled. I almost got butterflies just watching. They say people in love become beautiful, and it really is true!”
“…I see.”
I looked at Barbara, chattering so animatedly, with a slightly alarmed expression.
Was this girl really talking about romance with me? I’d never had a subordinate address me so casually.
Granted, I hadn’t been strict with the civilian maids serving me, but even so, there’s such a thing as decorum. Those who served me before seemed to exercise caution automatically.
I had no idea what gave her the confidence to speak like this. I didn’t plan to correct her, as she wasn’t going to be a long-term companion anyway.
“I thought people of royal blood only had arranged marriages without love, but apparently not. It’s like a romance novel.”
Well… if anything like a typical romance novel, a story with the emperor and me isn’t quite a romance.
I smiled wryly and stopped Barbara, who had been endlessly braiding my hair.
“That’s enough for now. Braid it neatly, please.”
Barbara’s hands were nimble, contrary to her casual demeanor. One of the main reasons I kept her close was precisely her skill.
Someone like me, who commands with authority, had to maintain a flawless appearance, at least outwardly.
She was a bit frivolous, though, so if I didn’t force her to move on at times, her braiding could drag on endlessly.
“Yes! I’ll make it perfectly beautiful!”
Normally, I would have ordered her to braid it to look dignified, not just pretty, but tonight’s schedule would end after dinner. Later, when I locked myself in the office to review documents, my hair could be as loose as I liked.
So I let Barbara braid my hair as she wished.
“All done! Isn’t it beautiful? It’s the latest trend among girls nowadays.”
I hadn’t cared about trends, but Barbara’s confidence seemed justified.
I checked carefully in the mirror to make sure no stray strands remained and then stood up.
“Lord Melchizedek will surely like it too.”
I almost reflexively wanted to deny it, but then thought, outwardly, that might be true—and left my lips shut.
No, maybe inwardly it wasn’t different either. After all, His Majesty had indeed proposed to me, and that feeling was born of affection…
“There’s no more work for today, so you may take your leave and rest.”
I deliberately raised my voice to cut through the tangle of thoughts in my head.
“Yes!”
Leaving the room behind with Barbara’s unexpectedly cheerful voice, I fidgeted with my hands. But it wasn’t because of her words.
It was because I was about to do something I had never done before.
Not to receive a reward for my loyalty, but to offer something in return for His Majesty’s favor.
I couldn’t simply provide it without being asked—I had to ask what was needed.
It felt… so unfamiliar.
Not a grand duke and a hostage, not ruler and vassal. Not the brother of a house that almost faced annihilation and the head of the house that almost was destroyed. It felt more like a business transaction.
That part was what made me tense.
“─Ah, my lady has arrived.”
The tension peaked as I saw His Majesty greeting me upon entering the dining hall.
I deliberately took a deep breath before moving forward. I felt the dining room door close behind me.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, I came early on purpose. I wanted to wait for you.”
…Now I understood why Barbara had been so flustered.
His Majesty generally acted formally, but occasionally, he exuded a relaxed, almost casual air. And somehow, it suited him perfectly.
Even now, he rested his chin on his hand, elbows on the table, yet his sharp features combined with that posture to give him an ambiguous, irresistible charm.
In fact, he was the very definition of royal blood.
In his previous life, he had been born into royalty and reached the emperor’s throne, and in this life, he was the crown prince from birth.
And yet, he carried himself in a way that suggested he could empathize with anyone, regardless of status or position. No wonder everyone was loyal to him.
“Sorry to trouble you during such a busy time, but I feel it’s proper to offer some repayment for your favor.”
I raised my glass, speaking the words I had said countless times before. But never to His Majesty—it felt awkward.
Unlike the crisp sip of the aperitif, my words lingered rough on my tongue.
“Favor? Don’t worry about it. I’m just doing what I want.”
Taking only enough to wet his lips, His Majesty set down his glass.
While I felt awkward, he remained natural and composed.
Would pressing the matter now seem desperate? How many courses were there again? How had we filled the long dinner before, aside from the main discussion?
If it were a politically charged meal, I’d done it thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of times.
Yet never had I felt unsure of what to do at such a dinner—so why was I so tense today?
I moved my fork slowly, careful not to reveal the tension in my fingers.
I deliberately discussed His Majesty’s accomplishments early in the meal to fill the time.
I spoke of how skillfully the nobles I’d met had fallen into His Majesty’s plans and how effectively his intentions had been realized.
“Ah, they all have loose lips. And they ran to chatter about it?”
Upon hearing that Count Shale had come to check the royal supplier selection, His Majesty exaggeratedly frowned.
“You arranged that as well, didn’t you?”
Nobles experienced in politics rarely reveal such secret information in public. That they did so now was precisely because His Majesty had pressured them into it.
“Ah, as expected, you understand me well.”
Naturally, His Majesty acknowledged it with ease.
