Chapter -57-
I led Lucius inside the mansion and upstairs to the bedroom. This place was more comfortable for the two of us to talk than the parlor. After sending away the servants, I sat him down on a sofa to one side. Sitting beside him, I held both his hands, and he asked, seemingly flustered:
“Tiana, calm down for a moment. What on earth happened?”
“Lucius. You’re on your way back from Sinadelli now, right?”
“Yes? That’s right, but… did something happen?”
“Have you heard any rumors about His Majesty and Lady Verner?”
“Rumors? You mean the rumor that the two are lovers?”
He blinked as he answered. So, he didn’t know about the engagement rumors. Well, I had gone on a business trip to Sinadelli just before the rumors started spreading. He probably hadn’t heard any new rumors there because of work.
Seeing him look puzzled, I shook my head and said:
“No, it’s a new rumor. This time, it’s that His Majesty and Lady Verner are engaged.”
“What? Engaged? How could such a rumor spread… The rumor about them being lovers hasn’t even been around for long…”
“Someone saw His Majesty putting a necklace on Lady Verner.”
“A necklace… you say?”
“Yes. Not only did His Majesty give her a gift, but he put it on her himself. People saw it as more than an ordinary relationship. That’s why the engagement rumor spread.”
“I see. It seems my business trip timing overlapped with this situation.”
He furrowed his brow and sighed briefly. I felt sorry for bothering him right after his trip, so I looked at him worriedly. He took my hand in his and said:
“Since you seem so worried, there must be another problem.”
“The engagement rumor has been out for a week already. But there’s been no word from His Majesty’s side, and Lady Verner hasn’t appeared in society at all. Even when the count’s family sent letters, there was no reply.”
“…Is that so?”
He paused for a moment at my words. After a moment of silent thought, he said slowly:
“Even though His Majesty usually doesn’t care much about rumors, if it had gotten this serious, he surely would have taken action. It’s a sensitive matter. But the fact that he’s still staying silent suggests he’s thinking about something…”
“Thinking?”
“If it were another lady, His Majesty would have corrected the lover rumor before an engagement rumor could start. But even when the first rumor came out, he didn’t say much. Lady Verner denied it, but His Majesty’s side neither confirmed nor denied anything.”
“That’s right. Because of that, I thought His Majesty might really have feelings for her.”
Angelica denied the lover rumor, but on Rayel’s side, there was no response. Instead of the rumor dying down, it only spread more. Even though I denied the engagement rumor later, it didn’t do much good unless the people involved spoke directly.
“His Majesty’s silence despite the rumor spreading this far means either he has some plan or the relationship with Lady Verner is true. It must be one of the two.”
“Do you mean Lady Verner lied to me? That didn’t seem likely…”
“Maybe something happened between them after she told you no. There were people who saw them together twice, so they might have met more than that.”
“Could be…”
There was about a week between when I visited the count’s family and when I heard the engagement rumor. If something had truly progressed between them, that would mean they met several times during that week and had their ups and downs. Still, how could something develop so much in just a week?
Thinking about it didn’t clear up anything and only left me more puzzled. Feeling frustrated, I sighed deeply. He gently patted my head and said cautiously:
“Don’t worry too much. Tomorrow, I will go to the palace and try to have an audience with His Majesty. I have a report about Sinadelli anyway.”
“Me too! Can I come along? I’m curious about what His Majesty is thinking, and I want to ask him directly.”
“All right. Let’s go together.”
“Thank you, Lucius!”
Happy, I kissed his cheek, and he blushed and shyly smiled, then hugged me tightly. I had heard that Rayel wouldn’t even meet Alexandra, but maybe she’d meet Lucius.
If I went with him, maybe I could meet as well. I must meet him and confirm what he’s really planning. Just thinking about it made me excited.
The next day, after breakfast, we left for the palace at the usual time Lucius went out. On the way, I asked him, sitting opposite:
“But is it okay to visit so suddenly? Shouldn’t we have contacted them first?”
“I contacted them yesterday before leaving Sinadelli to report on the trip. Since we didn’t get a rejection, it should be fine.”
“I see. By the way, was the Sinadelli matter resolved? You said there was a problem at the restoration site?”
“Yes. There was a minor accident on site, but it was resolved.”
“That’s a relief.”
I worried if a worker had been injured on site. Seeing some fatigue on his face, I looked at him concerned, and he smiled gently.
Soon we arrived at the palace. Passing through the entrance, we headed straight to the emperor’s palace, where the steward came out to greet us. When we tried to enter, he cautiously blocked our way.
“I’m terribly sorry. His Highness, the Duke, and Her Highness, the Duchess. The emperor has ordered that no one is allowed into the palace today.”
“What?”
Lucius looked surprised at the steward’s words. I also looked at Lucius in confusion. He asked the steward with a grim expression:
“I contacted yesterday but was not informed of this. Has something happened to His Majesty?”
“He is unwell and will be resting for a few days, suspending official duties. He apologizes for the late notice and asked me to inform you.”
“…Are you sure His Majesty gave that order?”
“Yes, I am delivering his command exactly as received.”
The steward bowed deeply after speaking. Outside the palace, all the servants were gathered. In front of the firmly closed doors stood the royal elite knights, guarding with solemn dignity.
‘What on earth is going on?’
Is Rayel really unwell? Given all the work, it’s possible. But the timing was bad. And if he’s resting for a few days, it seems like a serious problem.
Though suspicious and filled with questions, we couldn’t just push past the knights guarding the doors. Even Lucius wouldn’t dare, given the emperor’s order.
I looked at Lucius, wondering if we should turn back. He silently watched the closed doors behind the steward and the knights, then asked:
“Did His Majesty say anything else?”
“No, only that it wouldn’t take long, and he would be receiving reports soon.”
“…Understood.”
Lucius nodded and put his arm around my shoulder, then turned away from the emperor’s palace. Stopping a little distance away, he glanced back at the palace before speaking:
“It seems today won’t work, Tiana.”
“Since His Majesty is unwell, there’s no helping it. But is he really okay? If he’s suspending official duties for a few days, maybe there’s a health problem…”
“He’ll be fine. If it were serious, the palace wouldn’t be this quiet. They would have contacted us last night.”
“Then…”
“I don’t know the exact reason either. But…”
“Do you have a guess?”
“He said it wouldn’t take long, so we should get news soon.”
“I see…”
I remembered what the steward said earlier. He definitely said that. But when would that be? If Rayel stayed hidden for several more days, the rumors would only spread more.
‘Could it really be… that they’re preparing for an engagement ceremony?’
No matter what, that couldn’t be. Even if they prepared quietly, it would be impossible to do it secretly in the palace where many people come and go. Even if Rayel could use magic, there’d be no reason for that.
Anyway, today was a bust. I was a bit disappointed to turn back like this.
I sighed shortly, and he smiled gently, wrapping his arms around my waist and said:
“Since we came all this way, how about we go see Alexandra?”
“Alexandra?”
“It seems a shame to go back empty-handed.”
“Oh, did it show on my face? Sorry.”
I tried not to show it, but apparently, he heard my sigh well. I looked at him awkwardly, and he smiled slightly, shaking his head.
“No, don’t worry too much, Tiana.”
“Rumors are spreading on their own, so it’s frustrating. There’s nothing I can do.”
“This isn’t your fault, Tiana. If we wait, His Majesty will surely contact us, and then the situation will be resolved.”
“Right? Okay. Thank you, Lucius.”
Since the people involved had disappeared, all I could do was wait. Though I was still a bit frustrated, I smiled brightly, grateful that he reassured me.
Following Lucius’s lead, we headed to the princess’s palace. Unlike the emperor’s palace, the princess’s palace entrance was wide open, so I felt relieved and followed the head maid inside.
I was still amazed by the lavishness of the princess’s palace. It seemed like there were more things than before.
We arrived at the parlor and sat down together. Soon after, Alexandra suddenly flung open the door and came in.
“Brother, Tiana!”
She called out happily and hurried over. As I stood to greet her, she waved her hand.
“We don’t need formalities between us! More importantly, how did the two of you come here together?”
“We came to see His Majesty, but then thought of you and decided to visit before going back.”
“Is that so? Anyway, I’m glad you both came!”
“Did we bother you by coming suddenly?”
“Not at all! I was just bored, so let’s talk.”
She looked happier than usual, and her cute appearance made me smile naturally.
The three of us sat down, and soon the maid brought tea. The scent reminded me of the flower tea I had given her before. Drinking the warm flower tea made my stiff body relax a little.
“By the way, have you seen His Majesty? I tried to visit a few times, but he hasn’t been seeing anyone lately.”
“No, I haven’t. He’s resting and suspended official duties for a few days.”
“Really? Is he not feeling well…?”
Seeing her worried expression, Lucius said:
“The steward said so, but I think that’s just an excuse.”
“An excuse? Could it be because of those rumors… But if it’s known that His Majesty is suspending duties and resting, the rumors will only get worse.”
“He must have some plan. Don’t worry too much.”
“She hasn’t told me anything either. Not to you or her brother… I really don’t know what she’s thinking.”
Seeing her pout, Lucius smiled quietly. She sighed deeply, took a sip of tea, then suddenly said with a thoughtful look:
“By the way, Tiana. Do you know where the engagement rumor started?”
