CHAPTER 175……………………………………….
Claire woke up. The first person to rush over upon hearing the news was, of course, Franz.
“Do you know how worried I was? This time, I was really afraid I’d lose you forever…”
“I’m sorry, Franz.”
Gently patting her younger brother’s shoulder as he tried to hide his tears, Claire smiled faintly.
Cordelia, who had been standing behind Franz, also lowered her brows as she examined Claire.
“Lady Lavello, are you all right? Are you in any pain anywhere?”
“Yes, I’m perfectly healthy. Thank you for worrying about me, Your Highness.”
Cordelia, who had stayed by her lover’s side and worried together with him the entire time, finally smiled in relief.
“Ah—Claire! You’ve finally opened your eyes!”
“This is truly a relief, my lady. I don’t think I’ve ever thanked the gods this sincerely in my life.”
“My lady, sniff—! I missed you so much!”
Others poured in all at once as well. Claire kindly responded to each of them.
“It’s been a while, Nina. Have you been well? I’m glad to see Lady Lennox is safe too. I’m fine now, so everyone, please don’t cry.”
She had grown thin and pale from lying in bed for nearly a month, but the gentle smile curving her lips shone as brightly as the sun.
Everyone’s noses stung as they teared up, but in the end, they all smiled along with her.
After defeating the demonic dragon, true peace finally arrived—albeit belatedly.
For several days after that, letters and gifts celebrating Claire’s recovery flooded into the Lavello ducal residence. There were so many that it was hard to check them one by one.
But in a way, it was only natural. Along with Theodore, Claire had fought against monsters and protected the people—she was a hero.
While recovering slowly without overexerting herself, she carefully took stock of the changes that had occurred while she had been unconscious.
The most striking among them was the strong surge of public opinion supporting her as empress.
“It’s a bit overwhelming…”
Claire muttered awkwardly as she wrote replies to the letters addressed to her.
They were all worried about her and congratulating her, so she couldn’t very well ignore them.
She was in the middle of writing a reply to a count’s family with whom she had no relationship beyond a passing acquaintance when—
“My lady, Duke Ronve has arrived.”
Becca knocked and entered to inform her. Claire calmly set down her pen and rose from her seat.
Just the other day, she had accepted Duke Ronve’s request to meet.
When she went down to the reception room, Duke Ronve was waiting for her, seated gracefully.
“Good afternoon, Duke Ronve.”
“It’s good to see you, my lady. How is your health? I hope I haven’t come at an inconvenient time when you’re still unwell.”
“Not at all, so please don’t worry.”
At her words, the duke’s lips relaxed into a gentle smile. Claire slowly took a seat across from her.
“Did you come only to ask after my health?”
“…There’s no need to speak in circles, so I’ll get straight to the point. Please forget the proposal we once made when we invited you. I’d like to pretend it never happened.”
Claire’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected words. The duke gave an embarrassed smile as she explained.
“On the day the demonic dragon appeared, when I saw His Majesty’s attitude toward you as you lay unconscious, I knew instinctively. The Emperor won’t need the power of House Ronve.”
He had looked unshakable, standing victorious after defeating the demonic dragon alone—strong enough that he didn’t need anyone else to lend him power.
“And I don’t believe His Majesty is the kind of man who would hurt the heart of the one he loves for his own benefit.”
Above all, Theodore, who had clung to the unconscious Claire and suffered as though his world were collapsing, didn’t look like someone who had room for anyone else.
He looked just like his father in that respect.
Even if there were any vulnerabilities, he would carve his own path forward.
Duke Ronve had come to that conviction.
Claire did not deny the duke’s lightly smiling words.
Now that she fully understood his feelings, she was certain that even if she herself said it was fine, Theodore would never take an empress consort.
Still, knowing that even others could see Theodore’s affection for her made her ears flush slightly red.
“I’m sorry. Our hasty judgment ended up making you uncomfortable.”
“Not at all. You spoke out of concern for His Majesty, didn’t you? I wasn’t uncomfortable, so please don’t worry. I’d like to continue to remain close with House Ronve as well.”
Claire smiled warmly and offered her hand. The duke took it without hesitation and said with a smile,
“When I was dating my husband, people around us often said that once we married, he’d become hopelessly devoted and utterly besotted.”
“Oh my, it certainly seems that way.”
Claire lightly covered her mouth with her hand and smiled with crescent eyes. They were, after all, one of the most famously affectionate couples in high society.
“Right? And to my eyes, His Majesty the Emperor shows signs of becoming just like that too.”
Duke Ronve winked playfully with one eye.
“I’m looking forward to seeing just how affectionate the two of you will be from now on.”
She clearly regarded the two—who were like nieces and nephews to her—with fond amusement.
Claire didn’t deny it this time either, simply smiling shyly. The tips of her fingers and toes felt pleasantly tingly.
“Then, until next time.”
“Please take care on your way back.”
After exchanging warm farewells and seeing Duke Ronve off, the next visitor appeared.
“Claire, I’m here!”
“Welcome, Nina.”
Nina waved brightly as she approached, her gentle eyes sparkling. She looked unusually excited and animated.
“Are you busy this weekend, by any chance?”
“No, I don’t have any particular plans.”
“Then let’s go see a piano recital together!”
Nina grabbed Claire’s hand tightly and whispered conspiratorially.
“It’s that pianist from last time, and they say an incredibly handsome man will be there.”
“Ah… really?”
Claire’s response, however, was lukewarm.
No matter how handsome he is, he can’t be better than His Majesty anyway.
That wasn’t rose-tinted affection—it was an objective fact. There was no man in the empire rated more handsome than Theodore.
“I’ve been waiting to go see it with you! You’ll come to the recital with me, right?”
Nina looked at her with eyes full of expectation. Claire wasn’t particularly interested, but it was hard to refuse when her friend was asking so earnestly.
Reluctantly, Claire nodded. Nina immediately broke into a radiant smile.
“Eek, how exciting! Let’s dress up really beautifully that day! The most beautiful in the world!”
“Do we really have to go that far?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
For a brief moment, Nina’s face took on a solemn, determined look—then it vanished.
Claire decided to play along even though she wasn’t thrilled about it. After being confined to bed for so long, going out with a friend for a change wasn’t such a bad idea.
I should ask Marie to make me a new dress.
Lost in thought, she failed to notice the meaningful smile that flickered across Nina’s lips.
Nina suppressed the twitching of her mouth with effort and simply smiled brightly.
Theodore came to see Claire every day.
Even though he must have been busy, having only recently ascended the throne, he always made time—even if only for a few minutes—to show his face.
Today as well, he didn’t forget to visit the ducal residence. Standing behind Claire as she read letters, he bent down slightly.
“‘To Lady Lavello, whom I have watched from afar, always dazzling like a goddess?’”
With his arms crossed, Theodore’s eyes narrowed. His voice, reading along with the opening line of the letter, was filled with displeasure.
“Who is this—Young Master Charlie Martin? He must be out of his mind. It’s true that you’re dazzling, but how dare he send such a flirtatious letter when I’m right here.”
“Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but it’s Lady Charlie Martin. The name is just rather androgynous.”
“…Is that so?”
Theodore cleared his throat awkwardly and then perched himself on the desk. Tilting his head toward Claire, he said,
“Still, I’m jealous.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to look only at me, but this means someone else has caught your eye too.”
At the seriousness in his tone, Claire widened her eyes and looked up at him.
“Are you really jealous over something like that?”
“Yeah. Actually, there’s more than just that.”
“What else are you jealous about?”
As if he’d been waiting for the question, Theodore answered immediately.
“Lady Merrison calls you by your name. Even I, your lover, haven’t officially been given permission to do that.”
Though they had confirmed their feelings and become true lovers, the way they addressed each other still felt more distant than even close friends, which dissatisfied him.
Seeing the handsome face wearing such a sulky expression, the corners of Claire’s lips twitched upward. His childish jealousy felt adorable.
Should I tease him a little?
Mischief bubbling up, Claire slid her chair back slightly and hardened her expression.
“Your Majesty, then why are you speaking to me so casually? You do know I’m much older than you on the inside, don’t you?”
