Chapter 16
But in the end, everything was something Azelina had to handle on her own.
Thinking this, she immediately spoke to Iana.
“Yes. Reply that I’ll go.”
“Understood. I’ll send a response to the Count’s residence.”
After that, she chattered with Iana as usual, when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
When Azelina told them to enter, a maid hurriedly came in.
The maid spoke cautiously.
“Um… Your Highness, Lady Belisive requests to see you.”
“Lady Belisive?”
Azelina was taken aback by the sudden request for an audience.
Clayta couldn’t possibly be unaware that it was rude to request an audience with royalty without notice. What on earth was she thinking?
After a moment of contemplation, Azelina decided to meet Clayta.
It wasn’t for any particular reason—she was simply curious what Clayta might say this time to provoke her.
As soon as Azelina granted permission, Clayta was able to meet her immediately, which only added to Azelina’s disbelief.
‘Is this because she thinks she can take me lightly?’
Azelina had originally planned to meet Clayta in the reception room or a nearby hall.
But coming straight into the Emperor’s palace immediately after permission was granted—how was she supposed to interpret this?
‘…Right, she’s probably just used to coming to see the Second Princess whenever she wants, and that led to this little mistake.’
Forcing herself to think that way, Azelina inhaled deeply and exhaled.
It was a sudden audience, but it shouldn’t be a big deal.
Clayta, wearing a composed expression, sipped a bit of herbal tea and smiled faintly.
“I didn’t have the chance to greet you properly at that time, Your Highness.”
Her expression was calm, with no malice, and no forced smile.
“No, it’s fine.”
Azelina replied evenly, and a small crack appeared in Clayta’s expression.
But it was brief. Clayta soon smiled lightly again and began speaking in earnest.
“By the way… do you know why His Highness came to the Marquis’ residence that day? I heard from Lady Evangelich that the Marquis didn’t even know you were there.”
“Hm, I’m not sure.”
“Could it have been at your summoning?”
“No, it wasn’t.”
Though Azelina answered truthfully, Clayta didn’t seem to believe her.
Every time Azelina opened her mouth, Clayta’s face noticeably fell.
‘If I had asked His Highness to come to the Marquis’ residence, he surely would have.’
Azelina dismissed Clayta’s suspicion lightly and then shifted her gaze to her.
“So, why did you suddenly request an audience?”
Clayta placed a pleasant smile on her lips and replied.
“I was worried about your health. You got soaked in the rain that day, and I was concerned you might catch a cold…”
Hearing that insincere concern, Azelina simply nodded.
Clayta’s repeated mentions of the Marquis’ residence—it seemed intended to embarrass Azelina over that day.
“It’s really fine. You don’t need to worry. After all, it’s not your fault.”
“I was there, so even if I try not to worry, it’s difficult.”
Azelina merely smiled, folding her eyes at Clayta’s comments, which she wasn’t particularly interested in.
So what exactly was she trying to do?
“Oh, and by the way…”
Clayta changed her tone, raising her voice slightly.
“You must be aware that a banquet will be held at the Lankea Count’s residence. Lady Lankea is quite close to you, Your Highness.”
“Yes, I know. I even received an invitation earlier.”
“Everything went smoothly at the Marquis’ residence, and I hope nothing goes wrong at Lankea’s. Honestly… we haven’t exactly had a good relationship, have we?”
From Azelina’s perspective, that was precisely what she hoped for.
Of course, Clayta wasn’t saying this out of a genuine desire to get along with her.
Even the palace maids didn’t fully trust Azelina yet. Would someone like Clayta, who had historically had a poor relationship with her, suddenly trust her?
“Of course, that’s fine with me.”
Unable to say no, Azelina nodded as if she had been waiting for the chance.
“Not only do I hope everything goes smoothly, but I’d like to strengthen my relationship with Lady Belisive this time.”
And those words were sincere.
Clayta had played a decisive role in Azelina’s near-death experience.
So if she could strengthen ties with her, it was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“I’m truly glad to hear you say that, Your Highness.”
Clayta’s smile showed no trace of doubt.
After finishing her conversation with Clayta, Azelina left the Emperor’s palace corridor with Iana.
As they walked, they soon reached near Rashid’s office.
Even though Azelina hadn’t barged in uninvited—Rashid had personally summoned her—she still felt a bit uneasy.
Of course, there was no reason to be, but she slightly bowed her head and quickened her pace.
Then—
“Ah, Peris…!”
The reason she had hesitated near Rashid’s office—despite not wanting to be there—was to meet Peris. Luckily, Peris was approaching from the opposite side.
Azelina hurriedly called him over.
Peris looked up at her at the call, and then smiled brightly, greeting her warmly.
“Your Highness, I’ve heard the news—you’ve come to the Emperor’s palace.”
“Hmm, I don’t really want to talk about that.”
Azelina frowned and shook her head. Since this morning, no matter where she went in the palace, she kept hearing gossip about her staying at the Emperor’s palace with Rashid.
“It’s nothing, really—I just have a small gift for you.”
“A gift…?”
Peris tilted his head. A gift? He hadn’t expected that.
Azelina rummaged through her clothes and handed him a large handkerchief.
“You asked me last time to give you the handkerchief I embroidered myself.”
“Oh…”
Peris examined the handkerchief with a slightly hesitant but secretly touched expression.
The large lavender embroidered on the pristine white cloth seemed to have taken quite a bit of time.
“Thank you so much, Your Highness. I honestly didn’t expect you to remember that.”
“It’s not for anyone else—it had to be for you.”
Peris was one of the few people who had patiently listened to Azelina’s complaints whenever she argued with Rashid. Next to Iana, he was someone she could rely on.
“I’ll treasure it forever, like a lifelong keepsake.”
Peris smiled warmly, and Azelina replied with a smile.
“Then I’m grateful.”
Peris truly seemed to cherish the handkerchief.
However, he soon stammered, awkwardly raising the corners of his mouth.
“Um… but, is it alright to give me this instead of presenting it to His Majesty?”
“…”
Hearing something so familiar, Azelina was momentarily taken aback.
This was exactly what all the maids, including Iana, had nagged her about when she said she would embroider the handkerchief for Peris.
“Why is it suddenly for His Highness? I don’t really understand.”
“Oh… I see.”
This was the Emperor’s palace, near the Emperor’s office.
To receive a meaningful gift from the Empress here—Peris felt quite awkward.
Of course, he was grateful, but the awkwardness outweighed it.
Peris’ lukewarm reaction briefly upset Azelina.
Still, she couldn’t take back the gift, so she quickly shook off her displeasure.
“Anyway, I should be going.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Since it’s such a precious gift, I’ll make sure to properly return it.”
Azelina immediately shook her head. It wasn’t a gift given for the sake of receiving one in return.
By the time Peris disappeared from sight, Azelina thought,
‘…People really do move fast.’
She shrugged in disbelief and turned to return to her room—but then she saw Rashid with Maria bowing slightly before him.
“…”
So that was why I was lucky earlier.
Normally, she would have at least greeted them as she passed.
But now, seeing Rashid openly watching her, Azelina was in no mood to feel pleasant.
He’s probably thinking I came back near his office on purpose.
“…Doesn’t the Empress see the Emperor here?”
He’s just passing by without noticing me?
Azelina stopped walking at Rashid’s words.
She had never felt so reluctant to look at his face in her life.
She forced her gaze away, then reluctantly knelt and bowed.
“Glory to the Egretta Empire. I pay respects to His Majesty, the Emperor.”
“…”
In truth, Rashid hadn’t intended to call her over.
Perhaps he was flustered by the scene he just witnessed.
He already knew Azelina was close to Peris, but seeing them openly laughing together in the palace left him stunned. Since when had they become that close?
‘They probably did it deliberately for me to see in the palace.’
Of all the things that bothered Rashid, the one that stuck most vividly was the handkerchief Azelina had embroidered herself.
‘She avoids me and pretends to be obedient, but since I won’t approve, she must have plotted something new.’
Azelina’s intentions were obvious. Upset from yesterday’s argument, she deliberately gave a gift to someone else right in front of him.
