Chapter 11
I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Ha ha ha ha ha…”
What to do? I wanted to save his dignity, but the laughter just wouldn’t stop.
Then Leto chuckled softly, as if in disbelief.
“Do you like it that much? Laugh just thinking about it?”
“No, it’s not that… haha, ha!”
I tried to stifle my laughter with a cough. Only after finishing my glass of water did I finally calm down.
“Your Majesty, Statin isn’t a person. Certainly not a man.”
“If it weren’t a person, you wouldn’t have called for him so desperately.”
“It’s hard to explain, but Statin is a type of medicinal ingredient. Besides, I don’t even have anyone I could call a lover.”
“….”
One, two, three.
“Ah.”
It took him exactly three seconds to understand the situation.
“I see.”
My goodness. If it were me, I’d want to disappear into a hole. How can someone not change their expression at all? Truly, being emperor isn’t for just anyone.
“That’s right.”
Far from embarrassed, he even gave a faint, unreadable smile as he nodded slowly.
“I should get going now.”
Leto stood up.
“You’re really going to handle all the work yourself?”
“I’ve always done it alone. Today, I won’t delegate.”
He said it as if admitting he was being a little greedy. Then, through the side door, he went to his office.
I poured myself a glass of wine. A fitting end to a pleasantly amusing dinner.
Like a fool, I couldn’t stop smiling. It was still funny to think I had assumed Statin was a man. He’s unexpectedly human in that way.
“Hmm…”
In any case, it had been an eventful evening. Thanks to Leto, I got a good laugh.
Just as Leto sat down at his desk:
“Your Majesty, what did you and the Empress discuss?”
Yutton asked him casually. Leto picked up his pen and answered.
“Why are you curious?”
“I could hear Her Majesty laughing from here. I didn’t know she could laugh like that.”
“Now that you know, get to work, Yutton. As you can see, there’s a lot to do.”
Still, Yutton couldn’t contain his curiosity. He stared at Leto intently.
‘Our emperor isn’t usually the type to make a woman laugh. What on earth did he do? His expression looks the same as always.’
Yutton was still unmarried, so naturally, he was very interested in other people’s love lives.
The emperor and empress were notorious for their strained relationship, to the point it looked precarious to onlookers.
‘It was smart to bring Her Majesty to the palace. Since then, their relationship has improved quite a bit.’
For Yutton, the revival was just an excuse—a reason to bring them together. Of course, he hadn’t expected Leto to accept the idea immediately.
Leto glanced casually at Yutton over the documents. He asked, his face filled with slight irritation:
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Oh, nothing, Your Majesty.”
Yutton quickly looked away. He must have smiled too contentedly. Leto returned his gaze to the papers.
“Are you investigating what I asked you to?”
“Yes. We’re focusing on the gorge near the coast. Several types of rock have already been secured.”
“Good. Proceed as quickly as possible. And discreetly, of course.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Since we’re at it, why don’t you report your progress to me?”
“Now?”
“It annoys me to see you smiling at me all the time.”
“…Yes.”
And with that, Yutton was sent away. Left alone, Leto continued his work. A little later, he was about to sign some documents.
On a blank sheet of paper, he wrote in small letters:
[Colleague]
Because Your Majesty and I are on the same side, we are colleagues.
‘Why does that bother me?’
The answer came quickly. At least he could recognize his own feelings.
‘Because it feels like drawing a line between us.’
He knew I still feared him. But still…
‘Would it hurt to call me a little more friendly?’
He dipped his pen in ink and blackened the word “colleague.”
‘So, in other words…’
Next to the large black dot, he wrote a ‘ㅂ’ and then a ‘ㅜ’ below it. But he couldn’t go further.
‘Enough. After threatening life and death, what else are you expecting?’
“Damn it.”
He snapped the pen back into its holder and propped his chin on his hand, staring at the documents.
Why do other thoughts keep coming when I try to focus?
‘At least one thing is fortunate. “Statin”…’
“Isn’t a man, that’s it?”
A small smile tugged at the corner of Leto’s lips.
The day for the private meeting with the Minister had come. Early in the afternoon, I headed to the Ministerial Hall.
It was on the western side of the palace. The closer I got, the more tense I became.
‘The Minister wouldn’t summon me without purpose. At the very least, he’ll measure how to use me. Let’s avoid being taken advantage of, just like Leto said.’
The entrance was guarded by the temple’s personal guard. Madame Mare spoke solemnly:
“Her Majesty the Empress. Behave with decorum.”
The guards complied silently. Just as I was about to enter the door, they stopped my attendants and knights.
“Only Her Majesty the Empress may enter.”
Madame Mare was furious.
“What nonsense! The royal attendants and ladies-in-waiting should be allowed in!”
“It’s by order of His Excellency the Minister.”
“Then at least let a knight accompany her.”
“That is forbidden. The order explicitly said not to allow any knights.”
“How dare you—!”
“Madame, it’s fine,” I intervened. The temple guards were part of the Ministerial Hall. Better not to create conflict.
“I’ll go alone.”
“Your Majesty, still… or come later with His Majesty the Emperor. Even if it’s a temple, it’s dangerous to go alone.”
That was one option. But I’d have to deal with the Minister repeatedly. Backing down now would only make them underestimate me.
“Don’t worry. Everyone wait here.”
“Your Majesty… still…”
I smiled once and entered the hall. Behind me, the door slammed shut with a thud.
“I will guide you to His Excellency’s office.”
The guards led the way. I crossed the central hall, which was as grand and lavish as the imperial palace. The building looked recently expanded. Likely funded by the offerings piling up after the appearance of the “Goddess’ Snowflake.”
Finally, we arrived at a door embroidered with gold.
“This is His Excellency the Minister’s office. Shall I announce you?”
I nodded.
“Her Excellency the Empress has arrived.”
“Show her in.”
The door opened slowly. On a sofa in the spacious office sat the Minister—and he was not alone. The man with him was Baron Oran, if my memory served.
Baron Oran—the ostensible star of this scandal, whose estate had allegedly witnessed the “Goddess’ Snowflake.”
“Her Majesty the Empress, welcome.”
“Her Majesty the Empress…!”
They rose to greet me. After acknowledging their greetings, I sat on the sofa.
“Thank you for sending the letter, Minister. You didn’t need to be so secretive; I would have gladly agreed.”
“Friendship blooms in places unseen by others. My cautious nature necessitated this, so I ask your understanding, Your Majesty.”
Friendship blooming in secret… That had some weight behind it. Trying to win me to their side, no doubt.
“So, what is it that you’ve summoned me for?”
“Your Majesty, you must have heard of the ‘Goddess’ Snowflake.’”
“Are you referring to what happened at Baron Oran’s estate?”
“Her Majesty knows my name… I am honored.”
Baron Oran bowed deeply.
“Which Empress would not know the name and face of a noble?”
At my words, the Minister’s brows twitched. He scrutinized me with subtle suspicion.
“Indeed… Your appearance is so different from before your revival, Your Majesty.”
“How can one be the same after receiving the Goddess’ blessing?”
The Minister’s frown deepened.
To mention a ‘Goddess’ to a man running a scam in her name… surprisingly satisfying.
I smiled.
“Aren’t we talking about the ‘Goddess’ Snowflake’?”
The Minister quickly changed his gaze.
“The story got off track. Yes. Baron Oran was indeed honored by the Goddess’ blessing. Isn’t that right, Baron Oran?”
“Yes. At dawn, I went out to the garden, and behold, the figure of the Goddess appeared in dazzling white powder on the garden wall. I was so astonished that I prayed on the spot and immediately reported it to the Minister.”
‘Liar. Shameless. He probably painted the Goddess in secret at night with white powder.’
“How did you judge the authenticity of the ‘Goddess’ Snowflake’?”
Oran pointed at the Minister with both hands, as if presenting him.
“By His Excellency’s divine power.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Minister.”
“The ‘Goddess’ Snowflake’ is a transparent, sparkling powder unlike anything seen in the Empire. Even the imperial scholars confirmed that no encyclopedia lists it.”
Understandable. Encyclopedias are incomplete, and scholars fear the Ministerial Hall.
The Minister licked his lips, which gleamed violet.
“So—Your Majesty the revived Empress, we thought it proper for you to publicly commend Baron Oran.”
“Public… commendation?”
Ah. So this was why I had been summoned.
“I’d like to hear the story in more detail.”
“This miracle is somewhat unfamiliar to the public. Especially regarding the physical evidence—the ‘Goddess’ Snowflake’—there is much debate. If Your Majesty directly acknowledges its legitimacy, people will accept it.”
He wasn’t referring to Oran himself. He was a newly wealthy man with no popular support. He wasn’t deserving of divine blessing.
In other words, they want to use me to validate the miracle.
And not only that—they’re testing me. To see if I am an ally or an enemy.
I decided to respond diplomatically.
“I understand the Minister’s request, but it’s a bit delicate for the royal family to interfere in temple affairs. The Ministerial Hall is an independent institution; I wouldn’t want to compromise that independence.”
“Do not worry. It would be an honor for our priests if Your Majesty intervenes.”
“Then I need to see this so-called ‘Goddess’ Snowflake’ first.”
“Of course.”
The Minister, as if expected, opened a small table next to the sofa. Inside was a red velvet pouch.
“Behold, the ‘Goddess’ Snowflake’ collected from Baron Oran’s estate.”
He opened the pouch. It was filled with sparkling white powder.
“May I touch it?”
“Certainly.”
I took a small amount and examined it closely.
The coarse texture, the sharp edges of the powder, its density—it was alum, ground from potassium aluminum sulfate.
I could be certain. Alum is even used as a medicinal ingredient.
“Well? Your Majesty the Empress, will you grant our request?”
The Minister asked with a meaningful smile.
