Chapter 15: What Do You Think?

Kiernen’s cheeks flushed slightly as he blinked, seemingly flustered by Reneve’s words.

“Ah… well… if you, my lady, wish it, then I suppose it would be so?”

Reneve nodded slightly.

“I look forward to working with you. I’ll inform His Majesty myself.”

“It is an infinite honor to serve someone of your stature, my lady.”

Kiernen replied, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief. For a commoner, simply working in the royal palace was an incredible opportunity.

And more importantly, whom one served could make all the difference—the power of the master was the power of their attendant.

“Kiernen, once you’ve delivered the message, if you have time, would you keep me company for a little while?”

“Of course! My lady!”

Before her scheduled dinner with Icar, Reneve spent some tea time with Kiernen. Their conversation mostly revolved around the current power dynamics within the Bashker imperial palace.

Having held the position of empress for so long, Reneve knew all too well how to survive in the palace. She also understood precisely what could happen if one became complacent and fell behind on crucial information.

Upon entering the dining room, Reneve had to remind herself not to gape openly—something she had to be especially cautious about.

It wasn’t surprising. Even to Reneve’s refined eye, accustomed to the finest things as an empress, the dining room was filled with rare and expensive treasures.

“So, it’s true… the Bashker treasury really is overflowing.”

The wide table, capable of seating dozens, was edged in gold, naturally.

“…Is that an Anghel national treasure?”

Reneve’s gaze fell on a painting that nearly covered one entire wall.

Anghel had long since fallen, but some royals collected its artwork, perhaps due to its historical prestige. Lucius happened to be nearby; he had once purchased a masterpiece from Anghel for an unimaginably high sum.

“His Majesty should be arriving shortly.”

The attendant spoke as Reneve admired the art.

“That’s fine. I don’t mind waiting a bit.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Since she had arrived slightly earlier than scheduled, Reneve took the opportunity to carefully survey the dining room. The jewels decorating the room cast dazzling reflections across the hall. She had reached the point where even such priceless gems seemed like ordinary stones on the floor.

‘Now then… what kind of expression will he wear?’

The Icar who introduced himself as Dhan on the way to Bashker—though, knowing him, he could probably come up with a perfectly reasonable explanation.

As Reneve pondered this, Icar entered the dining room.

“…!”

Unlike during the journey, Icar looked flawless. His deep navy uniform was perfectly pressed, without a single wrinkle, and his neatly combed hair accentuated his sharp, well-defined features.

He had always been striking, but with this careful grooming, he was absolutely dazzling.

Reneve watched him stride in with commanding presence before collecting herself and rising.

“Reneve of Seiren. I pay my respects to His Majesty, the Emperor of Bashker.”

Icar’s single eyebrow lifted slightly at her formal greeting.

Reneve glanced at him briefly before dropping her eyes. Some emperors might take prolonged eye contact as a challenge.

As she waited quietly for Icar to take the seat of honor, a low voice came from him.

“Sit.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Seeing Reneve sit calmly, lips firmly pressed together, Icar’s mind became oddly complicated.

Having arranged this dinner with her, he had lingered in front of the mirror longer than usual. When his attendant finally announced,

“Your Majesty, you are ready,”

Icar asked,

“What do you think?”

“Your Majesty’s appearance shines more than ever today. I fear my eyes might be blinded.”

The attendant, shading his eyes as if to block the sun, said it with exaggerated flair.

Icar then sought a second opinion from the clothing specialist.

“With my twenty years of experience, I assure you it suits you perfectly. Any color complements you, but this deep navy especially matches your black hair beautifully.”

“Yes, exactly! Indeed!”

The attendants nodded repeatedly, showering him with praise like sycophants.

Observing this, Vayne interjected.

“Your Majesty, forgive me for asking, but is there a ball at the palace today?”

Icar checked himself in the mirror as he answered.

“No.”

“Then why are you taking such care with your appearance?”

Before Vayne could finish, an attendant approached.

“Your Majesty, the Lady Reneve of Seiren has arrived at the dining room.”

“I understand.”

Icar immediately turned and strode down the corridor. Tall and naturally fast, he walked even quicker than usual today.

Vayne asked Dhan, who happened to be approaching.

“You’ve met the lady directly, haven’t you?”

Dhan nodded.

“Is she beautiful?”

“Move aside.”

Dhan brushed past Vayne, clearly annoyed.

“I asked you!”

“I don’t know, you fool. Go see for yourself if you’re curious.”

But Dhan’s careless remark made him suddenly exclaim, eyes wide:

“No! Absolutely not, don’t go!”

Still, Vayne grabbed his arm, insisting,

“Let’s go together.”

“You’d better not. It’ll be very troublesome if you go now.”

Given their intertwined names and positions, a four-person meeting would be highly unwise.

“Who?”

Ignoring Vayne, Dhan headed toward his office, with Vayne trailing reluctantly.

“Who would be in trouble, hmm?”

Throughout the meal, Icar occasionally stole glances at Reneve. Not too often, lest it be noticeable, but enough to satisfy his curiosity.

“Is the meal to your liking?”

Reneve, as a distinguished guest from Paradium and a symbol of peace, was treated with utmost courtesy.

“It was very satisfying. Thank you once again for your hospitality, Your Majesty.”

She smiled gracefully, flawless even in dining etiquette.

Perhaps a hint of surprise would have been appropriate—but instead, Reneve maintained a subtle, invisible barrier, as if dealing with someone she had just met.

“Then I’m glad to hear it.”

As it was an official dinner, they were not entirely alone: the chief attendant and several servants were present.

The emperor’s treatment of a guest on the first day would influence her standing within the palace. A slighted guest could easily be dismissed as unimportant.

Thus, Icar treated Reneve with utmost care.

“You may have heard, but due to construction, you will need to stay in temporary quarters for now. Once it is complete, we will move you to your intended residence.”

“The current place is already very comfortable. There’s no need to rush.”

Reneve nodded slightly, and Icar continued.

“However… Lady…”

Icar observed Reneve blinking briefly, then shook his head.

“If you require anything, do not hesitate to ask. During your study period, Bashker will offer you full support.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. And there is one thing I wish to ask.”

“Speak.”

“It concerns the maid whom you sent to deliver an item to me.”

“Why her?”

Only then did Reneve relax her guard toward Kiernen slightly, and she added to clarify.

“The ointment you sent was received safely. It helped relieve my muscle pain. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.”

Reneve’s gentle smile caused Icar’s eyes to widen slightly.

“I’m glad it was of help to you.”

“Since she attends to me for your convenience, may I make her my personal maid?”

“If you wish it, by all means.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Reneve placed her napkin on her lap upon the table, signaling she had finished her meal.

“If there is ever any discomfort, let me know. You are an important guest.”

Icar also placed his napkin on the table and rose.

As they naturally headed toward his office after the meal, Icar suddenly stopped. The attendants following him halted in place as well.

“Your Majesty, is something wrong?”

“Tonight, I shall retire to my chamber. You may leave now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Have a restful night.”

But Icar did not head to his bedroom.

From the palace, the gardens split into four sections, and he often walked whichever path suited his thoughts. Today, he headed to the northern grand garden.

‘What is this unease?’

Seeking the source of his discomfort, he walked a little further—and there, he noticed the silver-haired lady walking gently ahead of him.

Reneve strolled through the grand garden, conversing lightly with Kiernen.

“So, besides me, there will be two more distinguished guests in the garden?”

“Yes. In a few days, Princess Solty will arrive.”

As they walked, Reneve nodded lightly. Her expression was calm, her pace leisurely, though her mind worked busily.

‘He had been steadily building his power even then…’

Even before her return, Icar had absorbed surrounding nations. Except for a few empires, most had come under his control.

But that was far in the future.

“Then I shall have a chance to converse with the other guests as well?”

“If you wish, His Majesty has allowed a tea party to be held.”

“A tea party… that would be nice.”

As Reneve lightly clapped her palms together, a deep voice sounded above them.

“You were taking a walk, I see.”

Kiernen, having identified the speaker first, stepped back and bowed deeply.

Reneve also slightly bent her knees in greeting.

“Your Majesty, you’ve come for a walk as well?”

“Something like that.”

Icar, hands clasped behind his back, gestured for Kiernen to step aside. Kiernen quickly obeyed, and Icar suddenly changed his tone.

“When did it start?”

Reneve’s shoulders tensed under his piercing gaze, but she deliberately adopted an innocent expression.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Your Majesty.”

“I asked when you first noticed my true identity.”