Chapter 32
What is she trying to say?
The Empress gently fanned herself as she continued speaking.
“Only those who endure and accept will survive.”
Could it be that, like the others, she’s also displeased about me—a mere noble lady—becoming a duchess?
“I don’t think it’s such a bad thing.”
Ah, guess not.
“I actually find it quite entertaining that the young Duchess of Mertiel has even wrapped the Imperial Family around her finger.”
I should respond politely, right?
“I’m well aware that it’s an undeserved evaluation.”
The Empress’s eyes deepened.
A battlefield isn’t just a place soaked in blood, where arrows rain down and magicians tear the earth apart while swordsmen slice through flesh.
‘The Imperial Palace… is a battlefield in its own right.’
Maybe it was because she was a woman who had survived in such a place, but she wasn’t easy to face. It felt like standing in front of an ancient serpent, coiled for centuries.
“Duchess.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Where there is light, there is always darkness.”
I couldn’t understand, but I nodded anyway.
“There are many who disapprove of the rise of a new duchess.”
“I humbly accept that as well.”
“Rumors continue to spread.”
Her gentle gaze softened even further.
“But have you ever wondered who started those rumors?”
Startled by the sudden question, I clenched my hands tightly under the table without even realizing it.
“If you’re curious, I could tell you.”
Watching the Empress reach for her teacup made my throat itch.
Should I ask or not? After a moment of hesitation, I couldn’t help but speak.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m a coward. I wouldn’t know whether what I’m given is poison or medicine.”
She showed no particular reaction to my words.
Instead, she withdrew her hand from the cup and lowered her gaze, as if bestowing mercy. Her eyes, smooth and still like wax, settled on the teacup made of fine porcelain.
“Then let me say just this.”
“……”
“As much as you’re wary of me, I hope you’ll be just as wary of him.”
I felt as if my weak heart might leap out of my chest.
I wanted to ask if the ‘him’ she referred to was who I thought it was… but I didn’t have to. The Empress had just issued a direct warning.
Who else would the Empress refer to as him?
No one but the Emperor himself.
The thought alone felt dangerous.
And yet, the feeling that crisis could also bring opportunity clung to my ankles and kept me seated.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but… why are you telling me this?”
That’s the conclusion I finally reached.
More than anything, I was curious—why me, of all people?
“I trust the one my child has chosen.”
“……”
“And I simply find you admirable, that’s all…”
Each word she spoke was sweeter than music played by a troupe of minstrels, and I couldn’t help but listen.
“A powerless woman will eventually collapse.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Duchess, this may be my story, but it could become yours too.”
She looked at me with a loving gaze, her eyes gently curved.
A look that showed nothing but affection.
It was a kind of gaze I had never encountered before.
“I hope you won’t take my words lightly.”
Strangely, I felt thirsty.
From deep within.
That itch in my throat chased me until I managed to speak.
“I won’t take them lightly.”
“It’s a heavy story to take lightly, after all.”
She toyed with her teacup and shook her head.
“You don’t strike me as someone who would speak carelessly.”
“Oh? Why not?”
How was I supposed to answer that?
I didn’t have to think long.
“Because you are the Empress who has protected this nation until now.”
“……”
For a moment, silence fell.
“I couldn’t believe someone who shares the throne of this empire would speak such words without meaning them.”
The Empress didn’t say anything at first, then lowered her head slightly and let out a clear, sweet laugh.
It was more refreshing than biting into ice on a hot day or watching the season’s first snow fall.
I was momentarily entranced.
Ah… so Ash resembles the Empress.
He may resemble the Emperor in public, but the man named Ashid—the one who revealed his true self to me—resembled the woman before me.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way now.”
As I rose to leave, the Empress’s sweet voice stopped me.
“Duchess, as thanks for brightening my day, I’ll give you a gift.”
Like a graceful swan fluttering its wings, her hair shifted slightly.
“There are people who can help you.”
Her voice melted into the wind and reached my ears.
“If I’ve read your thoughts correctly, they’ll be a great support to you.”
Seeing me remain silent, the Empress extended her hand.
“Come to think of it, your duchy is near the border too, isn’t it?”
She said “too.”
And that triggered a memory.
The Duke of Jaifino.
Like the Duchy of Mertiel, the Jaifino family governed vast lands near the borders, almost rivaling the capital.
“It’s the perfect place to disappear from the map, isn’t it?”
A chilling sense of unease crept up my back, sharpening every sense.
“That couldn’t possibly…”
“For you, of all people, to talk about what’s possible or not—it sounds almost laughable, don’t you think?”
She pulled out a paper that looked like a letter.
Without a single crease, the pristine paper slid across the table.
“Take it.”
“What is this?”
An invitation?
There was no sender or recipient written on it.
It was impossible to guess the meaning.
“The choice is yours.”
What made even less sense was what the Empress had just said.
“I hope this can be of help to you.”
✦ ✦ ✦
I stepped out after having tea with the Empress.
Kischel, walking behind me, spoke after seeing my expression.
“We’re in the palace. Mind your expression.”
“Oh. Right.”
I awkwardly rubbed my chin.
‘Ugh, what was that all about? I need to prepare as soon as I get back to the duchy. If I don’t want to be devoured by the Emperor.’
As my thoughts grew murky—completely at odds with the beautiful scenery around me—
Of course. The man I expected not to show up appeared.
“Ina.”
Without thinking, I stopped walking.
Our eyes met, and the man walking toward me smiled.
That smile had an oddly calming effect on my jumbled emotions.
“Did you know I was here?”
The Crown Prince’s knights looked startled by my casual tone, but I ignored them.
“I didn’t. I was on my way to see my mother and heard you were here.”
He smiled gently and brushed my hair.
“It’s nice to see you like this.”
That simple gesture made my heart flutter.
I shook off the unpleasant feelings weighing down on me and looked at him. Ashidwa, as if by habit, smiled with the corners of his eyes and leaned closer.
“You’re beautiful again today.”
The closer he got, the more vivid everything felt.
Hmm… Ashidwa, can’t you see your knights freaking out behind you?
“If you don’t mind, could I borrow a moment of your time? I think I can make it enjoyable.”
I nodded without much thought.
After all, the “constraint” would activate, and I’d have to grant his request anyway.
Besides, if I had to list more reasons—his voice was pleasant, the sunlight felt nice, I disliked the chilly weather, and I still felt uneasy after the talk with the Empress.
“What would you do with my time?”
“Oh, plenty of things. The possibilities are endless, aren’t they?”
Honestly, those were all just excuses.
I just wanted to stay beside him a little longer, basking in that warm smile.
And I knew that.
“I guarantee it’ll be sweeter than any dessert you’ve ever had.”
Ashidwa’s sweet voice rang out.
His breath tickled my ear, making me shrink back and push him away.
“Actually, there is somewhere I want to go…”
“Where?”
His eyes curved with interest.
“Could you take me to the royal library?”
His pretty eyes immediately turned into disappointed ones.
