Since hearing the news of Rogero's arrival, Judith has been loitering at the entrance of the Palace of Nation several times. The fact that she, who does not interact much with the nobles of Rotair except for the Duke of Vergy and the Marchioness Ebelta, is so intimate with a foreign Prince surprised some of the courtiers.
But the truly surprising thing happened after Rogero appeared at the Nation Palace. As soon as the door opened, dozens of people came in, carrying all sorts of colorful gifts in their arms. The wide hall of the Nation Palace was instantly filled with boxes and chests of all sizes. The servants were busy opening the doors of all the empty rooms and bringing in the boxes.
"Your Highness!"
Rogero, who was smiling happily while watching the attendants running around busily, turned his gaze to the other side of the hallway. Then, he found Judith walking towards him with her swollen belly slightly covered, and a smile spread across his face.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
“Welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t come out to greet you earlier.”
“What are you talking about? It’s so cold outside. You should be drinking melted chocolate in a warm room.”
Rogero, who naturally held Judith's hands, looked like an excited little child who couldn't contain his joy at meeting his long-lost friend again. Rogero, who was jumping up and down on his heels as if he was going to jump up and down on the spot, narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“Congratulations!”
Then Judith smiled shyly, wringing her fingertips.
“Thank you. But... what the heck is all this? Mary Anne came running in surprise, and that’s understandable.”
All the servants of the palace were mobilized to move the boxes piled up in the hall, but there still seemed to be more left. Rogero carefully let go of Judith's hand, lest she stumble or fall, and spread out both arms as if he were going to put on a show.
“These are gifts to celebrate Your Highness and Franz. The Emperor and the Empress have carefully selected them. Of course, there is one from me as well.”
“His Majesty the Emperor and... Her Majesty the Empress? Oh my God.”
Judith's face lit up with surprise. Rogero shrugged one shoulder with a grin and said,
“Would you like to go and see what we have?”
“Right now?”
“Yes. Your Highness should be the first to see it. He is the main character.”
Rogero urged Judith to hurry, pushing her shoulder gently and leading her to the room where gifts were piled up. Cheraan and the other maids followed her, arms outstretched, anxious that Judith might stumble and fall. Rogero, of course, burst out laughing when he saw this.
“You guys, you look like you’re looking at some wobbly pottery?”
“Your Highness! Please be careful! Her Highness is pregnant!”
“I know, I know. Don’t worry. Even if the ground beneath her feet suddenly collapses, I will protect her so that not a single scratch is left on her body.”
“Don’t say scary words!”
Cheraan shouted as if she was going crazy. Although she had heard from Bartholomew several times about Rogero's skills, she still couldn't help but worry. Fortunately, Judith was able to arrive at the destination before Cheraan fainted.
Judith's fingertips trembled slightly as she covered her mouth. The luxurious furniture that the Emperor had sent was furniture, but receiving something embroidered by the Empress herself was beyond joy, and a little embarrassing. Judith doesn't know much about the customs of Delacca, but in Tien or Rotair, it was the kind of gift that a mother would give to her daughter.
The relationship between the two countries was not bad, and the fact that the imperial family continued to show a positive attitude was also good for Franz in the future. Judith's burden was thus increased. How could she not repay such a gift?
“I would like to express my gratitude, but I do not know how to do so at the moment. Could you please tell me something that would please Their Majesty the Emperor and the Empress?”
“That’s not difficult. Let’s take our time and appreciate the rest with Franz. If I show you everything, he’ll get upset.”
Compared to the worried Judith, Rogero seemed to be in a mood for something like repayment.
The two returned to the drawing room. This time, Cheraan was right next to her, her arms tightly linked to prevent Rogero from pushing Judith's shoulder.
“How have you been?”
The teacups in front of the two of them had a scent of whipped cream and flower petals. The cold winter scenery, which had become hazy and cloudy as if it would snow again, was hard to recall, as the rose sugar, which was now almost gone, was falling. Roselle dropped a little white cream on the flower petals that had floated up after the sugar had completely dissolved.
But the truly surprising thing happened after Rogero appeared at the Nation Palace. As soon as the door opened, dozens of people came in, carrying all sorts of colorful gifts in their arms. The wide hall of the Nation Palace was instantly filled with boxes and chests of all sizes. The servants were busy opening the doors of all the empty rooms and bringing in the boxes.
"Your Highness!"
Rogero, who was smiling happily while watching the attendants running around busily, turned his gaze to the other side of the hallway. Then, he found Judith walking towards him with her swollen belly slightly covered, and a smile spread across his face.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
“Welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t come out to greet you earlier.”
“What are you talking about? It’s so cold outside. You should be drinking melted chocolate in a warm room.”
Rogero, who naturally held Judith's hands, looked like an excited little child who couldn't contain his joy at meeting his long-lost friend again. Rogero, who was jumping up and down on his heels as if he was going to jump up and down on the spot, narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“Congratulations!”
Then Judith smiled shyly, wringing her fingertips.
“Thank you. But... what the heck is all this? Mary Anne came running in surprise, and that’s understandable.”
All the servants of the palace were mobilized to move the boxes piled up in the hall, but there still seemed to be more left. Rogero carefully let go of Judith's hand, lest she stumble or fall, and spread out both arms as if he were going to put on a show.
“These are gifts to celebrate Your Highness and Franz. The Emperor and the Empress have carefully selected them. Of course, there is one from me as well.”
“His Majesty the Emperor and... Her Majesty the Empress? Oh my God.”
Judith's face lit up with surprise. Rogero shrugged one shoulder with a grin and said,
“Would you like to go and see what we have?”
“Right now?”
“Yes. Your Highness should be the first to see it. He is the main character.”
Rogero urged Judith to hurry, pushing her shoulder gently and leading her to the room where gifts were piled up. Cheraan and the other maids followed her, arms outstretched, anxious that Judith might stumble and fall. Rogero, of course, burst out laughing when he saw this.
“You guys, you look like you’re looking at some wobbly pottery?”
“Your Highness! Please be careful! Her Highness is pregnant!”
“I know, I know. Don’t worry. Even if the ground beneath her feet suddenly collapses, I will protect her so that not a single scratch is left on her body.”
“Don’t say scary words!”
Cheraan shouted as if she was going crazy. Although she had heard from Bartholomew several times about Rogero's skills, she still couldn't help but worry. Fortunately, Judith was able to arrive at the destination before Cheraan fainted.
"Oh my God..."
Everyone standing in front of the wide open door opened their mouths with similar expressions. Except for Rogero, no one said a word. The view inside the room was truly spectacular. It was filled with gifts from the walls to the ceiling as if an entire small shopping center had been poured out.
“It must have been difficult for you to carry all this, Your Highness.”
Cheraan stuck out his tongue. Rogero grinned mischievously and unwrapped the closest gift. He threw away the fine silk and lace ribbon that could have been used to make a new dress and opened the lid of the large chest with his bare hands.
“Oh my, it’s a chest of drawers!”
One of the palace ladies who had gathered in groups of three or five to watch shouted excitedly. It was a chest of drawers made to be at the eye level of a child who had just started walking.
Although small in size, the craftsmanship was dazzlingly delicate. The bright jade-colored background would be perfect for a baby’s room, the frame decorated with a gorgeous guillande pattern, and the legs with the cute hoof pattern were so cute and beautiful that it was hard to even touch them.
“His Majesty sent furniture for the baby to use until he becomes an adult, precious porcelain from the East, and astronomical instruments. It was in the hope that the exchange between Rotair and Delacca would continue for a long time.”
The gifts, which were as big as a person, seemed to be exactly the furniture Rogero had mentioned. Rogero, who had been running through the boxes that were piled up like crazy, returned with another package. When he opened the lid, he found a small pillow with a winged lamb embroidered in gold thread. The texture of the fabric and thread was surprisingly soft.
“They said to use this when the baby grows up a bit. This sheep was embroidered by the Empress herself. In Delacca, it is believed that sheep carry children on their backs and take them to good dreams.”
“This is... Your Highness, I am truly happy, but I don’t know how I can repay you for all this...”
Everyone standing in front of the wide open door opened their mouths with similar expressions. Except for Rogero, no one said a word. The view inside the room was truly spectacular. It was filled with gifts from the walls to the ceiling as if an entire small shopping center had been poured out.
“It must have been difficult for you to carry all this, Your Highness.”
Cheraan stuck out his tongue. Rogero grinned mischievously and unwrapped the closest gift. He threw away the fine silk and lace ribbon that could have been used to make a new dress and opened the lid of the large chest with his bare hands.
“Oh my, it’s a chest of drawers!”
One of the palace ladies who had gathered in groups of three or five to watch shouted excitedly. It was a chest of drawers made to be at the eye level of a child who had just started walking.
Although small in size, the craftsmanship was dazzlingly delicate. The bright jade-colored background would be perfect for a baby’s room, the frame decorated with a gorgeous guillande pattern, and the legs with the cute hoof pattern were so cute and beautiful that it was hard to even touch them.
“His Majesty sent furniture for the baby to use until he becomes an adult, precious porcelain from the East, and astronomical instruments. It was in the hope that the exchange between Rotair and Delacca would continue for a long time.”
The gifts, which were as big as a person, seemed to be exactly the furniture Rogero had mentioned. Rogero, who had been running through the boxes that were piled up like crazy, returned with another package. When he opened the lid, he found a small pillow with a winged lamb embroidered in gold thread. The texture of the fabric and thread was surprisingly soft.
“They said to use this when the baby grows up a bit. This sheep was embroidered by the Empress herself. In Delacca, it is believed that sheep carry children on their backs and take them to good dreams.”
“This is... Your Highness, I am truly happy, but I don’t know how I can repay you for all this...”
Judith's fingertips trembled slightly as she covered her mouth. The luxurious furniture that the Emperor had sent was furniture, but receiving something embroidered by the Empress herself was beyond joy, and a little embarrassing. Judith doesn't know much about the customs of Delacca, but in Tien or Rotair, it was the kind of gift that a mother would give to her daughter.
The relationship between the two countries was not bad, and the fact that the imperial family continued to show a positive attitude was also good for Franz in the future. Judith's burden was thus increased. How could she not repay such a gift?
“I would like to express my gratitude, but I do not know how to do so at the moment. Could you please tell me something that would please Their Majesty the Emperor and the Empress?”
“That’s not difficult. Let’s take our time and appreciate the rest with Franz. If I show you everything, he’ll get upset.”
Compared to the worried Judith, Rogero seemed to be in a mood for something like repayment.
The two returned to the drawing room. This time, Cheraan was right next to her, her arms tightly linked to prevent Rogero from pushing Judith's shoulder.
“How have you been?”
The teacups in front of the two of them had a scent of whipped cream and flower petals. The cold winter scenery, which had become hazy and cloudy as if it would snow again, was hard to recall, as the rose sugar, which was now almost gone, was falling. Roselle dropped a little white cream on the flower petals that had floated up after the sugar had completely dissolved.
As the tea water shook under the weight of the cream, it looked like snow-covered pears were floating in the cup.
“I dozed off on my horse, dreaming of a comfortable dream of lying in the splendid Prince’s quarters, of dancing clowns and dancers, of eating exotic fruits to my heart’s content.”
Judith didn't immediately understand what he was saying. Rogero, who had taken a sip of tea, laughed quietly.
“There was a war. It wasn’t very big, but it took longer than I thought to settle it.”
“If you say war...”
“The Emperor’s vessel is a strange thing, Your Highness. It seems to be filled to the brim, but when you turn around, it is completely empty. When I think about it that way, I wonder if it is fate that a person like me was born as the third child. Because the day will never come when I will sit in that position. If not for everyone, then perhaps for some people, isn’t that a very fortunate thing?”
It was a story that would send chills down one's spine if one heard it. It was a story that Rogero if he were Emperor, would never stop until he had filled his cup to his liking. And he could do so. Judith fiddled with her teacup with an ambiguous smile.
“I don’t know about anything else, but I am glad that I can meet Your Highness the Prince again safely.”
“I am also very happy to be able to sit down with Your Highness again. Not only Franz, but Your Highness also feels like a precious friend to me. No, it’s not a feeling, it’s a fact.”
At Rogero's words, Judith suddenly felt her nose tingle and was taken aback. It was something that happened out of nowhere and she didn't know why. Rogero was also surprised when he saw tears welling up in her eyes without any warning.
“Your Highness, why are you doing this?”
“No. I’m sorry. All of a sudden...”
Judith was embarrassed and wiped her eyes with the end of her sleeve instead of a handkerchief. She remembered that this had happened several times before she had even gotten pregnant, right after she found out she was pregnant. She would cry over nothing and her mood would fluctuate. But these days, it hadn't happened, so she couldn't understand why it was happening all of a sudden.
“I’m glad you called me your friend.”
While Judith was covering her face in embarrassment, Rogero suddenly remembered the story of Mary Anne that he had long forgotten.
"Our Princess is so energetic now... Well, anyway, she’s someone no one can treat lightly, but she wasn’t like that in the past. She had a hard time even talking in front of other people."
Once, when Rogero asked what kind of person Judith was when she was the princess of Tien, Mary Anne said something like that. At the time, he thought Mary Anne was exaggerating a bit and just brushed it off, but when he saw her expression, which seemed surprisingly fragile now, the story suddenly seemed very believable.
Why? A question suddenly appeared in Rogero's mind. Judith had no friends, and it was difficult for her to even talk to others. She, who had never been able to say a word under her foolish brother, was now setting a trap to eliminate Queen Gilsis and Krald and was anxiously waiting for them to fall into it.
The Queen and Krald were plotting a rebellion and planning to kill Franz, so the counterattack was justified. However, there were times when it seemed to Judith that there was a more important reason than protecting Franz. The sense of doubt that had always been there whenever he smelled the distant rage directed at Queen Gilsis and the second Prince was now rearing its head again.
“I dozed off on my horse, dreaming of a comfortable dream of lying in the splendid Prince’s quarters, of dancing clowns and dancers, of eating exotic fruits to my heart’s content.”
Judith didn't immediately understand what he was saying. Rogero, who had taken a sip of tea, laughed quietly.
“There was a war. It wasn’t very big, but it took longer than I thought to settle it.”
“If you say war...”
“The Emperor’s vessel is a strange thing, Your Highness. It seems to be filled to the brim, but when you turn around, it is completely empty. When I think about it that way, I wonder if it is fate that a person like me was born as the third child. Because the day will never come when I will sit in that position. If not for everyone, then perhaps for some people, isn’t that a very fortunate thing?”
It was a story that would send chills down one's spine if one heard it. It was a story that Rogero if he were Emperor, would never stop until he had filled his cup to his liking. And he could do so. Judith fiddled with her teacup with an ambiguous smile.
“I don’t know about anything else, but I am glad that I can meet Your Highness the Prince again safely.”
“I am also very happy to be able to sit down with Your Highness again. Not only Franz, but Your Highness also feels like a precious friend to me. No, it’s not a feeling, it’s a fact.”
At Rogero's words, Judith suddenly felt her nose tingle and was taken aback. It was something that happened out of nowhere and she didn't know why. Rogero was also surprised when he saw tears welling up in her eyes without any warning.
“Your Highness, why are you doing this?”
“No. I’m sorry. All of a sudden...”
Judith was embarrassed and wiped her eyes with the end of her sleeve instead of a handkerchief. She remembered that this had happened several times before she had even gotten pregnant, right after she found out she was pregnant. She would cry over nothing and her mood would fluctuate. But these days, it hadn't happened, so she couldn't understand why it was happening all of a sudden.
“I’m glad you called me your friend.”
While Judith was covering her face in embarrassment, Rogero suddenly remembered the story of Mary Anne that he had long forgotten.
"Our Princess is so energetic now... Well, anyway, she’s someone no one can treat lightly, but she wasn’t like that in the past. She had a hard time even talking in front of other people."
Once, when Rogero asked what kind of person Judith was when she was the princess of Tien, Mary Anne said something like that. At the time, he thought Mary Anne was exaggerating a bit and just brushed it off, but when he saw her expression, which seemed surprisingly fragile now, the story suddenly seemed very believable.
Why? A question suddenly appeared in Rogero's mind. Judith had no friends, and it was difficult for her to even talk to others. She, who had never been able to say a word under her foolish brother, was now setting a trap to eliminate Queen Gilsis and Krald and was anxiously waiting for them to fall into it.
The Queen and Krald were plotting a rebellion and planning to kill Franz, so the counterattack was justified. However, there were times when it seemed to Judith that there was a more important reason than protecting Franz. The sense of doubt that had always been there whenever he smelled the distant rage directed at Queen Gilsis and the second Prince was now rearing its head again.
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