“Can’t you figure out what my intentions are?”
As soon as the two of us were left, the title of Princess disappeared. For the time being, I pretended not to know.
“If you say so....”
“Put aside your pretense of innocence. Who wouldn’t know the true intentions behind making such a fuss?”
I gently held my trembling hands under the table. Of course, it must have been a shallow stroke that was obvious.
The position of Emperor is inevitably at the pinnacle of the most intense political conflicts. So, how many politically experienced people must he have encountered?
Rather than continuing to hide it awkwardly, it might be better to reveal what I wanted. I bit my lip once and spoke quickly.
“I’ll be honest with you, Your Majesty. In fact, I’m not even sure if I’m really the Princess.”
"...Ha."
The emperor burst into laughter as if he was dumbfounded. Immediately afterwards, a cold gaze was cast down upon him.
“All of this is the will of Ashkabad, so please forgive my sins.”
“Oh, no! That- that’s absolutely not true. I’m not sure I’m real, but that doesn’t mean Laskan lied. Laskan believes I’m real...”
“...Laskan?”
It sounded like he was already calling me by my name. As if he was really my grandfather.
When I thought about it like that, the Emperor's face looked somewhat dignified but like that of a sad old man. I smiled without realizing it and answered.
“Even if I tell you the details, you won’t believe me. What I want to say is that I am willing to be used by Your Majesty, so I hope you treat me like a real granddaughter.”
The more I spoke, the more I moved away from the 'proper and elegant aristocratic speech' that Isabella had always talked about.
But this was in front of the Emperor, who had been dealing with all sorts of nobles throughout his life. Even if I had learned a little etiquette in just a few months and tried to act like a noble lady, it was obvious that it would look like child's play in the Emperor's eyes.
The Emperor did not say anything about my rude speech.
“Are you trying to say that you're not worthy of being a Princess? How annoying.”
“I am not talking about rank. That would mean nothing to you, Your Majesty. What I want from you is for you to think of me as your own blood. At least for the time I am staying in the palace.”
This was a very important matter. I had been bluffing to the Duke of Kairak, so I needed to be dealt with...
Anyway, I was already a useless tool to the Emperor. All he had to do was wait a little longer and then liquidate me along with Ashkabad.
Even if I made this suggestion now, it would not be enough to win the Emperor's heart. As expected, the Emperor's eyes narrowed.
“Why do I have to be like that?”
I clasped my trembling hands tightly.
Isabella said that if I could only see the Emperor often enough, I could melt his heart. So this gamble was entirely based on Isabella's insight.
“Your Majesty, are you certain that I am not Her Highness Anastasia?”
“...”
The Emperor could not deny it right away. He looked at me for a very long time.
Was that silence meant to be positive, or was it a sign of the audacity of daring to bring up the Princess? It felt like I was performing a stunt that would send me crashing down with just one wrong step.
I lifted Olga's necklace, which Is had been wearing ever since I entered the palace.
“It’s true that I have no memory of anything before the age of five. And when I was rescued, I was wearing this necklace.”
“...”
“I wish someone would just tell me it wasn’t me. But if by any chance Your Majesty were my grandfather... It would have been a really messed-up start. I didn’t want to live like this with the family I worked so hard to find.”
“...”
“I didn’t want to lie to Your Majesty and say that I remembered my childhood. Of course, you’re not the type of person who would be fooled.”
This was my true heart. The Emperor smiled coldly.
“Considering your innocent intentions, the price for that is quite calculated. I’m sure you understand what it means to ask me to acknowledge you as my granddaughter.”
I bowed my head obediently. That was right. Even though I pretended to be innocent, I wanted to solidify my position in the palace. For my own survival and to buy time for Laskan to find the real Princess.
The Emperor was silent for a long time.
I almost bit my fingernails in my suffocating nervousness, forgetting my manners. I don't know how many times I raised my hands almost to my chest and then lowered them, flinching.
Perhaps my habits seemed too vulgar. The Emperor's expression grew darker and darker.
“It’s pretty good.”
After a long time, the Emperor finally opened his mouth.
“I will invite you to dinner twice a week for a month. I think that will be enough to show my love for the Princess.”
“That means...”
“If it is morally right to send support to my granddaughter, then I will send it. After all, if you cannot pass the temple’s judgment no matter what you do, it will be meaningless.”
“...”
“But I cannot acknowledge you as Anastasia. That child...”
The Emperor's expression collapsed for a moment. He gritted his teeth as if swallowing something and continued speaking.
“You look alike. If you didn’t, no matter how much Ashkabad hated you, he wouldn’t have let you in.”
At those words, I just grabbed the hem of my skirt and wrung it.
Isabella was right. And she was wrong. If it turns out that I am not Anastasia, the Emperor will never forgive me for deceiving him. Never.
The Emperor spoke as if he had chewed and spat out words.
“But later, if your true identity is revealed.”
“...”
“You will pay the price for this reckless deal.”
“Lady Veronica?”
A young woman raised her head at someone's call.
Red hair and blue eyes. She is elegant from head to toe, the epitome of a noble young lady.
Duke Kairak's daughter, Veronica, responded with a short smile.
“Your Excellency the Countess of Dover. It’s been a while.”
A beauty that would make even those who didn't know her stop and sigh. The Lady of the Countess, encouraged by that common appearance, approached cautiously.
“You remember me. I’ve only seen you a few times in passing during my time at the academy... I didn’t know we’d all end up running into each other in a coffeehouse like this.”
It didn't take long for coffee, which had arrived from the East, to spread from the workers to all classes.
Although it is now enjoyed imperially by everyone from nobles to servants, there is still a prejudice against coffee houses.
A cheap shop selling cheap coffee. That prejudice was still strong. No matter how big the coffee house was in the capital and how luxurious it was to rival the mansions of noblemen.
“I got thirsty on the way.”
But there was no need to tell her exact thoughts while sitting here. Veronica hid her feelings and smiled brightly.
“Oh, have you heard that rumor?”
Veronica blinked her eyelashes slowly and deliberately, an expression of discomfort that only those who knew her well could discern.
Unfortunately, the Countess of Dover, who had only met her a few times, did not know her well.
"Well."
Veronica lifted her teacup and smiled elegantly, covering her mouth. Rumors, rumors, rumors. The hottest topic in the capital these days was the story of Princess Anastasia.
At first, even Veronica didn't take it seriously. Every few years, scammers would come and go.
But this time, the woman who appeared was different. Unlike the countless con artists who had not even set foot on the palace's threshold, the Emperor himself had given her the palace. Along with the recognition that she was a Princess.
Veronica's pride was considerably damaged by the fact that it was done by the hands of her soon-to-be fiancé.
“Her Highness Princess Anastasia.”
And ominous predictions never go astray.
Veronica let out a short sigh so that the other person wouldn't notice.
“There’s a rumor going around that she personally cooked and presented meals to His Majesty. The Emperor was so impressed by her sincerity that he asked her to have dinner with him twice a week. His Majesty is so generous. I wonder if His Majesty is going to hand over the position of successor to me all of a sudden.”
“...”
“Well, if she grew up normally, it is his right to return it to her. But I wonder if the qualities she has gained from being raised and educated by commoners are enough to bear that burden...”
“...”
“My childhood friend works as a maid in the palace, and the Emperor has already half decided to do the same...”
“The Young Lady of Dover.”
Veronica, who had been listening quietly, laughed and cut off the Lady in the middle of her sentence.
“Is it really such a big deal for His Majesty to cherish the granddaughter whom he has not seen in a long time? Rather, it is so bad to dare to guess His Majesty’s intentions with shallow standards, misinterpret them, and speak lightly...”
“...”
Veronica narrowed her eyes as if to hide her blue gaze.
“How will you bear that disloyalty when it turns out to be untrue?”
Despite the cold content, the voice was as affectionate as when they first met. That made the warning feel even more urgent.
Only then did the Countess of Dover recall her friends' advice about Veronica. That she was not as docile as she appeared.
The Countess of Dover stuttered and made an excuse.
“I, I didn’t mean it like that...”
“Of course you didn’t mean it that way.”
Veronica put down her teacup gracefully and replied. The countess of Dover’s face brightened noticeably as if she had taken my side.
“Yes. How dare I ...”
Veronica looked up and behind the Countess. Judging from the fact that several of the ladies were gathered here and glancing around, it seemed that they were trying to show off their friendship with her among the group.
Meanwhile, the princess's attempt to build consensus by gossiping was rude and even annoying.
As soon as the two of us were left, the title of Princess disappeared. For the time being, I pretended not to know.
“If you say so....”
“Put aside your pretense of innocence. Who wouldn’t know the true intentions behind making such a fuss?”
I gently held my trembling hands under the table. Of course, it must have been a shallow stroke that was obvious.
The position of Emperor is inevitably at the pinnacle of the most intense political conflicts. So, how many politically experienced people must he have encountered?
Rather than continuing to hide it awkwardly, it might be better to reveal what I wanted. I bit my lip once and spoke quickly.
“I’ll be honest with you, Your Majesty. In fact, I’m not even sure if I’m really the Princess.”
"...Ha."
The emperor burst into laughter as if he was dumbfounded. Immediately afterwards, a cold gaze was cast down upon him.
“All of this is the will of Ashkabad, so please forgive my sins.”
“Oh, no! That- that’s absolutely not true. I’m not sure I’m real, but that doesn’t mean Laskan lied. Laskan believes I’m real...”
“...Laskan?”
It sounded like he was already calling me by my name. As if he was really my grandfather.
When I thought about it like that, the Emperor's face looked somewhat dignified but like that of a sad old man. I smiled without realizing it and answered.
“Even if I tell you the details, you won’t believe me. What I want to say is that I am willing to be used by Your Majesty, so I hope you treat me like a real granddaughter.”
The more I spoke, the more I moved away from the 'proper and elegant aristocratic speech' that Isabella had always talked about.
But this was in front of the Emperor, who had been dealing with all sorts of nobles throughout his life. Even if I had learned a little etiquette in just a few months and tried to act like a noble lady, it was obvious that it would look like child's play in the Emperor's eyes.
The Emperor did not say anything about my rude speech.
“Are you trying to say that you're not worthy of being a Princess? How annoying.”
“I am not talking about rank. That would mean nothing to you, Your Majesty. What I want from you is for you to think of me as your own blood. At least for the time I am staying in the palace.”
This was a very important matter. I had been bluffing to the Duke of Kairak, so I needed to be dealt with...
Anyway, I was already a useless tool to the Emperor. All he had to do was wait a little longer and then liquidate me along with Ashkabad.
Even if I made this suggestion now, it would not be enough to win the Emperor's heart. As expected, the Emperor's eyes narrowed.
“Why do I have to be like that?”
I clasped my trembling hands tightly.
Isabella said that if I could only see the Emperor often enough, I could melt his heart. So this gamble was entirely based on Isabella's insight.
“Your Majesty, are you certain that I am not Her Highness Anastasia?”
“...”
The Emperor could not deny it right away. He looked at me for a very long time.
Was that silence meant to be positive, or was it a sign of the audacity of daring to bring up the Princess? It felt like I was performing a stunt that would send me crashing down with just one wrong step.
I lifted Olga's necklace, which Is had been wearing ever since I entered the palace.
“It’s true that I have no memory of anything before the age of five. And when I was rescued, I was wearing this necklace.”
“...”
“I wish someone would just tell me it wasn’t me. But if by any chance Your Majesty were my grandfather... It would have been a really messed-up start. I didn’t want to live like this with the family I worked so hard to find.”
“...”
“I didn’t want to lie to Your Majesty and say that I remembered my childhood. Of course, you’re not the type of person who would be fooled.”
This was my true heart. The Emperor smiled coldly.
“Considering your innocent intentions, the price for that is quite calculated. I’m sure you understand what it means to ask me to acknowledge you as my granddaughter.”
I bowed my head obediently. That was right. Even though I pretended to be innocent, I wanted to solidify my position in the palace. For my own survival and to buy time for Laskan to find the real Princess.
The Emperor was silent for a long time.
I almost bit my fingernails in my suffocating nervousness, forgetting my manners. I don't know how many times I raised my hands almost to my chest and then lowered them, flinching.
Perhaps my habits seemed too vulgar. The Emperor's expression grew darker and darker.
“It’s pretty good.”
After a long time, the Emperor finally opened his mouth.
“I will invite you to dinner twice a week for a month. I think that will be enough to show my love for the Princess.”
“That means...”
“If it is morally right to send support to my granddaughter, then I will send it. After all, if you cannot pass the temple’s judgment no matter what you do, it will be meaningless.”
“...”
“But I cannot acknowledge you as Anastasia. That child...”
The Emperor's expression collapsed for a moment. He gritted his teeth as if swallowing something and continued speaking.
“You look alike. If you didn’t, no matter how much Ashkabad hated you, he wouldn’t have let you in.”
At those words, I just grabbed the hem of my skirt and wrung it.
Isabella was right. And she was wrong. If it turns out that I am not Anastasia, the Emperor will never forgive me for deceiving him. Never.
The Emperor spoke as if he had chewed and spat out words.
“But later, if your true identity is revealed.”
“...”
“You will pay the price for this reckless deal.”
***
“Lady Veronica?”
A young woman raised her head at someone's call.
Red hair and blue eyes. She is elegant from head to toe, the epitome of a noble young lady.
Duke Kairak's daughter, Veronica, responded with a short smile.
“Your Excellency the Countess of Dover. It’s been a while.”
A beauty that would make even those who didn't know her stop and sigh. The Lady of the Countess, encouraged by that common appearance, approached cautiously.
“You remember me. I’ve only seen you a few times in passing during my time at the academy... I didn’t know we’d all end up running into each other in a coffeehouse like this.”
It didn't take long for coffee, which had arrived from the East, to spread from the workers to all classes.
Although it is now enjoyed imperially by everyone from nobles to servants, there is still a prejudice against coffee houses.
A cheap shop selling cheap coffee. That prejudice was still strong. No matter how big the coffee house was in the capital and how luxurious it was to rival the mansions of noblemen.
“I got thirsty on the way.”
But there was no need to tell her exact thoughts while sitting here. Veronica hid her feelings and smiled brightly.
“Oh, have you heard that rumor?”
Veronica blinked her eyelashes slowly and deliberately, an expression of discomfort that only those who knew her well could discern.
Unfortunately, the Countess of Dover, who had only met her a few times, did not know her well.
"Well."
Veronica lifted her teacup and smiled elegantly, covering her mouth. Rumors, rumors, rumors. The hottest topic in the capital these days was the story of Princess Anastasia.
At first, even Veronica didn't take it seriously. Every few years, scammers would come and go.
But this time, the woman who appeared was different. Unlike the countless con artists who had not even set foot on the palace's threshold, the Emperor himself had given her the palace. Along with the recognition that she was a Princess.
Veronica's pride was considerably damaged by the fact that it was done by the hands of her soon-to-be fiancé.
“Her Highness Princess Anastasia.”
And ominous predictions never go astray.
Veronica let out a short sigh so that the other person wouldn't notice.
“There’s a rumor going around that she personally cooked and presented meals to His Majesty. The Emperor was so impressed by her sincerity that he asked her to have dinner with him twice a week. His Majesty is so generous. I wonder if His Majesty is going to hand over the position of successor to me all of a sudden.”
“...”
“Well, if she grew up normally, it is his right to return it to her. But I wonder if the qualities she has gained from being raised and educated by commoners are enough to bear that burden...”
“...”
“My childhood friend works as a maid in the palace, and the Emperor has already half decided to do the same...”
“The Young Lady of Dover.”
Veronica, who had been listening quietly, laughed and cut off the Lady in the middle of her sentence.
“Is it really such a big deal for His Majesty to cherish the granddaughter whom he has not seen in a long time? Rather, it is so bad to dare to guess His Majesty’s intentions with shallow standards, misinterpret them, and speak lightly...”
“...”
Veronica narrowed her eyes as if to hide her blue gaze.
“How will you bear that disloyalty when it turns out to be untrue?”
Despite the cold content, the voice was as affectionate as when they first met. That made the warning feel even more urgent.
Only then did the Countess of Dover recall her friends' advice about Veronica. That she was not as docile as she appeared.
The Countess of Dover stuttered and made an excuse.
“I, I didn’t mean it like that...”
“Of course you didn’t mean it that way.”
Veronica put down her teacup gracefully and replied. The countess of Dover’s face brightened noticeably as if she had taken my side.
“Yes. How dare I ...”
Veronica looked up and behind the Countess. Judging from the fact that several of the ladies were gathered here and glancing around, it seemed that they were trying to show off their friendship with her among the group.
Meanwhile, the princess's attempt to build consensus by gossiping was rude and even annoying.
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