Even though he couldn't possibly see the burn scar on my right face, my shoulders hunched. I glanced at him, and he lowered the hand that was stroking my cheek. Princess Resilia's deliberate compliments about my facial skin continued.
“I am most envious of Her Majesty the Empress’s spotless and beautiful face.”
She spoke to him as she stroked his right cheek. At Princess Resilia's words, Prince Tesla looked at me and quietly called her, "Resilia." The Princess pretended not to hear her brother's words and continued to babble to Linel.
“Look, Your Majesty. Her Majesty’s skin is more radiant and shiny than pearls!”
“Fine skin... makes the Empress’s beauty stand out even more.”
He nodded in agreement with her words. I looked at his smiling face and thought. What would Linel look like if he saw my face with the burn scars? Would he smile as affectionately as he does now?
“I think the Princess is right. I too fell in love with the Empress’s beautiful face.”
Ah... He replied to Princess Resilia, unable to take his eyes off my face. My heart sank at his words. Yes, if he had seen my burn scars, he wouldn’t have loved me. All nobles did that, even my family had turned their backs on me. In a way, it was only natural. Now that I only had one bottle of magic potion left, hearing such words made me feel even more anxious.
“Oh, so Your Majesty thought so too? Your Majesty the Empress. You must maintain that beautiful skin. Ohohoho!”
Princess Resilia smiled brightly and diligently cut the steak, putting it in her mouth repeatedly. As I was talking to Linel about my weakness, my appetite suddenly started to grow. 'I have to go to the clinic as soon as possible and get a new magic potion.' That was the only thought in my head.
“I heard that Prince Norton of the Parsha Empire is staying here, and other countries are arriving earlier than scheduled. Some countries have already departed. Did the Prince hear the news today?”
Linel poured a glass of wine directly to Prince Tesla and asked him.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I received the report this morning from Grand Duke Martins.”
“What do you plan to do with the Shattonil royal family? It seems like things have become a bit of a hassle.”
As he said, Prince Tesla and Princess Resilia were planning to return to the Kingdom of Shattonil tomorrow or the day after and visit again next week when the Continental Hunting Competition was held.
“Since there has been a schedule change, I think it would be better for us to continue to stay at the villa and start from the beginning with the other foreign dignitaries.”
“That would be better. It would be quite a hassle to go back and forth again.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If you need anything, please let the servants of the villa know.”
“Thank you, but I have already sent someone to the kingdom before coming to the Empress’s Palace. The necessary items will arrive within a few days.”
“We have all the hunting competition supplies and other necessities for daily life. Why don’t we just use the ones from the Lapion Imperial Family?”
“Thank you for your kind words, but I should have sent someone anyway since I left something important at the Shattonil royal residence.”
Prince Tesla glanced at my face as he answered Linel. His eyes clearly held some meaning, but I didn't want to figure out what the Prince was thinking.
“Well, then what?”
He responded to Prince Tesla's words and grabbed my hand from under the table.
“Empress, are you not feeling well today? Is it because you are not feeling well?”
“No, Your Majesty. I am eating.”
I answered, stopping the fidgeting with my fork.
“I think you should eat better than before. The guests will arrive earlier than expected, so the Empress will be busy as well. If you don’t have an appetite, eat some fruit.”
Linel pushed plates of fruit in front of me and spoke. Princess Resilia, who was eating fruit at the time, looked very drowsy as if she had eaten a bitter persimmon.
***
After lunch, Prince Tesla and Princess Resilia rode in the carriage first and headed to the villa. Princess Resilia had said that she would tour the Empress's Palace right after the meal, but she must have become indifferent before she got into the carriage with the Prince.
“It’s time for a cup of tea.”
After seeing the two siblings off, Linel invited me to tea time. However, his secretary Raphael, who was standing behind him, looked embarrassed and said.
“Your Majesty, if you have tea time now, you will have to run to the main palace again today.”
“Is that what you have to do?”
I looked up at him and smiled.
“What’s so great about running? It’s good exercise.”
Raphael's face turned dead as he shrugged his shoulders.
“Instead of tea, I will take a walk with Your Majesty to the main palace.”
I took his arm as he entered the lobby of the Empress's Palace and turned him back toward the entrance. Then Raphael gave me a look of endless gratitude.
“If the Empress does that, I will be grateful.”
We held hands and entered the garden path leading to the main palace.
“When you arrive at the main palace, let’s have a cup of coffee before you go.”
“No. After I safely escort Your Majesty to the palace, I plan to go to the greenhouse.”
My head was spinning from dealing with Prince Tesla and Princess Resilia at the same time. I needed some time to gather my thoughts while walking around the fresh-air greenhouse.
“Yes, then. Have you ever been to a greenhouse?”
“Yes, my servants told me before that there was a place where the mind would clear up. It really made me feel refreshed.”
“Right? Sometimes when I have a headache, I take a leisurely look around the greenhouse. Let’s go together sometime when you have time.”
"Great."
The path in the garden where I walked with Linel was lined with red roses in full bloom on both sides. Looking at the roses, I frowned as I remembered Prince Tesla pouring a magic potion into the vase in the bedroom this morning. The scent of the roses became stronger as the gentle breeze blew.
“Where are you taking me?”
He asked, holding the hand he was holding tightly to his side.
“It’s time for a cup of tea.”
After seeing the two siblings off, Linel invited me to tea time. However, his secretary Raphael, who was standing behind him, looked embarrassed and said.
“Your Majesty, if you have tea time now, you will have to run to the main palace again today.”
“Is that what you have to do?”
I looked up at him and smiled.
“What’s so great about running? It’s good exercise.”
Raphael's face turned dead as he shrugged his shoulders.
“Instead of tea, I will take a walk with Your Majesty to the main palace.”
I took his arm as he entered the lobby of the Empress's Palace and turned him back toward the entrance. Then Raphael gave me a look of endless gratitude.
“If the Empress does that, I will be grateful.”
We held hands and entered the garden path leading to the main palace.
“When you arrive at the main palace, let’s have a cup of coffee before you go.”
“No. After I safely escort Your Majesty to the palace, I plan to go to the greenhouse.”
My head was spinning from dealing with Prince Tesla and Princess Resilia at the same time. I needed some time to gather my thoughts while walking around the fresh-air greenhouse.
“Yes, then. Have you ever been to a greenhouse?”
“Yes, my servants told me before that there was a place where the mind would clear up. It really made me feel refreshed.”
“Right? Sometimes when I have a headache, I take a leisurely look around the greenhouse. Let’s go together sometime when you have time.”
"Great."
The path in the garden where I walked with Linel was lined with red roses in full bloom on both sides. Looking at the roses, I frowned as I remembered Prince Tesla pouring a magic potion into the vase in the bedroom this morning. The scent of the roses became stronger as the gentle breeze blew.
“Where are you taking me?”
He asked, holding the hand he was holding tightly to his side.
***
On the garden path, he asked me to accompany him to the conference hall inside the main palace, but when we reached the main palace entrance, he said goodbye.
“Let me let you go here.”
Linel let go of my hand and said as if he had made a decision after much thought.
“Go when I let you go.”
“Let me let you go here.”
Linel let go of my hand and said as if he had made a decision after much thought.
“Go when I let you go.”
“Why? I promised to take you to the conference hall.”
“If you accompany me there, I feel like I’ll want to take you into the conference room.”
"...Ah."
“Why do you care? You can just sit next to me.”
He put his hand on my shoulder and asked.
“You want me to sit next to Your Majesty like a doll and receive the harsh gaze of your ministers?”
“Should I tell everyone to bow their heads? Or should I tell everyone to turn around and sit down?”
“Your Majesty, please observe the secretary’s expression before speaking.”
I said to him, winking at Raphael's face as he wiped the cold sweat away every time he said something outrageous.
“It’s his job to get embarrassed when I talk nonsense.”
Linel responded nonchalantly.
“I am honored to know you, Your Majesty...”
Raphael timidly stepped in from behind him, his expression sullen. When he turned around, Raphael's face, which had been scrunched up, opened up at an astonishing speed. It was an incredibly fast change of expression.
“Have a good day today. We look forward to seeing you next time.”
Linel greeted me as if I was going on a long journey. That was fine, but when I saw him pinching the hem of my dress, I couldn't move.
“Come on in and take a look.”
“Shouldn’t it be sticky?”
Oh, this guy looks so lovable, my heart aches.
“Eh, I feel like it. I’ll take you to the central staircase.”
I took his hand again and entered the main lobby.
“Would you like that...?”
When Raphael gave a congratulatory message to Linel, who was smiling, and was either sincere or mocking,
“Yeah, it was worth hanging on.”
He replied with a very proud voice. Finally, I walked with him to the central staircase.
“I’m done here. Now, let’s really go up.”
“Zelda, thanks for bringing me here.”
Even trivial and common words sound refreshing when they come from His Majesty the Emperor of the Lapion Empire. When I saw his expression, I felt as if I had done something great.
“I am afraid I have to inform you that Your Majesty the Empress must turn around first before Your Majesty can ascend the stairs.”
Raphael watched us standing still for a minute, just waving our joined hands, and then he spoke to me with a very patient face.
“No, I have to go up first.”
Linel let go of my hand and spoke firmly.
“Really?”
“Are you sure?”
Raphael and I asked at the same time.
“Yeah. I overheard the ladies talking at a party before. They said my back was really cool.”
"...Yes?"
“Should I tell everyone to bow their heads? Or should I tell everyone to turn around and sit down?”
“Your Majesty, please observe the secretary’s expression before speaking.”
I said to him, winking at Raphael's face as he wiped the cold sweat away every time he said something outrageous.
“It’s his job to get embarrassed when I talk nonsense.”
Linel responded nonchalantly.
“I am honored to know you, Your Majesty...”
Raphael timidly stepped in from behind him, his expression sullen. When he turned around, Raphael's face, which had been scrunched up, opened up at an astonishing speed. It was an incredibly fast change of expression.
“Have a good day today. We look forward to seeing you next time.”
Linel greeted me as if I was going on a long journey. That was fine, but when I saw him pinching the hem of my dress, I couldn't move.
“Come on in and take a look.”
“Shouldn’t it be sticky?”
Oh, this guy looks so lovable, my heart aches.
“Eh, I feel like it. I’ll take you to the central staircase.”
I took his hand again and entered the main lobby.
“Would you like that...?”
When Raphael gave a congratulatory message to Linel, who was smiling, and was either sincere or mocking,
“Yeah, it was worth hanging on.”
He replied with a very proud voice. Finally, I walked with him to the central staircase.
“I’m done here. Now, let’s really go up.”
“Zelda, thanks for bringing me here.”
Even trivial and common words sound refreshing when they come from His Majesty the Emperor of the Lapion Empire. When I saw his expression, I felt as if I had done something great.
“I am afraid I have to inform you that Your Majesty the Empress must turn around first before Your Majesty can ascend the stairs.”
Raphael watched us standing still for a minute, just waving our joined hands, and then he spoke to me with a very patient face.
“No, I have to go up first.”
Linel let go of my hand and spoke firmly.
“Really?”
“Are you sure?”
Raphael and I asked at the same time.
“Yeah. I overheard the ladies talking at a party before. They said my back was really cool.”
"...Yes?"
I tilted my head, wondering what he was talking about.
“There’s a rumor that many people’s jaws fell off after looking at my back. It must be nice for the Empress. She can look at me as much as she wants.”
“It is an honor.”
I held back a laugh and bowed slightly. Linel motioned for me to come closer, one foot on the step as if he still had something to say. As I took a step closer, he whispered in my ear.
“Especially the butt. I’ll figure out if it’s true and report back tonight.”
“...I will take your command.”
He tapped my shoulder and went up the stairs with Raphael. To be faithful to the order, I kept my eyes on his back and began to judge the truth of what the ladies had been gossiping about at the party. The back of his head made me anticipate when he would turn around. The harmony of his stiff shoulders, wide back, straight waistline, and firm hip line below it. Everyone’s eyes are accurate... The ladies’ opinions were clear facts.
Before I knew it, I closed my gaping jaw and left the main palace.
***
My head, which had been heavy, strangely became lighter just a few minutes after I set foot in the greenhouse. However, the weight of anxiety caused by the only magic potion left did not go away. I walked slowly inside the greenhouse, repeatedly inhaling and exhaling deeply. I had to go to the ‘Dignified Night’ clinic as soon as possible... I had to hurry because the VIPs were arriving earlier than scheduled. In addition, once the schedule in the Lapion Empire, the starting point of this competition, is over, the hunting route to the Parsha Empire in the southern continent, the destination, will begin.
Therefore, we must prepare the minimum amount of food that we will need during the continental hunting competition. Since I cannot have my attendants buy magic potions, I will either go myself or...
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
A familiar voice suddenly came to me. I was even more surprised because it was the voice of the person I had just thought of.
“Your Highness, how is you here...”
“I remember hearing from the Lapion ministers a while ago that there was a nice greenhouse in the imperial palace, so I came to check it out.”
Grand Duke Martins walked towards me and said.
“Oh, I see.”
I nodded, thinking to myself that this was a good thing.
“I had something to discuss with you anyway, Your Highness.”
“Oh, I guess I had something to do with Your Majesty the Empress.”
“What do you mean?”
“I also have something to tell Your Majesty the Empress, so actually...”
The Grand Duke leaned over to me and whispered.
“You was being followed.”
“Me?”
When I opened my eyes wide and asked again,
“Yes. So, please take a look around for a moment.”
Grand Duke Martins glanced at the attendants around him and said. I ordered all the attendants, including Sharon, to wait in front of the greenhouse entrance. After the attendants had left, I started walking slowly through the greenhouse with Grand Duke Martins. I spoke first.
“Prince Tesla snuck into my bedroom this morning.”
“...Really?!”
Judging from the surprised expression on his face, it seemed that Prince Tesla had not said anything to the Grand Duke.
“I understand that the Grand Duke met with the Prince this morning to convey the news that the Southern Continent countries are moving up their schedules.”
“Yes, I came to report on that.”
“Didn’t the Prince talk about me?”
“Not at all. What happened...?”
“Yes, I came to report on that.”
“Didn’t the Prince talk about me?”
“Not at all. What happened...?”
Grand Duke Martins asked, observing my complexion.
“There is only one magic potion left.”
I said it bluntly.
“By any chance... the Prince has a potion bottle? Haa.”
He shook his head as if he knew what I was talking about without having to hear any more.
“He asked me to show him my faith. I was furious at his vile threats, but I had no choice but to give in. Unfortunately, His Majesty happened to be visiting the Empress’s Palace at that time...”
The scene where Prince Tesla took the bottle of magic potion from my hand while laughing bashfully came to mind, and the back of my neck became tense.
“That’s right. It’s not a reception room or an audience room, so it’s very likely to cause misunderstandings if you meet in the bedroom. Unless Your Majesty the Empress and the Prince are biological siblings.”
“Yes, it was worse because I was only wearing a bathrobe.”
“Oh, like that.”
Grand Duke Martins narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue quietly.
“I was trying to hold on to my temper in the heat of the moment, thinking, ‘let it be, let it be,’ when the Prince brought up the story of Bonis and threatened me.”
I said, clenching my fist.
“I... Your Majesty the Empress.”
Grand Duke Martins stopped walking and interrupted me. He looked as if he had something to say to me.
“On the list of items that Prince Tesla sent to the Kingdom of Shattonil today for the hunting competition... that young lady’s name was there.”
“...What, what did you say?”
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