It was winter, when the winds blew the leaves off the trees, and the trees were naked, but even in this season, the conservatory gardens of the Imperial Palace were renowned for their beauty. The imperial family loved to hold garden parties here.
Today, it was Eve who organized a small tea party in the conservatory garden. It was a snowy day. After clearing the fog from the window, the outside world was as beautiful as a snowball.
The guests who shared this charming sight with Eve were Anais and Julia.
“As the weather gets colder, Luciard's bathing business will prosper even more.”
Eve was lucky. The only topic of conversation among the group was business.
“Yes, Your Highness. And that’s not all. Because of the founding of the country, travelers are flocking in and enjoying the special benefits.”
Julia also gave them some updates on her current situation.
“Even Lady Yegreen was excited. Nail paint cosmetics are popular these days.”
“So I hear your trinkets are selling so well because people are showing off their hands, and you've made such a profit by selling them as a set instead of just another one, Young Lady Ameloth?”
“Oh, you've caught me out, Countess. But the biggest winner among us is me, as it turns out you've invested in the Insulating Magic Stone.”
The three of them cut into the sweet dessert and chatted while Lian and Peony kept an eye on their teacups to make sure they didn't run empty, and Michael and Sylvestian stayed nearby to fulfill their duties as escorts.
“Speaking of which, it's almost Founding Day. I'm sure you two knights are busy with your knighthood training these days. Are you finding it difficult to combine your military training with the four ceremonies of the Founding Festival?”
“This is my first time at a parade, so I am receiving a lot of help from Sir Millard.”
At the words that were said with a hint of humility, Sylvestian swallowed his groan, and Eve smiled, covering her lips with her teacup.
Not only is this not Michael's first time at the ceremony, but he's also awakened as King, so he's expected to lead the ceremony with his mind control, not accept help.
Of course, Anais and Julia, who had no way of knowing the circumstances, just nodded.
“I see. Sir Millard will have to help us a lot.”
“It's your first time in front of the Emperor. I'm rooting for you, Lord Agnito.”
“Thank you.”
At that moment, Michael felt the presence of three people outside the greenhouse.
The door opened, and familiar faces appeared. Eve opened her eyes wide.
“Oh my, Rosie?”
They were Rosenite and Calix, who had stopped by the greenhouse during their walk and date, and Snorret Wint, who was in charge of their escort.
Calix bowed to Eve first.
“I would like to meet Your Highness the 7th Princess..."
“Sister!”
Before Calix could even finish his sentence, Rosenite abandoned him and ran off to Eve.
Rosenite lowered her posture to Eve's level, unnoticed by the surrounding crowd. Eve's hands rested on the armrests of the chair she sat in, her eyes glowing as she looked up at her.
'Your, Your Highness the 8th Princess?'
Anais and Julia were stunned by the sight. Eve, on the other hand, stroked Rosenite's head gently, as if the whole situation was familiar. The ruby eyes narrowed pleasantly.
“Yes, sister.”
At that sight, this time Michael put strength into his fist.
'That's every time.'
It's a sight he's seen quite often lately, but he can't help but feel annoyed every time he sees it.
“Hello, Seventh Princess.”
“Hello, Eight Princess.”
Each of their subordinates set an example. Rosenite wanted to explain how she had come to be here before Eve asked.
“While I was walking, I heard that my sister was having tea time here. I wanted to see her face for a moment..."
But the voice suddenly stopped in the middle. It was because she made eye contact with someone she wasn't particularly happy with.
It was Michael, who was standing right behind Eve.
A blatant silence flowed between Rosenite and Michael.
“...There was that homunculus too.”
The voice that had been chirping like a lark a moment ago was now a whisper, full of disillusionment and venom. Michael lowered his eyes, pretending not to hear.
Eve felt defeated.
Past life relationships are very complicated. It didn't end when Eve and Rosenit settled their feelings. The relationship between Rosenite and Michael was also very tangled, and there were still emotional scars between them.
It's a deep wound that won't be easily erased, and neither party is particularly willing to mend their relationship.
'For now, there's no choice but to wait for time to pass.'
The world doesn't have to get along with everyone. It's better to let feelings fester than to try to force reconciliation and have it backfire. Even if it takes a lifetime.
The first thing that was needed was quarantine measures.
“The space is small, so it would be better for the direct knights to sit a little further away.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I sent Michael, Sylvestian, and Snorret beyond where the hanging plants served as partitions.
“Sit down, Rosie. Sit down, Lord Limitiello.”
Calix aside, Rosenite's arrival was a bit awkward for the existing members. Rosenite spoke to Anais and Julia first, as if she knew how they felt.
“There’s no need to be alarmed. As the Limitiello here proves, I am now a member of the same boat.”
“Ah, yes! I am ashamed, Your Highness.”
“I’m embarrassed. I ask for your help in the future.”
“We, too. We cannot express how much strength we have gained from the help of Your Highness the 8th Princess, the White Rose of the Empire, who has been lending strength to Her Highness the 7th Princess.”
“Oh, really? It seems like my performance last time earned you some points. I’m glad.”
The table quickly became lively as both Anais and Julia, not to mention Rosenite, were very sociable.
The topic of conversation was, of course, the events at Eve's birthday banquet.
They had time to take a closer look at Rosenite's activities.
After giving her enough attention, Eve looked at Calix somewhat playfully and said,
“The whole empire is abuzz with the announcement of your engagement. Lord Limitiello will make a name for himself at the Gnosis Academy.”
The academy is full of aristocratic men, so envy and jealousy are bound to be directed at him.
“Well, that’s not necessarily true.”
"Yes?"
Eve was wondering why Rosenite's choice didn't have much of an effect.
“More than me, Your Highness, and more..."
“Me?”
“Gossip, haven’t you seen it?”
Calix asked, looking embarrassed. Eve looked back on her memories.
It was Cedella's job to gather news from the gossip magazines, but come to think of it, she hadn't seen her since the last birthday party.
'What is this? This is a bit strange.'
She glanced over and saw Rosenitte sipping tea, her chin proudly raised, a sight that made Eve feel even more ominous.
“It’s been a while since your birthday party, so I don’t know why there are still sensational headlines!”
“What, what does it say?”
“Just today, Magic Today was 'Imperial White Rose, in the arms of the Seventh Princess,' and the Sage Times was 'The union of sisters, more deadly and dangerous than black alchemy'!”
While Eve sucked in her breath, Rosenite puffed out her chest even more proudly.
“That's not all, a new fad has swept through the capital arts scene. Troupes that have long been staging musicals about forbidden love affairs are making a comeback.”
“Oh, really? I guess I should sponsor it.”
Rosenite leisurely raised her teacup to her lips. Hearing the joy in his voice, Julia asked, “What is it?
“Should I be embarrassed? I’m fine.”
“Well, you are the White Rose of the Empire, so I guess you are familiar with scandals.”
“There is something like that too.”
“But our Princess is far too dignified to be entangled in a sensationalized scandal, and on top of that, she's just come off a night of rose-tinted glasses. It's bad timing.”
There was a hint of a snort in Rosenite's response.
“Yes. To think of all the trouble Her Highness has been in because of that night she so rudely unmasked the roses, I swear, if I ever find out who it was, I'll be damned!”
The air at the table froze at the sudden announcement.
“Cough, cough!”
The silence was broken by the sound of Eve's cough. Lian and Peony rushed over and patted Eve on the back.
Julia, who had been frozen for a long time, looked like a broken doll.
She turned her creaking head towards Eve. Her green eyes were shaking violently.
“Your Highness..."
When Eve was unable to answer the question of whether it was true, Rosenite spoke proudly.
“My older sister is a bit picky.”
"Ah..."
Julia felt a sense of foreboding. It sounded like something she had heard in an interview in some gossip magazine.
Anais patted Julia on the shoulder as she slumped in defeat, while beside her, Eve fidgeted, unsure of what to do.
Calix quickly changed the subject to help Eve in her distress.
“Well, come to think of it, the imperial palace seems to be in need of some repairs. I saw wizards all over the gardens on the way here. I hope you're not on a treasure hunt, but what's going on?”
“What do you mean by important equipment?”
“The warp portal's coordinate fixes seem to have gotten out of whack, which we're assuming is due to a space-time warp, and the wizards of the Ivory Tower came to fix it before anything major happened.”
“Ah, the wizards I saw were repairing the distortion.”
“Yes, it is as you said.”
The mood at the table was somewhat restored by the stiff magic story.
It was around that time that a noise was heard. By the time the mood at the table had been somewhat restored by the hard magic stories. From the doorway of the green house came the sound of a popular chuckle once more.
Everyone, including Eve, looked back at the newcomer.
'No, he is...'
The amber eyes widened. The person who approached with brisk strides was truly unexpected.
“Antonio Belteor greets the two Princesses.”
The blond, well-groomed, handsome man was Bridgette's fiancé.
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