(134) Third Prince Harold (2)
Returning to the palace, Harold sat in the garden's pergola and gazed at the small artificial lake. Seeing the pale pink winter flowers adorning the lake's shore, he was reminded of Ariana.
Little and cute Ariana.
She, who captivated the judge four years ago, has returned, having grown remarkably. Though still small in stature, her face exudes a grace and beauty that rivals even that of the most beautiful Princess on the continent.
'I now understand why the lord held his daughter in his arms so dearly.'
Since she was such a pretty daughter, it would have been a shame to show her off just anywhere.
'You've become really pretty.'
If Ariana was still a bud four years ago, she's now a fully bloomed flower. A flower so beautiful he wants to pick it and place it in a vase in his room.
'If you think about it, there's no need to insist on Victoria.'
The power of the Eastern Lord was better than that of the Western Lord, making them a more effective base. The Eastern Lord had already gained a reputation for their charitable work, and the East was growing increasingly wealthy.
'But the problem is that the lord is old-fashioned.'
The lord of the castle was not on good terms with the Emperor, but that did not mean he was the type of person to attack the Emperor.
"There's no way the lord will join hands with me. If I put in the effort, I might eventually win his heart, but by then it will be too late."
It's time to deal with the Crown Prince. He's been in office for too long without a hitch. At a time like this, he can't afford to let a single woman ruin things.
"The Western Lord will be of help to me no matter what, so I can't lose him. It's obvious what he wants, so for now, I'll have Victoria sit by my side..."
Ariana was a beautiful flower. Flowers just need to be in a vase.
'Ariana, I can put her in my vase.'
Empress Aegis Blenwit read the letter from Ariana with a cold expression. Princess Charlotte, who happened to be present when Empress Aegis received the letter, asked with a curious look.
“What did the Princess say, mother?”
“She said she wanted to meet me and say hello.”
A cold smile appeared on the Empress's lips.
“It’s obvious what’s inside.”
“Is she trying to impress your mother before the social season?”
The Empress nodded.
“I guess so. The Princess this year...”
The maid behind her whispered softly.
“She's 20 years old.”
"Yes, 20. It's too late to be a debutante. I thought she would never be social, since she had been so quiet, but it seems she wasn't."
“What are you going to do? Are you going to meet her?”
The Empress thought for a moment and then said.
"The Princess's achievements during this time of turmoil over the perfume issue cannot be ignored. I believe it would be best to grant her an audience and repay her debt."
As soon as she received the letter granting her an audience with the Empress, Ariana prepared to go see her.
After ordering the baker, she arranged in advance to make some bread, and she double-checked the gifts she was planning to take with her. There were five boxes containing the East's specialties, various jewels, and silk.
The next day, Ariana dressed up in a lavender dress and headed to the palace.
The Empress was waiting for Ariana with a slightly uneasy feeling.
Ariana's request to meet her may have been to create a solid ally before her debut in high society, but the Empress hated being used in that way the most.
The Princess didn't have any good feelings towards Ariana because of the incident four years ago.
Cyrus, who had shown no interest in anything, was reportedly a great help in Ariana's custody case. She later learned that he even accompanied Ariana when she left the West for the East.
Although she didn't show it, Charlotte envied Ariana. She was jealous. She wanted to know what kind of person she was that made Cyrus tick.
The Princess, dressed better than ever, sat next to the Empress and waited for Ariana to arrive.
Soon, the maid of the Rose Palace announced Ariana's arrival from outside the audience room door.
“Tell her to come in.”
As soon as the Empress's answer fell, the door to the audience room opened.
The Empress and Princess, who were waiting for Ariana with a half-hearted feeling, were surprised once by Ariana's graceful walking figure, and again by her beauty.
The lavender dress exuded a bright, yet understated vibe, and the pearls glittering in the upturned hair gave the somewhat plain-looking dress a refined, elegant glow. The butterfly-like bracelet, flitting across the face, was a striking contrast to the simple silver necklace, maintaining a delicate balance.
Her noble gait, with her skirt barely moving, and her polite manner of stopping and bowing before the Empress and Princess were completely impeccable.
“Greetings to Your Majesty, the Empress. Greetings to the Royal Princess. I am Ariana White, Princess of the East.”
The Empress and the Princess were so focused on Ariana that they didn't notice the servants carrying the gift boxes behind her.
The Empress said calmly.
"Nice to meet you, Princess. I thought you'd stay out of social circles, having no fond memories of the Empire, but it's nice to see your precious face like this. You didn't even come to the Crown Prince's wedding, did you?"
Despite the barbed words, Ariana's expression remained unwavering. The smile that spread across her small face was picture-perfect.
"I'm not strong-willed, so I've been unable to break free from my past fears. I'm sorry I can't be here to celebrate your special day."
"That's how it should be. When you were in trouble, His Majesty personally helped you, yet you don't even show up at this auspicious occasion. His Majesty must be deeply disappointed."
“I was foolish and short-sighted.”
The Empress's mood softened slightly at Ariana's obedient admission.
"One, it's true that you helped when something unpleasant happened in the empire. That's why I allowed you to come today."
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
"However..."
Only then did the Empress notice the stack of boxes next to Ariana. Two small boxes, placed next to the larger ones, particularly caught her eye.
“What are they all?”
“I cannot come to see Your Majesty, the Empress, and the Royal Princess empty-handed, so I have prepared a simple gift.”
"Yes."
The Princess's eyes lit up, as if curious about what she had brought, but the Empress's expression remained uninterested. Ariana, unfazed, picked up the small box beside her and spoke subtly.
“This is especially too simple to offer to Your Majesty the Empress, but I have such fond memories of it that I thought it would be good for Your Majesty the Empress and the Royal Princess to taste it, so I prepared it.”
“Food? I don’t eat food brought in from outside.”
“It’s a simple dessert.”
Ariana opened the box.
The Empress glanced at the box absentmindedly, then opened her eyes wide when she saw what was inside.
As Ariana had said, it was a simple dessert to bring into the palace. But it was also one of the things the Empress had longed to taste.
Although she held the most prestigious position, the position of Empress was always precarious, as countless women in the palace aspired to occupy it.
So the Empress had to be careful about everything she ate and wore. Even eating food unsuitable for her status could be considered a grave flaw, giving her enemies an opening to attack.
"That...?"
Ariana smiled innocently at the Empress, who asked her a question even though she knew.
"I once stopped by a shrine and was treated to a treat. It was so delicious that I often enjoy it. It's called mushroom bread. It's filled with minced meat and vegetables, and the sweet and salty flavors blend together to create a truly delicious dish."
The Empress also knew the taste well.
Because it was so long ago that she doesn't even remember, when she had to take refuge at the temple for a while, she ate there every day.
For the Empress, mushroom bread was a reward for the time she had to work so hard to rise to the position of the most noble lady.
“It tastes even better when eaten with a drink made from ground fruit.”
When the Empress did not answer, Princess Charlotte glanced at her.
'Why isn't Mother saying anything? She could have just told me to pick it up.'
To Charlotte, the mushroom bread didn't look very appetizing.
'Is it because you think the Princess would be embarrassed?'
Then, thinking that she should refuse instead, Charlotte opened her mouth, but the Empress spoke.
"The Princess's sincerity is such that I can't simply refuse. I'm curious about the taste. Would you like to have some refreshments with me?"
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
The Empress invited Ariana to the conservatory garden attached to the Rose Palace. Despite the cold winter, the warm interior was beautiful with colorful flowers and plants.
Refreshments were quickly served on a white table. As Ariana had suggested, there was also fruit juice.
The Empress cast a longing glance at the mushroom bread on the plate.
'What is that?'
The human heart is truly fickle. Seeing how a simple loaf of bread could soften her feelings for Ariana.
Sitting in this noble seat, she lived, forgetting all emotions. But the moment she took a bite of the mushroom bread, the nostalgic taste filling her mouth, the Empress felt transported back to a time when she knew all emotions.
The Princess, who was quietly moving the fork, said.
“Oh my, this is tastier than I thought.”
“I am glad that it suits your taste, Princess. How is Your Majesty the Empress?”
“Good. Not bad.”
Ariana smiled as if she was relieved.
“When Your Majesty has time, may I sometimes ask for an audience with this bread?”
“Yes, I can give you enough time to enjoy some refreshments.”
Seeing the Empress's satisfied expression, Ariana swallowed a sigh. She had climbed a large mountain.
The Empress's affection for Ariana changed the way the Princess viewed her. The Empress rarely smiled, but thanks to Ariana, she was able to see a loving smile for the first time in a long while.
Ariana now took out the gift she had prepared for the Princess.
Ariana said, winking at the maid who followed her with the box.
“Your Royal Highness is so precious and beautiful, I don’t think jewelry can enhance your beauty, so I brought you a rather interesting gift.”
No one would dislike a beautiful person being praised for their beauty. And the Princess was still too young to understand the true meaning behind others' compliments.
Ariana took the box from the maid and opened the lid.
The Princess's eyes widened when she saw what was inside.
"Oh!"
A smile spread across the Princess's lips.
“This is...”
The Princess picked up what was inside the box. It was a pair of black fur gloves, furred like a cat's paw. They were shaped like cats' paws, but made of rabbit fur; they were incredibly soft.
The Princess stroked her gloves.
“It’s a cat.”
"Yes, it's modeled after a cat's paw. It's made from the fur of a black rabbit found in the forest north of the East, so it's very soft and warm."
“It’s cute. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Of course, this will be the first time she sees it. Ariana put a lot of thought into creating something that would please the Princess.
“Do people in the East wear things like this in the winter?”
“No, it’s the only one I have for you, Princess. I made it myself for you.”
“Oh my. You’re good at it.”
A loving smile spread across the Empress's face at the sight of her daughter's joy. She knew that the Princess secretly collected cute things. Because of the image she was expected to present as a Princess, she felt sorry for her daughter, who couldn't express her own tastes.
"I'm glad you like it, Your Royal Highness. If you'd like, I can make another one and send it to you later."
“Well, you don’t have to send it.”
The Princess placed her hand on the back of Ariana's hand.
“Come and give it to me yourself. We’re similar ages, so it would be nice to be friends.”
Returning to the palace, Harold sat in the garden's pergola and gazed at the small artificial lake. Seeing the pale pink winter flowers adorning the lake's shore, he was reminded of Ariana.
Little and cute Ariana.
She, who captivated the judge four years ago, has returned, having grown remarkably. Though still small in stature, her face exudes a grace and beauty that rivals even that of the most beautiful Princess on the continent.
'I now understand why the lord held his daughter in his arms so dearly.'
Since she was such a pretty daughter, it would have been a shame to show her off just anywhere.
'You've become really pretty.'
If Ariana was still a bud four years ago, she's now a fully bloomed flower. A flower so beautiful he wants to pick it and place it in a vase in his room.
'If you think about it, there's no need to insist on Victoria.'
The power of the Eastern Lord was better than that of the Western Lord, making them a more effective base. The Eastern Lord had already gained a reputation for their charitable work, and the East was growing increasingly wealthy.
'But the problem is that the lord is old-fashioned.'
The lord of the castle was not on good terms with the Emperor, but that did not mean he was the type of person to attack the Emperor.
"There's no way the lord will join hands with me. If I put in the effort, I might eventually win his heart, but by then it will be too late."
It's time to deal with the Crown Prince. He's been in office for too long without a hitch. At a time like this, he can't afford to let a single woman ruin things.
"The Western Lord will be of help to me no matter what, so I can't lose him. It's obvious what he wants, so for now, I'll have Victoria sit by my side..."
Ariana was a beautiful flower. Flowers just need to be in a vase.
'Ariana, I can put her in my vase.'
***
Empress Aegis Blenwit read the letter from Ariana with a cold expression. Princess Charlotte, who happened to be present when Empress Aegis received the letter, asked with a curious look.
“What did the Princess say, mother?”
“She said she wanted to meet me and say hello.”
A cold smile appeared on the Empress's lips.
“It’s obvious what’s inside.”
“Is she trying to impress your mother before the social season?”
The Empress nodded.
“I guess so. The Princess this year...”
The maid behind her whispered softly.
“She's 20 years old.”
"Yes, 20. It's too late to be a debutante. I thought she would never be social, since she had been so quiet, but it seems she wasn't."
“What are you going to do? Are you going to meet her?”
The Empress thought for a moment and then said.
"The Princess's achievements during this time of turmoil over the perfume issue cannot be ignored. I believe it would be best to grant her an audience and repay her debt."
***
As soon as she received the letter granting her an audience with the Empress, Ariana prepared to go see her.
After ordering the baker, she arranged in advance to make some bread, and she double-checked the gifts she was planning to take with her. There were five boxes containing the East's specialties, various jewels, and silk.
The next day, Ariana dressed up in a lavender dress and headed to the palace.
The Empress was waiting for Ariana with a slightly uneasy feeling.
Ariana's request to meet her may have been to create a solid ally before her debut in high society, but the Empress hated being used in that way the most.
The Princess didn't have any good feelings towards Ariana because of the incident four years ago.
Cyrus, who had shown no interest in anything, was reportedly a great help in Ariana's custody case. She later learned that he even accompanied Ariana when she left the West for the East.
Although she didn't show it, Charlotte envied Ariana. She was jealous. She wanted to know what kind of person she was that made Cyrus tick.
The Princess, dressed better than ever, sat next to the Empress and waited for Ariana to arrive.
Soon, the maid of the Rose Palace announced Ariana's arrival from outside the audience room door.
“Tell her to come in.”
As soon as the Empress's answer fell, the door to the audience room opened.
The Empress and Princess, who were waiting for Ariana with a half-hearted feeling, were surprised once by Ariana's graceful walking figure, and again by her beauty.
The lavender dress exuded a bright, yet understated vibe, and the pearls glittering in the upturned hair gave the somewhat plain-looking dress a refined, elegant glow. The butterfly-like bracelet, flitting across the face, was a striking contrast to the simple silver necklace, maintaining a delicate balance.
Her noble gait, with her skirt barely moving, and her polite manner of stopping and bowing before the Empress and Princess were completely impeccable.
“Greetings to Your Majesty, the Empress. Greetings to the Royal Princess. I am Ariana White, Princess of the East.”
The Empress and the Princess were so focused on Ariana that they didn't notice the servants carrying the gift boxes behind her.
The Empress said calmly.
"Nice to meet you, Princess. I thought you'd stay out of social circles, having no fond memories of the Empire, but it's nice to see your precious face like this. You didn't even come to the Crown Prince's wedding, did you?"
Despite the barbed words, Ariana's expression remained unwavering. The smile that spread across her small face was picture-perfect.
"I'm not strong-willed, so I've been unable to break free from my past fears. I'm sorry I can't be here to celebrate your special day."
"That's how it should be. When you were in trouble, His Majesty personally helped you, yet you don't even show up at this auspicious occasion. His Majesty must be deeply disappointed."
“I was foolish and short-sighted.”
The Empress's mood softened slightly at Ariana's obedient admission.
"One, it's true that you helped when something unpleasant happened in the empire. That's why I allowed you to come today."
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
"However..."
Only then did the Empress notice the stack of boxes next to Ariana. Two small boxes, placed next to the larger ones, particularly caught her eye.
“What are they all?”
“I cannot come to see Your Majesty, the Empress, and the Royal Princess empty-handed, so I have prepared a simple gift.”
"Yes."
The Princess's eyes lit up, as if curious about what she had brought, but the Empress's expression remained uninterested. Ariana, unfazed, picked up the small box beside her and spoke subtly.
“This is especially too simple to offer to Your Majesty the Empress, but I have such fond memories of it that I thought it would be good for Your Majesty the Empress and the Royal Princess to taste it, so I prepared it.”
“Food? I don’t eat food brought in from outside.”
“It’s a simple dessert.”
Ariana opened the box.
The Empress glanced at the box absentmindedly, then opened her eyes wide when she saw what was inside.
As Ariana had said, it was a simple dessert to bring into the palace. But it was also one of the things the Empress had longed to taste.
Although she held the most prestigious position, the position of Empress was always precarious, as countless women in the palace aspired to occupy it.
So the Empress had to be careful about everything she ate and wore. Even eating food unsuitable for her status could be considered a grave flaw, giving her enemies an opening to attack.
"That...?"
Ariana smiled innocently at the Empress, who asked her a question even though she knew.
"I once stopped by a shrine and was treated to a treat. It was so delicious that I often enjoy it. It's called mushroom bread. It's filled with minced meat and vegetables, and the sweet and salty flavors blend together to create a truly delicious dish."
The Empress also knew the taste well.
Because it was so long ago that she doesn't even remember, when she had to take refuge at the temple for a while, she ate there every day.
For the Empress, mushroom bread was a reward for the time she had to work so hard to rise to the position of the most noble lady.
“It tastes even better when eaten with a drink made from ground fruit.”
When the Empress did not answer, Princess Charlotte glanced at her.
'Why isn't Mother saying anything? She could have just told me to pick it up.'
To Charlotte, the mushroom bread didn't look very appetizing.
'Is it because you think the Princess would be embarrassed?'
Then, thinking that she should refuse instead, Charlotte opened her mouth, but the Empress spoke.
"The Princess's sincerity is such that I can't simply refuse. I'm curious about the taste. Would you like to have some refreshments with me?"
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
The Empress invited Ariana to the conservatory garden attached to the Rose Palace. Despite the cold winter, the warm interior was beautiful with colorful flowers and plants.
Refreshments were quickly served on a white table. As Ariana had suggested, there was also fruit juice.
The Empress cast a longing glance at the mushroom bread on the plate.
'What is that?'
The human heart is truly fickle. Seeing how a simple loaf of bread could soften her feelings for Ariana.
Sitting in this noble seat, she lived, forgetting all emotions. But the moment she took a bite of the mushroom bread, the nostalgic taste filling her mouth, the Empress felt transported back to a time when she knew all emotions.
The Princess, who was quietly moving the fork, said.
“Oh my, this is tastier than I thought.”
“I am glad that it suits your taste, Princess. How is Your Majesty the Empress?”
“Good. Not bad.”
Ariana smiled as if she was relieved.
“When Your Majesty has time, may I sometimes ask for an audience with this bread?”
“Yes, I can give you enough time to enjoy some refreshments.”
Seeing the Empress's satisfied expression, Ariana swallowed a sigh. She had climbed a large mountain.
The Empress's affection for Ariana changed the way the Princess viewed her. The Empress rarely smiled, but thanks to Ariana, she was able to see a loving smile for the first time in a long while.
Ariana now took out the gift she had prepared for the Princess.
Ariana said, winking at the maid who followed her with the box.
“Your Royal Highness is so precious and beautiful, I don’t think jewelry can enhance your beauty, so I brought you a rather interesting gift.”
No one would dislike a beautiful person being praised for their beauty. And the Princess was still too young to understand the true meaning behind others' compliments.
Ariana took the box from the maid and opened the lid.
The Princess's eyes widened when she saw what was inside.
"Oh!"
A smile spread across the Princess's lips.
“This is...”
The Princess picked up what was inside the box. It was a pair of black fur gloves, furred like a cat's paw. They were shaped like cats' paws, but made of rabbit fur; they were incredibly soft.
The Princess stroked her gloves.
“It’s a cat.”
"Yes, it's modeled after a cat's paw. It's made from the fur of a black rabbit found in the forest north of the East, so it's very soft and warm."
“It’s cute. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Of course, this will be the first time she sees it. Ariana put a lot of thought into creating something that would please the Princess.
“Do people in the East wear things like this in the winter?”
“No, it’s the only one I have for you, Princess. I made it myself for you.”
“Oh my. You’re good at it.”
A loving smile spread across the Empress's face at the sight of her daughter's joy. She knew that the Princess secretly collected cute things. Because of the image she was expected to present as a Princess, she felt sorry for her daughter, who couldn't express her own tastes.
"I'm glad you like it, Your Royal Highness. If you'd like, I can make another one and send it to you later."
“Well, you don’t have to send it.”
The Princess placed her hand on the back of Ariana's hand.
“Come and give it to me yourself. We’re similar ages, so it would be nice to be friends.”
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