* * *
It was my first time coming alone to Kristen Palace at the Emperor’s summons.
Following the nameless attendant of the Emperor’s palace, I inhaled and exhaled nervously. It was an act to ease my tension.
“This way, Lady Obiedo.”
I glanced sideways at Kristen Palace, which was more spacious, majestic, and full of dignity than Poinsettia Palace, the Crown Prince’s palace.
Naturally, among the maids, those who worked at Kristen Palace held the highest rank.
When I stood before a door that seemed twice the size of a person, the attendant guarding it spoke to me.
“His Majesty the Emperor is waiting. You may enter through this door.”
When I nodded, the door opened. I greeted stiffly with proper courtesy.
“May Archangele’s blessing be with you.”
“May Archangele’s blessing be with you as well.”
His low, majestic voice made me nervous for no reason. When I had met him before, it had been a family gathering, so he had seemed to treat me comfortably.
It was precisely at times like this that I needed to employ perfect etiquette.
I was bowing my head, recalling the etiquette Madam Lucy had taught me, when—
“It’s been a long time, new daughter-in-law.”
At the friendly voice, I inadvertently raised my head, then startled and bowed again.
“Please dispense with the formalities. Between us, is there any need for such unnecessary courtesy?”
“But Your Majesty, this is only proper…….”
“That’s for others. You are practically family to me, so there’s no need for such formalities. Isn’t that right, daughter-in-law?”
“Thank you for treating me so comfortably.”
Honestly, I thought it was a stretch, but I didn’t have the courage to defy the Emperor when he said so.
“Then sit here. What would you like to drink?”
When Emperor Carlo murmured to himself, the chief attendant answered.
“There is some Dages tea left that Her Majesty the Empress sent.”
“Is that so? Then prepare that.”
“Understood.”
I sat quietly and pondered why on earth the Emperor had summoned me.
From the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like he had called me for something bad……. But one never knew.
“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You must be curious why I suddenly called for you.”
At his playful expression, I broke into a cold sweat.
For now, I didn’t know what I had done wrong, but it was best to confess honestly.
“If I have done anything wrong…….”
“No, there’s nothing like that.”
Emperor Carlo’s assertion surprised me more. Nothing? At my startled gaze, the Emperor spoke awkwardly.
“I simply called you because I wanted to see you—is that burdensome?”
“Ah, no. It’s fine.”
“Is that so? Then will you come visit often from now on and keep this old man company?”
“If you’re all right with me as company, Your Majesty, you may call on me anytime.”
At the offer that could have been a joke or serious, I nodded, and the Emperor smiled with satisfaction.
“Your Majesty.”
As Emperor Carlo continued to gaze at Artie with satisfaction, the chief attendant called for the Emperor.
“Ah, right.”
The Emperor, coming to his senses, cleared his throat.
“Hmm. The reason I called you here today is…….”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It’s nothing else—a rumor circulating within the imperial palace reached my ears.”
At Emperor Carlo’s words, my expression involuntarily stiffened.
Fortunately, the veil covering my face hid my expression.
‘What on earth is he trying to say?’
Surely he wasn’t going to tell me to remove the veil? Or perhaps, because of this rumor, I was no longer qualified to be Crown Princess?
In that brief moment, several thoughts flashed through my mind, but I couldn’t be certain of anything.
As I quietly kept my mouth shut, the Emperor looked at me with a pitying gaze.
“I know it’s all nonsense.”
“What? Yes.”
“It’s awkward to say this in front of you, but Adrian takes after me and has very high standards when it comes to women.”
“Ah, yes.”
Well, looking at Essen’s face alone, all the beauties I had seen so far paled in comparison.
“Nonsense rumors always circulate in the imperial palace.”
“Yes.”
“I do not wish for you to be hurt by such things, new daughter-in-law.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
When I nodded, Emperor Carlo looked at me as if I were admirable.
Fortunately, it seemed I had not fallen out of his favor.
“That’s a relief. I thought you might be discouraged, but you seem to be all right. The Empress said you were a strong child who wouldn’t need to concern herself with such things one by one—and the Empress was right again.”
At the Emperor’s words, I smiled awkwardly. It was welcome to have earned the Empress’s trust, but somehow my heart felt heavy.
“In that sense, would you try calling me Father?”
“What?”
Looking at the Emperor’s crimson eyes sparkling excessively, I smiled awkwardly.
“How could I commit such a discourtesy…….”
“Discourtesy, what discourtesy! On the contrary, I would welcome it greatly. Now, try calling me Father!”
Just as I was in deep inner conflict over whether I should really call him that—
An attendant entered and whispered something to the chief attendant.
Then the chief attendant, having received the message, relayed it to Emperor Carlo.
“Your Majesty. Princess Marie requests an audience.”
“Marie? That girl who says she hates even coming to Kristen Palace and refuses every day—what could this be about?”
“She said she wishes to see you right this moment.”
“Ho……. What on earth is this about. New daughter-in-law, would it be all right if we saw Marie together?”
“Yes, I’m fine with that.”
“Then have Marie brought here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the attendant left the room, Emperor Carlo tilted his head with an expression that still said he couldn’t understand.
Before long, Princess Marie appeared.
“May Archangele’s blessing be with you, Father.”
“Yes. My princess. What business brings you to this father today?”
“Ah, it’s nothing much, but…….”
Princess Marie’s gaze landed on me.
“Sister-in-law is here too. May Archangele’s blessing be with you.”
“May Archangele’s blessing be with you as well, Your Highness the Princess.”
After the greetings were exchanged, Princess Marie questioned the Emperor.
“What’s going on? Why is sister-in-law here?”
“Naturally, because I summoned her.”
“Father, you’re not here to spout nonsense again, are you?”
“Ho. Nonsense, what nonsense. I simply called her because I was curious whether she was doing well in the imperial palace.”
“You’re not trying to make her suffer as a daughter-in-law, are you?! What era do you think this is!”
“I’m telling you it’s not! Why don’t you believe this father’s words, Marie?”
The Emperor appealed to his injustice, but Princess Marie stood firm.
“Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, you tell me. Why did Father call for you?”
Suddenly the arrow turned to me.
“What? Ah. There’s a nonsense rumor circulating in the imperial palace about me, and he said he hoped I wouldn’t be hurt by it…….”
Emperor Carlo was looking at me as if pleading for his injustice to be cleared, so I spoke cautiously, but Princess Marie listened to it all and furrowed her brow even more.
“Father. I heard that rumor too, you know? Calling her here to say ‘I know about it’ and letting her know is actually more burdensome from sister-in-law’s perspective.”
“No, Marie, why do you nag me every time I do something. You’re still young.”
“Even if I’m young, I know right from wrong!”
When Princess Marie put her hands on her hips and got angry, Emperor Carlo raised both hands and feet as if he had lost.
“A father-in-law is just a father-in-law, so if you want to be loved by your daughter-in-law, remember that a daughter-in-law is another family’s precious daughter and the only way is to treat her well!”
“Ah, I understand.”
At Emperor Carlo’s declaration of surrender, Princess Marie looked at me triumphantly.
It seemed she wanted to be praised, so I smiled at her without realizing it.
“By the way, Marie. What is the reason you requested an audience so urgently?”
“Ah!”
Perhaps she had forgotten for a moment, for Princess Marie clapped her hands and put on a serious expression.
“Father. I want to go outside the imperial palace.”
Princess Marie suddenly clung to the Emperor in a low posture.
“Isn’t that something you need your mother’s permission for? Why did you come to me?”
At Emperor Carlo’s sharp point, Princess Marie bit her lip.
“Ah, that is. Mother keeps saying that if I want to go outside the imperial palace, I should either take an escort or go with Lady Nevel.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“I don’t want either!”
Marie said firmly.
“I’m just going out for a bit to run an errand—I don’t want to make a fuss going out. And Gabriel and I don’t have compatible tastes.”
“I cannot permit you to go out alone.”
“But! Father!”
“Take ten people with you.”
“That’s too many too!”
She went on about how her freedom of movement was too restricted, how people would recognize her if she went out with that many, and various other things, but Emperor Carlo showed no sign of granting permission.
When Princess Marie wore a look as if she might cry, the Emperor finally spoke.
“Hm. Then how about your sister-in-law? If you go out with Artie, I’ll allow about two escorts.”
Beaming, Princess Marie turned to me.
“Sister-in-law? I’d love that! Sister? What about you?”
“Ah, if Your Highness the Princess wishes it…….”
“Of course I wish it. What are you saying, sister.”
Princess Marie smiled brightly and grabbed my hand lest I escape.
“Ah, of course, you must also get the Empress’s permission.”
“Yes!”
Marie said, holding Artie’s hand.
“Sister-in-law, let’s go see Mother together.”
“What? But right now His Majesty…….”
“Father, it’s fine, right?”
“No, my daughter-in-law and I were enjoying tea together…….”
“It’s fine, right?”
“…….”
As expected, Emperor Carlo was weak against Princess Marie.
When Emperor Carlo reluctantly nodded, Princess Marie smiled brightly, took my hand, and curtsied.
“Blessing and light upon the sun of Appennino.”
Emperor Carlo, still wearing a dumbfounded expression, waved his hand as if telling us to hurry and go.
