As usual, the Emperor had breakfast with the Empress. He greeted her about the previous night and took his seat. The Empress, noticing his haggard face, spoke with concern.
“Your Majesty, you don’t look well.”
“It’s because I had a visitor last night and couldn’t sleep well. Don’t worry about it.”
The Emperor dismissed it as nothing special. However, at the mention of a nighttime visitor, the Empress turned to look at the Head Chamberlain standing nearby with a surprised expression. The Head Chamberlain avoided her gaze as if feeling somewhat guilty.
The Emperor changed the subject, seemingly unwilling to discuss the matter further.
“By the way, are the preparations for the banquet going well?”
With the arrival of the envoys from Parma, the Emperor had been incredibly busy. He was dealing with not only the Princess’s marriage matter but also diplomatic and trade issues.
As such, he had entirely entrusted the preparation of the envoys’ banquet to the Empress. It was her first major responsibility as Empress.
“Yes. There’s no need to worry.”
She nodded with a smile playing on her lips. Her crystal-clear eyes held a hint of excitement. Joseph, who had been staring into those eyes, followed suit with a smile of his own.
“I believe you’ll do well.”
At his kind words, the Empress smiled shyly. The Emperor also smiled as he raised his glass.
The morning atmosphere was quite pleasant.
‘Should I bring it up now?’
The Empress carefully observed the Emperor’s mood.
“Um, Your Majesty.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she finally spoke up.
“I’ve heard that Parma is known for its rare medicinal herbs, and their medical knowledge is among the most advanced in the Kralto continent.”
The Empress continued cautiously, constantly gauging the Emperor’s reaction.
“Perhaps they could cure Your Majesty’s and Leo’s illness? During the banquet, we could ask the Prince…”
“Empress.”
The Emperor abruptly cut off her words.
He spoke with a slight smile, his eyes narrowing.
“It’s not such a serious illness that we need to advertise it to a prince of another country.”
“…..”
“While I too am concerned about Leo, given who we’re dealing with, it might be used as a weakness against us.”
Though he meant to console her gently, the Empress’s face notably darkened. The Emperor, watching her for a moment, took her hand that was resting on the table.
“Empress.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
The Empress smiled again. However, she couldn’t hide her bitter expression.
“Of course, you’re right.”
Her previous excitement had turned cold, as if doused with cold water.
She understood the Emperor’s meaning. He probably meant not to do anything that might expose their vulnerabilities. But while she could understand it intellectually, she couldn’t help feeling hurt.
Even if it was acceptable for her husband, what sin had her young son committed?
****
Jeremiah and Sienna put their heads together to discuss who might have the will, though it would be more accurate to say that Sienna was the one wracking her brain alone, as Jeremiah wasn’t familiar with the detailed circumstances of the empire.
Sienna wrote down the names of the most likely candidates with a frown. Jeremiah, who had been looking at the paper with a more relaxed attitude, suddenly interjected.
“I heard Duke Lowell was also close to the late Emperor. What about him?”
Sienna tilted her head before shaking it.
“That person has no motive to secretly take the will from the Emperor.”
Sienna was well aware of the Duke’s nature of moving according to power.
After all, when Dahlia was born, hadn’t he hesitated to register the child’s birth mother as his sister? That incident ultimately became an opportunity for the late Emperor to deeply trust the Duke.
How could someone so desperately devoted to power that he wouldn’t hesitate to register a lowly maid into his family secretly take the will behind Joseph’s back? It didn’t make sense.
But Jeremiah didn’t give up.
“Doesn’t the Duke have a sister? Why don’t you try asking her?”
“We’re not close enough to discuss such matters.”
When Sienna drew the line coldly, Jeremiah clicked his tongue as if understanding. Why were all the siblings in that family so distant from each other?
Sienna, who had read his thoughts completely, glared at him briefly before changing the subject.
“By the way, I heard there’s going to be a banquet for you soon. Are the preparations going well?”
“It’s not like I’m the one hosting it, so what would I need to prepare?”
Jeremiah replied primly.
“But you’re still the guest of honor?”
She had tried to lighten the mood, but his response was rather disappointing. Having lost interest, Sienna turned back to the list but suddenly looked up as if remembering something.
“You know the first dance is with me, right?”
“Of course.”
“Have you been practicing?”
Jeremiah furrowed his brow.
“Who practices? I’ll just use my usual skills.”
At those words, Sienna fell silent. Jeremiah narrowed his eyes before realizing why she was quiet and chuckled to himself.
“Ah, is the Princess practicing hard?”
“Well, not particularly…”
Jeremiah couldn’t help but laugh at Sienna’s hesitant response.
Just then, a servant who had been standing at a distance approached them.
“Prince, I apologize for interrupting, but you have a visitor.”
“This isn’t a good time.”
Jeremiah glanced at Sienna. The servant looked at both of them alternately with an troubled expression and said,
“Well…His Grace the Grand Duke has arrived.”
****
As Declan entered the room the servant guided him to, his gaze fell on the woman sitting beside Jeremiah. However, it didn’t linger long.
“What brings you here?”
Jeremiah asked grumpily with a sullen face. Declan stated his business with an expressionless face.
“I came to confirm something urgent.”
“Confirm? With me?”
Jeremiah pointed to himself and asked again.
“It won’t take long, they’re simple matters.”
“If that’s the case…”
Jeremiah glanced cautiously at Sienna. She had been quietly observing the Grand Duke and stood up from her seat.
“I’ll take my leave so you can talk comfortably.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll leave once I confirm a few things.”
Declan spoke without even looking in her direction. His voice was even somewhat cold, causing Sienna to freeze mid-movement.
Declan’s gaze slowly turned to her.
“Please sit, Your Highness.”
Sienna pressed her lips together. His low, persuasive voice was difficult to refuse.
Although she sat back down reluctantly, Sienna felt quite uncomfortable in this situation. She couldn’t keep her hands still and began fidgeting with her necklace.
“I understand you personally attended the late Emperor’s funeral.”
At that moment, both Jeremiah’s and Sienna’s faces tensed. Declan didn’t miss this subtle change.
Unlike Sienna, who had turned pale, Jeremiah immediately responded with a gentle smile.
“Yes, I did. My father was in poor health then, so I attended in his place. But why ask about that now?”
“I noticed something strange while organizing documents.”
Declan pushed forward some papers he had brought.
“Looking through the list of those who crossed the eastern border during the funeral, your name wasn’t recorded.”
“…”
“And it wasn’t merely omitted.”
Declan continued in a monotone voice.
“You had already arrived in the capital before His Majesty passed away. May I ask what business brought you to the Empire?”
“Is there any reason I should explain that to you, Grand Duke?”
“As military affairs, including border control, fall under our jurisdiction, I’m asking despite the rudeness, Prince.”
Despite his words, his face showed not even a speck of regret.
Jeremiah glared at him without answering. Declan didn’t avoid the fierce gaze.
It was Sienna who broke the tense standoff between the two.
“There was a woman he wanted to marry in the Empire.”
Declan’s skeptical gaze turned to her at her low, smooth voice. He stared at her expressionlessly before turning to Jeremiah to ask,
“Is this true?”
Jeremiah reluctantly nodded. Declan let out a quiet laugh of derision.
While her intention to defend the Prince was admirable, it was a clumsy excuse. If a prince had been entering and leaving the Empire for the purpose of an engagement, there would have been related documents.
“What is the name of your fiancée?”
“It’s me.”
At those words, Declan’s face, which had held a faint sneer, froze. Even Jeremiah, who had planned to give a vague answer, looked at her with surprise.
Sienna, still maintaining an emotionless expression, drove the point home once more.
“I was his fiancée. Is that a sufficient answer?”
Though Sienna’s voice was utterly flat, the atmosphere turned ice-cold.
A subtle crack appeared in Declan’s usually expressionless face. Jeremiah, quick to read the situation, noticed his expression. He seemed unusually flustered. But that trace quickly vanished without a trace.
‘This is maddening.’
Jeremiah, watching the interaction between the two, tried to salvage the situation with a forced smile.
“Well… let me explain this. The Princess was just…”
“I understand perfectly.”
Surprisingly, Declan withdrew cleanly. As he stood up as if his business was concluded, Jeremiah’s lips twitched slightly.
“Then, I wish you both a peaceful day.”
Declan offered his farewell with an impeccable manner and withdrew.
As the exit was cleaner than expected, Jeremiah rolled his eyes. At that moment, Sienna suddenly stood up from her seat.
“I should head back as well.”
And she left before anyone could stop her.
