“Why are you being so…”
Why was he being so kind to someone he had just met?
Was he simply an older brother who doted on his little sister? Or was he naturally this excessively warm and friendly?
Kaibel smiled and answered smoothly,
“This is a wedding gift on behalf of my rather aloof cousin. I figured you never received one.”
I blinked.
It took me a few seconds to fully process his words.
So that’s why he had been coming to the palace so often!
“Oh my, I had no idea. Xian—ah, I mean, His Majesty never mentioned it…”
“Well, foreign royal family branches aren’t usually recorded in succession lines. My father was the late emperor’s second half-brother.”
Kaibel expertly glossed over Xian’s utter lack of consideration, even throwing in a gentle reminder for me to take my time getting ready.
‘They really are complete opposites.’
Still, if this was his way of giving a wedding present, I was more than happy to accept it.
It seemed that his kindness wasn’t just a personality trait—it was also because I was both Ruby’s friend and his cousin’s wife.
“In that case, I’ll gladly accept the gift! You’re really thoughtful, Kaibel.”
…Though, wasn’t a wedding gift something a husband was supposed to give?
As I playfully joked about this while enjoying the scent of the roses, Kaibel’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
“That’s true. Gifts like these are usually from a husband, aren’t they?”
“Of course. Oh, put this on the bedside table. It’ll really stand out and look gorgeous.”
I absentmindedly handed the rose basket to my lady-in-waiting.
For some reason, my words made Kaibel struggle to hold back a laugh.
“Have a good trip, Your Majesty. In the meantime, I’ll inform Marchioness Hessen of our visit.”
…Hmm.
Why did he look so amused?
‘He looks like he’s up to something… almost like a child playing a prank.’
But honestly, I didn’t have time to overthink it.
The roses were beautiful, Kaibel was polite and helpful, and more importantly—his assistance would get me one step closer to the jewel.
I quickly gathered the Appleplum, and together, we boarded a carriage to Marchioness Hessen’s estate.
And when I finally arrived—
“Hello, Marchioness Hessen! Would you like to have tea with me?”
Her entire face froze in shock.
I simply smiled brilliantly in response.
****
Drip.
“Our Ruby holds you in such high regard, Marchioness Hessen. She’s still adjusting to Vermouth, so thank you for taking good care of her.”
“You’re too kind, Your Highness.”
Marchioness Hessen spoke comfortably with Kaibel, while I sat quietly like a transparent ghost—before slyly inserting myself into the conversation.
“I’d like to become a good friend as well.”
“Oh. If that’s the case, I’d feel reassured as her brother.”
Kaibel welcomed my words with a bright smile. Hessen Marchioness, on the other hand, looked less than pleased.
She couldn’t outright turn me away since I had come with Kaibel, but she was clearly uncomfortable with the unexpected guest.
“Sorry for the sudden visit. I heard from Ruby how much she relies on you, and I wanted to get to know you as well.”
I beamed as I subtly placed the blame on Kaibel.
“…I see.”
She still hadn’t said, That’s fine.
An expert way of rejecting someone without actually saying no.
I could feel Kaibel watching with amusement, silently wondering how I would handle this.
So, I played dumb and continued the conversation sweetly.
“What a peaceful estate. It’s truly elegant.”
“Thank you.”
“I heard your children are serving in the Imperial Treasury and the Knights’ Order. You must be very proud, knowing they’re helping His Majesty so much.”
“Indeed.”
“Oh, so do you visit the Imperial Library often to see them?”
“I don’t.”
“Ah, I see. Then, doesn’t it get lonely in such a large estate? I find it rather dull when I’m alone in the Empress’s Palace.”
“I’m used to it.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. I’d love to learn from you. Maybe that’s why you prefer intellectual books?”
From the corner of my eye, I could see Kaibel silently marveling at my persistence.
Hessen Marchioness, however, looked like she was counting the seconds until this conversation ended.
“Well, I actually read a book you mentioned the other day.”
“…I don’t quite recall what book you mean.”
“Differentiating Blood Types Through Sacred Science and Technology.”
I winked as I said it.
Kaibel, who had just taken a sip of Appleplum tea, immediately choked.
“Cough! Cough!”
“Oh my, are you alright?”
“Excuse me for my poor manners… But what exactly does sacred science refer to?”
“Who knows?”
I replied playfully, raising my teacup with another wink toward the Marchioness—as if we were sharing a secret.
She had already received two unexpected winks from me. Flustered, she reflexively reached for her tea—just as I had planned.
‘Yes! She drank it!’
Appleplum tea had a sweet yet tangy taste. Unlike ordinary beverages, it contained digestive enzymes, making it excellent for indigestion.
It eased bloating while also refreshing the palate, meaning she was bound to like it.
Silence.
Her fingers, which had been subtly pressing against her chest all evening, finally stopped moving.
She drank the tea absentmindedly, while I chatted casually with Kaibel.
By the time she finished her cup, her complexion had visibly improved.
“My, you seem to like my gift. That makes me so happy.”
I immediately called for a maid to refill her teacup and smiled brightly.
Marchioness Hessen didn’t reject it.
As she drank, she must have realized how much better she felt.
But—
“…Yes. Thank you.”
—her words were still stiff.
‘Of course. No one changes overnight. If they did, they’d be a weather vane, not a person.’
But that was fine.
I continued sipping tea cheerfully, as if nothing was wrong.
On the way back, Kaibel mused,
“Hmm. This might be difficult. Marchioness Hessen doesn’t seem like the type to keep people close.”
“That’s exactly the point.”
Hessen estate had felt eerily quiet.
Despite its vast size, it was empty. Her husband had passed, her children had moved out, and she didn’t engage in social gatherings.
When I asked if she ever felt lonely, she had said—”I’m used to it.”
‘If she truly enjoyed solitude, she would’ve said, “I like it.”’
More importantly—she had felt uncomfortable with me, but she hadn’t cut the conversation short.
Not because I was the Empress.
Her responses had been consistent, like someone who was used to waiting.
‘That means… if I manage to stay by her side, I win.’
I smirked and placed the empty Appleplum box on my lap.
Kaibel’s expression turned intrigued.
“By the way, thanks for taking me today.”
The hardest part was always getting the first invitation.
With the prince’s buffer, things had gone smoothly.
Now, I could keep visiting Hessen Marchioness as much as I wanted.
“I’ll repay the favor later, even if it’s something small.”
At that, Kaibel’s eyes glinted mischievously.
“Then, if you succeed, grant me one wish.”
“A wish?”
“Something simple.”
Nobody ever asks for something simple after saying that.
I eyed him suspiciously, watching as he smiled lazily.
After a moment, I nodded.
‘If it’s something ridiculous, I’ll just pretend I forgot.’
“I’m looking forward to seeing if you’ll actually succeed. Good luck.”
“You can look forward to it.”
With that, the next phase of my plan began.
The Next Day
Knock, knock.
“Hello!”
“…Your Majesty the Empress? What brings you here…?”
“Remember the tea I gave you yesterday? The Empress’s Palace just received a massive shipment as a gift. There’s way too much of it. Would you like to share?”
I lifted the neatly ribbon-wrapped box of Appleplum tea and beamed at her.
Marchioness Hessen looked completely bewildered.
But that didn’t stop me.
Using the tea as an excuse, I frequented her estate shamelessly.
Even when she kicked me out after thirty minutes, I returned at the same time the next day, smiling as if nothing happened.
Even if we only spoke for five minutes, I never missed a single day.
One day, two days, one week, two weeks…
And then—
“Hello, Marchioness Hessen!”
“…You’re a bit late today.”
The once firmly closed doors were now beginning to open.
****
“His Majesty scolded me this morning, so I’m a bit late today. He suddenly started nagging that I haven’t been reading enough books lately.”
I cheerfully complained, and Marchioness Hessen lifted her teacup as she replied.
“Perhaps it’s because you spend all your time visiting my estate instead of reading.”
“Tch. He used to tell me to stop reading those red books, and now he’s complaining that I’m reading too little? He just wants an excuse to scold me for being out of the Empress’s Palace too often.”
Marchioness Hessen silently sipped her tea as she listened.
“Why do you keep coming here anyway? It’s not like you have anything particular to do.”
“Because I enjoy our little chats. And I get to secretly complain about His Majesty too.”
I smiled like a sunbathing cat, utterly pleased with myself.
Marchioness Hessen glanced at me briefly but said nothing.
As always, a fresh pot of Appleplum tea sat on the table, and I continued chatting idly like any other day.
“Marchioness, I’m planning to plant some new flowers in the garden. What color should I go with?”
“Hmm.”
“Oh! Didn’t you say you liked orange? How about Raplen? I heard a new variety was recently introduced.”
I casually dropped hints that I remembered her preferences, things I had learned from my countless visits.
By lunchtime, I got up from my seat.
“I’ll be off now. See you tomorrow!”
I waved my hand playfully and turned to leave, but I could feel her gaze following me.
At first, her looks had been cold.
Lately, though, they were uncertain, conflicted.
‘She’s kind of adorable, isn’t she?’
That’s why I keep coming back.
I chuckled to myself.
****
Marchioness Hessen let out a sigh so deep it could sink the earth, then finished the rest of her Appleplum tea.
‘At first, it was just because of this.’
A mysterious tea that no other tearoom served.
A tangy drink that instantly soothed her chronic indigestion.
It had been impossible to refuse.
That was why she had reluctantly tolerated the Empress’s visits.
She had planned to endure the uninvited guest just long enough to enjoy the tea a few more times—until her stomach felt better.
After all, the Empress’s motives were painfully obvious.
Clearly, she was only pretending to be friendly because she wanted that gemstone.
If she kept refusing, the Empress would eventually snap and issue a royal decree:
“Hand over the jewel. Now.”
‘So I just had to tolerate her until then…’
Yet somehow—
Waiting for the Empress’s visits had become part of her daily routine.
