‘A favor? What kind of favor?’
I quickly pressed myself flat against the back of the pillar, peeking out with just my eyes. They hadn’t noticed me—but I was in the perfect spot to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“I wanted to gift my late mother something truly beautiful.”
“I understand your sentiment, but… it’s not something for sale…”
Aidin awkwardly hid her wrist behind her back.
“I heard your father has seen several new jewels lately—perhaps one of those could work instead?”
“Of course, the Triton gems are all lovely. But I once saw a portrait of my mother wearing a bracelet very similar to yours, and it suited her so well.”
Eloise clearly had her eye on Aidin’s bracelet.
It must have been incredibly beautiful if she was going this far to try and buy something already used.
“They say that type of pearl isn’t produced anymore, so there’s no way to get it now. Are you sure it’s not possible?”
“I received it as a gift, so…”
“Could you at least tell me who gave it to you? I really want to find one, no matter what.”
“I think that might be difficult—it’s personal, Lady Appenzeller.”
After dodging and deflecting the question for a while, Aidin finally let out a soft sigh and gently turned her down. Only then did Eloise nod, looking deflated.
“I’m sorry, I pushed too hard.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry.”
They exchanged a few more polite lines and left together.
‘I’ve never seen Eloise be that persistent with anyone before.’
She lost her mother at birth, just like me—probably has no memories either. Yet she was so devoted about this, while she always acted shady around me.
‘People really do have two sides.’
If she’d shown even half that sincerity with me, none of this would’ve spiraled into such a headache.
I shrugged and turned back, heading for the Empress’s palace to prepare for tomorrow’s battle.
****
That night, I stopped by Xion’s room for a moment before going to sleep.
Knock knock.
“Xion, are you asleep?”
“Come in.”
Xion answered in a half-drowsy voice. Guess he wasn’t asleep yet.
I quickly stepped into his bedroom.
“Nothing unusual happened today, right?”
“Nope. I was bored to death.”
Xion curled his finger, gesturing for me to come closer.
I handed him the warm herbal tea I brought and sat at the bedside. Like a well-behaved kid, Xion sat up, drank the tea, and handed the cup back.
“You said you slept well. How can you be bored?”
“It’s annoying. I didn’t get to see you chirping all day.”
“There it is again—your sleep whining.”
I replied cheerfully as I tucked him back into bed. Xion grumbled under the blanket I pulled up to his chest, wearing a pouty expression.
“You’re just putting me to sleep on purpose so you don’t have to play with me.”
His voice sounded like a little boy who just lost his playmate, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“You’re the one who hasn’t finished rebooting, so what’s with the whining?”
“What’s a reboot?”
“It’s a thing. Don’t worry about it.”
He was supposed to have recovered by now, but Xion’s hallucinations hadn’t completely faded. That was an unexpected twist.
Still, it was clear the symptoms were fading with time. There were two definite signs that his cognitive abilities were returning.
First, he no longer found it strange when I did things that no bird should be able to do. Second, his sleep schedule had become more regular and longer.
According to the red book, he’d be fully back to normal in a day or two.
‘Cutting it close, but the timing should work out.’
Currently, Xion was extending his leave and hiding from the public. Thankfully, no urgent state matters had come up.
But because of that, the longer the Empress’s madness seemed to grow and the Emperor stayed out of sight, the more the rumors of an affair spread.
What started out as an Americano had now become a strong, concentrated espresso.
‘Well then, I’d better make use of it.’
It’s not just house prices that sell best at their peak.
Before Xion fell asleep, I whispered into his ear about something I wanted him to do tomorrow.
He looked puzzled at first, but after enough pleading, he finally gave a lazy nod.
“But then you have to spend the whole day with me tomorrow. Don’t fly off somewhere even if I fall asleep. Wait by me and eat your seeds or whatever until I wake up.”
“Seeds? You do realize you’re being incredibly childish, right?”
Even if it came with a few annoying conditions.
*****
The next day. On a clear afternoon, I made my way to the outer palace right on time.
As reserved, about five or six nobles were already seated at the social gathering table.
I was lightly fanning myself as I approached, when I suddenly noticed a few familiar faces at the table next to us.
“Your Majesty.”
Duchess Ruby of House Helios, Countess Yekaterina, and Baroness Sabine—all members of the Gem Club—had seen me and quickly came over to greet me.
“What brings you here? We hadn’t heard there was a meeting today.”
“We felt we hadn’t seen Your Majesty in quite a while. And you’ve seemed so busy lately, we didn’t want to impose by organizing a gathering…”
All of them wore worried expressions. When Baroness Sabine cautiously spoke, Ruby clutched my hand with teary eyes.
“We believe in you. We know you’re kind and angelic, Your Majesty!”
Judging by their reactions, they were clearly concerned about the wild rumors floating around about me.
Someone like Ruby would definitely be aware of the daily uproars in the Empress’s palace, my now-notorious reputation, and the fact that I was attending today’s gathering.
“Of course. I mean, it’s not like I’ve done anything that wrong, right?”
The three women instantly went pale.
I meant it like, I’ve got my reasons, but they seemed to interpret it as, Well, I didn’t kill anyone. Which… fair. Affairs and mistresses are topics that make even the gentlest people snap.
“Don’t worry.”
I flicked open my red fan with a crisp snap and gave them a sweet smile. Then, with cool elegance, I breezed past them.
Eloise waved when she spotted me, and the other nobles at the table stood to greet me.
I took the highest seat—dead center.
“We haven’t met in such a private setting before. It’s a pleasure.”
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
Oh—Lady Aidin Chenowith is here too.
I gave a genuine smile to Aidin, who was the only one truly happy to see me, and joined in the small talk with the other club members.
The conversation was just the usual social chatter.
“Lady Monica, I heard the autumn leaves at your villa are absolutely stunning?”
“Yes, please visit sometime! I’ll even send you all home with a special maple syrup made in our region.”
“That sounds wonderful! Your Majesty, if you have time, would you like to come with us?”
Clapping with delight, Eloise cheerfully extended the invitation to me. I smiled pleasantly and played along.
“Shall I?”
The table went quiet for a second.
“…Ah, yes. Of course.”
Lady Monica hesitated, then forced a smile and awkwardly replied.
Wow, look at that vibe. I silently marveled behind the veil of my fan.
Not like I planned on going with you anyway.
I really don’t like these power plays. Why pretend to be friendly when no one actually wants to be? It’s just a hassle.
Still, I kept my bright, friendly expression. I had to play my part for Eloise, who was clearly setting something up.
Feigning innocence, I spoke up.
“Anyway, today’s weather is just perfect! There’s been so much unpleasantness lately, but this really lifts the mood.”
“Y-Your Majesty! Please, not here—these ladies would be hard to replace if something happened…”
Eloise cut me off right away, pretending to be concerned, while purposely referencing the subject we’d all been avoiding.
The other nobles’ smiles froze. Their eyes darted to me, a blend of unease and discomfort.
I fluttered my red lace fan and smiled with my eyes.
“It’s fine. I’ve already had a productive morning. Caught a whole batch of suspicious people and had them hauled off for questioning.”
“Haha… maybe we shouldn’t talk about that here…”
One of the men, the kind who practically wore a sign reading I’m Very Proper, finally couldn’t help himself and spoke up.
He clearly didn’t like how the Empress was casually bragging about tormenting fellow nobles—even at a social event.
“What do you mean by that, Lord Rusty?”
I pounced on his words. Tension instantly thickened around the table.
Seeing my sharp gaze, Lord Rusty quickly shook his head.
“…No, not at all. I just thought, since Your Majesty graced us with your presence, perhaps we could enjoy more pleasant conversation.”
“Ah, I see. That’s all.”
I gave him a bright smile, as if to say Good thing I didn’t misunderstand. Then, like an oblivious older student barging into the wrong study group, I cheerfully joined back in.
“I heard Waterlain Falls are quite a sight. We should have a picnic there.”
“Hmm. Waterfalls aren’t great for eating sandwiches though. The spray gets everything soggy.”
Nice buzzkill.
“T-then maybe we could set up a parasol…”
“But if you sit in the autumn sun too long, you might get Tiffu’s Disease. Why not just wait and go in winter?”
…And there goes more cold water.
After a few rounds of that, the nobles—who had at least tried to be polite earlier—were clearly getting uncomfortable.
Ladies as picky as Lord Rusty were now giving Eloise uneasy glances, like Who invited her?
Eloise looked distraught as she watched me wreck the mood and quickly tried to rein me in.
“Your Majesty, would you like to try this tea? Lady Yelody grew the leaves herself.”
Trying to ease the tension, Aidin—still new and unsure—jumped in as well.
“I’ll pour it for you, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, lovely!”
I closed my fan with a sharp snap and beamed.
Still… is Eloise’s plan not ready yet? So far, aside from subtly goading me into making a scene, she’s been pretty tame.
Aidin leaned slightly forward to pour my tea.
At that moment, Eloise’s eyes widened. She glanced rapidly between me and Aidin.
“Huh?”
As she shifted her chair back, it bumped into Aidin’s wheelchair.
The wheels rolled sideways, and Aidin lost hold of the teapot.
Thunk!
“Oh my.”
“Are you alright, Lady Aidin?”
Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt, but her sleeve was soaked from the spilled tea.
As she awkwardly rolled up the wet fabric, the bracelet on her wrist came into view.
A smooth, pale pearl shimmered in the light.
“Here, use this.”
I pulled out a handkerchief and offered it.
And right at that moment—Eloise, who had been gaping with her mouth wide open, suddenly pointed and exclaimed:
“I knew it looked familiar! Lady Aidin, how did you end up with the same jewel as Her Majesty?”
Everyone’s eyes immediately locked onto my necklace—and Aidin’s bracelet.
More precisely, on the same uniquely creamy, glowing pearl we both wore.
