When Retina woke up, feeling arms tightly wrapped around her from behind, the spot beside her was empty.
Glancing at the empty spot next to her and then looking up at the ceiling, Retina placed the back of her hand on her throbbing forehead, suffering from a hangover.
‘I fell asleep without even knowing he left.’
Unlike Retina, who was staying in Hedon for a few more days, Herald had returned to the capital at dawn. Having used madness as an excuse to be away for a while, he had to arrive at the imperial city before others started looking for him.
Since resolving the misunderstanding with Retina was his primary goal, the time he spent until nightfall was already cutting it close.
After taking care of the sleeping Retina, without even getting a moment’s rest, he dressed himself and left the room, kissing her forehead as she slept soundly.
Retina, who had been blinking blankly for a while after waking up, finally came to her senses and sat up. Although she had been staying in the same room without any issues for the past few days, the room seemed unusually empty today.
‘I can’t help it.’
Retina gripped the blanket wrapped around her shoulders tightly. Even though they had only spent half a day together, she already felt his absence. If she had never known the warmth of another’s love, it might have been different, but now that she knew, she couldn’t forget that feeling.
‘How can I forget the meticulous care that still lingers on me?’
Retina, who fell asleep immediately after exhausting herself from alternating between crying and laughing, looked down at her body, which bore no traces of the previous night.
Although she couldn’t call it a habit since she was his first, the crown prince always took her, utterly exhausted, to the bathroom to wash her. If he couldn’t use the bathroom, he would bring a wet towel from somewhere and meticulously clean her.
He claimed it was due to his neat personality, but Retina knew it was out of consideration for her, who had no strength to lift a finger.
“There are still some traces left.”
Seeing her body, now a canvas of blotches, Retina blushed with embarrassment and shrank her neck. Though half of the clothes she brought from the capital were now unwearable, she didn’t mind.
***
As planned, Retina finished her rest in Hedon and returned to the capital. Rudhreium, nearing the end of the social season, was filled with love, as couples who met during the season bonded.
The final royal ball marked the end of the social season and was also an occasion for nobles to introduce their betrothed or future spouses.
“I wonder when my brothers will find their matches.”
Standing at the entrance of the banquet hall, watching couples walk in arm-in-arm, Retina spoke in a teasing tone.
While other nobles had found their matches, her brothers still stuck by her side.
Despite being adept at light romances, they couldn’t seem to find a life partner. Ironically, the crown prince, who had never experienced a proper romance, was likely to marry first. Though embarrassed to admit it, Retina had promised the crown prince that they would marry within three years.
Retina, as a grand duchess, and Herald, as an emperor, planned to revive the marriage alliance that had previously fallen through.
“You never know,” Retina said.
“True. In the meantime, Herald’s child could get married, though I wouldn’t stand idly by,” Sat replied.
“Retina, you might fall for another man in the North,” Haint added.
“Yes, exactly. People’s hearts are unpredictable, aren’t they?” Retina countered, hitting the mark, causing Sat and Haint to flinch but not back down. Who could deny they were twins when they matched so well in moments like this?
“Instead of blessing the marriage of your best friend and sister, why are you cursing it?”
“Because it’s my friend and my sister getting married. You shameless guy. I wondered who he’d end up with, and it turns out it’s my sister….”
Despite his words, her brothers had put in tireless effort to support her and the crown prince. From the moment they realized their feelings for each other, meeting in secret away from prying eyes, overcoming their separation, and reuniting, it was thanks to her brothers that she even considered starting over with the crown prince.
Retina felt immense gratitude towards her brothers, who had always been steadfast supporters for both her and the crown prince.
“As long as he treats me well, it doesn’t matter if his personality is twisted.”
“You do know he has a bad personality, right?” Sat responded.
“Wouldn’t it be strange if I didn’t know?”
“That’s true. If he treated you the same way he treats others, I’d never allow it. With that jerk-like personality, how dare he aim for our princess?” Haint shouted, his nostrils flaring.
Calling her “princess” in such a public place!
Retina covered her face, embarrassed by the strange looks from people in the line waiting to enter the banquet hall. At home, where no one else could hear, she let her brothers call her that, but in public, it was too shameful.
“Haint, please don’t call me ‘princess’ in front of so many people…”
“Introducing Sat Deneuve and Haint Deneuve of the Duke Deneuve family, and Her Grace, Grand Duchess Retina Ignace!”
As Retina was poking Haint with her elbow, whispering, the herald’s voice announced their entrance.
Retina, who had been hiding in embarrassment just moments before, straightened her shoulders confidently and led the way into the banquet hall.
“We greet the two princes of Deneuve and Her Grace, Grand Duchess Ignace.”
As they passed, nobles who had entered the hall earlier bowed their heads in greeting. Accepting their salutations, Retina made her way towards the dais where the Emperor stood.
In social circles, the Empress typically held more influence than the Emperor, and the royal ball was usually under the Empress’s jurisdiction, but the seat next to the Emperor was empty.
“Greetings to His Majesty, the pure and supreme Emperor of the Empire, the sun burning in the sky of Rudenheim.”
Retina greeted the Emperor, who was standing alone on the dais. The Emperor was welcoming guests on behalf of the Empress, who should have presided over this last ball but was absent. Because of Retina, the Empress was under house arrest. She felt the piercing stares on her back.
Even after becoming a Grand Duchess, she couldn’t quell the rumors. The difference now was that those who once openly gossiped about her now watched their words.
While this didn’t bring much comfort, it spared her from unnecessary entanglements. Power, it seemed, was a simple yet convenient tool for those who wielded it.
“Haha, it seems you are becoming more suited to your position as time goes on. They say the position shapes the person, and it certainly fits you.”
During the three royal balls, Retina had undergone many changes. From a young lady who hadn’t even had her debutante to becoming a Grand Duchess. It was overcoming sudden adversities that made her who she was now.
“As someone who grew up in Rudenheim and knows its situation well, I believe you will communicate effectively even in the North. Since you also have a close relationship with the crown prince, who will eventually become Emperor, there should be no issues in communication. The future of our two nations looks promising.”
The Emperor casually mentioned the crown prince in front of Retina. The crown prince, standing nearby, furrowed his brow, but the Emperor, sitting with his back to him, didn’t notice.
“Yes. How could I disregard my connection with His Highness the Crown Prince? As long as I am the Grand Duchess, Ignace will strive to maintain a good relationship with Rudenheim.”
“Truly reassuring, truly.”
“Now that you are a Grand Duchess, you must understand the importance of having an heir to continue the family line. I hope you find a good match and marry before it’s too late. It’s a pity the alliance with Prince Norden fell through. I thought you two made a splendid pair.”
“Your Majesty, you need not worry. I will maintain a close relationship with Prince Norden as a partner in our respective roles. However, as for a husband, I need someone who fully supports my duties.”
“Indeed, that is the mindset of a true head of the family. You’ve adopted an excellent attitude, even though you’ve only recently received your title.”
Retina responded with a bright smile to the Emperor, who made it a point to mention both the crown prince and the prince in her presence.
Believing that Retina had ended her relationship with the crown prince cleanly, the Emperor interpreted her smile differently.
With a satisfied grin, he turned his gaze to Sat, who stood behind Retina.
“The Deneuve princes must be proud to have such an accomplished sister. Now that all three of your father’s children have found their places, it might be time for the Duke to retire and rest.”
“I still have much to learn from my father before I am ready for that,” Sat replied humbly.
“We all start with deficiencies. I heard your skills particularly shone at the recent swordsmanship tournament. Marry soon, inherit the title, and guide the empire as a strategist.”
“I was merely doing what was necessary. Thank you for the kind words,” Sat replied, deflecting the compliment. While it might have been a compliment to others, to him, it felt like his father’s daily nagging.
“And Haint… yes, just keep doing what you’re doing. The current commander of the Second Knights is starting to talk about retirement, complaining of aches and pains. Though I’d prefer him to last longer, he probably only has a few years left. If you continue as you are, you will undoubtedly be the next commander.”
After offering his well-wishes to Haint, the Emperor cleared his throat and turned his gaze away, as if avoiding someone’s eyes.
“Your Majesty, why haven’t you wished me to find a good match and… ouch! Mmph, mmph!” Haint’s question was cut off as Retina stepped on his foot, and Sat quickly covered his mouth to stifle his cry. Representing the group, Sat then bowed to the Emperor.
“With Your Majesty’s attention, we hope to bring good news sooner. May the light of the sun always shine upon the empire.”
“May Rudenheim’s blessings be with you all,” the Emperor responded.
As the Emperor watched them leave, he sighed softly, wondering if Herald would be able to lead the empire successfully alongside these individuals after his abdication.
