Episode 30

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After a restless night, I woke up early the next morning.

The summer sun was just starting to rise in the sky, and Beril Lake remained as clear as ever, but the vacation was over.

I pulled the bell cord to summon a maid and instructed her to prepare for our return to the palace.

As I was getting ready to go for breakfast, James, the chamberlain of the summer palace, came to see me.

“Your Majesty, Princess Bonita is here to see you.”

“Who is here?”

“Princess Bonita, Your Majesty.”

James, thinking I hadn’t understood, repeated himself louder.

Although Bonita had been banned from the Brincia palace, it seemed that news hadn’t reached the summer palace.

Since I made no response and didn’t move, James, wearing a pleasant smile, tilted his head in confusion.

I couldn’t blame James for letting her in unknowingly, and since I had intended to confront her eventually, this turned out to be a good opportunity.

I put down the comb I was holding and said to James,

“Tell her I will meet her after breakfast.”

“Well… about that…”

James stammered, and when I pressed him, he bowed his head deeply.

“Princess Bonita and Young Lord Senwood are already in the dining room. They said they would have breakfast with Your Majesty, so I led them there…”

During the late emperor’s life, Nerian and Bonita had a good sibling relationship.

Lothania and Henry had grown up like siblings, often spending summer vacations together here.

But the emperor was dead, and the relationships of those left behind had changed significantly.

James, who had served the royal family for a long time, might have expected a familiar, comfortable family breakfast scene. However, Lothania waiting for me in the dining room was likely facing an unexpected disaster.

Even the butler of a common household wouldn’t lead guests to the dining room without the host’s permission.

A chamberlain of the palace couldn’t use ignorance as an excuse in this situation.

“It seems the position of chamberlain at the summer palace is too much for you.”

I coldly remarked above James’ bowed head and hurried to the dining room.

Worried about Lothania, who had been holding onto my skirt to avoid Bonita, I ran to the dining room to find a large and small dog barking at the unwelcome guests at the entrance.

Or rather, Lothania and Aiden were chasing Bonita out.

Melbrid peeked from behind them.

“Princess Lothania! How can you treat me this way? Didn’t we spend summer vacations here together just last year?”

“Last year, Father invited the marchioness, but not this year.”

“And now you’re chasing your aunt away like this? How sad your late father would be to see this!”

As Bonita invoked her dead brother to protest, Lothania pursed her lips.

Was that really something to say to a child who had just lost her father?

Before I could call out to Bonita, Aiden, standing beside Lothania, let out a mocking laugh.

“He would indeed be sad to see his sister acting like this.”

“Duke Tilender, how dare you interrupt a conversation between royals without permission?”

“I’m merely laughing at the marchioness for barging into the summer palace and threatening the Crown Princess without permission.”

“This is the place of my childhood. The late Emperor, my brother, allowed me entry here. Whose permission do I need?”

“Mine.”

I said, addressing the back of Bonita’s head.

She turned to me in shock, and Lothania came to my side and took my hand.

“Your Majesty…”

Bonita quickly composed herself and bowed.

“Until the Crown Princess ascends to the throne, I hold the Emperor’s authority. So currently, I am the master of this palace, and you need my permission, Marchioness Senwood.”

Though I couldn’t see her face as she bowed, her response was delayed.

“Your words are right, Your Majesty.”

Her voice seemed to tremble.

I understood her frustration. From her perspective, I was the intruder.

If Nerian were alive, things might be different. But since I had taken the emperor’s place shortly after my arrival, she likely resented me.

I had no intention of taking away what Bonita should enjoy as the emperor’s sister. I could have given her this summer palace.

As long as she didn’t target Lothania’s throne and life.

Feeling a twinge of bitterness, I squeezed Lothania’s hand, and she looked up at me with sad eyes.

As Bonita mentioned, it must be hard for Lothania to face her beloved aunt from last year as an adversary today.

I smiled reassuringly at her, and she responded with a hesitant smile.

By then, Bonita had completely composed herself and raised her head.

“You heard about the assassination attempt and came straight here out of concern for Her Majesty and the Crown Princess. Are you all right, Your Majesty?”

“What do you mean, news?”

“The assassination attempt, Your Majesty. The rumors are already widespread in Lingrove. We came here chasing this one,” Bonita said, pulling Henry, who was awkwardly standing behind her, “and were shocked to hear about last night’s incident.”

Henry, looking nervous, bowed his head to me while watching his mother.

The rumors were already widespread, so there was no chance of keeping this quiet.

I had caused quite a scene in front of so many people, so hoping it wouldn’t get out was foolish.

While I sighed, Bonita continued speaking hastily.

“You must have been about to have breakfast. We came here so quickly out of concern that we haven’t eaten yet. Would you be kind enough to invite us to join you?”

I wanted to eat in peace, but the twelve-year-old boy’s pleading eyes held me back.

Despite my discomfort with Bonita, I couldn’t bring myself to send away a child without breakfast.

It was obvious that Bonita had brought her son along for this reason, which made me even more annoyed, but I nodded.

“Very well. Lotti, Duke Aiden, let’s go in.”

I entered the dining room with Lothania and Aiden at my sides.

Melbrid, who had followed us in, pulled out a chair for Lothania, and the two children sat side by side at the large table.

Seeing this, Aiden also pulled out a chair opposite Lothania for me.

The sight of the dog doing something so out of character made me chuckle.

I was about to sit in the chair he had pulled out and ask the attendant where Vitrain was.

But instead of sitting, Bonita stood by the table, frowning alternately at Aiden and Melbrid.

“Your Majesty, how can you dine with beasts?”

My appetite vanished instantly. I turned to Bonita with a look of disbelief, but she seemed genuinely puzzled.

Lian, Vitrain, and Aiden were called the snake, the eagle, and the dog because their ancestors had helped the first emperor long ago.

They had bound themselves with an oath, dedicating their lives to the empire and the emperor. Yet, she scornfully called them beasts?

Though their titles and names were like their ranks, it was inappropriate for someone of Luminal blood to speak of them as such.

Aiden merely glanced at Bonita, seemingly used to it, but that made me even angrier.

“Marchioness Senwood. At my table, no one speaks to another person like that. Apologize to Duke Tilender, or take your son and leave.”

Bonita seemed a bit surprised by my words. She blinked, as if questioning my sincerity, but this was me holding back already.

I was prepared to have her escorted out if she didn’t apologize, but she made a reluctant, insincere apology.

“I apologize, Duke Tilender. However, there are family matters we need to discuss. Could you give us some privacy?”

“I decide that as well. Marchioness Senwood, would you prefer to return to your quarters for breakfast?”

Bonita, who had never been in such a situation, bit her lower lip and bowed her head.

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Then sit quietly and eat.”

Thanks to Bonita remaining silent, breakfast proceeded smoothly. Vitrain never showed up, and Bonita requested a private audience afterward.

“May I have a private word with Your Majesty?”

“No.”

Though I had something to discuss with her, Aiden, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly interrupted with fierce eyes.

I was going to permit it, but his unusual insistence made me reconsider.

“Why not, Duke Aiden?”

“Your Majesty, given the recent incident, it’s unsafe to leave you alone with her.”

“Very well,” I said, “Marchioness Senwood, we will speak here.”

Bonita, looking taken aback and insulted, glanced at Aiden before nodding reluctantly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I remained seated, signaling to Lothania and the others to stay. Aiden stood at my side, unwavering.

“Speak, Marchioness.”

Bonita took a deep breath and composed herself before speaking.

“I came to discuss my concerns for the future of the empire, Your Majesty. There have been troubling movements in the Kingdom of Dirmil, and I fear they may affect our stability.”

“And what would you suggest we do about it?”

“Reinforce our borders and increase vigilance. Moreover, I believe it’s crucial for the Crown Princess to begin training in statecraft and military strategy immediately.”

“Your concern is noted, Marchioness. However, my plans for Lothania’s education are already in place.”

Bonita hesitated, looking as if she wanted to say more, but Aiden’s presence seemed to deter her.

“Of course, Your Majesty. I trust your judgment.”

“Is that all, Marchioness?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your time.”

“You may go.”

Bonita bowed and left, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Aiden turned to me.

“Your Majesty, I don’t trust her. She may have ulterior motives.”

“I know, Aiden. We must be cautious.”

Lothania looked up at me with concern, and I smiled reassuringly.

“We’ll be fine, Lotti. Let’s prepare to return to Brincia.”

With that, I turned to finalize our preparations for departure, knowing that this confrontation was just the beginning.