Edith looked at the Imperial Palace, which was getting closer and closer.
Some people might get excited to enter a place they could only visit once in a lifetime, but there was a fundamental problem.
『 In the palace, there is not only the Emperor but also the Imperial Consort Dowager and many of her closest aides.』
Of course, they would have their own thoughts, so they would not easily commit evil acts against those invited by the Emperor. Sending assassins would not be easy for them either.
Edith’s sole goal was to observe the situation within the Imperial Palace without encountering them as much as possible.
She wanted to find out who this woman, the Imperial Consort Dowager, who was targeting both herself and Walter at the same time, really was, and gather any information she could.
『 It would be good to know what the Emperor thinks of the Duke of Lexion.』
She had asked Benjamin to provide a rough overview of the capital’s social circles and the Imperial Family through letters, but seeing it in person was a different experience.
“I can finally feel that the audience is becoming more real.”
As Edith spoke, Helen, who was sitting next to her, looked out the window and smiled.
“I know, right? I hope we can finish quickly and return to our fief where our people are waiting. Edith, what do you plan to do after the audience?”
It was a question directed at Edith, but everyone in the carriage, including Walter, awaited her answer.
“For now, I’m thinking of staying in the capital.”
“That sounds good. You can still comfortably stay at Fortrion Manor if you want.”
“Thank you, Helen. But I think I should find another house. Something a bit smaller and more secure.”
『 The manor is a bit too big for two people to live in.』
Helen didn’t have any particular worries since Edith had also decided to stay in the capital. However, seeing Walter, who was next to her, pricking up his ears, she thought she might help a bit.
“Don’t you have any specific preferences for a house?”
“Hmm… Well, I’d like a sturdy brick house.”
Edith’s dream house was simple: a comfortable home that doesn’t leak when it rains and has no drafts.
Helen, knowing that the reward she had given to Walter was quite substantial, playfully instigated her.
“What if you suddenly inherit something like an inheritance from a distant relative and can have a bigger house without worrying about the cost?”
“Hmm.”
Edith became a little more serious when she was told not to worry about the cost
“I’d like a small garden where I could grow plants. A spacious yard would be nice too… Oh! If the house had a large library, I wouldn’t ask for anything more.”
As Walter, who had been quietly listening and pretending not to notice, imagined the house he and Edith would live in together, the carriage passed through the main gate of the Imperial Palace.
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“Viscountess Helen Fortrion and Lady Edith Fortrion have arrived.”
“Let them in.”
A dignified voice, not one you might expect from someone who has been suffering from a long illness, echoed in the hallway.
Edith stood half a step behind Helen and entered the Emperor’s office.
Then, the Emperor came into view, standing tall and upright, with a backlight shining on him.
『 So, this is Agnas XIV.』
The Emperor’s sparkling green eyes exuded both intelligence and authority.
His somewhat disheveled blond hair was the only thing in this space that seemed capable of being unruly.
“You’ve worked hard coming from a distant place.”
If the Duke of Lexion had already had the image of possessing all the authority in the world, the Emperor in front of them seemed to personify the very essence of authority.
Moreover, the Emperor was a handsome man with a decadent vibe, giving the impression that there were still many who admired him.
『 Is it the Emperor’s intention not to take any woman solely for the sake of succession?』
The Emperor’s deep green eyes, seemingly capable of penetrating one’s very core of their hearts, scanned Helen and Edith in turn before moving to Reinhardt.
“You have a familiar face.”
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty. I was a member of the Royal Knights before returning to my hometown.”
Reinhardt, deeply moved, replied with a voice full of pride.
『 The rumor that the Emperor is a cold-blooded man without blood or tears probably started when he killed his own siblings.』
However, seeing that he remembered the knight’s face, it seemed that the Emperor was a bit gentler than the rumors suggested.
The Emperor briefly asked Helen if she was of Fortrion’s blood and then stood up.
“Then let’s go to where the bureaucrats are waiting. The official procedures to confirm your lineage will be carried out there.”
In fact, the reason the Emperor had summoned the Fortrions was because he had heard that the Duke of Lexion had met with them separately. He wondered if there was something special about them that had prompted the summons, but so far, he hadn’t sensed anything out of the ordinary.
Helen and Edith, who were walking alongside the Emperor, glanced at the magnificent stone pillars and beautifully finished interior decoration of the Emperor’s Palace.
The Emperor, noticing their gaze, smiled softly and spoke.
“The garden has become quite barren during my absence. I’m considering planting something. Do you have any recommendations?”
Upon hearing his words, they noticed that the garden beyond the splendid stone steps was entirely barren.
Helen was momentarily at a loss for words.
『 Isn’t it natural for a garden to be barren in winter?』
However, it wasn’t her place to give such an insensitive response to the Emperor’s question, so she subtly glanced at Edith’s direction.
Edith recognized the rescue call and looked at the garden for a moment before answering.
“What about Jasmine? It’s widely known for its delightful fragrance, and the magical hybrids thrive year-round, so they won’t be affected by the seasons.”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor looked at Edith with interest. She seemed to be speaking as if she knew the reason behind his dislike for barren gardens.
Whenever the Emperor looked at the withered garden, it made him feel uneasy. It was because it reminded him that his sick body would also dry up.
His gaze seemed to be interrogating her, so Edith gulped nervously.
『 I’m sure His Majesty has been personally tending to this garden.』
In winter, it’s natural for plants to die or wither, so unless there is a special command, the gardeners would have arranged the Emperor’s garden in their own way.
⋙“The garden has become quite barren during my absence. I’m considering planting something. Do you have any recommendations?”⋘
However, the Emperor mentioned that the reason the garden had become barren was that he hadn’t been taking care of it himself. Perhaps he had been given strict orders not to touch it without his permission.
If the Emperor cared enough about the garden to want to manage it himself, he must have had a significant attachment to it.
Moreover, Edith knew very well what patients who had difficulty recovering were thinking as they watched their beloved plants wither away.
『 He must be thinking about death. But it would be more beneficial to consider ways to energize him.』
That’s why she chose Jasmine.
“Also, the fragrance of jasmine can help with insomnia. Now that I think about it, when I was anxious and couldn’t sleep, I would use jasmine oil, and it would help me fall asleep quickly.”
The Emperor’s insomnia was so evident that it could be detected within a few seconds.
“That’s a great recommendation. Lately, my nerves tend to keep me awake, so planting non-wilting jasmine should be helpful.”
“I’m glad to hear that Your Majesty liked it.”
“Is gardening a hobby of yours?”
Edith knew what response would be most helpful to the Emperor, given his approval of her recommendation.
“I’m embarrassed to admit it, but yes, it is. There is nothing more enjoyable than exploring a splendid garden.”
“Then it would be a good idea to explore the other gardens in the Palace while you’re at it. Since you’ve been of help, I’ll have someone accompany you.”
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”
Exploring the garden essentially meant taking a full tour of the palace’s interior. Could there be a better excuse to gather information?
Helen silently rejoiced within herself as she heard the satisfied voice coming from the Emperor’s mouth.
『 As expected…!』
Helen’s overly sparkling eyes revealed her inner thoughts, making Edith suppress a laugh.
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While it was notarized in front of the bureaucrats that Helen was a Fortrion and the rightful successor, Edith toured the garden of the Imperial Palace with the Emperor’s attendant.
Not far away, there was someone closely watching her as she walked in the garden near the Emperor’s palace.
It was Patricia, the Imperial Consort Dowager.
“Is the audience with Viscountess Fortrion today?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“…”
It was obviously Lady Fortrion’s first time visiting the palace today, but Patricia found it bothersome that the Emperor’s attendant was personally guiding her.
When special guests come, they provide carriages for the guests to tour the gardens.
『 I haven’t even been on a carriage like that before.』
Patricia was already keeping a close eye on her because she was a woman who used Walter, who was highly likely a Lexion, as an escort knight, but she found this too much to tolerate.
『 What should I do…?』
One corner of Patricia’s mouth raised smugly.
“Viscountess Carter.”
Viscountess Carter, who happened to be in the room, claimed to be one of Patricia’s closest aides.
The reason the Viscountess had come today was to make a special request: to be appointed as a Lady-in-waiting.
『 The girl who was here before… What was her name? Anyway, she was quite a good maid, but sadly, she got pregnant.』
Elizabeth didn’t want to employ Viscountess Carter as her Lady-in-waiting.
Her behavior is careless, and she often flirts with young men.
『 And Elizabeth is only devoted to Gilbert. But what the hell is this woman?』
Patricia didn’t want this dim-witted woman to be close to her and share her daily life.
So, she pretended to contemplate and looked out the window as she let the words slip.
“Since House Lexion is showing interest in the Fortrions, how about I take Lady Fortrion as my Lady-in-waiting to keep an eye on them as well?”
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