Chapter 64
“What wind has blown you here,” Raphnel murmured, examining her reflection in the mirror. She was hastily grooming herself in response to the Emperor’s sudden summons.
These days, when nothing seemed to please her, the prospect of facing the Emperor first thing in the morning was unsettling.
“What useless prattle is he planning now.”
It was rare for the Emperor to summon his half-siblings to a meal. The last time had been the tumultuous dinner when Debert announced his resignation as the army commander.
Since then, Raphnel had only heard through Belle that the Emperor and Arthur dined together occasionally.
“So Arthur is deemed useful, is he?”
How idiotic. Raphnel rose from her seat, wiping the edge of her rouged lips with her fingernail.
Spring had fully blossomed in Nexus. Everyone welcomed the budding flowers after the bitter winter.
But the nobles had their own reasons for embracing spring. It signified the approach of Nexus’ social season. There, they would find their matches and marry before winter returned.
“Remove your hand.”
The maid who had been trying to brush the fallen flower petals from the princess’s shoulder quickly stepped back.
Raphnel brushed the shoulder irritably, a flash of annoyance crossing her pale features.
Why would the Emperor, who seemed to loathe her, summon her?
Ah, perhaps he intends to bring up that topic.
No, that must be it. What the Emperor expects from her is nothing more than that.
“Raphnel, you’ve arrived.”
Unusually, Emperor Hoyden was dressed in casual indoor attire.
Beside him, Arthur also wore a sports shirt rather than a tailored suit.
Combined with the golden morning sunlight streaming through the windows, it gave the impression of a peaceful family breakfast.
Raphnel swallowed a bitter smile. How it resembled a family meal.
“Of course I came, as you summoned me, Your Majesty.”
“It’s merely a morning meal shared among family. Have a seat.”
“Yes.”
Hoyden would often bestow feigned affection upon his half-siblings, much like alms given to a stray dog.
Perhaps he had learned it from their late father, the previous Emperor. Just as the late Emperor had let many women die of thirst with his alms, his son now sought to kill his siblings, Raphnel thought.
“It’s been a while,” Raphnel murmured, toying with her knife.
Arthur’s hand paused at those words, then resumed its movements.
Arthur removed Raphnel’s wine glass, filling the empty one with juice instead.
“Wine in the morning?”
This time, it was Hoyden’s hand holding the wine glass that stilled. Arthur’s eyes remained fixed on the juice being poured.
Silently filling the glass, Arthur lowered his gaze back to his own plate. Hoyden, glancing sideways at him, spoke up.
“You’ll finally get to properly enjoy the social season. Are you all preparing to find your matches?”
He looked at Raphnel with feigned nonchalance.
“Have you made any progress with Debert, Raphnel?”
As expected.
Raphnel sighed, carving the already cut-up meat on her plate.
“I’ve heard he’s been busy with the military supply trade negotiations with Britain.”
“No matter how busy a man is, he can’t resist his woman. Such a convenient and meaningless excuse, without a shred of truth.”
“…Just like Father, isn’t it?”
“Raphnel.”
Arthur interrupted her.
Silence fell across the vast dining table, with only the three of them seated.
Arthur glanced at his brother. While they shared the same golden hair and blue eyes, Arthur was far from the Nexus standard of beauty.
And Hoyden could not tolerate the sense of alienation from his half-siblings. He was one who claimed to possess everything, yet truly owned nothing.
“I’ve heard Debert has a woman. Are you aware of that?”
The piercing gaze of Hoyden’s blue eyes betrayed his triumph at spotting a weakness.
“I heard the same from the newsletter.”
“I didn’t expect you to put any stock in those yellow rags.”
“And I heard you’re quite fond of that newsletter yourself. Was I mistaken?”
Raphnel bit her lip, clenching her small teeth into the reddened flesh until it turned white. If only she could tear off the Emperor’s ear.
“I didn’t realize Your Majesty had eyes and ears even in my own quarters.”
“Not just eyes and ears,” Hoyden sneered.
“Eyes, ears, mouth, and legs – I have them all. As you know, I’ve been sickly since childhood, unable to sweep the battlefield like Arthur or captivate the masses with my looks like you.”
Hoyden raised his bony hand to cover his large ear.
“But I survive by listening well and maneuvering quickly. This Nexus, this palace, is mine.”
The faces of Arthur and Raphnel simultaneously hardened.
They understood the blatant message: I’m watching, so don’t dare step out of line.
“The fact that you two, so alike, are by Debert’s side is both reassuring and concerning to me.”
Hoyden furrowed his brow. A fleeting expression of disgust, as if seeing something unsavoury, crossed his face before disappearing.
“Remember this. We may be of the same imperial blood, but he is merely an outsider. He can turn his blade on us at any moment. Well, that fool would probably point a gun rather than a blade.”
Hoyden’s unrestrained speech was relentless.
“How dare he prattle on about resigning as army commander? Nonsense. That wretch won’t die until I’ve gnawed every last bit of the Cliff family’s bones.”
Hoyden, who had reluctantly approved Debert’s resignation to secure the Cliff family’s military supplies, could not contain his anger.
The hand gripping the empty wine glass trembled slightly.
“The moment the next war breaks out, he’ll be placed at the forefront, using the Emperor’s special authority. So, Raphnel! You must become the Duchess of Cliff before he dies. Do you understand?!”
Raphnel completely set down the cutlery, folding her hands on her lap. The light in her ambitious eyes seemed to have dimmed.
“…I understand.”
“I’ve long known you to be a girl with grand ambitions. Isn’t it your desire to become the highest-ranking woman in Nexus?”
Hoyden’s blunt revelation drew a wry smile from Raphnel.
“Of course.”
“This is the only path where we can all achieve our goals. Put in some effort.”
The admonishment in Hoyden’s request caused Arthur’s brow to twitch.
“So Debert’s decision ultimately determines everything.”
Arthur, who had been silent until now, poured wine into Hoyden’s glass, filling it well beyond half.
“How unfortunate that the goals of Your Majesty and the princess rest in the duke’s hands.”
“You…!”
At that moment, the Emperor’s proxy approached from the side, whispering something in the Emperor’s ear. Hoyden’s face immediately hardened.
“Has he arrived already?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Your morning meal has run longer than expected.”
“Hmph.”
Hoyden rose abruptly from his seat, tossing the napkin onto the half-eaten plate, staining it.
The entourage accompanying the Emperor noisily filed out of the dining room.
Arthur and Raphnel remained seated until the Emperor’s party had all disappeared. Only then did Raphnel speak.
“Unusually, you’ve taken my side, earning the Emperor’s displeasure.”
“I’ve never taken your side.”
“Then you’re siding with Debert? Have you truly become such good friends?”
“Debert and I have been close friends since we were fifteen.”
“How laughable.”
Raphnel let out a derisive laugh as she lifted her wine glass.
This time, Arthur did not try to stop her.
“Do you drink often?”
“About every other day.”
“…Be careful.”
“If alcohol can provide comfort, I could drink it every hour.”
Arthur loosened a few buttons of his shirt, as if feeling constricted.
“Reconsider marrying Debert. Don’t gamble on a slim chance and let it consume you.”
“Didn’t you hear the Emperor? My ambitions are tied to Debert.”
“Becoming his wife is not the path to the highest-ranking woman.”
“Then tell me another move, Arthur.”
Raphnel propped her chin on the table, allowing her golden hair to cascade down her slender jaw. Stiff like a painting’s beautiful lady, she parted her lips in a small smile.
“Make me the Empress.”
“What?!”
“Then you needn’t worry about Debert Cliff, whether he’s chasing after Beth or going mad.”
Arthur was lost for words. The question of making her the Empress did not even cross his lips.
That he had even mentioned Beth’s name from his mouth was surprising. Arthur sighed.
Raphnel leaned back in her seat, shrugging her shoulders.
“Why the shock? Even a child knows the highest-ranking woman is the Empress. I merely stated the facts.”
“There are limits to how much I can see you as my sister!”
Fixing her dishevelled hair, Raphnel rose from her seat. The depths of her eyes, which had once understood him, had now receded.
“Are you truly certain we share the same blood? That we resemble each other? Well, I’m grateful you see me as your sister.”
She placed the neatly folded napkin back on the table.
“Continue to cherish me as your sister. Please, don’t obstruct my path ahead.”
Adjusting her attire, Raphnel walked towards the door. The clicking of her heels paused, and she glanced back.
“That suits you better than a military uniform. It’s a lovely day, why don’t you go find a social season partner? There won’t be a woman as beautiful as me, though.”
Raphnel smiled brightly, a smile she showed only to Arthur. It was neither a mocking smile nor any other ploy, but a sincere one.
Walking backwards while looking at Arthur, she turned around again. Her flowing golden hair billowed in the spring breeze.
Arthur watched her diminishing figure for a long time.
Raphnel laughed like the carefree child she once was. He couldn’t recall the last time he had seen that smile.
“Open all the windows.”
At his gesture, the servants quickly threw open the wide windows of the dining room. As the tall windows were flung wide, the swaying flower branches became clearly visible.
Pale pink petals drifted into the somber dining room on the breeze. Feeling the warmth in the air, Arthur closed his eyes. It was hard to believe this was the same biting, harsh wind of the battlefield.
“Spring has come.”
Winter had passed.
But perhaps he was only deluding himself that spring had arrived, when an even more bitter winter was around the corner.
It was only now, alone, that Arthur whispered the question he had always feared.
“Has spring truly arrived?”
A spring that was slowly going awry had begun.
