Chapter 18
“They have decided to have a meal together, just the two of them.”
She had just heard a very strange piece of news from the Chief Minister Gardin.
The emperor had refused all meals with the empresses.
And he publicly announced that he would only have meals with the empress.
Why on earth?
“If His Majesty said so, that must be the reason.”
Anel couldn’t believe it, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Did he really say that?
That he would spend time only with her?
“Yes. Even when I requested an audience, he refused.”
Flora scrutinized Anel as if searching for something.
No matter how you looked at her, she was an ordinary woman.
Moderately pretty, moderately delicate, a noblewoman who knew how to kill herself in moderation.
A well-made commodity that could be found anywhere.
Even if it was made of precious materials, a doll was still a doll.
Different from a living ‘flower’ like Flora.
Why was this woman, who had been sold to the palace without her own will, special?
“But that doesn’t seem right. Especially when there is a proper empress. Ignoring her existence goes against the norms of the imperial palace.”
“The norms of the imperial palace….”
Top of Form
Anel smiled ambiguously.
“Are you trying to advise me on the norms of my name registry right now, First Empress?”
Flora flinched.
In truth, she couldn’t understand it at all. The fact that Johannes had directly bestowed the imperial title only upon Anel, and gave her the peculiar middle name ‘Catenatus.’
All of it was unprecedented and inexplicable behavior.
Certainly, it couldn’t be interpreted very positively. But that was even more unsettling.
These distorted actions seemed almost like an extramarital affair.
That Johannes Magnus!
No way. Surely not. Flora scoffed.
Does that make sense? She scrutinized Anel again.
As much as a bloodline going from Stein to just below the imperial family, she was from the prestigious Morata Ducal House.
So, she was willing to acknowledge it. To some extent.
Treating her with respect and maintaining a certain distance. That wasn’t too difficult.
“…Empress, as the leader of the name registry, shouldn’t you correct this?”
But taking over the emperor? That doesn’t make sense.
She’s not the same ‘Morata’ as before.
“First Empress.”
Anel dropped a sugar cube into the teacup.
“Whether I am the leader of the name registry or not, the leader of the empire is undoubtedly the Emperor. Going against his will is another matter altogether.”
“It was a firm refusal.’’
From the start, Anel knew that suggesting a position that I didn’t even hold to Johann would be futile; that man wouldn’t listen.
As the leader of my retinue, please take care of the consorts. If I ask him, he might actually listen.
Anel stared quietly at the melting sugar.
If that man had already made a decision, there was nothing Anel could fix.
But Flora seemed unsatisfied with her response.
“Whether it’s good or bad, since we have to deal with it anyway. May I speak honestly, Your Majesty?”
Good or bad?
Anel chuckled at the impolite words.
Was this woman, a former court lady, not taught etiquette?
“No.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Honesty is good. But I don’t think honesty and rudeness are the same, Your Majesty.”
No matter how much the Morata Grand Duchy had fallen, its long history couldn’t be denied.
Anel knew better than anyone why Johannes chose embezzlement charges instead of treason.
It was a measure in its own way. Giving her a ‘justification.’
“Speak honestly, but don’t bring rudeness in with it.”
“!”
“I’d rather be blunt without pretense; it seems more honest.”
Social circles begin with pretext and end with pretext, even if it’s just a hollow one. Anel, the Empress from the prestigious Grand Duke family, couldn’t deny the authenticity of her lineage.
Even if it was just a facade, she couldn’t deny the authenticity of her lineage, at least not the one that came from the Grand Duke family. That must have been the reason Johannes chose her as the Empress – someone he could control, someone groomed to be the Empress.
“If that’s the case, I am your superior, whether you like it or not.”
The reason for leaving behind such a pretext was not for her sake, Anel thought. The man simply didn’t want to dirty his hands. Just an instrument…
“In that case, should I forget my manners when dealing with my superior, 1st Empress?”
In matters like this, involving pretexts and titles, Flora’s face turned cold.
“Well, that’s true. Your Majesty is my superior.”
Flora muttered in a very submissive tone. Anel became even more resentful towards Johannes. He had entangled her in this web of a game and forced her into this consuming war, a war she never wanted.
“I apologize if I have offended you, Your Majesty.”
Flora slowly rose to her feet.
“Before causing any more rudeness, would it be acceptable for you to step back?”
She had to step back. This was the result of her miscalculation.
Nevertheless, she was Morata’s person.
She had underestimated a woman raised as an empress.
No matter how much she desired Morata’s favor, the passage of time could not be wished away.
“Very well.”
Flora exaggeratedly bowed as if performing a deep obeisance before slowly stepping back.
However, Anel could sense the hidden emotions beneath her bowed head.
Multiple blades of revenge pointing in the wrong direction.
Precisely, what Johann desired.
“But that’s another matter.”
Anel picked up the pen.
“If you have no other plans, I would be honored to have a meal with you.” It was absurd. Saying such words while clearly disliking me. It seemed she wanted to avoid the empresses in such a manner.
“Please convey my words to Her Majesty.”
Then, I’ll have to create some plans.
“The Empress cannot attend breakfast today…”
Garden was apologetic and didn’t know what to do.
It had already been a week.
The excuses were different each time.
There was a headache, official duties to attend to, guests from another country…
Why should he be sorry that the Empress wouldn’t come?
“But instead, Her Majesty the First Empress asked me to convey her regards to the Crown Princess.”
This statement had been repeated for a week now.
After saying that, Garden raised his head slightly to gauge Johann’s reaction.
How would the Emperor’s elusive Empress appear today?
Johann had silently attended breakfast every day for a week.
The soup bowl placed on the opposite side seemed to be his only companion, never left untouched.
Even if the Empress didn’t come out, he would quietly finish an espresso and rise from his seat.
Without conveying any message to the Empress. Just quietly.
“The Mama of the First Empress is waiting. What shall we do?”
Stubbornness persisted in both the Crown Princess and Flora throughout the week.
Flora stood in front of the restaurant door every morning, eagerly awaiting the invitation.
And Johann never uttered the invitation.
“Your Majesty, just once…”
“Come in.”
Garden’s eyes flashed open. It was an opportunity. An opportunity not to be missed. Almost flying, Garden opened the door.
“Mama, Her Majesty…”
“Thank you.”
Flora, having listened behind the door the entire time, tightly grabbed Garden’s hand and entered.
She had waited patiently for a week, enduring the discomfort and sympathy she had never experienced before. Solely for the purpose of meeting this man.
“Your Majesty.”
For this man.
“1st Imperial Consort.”
It was the first time since the ceremonial event that they faced each other. The Emperor had not even glanced towards the vicinity of the First Imperial Consort’s residence. He only moved between the Imperial Palace and the main residence.
Even though she had waited on the side paths of the palace, eager to exchange words with him, if they were to meet…
“How have you been?”
Johann didn’t even spare her a glance.
“…Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, I have been well.”
She knew he always used formal titles when addressing noble ladies, ever since their first meeting. His unyielding demeanor had captivated her even more.
But now, even though she was his wife, nothing had changed. It somehow hurt Flora’s feelings, and she lowered her head.
“If there is anything you need, please let Garden know. Would you like to have a meal?”
Flora shook her head.
She had hoped that he might initiate a meeting. Despite offering prayers every morning, today was a fulfilling day.
‘’Garden will bring breakfast.”
Now that he was accompanying him for breakfast.
Johannes set down his cup, raising his hand.
Garden immediately placed a cigarette in that hand.
Just as he was about to instinctively light it, Johann raised his other hand, stopping Garden.
“Apologies. Hwangbi. Shall I light it for you?”
Johann sought forgiveness with a face that indicated he had forgotten.
Flora nodded unconsciously.
Indeed, he was a courteous man.
Always respectful and considerate towards others.
Johannes, as if expressing gratitude, smiled faintly and took a lighter from his pocket. It was a silver lighter with an engraving.
“Your Highness. As for the meal…”
“I’m not particularly fond of eating.”
“Still, for your health-”
“Hwangbi.”
Johannes spoke as he lit the cigarette.
“No need to bother.”
