【Chapter 22】
“Fufu, really? I’m surprised. You did much better than I expected.”
“It’s all thanks to Flendena.”
Every spring, there was a banquet held in the Temple of Flendena during the grand festival. With the presence of the apostle, high-ranking priests, and even high-ranking nobles from other countries, anyone studying in the temple was responsible for hosting the banquet. They were required to maintain impeccable hospitality and beauty that would not violate the etiquette of any country. Although preparing for the wedding was a first for them, they quickly adapted to it after learning the differences from the temple banquets.
“I agree. We also have to thank Flendena for the help.”
Sister Juella, who smiled at me and asked Lafesch if she had anything to worry about.
“No, just being here is already like a dream come true. But…”
“But what?”
“I feel like I couldn’t get very close to Miss Juella or Miss Minuelle, so I regret that…”
Lafesch shyly spoke with her eyes lowered.
‘Who gave you the right to call my sister by her name.’
I didn’t want to deny the fact that I couldn’t get closer to her. Sister Juella glanced at my troubled expression for a moment, then briefly looked at the calendar on the desk before speaking.
“I feel sorry to hear that. Tomorrow, I will go to the imperial palace for the Emperor decision, and Lady Celeste could accompany us. You will also have a chance to learn about the imperial palace.”
“Wow, thank you very much!”
Lafesch held both hands together and exclaimed with emotion as if she was touched. It was a truly lovely sight. However, I still didn’t want to be close to her.
“You too, Minuelle. His Majesty would love to see you.”
“All right.”
I readily agreed. The Emperor really liked me, so I was a bit bothered that I hadn’t been able to see him smile for a long time.
‘That is great. I can finally see you after a long time.’
Of course, while visiting the palace, there was also a plan to see Esadien as a side trip.
💧
As promised, Lafesch visited the imperial palace with us two days later and encountered a great destiny.
“….Maya?”
The Emperor looked at Lafesch’s face as if he couldn’t believe it and scrutinized every inch of it. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the two of them.
“You look so much like the younger sister I lost a long time ago.”
After hearing the emperor’s words, I was able to recall the owner of that name. Maya Roquette. She was Esadien’s mother and the Emperor’s beloved younger sister who had passed away a long time ago.
‘Come to think of it… In the original work, they also mentioned that Lafesch looks astonishingly similar to Princess Maya.’
Lafesch looked up at the Emperor with shaky eyes. Her face was a mixture of anxiety and excitement.
Lafesch looked up at the Emperor with shaking eyes. It was a face mixed with anxiety and excitement. On the other hand, I couldn’t help but be surprised to feel a clear sense of joy that was even greater than when she first met Esadien.
‘She probably thought that if she got the Emperor’s goodwill and were lucky, she could even grab a good opportunity.’
What did Sister Juella say before we entered the Imperial Palace?
“Does Lafesch really want to rise her social status?”
It wasn’t the end of surprises. The master of ceremonies, the Emperor, led us not to the reception room but to the place where the Crown Princess and Esadien gathered to have tea every week.
‘Even though I have visited a few times myself….’
While looking around the inside of the palace, which had not changed despite my long absence, I flinched for a moment.
‘I don’t think we were treated special because I came.’
The Emperor’s face remained as usual, with his cheerful smile, and there was no sign of surprise from the attendants. It was just my own self-consciousness.
“Ah, wait.”
As people took their seats and the attendant prepared the tea, the Emperor halted the proceedings.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Today, I want Lady Celeste to share tea with us.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
I heard that the imperial taster always personally checks everything the emperor eats and drinks to prevent him from being poisoned. Especially with tea, as there is a high possibility that poison could be mixed in by blending various leaves from different sources.
“It’s okay. Young Lady, would you like to serve me a cup of tea?”
“Yes? Me? Ah yes. Yes!”
There is no way to refuse when the Emperor himself invites you. Lafesch stood up abruptly, but her face was very insecure.
‘It’s… a bit unsettling.’
Sure enough, Lafesch made a lot of small mistakes, perhaps due to her uneasiness about the tea. We tried our best not to look in her direction so she wouldn’t feel embarrassed, but the taste was not an area that could be covered up with manners.
‘This tea, it’s probably the same tea leaves as the ones we have at home…’
Everyone took a sip of the tea out of formality and then put their cups down without saying a word. Even Lafesch tasted it before quickly pouring in sugar. The Emperor alone seemed to find it amusing and laughed.
“Hahaha, this is different from Maya. That child hasn’t put anything in her mouth except tea since she was seven years old.”
If that’s the case, Esadien’s mother must have been a tea master of the century.
“All right, shall we receive what we promised? Is the item ready?”
It was like a mafia-style speech about some secret dealings. Lafesch’s mouth twitched slightly, perhaps because she had the same thought as me, however, the corner of her mouth slightly raised.
“Of course, Your Majesty. It’s an honor to receive it.”
On the other hand, the expressions of Sister Juella and Gideon were serious to the point of being tense. The Emperor looked carefully as he unfolded the invitation he had already received and read it down again.
‘Huh? But…..’
As I waited for the Emperor’s response, I felt a slightly strange sensation.
‘Did Lafesch have the same thought as me?’
At that moment, Lafesch looked at me and smiled innocently with her bright eyes.
‘Surely not. This must also be an illusion.’
“Okay. Shall we make the announcement then?”
The Emperor’s face, which had been playful the whole time, finally turned serious.
“I, Emperor Alexios Amodan Roquette, bless the union of two distinguished families. I gladly approve the marriage of Juella Karinen and Gideon Farroy.”
“Thank you.”
“We will live together, helping and caring for each other.”
Unlike Sister Juella, who composed, Gideon was moved to tears. Everyone laughed at his reaction.
“Hahaha, the Karinen ducal family gains another son-in-law.”
The Emperor’s face, which had been smiling contentedly, darkened slightly.
“Esadien should also do well like this.”
Suddenly, the topic shifted to Esadien. The Emperor turned his gaze towards me and asked in a subtle voice.
“When do you plan on taking Esadien with you, my dear?”
Is that a hint to get married quickly?
I smiled mischievously but trailed off at the end.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I…”
‘I want to do it right now.’
If we get married, Esadien will also become part of the Karinen family. Once he is inside this fence, the Second Prince will not be able to target him easily. But what does Esadien think about this? Plus, my sisters were also a problem. Even now, Sister Juella’s eyes sitting across from me were turning into a triangle shape.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Everyone’s hearts must come together and the timing must be right for a marriage. Did you not say that yourself when I asked for permission to marry?”
The Crown Princess, who opened the glass door facing the garden, spoke. It was something I felt every time I saw her, but she was someone who closely resembled the Emperor’s easygoing side.
“Ahem, that was then and this is now….”
“The person who oversees the affairs of state must always maintain the same attitude and cannot change it.”
“Ah, yeah.”
The Emperor didn’t argue any further, as if he was sure that he remembered everything clearly.
The Crown Princess smiled and patted my shoulder and then Sister Juella’s.
“It’s been such a long time since we last met. My apologies, Minuelle, please don’t feel burdened by His Majesty’s words. And, Juella, congratulations.”
“Oh my, Your Highness the Crown Princess. It’s a little disappointing to receive only words of congratulations.”
The Crown Princess and Sister Juella have been close friends since they were young, so they still had no shame in their interactions with each other.
“Oh my, rest assured that I have prepared something, so look forward to it.”
“I will be greatly looking forward to it.”
There was a little laugh.
After a few more hours of conversation, the Emperor caught us slowly getting up.
“Wait a moment, please.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“This is a personal request… Lady Celeste, if you have time, could you please visit the imperial palace and talking with this old man?”
You may still be in your prime, yet to call yourself old…
By the way, Lafesch has truly caught an incredible fish. Perhaps I should have recognized it when he made his nephew, Esadien, a prince. It shows how much the Emperor cherished the Princess.
“What about coming in as my maid?”
The Crown Princess, who was lost in thought for a moment, made a suggestion.
“Are you talking about your maid?”
“Yes. One of my maids has having a child and I need to find someone to fill in for her while she rests.”
It was a suggestion to keep the maid for about eight months.
“Then wouldn’t it be more convenient for Your Majesty to call her if that’s the case?”
“Well, I don’t mind, but the lady’s opinion is important.”
Lafesch seemed slightly intimidated by the people’s attention, but within a few minutes, she adapted and answered without trembling.
“It is an honor for my family, but I am currently working for the Karinen family…”
“Ah, Lady Celeste…”
Sister Juella smiled softly.
“This is the final stage, so don’t worry. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has come, we are not so desperate as to hold you back.”
“Bu-but Minuelle said that it’s not over until it’s over…”
“That was just something I said because we’re family. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on bothering Lady Celeste, who came to help, so don’t feel burdened.”
My older sister chuckled and slightly bowed her head to the Crown Princess.
“Then, Your Highness, please take good care of Celeste from now on. She was a quick learner and clever young lady.”
“I feel sorry that the luggage caused trouble. Lady, please send me a wedding gift that you will not feel disappointed with.”
“I will gratefully accept it.”
I didn’t say a word as the story progressed smoothly, going back and forth.
Now, if you ask me if it’s good because I don’t have to avoid Lafesch anymore, well, that may be true, but…
I couldn’t forget the sight of Esadien and Lafesch looking at each other as if it were etched in my mind. No matter how much I tried to think that Lafesch took after his mother….
‘I’m worried.’
After the group dropped me off at the imperial palace and left, I felt a bit melancholy. The palace was very spacious, and since Esadien rarely left the prince’s palace, there was little chance of running into Lafesch. But why was I so anxious?
“Minuelle?”
As I entered the inner parlor with a gloomy expression, the door to the parlor opened, and Esadien appeared in loose clothing.
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Thank you for reading!
