“The princess cried alone?”
The emperor sighed deeply as he received a report from his attendant after the meeting.
After dealing with the issue between Ivnoa and Hugo during the meeting, Saquar, who had excused himself to go to the restroom, had returned, stretching, and said:
“Phew, I was on my way to the restroom with Viscount Alfonso when I saw the 13-year-old Princess boldly walking alone through the crowd of Prince Hugo’s friends.”
With a look of deep admiration, he added solemnly:
“She was so fiercely determined that I too was inspired to go to the restroom alone. It was lonely enough to bring a tear to my eye, but it was manageable.”
Saquar was the emperor’s only half-brother, nearly 30 years his junior. His nickname behind his back was “the fool of the imperial palace.”
He was known for his eccentric personality and had even renounced his claim to the throne. Over the past 13 years, he had become increasingly unpredictable, to the point where no one took his tactless comments seriously anymore.
‘But still, the princess has no parents to look after her.’
Though the emperor dismissed the situation as a childish spat, Saquar’s words bothered him enough to secretly send an attendant to the princess’s quarters.
“Why was she crying alone? What were the maids doing?” the emperor asked, frowning.
“Were the maids just waiting in the princess’s quarters? Not a single one came out to greet her?”
“I’m not sure. Since it’s a matter of the princess’s household…”
Though Ivnoa had been reclusive due to her difficulty adjusting, the emperor had always considered the princess’s quarters to be peaceful. He hadn’t paid much attention to it.
“Has Simon Serano, the young duke, entered the palace?”
“Not yet. However, he was informed, so he will likely arrive by this evening when Her Highness, the empress, plans to give the princess a warning.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes.
That seemed reasonable. He hadn’t intended to investigate further, but hearing that Ivnoa had been crying alone, despite having a fiancé to comfort her…
“If the young duke enters the palace to see the princess…”
The emperor pondered for a moment before giving his servant an order.
“Make sure I’m informed.”
● ● ●
The Cerno Ducal House.
Simon Cerno, a young man with lavender hair and red-brown eyes, scowled.
“What? The Princess Ivnoa caused a commotion?”
Ivnoa was a young princess who had spent 12 years in the North, learning nothing about central politics.
Of course, being the only legitimate princess of the empire, marrying her wasn’t a bad deal for him.
If Edwin returned, she would be his precious sister, treasured by the next emperor. And if Edwin didn’t return, Ivnoa would be second in line for the throne.
‘Edwin must have thought it through. If something happens to him, he’ll put Ivnoa on the throne and make me her regent.’
Beyond the political advantage…
Though Ivnoa was still a girl, she was visibly beautiful.
Despite being the daughter of a fallen noble, she bore the same striking features as her late mother, who had won the position of crown princess with her beauty alone.
‘She’ll definitely grow up to be a beauty that will shake the continent.’
In truth, there was no other bride in the empire that could compare to her.
“Her Highness the empress plans to summon her for a reprimand this evening, in addition to the scolding she’s already received. His Majesty the emperor has given his consent, but the time has been delayed until the evening.”
Simon clicked his tongue at his subordinate’s report.
“They want me to step in and smooth things over.”
Anna, who doted on her child, wouldn’t let this incident pass with just a simple reprimand. The emperor had essentially given Simon time to hear about the situation and intervene if necessary.
“As the princess’s fiancé, they expect me to help her stand against the empress.”
“What will you do? The empress won’t let this go easily. You could go yourself or offer some suitable bribe to…”
“No need. I won’t get involved this time.”
Simon cut him off decisively.
He doubted the emperor would care enough to show any more concern for the reclusive young princess who had suddenly caused trouble.
“No matter how ruthless the empress is, she can’t directly harm the princess within the palace. It’ll likely be psychological abuse or some subtle form of harassment…”
He frowned.
“She needs to experience a tough lesson to come to her senses. Leave her be.”
Of course, the ‘warning’ that would take place this evening was merely a way for Anna to vent her anger. What she truly aimed for was Ivnoa’s punishment.
“Simon, please. If Ivnoa receives an exile order, make sure she stays under your protection.”
Exile orders were the usual punishment for royals. The terms of these exile orders varied greatly—from a light punishment where one could stay a night at a friendly noble’s house to a lifelong exile in the harshest outer regions of the empire.
Ivnoa’s own mother, the former crown princess, had received one such exile order as punishment.
“There’s no evidence, so I can’t tell His Majesty the emperor, but if my suspicions are correct and the empress has dabbled in dark magic… then that child is an easy thorn in the empress’s side.”
That was why Edwin had advised Ivnoa to avoid giving anyone a reason to target her. Once punishments accumulated, one would be sent further away for longer periods of time.
Assassinating a royal wasn’t an easy task, but based on Edwin’s speculations and Simon’s intelligence network, Anna had the means to attempt it.
Of course, Simon intended to protect her. He hadn’t yet decided which side to fully commit to. But regardless of which side he ultimately chose, keeping the young princess under control would make her easier to use.
“I’ll just enter the palace tomorrow and have her stay at the ducal house for a while.”
Simon fully expected that the destination for Ivnoa’s exile would naturally be the Cerno Ducal House.
“I hope the empress gives her a proper scolding this evening so she’ll feel grateful tomorrow.”
He lazily propped his chin on his hand as he spoke.
● ● ●
2. The Emperor’s True Feelings
The next morning.
As soon as I rose from bed, a maid quickly approached to assist me.
“Princess, did you sleep well?”
“No… I didn’t sleep well.”
At my answer, the maid nervously shifted her feet, clearly uneasy.
“Princess, about yesterday…”
I slowly sat up, smiling as I did.
“It’s alright.”
“But, Princess, you look unwell. Are you sure you’re alright?”
The maid, still worried, anxiously shifted her feet.
I answered calmly, though a bit somber.
“Of course, my mind, my emotions, and my mood are all absolutely terrible. But physically, I’m fine. After all, this is the imperial palace. No physical harm can come to royalty within these walls.”
Last evening, as predicted, Anna had summoned me to her chambers and delivered a rather severe ‘warning.’ Of course, Simon hadn’t shown up.
‘I knew he wouldn’t come.’
The emperor wasn’t in a position to intervene in the squabbles of children.
That was why he had left Anna as Hugo’s protector and Simon as mine, likely expecting them to handle matters quietly.
‘Well, His Majesty believes Simon is on my side.’
Even I had thought that in the past, so it wasn’t unreasonable for the emperor to be under that impression.
‘In truth, Simon hasn’t completely aligned himself with the empress yet.’
He was still carefully weighing the situation with his snake-like eyes.
I slowly got up, allowing the maid to help me wash and dress.
As I ate breakfast and read the newspaper, the maids gradually gathered around me.
“Princess, did you sleep well last night?”
They approached with the same friendly smiles and gentle voices as usual, but it was clear they were all watching my every move.
“Princess, were you alright yesterday? We couldn’t enter the empress’s chambers, so…”
All the maids assigned to me were daughters of noble families. They were always kind and affectionate. But…
‘They’re all people Simon placed here.’
They served as Simon’s eyes and ears.
‘Hmm…’
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