“What’s your relationship with His Majesty?”
“…I just told you that I don’t want to answer any rude or difficult questions.”
The question came immediately after her words ended.
Pristin wondered if Tanya had really listened to her seriously.
“I don’t understand why that’s a rude or difficult question, Lady Lamont.”
…She didn’t understand. Did she not think that prying into someone’s personal life without permission was impolite?
“If you’re so upstanding, then it should be a question you can answer honestly, shouldn’t it?”
“Of course. But even if I’m upstanding, it’s still a personal matter.”
Pristin stared at Tanya, unsure why she should share such personal information.
“Do I have an obligation to answer such personal questions to someone I have no acquaintance with?”
“But if I were a lady, I would have answered honestly to avoid unnecessary suspicion. ‘I have no relationship at all.’ The fact that such an answer doesn’t come immediately leaves room for doubt.”
“If you think so, fine. If you want an answer so desperately, even at the cost of impoliteness, I will answer.”
Pristin narrowed the gap between and replied to Tanya as if hitting a nail.
“There is no relationship between His Majesty and me.”
That was not an empty statement. It was the truth. Pristin had no relationship with Jerald anymore.
However, despite hearing the answer, Tanya appeared to be unable to trust Pristin.
“How can I believe that?”
“…Hey, lady. You wanted an answer, and I gave you one. Now you can’t believe me?”
Pristin said to Tanya with an incredulous expression, tinged with sarcasm.
“Then why did you ask in the first place? It seems like you already had an answer in mind.”
“Fine. I’ll tell you honestly.”
Tanya revealed her honest intentions, as if she didn’t want to engage in any more verbal sparring.
“Stay true to your duty, the reason you entered the palace.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know that you entered the palace in the capacity of a close friend who took care of Her Imperial Highness and saved her life. Not as His Majesty’s lover.”
“Lady.”
“You saw it earlier, didn’t you? Everyone suspects the relationship between His Majesty and the lady. The fact that His Majesty, who is usually distant, shows a different attitude only towards the lady, it’s not unreasonable for everyone to be suspicious.”
Deeper furrows appeared on Tanya’s forehead.
“Distance yourself from His Majesty. If you don’t want to be suspected.”
“…”
“It’s all because I’m worried about the lady. Once rumors start to spread, it’s only a moment until it spreads out of control.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Pristin replied a beat late after Tanya’s words.
“I understand what you mean.”
“I’m glad you’re not stupid.”
“Yes, you can rest assured. There is nothing for the lady to fear.”
Tanya’s eyebrow twitched slightly at that statement, rising with a hint of intrigue.
“…What do you mean?”
“You’re afraid.”
As if emphasizing that she didn’t mishear, Pristin repeated her words, driving the point home.
“You’re afraid that I will win His Majesty’s heart, and the lady will fail to become empress.”
“…”
“You’re afraid, aren’t you? That’s why you initially saw me as a threat, why you’ve been provoking me all along, and why you’re saying these things to me now.”
Pristin stared at Tanya intently as she spoke.
“All of it stems from those emotions. I understand it well enough.”
“Don’t speak so recklessly. What right does a lady like you have to dare…!”
“If it’s not for that reason, there would be no reason for the lady to say such things to me.”
“Is mere circumstantial evidence enough…!”
“I don’t want to misunderstand either, but the attitudes you have shown me and the consecutive situations make it very clear about one thing.”
Pristin chuckled softly as she glanced at Tanya knowingly.
“In any case, there is nothing for you to worry about, so relax.”
“Ha…!”
“However, I can’t guarantee that His Majesty’s heart will turn towards the lady, even if you try to keep an eye on me.”
“Lady, what are you saying…!”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Pristin cleanly finished her statement and ended the conversation with Tanya. As she walked past Tanya toward the door of the reception room, she heard the sound of exasperation and disbelief coming from behind.
Surely, Tanya must be giving her a piercing gaze, as if she could devour her for such arrogant remarks. But Pristin, as if it didn’t matter to her at all, never turned around and continued walking forward without looking back.
“Wow!”
Then, a familiar voice reached her ears.
“Amazing, Pristin?”
Without even needing to turn her head, she could tell who the owner of that familiar voice was. Pristin turned her slightly flushed face towards the source.
“…Your Highness the Princess.”
“You speak so well. As expected of Pristin!”
“Hush, Lady Gennant has not come out yet.”
Pristin smiled awkwardly, seemingly caught off guard. But Claret shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly as if she didn’t care.
“Although it’s a bit of a shame that you said you had nothing to do with my brother, it was still very good.”
“Did you hear everything?”
“Yeah. I’m so thrilled right now!”
She looked truly elated, as laughter filled Claret’s expression.
“More importantly, what did you talk about with my brother earlier? Can’t you just tell me?”
“…It was nothing important.”
“Liar.”
“It’s true. Except for the part regarding the title…”
“Really?”
Surprise flashed across Claret’s face.
“He didn’t say that out of anger? Good! I was actually thinking about talking my brother about Pristin’s title.”
“It’s too much, Your Highness. For someone who is only staying temporarily to receive a title…”
“No, it’s not. After all, you saved the princess, so it’s only natural!”
Claret raised her head passionately as she expressed her thoughts.
“Actually, you should have received it from the beginning, and it was the right order too. So don’t feel too burdened. And once you receive the title, the other nobles, including Lady Gennant, won’t be able to mess with you.”
Claret seemed to be the happiest about this last fact. Pristin could feel her sincerity through her voice, and unknowingly, her heart swelled with emotion.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Huh? What for?”
“For liking me so much.”
In the grand scheme of things, it was Claret who brought a breath of fresh air to Pristin’s heart, which became desolate after breaking up with Jerald. At Pristin’s sudden confession with a smile, Claret looked puzzled but amused.
“I’ve liked you, Pristin, from the first time we met until now! And you’re someone I can’t help but like.”
“I will continue to strive to meet Your Highness’s expectations in the future.”
“Does that mean you’ll always be by my side?”
When Claret asked without missing an opportunity, Pristin hesitated for a moment and smiled.
“I’ve decided to stay by your side until you no longer wish for me to.”
It was like saying to Claret that she would be by her side forever. Claret held Pristin’s hands tightly with an expression of satisfaction.
“Now let’s go to my room together.”
“What? But you must be tired after the tea gathering just ended…”
“No, I’m not tired at all! I just want to talk more with Pristin.”
So, with Claret’s sparkling eyes urging her to follow, Pristin couldn’t refuse. She nodded with a big smile. Although she was tired from the events of the tea gathering today, seeing Claret’s bright smile made her feel like she could endure a little longer.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
And after a while, Pristin experienced two major changes.
“…Therefore, Pristin Lamont is bestowed with the title of Countess Rosewell.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
The first was officially receiving the title of countess and becoming Pristin Rosewell. Through various rumors that reached her from both inside and outside, Pristin learned that there had been considerable opposition to Jerald granting her the title. But regardless, she was able to become Countess Rosewell smoothly.
“Can you give me sample number twelve of asparagus, Countess?”
“Oh, yes. Here.”
The second was that Pristin had almost finished reading the book given to her by Akkad and had started working in earnest at the herbal garden.
Pristin took a sample of asparagus number twelve from the cupboard and handed it to Welsh, a herbalist of her age with short, tousled brown hair and vibrant purple eyes.
“Thank you, Countess.”
She had been working in the herb garden since the reign of Ferdinand IV, Jerald’s father. Like Pristin, Welsh was also from a fallen noble family. Thanks to the shared experience, they quickly became close after their first meeting.
“So, what are you making right now?”
“Oh, this?”
The answer that followed was enough to surprise Pristin.
“It’s a fatigue reliever for the emperor. I heard that His Majesty is very tired these days, and I received a request from the central palace.”
“…”
“Countess?”
“Ah.”
“Are you all right? You suddenly didn’t answer.”
“I was just lost in thought for a moment. I’m sorry.”
“I see. Anyway, we’re almost in the final stage now.”
With those words, Welsh put the asparagus sample she received from Pristin into the boiling pot. The two of them silently stared at the liquid simmering in the pot for a while. Then, after some time, Welsh spoke up.
“Well, it looks like it’s done.”
Wearing heat-resistant gloves, Welsh cautiously held the pot handle and tilted it toward the strainer. The green, thick liquid fell gracefully onto the strainer. As they waited for the liquid to pass through the strainer, Welsh asked Pristin.
“Do you enjoy working in the herbal garden?”
It had been a week since Pristin started working in the herbal garden. Pristin replied with a voice filled with uncertainty.
“I’m still quite inexperienced in everything. I’m busy adjusting.”
“But you seem to be doing well. Others also speak highly of you, Countess.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, of course. You’re quick to learn and diligent. You’re truly a worthy candidate selected by Lord Bachell…”
“Are you talking about me?”
At that moment, an unexpected voice was heard from behind.
