Chapter 7 – Part 6

The carriage carrying Arlen entered the palace. Petiz, her personal maid, was dazzled by the splendor and grandeur of the palace.

However, Arlen, the bride herself, was not particularly impressed since the palace, where she frequently visited for luncheon gatherings, wasn’t a novelty to her.

Soon, the carriage pulled up in front of the Royal Concubine’s palace.

The maids who worked for the Empress came out to greet her.

As Aren got out of the carriage, they all greeted her with courtesy.

“It is an honor to serve you, Your Grace.”

“I entrust everything to you.”

Arlen replied with a kind smile.

“Then, let us guide you inside…”

“His Majesty the Emperor will be arriving shortly.”

Just then, a servant arrived at the Emperor’s palace to announce Shannua’s arrival.

“It looks like I’m just in time.”

A few minutes later, Shannua arrived.

“Let’s go inside.”

Shannua headed inside first, followed by Arlen, who watched him silently.

“It’s been empty for a while, so you can decorate it however you like. It’s yours to keep, so decorate it however you like.”

Shannua looked around the Royal Concubine chamber for Arlen.

“Handmaiden. See to it that she is well taken care of.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Arlen observed Shannua carefully.

He was acting like his usual self, but it didn’t feel normal to her. To a stranger, there might not have been anything strange about him, but to her, there was something off.

For one thing, it was the first time they had seen each other since their meeting at Shannua’s secret mansion. Normally, he would have embraced her and shown her his affection, not caring what anyone else thought since their marriage was arranged.

But today, he hadn’t touched her once. He didn’t even hold her hand.

“I’d love to stay longer, but I just stepped out for a moment, so I should go back soon.”

There was no sign of his usual restlessness from not being able to be together.

Rather, he left her just as he had the last time.

“Go take care of your business; I’ll call you if I need anything.”

Arlen dismissed everyone, including Petiz, from the room.

She looked around the room with disinterested eyes, seemingly unaffected by Shannua’s change in demeanor, and then moved to the window.

“It’s beautiful.”

The large windows overlooked the beautiful grounds of the imperial palace.

Arlen took a deep breath and let it out, feeling a little better.

But she soon found herself unable to tear her gaze away from the sight before her.

There were Shannua and the Empress, who were busy leaving.

The Empress, who didn’t know Shannua was there, seemed momentarily taken aback when she noticed him and started speaking. Arlen couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was clear they were having a conversation.

It wasn’t the fact that they were talking that bothered Arlen. It was the way they continued their conversation that seemed odd.

The Empress seemed like she wanted to end the conversation and tried to leave several times, while Shannua seemed to keep engaging her, gradually getting closer or staying in the same spot.

It didn’t seem like the behavior of someone who was in a hurry and had hastily left the place.

Arlen frowned slightly at the sight.

Were those two on good terms?

Arlen tried to remember, but honestly, he couldn’t tell because she didn’t really care.

Arlen tried to recall, but she honestly didn’t care. She had never paid attention to their relationship because it was natural for Shannua to have affection for her.

Arlen watched the window until they were done talking, then pulled the string and called for Petiz.

“Can you find out what the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress is like?”

“What?”

“Even trivial rumors are fine.”

“Ah……. yes. I’ll find out.”

She didn’t explain why, but Petiz could tell that it was information she would need if she wanted to live in the palace in the future.

“Come to think of it, there was no mention of the tiara.”

Arlen muttered to himself after Petiz left the room.

She hadn’t expected the matter of the tiara to take up so much time. It wasn’t as if Shannua didn’t know it was a sign from Arlen, and of course, as always, he would bring her what she wanted.

But so far, no answer had come, and Shannua himself had vanished as quickly as she had seen Arlen’s face.

“Maybe…….”

An instinctive calculation told her that it couldn’t be like this.

Her mind began to spin busily.

* * *

“Would it be alright if you just left?”

Brandon, the chamberlain, asked, following close behind Shannua.

“Is there a reason why not?”

“Not exactly… But… The Lady Miles seemed to have high expectations.”

“Did she, now?”

Shannua’s voice was skeptical, suggesting he found it dubious.

So Brandon remained silent.

“If we’re going, let’s take a bit of a detour. Going back too early will only mean more work.”

For someone who had rushed out with the excuse that he was in a hurry, Shannua walked leisurely back to the courtyard.

Brandon wondered if he should tell him that he would see it from the Royal Concubine’s Palace. His Majesty couldn’t possibly not know about it.

And there she met Katrina.

“We seem to see each other often.”

The Empress didn’t try to leave without a word, as she had last time.

“It seems so. You seem to like taking walks.”

“Do you happen to like this place?”

Shannua looked at her as if he didn’t know what she meant.

“If you do, I’d be happy to give it to the Emperor and find somewhere else.”

“You’re not going to set foot here?”

Katrina didn’t answer in the affirmative.

“Well then, I hope you have a nice walk.”

With that, she turned and walked out of the courtyard.

“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll find somewhere else to go, and you can keep walking here.”

Pausing at Shannua’s words, Katrina stared at him, then spoke.

“You don’t have to do that; if it pleases His Majesty, then I’ll stay out of your way.”

“I didn’t come here on purpose, I was on my way back, so it’s perfectly fine.”

Knowing how much she loved to walk, Shannua had no intention of depriving her of her favorite spot.

However, he had come here just to show Arlen the sight of the two of them together.

“…Very well, then.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Katrina bowed and turned to leave.

“Empress.”

But the Emperor called her back.

“You have heard that Lady Miles, will be entering the palace today, I assume?”

“Does that mean I’m supposed to be on …… my best behavior?”

Her voice was sharp.

No matter how hard she tried to conceal it, there were rumors that reached her ears.

She may be the Empress, and the Duchess of Mile may become the Royal Concubine, but in reality, Lady Miles was closer to being the Empress than anyone else.

“It’s not a warning. It’s just in case you didn’t know. As you know, Arlen’s temperament is not ordinary, so you need to be somewhat prepared.”

“You speak as if you’re genuinely concerned.”

Shannua didn’t deny it, because he was indeed worried.

It was true that she cared more for Arlen, but that didn’t mean he wanted the order of the palace to be upended, which was why he was meeting with Katrina under the auspices of Arlen’s watchful eye.

“I’m impressed by your concern, which makes me keep Your Majesty’s worries in mind.”

Katrina replied coldly and walked away.

“You’re not wrong, and I can’t argue with you.”

Shannua scoffed to himself as he watched the Empress’s back, then turned on his heel. Not looking toward the window where Arlen would be until the very end.

* * *

“I greet the Marchioness.”

Entering the room, Tyrus bowed to Ruby. It had only been a few days since she had heard from Del Viscount’s.

“He is the knight who went to Shuban at your command.”

Gardner gave Ruby a brief introduction.

“Ah… thank you for your hard work.”

“It was nothing.”

“Was it conveyed properly?”

Gardner asked Tyrus.

“Yes. Lady Emily Grit was quite surprised. Then she and Lord Leton said they would investigate based on the information.”

“In person?”

“Yes. The Marquis and Marchioness are afraid that the assailants will not be able to move easily, and they will come to the temple after they have investigated.”

Ruby was grateful, as she was supposed to be by Eli’s side. Especially since she knew she could trust Emily and Leton more than anyone else.

“Good.”

Ruby glanced at Eli, who was lying there, asleep. Maybe Eli had sent him to Shuban because he knew Emily and Leton would.

“Oh, and this was sent for you to deliver.”

He handed Ruby the neatly organized piece of paper that Tyrus had brought with him.

“It was originally meant for the Marquis…”

He trailed off, glancing at Eli, who seemed to have fallen asleep.

It was only when he arrived at the temple that he was told by another knight that the Marquis of Grit was seriously injured. It was unbelievable to hear.

“Tyrus.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

It was only at Gardner’s call that Tyrus looked up and sobered.

“Thank you. You must be tired. Take some rest.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

With a polite bow, Tyrus left the room, and Ruby opened the letter he’d handed her.

It was a request for a handwriting analysis. Along with the request were several letters to compare handwriting.

Emily’s letter mentioned that she thought there might be someone who wanted to request something.

“I think I need to leave again.”

After reading through the letters, Ruby addressed Gardner, who was about to leave.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories