A Second Divorce is Difficult - Side Story 3 - The Emperor and the Empress (12)

Side Story 3 – The Emperor and the Empress (12)

Three days later, Shannua and Katrina were back in the carriage, headed for the capital.

“If you give birth, I’ll send you a congratulatory gift.”

“I appreciate Your Majesty’s consideration.”

“When you return to the capital, let’s have tea together at the imperial palace.”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Katrina and Ruby exchanged pleasantries.

Beside them, Shannua and Eli talked.

“I don’t know if your stay here has been helpful.”

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot of things I didn’t know.”

Shannua’s gaze was on Katrina, not Eli, who was exchanging farewells.

The fact was that the palace was a stifling place for her and that they had misunderstood so much about each other.

“I hope to see you in the capital as soon as possible.”

Shannua stopped thinking and moved to escort Katrina, who had finished greeting Ruby.

“Be safe.”

Soon, the carriage carrying Shannua and Katrina left Bonnueil.

On either side of the roads were carriages and wagons carrying knights and imperial servants.

“The Empress seems to be in much better spirits than when she arrived.”

“It seems so.”

It doesn’t look like the Empress at all, Eli thought, agreeing with Ruby.

“I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention to them while they were here, but I wonder if it bothered you.”

“It’s okay; I’ve been working hard on your behalf.”

“Damon did the hard work for you, and all you did was stand by my side.”

Ruby corrected him.

“He did it on my orders, so I took care of it, and I ordered it with your heart in mind, so in reality, it is as if you are serving His Majesty.”

“That’s too much of a leap.”

Ruby shook her head and laughed at his ridiculous logic.

Eli hugged Ruby from behind.

“It’s true, but my heart is your heart, so you’re not entirely wrong.”

When the imperial carriage was no longer in sight, Eli and Ruby returned to their mansion.

* * *

“If it’s okay with you, how about staying at Marcia’s summer villa for a while? You can stay there for a few months and then return to the imperial palace.”

Shannua said as they rode in the carriage back to the capital.

“……Suddenly?”

“I’ve been busy with the palace, and although I can’t leave immediately, I think I can arrive there before the end of summer.”

It was a plan Shannua had thought of while watching Katrina, whose symptoms had improved during her stay at Bonnueil.

“Does Your Majesty also intend to go with me?”

Katrina had thought he meant she would stay there alone, but when he said he had a lot of work to do and couldn’t come right away, she realized that included him.

“……I know you’re busy, but is that okay?”

At that, Shannua’s expression changed again.

“I think I know why you’re like this; it was all my fault, and I’ll try not to do that in the future, so please let me come with you to Marcia’s Palace.”

His words sounded like a plea, even though she knew she didn’t need her permission, but his voice was tired and weak.

“Okay.”

Katrina nodded, thinking he must be very tired.

* * *

After returning from a long vacation in Bonnueil, Shannua was busy catching up on work.

Amidst this, he prepared for their summer mansion visit to Marcia’s summer villa and made time to have tea at the Empress Palace.

It was a small change in their seemingly unchanged daily lives.

“I’ve ordered a new boat for Marcia’s summer villa.”

Shannua said to Katrina over tea.

“But there’s already a boat in the villa, isn’t there?”

It was a summer house and a good place for sailing, and Katrina wondered why they needed a new boat when they already had one.

“Earl Rox says he can build the sturdiest boats in the world.”

He remembered Eli’s passing remark as they watched their wives sail.

Adding a table for tea and a few more accessories to enjoy on the boat would allow Katrina to sail often and safely.

Katrina thought of saying that she could enjoy it even if the boat wasn’t sturdy, but she swallowed her words, thinking he must have his reasons.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes.”

Her blood color certainly looked better than it had before.

“That’s a relief.”

Shannua gave a small smile of relief. Then he locked eyes with Katrina, who was looking at him.

“Is Your Majesty all right? You’ve been pushing yourself since you returned.”

“I’m fine. I’ve been drinking the tea you sent me every day, and it’s been helping. It has a lovely fragrance.”

Closing his eyes and savoring the aroma of the tea, his expression softened, as did the corners of his mouth.

“……That’s good.”

Katrina sensed a subtle change in him. It might have been his mood, but his tone, his eyes, and his expression had softened.

It was the same with Shannua.

His daily life was subtly filled with her care, which he hadn’t realized before.

The different types of tea that his chamberlain brought him were mostly the same ones Katrina had brought him in the past.

The same goes for the snacks, which vary depending on his physical condition.

With each discovery, Shannua felt a strange sensation, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He wondered why he hadn’t noticed this much thoughtfulness before.

“You seemed preoccupied, too.”

Even after returning to the capital, Shannua had frequently sent physicians to Katrina and had been eager to hear their reports about any changes in her daily life.

“Oh, I’m thinking of throwing a tea party for the first time in a while.”

“A party?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t have to do it if you’re tired. The physician said you need rest.”

Shannua had a vague idea why Katrina hadn’t thrown a party before now.

“It’s okay.”

She smiled in reply.

In the past, she would have wondered if she wasn’t good enough as Empress for him to seemingly doubt her capability to host a party, but lately, she realized he was just worried.

“It’s been a long time since I last hosted one, so I think it’s time to do so now. I’ll invite only a few people.”

Katrina said, trying to sound reassuring.

“Fine, if that’s what you want.”

“Speaking of which, …… I was wondering if His Majesty would like to stop by my party if he has time.”

Katrina asked cautiously, knowing how busy Shannua was these days.

“Is this a party I can come to?”

He asked, looking unusually surprised at the invitation.

“It would be an honor for Your Majesty to come. Is it possible?”

“I’d…… be honored. It’s the first party the Empress has thrown in a long time.”

Shannua’s answer had been decided from the moment Katrina asked.

“Make it as grand as you want. I’ll support you,” he said, already planning to organize the extras for the tea party.

“Okay.”

Katrina’s face brightened at his approval.

Shannua looked at Katrina’s brightened expression with affection.

* * *

A week passed, and the day of Katrina’s tea party arrived.

“It is an honor to see you again, Empress.”

“Welcome, my dear Countess Eileen Lowth. Oh, and Viscountess Dana Capton, please take a seat.”

One by one, the guests she had invited found their way to the Empress’s Palace and took their assigned seats.

“I’m a little late. It is an honor to be invited.”

“Lady Byton.”

Katrina greeted Ganessa, who was the last to arrive.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to make it since I didn’t get to see you off last time.”

“Of course not; I was delighted to be invited by the Empress.”

With that, Katrina and Ganessa greeted the other familiar faces who had also been invited and took their seats.

“Thank you all for answering my invitation,” she said, “and please enjoy the tea and desserts I’ve made especially for you.”

And with that, the tea party began, and not long afterward, the maid entered.

“Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor sent a gift.”

“His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“Bring it in.”

With Katrina’s permission, a line of maids came in carrying beautiful flowers and placed them around the table where tea was being held.

The maids followed, placing small floral arrangements on the table, then bowed politely to Katrina and left again.

“What a variety of colors, so fragrant and pretty.”

“It feels like having a party in a greenhouse.”

Expressions of admiration flowed from the lips of the ladies.

Despite the large number of flowers, their fragrances mingled subtly and changed the air in the parlor.

The flowers were not overpoweringly fragrant and were chosen so that each person’s scent would blend well with the others.

“His Majesty has arranged them, especially for the Empress’s tea party.”

The maid proudly explained.

“Your Majesty may appear otherwise, but she’s a very affectionate person.”

Katrina looked at the noble ladies with pride.

“He said he’s making a special visit for you today…….”

Just then, a maid announced Shannua’s arrival.

“He’s here.”

No sooner had Katrina spoken than he entered the Empress’s drawing room.

Everyone seated rose to their feet and bowed respectfully to him.

“Your Majesty.”

“I hope I’m not disturbing you by coming too late?”

“Of course not. We were all looking forward to your arrival.”

“Thank you all for attending.”

Shannua said with eyes full of anticipation as he looked at the noble ladies.

Then he spotted the familiar Ganessa and raised one eyebrow.

“Since you’ve come all the way here, Your Majesty, please stay a while longer.”

He sat down slowly and leisurely, taking in the faces of the participants in the tea party once again.

These people here were the ladies of the family who were very actively engaging in conversation with him at Eli’s second wedding reception.

Realizing this, he looked at Katrina with mixed feelings.

* * *

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