Fabian clutched his head with both hands in distress while Daphne pressed her hand to her forehead and sighed.
‘He wasn’t this stupid before….’
It seemed the news that Leonhardt had cheated and broken off their engagement, only to be followed by another marriage announcement, had triggered Fabian’s outburst.
Daphne exercised patience once more. She approached Fabian and gently removed his hands from pulling at his own hair.
“You should take good care of it while you still have it.”
“Sister, how can you joke at a time like this?”
When Fabian asked with an almost tearful expression, Daphne smiled bitterly.
Honestly, she was annoyed, but having someone who worried about her so intensely was certainly a happy thing.
It was far better than a father who only made excuses or a mother who only thought about using this marriage to create opportunities for her three sons.
“You’re acting this way because you love me, right? Should I cry instead?”
Finally, Fabian lowered his eyes. He seemed to have regained some of his reason.
“You’re not just Fabian. You’re an Armin. No matter how emotional you get, you shouldn’t refer to His Highness the Grand Duke that way.”
Realizing he had behaved too childishly, Fabian hung his head.
“And asking if I wanted to marry His Highness the Grand Duke could easily be misunderstood……”
As Daphne tried to correct Fabian’s misunderstanding, Christine arrived, having just heard about the commotion.
“What’s that? Daphne, so you did want to get married!”
Christine asked with delight, forgetting her earlier shock over Fabian’s behavior.
The answer was naturally “No.”
“Of course not!”
Daphne finally exploded, shouting loudly.
“Bibi, go to your room.”
“Sister……”
“Now.”
Fabian realized for the first time that Daphne could speak in such a strict tone and wear such a resolute expression. He retreated hesitantly and headed to his chamber.
While people were still present, Daphne calmly began explaining to clear up the misunderstanding.
“What upsets me is people discussing my marriage without me. Even if it’s Fabian. Why doesn’t anyone ask for my opinion……”
“Yes, you’re right. It must have been embarrassing. But wanting to marry someone isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
Wow.
Christine finally left Daphne speechless.
How could she possibly clear up this misunderstanding? It seemed impossible.
Just then, a horseman guarding the main gate hurried inside.
“A messenger from Her Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”
Daphne stopped speaking, and everyone quickly moved to greet the messenger.
The Emperor’s command, delivered by messenger, was surprisingly simple.
“Her Majesty requests the presence of Lady Daphne and Young Master Fabian. You won’t need to prepare a carriage. There’s plenty of room, so please ride with me.”
The two of them quickly got ready and boarded the carriage.
As the carriage headed toward the imperial palace, Daphne carefully said to the messenger:
“I’m a bit surprised that Her Majesty called for just the two of us, not the Marquis.”
Having spoken indirectly, the messenger responded with a friendly smile:
“You’re wondering how Her Majesty knew Young Master Fabian had returned home? Entry and exit records are naturally monitored. Some individuals are reported directly to Her Majesty.”
He then refrained from explaining why Fabian was separately reported, as if suggesting she should ask directly.
Upon arriving at the imperial palace, the two were guided to the audience chamber by the chief chamberlain. The moment they faced the Emperor, they realized there was no need to ask.
“Ahem, welcome.”
Since Kartun had given her the magic stone, the Emperor had been bathing and eating well.
Unlike before, when her body odor mixed with perfume would automatically make people wrinkle their noses, these days she carried a subtle scent of soap. Her once gaunt cheeks had become plump and fair, as if she were finally gaining baby fat.
Perhaps because she resembled the late Emperor, she wasn’t strikingly beautiful. But with proper hygiene and nutrition, she now looked like a flower bud about to bloom.
Today, however, she was exceptionally splendid. Her carefully adorned appearance seemed even more elaborate than during the Founding Day celebration.
The Emperor had fallen for Fabian at her coronation ceremony. Even in that chaotic moment, she had instantly been captivated by Fabian among Werner’s sons standing beside him.
When he left to study abroad, she had spent nights in tears. That’s why she had added his name to the monitored entry-exit list and frequently asked Werner about his well-being.
This was because Fabian was rather cold and had never given her an opening, responding to her letters with only the most formal replies.
So today was the day the Emperor had been eagerly awaiting.
The Emperor kept glancing at Fabian while fidgeting with her perfectly spread dress skirt. It was a gesture that seemed to ask, ‘How do I look?’
“We greet The Empire’s Sun.”
Though both of them paid their respects together, the Emperor’s gaze remained fixed on Fabian. She greeted him with reddening cheeks.
“Young Master Fabian, I’m glad to see you’re healthy. Have you been well?”
“I haven’t been well. I rushed back without rest after hearing news about my sister.”
“Oh, is that so? I see.”
The Emperor looked extremely embarrassed, her eyes darting around. Daphne, who had been quietly observing this scene, swallowed a sigh.
‘I should be the most heartbroken person here. She’s not giving me a chance.’
As she muttered to herself, her eyes met the Emperor’s.
“Lady Daphne?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What news shocked Young Master Fabian enough to make him rush back home?”
Daphne wondered if she was genuinely asking. Fabian seemed to feel the same way and was about to speak when Daphne spoke first.
“As Your Majesty knows, Young Master Fabian and I are exceptionally close siblings, aren’t we?”
The Emperor pursed her lips as if displeased by this statement. But what could she do? It was the truth.
“So, he seems a bit excited after hearing that I was having a hard time because of Young Duke Mücke.”
You weren’t really having a hard time though, tsk!
As the Emperor muttered quietly, Fabian tried to speak again, but Daphne gently pressed his hand to stop him.
“He was planning to return home anyway after his early graduation. He just hurried a bit after hearing news about me. But after arriving and learning about my marriage, he’s now very excited.”
Daphne emphasized the word “very” as if including herself in that state.
But the response she received was astounding.
“Yes, it’s worth getting excited about. The Grand Duke is technically part of the imperial family. A marriage with the imperial household! Isn’t that the greatest honor?”
The Emperor even clapped her hands lightly as if truly delighted.
Fabian and Daphne stared at the Emperor in disbelief. The Emperor continued with a bright smile:
“But don’t thank me too much. For the Armin family, I could do even more.”
Daphne almost shouted for her not to do anything more.
“So don’t wait until next year, Lady Daphne……”
The Emperor continued spouting nonsense.
But something was different from before. Her smile seemed somehow unnatural.
In that moment, Daphne recalled a scene from the Founding Day ball.
It felt similar to when the Emperor couldn’t take her eyes off Anaïs, as if entranced. Daphne naturally played along while approaching the Emperor one step at a time.
“I’ve been observing, and it seems the Grand Duke truly cherishes you. Perhaps he’s harbored feelings for you all along? No, sometimes I think Dame Margo cares even more. Isn’t it strange? I wonder when Dame Margo saw you to care for you so much.”
Right. When did she see me…
The Emperor’s random words awakened Daphne.
‘Everything is unnatural.’
Daphne stared intently at the Emperor. Though this was disrespectful, the Emperor didn’t point it out and continued chattering.
“I’m certain you and the Grand Duke will live well together. For a honeymoon, Emden with its sea is the best choice. The white sandy beach stretches so long and straight that you can’t help but say, ‘this is the sea.’ The Brenner region is also beautiful in its own way. That place……”
The Emperor, who had never left the imperial palace, acted as if she had visited Emden and Brenner. As she spoke, a blue light briefly flashed in her eyes before disappearing.
It happened too quickly, but Daphne saw it clearly.
She immediately thought of the blue magic stone Kartun had offered and the orange magic stone that had controlled Leonhardt.
‘I need to investigate the blue magic stone.’
Just as Daphne was thinking this, the chief chamberlain hurriedly entered and quietly announced:
“The Grand Duke requests an audience.”
Daphne unconsciously held her breath.
How could their timing be so exquisite? It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it happened every time. Even if Lara had reported to him, was Kartun really that idle?
Translator
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bluemoon238
Maybe the Emperor got magic controlled. Or maybe she lost some intelligence suddenly for plot? If she likes the brother you would think she would want to remain in FL good grace. Also, earlier chapters portrayed Emperor to be a lot more crafty yet catering towards FL. She didn’t seem to like the ML much, just tolerated him.