Chapter 7

Diana and Sophia, having finished their conversation in the reception room, walked side by side down the corridor. Sophia glanced at Diana’s face and asked,

“Is the leader’s work really that tough? You don’t look so well.”

“Honestly… don’t even bring it up. Just thinking about it is exhausting.”

Diana waved her hand firmly, as if she didn’t want to say another word.

“I managed to keep things quiet for now, but who knows how long that’ll last. I need to resolve it as quickly as possible. Right now, I’m doing background checks.”

“Really? Should I help?”

“No, thanks. I really don’t want to drag anyone else into this. I appreciate the thought, though.”

Worried Sophia might get involved, Diana desperately refused.

“Anyway, you’re heading straight home, right? Where did you leave your carriage?”

“I am going home, but I’m leaving with my father. He came too.”

“The Marquis? Why?”

“He said there was a meeting today.”

“Reallu?”

“Yeah. I heard it was called suddenly.”

Sophia pointed beyond the corridor with her hand. Where she gestured, people were gathering. It seemed the meeting was over, and people were leaving the conference hall one by one. Diana and Sophia’s gazes followed.

“Looks like the meeting’s over.”

“Yeah, but… Did I forget something? I didn’t even know there was a meeting today.”

“Dad said the Emperor called it all of a sudden.”

A sudden meeting? Diana wondered what was happening. Just then, Evan walked out the door, followed by many others. At the same time, Evan and Sophia’s eyes met from opposite ends of the corridor. Diana’s already pale face grew even darker.

“Wait, wait.”

Evan was walking slowly toward them from down the corridor. Diana hurriedly grabbed Sophia’s arm.

“You know, right? We’re in the middle of the Imperial Palace corridor.”

“Of course, I know.”

“And you see all these people around us?”

“Obviously. I see them very well.”

Sophia smiled, her eyes curving at Diana’s urgent tone.

“You’re worried I’ll openly show I dislike the Emperor here, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Diana was certain Sophia was capable of it. But this was the middle of the Imperial Palace corridor, with servants and nobles watching. Diana anxiously glanced between Sophia and Evan.

“I greet the Emperor of the Empire.”

As Evan approached, Sophia lifted her dress slightly and greeted Evan with courtesy. Evan accepted her greeting.

“Lady Christine, it’s been a while.”

“Yes. It’s truly been a while, Your Majesty.”

Their unexpectedly natural conversation surprised Diana. They’d fought so fiercely as children, but now they were the Emperor and a noble lady of the Empire. Remembering how she’d been caught between the two in the past, Diana felt a pang in her chest.

“If I’d known you were coming to the palace, I would’ve strengthened security more thoroughly. What a shame.”

“I’ll need to wash my eyes thoroughly when I get home today. I saw something unpleasant in the palace.”

No, nothing had changed. They’d just added polite speech. 

Even in front of others, it was the same. Diana, now pale as a sheet, quickly stepped between them.

“Y-you two. No matter how close you were as children, you’re taking these jokes too far. Won’t people misunderstand?”

Seeing how confused others were by Evan and Sophia’s words, Diana hurriedly spoke up.

“Your Majesty, I have an urgent report I must deliver. You need to hear it right away.”

“…….”

“Quickly.”

Please, let’s stop. 

Separating them from the crowd was the only solution. Diana gave Evan and Sophia a pleading look, and the three of them headed out to the Imperial Palace garden connected to the corridor.

“How long will you keep this up? Are you really going to act like this?”

As soon as they were out of sight, Diana shouted.

“You’re not children anymore—one of you is the Emperor, and the other is the Marquis Christine’s daughter. Do you not realize that? Really?”

Despite Diana’s nagging, Sophia remained calm.

“It’s fine. The family motto of our house is ‘Never back down anywhere.’ Especially ‘in front of a provoking Emperor.’”

“Pretty sure you just made up that last part.”

Evan was just as unruffled.

“That’s convenient. The Imperial Palace just established a new law: Lady Sophia Christine is permanently banned from entering.”

“There’s no such ridiculous law, Your Majesty!”

Would she have to keep stopping these two even when she was old? As another round of their sparring began, Diana massaged her aching forehead and changed the subject.

“So, I heard you had a meeting?”

“Yes.”

“Was it urgent?”

Even as an aide, Diana hadn’t known about it. If nobles had been gathered so quickly, there must have been something important.

“It wasn’t urgent, but I needed to say something.”

“I see.”

Unless Evan brought it up first, Diana didn’t want to pry. There were always secrets a superior kept. Still, she felt proud that Evan was gathering with nobles like this.

“If it wasn’t urgent, I should’ve told Dad to skip the meeting.”

“You should have. The meeting would’ve gone fine without the Christine Marquisate.”

“So it was that pointless, huh?”

“Maybe it was just the Marquis chatting in the conference hall. The more I see, the more you and your father look alike.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. I’m truly at a loss for words.”

As another round of their bickering began, Diana hurried Sophia along.

“Aren’t you supposed to leave soon? You said you’re going back with the Marquis. You should go now if you want to leave together.”

“Yeah, I should get going.”

At Diana’s words, Sophia moved.

“Then I’ll go. If you ever want to quit being an aide and leave the palace, just say so. There’s always a place for you in our family.”

“Got it. Just go already.”

Having finally separated Sophia and Evan, Diana let out a sigh of relief. For her own mental health and longevity, it was best not to let these two get together.

“You don’t look well.”

“Excuse me?”

“Is something wrong?”

“…I just haven’t been sleeping well.”

Evan noticed Diana’s condition, too. Fatigue was hard to hide. Diana added,

“I’ve been having nightmares. It’s nothing to worry about.”

She had. Nightmares where she was executed on the guillotine….

And as the leader of the rebels, no less. But there was no way she could share that with Evan, so Diana forced a smile.

“So, if I finish my work today, can I leave a little early? I’d like to rest.”

“Do so.”

“Thank you.”

Honestly, even at home, she wouldn’t be able to rest much because of the leader business. She couldn’t take care of anti-Emperor matters in the palace. Diana mentally listed what she needed to do at home.

“And I’m trying to live my life diligently.”

“Excuse me?”

But Diana’s thoughts scattered at Evan’s remark.

“You’re… trying to live diligently, Your Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“That’s really great!”

Hearing Evan, who never seemed interested in palace affairs, say this, Diana was moved. After talking about marriage, it seemed the Emperor was truly changing. Maybe today’s meeting with the nobles was also a pledge to build the nation together. Diana’s mind spun with happy thoughts.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then I’ll work hard for you, too.”

It seemed that deciding to marry really did make a person mature. With Evan’s words, Diana’s fatigue vanished and her eyes sparkled. She was determined to choose the perfect Empress for Evan.