Chapter 7: Rui’s Secret (5)

But now, drunk on wine, the baron had carelessly let his true thoughts slip. With his mind clouded by concern over Gafel’s safety, his guard had begun to crack.

“I see… I was wondering if His Majesty might be trying to use our young lady for some political scheme… I must’ve overthought it,” the Chamberlain murmured, as if genuinely troubled.

The baron, who was about to dismiss him, paused.

“…”

Use Larie, for some scheme.

He had briefly entertained the idea himself in the beginning. And now, when he thought of the Empress’s palace, things began to feel… off.

Why had the marquess from Shupetania been so curious about whether it truly was a political marriage?

Even if someone was in the Empress’s palace, what did it matter? Terian didn’t seem the type to go through with a political marriage with Rassium anyway.

But then—what had Terian offered Rassium that prompted them to agree to export their coal?

Suddenly, a thought struck the baron.

“That’s it!”

Now that he thought of Larie being used, his mind latched onto the idea.

“He used Larie to name a price!”

Everything suddenly made sense. For a mere political marriage, the coal export deal had been far too generous.

But if Rassium wanted a political union and Terian had refused by using someone from the Empress’s palace as an excuse—

“Prepare to write a letter! Now!”

The baron, who had never hesitated to exploit Larie, thought nothing of doing so again.

Spinning a tale about his beloved daughter being held captive in the Empress’s palace and selling that as information to Shupetania was hardly a challenge.

“…”

But as the Chamberlain turned to fetch paper, his eyes gleamed coldly in the shadows.

❖ ❖ ❖

“He’s taken the bait.”

The deputy commander of the royal guard reported in a hushed voice. Terian gave a short nod, a frown forming between his brows.

He was irritated by how predictably the baron was acting—exactly as expected, without deviation.

“Understood. Report again if anything unusual occurs.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The commander withdrew promptly. The sun of late summer was slowly stretching into the imperial office. The sunlight spilled across his desk, shimmering over the map of the continent he’d been reviewing.

The unexpected turn of the baron’s Chamberlain being bought off had been a stroke of luck. The baron’s authority had crumbled rapidly since Gafel’s disappearance, making things easier.

The current Chamberlain of the baron’s house had been appointed around the time Larie was married into the ducal family. That curious timing had bothered Terian, prompting him to dig deeper.

And he discovered something unsettling—when the baron came to the capital, he had meticulously exploited rumors surrounding Larie.

His methods had become increasingly subtle and cunning. Even the most perceptive nobles, always alert to court gossip, had been convinced of the baron’s supposed affection for his daughter. He had played their tendencies like a master, spreading rumors through the mouths of servants, knowing how the nobility consumed their information.

“Your Majesty. It’s a beautiful day. Shall we arrange lunch in the garden?”

Shortly after the commander departed, the chamberlain approached and made the suggestion, his gaze lingering outside the window. He clearly worried about Terian, who seemed more and more buried in his work each day.

But Terian had no time to leisurely stroll through the gardens. Especially not when Larie, in this late summer, had locked herself away in her room as if she were trapped in winter.

His desire to help her grew more desperate by the day.

And yet, the thought of only now wanting to help her made him feel all the more loathsome.

“…”

Then, a sudden thought came to Terian.

What if he asked her directly? What if hearing it from her could somehow give him the right—some shred of permission to try again? Just as she had once reached out to him, perhaps this time, she would ask for help.

“Very well.”

His quiet consent brightened the chamberlain’s face.

Staring blankly out over the gardens, Terian added,

“Invite the Empress to lunch.”

Only the flowers in the garden seemed to mourn the passing of summer.

❖ ❖ ❖

Though he had already conveyed the message through the head lady-in-waiting, Terian made his way to the Empress’s palace himself.

He intended to escort her personally. A part of him feared that she might see the lunch invitation merely as an imperial command and feel forced to comply.

“…”

But once in front of Larie’s chamber, Terian hesitated for quite some time. His gloved hand hovered repeatedly near the door, rising and falling without knocking.

Just standing nearby made it feel like something was tightening around his throat.

Eventually, he managed to knock, and as he stood there tense, he unconsciously straightened his attire.

“Your Majesty the Emperor.”

Larie bowed deeply, and he instinctively swallowed hard at the sight.

“Would you join me for lunch?”

“…”

Larie didn’t respond right away. She remained silent.

The head lady-in-waiting had already relayed his invitation earlier. Larie had resigned herself to attending, assuming it was an unavoidable command.

But why had he come in person?

“Papa, Paaapa!”

Just then, Rui—playing with toys in Larie’s room—looked up.

Seeing Terian, the child lit up with a wide smile and slowly stood up. Without hesitation, he toddled straight toward Terian.

Startled, Larie moved quickly to stop him, but Rui had already reached the Emperor with his now-quickened steps, wrapping his little arms around Terian’s leg, even reaching up as if asking to be held.

“Up! Me, Papa!”

“Rui…!”

Rushing over, Larie hastily pried him away, her face pale with alarm.

She knew all too well about Terian’s aversion to contact, and fear surged inside her.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“…It’s all right.”

Just having them in the same space felt like danger incarnate.

Flustered and nearly pushed by urgency, Larie looked up at him, desperation in her eyes.

“I will attend the lunch.”

“…”

His blue eyes trembled slightly. They really did resemble Rui’s.

For some reason, he couldn’t find the words, and when he finally spoke, his voice was somehow strained.

“I have no intention of harming the child. I never did.”

“I am simply grateful for your grace.”

Lowering her head, Larie held the confused Rui closer to her.

She felt the weight of his gaze falling heavily upon her head, but she tried to endure it.

“I’ll be waiting downstairs.”

After a brief pause, he said those few words and walked away. Only then did Larie let out a sigh she didn’t understand.

She held Rui tightly in her arms once, then rose to her feet. The maids were looking at her with strangely dark expressions.

Larie’s face, sensing their gaze, darkened in turn.

“Could you watch Rui for a while…?”

“Yes. Please don’t worry, Your Majesty.”

The nanny hurried over and picked up Rui.

The Marchioness of Incarze finally understood why the Emperor had asked her not to mention the encounter between him and the prince. Seeing the Empress today, it was clear just how fragile her state was.

Knowing the full circumstances, the nanny felt it was only natural for Larie to be afraid. Even if the Emperor truly had no intention of hurting the child, power could easily turn cruel. That was the cold nature of nobility.

“Play well, my Rui.”

“Mama.”

After gently brushing his cheek, Larie stood before the door.

Even though it stood wide open, a strange wave of fear welled up inside her.

“Haa…”

Steadying her breath, Larie stepped out of the bedroom. Once she had completely passed the drawing room, the head lady-in-waiting looked at her with concern.

“I will accompany you.”

“It’s all right. Could you please look after Rui?”

Larie gently turned down her offer and slowly descended the stairs.

It struck her that she had spent nearly three weeks confined to her room. Perhaps that was why her steps felt oddly unsteady.

At the main gates of the Empress’s palace stood Terian. Contrary to her worries, his face was as expressionless as always. It seemed he hadn’t been too upset by Rui’s behavior earlier.

Larie glanced uneasily at his leg, where Rui had clung to him.

“Shall we go?”

Terian spoke as she came down. The moment the words left his lips, Larie lowered her head again.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She didn’t even notice the hand he extended to escort her.

“……”

Rui’s actions continued to weigh heavily on her mind. The obsession not to give him any reason to criticize her dominated her.

After a short pause, he began to walk. Larie followed a few steps behind, her eyes fixed on the ground.

Just as she always had back at the Grand Duke’s estate.

“……”

“……”

But today, Terian’s pace was unusually slow.

Still, Larie remained behind him, nervous not to walk by his side. From time to time, the beautiful scenery of the Empress’s palace gardens passed them by, but it stirred no emotion.

Instead, the sunlight beating down from above felt unbearably hot on her skin. As she became aware of its heat, a sudden wave of fatigue washed over her.

“Ah…”

With a spinning sensation in her head, Larie staggered. From the moment she descended the stairs, her balance had been unsteady, and now it fully gave way.

Just as she was about to grab a garden tree to stop herself from falling, an arm shot out in front of her and caught her by the waist.

“Ah!”

“……”

The dizziness vanished in an instant as her feet found the ground again. For a brief moment she felt relief—until she realized that Terian had touched her.

How could she make such a mistake again—something that might displease him…

“I apologize, my lady.”

“……”

But before she could voice her own apology, Terian had already stepped back with a composed demeanor.

Larie, having missed her chance to respond, stood there, slightly dazed. The fleeting sensation of his gaze brushing her face and then disappearing left a faint tingling in its wake.

“If you’re feeling alright, shall we continue?”

“Yes.”

He quietly resumed walking.

Fortunately, the path ahead led into the shade. Larie let out a breath of relief inwardly.

At the far end of the Empress’s garden stood an archway woven from climbing vines. Beyond it lay a small garden, its atmosphere distinctly different from what they had passed so far.

The garden, situated between the Emperor’s and Empress’s palaces, was shaped to resemble the sacred lake. The circular garden connecting the two wings, when viewed from afar, seemed to symbolize a bridge between them.

Because of this, it had long been known as a place symbolizing harmony within the imperial family. Though it hadn’t served its original purpose in quite some time.

In the center of the garden was a fountain. It wasn’t extravagant—rather, it was charming in its simplicity. The wide spray of water it cast resembled a lake suspended in midair.

The luncheon table was set just beside the fountain.

“We greet the Forest of the Empire.”

“…”

The Chamberlain bowed deeply to Larie.

The change in atmosphere upon stepping through the archway caught her off guard. She froze in place like a statue, unable to move.

The tension that had been building earlier now seemed to shake her from within.

“Please, have a seat.”

Thankfully, upon seeing Terian waiting with her chair drawn out, her body responded on reflex.

“My apologies.”

Her mechanical movements might have seemed strange, but Terian simply sat quietly across from her.

“We prepared a light menu suited for the weather.”

At the Chamberlain’s words, Terian gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze subtly toward the fountain.

It was a small mercy for Larie. She wasn’t sure she could bear facing him properly under such warm sunlight.

The garden’s ambiance was truly exquisite.

The rumors that this linking garden had been neglected over several generations seemed entirely false. Even down to the blades of grass, it was clear great care had been taken to maintain it.

The fountain scattered its cold, delicate droplets far into the air with a soft, rhythmic sound. Though the chill occasionally landed on her skin, Larie’s senses were already immersed in the dreamy atmosphere.

Perhaps that was why—everything began to feel distant.

“Take your time.”

“My apologies.”