Side Story 1: Crown Prince Rui (2)

“If the celebration would be too much for him, we can formally introduce him to the social sphere when he’s older. There’s no rush—so please, don’t worry.”

“Alright. I’ll do that.”

With his reassurance, Larié let go of her unease. All that remained was her desire to enjoy the celebration for Rui’ sake.

The fact that he had such a reliable father likely played a large role in silencing any complaints from the nobles.

“It was probably the first time Rui saw so many adults gathered together. I’m sure it felt like a marvel to him.”

“Indeed. He reacted differently than he does with the ladies of the Empress’ Palace.”

Especially when the proclamation rang out, and everyone knelt to him—he had seemed visibly startled. And yet, despite how young he was, he didn’t cry. He truly was admirable—likely because he took after his brave, wise, and beautiful mother.

Following that natural train of thought, Terian reached out his hand toward Larié.

“Then, my lady. I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

The eager eyes of nobles awaiting his presence were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Normally, he would have brushed them off—but today, he was making an effort. For Larié’s sake. So that her return to social life would be smooth and pleasant.

As her hand naturally settled atop his, his heart brimmed once again.

“Yes. Don’t worry about me.”

“That, I’m afraid, is impossible.”

With a smile in his eyes, Terian pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. Though he could feel the nobles’ stares intensifying, as always, he paid them no mind.

His gaze lingered on her cheeks, now tinged a faint pink.

“You should go. Everyone seems to be looking forward to you very much.”

“Yes. I shall obey, then.”

Only after her words did Terian finally begin to move.

Everyone at the banquet hall clearly witnessed just how reluctant the emperor looked as he stepped away from the empress.

He really does treat me like a child being left by the water, Larié thought, lightly touching her flushed cheek—completely unaware that her own eyes were still following Terian’s back.

Fortunately, perhaps in consideration for the bashful empress, the more brazen stares soon died down.

In their place, a swarm of young ladies who had been biding their time now gathered at her feet like bees to honey.

“Your Majesty the Empress, congratulations!”

“Congratulations! I heard His Highness the Crown Prince handled the divine verification so splendidly!”

Below the two thrones, a long set of stairs stretched out. The young ladies seated themselves casually along the steps, looking up at Larié.

Their gowns spread over the stairs looked like petals scattered down in a cascade.

It hadn’t always been this forward. The competition to be near the empress had simply grown intense enough to push them to act.

Since her coronation, Larié had been making sincere efforts to adapt to the social world—despite how bitter her previous experiences had been. She’d resolved to try.

Fortunately, those efforts had begun to bear fruit. She’d found her footing and was learning to navigate the change in people’s attitudes.

This is my first formal social appearance since the coronation ball, she thought.

Traditionally, an empress would host private gatherings—afternoon teas, receptions within the empress’ palace, and so on.

However, once Crown Prince Rui’s investiture was announced, Larié chose to put her social obligations on hold.

With the official beginning of the blue coal mining operation, Terian’s diplomatic and administrative duties became overwhelmingly busy. As a result, Larié often had to handle internal palace affairs herself.

Though Terian insisted he would take care of those matters as well, Larié shook her head. If these were things she needed to learn anyway, she wanted to study them properly.

Thanks to that resolve, the empress’s heavy workload, which began in spring, had continued without pause to the present day.

Of course, she was still concerned about the gap this left in her social presence. To her relief, Marchioness Incarze stepped in as a gracious and insightful adviser.

“Both Your Majesties grow more formidable by the day. It is not you who need worry over this absence—it is the others.”

In other words, the nobles were the ones left wanting. Especially now, when official duties had increased so greatly due to the empress’s discovery of the blue coal.

The marchioness also gave additional warnings.

“Those growing desperate may act foolishly. I believe you’ve already had a taste of that. Many in the social world still don’t truly know Your Highness’s nature. There may be those who test you, seeking to find out who you really are.”

Recalling all of these words, Larié rose slowly from her seat.

“Instead of crowding here, let’s move to the table together.”

Despite the forwardness of the young noblewomen, Larié moved with unhurried grace. Each time she stepped down a stair, they followed behind like fledgling birds in neat formation.

Nearly all of them had now gathered around her.

She was grateful that even when nervous, it rarely showed on her face.

The attendants quickly set up a table large enough for just the right number of guests—per Larié’s earlier instructions, it could seat about ten.

At the head of that table, Larié sat down slowly.

She hadn’t personally selected who would join her at this limited table. Since the Empress’s ball, this had become a known custom, and the young ladies quickly exchanged glances.

Those who had most eagerly stepped forward to be the “flower of the stairs” took their seats first—just as Larié had intended.

The reason she didn’t handpick her companions was simple: she wanted to see who was most determined to approach her.

And in these early days, she also wanted to give everyone a fair chance—as long as they had the will, they’d be welcome to speak with her.

“Your Majesty, congratulations on His Highness the Crown Prince’s investiture.”

“Thank you, Lady Hecto.”

Some, like the daughter of Viscount Hecto, were already a constant presence at Larié’s table. Petite in frame, she was always among the first to secure a spot by moving swiftly and deftly.

It had been that way since the incident where nobles, whose names had once appeared on the joint petition, tried to force Larié into accepting their apologies. Lady Hecto had stepped forward to dismiss them immediately. Since then, she had remained close.

Once Lady Hecto opened the conversation, the others eagerly followed with praise.

“His Highness looks so much like you, Your Majesty. It was an honor to witness it in person.”

“Indeed! He was so handsome—it’s exciting to imagine his future.”

The ladies who had attended the Crown Prince’s investiture wielded more influence in the conversation.

As soon as Terian’s name came up, Larié instinctively glanced in his direction. He was deep in conversation with other nobles, his expression serious.

And then, as if by chance, their eyes met.

“…Thank you. He’s still so young—I was worried, but everyone’s warm welcome eased that.”

Larié had to work hard to keep a straight face—she nearly burst into laughter.

Terian seemed to become strangely uneasy whenever she strayed too far, always scanning for her with subtle urgency. Confirming that again now made her chest flutter with warmth.

“But I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince was born outside the Imperial Palace…”

That voice instantly chilled Larié’s once warm mood.

It would have been a lie to say she wasn’t surprised. But she calmly turned her gaze toward the young lady who had spoken.

The Marchioness of Incarze had warned her about things like this in advance.

There were perfectly justifiable reasons for Larié placing social matters on the back burner. So the ones who felt deprived by that absence were the nobles.

Still, there were always those with twisted temperaments—those who intentionally misinterpreted Larié’s actions.

Some suspected her withdrawal after ascending to Empress was an attempt to train or suppress the nobility.

The Marchioness had explained such behavior was typical of nobles, and advised her accordingly.

Larié had already anticipated such things. She knew firsthand the raw face of the social world.

Even knowing that, she had not hesitated.

It was clear that learning the affairs of the palace properly was more important.

She had no desire to cater to the whims of socialites.

More precisely, there was no need.

“I heard His Highness wasn’t even born within a noble household’s protection… Is that really alright?”

The one who had spoken was a young lady sitting at the table for the first time.

To the untrained ear, her words sounded like sincere concern for the Crown Prince—regret that he had been born in a less privileged environment.

But her tone carried subtle implications. She was clearly questioning where Rui had been born.

Had this been before the divine bloodline verification, it could have led to serious trouble—possibly even doubts about his lineage.

“You, just now—”

Aware of the gravity, the Hecto viscountess’s daughter immediately flared up.

But Larié held her back right away.

“Viscountess Hecto’s daughter. It’s alright, please stand down.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

This was something she needed to handle herself.

Larié calmly swept her gaze across the room. The eyes watching her were all different. Some glared at the speaker with open hostility. Others looked on with curiosity, wondering how the Empress would respond.

In truth, Rui’s birth came with many details that couldn’t be explained publicly.

It was true that Larié had fled and given birth to the child alone.

At the time, Baron Trompérie’s persistent claims had made it easy for people to deduce that Larié had not been in the capital.

Perhaps that was why Terian had acted quickly to seat Rui as Crown Prince—

so no one could dare question his legitimacy after the divine test.

Larié also had a plan of her own for Rui.

“Prince Rui spent his earliest days with me, deep in the forest.”

Her calm voice spread over the table—gentle and poised, not at all like someone responding to an insult.

Terian had already explained the Empress’s and Prince’s sudden appearance to the council, saying she had gone into seclusion while the empire stabilized under his rule.

Larié decided to make use of that narrative.

More importantly, she was someone who could speak of it with pride.

“I needed the comfort of the forest to heal.”

“Oh my…!”

“You were blessed by the sacred forest!”

It hadn’t been for childbirth, but it was true she had needed that solace. So she maintained a composed expression.

Some of the young ladies were visibly impressed by her phrasing. The reappearance of mythical beings always captivated the social world.

“So that’s why His Majesty kept it secret—he had to reveal Your Majesty’s heritage first…”

“Indeed. And during the early days of his reign, he worked swiftly to stabilize the realm—

likely to ensure that no other nation dared lay claim to the Empress.”

Several young ladies even kindly reinforced her explanation.

Larié responded with nothing more than a faint smile.

By neither affirming nor denying their words, she let the narrative flow in her favor.

She was choosing to bear the weight of Rui’s origins herself.

Even so, Larié felt certain.

It might resemble her past actions,

but this time, she believed it would be different—this time, she would be fine.

Though it felt like she was gilding her own name,

Larié’s popularity had recently rivaled even Terian’s.

Everyone knew who had discovered the coal veins that would enrich the empire further.

“Well, even so…”

“But.”

And so, Larié took another step forward.

Not just absorbing the problem surrounding Rui,

but moving toward a firm resolution.

“Baroness Shepherdon.”

Her voice rang out—firm and cold, no longer gentle.

An air like the heavy silence of a dense forest fell over the table.

The young lady who had tried to cast suspicion on Rui flinched, startled.