Chapter 45
The dawn is surrounded by a bluish light. Shivering in the now quite chilly weather, Rayden appeared at the training ground.
With winter approaching, the nights had become significantly longer, and since the sun hadn’t risen yet, the bonfires that lit up the training ground were still burning.
“Do you think you can lead the Imperial Knights in the future with such sluggish movements?”
Louis passed by Rayden, who was walking stiffly with a rigid body. He walked straight to where the wooden swords were gathered and picked one up with a familiar motion.
“I have to. If not me, then who else?”
The First Imperial Knights were tasked with guarding the Emperor and were the quickest to respond to any threats to the Imperial family. If Louis became Emperor, most of the current Second Knights would move to the First Knights.
“Is the Empire so lacking in capable people…”
Louis said as he slowly swung the wooden sword, checking his condition. Swallowing his complaints quietly, Rayden also picked up a wooden sword.
“But why aren’t you doing physical training today and grabbing a wooden sword right away?”
Usually, before grabbing a wooden sword to practice swordsmanship, they would do physical training and strength exercises around the training ground. Only after that would Louis pick up a wooden sword and practice swordsmanship.
Louis took a deep breath and exhaled while holding the wooden sword in the most basic stance.
“A distinguished guest is expected at the Imperial Palace this afternoon, so there are many things to handle.”
“A distinguished guest… at the Imperial Palace?”
Rayden, who was about to mimic Louis’s movements, stopped and brought his legs together as he asked.
“Yes.”
Louis lifted the wooden sword high with both hands and brought it down forcefully. The sharp sound of the wind echoed through the training ground.
Louis smirked and smoothly continued to the next move.
Watching him, Rayden briefly thought about how well he had been taught before shaking his head and asking again.
“Then let’s just warm up for an hour today. The weather is cold, and it wouldn’t be good to train in swordsmanship without properly warming up.”
“Alright, let’s do that.”
Nodding at Rayden’s suggestion, Louis concentrated on swinging the wooden sword for an hour. Although he didn’t have many opportunities to actually use a sword, it was a part of his daily routine that he never skipped.
After finishing his swordsmanship training, Louis washed up and started his work right after a simple breakfast. He began by reviewing the documents he couldn’t finish yesterday.
Then, his aide, Allen, neatly placed new tasks on his desk.
“You have an appointment at 2 PM, so I’ve only placed the documents you need to review before then.”
“Got it.”
Louis replied without taking his eyes off the documents. Although he had until 2 PM, the pile of documents was enormous. Watching Louis handle them effortlessly, Allen was left in awe.
After finishing the documents he couldn’t complete yesterday, there was an audience with the Emperor, followed by a political meeting, lunch, and then classes—a truly grueling schedule.
It was possible not only because of his intelligence but also due to his monstrous stamina.
Watching his cold and perfect superior, Allen recalled the person who had requested an audience with him.
Ian Dinever.
The person meeting Louis at 2 PM today was Ian Dinever. According to Allen, he was a 6-year-old child.
Even though he was the younger brother of Louis’ fiancée, it was quite surprising that Louis had generously allotted an hour of his precious, minute-scheduled time.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Huh? Oh, no.”
Lost in various thoughts while standing next to Louis, Allen greeted him and headed to his own desk set up in one corner of the study.
Time flew by.
After completing all his morning tasks and his afternoon classes, Louis walked briskly towards the study, asking Allen,
“What time is it now?”
“It’s 1:58 PM.”
“We won’t be late then.”
Nodding, Louis quickened his pace.
“Ian Dinever is waiting in the study. I’ve prepared some simple drinks and snacks, so he should be fine.”
Louis nodded, seemingly satisfied with Allen’s words, but did not slow his pace.
“Sorry to keep you waiting…”
“Phup. Cough. Pffft!”
Louis couldn’t finish his sentence as he burst into the room.
Ian, who was sitting on the sofa, spewed out a massive amount of cookie crumbs. The largest crumb flew through the air and landed at Ian’s feet.
“Are you alright?”
Seeing Ian’s face turn bright red and coughing, Allen, who had followed Louis, rushed over. Patting Ian’s back, Allen shouted,
“Call the physician!”
As Allen called for the physician, Ian jumped up from the sofa and waved his hands.
“No. Cough. I’m fine.”
Although Ian was still coughing, he didn’t seem in danger of needing a physician. Allen sighed in relief and handed Ian a cup of water from the trolley.
Ian thanked Allen and took the cup with both hands.
Louis watched silently, trying to suppress his laughter. Seeing the half-empty cookie plate and the crumbs scattered around, Louis covered his mouth with his large hand as he walked over.
After drinking all the water in the cup, Ian finally seemed to calm down, darting his brown eyes around nervously.
“Greetings to the Crown Prince…”
Ian greeted in a small, trembling voice, and Louis nodded, still covering his mouth.
Ian wondered why he had to meet the Crown Prince in such an embarrassing state.
It wasn’t easy sneaking out of the mansion without his sister knowing and coming to the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, Vivian was very busy today, attending the tea party hosted by Empress Annette.
Upon arriving at the Crown Prince’s palace and being guided to the study, Ian felt deflated when he found the Crown Prince absent.
Noticing Ian’s visibly drooping shoulders, the person who had guided him to the study offered him cookies and a drink.
At first, Ian tried to act dignified and refused. But seeing the cookies filled with small chocolates, his mouth watered.
Just one.
After negotiating with himself, Ian reached for a chocolate cookie. As soon as he put the cookie in his mouth, Ian’s eyes widened as far as they could go.
As his front teeth bit into the moderately thick cookie, a burst of sweetness exploded in his mouth like fireworks. The perfect texture of a crispy exterior and a moist interior.
For the first time in his 6-year-old life, Ian was amazed by the taste and almost cried.
Since he couldn’t eat chocolate freely when his nanny and sister were around, he thought this might be his chance.
They said it would take some time for the Crown Prince to arrive, so if he ate quickly, he was confident he could finish everything without a trace by the time the Crown Prince got there.
But Ian’s plan turned into a bubble.
As he was munching on his third cookie, the door burst open, and he saw the face he least wanted to see these days. A whirlwind of emotions swept over him, ending in embarrassment.
Remembering why he had come here, even deceiving his sister, Ian felt like he was about to cry.
“Have you calmed down a bit?”
Louis asked.
Ian shook his head vigorously at Louis’s question. Seeing Ian’s red-rimmed eyes, Louis felt awkward.
He had no experience spending time with children, let alone one who was crying.
Determined to prevent Ian from shedding tears, Louis stood up abruptly.
“Do you like horses?”
“Horses?”
“Yes. Today, the Kingdom of Tolz gifted us a precious breed of horse. If you like horses, would you like to go see it together?”
Ian’s tearful eyes sparkled at Louis’ words. But then, as if remembering something, he frowned and shook his head.
“It will only take a moment. After that, we can have a serious talk.”
“If it’s just for a moment…”
Louis nodded at Ian’s response and headed to the study door. Ian trailed closely behind.
* * *
“Rosie!”
Entering the rear garden of the Empress’s palace, Vivian spotted her friend Rosie looking at her and smiled brightly.
“Vivian!”
Rosie approached Vivian, who was waving at her.
“You’re looking so pretty today! Why did you put in so much effort?”
“It’s not like that.”
Blushing at Rosie’s blatant compliment, Vivian’s face turned red.
“Vivian.”
Seeing Vivian’s shy, blushing face, Rosie moved closer and linked arms with her friend. Rosie tightened her grip on Vivian’s arm.
“Are you prepared, future Crown Princess?”
“P-Prepared?”
“Don’t you see those hawk-like eyes staring at you as if you’re prey?”
At Rosie’s words, Vivian quickly lowered her head after glancing around. Sharp eyes peeking through fans, eyes openly filled with curiosity, and eyes darting around to scrutinize her—all were focused on her.
“Even though you had your debutante in Raspol, most people in the capital’s social circles don’t know you yet, so it’s inevitable that you’re the center of attention.”
“I didn’t expect it to be this intense…”
Vivian trailed off, awkwardly lifting the corners of her mouth into a smile.
“You’ll do fine. Just don’t let your guard down.”
With a playful expression, Rosie winked at Vivian. Vivian’s tension eased a bit as she let out a small laugh.
Alongside Rosie, Vivian greeted Countess Laila and several familiar noblewomen.
Most of them did not hide their friendliness towards Vivian. They asked about news from Raspol and Ian’s well-being, and they smiled, saying it would be an honor to invite her to their homes later. Rosie poked Vivian in the side as she replied graciously.
“Don’t you feel a burning sensation on the back of your head?”
“The back of my head?”
Vivian pressed her palm against the back of her head and shook her head at Rosie’s words.
“No, it doesn’t burn.”
“That’s not what I meant… Over there. Over there.”
Rosie pointed with her chin. Turning her head in the direction Rosie indicated, Vivian spotted a red-haired woman staring intensely at her.
“Reina?”
It was Reina Bynes, Arnold Bynes’s younger sister.
The girl she had met at the winter banquet a few years ago had grown into a striking beauty. Wearing a dress that accentuated her voluptuous figure, Reina smiled with her eyes when she met Vivian’s gaze.
“Wow, that’s creepy.”
Seeing Reina’s smile, Rosie rubbed her arms with her palms.
With a smile still on her face, Reina took a step towards Vivian and Rosie.
“Is she coming over here? Why? Don’t come. Don’t come.”
Despite Rosie’s muttering, Reina’s steps did not falter. Her elegant strides stopped three steps away from Vivian and Rosie.
Obsessive peony
Glad rosie turned out to be a good friend 💕