Chapter 3 – Part 10

That evening, I served chamomile tea to His Highness after dinner, as usual. While bringing it to him, I noticed he was reading a book at the dinner table again. It was “The Great Depression,” which he had been reading in the morning.

His eyebrows occasionally twitched as he rapidly scanned the pages.

‘Is there something bothering him?’

Of course there would be. If a book about your grandparents’ global and tumultuous love story became a bestseller, anyone would feel complicated.

Maybe it would have been better if he hadn’t known. But since the Empress himself mentioned it at lunch, there was no helping it.

Leaving the troubled Crown Prince behind, I went off duty.

As soon as I got to my room, I habitually took out my diary. There were no messages from my diary friend yet.

I dipped my pen in ink and began writing.

[I just got off work! So much happened today…]

But most of the events were things I couldn’t share with my diary friend.

I paused and reflected on the day’s events.

The Empress visiting the Crown Prince’s palace again, discovering “The Great Depression” was actually the memoir of Empress Dowager, learning there was a tea plantation behind the Imperial Palace…

These were not stories I could share with my diary friend, who thought I was just an ordinary tea shop worker.

After some contemplation, I picked up my pen again.

[But I had a delicious dinner tonight.]

The chicken dish served at the servants’ dining hall was truly tasty. Chef Kelsey had explained that the chicken was seasoned with salt and pepper, sautéed in butter, simmered with various spices and white wine, and finished with cream.

“How much detail is too much?”

I wondered if writing about the servants’ dining hall menu would be alright.

While I was pondering, a reply came from my diary friend.

[It seems like work is still tough for you. But it’s good to hear that dinner was delicious.]

[Right? The food here is amazing.]

Chef Kelsey’s recipes are all delicious. And today’s chicken dish was especially tasty.

“Thinking about it makes me want to eat it again.”

As I licked my lips and mumbled, my diary friend wrote again.

[Is the hard work because of that regular customer you mentioned last time?]

[Yeah, that’s right. It’s always the same. How was your day?]

[I also had a lot to deal with.]

Fatigue seeped through the brief sentences of my diary friend.

Being the successor to the top must be busy. What kind of work do they do?

They always seem to stay in the capital, so they probably don’t go on business trips.

[Is it difficult to explain in detail?]

[Yes, please understand.]

[You don’t need to ask for understanding between us. And hang in there. I’ll draw some flowers for you.]

I drew round flowers around my diary friend’s writing.

As I completed about three tiny flowers, my friend replied.

[Thank you. I will do my best.]

I wondered if there was a story that could cheer up my friend. I wanted to do more for him.

[When work gets tough, having a hobby can help. Reading a fun book or drinking some delicious tea.]

In my case, my hobby of drinking tea has become my job, so I guess you could say my passion and profession are aligned. Though the job stability is shaky.

What other hobbies could I recommend to cheer up my diary friend?

While I racked my brain, my friend’s reply appeared on the paper.

[I also like reading. Recently, I read <The Emperor is obsessed with the Duchess who was in the marriage of convenience with the terminally Ill Duke>.]

“Who showed this innocent person such a book!”

After shouting, I realized that the culprit was me.

I recalled a conversation I had with my diary friend a while ago.

[Have you heard of a book called <The Emperor is obsessed with the Duchess who was in the marriage of convenience with the terminally Ill Duke >?]

[The Terminally Ill Duke…?]

[Yes, that’s the title. It’s the most popular book in the capital right now!]

“Oh dear…”

I never thought he would go find and read it himself.

I placed my left hand on my forehead.

If my diary friend, who doesn’t even know the first thing about romance, learns about it from that book, it’s going to be a problem.

My hand trembled, and an ink drop fell on the diary.

[Oops, sorry. I messed up the diary.]

[It’s okay.]

As I pressed the ink spot with blotting paper rolling on the desk, my friend’s writing continued to appear in the diary.

[As you said, it seemed like a popular book in the capital. I felt a lot from it.]

What on earth did he feel?

[For example, what kind of things…?]

[I was impressed by the contrasting personalities of the two men competing for the protagonist’s affection.]

Thankfully, it was a decent review.

I relaxed.

[Right? The Duke loved the protagonist but missed several chances to confess. Meanwhile, the Emperor didn’t hesitate to express his feelings.]

I excitedly wrote down my impressions.

[No matter how deep your feelings are, if you don’t convey them to the other person, what’s the use? If you like someone, you have to tell them.]

Then, I got hurt by my own words.

“Ugh, my stomach hurts…”

It was ironic to say that when I liked my diary friend but couldn’t muster the courage to confess.

I hurriedly tried to make up for it.

[Of course, there are circumstances where it’s hard to confess, though!]

Just like how I can’t suddenly confess to you.

How strange it would be for someone they’ve never met in person to confess. And I know my diary friend has someone else he likes…

As I soothed my aching heart, my diary friend asked a question.

[Each man’s approach has its pros and cons, but if you had to choose, which one is better?]

I immediately replied.

[Definitely the Emperor! He’s much better than the Duke, who couldn’t even confess.]

[So the Duke’s downfall was due to a lack of communication.]

[Well, you could say that. But the Emperor’s approach also has its problems. Being aggressive should have its limits.]

[What would be an appropriate level?]

[First of all, I think it’s good that he confessed. It’s better than the Duke, who couldn’t even do that.]

While we were exchanging book reviews, my diary friend said they had to attend to something, so we wrapped up our conversation.

“Oh no, <The Great Depression> is based on real events. Can I really talk about it like this?”

I accidentally touched upon the affairs of the Emperor and the former Duke Roshid.

“It should be fine.”

It’s okay. My diary friend wouldn’t dream that this is the autobiography of the former Empress.

I closed my diary and opened the envelope that had been sitting on my desk. It was a letter from my sister in the Marnel County.

I skimmed the letter filled with writing.

[…by the time you receive this letter, we might have…]

What is this, a will?