Side Story 2. Relieving Pent-up Feelings

After returning from their honeymoon, Kana came up to the capital with Kiriel as something came up.

Kiriel’s existing private mansion was passed on to Liriel, who became the new Tower Master and needed to stay in the capital. Her husband had voluntarily transferred it.

Liriel proudly won the vacant position after competing with other mages when Kiriel retired as Tower Master after inheriting the Curtis family.

‘She’s truly amazing.’

She remembered the newspapers had quite extensively covered her inauguration ceremony at the time. Noting how the siblings became Tower Masters together.

Of course, Kana had also attended that inauguration ceremony to congratulate Liriel after her own wedding.

Currently, Kana was getting dressed up after receiving an invitation from Letie, her dear friend, who was now the Empress.

She felt slightly excited as she was going to meet Letie, Evie, Olivia, Della, and Bianca after a long time.

‘I’m glad our schedules aligned. It’s nice to meet friends after so long.’

Kana finished her preparations with the maids’ help, adjusted her attire, and left the townhouse.

* * *

When she arrived at the imperial palace by carriage, a palace maid who had been waiting guided her to the back garden inside the palace.

A grand pavilion with a wide, open structure appeared amidst the back garden blooming with various rare flowers. Inside, Letie’s gaze turned to Kana as she sat elegantly and languidly.

“Miss Kana, or…… should I call you Marchioness Curtis now?”

“Please call me whatever Your Majesty prefers. Isn’t this a gathering for old friends to catch up?”

Kana sat down in the prepared seat following the palace maid’s gesture while smiling brightly. Letie, who had been maintaining a dignified expression befitting an empress, burst into pleasant laughter.

“Your smooth and pleasant way with words remains the same, Kana. Right, calling you by name feels more natural than Marchioness Curtis.”

“I prefer the familiarity too. The others haven’t arrived yet?”

Kana responded good-naturedly while looking around. Only the two of them were seated in the pavilion yet.

Letie, who had her red hair elegantly styled up with jeweled accessories, answered while wiggling her fingers.

“Yes, you arrived first.”

“Haha, I happened to be resting at the townhouse with no particular schedule, and I got excited about this precious gathering, so I came early.”

“That’s better than waiting alone. The others will come as they finish their schedules.”

“Yes.”

While the two exchanged light conversation, others arrived one after another. After Olivia and Evie came Della and Bianca. All the gathering’s members had assembled. They each took their seats.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen everyone.”

“We greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

The four who had entered in succession reflexively gave formal greetings. Letie gently waved it off with a soft smile.

“Let’s skip the formalities. Just for today, let’s spend time comfortably together.”

“Sounds good.”

The guests, including Kana, brightened and nodded.

They lightened the mood by starting with praise for the Empress’s back garden as host, then exchanging compliments about each other’s dresses and accessories.

As the conversation lulled, Letie glanced at Kana and casually asked,

“Kana, how was your honeymoon?”

“It was a very enjoyable time. Since we handled complicated matters beforehand, we could relax and have fun with peace of mind.”

Kana smiled broadly while reminiscing about the honeymoon. It was a genuine smile as she had thoroughly enjoyed it as stated. Evie, who had been quietly sipping tea, added with sparkling eyes.

“You said you went to Corel Island before? That’s wonderful.”

“Thank you. I heard you’ve been continuing your artistic activities recently, Miss Evie. I hope it goes even better.”

“Of course. I’ll keep working hard.”

Evie made a serious expression while clenching both fists. Everyone clapped enthusiastically in support.

As the applause died down, Bianca carefully brought up a topic while watching Kana’s reaction.

“Kana, have there been any issues in the southern social circles?”

“No. There were various matters since I’m not from the south, but it was fine.”

Kana shrugged nonchalantly while answering. Having experience playing supporting roles in social circles from other novels, adapting to an unfamiliar social circle was manageable.

Bianca marveled anew at her friend’s unchanged steadfast appearance before acknowledging.

“Well, you always had a strong personality beneath your gentle appearance. And being the Marchioness of Curtis now, you must have handled everything well.”

“Haha, I suppose that’s how it turned out.”

Kana laughed awkwardly, feeling shy at the sudden praise. As a warm atmosphere settled, Letie spoke to Olivia who was eating dessert.

“Miss Olivia…… no, since you recently inherited the title, should I call you Countess Short?”

“Please use that in formal settings, Miss Olivia is fine for now. It still doesn’t feel real.”

Olivia involuntarily shivered. Della and Bianca on either side gave bitter smiles while patting her shoulders simultaneously.

“Well, it’s like that for everyone.”

“It feels empty somehow…… like a reliable presence has disappeared.”

Olivia blinked slowly while placing her hand on her chest after putting down her spoon.

Kana instinctively felt certain her subtle sense of loss was slightly related to Alderaan’s existence.

‘Does she instinctively feel it even though all traces and memories of him have disappeared? It seems their bond was stronger than the setting, since Alderaan seemed to think well of Olivia too. This world is truly unique.’

Kana comforted Olivia with different words without showing her thoughts.

“Well, you’ve become the head responsible for your family. Didn’t the former Count and Countess Short leave for their villa?”

“That’s right! How did you know?”

Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise at her friend’s words that seemed to see through her situation.

All former family heads seem to do similarly when passing down their families. Kana answered with a soft laugh.

“Actually, the former Marquis and Marchioness Curtis also left for their villa right after passing the title to my husband.”

“I suppose it’s what they call generational change. My brother and Seria Hail recently became family heads too. And I became Empress not long after becoming Crown Princess.”

Letie added in a slightly lonely voice while listlessly stirring her tea with a teaspoon. Richard had inherited the throne not long after their wedding ceremony.

Of course, Kana had also attended the Emperor’s coronation ceremony with her husband. Olivia nodded and said.

“I agree. Though it seems the former Emperor and Empress passed down the throne early because the situation called for it.”

“Well, they seemed mentally and physically exhausted from that unfortunate incident.”

Letie’s teaspoon stopped abruptly. That unfortunate incident referred to the executed former prince Riden. Since it wasn’t particularly pleasant content, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning it.

Detecting the gradually dampening mood, Kana turned the topic by looking at Bianca.

“Miss Bianca, you said you’re heading north soon?”

“Yes. Somehow I ended up getting engaged to Duke Cardium.”

Bianca smiled awkwardly. Though Kana was surprised when she first heard it too, it was true. The newspapers had quite a buzz about this news. Olivia exclaimed excitedly.

“I was so surprised when I heard that news. Though he must be much better than that cheating ex-fiancé.”

“Right. That awful engagement was broken anyway, and our interests aligned.”

“You really went through a lot. Forget that trash. And let me know when the wedding date is set. I’ll definitely attend and brighten up the occasion.”

Olivia held Bianca’s hands tightly while comforting her about her ex-fiancé before her eyes sparkled.

Others including Kana added similar words of support. Bianca’s eyes curved beautifully.

“Thank you everyone.”

“Miss Bianca will surely conquer the northern social circles too.”

“Yes, I need to steel my resolve.”

Bianca gripped her teacup handle firmly with a determined expression. Everyone united in supporting her.

As the atmosphere quieted, Kana looked at Della.

“Come to think of it, Miss Della, you said you’ll be staying in the south for a while due to family circumstances?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Let me know when you come. I’ll take good care of you.”

Kana smiled while elegantly extending her hand. Della’s expression notably brightened at gaining reliable backing for her activities in the south.

“It’s so reassuring to hear that from a noble lady of a great southern family. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Friends help each other.”

Kana responded smoothly with a wink. Everyone burst into cheerful laughter. As expected, it was a gathering with a warm and friendly atmosphere.

* * *

After enjoyably catching up with close friends after a long time, Kana returned to the townhouse humming a tune. Kiriel, who was loosely leaning against the wall in the hall, called out to his wife with sparkling eyes.

“Kana!”

“Oh my, Kiriel. You’re back early. Did the visit to the Magic Tower and social gathering go well?”

Kana approached her enthusiastically greeting husband and carefully examined his face. Kiriel grumbled lightly while savoring her affectionate gaze.

“The visit was fine but the social gathering was really meaningless and boring. I barely endured by picturing your face in my mind.”