The head chamberlain also came from a background that couldn’t be ignored. Both individuals were middle-aged and exuded the experience of having lived in the palace for a long time, giving them a distinctly different feel from Elia’s existing people.

After a brief pause, Elia asked her first question.

“Did the departure ceremony end well?”

“Yes. His Majesty entrusted us to serve you well, and at the ceremony, he showed his majesty with a strong and brilliant appearance.”

Elia nodded at Marienne’s answer. It was an easily imaginable sight.

The young emperor was robust, and since he exuded majesty even normally, the departure ceremony must have been quite impressive.

“From now on, I and head chamberlain Victor will stay here to assist you. Please command us freely and guide us.”

Regarding palace life, they would be one step ahead of Elia. That was true both in her previous life and now.

But the authority given to Elia was completely different from before.

“As you serve His Majesty, you already know many things, so there’s nothing more to say. Instead, let me teach you the rules of my residence.”

“Yes.”

They both bowed their heads and answered simultaneously.

“The head lady-in-waiting and head chamberlain who directly serve me remain the same. This means they come first in matters of assisting me or caring for my well-being.”

In the imperial palace, protecting one’s own people was most important. Elia was now drawing a clear line.

She was firmly establishing that Hannah and Dain took precedence in serving her, regardless of origin or status.

“We will keep that in mind.”

Elia nodded at their compliant responses.

“Since you are His Majesty the Emperor’s people, I plan to respect you in other matters as well. If there’s anything about the imperial palace that I should know, please inform me, and I hope you’ll help me in various ways.”

“It’s an honor.”

“We will do whatever we can to the best of our abilities.”

Her conduct of protecting her existing people while not rejecting new ones was wiser than expected.

They seemed to understand why the emperor had specifically sent them to Elia. It was an opportunity for both sides to learn.

“Victor, please handle the major affairs of this building together with the existing head chamberlain, Dain. In particular, I’d like you to give Dain opportunities to experience new things within the palace. It will all be a valuable experience.”

“Yes.”

“And be careful not to neglect the care of the empty emperor’s palace.”

“A wise command, I will follow it to the best of my ability.”

The elegant and pure lady sitting before them exuded a formidable inner strength. To the eyes of those who had spent many years in the imperial palace, this aspect appeared especially remarkable.

“Lady Themis?”

“Please just call me Marienne.”

Marienne bowed her head respectfully.

“There isn’t really a need for two head ladies-in-waiting here yet…… Did His Majesty give you any specific orders?”

“He firmly instructed that you should have nutritious meals.”

Elia unconsciously let out a silent laugh.

—If you promise to eat properly and become heavier by the time I return, I’ll tell you.

Indeed, Rockfort was a persistent man.

“He also assigned head chamberlain Victor to report all aspects of the empress’s quarters’ design and construction to you, and he ordered me, as head lady-in-waiting, to prepare dresses and various ceremonial attire for when you become empress.”

This time, however, his meticulous interference wasn’t unwelcome.

She felt slightly embarrassed that he had detected her anxiety about remaining alone in the imperial palace, but it was true that his support was reassuring.

“Very well, I’m counting on you.”

Elia, thinking of Rockfort who would be traveling far away, kept her words brief.

Soon, it would be sunset. Thinking of the emperor who had departed leading his army, she felt resentful of the approaching night.

* * *

After Rockfort’s departure, Elia felt strangely empty despite her daily life not changing much. It was a contradictory feeling, especially considering that knights, the emperor’s head chamberlain, and head lady-in-waiting were all present in her quarters.

“You’re recovering fast. Bones that have once broken heal even stronger.”

Elia nodded at the imperial physician’s words. Her life had been no different. Hope that had once been thoroughly broken had made her heart even stronger.

“But even if the bones fully heal, I won’t be able to walk properly right away, will I?”

Her blue eyes gazed steadily at Imperial Physician Alec.

“Since you haven’t walked for a long time, both legs will have lost much of their strength. Once you’ve recovered sufficiently, you’ll need to practice walking again.”

“So I have to learn to walk all over again……”

“Don’t worry. My assistants and I are exploring ways to help with your rehabilitation. We’ve already created several devices that will be of great help.”

If Elia had remained just the duke’s daughter who had lost her parents’ support, she might have had to live her entire life without proper recovery, confined to a seated position.

“His Majesty has ordered that your recovery take priority above all else, so you need only focus on rest and nutrition.”

All the attention and care Elia now enjoyed came from Rockfort’s orders. Though not new information, it still occasionally surprised her to realize that he was someone who could care for others so attentively.

“Sir Alec.”

Elia called to the imperial physician who was preparing fresh bandages.

“The shape of my left ankle seems…… different from before.”

With the bandages removed, and comparing it to her right ankle, it was obvious. Even to the n*ked eye, a slightly protruding bone was visible on her left ankle.

“You said there’s no treatment beyond waiting for the bones to heal completely, right?”

“Yes…… With current medical knowledge, we can only assist that process.”

This was a fact she had confirmed several times before.

Fortunately, it was already a blessing that she was recovering without major complications thanks to the proper medication administered immediately after the accident.

“If the ankle bones heal in this position, it seems I won’t be able to walk properly.”

Inwardly, she had suspected this all along. Hannah had asked on her behalf several times, but Alec had consistently feigned ignorance.

There was no way such a capable imperial physician wouldn’t notice such an obvious difference.

“Is there no way to correct the twisted part?”

She recalled reading about foreign medical techniques in a book once.

“In foreign countries…… I heard there’s a technique where they cut open the flesh and return the bone to its original position to heal.”

Though the mere thought was horrifying, she could endure that much if it meant being able to walk properly.

In truth, any pain would be less than the anguish her heart had endured in her previous life.

“I’ve heard of it too, but it’s an extremely dangerous treatment even in foreign countries. It’s a medical technique primarily researched on those injured in war…… actually, more people have lost their lives using that method.”

As expected, Alec was knowledgeable, as befitting the imperial physician with the empire’s finest medical skills.

Elia had only read a single line about it in passing, but Alec seemed to know the procedure in detail.

“But…… they must continue performing that procedure because some people succeed, right?”

No matter how calm and composed her face appeared, it was natural to feel afraid at the thought of never being able to walk properly again.

Even if it was a dangerous procedure, if there was a capable physician…… Elia wanted to grasp even the slightest hope.

“Even if someone succeeded by sheer luck, a technique with higher risks cannot be considered good medicine. It’s only attempted in countries that have experienced prolonged wars……”

Alec looked at Elia for a moment before continuing with difficulty.

“And it can only be performed immediately after the injury.”

“Ah……”

Elia unconsciously let out a dazed sound.

“It’s a procedure that can only be done before the bones begin to heal, right after the injury, and mainly…… in severe cases where bones have pierced through the skin, risking one’s life.”

Elia’s fine eyebrows furrowed at the horrific description.

“Not only is it unsuitable for your case, but in the empire, such things aren’t even considered medicine.”

“I see……”

Logically, it couldn’t be easy to cut open flesh, reattach bones, and restore everything to its original state.

The empire’s medical knowledge was considered among the best on the continent; if there had been a method, they would have applied it long ago.

She knew this in her mind, but seeing her twisted ankle, she felt a pain in her heart at the thought of limping for the rest of her life, and wanted to grasp even the smallest hope.

“So I’ll never be able to walk normally again.”

Elia spoke in resignation. Comparing both feet, her left ankle was clearly misshapen.

She could hide it under dress hems and shoes, but if her gait changed, that would be useless.

“In medicine, there is no ‘never,’ my lady.”

“I want realistic advice and opinions now, not sweet comfort.”

“First, when you’re able to walk…… that’s when we’ll consider this issue. For now, I cannot give you any definitive answers.”

It was a cautious and composed response befitting a physician, but he was avoiding confirming whether Elia would be able to walk straight.

She didn’t need to ask further to guess her condition. Though she had suspected it all along, no matter how calmly she acted, her heart couldn’t be entirely at ease.

“I understand your impatience. All the more reason to ensure proper nutrition and take your tonics well. Only then can you stand and walk, and move on to the next stage.”

“My nutrition is more than adequate.”

Indeed, Marienne, the emperor’s head lady-in-waiting, had been serving meals like banquets every day, and in just a week, Elia’s cheeks had gained a healthy plumpness.

“Yes. Your complexion looks good, which reassures me as well.”

Alec skillfully secured the splint.

“Fortunately, it seems we can remove the splint before midsummer arrives. It would be very uncomfortable to wear bandages in the heat, but thanks to your quick recovery, that won’t be necessary.”