Chapter 2.4

While Carnier was lost in thought, a maid from the Crown Prince’s palace served her a glass of chilled tea. It was hibiscus tea, with ice floating in a glass that gleamed a pretty red hue.  

Sipping the drink, Carnier tilted her head.  

“By the way, what is this next task? Did His Highness have an external schedule today?”  

“Oh, it’s not an outing. Today is the regular training day for the Imperial Knights. His Highness plans to visit the training grounds to encourage the newly appointed knights.”  

“I see… They must be working hard in this heat.”  

Although it was late spring, the day was unusually warm. Carnier herself was dressed lightly in a short-sleeved dress that revealed her wrists and calves. Of course, as a proper lady, she wore thin stockings to cover her legs.  

With the weather like this already, it seemed the summer ahead would be quite hot.  

‘Last year was a bit dry. Hopefully, we’ll get more rain this year.’  

Watching the droplets of condensation roll down the glass, Carnier spoke up.  

“Aide Aleph, is access to the training grounds restricted?”  

“No, it isn’t. While there aren’t designated seats, it is an official event, so other residents of the palace often stop by to watch.”  

“Hmm, I see.”  

Through the red-tinted glass, Carnier’s gaze lingered on the empty desk. She smiled faintly.  

It had been four days since she began visiting the Crown Prince’s palace regularly.  

***

Emerging from the Emerald Palace, the Emperor’s residence, Servante sighed. Luca, who had been waiting outside, approached cautiously.  

“Was there an issue?”  

“…No.”  

His expression suggested otherwise. However, Luca refrained from pressing further and quietly followed him. They were still near the Emperor’s palace.  

“…By the way, has Lady Raymore arrived at the office?”  

“I haven’t heard, but I assume she has.”  

“Hm…”  

As Servante walked on, lost in thought, Luca glanced at him and whispered softly.  

“Was it discovered? …The dating matter.”

“What? That’s impossible…”

Servante instinctively denied it upon hearing the word “dating” but soon let out a sigh.

“I understand the misunderstanding, but it wasn’t about that. It’s just…”

Far away, a woman holding an infant was seen walking toward them. Servante’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. However, as she approached close enough for her face to be visible, his expression became indifferent, as though nothing had happened.  

“Greetings to the Crown Prince.”

The young, beautiful woman with a voluptuous figure took a step back and bowed her head. Servante didn’t acknowledge her. He walked past her at the same pace, and his escort, Luca, quietly followed behind.  

Though he didn’t look back, he faintly heard the sound of the woman clicking her tongue. Servante paid it no mind.  

‘That old man.’  

The Emperor might be called old, but he was still remarkably vigorous. The infant held in the woman’s arms was Servante’s most recently born half-sibling. He didn’t even know the child’s name.  

The child’s mother didn’t seem much older than Carnier. While it wasn’t the first time the Emperor had taken one woman after another, knowing this didn’t make Servante feel any less disgusted.  

“…That woman’s expression seemed rather unusual.”  

“Let her be. It’s not the first time.”  

There were always women who thought they could have everything in the world just by being favored by the Emperor and bearing his child. But it was a futile delusion.  

Even the now-deposed Third Prince had once been the child of the Emperor’s most beloved concubine.  

“She’ll soon understand her position.”  

The Emperor, who appeared to be a jovial old man with a hearty laugh, was, in truth, a frightening figure. He desired his reign and achievements to be remembered throughout history. He also wished to be known as the Emperor who raised an outstanding heir and successfully transitioned power without any discord.  

The reason he staunchly supported Servante as Crown Prince was solely for that purpose. It wasn’t out of love for his son.  

• How could a Crown Prince ever rely on an external family wielding excessive power? An Emperor must always stand alone.

The words the Emperor had spoken long ago echoed in Servante’s mind. His clenched fists dug his nails into his palms.  

The Emperor was his father, but before that, he was the Emperor—a figure with whom Servante could never share his inner thoughts.  

Following the Crown Prince with a composed demeanor, Luca shrugged his shoulders.  

“Regardless of everything, it’s fortunate that Lady Raymore is here. It seems to have made handling the Inner Palace affairs much smoother.”  

“…Indeed.”  

It was true.  

Servante’s overwhelming workload was partly due to the Emperor delegating state affairs to him, but more so because of the Inner Palace matters he had never dealt with before.  

The Empress had passed away, and seeking advice from other concubines was inappropriate. Doing so would only bolster their influence. Worse, one of them might harbor resentment, like the favored consort earlier, and cause trouble.  

Thus, Servante had taken on all the responsibilities of the Crown Prince’s palace, even at the cost of enduring a crushing workload. But since Carnier’s arrival, he had been able to breathe a little easier.  

From the royal wedding and honeymoon to future Imperial banquets, her expertise in Imperial etiquette had made it unnecessary to seek advice elsewhere.  

Moreover, she was the very person who would soon oversee the Inner Palace.  

• It’s only eight days, Your Highness. After that, everything will be over. 

Servante closed his eyes briefly before opening them again.  

“…Let’s go. Training time is near.”  

Shaking off his thoughts with a short sigh, he quickened his pace. Luca didn’t say another word.  

It was then that the loud salutes of knights echoed from the path ahead.  

Servante looked puzzled.  

‘They shouldn’t have seen me yet.’  

Curious, he turned the corner. At the end of the corridor, dark blue waves of hair came into view.  

Servante’s face hardened.  

“Ah…!”  

Someone must have informed her that the Crown Prince was behind her, for she turned around. The hem of her fluttering dress spun lightly, revealing her pale legs. With the sunlight behind her, her smiling face appeared even more radiant.  

“Your Highness.”  

Her fresh and vibrant appearance was enough to draw anyone’s gaze.  

But instead of responding to her greeting, Servante walked toward her with a stiff expression.  

“I heard you were attending the regular training session. So, I—”  

“Come with me for a moment.”  

“Pardon?”  

He abruptly grabbed Carnier’s wrist and turned away. Startled, she had no choice but to follow the force pulling her along.  

“Y-Your Highness…?!”  

Aide Aleph and the maid Beth hurriedly followed, but neither could stop the Crown Prince from dragging Carnier by the wrist.  

Servante didn’t go far; he flung open a nearby door.  

“Luca. Let no one enter.”  

Before even hearing the knight’s reply, he pulled Carnier into the room. The door shut with a thud, leaving only the two of them inside. Voices murmured outside, but no one entered, likely because Luca was blocking the way.  

“Hah…”  

“Your… Highness?”  

“Ah.”  

It was only then that Servante realized he was still gripping Carnier’s wrist.  

Quickly letting go, he apologized.  

“My apologies. Did I hurt you?”  

“No, it’s not that I’m hurt…”  

“This is… It’s red.”  

Noticing the red marks on her pale skin, he looked flustered. He lifted her wrist again to examine it closely.  

“I should have used less force. This was my mistake. I’ll call the royal physician immediately—”  

“N-No, it’s really not necessary.”  

Though bewildered by being dragged here, Carnier snapped out of it at the mention of the royal physician.  

“This faint mark will fade quickly. I’m fine.”  

“But still…”  

Seeing his troubled expression as he continued to inspect her wrist, Carnier’s face grew warm. She tried to ignore the sensation of his breath and the warmth of his touch on her bare skin.  

‘Don’t get flustered. Don’t get flustered!’  

Yet, she didn’t pull her hand away or step back. It had been nearly four days since they had been this physically close. Despite trying to calm her flushed face, she couldn’t help but steal glances at his handsome features.  

‘Don’t get flustered… He really is handsome, even up close!’  

While she secretly indulged in her thoughts, Servante regained his composure. He released her hand and stepped back.  

“Ahem, I apologize for my rudeness.”  

So, what is it that you suddenly needed?  

“If it’s this kind of rudeness, I welcome it anytime.”  

“…”  

“Ah.”  

She realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud and quickly corrected herself.  

“So, what is it that you needed all of a sudden?”  

“You, just now…”  

“Yes? Just now?”  

“…”  

The first essential skill of a lady: feigning ignorance.  

Servante, who had been frowning, eventually gave in to her innocent gaze.  

“…Anyway, what brings you here?”  

“I heard today was the regular training day for the Imperial Knights. Since the weather is hot and you are attending, Your Highness, I thought everyone might be more tense than usual. So, I prepared some chilled tea to help them stay refreshed.”  

“…”  

“…Did I do something wrong?”  

It wasn’t that she had done anything wrong.  

Regardless of everything, it was fortunate that Lady Raymore was here to make the Inner Palace affairs run more smoothly. 

According to Aleph, even Luca, who lacked tact and was clueless about paperwork, had said as much. Since beginning what could almost be called a collaborative effort with Carnier—not a romantic relationship—she had never once made a mistake or caused him trouble. Just as she had confidently claimed before. 

This time, too, her thoughtful consideration was something he hadn’t anticipated. Servante cleared his throat, trying to ease the scratchy sensation in his throat.  

“…You haven’t made any mistakes. It’s just that I’d like you to return to the Crown Prince’s palace—or rather, to your residence—for now.”  

“…Pardon?”  

“The Grand Duke Alban has just entered the palace.”  

“?!”  

Carnier’s eyes widened in shock, as though this was news she hadn’t heard.