Chapter 4.3

The girl glanced at Servante and mumbled, 

“…I’m too embarrassed to wear it anywhere, but I thought the person who gave it to me might want to see it.”  

“…You said you didn’t like it.”  

“Well, of course. I’ve outgrown things like this.”  

The winged dress was the birthday gift he had given her last year. It was also the gift that had caused him to lose the competition with the Duke.  

Back then, Carnier had pouted as soon as she received the gift, asking if he thought she was a child four or five years younger. Servante had replied, “Of course not; you’re only ten,” which earned him an even harsher glare.  

Since that day, she had never worn it, and Servante had assumed she truly didn’t like it.  

So, seeing her suddenly wear it now was indeed surprising.  

“I won’t wear it again after today.”  

Carnier muttered as she twirled a strand of her hair.  

“Still, I’ll keep it safe. I do that with everything you give me, Your Highness.”  

“So… you’re saying I shouldn’t forget this year’s birthday gift?”  

“No! I’m saying that whatever you give me will be precious, so don’t overthink it. You’re busy enough as it is.”  

Servante stifled a laugh. With amusement in his eyes, he watched Carnier.  

He understood her meaning. It seemed the little lady felt guilty about scolding her fiancé over last year’s gift.  

‘She’s grown, hasn’t she?’  

He never imagined a day would come when this tiny girl would worry about him. To him, Carnier was always a small and adorable little piggy.  

“Alright, I got it. How about shoes with wings this time?”  

“…What do you mean by that?! Brother, please say something to him!”  

“…Hmm, shoes. I didn’t think of that.”  

“Brother!”  

“Ahem. Your Highness, please don’t tease my sister too much.”  

The Duke finally intervened, but Carnier was already sulking. She glared at her brother and her composed fiancé before turning to Beth.  

“Beth, bring some hot water.”  

“Pardon? But it’s still warm…”  

“Make it boiling hot!”  

“…Ah, yes.”  

Even her sulking was adorable.  

Servante leaned on the armrest, resting his chin on his hand, amused by the thought. Carnier, despite her irritation, skillfully brewed tea just as she had been taught. Every time she moved, the white wings on her back fluttered gently.  

‘It suits her well.’ 

No matter how much the little piggy complained, Servante’s taste was impeccable. And just then, he thought of a perfect idea for this year’s birthday gift. It wasn’t winged shoes, of course; that would lead to more than just sulking.  

“Here, please enjoy.”  

Suppressing his laughter, Servante accepted the tea brewed by his little fiancée for the first time.  

“…”  

The tea was scalding hot and slightly bitter. However, neither he nor the Duke said a word and quietly finished their cups. Slowly, the corners of the little piggy’s lips began to twitch upward.  

The Duke and the Crown Prince exchanged glances and stifled their laughter.  

These were among the rare moments they cherished.  

***

The Crown Prince Servante returned to the palace later than expected after lingering at the Raymore Duchy.  

The waiting nanny hurriedly attended to his attire, her tone full of concern.  

“How could you be so late? What if you arrive at the family gathering after His Majesty?”  

“It’s being held in the garden anyway. I’ll sneak in through a side path and say I was there first.”  

“Oh, honestly…”  

“By the way, is it true that Her Majesty the Empress will also attend today?”  

“Yes, so I’ve heard. Thankfully, it seems her cold has passed.”  

“Is that so?”  

The Empress, who frequently suffered from minor ailments, often found external activities difficult. At times, the doors of the Empress’s palace would remain shut under the pretense of requiring absolute rest, making it difficult even for Servante to see her frequently.  

‘Lucky me.’  

It seemed fortune had favored him, as he had a petition to make to the Empress.  

Taking only one escort knight, Servante headed toward the garden. The Emperor had suggested holding the gathering outdoors, commenting on the pleasant evening breeze. Thus, the family gathering was arranged in the garden, meticulously prepared by the Empress.  

The sun was already setting, casting deep shadows among the trees and shrubs in the garden. As Servante hurried along a side path, his steps abruptly halted. He had heard faint voices in the distance.  

‘…This voice?’  

Sensing something unusual, he signaled to his escort. The knight, understanding the situation, softened his footsteps.  

As they silently approached, the voices became clearer. Servante’s eyes narrowed. Beyond the ivy-covered wall stood his parents—the Emperor and the Empress—engaged in conversation.  

‘What are they doing here without any attendants?’  

Oblivious to their son’s eavesdropping, the Emperor and Empress continued their conversation.  

“…Are you still unwell?”  

“I am much better now.”  

“Hmm. It’s troubling that your condition shows little improvement. Elevating the prestige of the palace with gardens and such tricks can only go so far. How long do you think this will work?”  

“My apologies…”  

The Emperor’s tone was displeased, and the Empress’s voice lacked any spirit. Servante’s expression hardened.  

Though he had always known there was no love between his parents, who had married for political reasons, he had never seen such a cold atmosphere between them.  

“We must bring Carnier into the palace and hasten the marriage.”  

At these words, not only the Empress but also Servante, hidden nearby, flinched.  

“…She’s only eleven years old. I’ve heard she hasn’t even had her first cycle yet.”  

“Who said anything about consummating the marriage immediately? She’s young, but she’s already spent ten years as a Crown Princess candidate. There’s no harm in an early royal marriage. Bring her into the palace as a stand-in for the Empress. That way, the palace’s dignity will be upheld.”  

“But, Your Majesty…”  

“They owe our family a great debt. Despite losing both parents and their declining fortunes, they never annulled the engagement. It is thanks to that grace that the Duke’s family still survives, even if barely. Surely, the Duke of Raymore would not refuse if he knows this debt.”

At the Emperor’s indifferent words, Servante clenched his fist tightly. Moments ago, he had been thinking of the cheerful, lively girl who had been laughing and chatting with him.  

‘They want to make that child act as the Crown Princess already?’  

While the term “stand-in for the Empress” was used, it was clear she would be a scapegoat for the absent hostess of the palace.  

A noble yet inexperienced young lady would undoubtedly become an easy target in the social circles of the court.  

It seemed the Empress shared the same concern.  

“…How could such a young child bear such a heavy responsibility? What if she falls ill under the strain?”  

“Ah, like you, perhaps?”  

“…”  

“If that’s the case, there’s no other choice but to have the Crown Prince take a concubine.”  

“Your Majesty…!”  

“Lower your voice.”  

The Emperor’s warning was icy.  

“The Crown Prince is already eighteen. You may not recall, but at his age, I already had more than one wife. He is my son and the Crown Prince. Surely, he understands his duty to produce an heir.”  

“Your Majesty, you truly…”  

“Well, if Carnier fulfills her role properly, there won’t be any immediate need for that. I hear she’s a clever girl, despite her age. She might turn out differently from you, who only managed to bear one son and then fell ill.”  

“What did you just say…?”  

The Empress, who had been silently enduring, suddenly flared up.  

“Have you truly forgotten what you did to my family? Right after your ascension, you destroyed my household, my family, and yet you expect me to…”

“How is it my fault that your family met its downfall? They used you as a shield to commit all sorts of atrocities, drawing the ire of both the officials above and the commoners below.”

“And you think I wouldn’t know that all of it was orchestrated by you…!”  

“Watch your words, Empress. You are still my Empress.”  

A cold wind rustled through the trees in the garden.  

“And you are also the mother of the Crown Prince, whom you are so desperate to protect.”

“…”  

“I have kept all my promises. I made your son the Crown Prince, and I ensured the children of my concubines wouldn’t dare to challenge him. I even overlooked the Crown Prince’s insistence on not breaking his engagement with that girl because of my promise to you.”

“…”  

“As long as you don’t act recklessly, he will remain the sole Crown Prince. So let’s end this pointless conversation.”

The conversation seemed to be drawing to a close. However, as the Emperor turned to leave, the Empress quietly asked,  

“…Is that why you did it?”  

“What are you talking about?”  

“The accident eight years ago.”  

The Empress’s face turned pale as she stared at the Emperor.  

“Did you do to the Raymore family what you did to my parents… because of my recklessness?”  

“Empress.”  

“I… I pushed for that marriage to give my son wings. With no maternal family to support him, I thought at least he could marry into a strong household…”  

“Empress.”  

The Emperor’s voice was colder than the night air.  

“How could a Crown Prince rely on a powerful family as his wings? An Emperor must stand alone.”  

“No…”  

“Don’t misunderstand. Why would I harm the greatest knight in the empire, who has served the nation his entire life?”  

Servante, who had been clenching his fists, exhaled slowly. Of course, no matter how cruel his father could be, he wouldn’t have done that…  

“I only targeted the Duchess who was in the carriage.”

“…”  

The light in Servante’s eyes vanished.