Chapter 1 – Part 3

The young people’s faces turned pensive, and they looked at each other to see if they had spoken too loudly.

However, the Emperor seemed unfazed by their reactions.

“It seems you were having some interesting discussions.”

Leonard, as an Emperor, naturally had a more relaxed manner than during his princehood. This was expected, yet for Tenere, it was somewhat unusual.

Although his way of speaking was different, his expression remained as gentle as ever.

The young ladies, who had been whispering about putting dresses on fathers, felt a bit relieved by his casual attitude.

The Emperor suddenly turned his head towards Tenere.

“Lady Evan.”

“Yes, Majesty.”

“If you don’t mind, how about a dance?”

This proposal contorted Laura’s face, who had been in conversation with the Emperor.

Tenere could not grasp what she had heard and just blinked in confusion.

Glancing over at Laura, Janice tapped her lightly on the arm. Tenere snapped out of it and looked up.

“It’s an honor, Majesty.”

Tenere quickly took the Emperor’s hand. His hand was so large it engulfed both of hers.

Under the lace gloves, she felt his firm grasp.

Considering the previous amicable conversation with Laura, this was an unexpected choice.

Tenere felt a bit awkward, thinking that while Laura seemed innocent, there might be more to it.

“It seems like I’ve seen you smile for the first time.”

The Emperor led her naturally.

While Tenere’s expression was as soft as ever, her tone resembled that of an official addressing a sovereign more than a conversation with a dance partner.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s words implied he had little interest in her. Tenere was used to smiling habitually and chuckling softly while conversing at parties.

“By the way…….”

The Emperor paused, as if he had something important to say.

“I think Marquise Evan’s dress would look better with flowers than ribbons.”

“Yes?”

Tenere looked up in surprise at the mildness of the voice.

The Emperor laughed softly and brought his index finger to his lips.

His calm but playful face looked more like a fresh-faced young man her age than an emperor.

Why did the obvious feel so baffling?

When Tenere stumbled, the Emperor quickly placed a firm hand on her waist. A low chuckle came from overhead.

“I see I startled you.”

The Emperor was nonchalant as if it were no big deal.

Nevertheless, Tenere froze as if she had committed a great sin.

“I did not intend to hear you. My ears are a little bright.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“You are not. It’s not that I don’t understand the hearts of my subjects.”

Though he had only been on the throne for a year, Leonard’s reputation was not unfavorable.

He was thought to be cautious rather than impulsive for a man his age, and a gentle emperor in contrast to the somewhat cold and stern Sun Emperor.

Add to that his good looks and martial prowess, and it was no wonder that some young ladies, including Laura, coveted a seat at his side.

“I have a question for you.”

“What is it, Your Majesty?.”

Tenere had rarely danced and talked to a man in this way.

Her expression was as soft as ever, but her tone was more that of a vassal addressing a monarch than a ballroom dance partner.

“Can you answer me honestly?”

“Of course.”

The answer was prompt, but Tenere tensed a little, not knowing what he might ask.

What if the Emperor asked something sensitive about her family?

Of course, Tenere knew no more about her family than the Emperor in front of her.

But what the emperor asked was not at all what she expected.

“Are you sure you didn’t do it on purpose that day?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I don’t understand.”

Tenere asked in surprise. He’d rarely had any personal interaction with the Emperor, so it wasn’t unexpected that she didn’t know what he was talking about.

As if to drive a wedge into her premonition, the Emperor added.

“When you went hunting with Lady Salvatore”

“…….”

“Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m just curious.”

As if to prove the truth of his words, the emperor’s expression remained consistently gentle.

But Tenere had a feeling he already knew everything, though she couldn’t quite figure out why that was a new question.

“…Your Majesty’s words are correct.”

Tenere replied softly. She had expected him to ask for a reason, but the emperor didn’t dwell on the subject for long.

“I see.”

After that, their conversation continued in a more casual manner. The emperor praised the embroidery on Tenere’s dress, inquired about Lord Evan and Lord Eric, and carried on with the usual small talk.

As the conversation flowed, Tenere began to relax. Her tension gradually dissipated. Only now did she notice the handkerchief she had tied around her wrist.

The handkerchief was embroidered with her father’s holy torch, which was meant to be seen by the Emperor.  When Lord Evan initially laughed at the idea of using a mere handkerchief, Tenere couldn’t help but think that maybe he didn’t understand its significance.

“It was a pleasure, Lady Evan.”

“The pleasure is mine Your Majesty.”

When the music ended and they were about to part ways, Tenere quickly untied the handkerchief from her wrist. It took all the courage she could muster with her back to the crowd.

“Your Majesty, I know my dancing is far from perfect, but if you would accept this, it would bring me great joy.”

It was not a sophisticated form of courtship. In the aristocratic world, confessing one’s feelings with a scented handkerchief was seen as almost laughable, even by a noble like Lady Evan. Perhaps there might be rumors that would spread that Tenere was trying to imitate Empress Beatrice. Some might even remark on the blood that filled half her body.

As Tenere revisited this thought, her heart pounded like it was about to burst out of her chest. The murmur of the ballroom seemed to focus solely on her. She couldn’t bring herself to look at the emperor standing in front of her.

“…Did you make it yourself?”

His eyes, which had a keen glint, lit up. The emperor was looking at her. Tenere nodded slowly, unable to meet his gaze.

The large hand, covered by white gloves, took the handkerchief from her. “Thank you.”

At least he’s preserving my dignity.

Tenere felt grateful that he didn’t toss the handkerchief aside, step on it, or loudly embarrass her. A mixed sound of laughter and voices filled her ears.

“I will return the favor soon.”

The short comment felt like a spring breeze brushing against her heart, but because it was such an unfamiliar feeling, Tenere quickly pushed the contents of his words aside and forgot about them.

***

It had been a week since the imperial party.

“Tenere!”

At an early hour, Lord Evan barged into his daughter’s room without knocking. He may have behaved improperly toward his adult daughter, but propriety didn’t seem to concern him.

“What’s the matter, Father?”

“News… from the palace. A royal proposal.”

“What?”

Tenere was stunned. Seeing her father rush toward her hinted at news that concerned her, but she couldn’t fathom what it might be.

“The Emperor is sending you a marriage proposal, a marriage proposal!”

Tenere couldn’t even fathom what she was hearing. What could the Emperor possibly want with her?

“To… me?”

“Did His Majesty propose to me? Don’t babble, quickly prepare and come downstairs before the official notice arrives.”

He seemed frustrated, giving a brief rebuke before storming out of the room.

Maids hurriedly attended to her.

Tenere changed into a somber gown suited for palace visits and tidied her hair.

A feeling of being out of place overwhelmed her.

Apart from formalities and superficial conversations, her interactions had been limited to the previous year’s hunt and the recent party. All she remembered was awkwardly handing over a handkerchief.

“I will return the favor soon.”

Could this be about that handkerchief?

Or was it like Lord Henleon sending marriage proposals to every young lady in their circle?

Or did her father need the emperor’s backing?

Descending the stairs, Tenere couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. The palace staff formally delivered the marriage proposal.

As Lord Evan returned, he abandoned his calm facade and confronted Tenere.

“What in the world happened? Why would His Majesty… to someone like you, with your meager lineage…!”

Given how he had danced about, attempting to catch the emperor’s eye, his reaction was incomprehensible. But Tenere realized that trying to understand her father was foolish.

All she had to do was respond to him.

“I… gave him the handkerchief,”

Tenere answered quietly, recalling the emperor receiving the handkerchief.

The father pored over the written proposal numerous times, as beautiful calligraphy adorned the paper. Even if the name were someone else’s and not Tenere’s, the content was of no concern.

“Perhaps you knew?”

After scrutinizing the marriage proposal for its hidden meanings, Lord Evan finally spoke. Tenere waited for his next words, clueless.

“His Majesty has… such a unique preference.”

Choosing not to say anything antiquated or disdainful, Lord Evan cautiously altered his words. However, met with Tenere’s silence, he snorted as if he’d expected it.

“Well, you wouldn’t think of such things.”

Silently, Tenere lowered her head. Lord Evan continued.

“Regardless, you are to conduct yourself like an empress from now on. Don’t cause any issues.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Well, you’re good at being quiet, like a flower stuck in a vase. You’ve always excelled at it, haven’t you?”

Lord Evan grumbled. Tenere smiled composedly, as always.