Chapter 14 – Part 10

“Wow… you’re quite fierce.”

Eric muttered as if he liked it. Laura smirked and set her glass down.

“It’s so weird, isn’t it? I have eleven brothers and sisters, how come none of them are like you?”

“…….”

“My brother wouldn’t mind me being beaten to death by the Emperor if it meant I could become Empress if only he could scream at the Emperor to make him squirm.”

As Lauera mocked his brother casually, she remembered her oldest threatening to sell her to an older nobleman if she didn’t become the Emperor’s concubine

Perhaps if he had to choose between the Emperor and his sister, he would choose the Emperor without hesitation.

On the other hand, Eric, without getting married or even throwing away his title, had been protecting his sister all along.

He would tease his sister in front of the Emperor, he would not be too deferential, and he would even call Laura aside for fear that she might harm Tenere.

They might not even be half-blooded.

“…Is it because of that?”

Eric asked, his voice softening slightly. Laura nodded, biting her lower lip.

“I…… should have hit him over the head with a shovel.”

“…….”

“No, honestly, it’s not Marquis who should get punched in the face, it’s that bastard Norten. He’s always telling me, ‘How long do you think you’ll stay young and pretty?’ and ‘I’ll sell you off at a high price before your value drops.’ I really should punch him in the face.”

“Well…… I’m sure Tenere has plenty of needles and thread, you could ask to borrow some.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Laura nodded in satisfaction and raised her glass again.

Her cheeks were already flushed red from the several glasses she’d consumed in quick succession.

Eric set the empty wine bottle down on the table and opened his mouth.

“If it gets really tough, talk to Tenere. She may be quiet, but she won’t stand by if someone messes with her people. Or… well, I’m here too.”

“It’s fine. It’s not something I can’t handle. I told you, I burned all the letters.”

Laura shook her head.

It didn’t really matter how many letters her family sent her, she could just ignore them.

Since she would continue to stay in the palace anyway, she might as well live well on her own without considering her family.

“But it’s just…… lonely. Marriage, well, if it doesn’t work out, you can divorce and remarry, but family is not like that.”

“…….”

“……Anyway, don’t worry, I won’t think anything strange, I’m happy enough with my life now, I’m the nanny of His Highness the Crown Prince, I’m not married yet, and besides, I’m young and pretty.”

Eric couldn’t help but chuckle at the shamelessness in her voice. The second cork was pulled with a popping sound.

“As soon as the Empress’s wedding is over,…… I’m sure the duke’s sons, who never even bothered to look at me, will be dying to talk to me, send me letters, bring me gifts.”

Laura tucked her flowing blond hair behind her ear. She looked quite amused.

“So…… will you accept?”

Laura’s words were no mere delusion.

This was the future emperor’s nanny, the current empress’s closest confidante, and someone who might even receive a title when the prince came of age.

Perhaps at the receptions, there would be a line of people asking her to dance, and afterward, love letters claiming they fell for her, at first sight, would pour in.

How many would try to win her favor with expensive jewelry?

But Laura scoffed at the idea.

“Why should I? I’d just accept the gifts and throw them away.”

“……?”

“You ignored me all this time, but suddenly you’re running after me because I’m a palace nanny? I have eyes too, why would I go to those stuck-up people?”

“But, honestly… isn’t that how things are over there…?”

Just as he was about to say no, a light flashed across Laura’s face. Eric looked back in surprise.

Perhaps it was time for the fireworks display, as fireworks were bursting outside the large window.

“……Oh my.”

Laura let out a small gasp.

Eric stared out the window with his arms draped over the backrest, then turned his head back to Laura.

Her face, reddened by alcohol, glowed intermittently in the light.

“If you like this kind of thing, why don’t we go out now?”

“It’s fine here. I can see well from here. Marquis, come and sit here. It’s painful for your back to stand there.”

Laura said, patting the seat next to her.

Eric hesitated to shake his head, but there was no reason to refuse.

Slowly rising from his seat, he moved to sit a hand’s breadth away from Laura.

“You can see it, right?”

“……Yes.”

Eric nodded in silence.

The firecrackers were scattering like stars in the night sky. They’d probably look better from the garden or the attic.

“…Are you very lonely?”

Eric glanced at Laura, who was staring blankly out the window.

Laura nodded coolly.

“I sometimes think so. Being adopted by a rich, kind, and lonely grandmother.”

“That’s out of the blue.”

“She sends letters every weekend saying she misses me, worries about me meeting strange people, and even though I taunt her for buying gifts, she carries them around all day, even when I can’t sleep, she holds me, and when I take a vacation and go home, there’s a pretty and warm room…”

“Shouldn’t the grandmother be the one taken care of? She must be frail.”

“Ah, why do you light candles to other people’s imaginations? She is an ex-soldier, then. A better fighter than the Marquis.”

Laura grumbled and picked up the bottle again. Eric quickly stopped her.

“Stop now. Your face is already flushed.”

“Why are you nagging me? You’re not my grandmother.”

“What’s with the grandmother? She’s a scammer if she really shows up like that.”

Laura’s lips twitched at the stinging words.

Eric let out a short sigh.

“If you’re so lonely, you might as well come to me, and I’ll share a drink with you.”

“…… Are you flirting with me?”

“Is that the only way you can interpret people’s good intentions?”

Laura didn’t answer. Eric didn’t argue either.

Now that they had run out of things to say, neither of them could go back to their rooms, but neither of them rose.

“Is …… the Marquis all right?”

After a long silence, it was Laura who spoke. Eric looked back at her as if to ask what she meant.

“The Empress is getting married.”

“Oh, they like each other, so getting married is good. What’s not okay about it? Will I be jealous of my sister’s husband then?”

“It’s lonely in this big house, Marquis, if you’re alone.”

Laura looked around the spacious parlor. Eric did not answer.

“I was like that too. The children I raised by personally changing their diapers, catching their vomit, and carrying them on their backs when they couldn’t sleep…… and at some point, they’ve grown tired of me.”

“…….”

“I know it’s inevitable, but it’s kind of sad, because I thought they’d always be on my side.”

It was a long time before Laura’s head dropped onto Eric’s shoulder.

Eric snorted, not even looking at her.

“……ha.”

“…….”

“Who’s hitting on who, now.”

Eric muttered, but there was no answer.

“Look, …….”

“…….”

“Are you asleep?”

Eric glanced at the closed eyes.

Was it an illusion to see the loneliness in her sleeping face?

‘Actually, I think I am a little bit like that, and what I want to say in retrospect is.’

“…… Not really my cup of tea.”

Muttering bluntly, Eric studied the sleeping figure carefully.

From her flushed face to her round forehead, compact features, and small shoulders. Why were these things he had casually overlooked suddenly so close?

After watching her for a while, Eric pursed his lips and turned his head away.

He could hear her faint breathing.

* * *

“I think my …… stomach is going to explode.”

Tenere stepped down from the carriage, her face reddening.

She’d been walking all day, mixing with the crowd and dancing, and her stomach still wouldn’t go down.

It was because of Leonard, who would buy anything that caught her eye.

Skewers of all sorts of meats and dumplings, grilled seafood, beef-filled dumplings and cinnamon-sugar churros, pickled and fried bread, seasonal fruit, and a variety of drinks and beers.

She could probably skip lunch tomorrow.

“If the dress doesn’t fit, it’s all your fault.”

Tenere said in a whiny tone, and Leonard kissed the back of her clenched hand.

“You look so good eating, that’s why.”

Joshua had eaten his fill and was asleep in his father’s arms.

His puffy cheek pressed against his father’s shoulder.

Tenere smiled softly, remembering the flapping of his limbs at the fireworks.

“I’m glad we went, even if Josie won’t remember it.”

“We’ll make sure he does.”

Leonard nodded.

He gave her clasped hand a light squeeze and started toward the mansion.

The servants followed them, carrying their purchases from the night market.

“Do you think it will be like this next year?”

“Really?”

Tenere asked, surprised by Leonard’s words.

She had assumed that once she entered the palace, she would not be able to participate in such festivities.

Leonard touched her hand and said.

“We can make up an excuse and go undercover during the festivities.”

“But… festivals are always busy. You pushed yourself to come out this time, too…”

“It’s what you like to do. What’s wrong with that?”

Despite what he said, there were many incidents during the festival due to the large crowds.

Add to that the fact that the royal family had to be escorted by guards for safety reasons, and it was a hassle for the royal family to go out.

Still, it was a pleasure to be able to say the least.

Tenere shifted in Leonard’s arms as she shifted her feet. Her feet felt unusually light for her heavy body.

“Alaina will be going down to her territory for a while after the wedding.”

“Yes, after all, she receives the title so suddenly.”

“Then why don’t make arrangements……. before then?”

The two entered the mansion, chatting animatedly.

The butler, who had heard of their arrival, greeted them.

“Welcome, Your Majesties”

“And Marquis Evan?”

“He is in the parlor, talking to His Highness’s nanny. Shall I fetch him?”

“No, we’ll go there.”

There was no point in bothering to ask him to come since she was only going to say goodbye and return to the palace anyway.

Tenere and Leonard followed the butler to the drawing room.

Stopping at the large doors, the butler announced their arrival.

“My lord, the Emperor, and the Empress is here”

The butler knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

Shaking his head, Tenere turned the doorknob. The tightly closed door swung open without a sound.

And then.

“……Uh-oh.”

Tenere covered her mouth and let out a small gasp at the sight before her.

The table was littered with empty bottles, glasses, and plates, and Eric and Laura were sitting side by side, leaning against each other, asleep.

Tenere looked at them in bewilderment, then glanced back at Leonard.

“I can’t believe I…… didn’t notice.”

“Neither did I…….”

Leonard muttered, patting Joshua on the back.

Tenere gently grabbed his brother’s shoulder and shook him.

“Brother.”

“……um.”

“You should say goodbye to the Emperor, brother.”

“It’s okay, he must be very tired, but I’ll see him later…….”

It was at that moment that the closed eyelids slowly moved.

When he finally opened his eyes, Eric looked at Tenere and Leonard with a groggy expression.

Then he looked at Laura, asleep against his shoulder, and screamed in surprise.

“What, what, what!”

Eric jerked to his feet, and Laura sprawled on the couch.

His open mouth reeked of alcohol.

Tenere narrowed her eyes.

“Brother, don’t you dare speak to a lady like that…”

“No, lady or not, what the hell, who is this person?”

Eric brushed his shoulder as if he was getting goosebumps.

Laura was still sound asleep.

Eric looked at the scene in disbelief, then turned his head toward Tenere.

“Hey, I see where you’re going with this, but it’s not like that, I told you, I prefer tall and…….”

“It’s okay, brother, how can you only fall for someone who fits your taste?”

“…….”

“Whoever you like is fine with me.”

“Ah, I told you it’s not like that!”

“Shhh, Josie, sleep.”

Tenere brought her index finger to his lips, and Eric blanched, unable to make a sound.

Eric shook Laura’s shoulder as if to tell her to wake up, but she remained motionless.

* * *