Chapter 67
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Chapter 67
Dale stared at the pouch Enya had given him—a month's worth of contract fees, just in case.
Her purse, housed in an expensive box from the Imperial Palace, was displayed like a work of art.
"Then perhaps it's time Your Majesty stopped sending messages through intermediaries and met with her directly, using a birthday gift as the occasion."
"So you're saying I should corner her now that she's returned home with nowhere left to run."
Dale's response was skeptical.
"She's not a woman who can be caught through pressure."
"Quite right, Your Majesty. I'm not suggesting you rely on your position. But there are ways to approach her gently while still demonstrating the power you possess as Emperor."
"What are you thinking?"
Soho had been Dale's Aide for quite some time now.
There was at least enough trust that he wouldn't speak nonsense. As Dale turned to face him, Soho stepped closer.
"The Lockhart Family has held annual charity events to foster camaraderie among the rising nobility."
"True."
"This year, the House Lockhart will be holding a charity bazaar as well. What if Your Majesty were to attend and elevate the status of Adeline?"
Dale's eyebrows rose at his words.
"It's widely known that Adeline has been secluded. Those who matter are aware that Your Majesty issued an imperial edict naming her Empress. Yet no word of a marriage has spread. It's been a long time."
"...."
Dale was aware of this himself. But he had no desire to pressure Enya further.
"Even those who weren't concerned initially are beginning to express worry. Some are even speculating that the bond between Your Majesty and the Lockhart Family has weakened."
"...."
"Therefore, we humbly suggest Your Majesty attend for the sake of the Imperial Family's and House Lockhart's trust in one another. If you do!"
"Within an hour, everyone in the realm will know of it."
The other Aides who had been silent until now joined in urging him forward.
"Moreover, if that happens, it will be difficult for Adeline to refuse Your Majesty. If she rejects your proposal after you've publicly shown affection and made clear this is no mere political marriage, what then?"
"The shame won't fall on Your Majesty—it will become a question about Adeline herself."
"If that occurs, House Lockhart will have no choice but to support the marriage to protect their daughter."
"If you've grown close to Adeline as a man, then as Emperor you must now deepen your ties with the Lockhart Family's heir. I dare say that is the proper way to proceed with such a courtship."
Dale listened silently to the Aides' fervent arguments, then closed his eyes.
It was a firm expression of disapproval—this was not the right approach.
He could not face Enya. Not yet.
"Since I cannot reveal my face, that method is rejected."
"But that's precisely why masks exist in this world, is it not?"
Getty, who had slipped back in with a sly grin, retrieved something from a corner of the office.
"A mask?"
What Getty had produced was indeed a mask.
"Why must you assume your face must be revealed?"
It was a mask he wore only occasionally when it was absolutely necessary for public appearances.
Getty shook his head.
"You may use a faster, safer, and simpler method, Your Majesty."
* * *
"Done!"
Thump!
I sealed the final invitation with wax and pressed the Lockhart Family seal firmly into it.
A grand tree symbolizing the Greenhouse stood at the center, with vines coiling up around it—the coat of arms.
Behind it, a pair of crossed swords depicted an ancient pattern that only House Lockhart was permitted to use as their exclusive seal.
I opened the window wide and let the smoke from melting the wax drift outside.
"Ahhhhh!!!!"
Finally finished. Done!
I had written two hundred letters by hand to send invitations to the charity bazaar our family was hosting.
This wasn't a letter written with joy for an invitation—it was a punishment.
A punishment my mother had given me.
The reason I called only her "Mother" was because she was the most terrifying presence in our household.
"Oh my! Young Miss! Are you all finished?"
"My fingers feel like they've grown about two centimeters thicker. Look at my fingers."
I wiggled my fingers like tweezers, and Emma laughed.
"Congratulations on your escape."
"But it seems like I can't actually escape this house quickly, does it?"
"It seems impossible to even assume you could slip away from the Duke and Duchess's eyes."
"Is it that intense over there too?"
Emma nodded definitively.
After returning to the Duchy Estate, everyone welcomed me, but on the other hand, sharp, suspicious gazes followed me everywhere.
As if...
"Like they're watching to see when I'll run away, anxiously waiting for it. Am I being oversensitive?"
"It seems like you're not."
Emma shook her head.
"The Duchess strictly ordered that everything the Young Miss does be reported without exception."
"Does that include you too?"
"Sadly, Emma has fallen out of the Duchess's favor? The Duke already knew that I was the one who helped the Young Miss escape. It seems he's already told the Duchess about it."
"Father would have known anyway."
I sighed.
That Duke Lockhart.
The famous Marcus Lockhart, known as the Emperor's right hand and the greatest swordsman of our age.
I knew that even though I had studied the original work and planned my escape route in advance, Father had turned a blind eye to it to some extent.
In the original work, he was such an Emperor fanatic that he even earned the derogatory title of "the Emperor's lapdog," but in the end, the entire Lockhart Family was executed.
In other words, it meant that in the end, she would take her daughter's side and lose her head for it.
I took Emma's hand and patted it gently.
"Emma. You've been through so much, haven't you?"
"Yes. Emma has worked so hard. Sniff sniff."
"I'll compensate you with money."
"Sniff sniff. Emma only needs Miss to be here! ...But since it's Miss's kind gesture, I won't refuse! Thank you so much, Miss! Hehe."
"...."
It was Emma who had suggested bringing in a male live-in companion to facilitate my smooth runaway life.
Emma was my assistant who understood many problems that could be solved with money.
"This person should come."
I found and picked up the invitation I had written to the Portnum Viscounty.
The Portnum Viscounty was the family that possessed the Memory Flower.
"...But if it's a flower cultivated with dragon poison, wouldn't eating it cause instant death?"
According to Emma, the Memory Flower was a special flower cultivated from the poison of the last dragon that had died long ago.
"It should be fine."
"You're certain?"
"...Probably?"
"Your smile looks suspicious."
But recovering memories was something difficult even with magic.
"More importantly, Miss! The bazaar is the first time you'll be showing your face in High Society!"
"Right. Mother is trying to make me known so she can keep me under her thumb."
"As expected of you, Madam. You don't seem stricter than the head of the house, but they say you're actually the most terrifying one."
"Sigh...."
It had been almost two weeks since I last saw Dale. Time had passed incredibly quickly.
"Dale must be worried. Emma, haven't you received a reply from Dale?"
"I haven't received anything yet. Since Miss has been struggling from not seeing him, wouldn't he be the same? Perhaps he's busy with family matters right now."
"That's right. I suppose...."
As I nodded, I felt something off.
"But Emma. It seems you've taken a liking to Dale."
"Me?"
"Yes. You've been using such formal language. Just like you do with our family."
"Emma is a well-mannered servant! After all, he's Miss's husband, so it would be rude to address him casually!"
Emma smiled brightly and gathered the invitations.
"Then I'll go send out the invitations."
Click.
The door closed and I was left alone in my room.
"Sigh...."
It was a spacious and lovely room, yet it felt unfamiliar. Was it simply because I hadn't been here in so long? Or was it because Dale wasn't here?
"Isn't this strange, Dale?"
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