Chapter 27
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27.
After a solid week of late nights, I finally managed to open the exhibition without a hitch.
I mobilized trustworthy knights to carefully transport all the exhibits, ensuring not a single flaw marred them.
Though the ticket price for this exhibition was rather steep, I granted permission for anyone regardless of social standing to attend.
The newspapers, responding to Cassian Artez's decision, published articles in a favorable tone for the first time in ages.
[Cassian Artez's Bold Decision! The Anden Kingdom Exhibition—anyone who can procure a ticket may attend.]
[Anden Kingdom Exhibition: Viewing Precautions from the Second Prince's Advisory Office!]
How long has it been since this happened?
An article about Cassian Artez and me was published, and there wasn't a single mention of demons or anything like that...!
As I gazed at the article with unexpected emotion, Cassian Artez burst into laughter.
"How disappointing, Rose. I rather liked that special epithet we shared."
"Please, Your Highness, keep it as your nickname alone."
Despite my firm words, Cassian Artez showed no sign of intimidation as he reached out and adjusted my hair.
His touch was so careful as it brushed past my ear, and the gaze he fixed upon me was utterly serious.
"...Is there another strand sticking out somewhere?"
I asked cautiously, wondering if my stubborn hair had acted up without my knowledge.
The moment I looked up at him, our eyes met directly at close range.
Cassian Artez's hand, which had been arranging my hair, paused for a moment before resuming its movement.
"That couldn't be. Your hair today was arranged by the Countess Attendants."
What was this strange sense of displeasure?
Since I hadn't arranged it myself, there was no reason for it to be careless?
As my sullen mood surfaced on my face, Cassian Artez withdrew his hand.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face, as if my hair—which had become slightly disheveled from work—had been arranged to his liking.
"And since you seem unaware, Rose, I'll tell you."
"Yes...?"
"I find those careless aspects of yours quite endearing."
I stared at him foolishly, my mouth slightly agape.
Was that a compliment or an insult...?
"It's a compliment, Rose."
My superior read my mind as he pleased and offered me his arm.
It was time to head to the exhibition.
*
Since this exhibition of the Anden Kingdom was held to commemorate the national marriage, it was not merely an affair overseen by myself and Cassian Artez, but one attended by the Emperor and other members of the Royal Family as well.
"You seem to have taken considerable care with the details, Cassian Artez."
"The Anden Kingdom and Your Majesty have entrusted me with this responsibility, so I merely did my utmost."
At the Emperor's praise, Cassian Artez responded with uncharacteristic courtesy.
Rarely pleased by his son's answer, which suited his tastes, the Emperor's expression softened somewhat.
"The First Empress also took considerable care in various ways, I'm told."
No, all she did was send Duke Jamoti to interfere and cause trouble.
I felt a touch of grievance as I recalled the late nights of the past week,
"I hardly did anything of great consequence. As an elder of the Imperial Family, I merely filled in the gaps where Third Prince Cassian Artez fell short."
The First Empress smoothly claimed credit for my work while displaying an elegant smile.
"Third Prince Cassian Artez handled all the exhibition piece storage, and my brother and I simply looked things over and offered a few helpful observations."
Of course, she also laid the groundwork for what would happen today.
"Did Cassian Artez follow your lead without causing you trouble?"
"Of course. Third Prince Cassian Artez is always so dignified that there was hardly anything for me to worry about. Your Majesty, really...."
Even as her insides must have been seething, she managed to appease the Emperor with perfect composure.
It was no accident that she had occupied the position of First Empress for over twenty years in this Imperial Palace.
'The fact that she hasn't ascended to the position of Empress despite all that suggests His Majesty is quite the schemer himself.'
After exchanging these pleasantries, positive reactions erupted among the attending nobility.
"My, the First Empress seems to have grown even more compassionate since sending away Third Prince."
"She must be quite distressed, yet she embraces Second Prince as well."
"It's truly heartwarming to see the Imperial Family so harmonious. It puts one's mind at ease."
Though a hint of something showed through.
The hint the First Empress had deliberately planted.
When I suddenly glanced at Cassian Artez, he seemed to share my thoughts, offering a subtle smile as he whispered,
"She seems determined to make me look like an ungrateful wretch."
"Indeed."
"Then I must all the more live up to her expectations."
He answered calmly, then asked the Emperor and First Empress to join him in beginning the exhibition.
Before the gathered journalists, the Emperor, the First Empress, Cassian Artez, and First Prince Charlie stood in a line and performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Then, following the scheduled program, they began touring the exhibition.
Cassian Artez and I took it upon ourselves to serve as guides, alternating our explanations of the exhibition pieces.
About halfway through, Cassian Artez was presenting not an ancient treasure, but the final work left by a renowned sculptor from the Anden Kingdom from about fifty years ago.
"Hmm, there's something oddly unsettling about this."
The First Empress suddenly opened her mouth as if offering an aesthetic observation of the sculpture.
"Is that so?"
"I don't think it's merely because it's a final work."
The First Empress narrowed her eyes and examined the sculpture carefully, then posed another question to Cassian Artez.
"Where did you say the stone used in this sculpture was quarried? I heard it mentioned earlier, but I'd like to hear it once more."
"It's a rare mineral that can only be extracted from the Border Region between the Anden Kingdom and our Empire. It's so scarce that the sculptor himself apparently named the mineral."
"Hmm, yes. It is quite rare."
The First Empress, as if recalling something, directed her words toward Duke Jamoti.
"Brother, didn't you have this mineral at the Duke's estate?"
"Why, yes, Your Majesty the Empress."
The Duke answered as if prepared, yet something seemed to unsettle him greatly—he wiped the perspiration flowing down his forehead with a handkerchief and released a short sigh.
"Your late father, the previous Duke, had a hobby of collecting unusual minerals. Since he was so fond of you, Your Majesty, he even allowed you to play with them—it's only natural you remember."
"Indeed, there's something familiar about it, though I can't quite place it."
The First Empress laughed softly, then her expression grew serious as she spoke again.
"But how peculiar the color of that sculpture appears."
"Might you elaborate on what you mean, Your Majesty?"
When Cassian Artez asked respectfully, as if seeking instruction, the First Empress could not momentarily conceal her satisfaction.
"Third Prince Cassian Artez, do you know why this mineral is called the Paired Stone?"
"Because it only emits a special radiance when it meets a mineral even rarer than itself."
"Precisely. Yet this Paired Stone does not seem to be emitting that special light."
"What do you mean by—"
The First Empress released a short sigh.
"Its color is no different whatsoever from that stone I played with as a child."
"I fail to see how that is strange, Your Majesty..."
Cassian Artez deliberately did not hide his confusion as he questioned the First Empress again.
"If it differs not from the stone Your Majesty played with as a child, then there is nothing amiss, is there?"
"Oh, Third Prince Cassian Artez. I truly should have looked after you better."
The First Empress spoke toward the Emperor as if her heart ached terribly, her tone apologetic.
"The Anden Kingdom shows such contempt for our Empire, yet you fail to even recognize it!"
"Pardon?"
At Cassian Artez's foolish response, the whispers of the nobles swelled instantly.
"In other words, the Anden Kingdom failed to send the stone that should have been paired with this one, correct?"
"It would seem so—we even sent such a precious imperial prince as a marriage partner to the Kingdom, and yet..."
The First Empress then provided the answer to the riddle herself.
"The Kingdom must have had their concerns. However much they may have regarded Third Prince Cassian Artez favorably, the stone that pairs with this one is so rare that even temples possess but a few—it is a sacred stone held in the highest esteem, so they could not send it."
At those words, the Emperor's face hardened visibly.
"I am truly lacking, Your Imperial Majesty. I should have informed you of this beforehand and prevented our Empire's dignity from being diminished before so many."
The First Empress even raised her handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes.
Then, as if all responsibility were hers, she turned her head toward Duke Jamoti.
"Brother, you are equally at fault! I sent you precisely to prevent such matters, yet how could you have been so careless in your duties!"
Under this stern rebuke, Duke Jamoti hastily lowered himself.
"No, that is not so! I went to assist Third Prince Cassian Artez at Your Majesty's command—how could I have been negligent?"
"Then what is it?"
At the First Empress's words, Duke Jamoti answered as if truly regretful.
"The Anden Kingdom, having formed a betrothal with the esteemed Third Prince, could not possibly have shown disrespect to our Empire. This is..."
Duke Jamoti trailed off carefully.
"It is well, Brother. If you have doubts, speak them freely. Is that not so, Your Majesty?"
As the First Empress urged him forward with her encouragement, the Emperor nodded as though suppressing his fury.
Already, the Emperor's gaze toward Cassian Artez had turned lethal.
"Third Prince Cassian, attempting to bury this matter in such a manner! When I first inspected the exhibit and again during my second inspection, that sculpture was emanating a brilliance entirely different from what it displays now!"
"That would mean...."
"Your Highness, I urge you to confess honestly at once. Admit that through negligent stewardship, the sacred stone was stolen!"
Duke Jamoti's voice rang out with unwavering conviction as he made his bold declaration.
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