Chapter 39

On a morning when the spring atmosphere was in full bloom in the city of Schendal, a murmur of anticipation filled the air. As the royal physician stepped out of the empress's room, he noticed the emperor walking down the corridor with a calm demeanor and bowed deeply, stepping aside. He hesitated to speak, as the emperor's face was too bright to deliver the unfortunate news. The tall emperor quickly reached him in just a few steps. The physician, confirming the emperor's shoes stopped in front of him, bowed even deeper.

"Your Majesty, this humble servant Roland greets the sun of the empire, His Majesty the Emperor."

"Seems like I see you often these days. I heard that the empress is pregnant. Is it true?"

Recalling the disappointed expression of the empress dowager from a moment ago, the physician, whose hands were sweating, clutched his medical bag tightly. His waist bent so deeply it seemed to be digging into the ground.

"That... I am deeply ashamed, but it does not appear to be the case, Your Majesty."

"Ah... Is that so? What a pity."

Fortunately, the emperor's reaction was less severe than that of the empress dowager. The emperor, who had been looking at the tightly closed door of the empress's room, raised one eyebrow.

"Is the empress seriously ill?"

"No, she is in good health."

"In that case, there's no need for me to go in there, is there?"

Uncertain of how to respond, the physician hesitated for a moment before stammering.

"The empress dowager is inside, but if Your Majesty were to comfort Her Majesty personally, it would be a great comfort to the empress."

Before the physician could finish, the emperor shook his head.

"Hmm. If I go in, the empress might be comforted, but I'll have to endure a lot of nagging. Hmm..."

The emperor, who had been staring at the ornate and antique door decorated with cream and gold, smiled and lifted the corners of his mouth.

"Decision made. I'll turn back. Since the empress isn't ill, there's no need for me to comfort her."

Without waiting for a response, the emperor turned and disappeared down the corridor, walking calmly and quickly. The attendant who followed the emperor, Leopold Volstark II, spoke worriedly.

"Your Majesty, shouldn't you go in and see the empress?"

Leopold shook his head, waving his index finger in the air.

"No, no. If I go into that room, will I even be able to say a word to the empress? I'll just have to listen to my mother's nagging until my ears bleed. It's better to take a walk in the garden than to enter a clearly visible hell. At least my ears will survive."

Leopold, with his hands behind his back, hummed a tune as he left the empress's quarters. Lifting his head, he saw a clear blue sky above him. It was a day too beautiful to waste by listening to his mother's lectures about producing an heir. A smile spread across his face as he walked towards the fountain that was rising majestically. Despite the unfortunate news, Leopold felt unusually cheerful today, even greeting the old and unwelcome Baron Ulrich Chamberlain with a smile.

"Good to see you here, Baron."

"Your humble servant Chamberlain greets the sun of the empire, Leopold Volstark II, Your Majesty."

"Are you here to see my mother?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I was taking a walk in the garden while waiting for you to arrive at the empress's quarters."

"Our paths have crossed. A word of advice, Baron: my mother's mood seems particularly bad today, so it might be best to return after your walk."

Baron Chamberlain's frown deepened, as if he had some idea.

"What a pity. I offer my condolences, Your Majesty."

Indeed, Ulrich Chamberlain was known for his quick wit. Leopold couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Haha. You really know everything."

"I am deeply ashamed, Your Majesty. The empress dowager has been very hopeful for the past few days."

"Even my husband, and yet the baron knew days in advance. No wonder I can't help but admire your abilities. If anyone calls you old, please pass on my words."

After a hearty laugh, Leopold walked into the middle of the garden, where flowers were in full bloom. The larkspurs in full bloom greeted him throughout the garden. Leopold smiled as he looked at the vibrant flower bed of white and purple.

"Petra would have loved this. What a shame."

Baron Chamberlain, standing behind Leopold and looking at the flower bed, seemed slightly surprised and glanced at the back of the emperor's neck.

"Are you still thinking of Lady Butain? I heard you haven't visited her territory..."

"Distanced. My mother caused a scene, so I'm just keeping my distance. In a world surrounded by pretense and lies, where can I find a woman as honest as Petra?"

"She was a good woman. If she hadn't fallen out of favor with my mother, it would have been nice to keep her closer. My mother is really quite harsh, chasing her away like that."

"That is not appropriate, Your Majesty."

Lady Petra Butain was a woman who had committed a grave offense against the royal family and was expelled. Despite the emperor's deep affection, she was still granted a vast territory. Recalling the humiliation he endured because of that land, Chamberlain clenched his cane tightly to resist the urge to strangle someone.

"Your Majesty, Lady Butain dared to blame Your Majesty for her shortcomings and received excessive favor. It is shameful to hear, so please retract your words about the empress dowager being harsh."

"Serious, aren't you? Honestly, it was a reasonable thing for her to say. She couldn't have children with her deceased husband, but not with me. It's natural for her to think there's something wrong with me..."

"Your Majesty!"

Chamberlain knew it was disloyal to interrupt the emperor, but he couldn't bear to hear more. The expressions of the attendants and knights a few steps away hardened. Chamberlain, approaching the emperor with his cane, lowered his voice so no one else could hear.

"Problems with Your Majesty? That is a statement you must never make. You are not just a commoner but the emperor of this empire. How can you say such a despicable thing? My old heart nearly sank."

Despicable? What a joke. Who doesn't know what the nobles are saying about the emperor who hasn't produced an heir at twenty-six? A bitter smile appeared on Leopold's face. The woman his mother chose to sit on the current empress's throne was from one of the twelve duchies, the 'Laninggen Duchy.' Tracing back, they might be cousins of cousins. She was chosen for two reasons. The first was to place one of the remaining twelve duchies by his side to cut off the seeds of rebellion early. The second was that her family was the one among the surviving twelve duchies that had produced the most sons. However, despite his mother's efforts, the empress has not had a child in seven years of marriage. The concern was not limited to the empress. No woman the emperor had been with had produced a pregnancy. This was not without some basis for Petra's suspicions. Leopold reached out and broke a white larkspur stem. Twirling the stem between his fingers, he smiled and turned to Chamberlain.

"While we're on the topic, I should go and confirm."

"Confirm what, Your Majesty?"

Leopold, who had placed the flower in the baron's chest, pushed back his golden hair from his forehead and said,

"Whether there's a problem with me. I'll know if I meet Petra and make a proper effort."

***

When I woke up in the morning, my throat was tight, contrary to my expectation that everything would be better. My throat was definitely swollen. My legs ached, and my arms wouldn't move easily, indicating I had a cold.

"Ha... So, it finally shows after all that walking."

After all, the distance from Brabant Hall to here is considerable. Digging through the dusty archives and sleeping in an uncomfortable position, it's no wonder I'm not feeling well.

"Ouch."

I lifted the towel on my forehead with my weak, trembling arm. It seems Muriel visited during the night. Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the bedroom door.

"Yes, come in."

I thought it would be Muriel or Anton, who was brought by Muriel, but surprisingly, my husband, Duke Richard, entered.

"What brings you here so early in the morning?"

"A doctor is waiting outside. Should I let him in?"

"...Yes."

Although his tone was more polite than usual, I felt a distance, but I didn't have time to dwell on it. After Anton finished the examination and left, I was stunned by the incredible news Daniel brought.

"Really? The Boild family is arriving today? And the Updyke Marquess's entourage too?"

What should I do? The preparations for Skadi Hall are not complete yet. And the Updyke Marquess is coming! Where will he stay? What about the bed?

"Good heavens."

Frida let out a cry and clutched her hair with both hands.

"Then we need to prepare a welcome banquet for tonight. Adele is extremely nervous. She's never made such fancy food for nobles before and is very worried."

There's no time for this. First, I need to prepare the room for the Updyke Marquess's entourage. But there's no bed... I'm going crazy. Where can I get a bed by tonight? As I tried to get up, the dizziness made me sit back down on the bed.

"Calm down, my lady."

Daniel's calm attitude was particularly annoying today.

"How can I calm down? There's no bed for the Updyke Marquess's entourage in this castle. We only bought two beds for the Boild family."

"I've already asked Dominic to move one of them to another room in Skadi Hall. We can only hope the Boild couple will understand for now."

"Ah... Well done."

Frida, who had crawled back onto the bed, leaned against the headboard, dazed. Perhaps because he had solved one of the most pressing issues, an absurd question slipped out.

"So... What else do I need to do?"

Despite this ridiculous question, Daniel answered with an unusually calm expression.

"Nothing. You don't need to go out to greet them. I can handle it alone, so you should rest more. I've also instructed to keep the banquet simple, so you only need to be present."

"But..."

"I have one request, though."

"What is it? Just say it. I'll help with anything I can."

"Something only you can do."

Only I can do? Is there such a thing? Frida looked up at Daniel blankly.

Wearing a dark but more ornate jacket than usual, he looked exceptionally handsome this morning.

"As the Duchess of Richard, you should greet them with dignity and grace."

Of course. Despite my appearance, I received rigorous education from a governess of the prestigious Harkbon family.

"As the lady of the Schheim Castle and in a higher position than those arriving today, you should receive them with composure."

It sounds grand, but I can do it. After all, who is more composed than Lady Frida?

"Is that all?"

After an uneasy silence, Daniel spoke quietly.

"If possible..."

There was a slight tremor in his voice, which I tried to dismiss as a mere illusion.

"Could you be as affectionate as possible towards me?"

But it wasn't.

"...What?"

"Especially in front of the Updyke Marquess's entourage, be more bold and proactive."

Bold? Proactive? What does he mean?

"You can touch me too."