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Chapter 13 – So Pathetic
“Ow, my whole body aches…”
Rose groaned, blaming her frail body for the soreness caused by the minimal training she’d done.
“This is why you shouldn’t force yourself with swordsmanship when you’ve never done it before,” her maid chided, her firm massage making Rose’s muscles throb.
Ugh, at this rate, will I even be alive three years from now?
Since returning from Bastia, Rose had yet to put together a solid plan. Even her attempts at sword training had hit a wall due to her weak constitution. She needed to solidify her position in the imperial family quickly, but being stuck in bed only made her anxious.
If I could get the Remigis Knights on my side, that’d be ideal.
She had earned their favor at the launch ceremony, so the possibility wasn’t out of reach.
Lance seems persuadable if I work on him just a little more. And that Hagen guy—he’s rough but simple, right?
Arsene was too unapproachable. She would have to win over his subordinates instead.
As she was buried in thoughts, she noticed a commotion outside. Maids were gathered near the door, whispering excitedly. Snippets of conversation floated in—“so handsome,” “so mysterious.”
“What’s going on?” Rose asked.
“Your Highness, there’s a banquet tonight,” one maid said eagerly.
“A banquet?”
“Yes! His Majesty has commanded all royal family members to attend.”
“His Majesty himself?”
The young maid looked like she could barely contain herself.
“That’s right, Your Highness! His Highness the Second Prince has returned to the palace this morning from his campaign at the border. I think the banquet is to honor his achievements!”
“What?!”
“Oh my, you scared me! Why are you so surprised?”
The shocking news wiped out Rose’s muscle pain in an instant.
Tanasis is back?
Originally, the main character wasn’t supposed to return until autumn, around the time of the Empire’s Foundation Festival. But he was already here. Why? Something felt off.
Did I mess up the timeline by interfering too much?
In the original story, Princess Rose had never stepped outside the palace, let alone attended the launch ceremony. Her unexpected participation could very well have accelerated Tanasis’s return by several months. Rose bit her nails in frustration. She hadn’t secured anything yet, and now a powerful variable had arrived early.
This is bad. What am I supposed to do if a cheat-level main character shows up already?
She knew Tanasis all too well. Raised amidst the power struggles of the royal family, he was incredibly perceptive and decisive—qualities that earned him many followers. He was also the clear successor supported by the pro-emperor faction.
If she showed even a hint of suspicious behavior, she wouldn’t survive. She wanted nothing more than to skip tonight’s banquet.
But I can’t refuse a direct order from the Emperor.
That left only one option: to prepare perfectly. Rose steeled herself like a warrior heading into battle and began getting ready.
—
The banquet was held in the Rose Garden of the Imperial Palace. Compared to the princess’s residence, the imperial palace was grander and more opulent in every way. The Rose Garden was a favorite location of the Emperor’s for hosting intimate royal dinners.
Before entering, Rose lightly slapped both cheeks, trying to relax her stiff facial muscles.
Don’t be nervous, Rose. Compared to everything you’ve been through, this is nothing.
She took a deep breath and straightened her back. The long table in the garden, draped in pristine white linen, welcomed the guests. Elegant candelabras and trays were arranged with precise care. Silver forks and knives gleamed, polished to perfection.
Seated on either side of the central table were the First Empress, the Second Princess, and various distant relatives with blue eyes—a hallmark of imperial blood. The Emperor and Empress’s seats remained empty.
Minutes passed, but the true powers of the imperial family had yet to appear. Rose began to feel hungry and glanced idly around at the chatting royals.
“So she got in just because she’s a half-blood? Does she really think she’s noble like the rest of us?”
Aracne muttered with venom.
“Oh, poor Rose. Not a single person to talk to. Must be lonely at every family gathering, huh, Mother?”
Her jab targeted the fact that Rose didn’t have a mother present. As if flaunting her own, Aracne clung tightly to the First Empress beside her. They were practically eager to torment Rose at every chance.
So pathetic.
Rose tried to ignore them—until the First Empress delivered a cold blow.
“You didn’t need to force yourself to attend, child. I’m sure you feel ashamed of your mother’s crimes.”
“My mother’s crimes?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten. The crime of murdering a member of the imperial bloodline.”
They were dragging up the incident from seven years ago—the poisoning of the First Prince. A precious direct heir to the throne, the First Prince had been found dead the night before his coming-of-age ceremony, killed by poison.
The imperial palace was thrown into chaos. The Emperor launched an investigation, but the matter was quickly buried. Despite the many suspicious circumstances, the Emperor dismissed them all. Rose’s mother, the Second Empress Anastasia de Callon, was sent to a western villa and never returned. Whispers said the Emperor had covered for her because she was the main culprit.
The real killer was someone else, though.
The young Tanasis, suspicious of his brother’s death, had sworn revenge. The novel The Immortal Emperor ended with his successful revenge and ascension to the throne.
“There’s no evidence that my mother poisoned the First Prince. Don’t speak as if it’s fact.”
“What clearer evidence is there than His Majesty casting her out? She even left behind her own daughter. She must’ve desperately wanted to survive.”
“She does have a tenacious will to live—something I must’ve inherited. Right, Mother?”
Rose clenched her fists, struggling to stay calm. Even though the insults weren’t about her actual mother, it was difficult to remain composed.
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
Just in time, the Emperor and Empress arrived, halting the tension. The royals stood in unison to greet the imperial pair with proper ceremony. The Emperor looked around the room as he took his seat.
“The prince hasn’t arrived yet.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I did tell him not to be late…”
“It’s fine, Empress. He’s only just returned to the palace. It’s understandable.”
The Empress looked momentarily troubled, but the Emperor waved off her concern. At his signal, the banquet began. With the Emperor finally present, the royals took the opportunity to raise their proposals.
“Your Majesty, the western regions are becoming increasingly arid. Desertification is accelerating, and famine is spreading. We must provide aid…”
“The regulations on incoming goods should be…”
“There are growing numbers of monsters in the north…”
Rose sharpened her focus. This was her chance to catch up on the political situation. The Emperor responded to the proposals in a bored, disinterested tone. The Empress, on the other hand, hadn’t spoken a word since the beginning.
She had the quiet elegance of freshly fallen snow. Even her mere presence seemed to calm the air around her. In contrast, the First Empress chattered loudly, only emphasizing the Empress’s serene composure.
Well, she is the mother of the main character. That kind of presence makes sense.
The Empress’s silvery-white hair was clearly where Tanasis got his dazzling silver locks.
“Let’s stop here. Are you all trying to exhaust me after I’ve finally shown myself?”
The Emperor, clearly bored, changed the subject.
“There’s much talk about this year’s Foundation Festival. I hear the launch ceremony was a great success—thanks to our two princesses.”
“Thank you, Father,” Aracne chimed.
“I am honored, Your Majesty,” Rose echoed.
The Emperor looked at his daughters with cool eyes.
“I heard from Count Bastia, but I want to hear directly from you. How was the launch ceremony? I heard the ship that set sail was quite impressive.”
“It was splendid,” Aracne answered vaguely.
“The Pontos, when seen up close, had a particularly unique structure,” Rose said, giving a more detailed response.
“The elevated forecastle was quite intimidating. When I spoke to the shipwright, he said it was remarkably sturdy. It seemed suitable even for military use.”
“Is that so? Weren’t ships of that class meant to be trade vessels? Are you suggesting it could serve as a warship?”
“Yes. It retains the strengths of a merchant vessel while also being viable as a warship. Its interior structure is versatile, so I believe it could be used for multiple purposes.”
The other royals murmured in approval.
“Well, if that’s true, the Count has made a highly efficient ship.”
“It’s certainly worthy of being showcased at the festival.”
“I was worried about its odd appearance for nothing.”
The Emperor leaned forward slightly, intrigued.
“Do you believe the ship is worth developing further?”
“With a few improvements, I believe it could indeed ‘walk the seas,’ just as its name suggests.”
“Improvements? What kind?”
“I’ll submit a detailed written report, Your Majesty.”
Rose held back. Even though only royals were present, she couldn’t carelessly discuss the potential flaws of what might become the Empire’s new warship. Besides, the improvements required technical explanations that would be hard to convey verbally. Fortunately, thanks to her past life and the books she had read in Bastia, she was able to combine knowledge from both worlds.
Never thought my memories from a previous life would come in handy like this.
The Emperor seemed satisfied with her thoughtful response.
“Very well. Submit your report later. As for the two princesses—I would like to reward your efforts. Tell me what you want.”
At the mention of a reward, Aracne’s smile grew so wide it nearly touched her ears. She immediately rattled off the names of various rare gems. It was almost impressive how many she remembered.
“And what would the Third Princess like?”
“I…”
Rose was weighing her options carefully—what would bring her the greatest advantage—when a loud announcement cut her thoughts short.
“His Highness, Tanasis Vasca de Callon, Second Prince, enters!”
