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Chapter 10
“Is it natural?”
“Huh?”
Sundubu tilted her head mid-bite.
El, who hadn’t expected such a reaction, waved it off, saying it was nothing, and urged her to keep eating.
Having finished a plate, Sundubu then sprawled out lazily.
“You must be tired.”
“Indeed… it’s probably Coppari’s doing, right?”
“Coppari? You’re speaking informally?”
“Hmph, with someone like him, it’s fine to speak casually!”
“That’s right, you know your stuff.”
“Exactly. Hehe.”
Lari, stroking the sleeping Sundubu repeatedly, laughed through her tears.
Though Laella could be violent, she had a refined eye for beauty. Everything she used had to be the highest quality, and she was picky about even minor details.
She insisted on handmade dresses and jewelry, rejecting anything mass-produced. Dresses similar to Laella’s were unthinkable; she would only accept the one-of-a-kind.
The House of Landmiken had enough wealth to make this possible, and even her family, while not as meticulous as Laella, valued quality.
When El married, she brought an enormous collection of dresses and jewelry with her. But until now, El hadn’t cared much, always wearing simple, comfortable dresses, many of which remained untouched in her bag.
With the time to meet the Emperor approaching, she had to pay some attention to her attire. She even organized the dress room, which she’d never noticed before, but to her, they all looked the same—pretty, but slightly heavy-looking.
“Lari, which one do you think is best?”
“They’re all pretty to me.”
Lari knew basic makeup, but El had no intention of wearing any. She asked if sunscreen alone would suffice, and Lari looked puzzled.
Perhaps because Laella was from a desert kingdom, her skin was beautifully tanned and flawless, making sunscreen or makeup seem unnecessary.
“Forget makeup. Just help me pick a dress.”
“Yes, yes!”
The dresses had already been carefully selected by Laella, but Lari admired every choice with sparkling eyes—clearly smitten.
“Are you afraid of me too?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I was wondering if you’re being extra nice out of fear.”
“Of course not! I can’t lie…!”
“…I see.”
“And I only started as a maid in noble houses before coming to the palace. El-sama is very easy to serve. Really.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, absolutely!”
“I’m curious—tell me more about yourself.”
Lari had observed and known everything about her—except for her pre-possession self—but El realized she hadn’t asked anything about Lari herself.
Lari shared excitedly about her ordinary family. Her parents and younger sibling farmed in a rural area, and her sibling studied at the Academy due to being exceptionally bright—a rare privilege, as most commoners couldn’t attend.
Even though over half of Lari’s wages went to tuition, she smiled happily, hoping for her sibling’s success.
“I’d like to visit your hometown someday.”
“Really? There’s nothing to see.”
“That’s fine. I want to meet your parents and praise you.”
“…Thank you.”
The conversation warmed the mood. Time flew by, and they roughly chose a dress, their judgment far from objective.
It was a bright green dress. It looked acceptable yesterday, but today it seemed to suit her quite well, given her striking appearance.
Looking into the mirror, El smiled slightly. The fluttering dress made her heart skip—a scene straight out of a drama, though the only one around to compliment her was Lari.
Sundubu had come early in the morning to watch El change and stared blankly, mouth agape.
“Why that expression?”
“Perhaps she’s smitten with El-sama?”
“Pfft, Sundubu, is that true?”
“Of course! Males are the same, humans or animals!”
“Sundubu is male?”
“…I’ll check.”
Lari had assumed Sundubu’s gender because he was large and healthy, but paused mid-sentence. Approaching him, Sundubu recoiled and ran away.
El, confident since Sundubu obeyed her, called out, “Sundubu, come here!” but he only stayed on guard.
“Sundubu, not coming?”
“…Woof.”
“Don’t you think he understands what we’re saying?”
“Eh, no way. Ah! El-sama! Shudin-sama is here!”
“Oh, I must go.”
Unexpectedly, the steward arrived with a carriage. Without confirming Sundubu’s gender, El approached.
“Please, step inside.”
A knight extended his hand, which El naturally took and climbed into the carriage.
At that moment, Sundubu dashed into the carriage, panting. The knight stopped him. El, seeing him thrown aside, shouted in anger.
“What are you doing!”
“…Eh? But…”
“He’s my dog.”
“Your dog?”
“Yes. Why not?”
The knight looked stunned but quickly closed his mouth at El’s irritated tone.
“…Shudin, may this dog ride with us?”
“…Yes, step inside.”
“Thanks.”
Everyone else looked on as if seeing something bizarre, not kindly. Coming from a barbaric land, they seemed to scorn her for being with a lowly dog.
Sundubu, already battered, was scooped up and checked for injuries. He barked as if okay, and El felt relieved. Still, she needed to scold him.
“Sundubu, don’t dash like that—it’s dangerous.”
“…Woof.”
Even the slight warning made him cower and glance at her for approval. She felt too sorry to say more.
“Were you scared I’d leave?”
Sundubu had never left the palace. Maybe the fear of separation explained his scars.
“Woof!”
“Yes, yes.”
El patted him gently. Lari remarked,
“Sundubu is glued to you, El-sama.”
“…Indeed.”
“If I pet him, he wouldn’t stay this calm.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s unfair.”
“Hahaha, Sundubu! Why’d you upset our Lari?”
“Woof!”
They bantered, but the carriage didn’t announce arrival. The palace seemed vast. When the carriage finally stopped:
“We have arrived.”
Escorted by the knight, they entered. Sundubu followed. Inside, the palace was the height of luxury. Walls were intricately carved and gleaming gold. Even the ornamental plants seemed priceless.
They finally reached the reception room where the Emperor awaited.
“Your Majesty, the Princess Consort has arrived.”
The doors opened, and El stepped in, feeling slightly nervous as she faced him alone—Lari and Sundubu were not allowed in.
Following the etiquette she’d been taught, she lowered her head slightly. The Emperor commanded:
“Raise your head.”
The Emperor had a warm presence, though still imposing as an Emperor should be.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
“Welcome. Please, sit.”
A maid approached with tea. El, unsure why the Emperor wanted to meet first, remained quiet.
“Though I would have liked to dine together, my schedule is demanding. I apologize.”
“It’s fine.”
“Thank you for understanding. Has it already been a month since your marriage?”
“Yes.”
“How is life in the palace?”
“…Mostly good.”
She considered mentioning Coppari but decided not to. Mentioning him first felt like losing.
“I see. Have you met the Second Prince?”
“Once, at the wedding.”
The Emperor hadn’t attended. If he cared, he would have come. Calling him “Second Prince” seemed so distant.
“Since then?”
“…No.”
The Emperor studied her closely. El met his gaze without flinching. He muttered softly:
“I was curious… worried how you would adjust after marrying into a foreign country.”
“Glad to hear you’re doing well.”
“Yes.”
“However, as the Second Prince is failing in his duties, you must work hard. I grant you the authority to manage all affairs of the Lily Palace. Until now, the steward handled them, but now it will be your responsibility.”
Huh? What…?
