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Chapter 46
The Thornbush Witch (1)
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The promised day had dawned.
Although she had only been invited to a simple tea time in the afternoon, because it was an audience with the Empress of the Empire, Berenice began preparing early in the morning.
The Marchioness, uneasy at the thought of her newly adult daughter being summoned to such an imposing place, personally helped her dress and repeated her warning several times.
“Never give a definite answer, and never make any promises.”
Berenice, who was of the same mind as her mother, nodded obediently and boarded the carriage sent by the Empress.
As the Imperial Palace drew closer, Berenice tore her gaze from the carriage window and took a deep breath.
Today’s most important goal was to enter the Imperial Library.
She recalled Kaiden’s words that As, his assistant, was “searching the library until his eyes fell out,” since people would find it odd if she were the one hiding away there.
“He was top of his class all through the Academy and graduated first in the final exams, didn’t he?”
No one would question someone like that spending all day buried in the Imperial Library—an ideal cover, really.
“Milady, we’ve arrived.”
While Berenice reviewed her plans in her head, the carriage came to a stop.
Guided by the attendant who opened the door, she made her way toward the Empress’s private garden. After passing through a still-barren flower garden, she arrived before a grand glass conservatory.
The glass garden, which allowed flowers to bloom even in the depths of winter, was said to be a relic from the Age of Magic—handed down through generations of empresses, each serving as its keeper.
“Please walk straight along the path inside.”
The glass garden was a place only those with permission could enter.
The small, thin magical token handed to her by the attendant served as proof of that permission. Even attendants themselves could not step inside without such a token.
Of course, the servants’ tokens were far cruder, restricting their movement to designated areas.
Tokens for guests, however, were classified by rank—and Berenice’s was just one step below the highest level, allowing access to all areas except the Empress’s private chambers.
“That’s… excessive.”
At face value, it meant she was a highly honored guest—but something about it unsettled her too much to feel pleased.
“Be careful.”
Recalling both her mother’s warning and Kaiden’s advice to stay cautious, Berenice took a steadying breath and stepped inside the glass garden.
Within, birds and butterflies fluttered among brilliant flowers and trees—the very epitome of splendor.
Flowers of every season bloomed together in defiance of nature itself, dazzling the eyes.
Berenice stood at the entrance for a moment, lost in awe, before gathering herself and walking slowly along the straight path ahead.
How vast could it possibly be?
After walking for what felt like an eternity down the seemingly endless path, she finally spotted a white marble gazebo.
Five columns carved with intricate vines supported its domed roof, and within, seated gracefully, was the Empress herself—waiting for Berenice.
“Greetings to the sole glory of Egonid.”
“Welcome, Lady Wiltiera. I’ve been expecting you.”
Smiling warmly, the Empress patted the seat beside her to invite Berenice to sit.
Warm tea, sweet confections, the fragrance of flowers teasing her nose, and birds chirping softly—it was a scene so idyllic it felt unreal.
A gentle breeze, impossibly warm for winter, wrapped the moment in false perfection.
But Berenice could not enjoy any of it.
The reason was simple—the Empress had been holding her hand the entire time, continuing their conversation.
Whether out of genuine curiosity about the Wiltieras or careful preparation for this very moment, her questions never stopped.
Some were meaningless; others cut dangerously close to the bone.
Berenice had to maintain constant vigilance so as not to make a single mistake—all while keeping her outward expression soft and pleasant.
“Oh my, I’ve been talking far too much about myself.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. Listening to you has been a delight.”
“I must admit, I didn’t expect I’d enjoy talking to you even more than to the Marchioness.”
“I’m honored.”
Berenice couldn’t even lift her cup, her hand still firmly clasped in the Empress’s.
Whether the Empress was aware of that or not, she smiled brightly and asked again:
“Since the banquet, the young Count Blaze hasn’t been bothering you, has he?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
“That’s a relief. I actually summoned him for a little talk. I told him that since the engagement wasn’t broken for any good reason, continuing to act obsessed would only bring harm to both families.”
“I didn’t realize Your Majesty was so concerned for me. Thank you.”
“Oh, I just couldn’t help myself. Your situation tugged at my heart.”
“Your kindness humbles me.”
What is she setting up for with this kind of talk?
Berenice tensed internally.
“By the way, you’ll need to look for another suitor now, won’t you?”
“…That’s not something I’ve been thinking about yet.”
“It’s not urgent, of course. But since you’ve come of age, it’s never too early to start looking carefully, don’t you agree?”
The Empress’s overly direct tone raised another wave of suspicion in Berenice’s mind.
Before her regression, the Empress she had known was a master strategist—every move she made had tightened a noose around Berenice’s neck.
But this woman? She seemed almost… shallow.
Why did she feel like a completely different person from the Empress she remembered?
It couldn’t just be the passing of years that had turned her into such a cunning schemer in the previous timeline. There was something fundamentally different here.
“I truly hope you’ll meet someone kind and warm, my dear.”
“Your Majesty’s sentiment means a great deal to me.”
“You don’t already have someone in mind, do you?”
“…No, I don’t.”
“Then would you allow me to help you find someone suitable?”
“May I ask why Your Majesty shows me such generosity?”
The Empress paused, thinking for a moment, before answering with an awkward smile.
“Oh, sometimes you just… take a liking to someone for no particular reason, don’t you think? I suppose you’re simply that kind of person to me.”
Could it be that someone else is feeding her these moves?
The thought struck Berenice suddenly.
If someone were advising the Empress behind the scenes, the contrast between this version and the other could make sense.
Still, she decided to tuck the idea away for now.
If the Empress truly had a “mind behind the throne,” the Emperor—who tolerated no threats to his authority—would never leave such a person alone.
The Emperor spares no one who covets his power. If someone like that were near the Empress, he would have quietly removed them long ago.
So for now, she would simply keep that suspicion buried—not erased, but noted—because she knew all too well that the world didn’t always move according to her logic.
“Mother, you called for me—oh, I didn’t realize you had a guest.”
It was then that a youthful voice broke in.
Berenice turned toward it. Standing there, visibly startled, eyes darting between her and the Empress, was the Third Prince, Ashad.
Unlike the Empress, who had orchestrated this, or Berenice, who had half-expected it, Ashad’s reaction was pure, unfeigned surprise.
“Ashad, you’re here.”
“Mother…”
“I suddenly remembered you mentioned a book you wanted to find. I thought Lady Wiltiera might be able to help, so I called you.”
“Th-that was, um, I thought Your Majesty would…”
“Ashad.”
“…My apologies. I must have forgotten to ask Lady Wiltiera about it.”
As the Empress’s firm tone silenced him, Ashad hunched his shoulders like a scolded child.
Watching him, Berenice couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy rise in her chest.
And then, quietly, she opened her mouth to speak.
