ODDEF 07

Lucrezia kept a calm expression and pretended not to notice the hostility Count Johannes failed to hide.

“I heard that Her Majesty wishes to take charge of the inner affairs of the palace.”

The way Count Johannes looked at her felt strangely sharp. It was the look of someone watching a childish daughter who runs to her parents whenever things do not go her way.

“I apologize for not transferring the duties immediately. On our side, we believed that Her Majesty might not yet have the leisure to manage the palace’s inner affairs. Entering the imperial palace alone must have been a great change for you.”

“I understand. But I think I have grown somewhat accustomed to life in the palace now. Isn’t it about time I became involved in the household matters?”

“Yes, I understand your intention. However, forgive me for saying this, Your Majesty.”

Count Johannes’ eyes shone coldly, like a snake’s.

“Speak.”

“The affairs of the imperial palace belong solely to the palace. They are not matters for the Noble Council to interfere with.”

It was an obvious demand: do not report palace matters to the marquis.

Before Lucrezia could respond, the count immediately changed the subject.

“Then let us begin the transfer at once. I have organized everything in documents for your convenience. Here is the list of tasks to be entrusted to Your Majesty. Please have a look.”

“Thank you.”

Lucrezia hid her tension and began reading the document he handed her.

The more she read, the more confused her expression became.

“Count Johannes. This is…”

“Is there a problem?”

He asked smoothly.

She could not answer and looked back down at the paper. The items listed were:

[Regarding the change of wallpaper in the Empress’s palace.]

[Regarding the type of cotton used in the Empress’s bedroom blankets.]

[Regarding the bristle quality of garden brooms.]

[Regarding the color of the servants’ toilet bowls.]

Lucrezia’s eyes filled with disbelief.

All of them were trivial matters. Among these petty issues, not a single one seemed even slightly important. As she read further down, it even felt as if there was an intention to insult her.

“Is this all you are transferring to me?”

“Of course not, Your Majesty. We were concerned that taking on too many responsibilities at once might make it difficult for you to adjust.”

Was this truly the result of their concern?

Lucrezia bit the inside of her cheek as she stared at the ridiculously minor list. If they truly cared about her, they would have entrusted her with work of real value.

Her chest felt tight.

She remembered the message sent that morning by Marquis Zeper.

[At the very least, you must not be excluded from preparing the hunting festival. Absolutely not.]

She closed her eyes tightly, recalling the letter. The word “absolutely” seemed to float before her eyes.

Whenever she failed at something he had emphasized like that, severe punishment always followed. In the worst case, she might not receive the supply of Elnash leaves.

Elnash leaves were an extremely rare medicinal herb, sold exclusively by the trading company controlled by Marquis Zeper. There was no other way to obtain them.

“…There is no need to change the interior decoration of the Empress’s palace. It is fine as it is. More importantly, Count.”

Lucrezia decided to get straight to the point.

“Isn’t the hunting festival approaching?”

“…Ah, yes. That is correct.”

At the mention of the hunting festival, Count Johannes gave a slightly displeased nod.

“It is tradition for the Empress to personally oversee major national events. I know I have not been here long and still lack experience, but I was wondering if I might become involved starting with this event.”

Lucrezia quietly steadied her breathing.

Speaking so actively like this made her feel keenly aware that she was deceiving the imperial family under her father’s orders. The guilt weighed heavily on her.

But unlike her complicated emotions, the reply she received was simple.

“I would not recommend it, Your Majesty.”

A firm refusal.

She was momentarily startled but hid it.

“Not recommend it?”

“The hunting festival is one of the largest celebrations in the Empire. It represents the face of our nation. It would not be appropriate as something to ‘practice’ on.”

Count Johannes smiled smoothly.

“If you wish to host a gathering, perhaps you could begin with a tea party in the Empress’s garden. I hear many noble ladies are curious about you.”

So he was saying the hunting festival was beyond her and that she should stay in the garden and drink tea.

She had expected some resistance, but not something this blatant. The hostility toward a puppet empress seemed greater than she had imagined.

Count Johannes let out a heavy sigh.

“The hunting festival is an important event attended by many foreign envoys. The Empire’s reputation may change depending on how it proceeds. Forgive me, but the scale is quite large. I worry it may be too much for Your Majesty, as you do not yet have such experience.”

This was an even more direct rejection.

The other palace officials also looked at Lucrezia with stiff expressions. They all seemed to agree with Johannes.

“As for experience, I have hosted several banquets myself.”

During the year when a marriage proposal was sent to the imperial family and preparations for the royal wedding were underway, she had hosted several banquets at the Viscount Larenne’s estate under Marquis Zeper’s orders.

When she mentioned this, a cold sneer briefly crossed Johannes’ lips.

“With respect, Your Majesty. Imperial banquets follow traditions and etiquette passed down for generations.”

“….”

“They are quite different from the flashy marquis-style banquets that simply pour in money for show.”

If words had shape, his just now would have stabbed her until she bled.

Lucrezia bit the inside of her mouth.

She was the Empress. Though unfamiliar with high society, she knew it was clearly disrespectful for a subordinate count to speak to her like this.

But authority only has power when people respect it.

Even if she was Empress, she had no real support here. It felt as if she had been thrown into a vast, empty sea.

There was also a limit to relying on Marquis Zeper’s power. Doing so would only intensify the hostility toward her.

‘At this rate, I may fail to carry out Father’s orders.’

As that thought crossed her mind, her chest suddenly tightened painfully.

An unnatural pressure seemed to pound against her heart.

“Count, I understand your concern. However—”

Throb.

A sharp pain struck her chest as if stabbed by a knife. Her vision blurred.

“Ugh…”

“Your Majesty?”

Just before collapsing, Lucrezia reached out to steady herself—at least she thought she did.

Crash!

A loud shattering sound filled her ears.

When she opened her eyes with difficulty, she froze.

A crystal ornament had fallen to the floor and shattered. She must have knocked it over while trying to hold herself up.

“Do not move!”

Count Johannes shouted in alarm.

At that moment, another voice cut through the air.

“What is this commotion?”

Low and indifferent.

Lucrezia felt her shoulders stiffen.

It was the Emperor.

“We greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

Everyone, including Count Johannes, hurriedly bowed.

The Emperor strode toward the area where the crystal shards were scattered. His attendants gasped.

“Your Majesty! Please do not step on—”

“I asked what this commotion is.”

“Th-that is…”

Faced with the sharp question, Count Johannes bit his lip.

Lucrezia swallowed. She had stumbled and broken the ornament. Things were already bad enough.

“Your Majesty, it is entirely my fault!”

Count Johannes suddenly cried out, his face pale.

“I did not realize Her Majesty the Empress would be so displeased. I merely—”

What was he saying?

Lucrezia looked at him in shock.

The sneering expression from earlier was gone. Instead, he looked like a frightened young man startled by gunfire.

The Emperor frowned, irritated.

“Speak clearly.”

“Well… Her Majesty declared she would oversee the hunting festival entirely. When I offered to assist her, she became furious…”

Count Johannes glanced at the shattered crystal pieces.

His look suggested that the angry Empress had thrown them to the floor.

‘What?’

Lucrezia was stunned.

It was true that she had broken the ornament—but everything else he said was a lie.

“The Empress said she would take full charge of the hunting festival?”

The Emperor’s gaze turned to Lucrezia. She quickly defended herself.

“It is true that I said I wished to be involved in the preparations. But I never insisted on taking full control!”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty,” Count Johannes said in a trembling voice, “Her Majesty said that the personnel she would bring from the marquis’ household would be sufficient, and that our help would not be necessary…