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Chapter 22
“Are you pleased with the reward for preparing the event, Duchess?”
The Empress asked the question as the two of them sat alone in a private room.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m very pleased.”
“Hehe, since you considered the previous banquet so special, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of ideas you’ll come up with this time as well.”
The atmosphere was pleasant, but Yurita did not let her guard down. As expected, the Empress soon set down her teacup with a soft clink and began to speak.
“There’s something I’ve heard about you, Duchess.”
‘So it begins? The real topic.’
Maintaining her smile, Yurita listened attentively.
“I heard you’re very skilled at… tarot readings.”
“Pardon?”
“It seems the young noble ladies of the capital rely on you greatly. I heard there’s nothing you don’t know about romance, and that dozens of couples were brought together thanks to you.”
‘Didn’t expect her to ask about tarot.’
“It’s only a modest hobby, Your Majesty.”
“…Would you perhaps read my tarot cards as well?”
“Excuse me?”
‘No way… Is her relationship with His Majesty the Emperor strained? Does she want a love reading?!’
“What is it you wish to know, Your Majesty?” Yurita asked, barely concealing the chaos in her mind.
At that moment, the Empress gestured, and a servant brought over a tray holding tarot cards.
“I’d like to know what kind of cultural festival the nobles would enjoy.”
‘Ah, so that’s the topic.’
Relieved, Yurita finally relaxed her tense shoulders.
That was fortunate. Carelessly saying something about the Emperor’s feelings could easily lead to troublesome consequences.
‘Still, the Empress really is hardworking. Getting a tarot reading about official duties of all things.’
“The nobles still haven’t developed much affection for the new imperial family. I want this festival to change their feelings, even if only a little.”
‘…Well, that makes sense.’
She had only become Empress a year ago. Her rise in status had coincided with the current Emperor Rikard’s ascension to the throne one year earlier.
In short, the Empress wanted to demonstrate her capabilities as Empress and gain the nobles’ recognition.
‘And she’s asking me about it. She’s more humble than I expected.’
“I do not doubt Your Majesty’s abilities in the slightest, but I hope you’ll think of tarot merely as a small aid.”
When the Empress nodded, Yurita shuffled the cards and spread them out in a crescent shape.
The Empress selected three cards.
Five of Pentacles, Seven of Wands, and The Empress.
Yurita smiled faintly.
“The first card is filled with cold winds. It shows that Your Majesty currently carries many worries. However, the card in the center wishes for Your Majesty to plan the festival according to your convictions.”
Her elegant finger pointed to the final card, The Empress.
“If you follow your convictions, the outcome of the festival will be as abundant and joyful as you desire, Your Majesty.”
“…Hoho, Duchess. You truly have a talent for making people feel better. I can see why you’ve gained a reputation as a solver of troubles.”
“You flatter me.”
“…Will you continue to visit the imperial palace from time to time and keep me company?”
“It would be my honor, Your Majesty. Of course I will.”
The two smiled warmly at each other.
Perhaps today, Yurita had gained an extremely reliable ally.
“Before you leave, let’s take a walk around the palace grounds. The gardens are truly beautiful.”
And so Yurita stepped outside and walked beside the Empress through the gardens.
The gardens were so enormous that it felt impossible to see everything even after wandering for an entire day. Some corners were almost maze-like.
“Oh my, Your Majesty the Emperor.”
At that moment, they encountered the Emperor—and another man standing beside him.
Yurita bowed to the Emperor, then slightly raised her head, only to find a familiar face staring directly at her.
“Duchess, what a pleasant surprise to see you here. Is the Duke doing well?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Only then did Yurita meet the gaze of the man who had been glancing at her repeatedly since earlier.
“It’s been a long time, Duchess Killerster.”
“Marquis Heinjak.”
Eustace smiled brightly with his characteristically lively eyes.
“Oh? So you two know each other?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We met at the banquet at the Killerster estate last time.”
“Really? Looking at the two of you together now, you make quite the handsome pair. I almost feel like I should’ve matched you together instead, hahaha!”
“Oh my, Your Majesty. What are you saying in front of the Duchess?”
The Empress quickly scolded him, and the Emperor offered Yurita a gentlemanly apology.
‘Was that some kind of emperor-style dad joke? Haha…’
Yurita laughed awkwardly, but then suddenly locked eyes with Eustace.
‘Why are his cheeks red?’
Apparently, Eustace was the type to blush easily.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t taken a walk with the Empress today. Shall we walk together?”
“Certainly, Your Majesty. Duchess, I’ll see you another time.”
The Emperor and Empress then linked arms and walked ahead together, followed closely by their attendants.
And somehow, Yurita ended up quietly walking side by side with Eustace.
For a while, the only sound between them was the crunching of gravel beneath their feet.
Yurita glanced up at the unusually silent Eustace, and their eyes met.
“Pfft.”
Embarrassed by her gaze, Eustace laughed awkwardly, and Yurita smiled as she spoke.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Oh, nothing. I just realized I kept walking in silence. Sorry.”
“You seem deep in thought.”
“How did you know?”
“Your footsteps felt a little heavy.”
“The Duchess is remarkably perceptive.”
With eyes as clear and refreshing as the sea, Eustace continued.
“I’ve been helping His Majesty the Emperor with some matters. Since it’s my first time frequently entering the imperial palace, honestly… it’s a bit burdensome.”
Since Eustace had only recently received his title, he likely still wasn’t accustomed to noble life. After all, he had spent his entire life as a soldier.
Suddenly, Yurita remembered Eustace’s role in the original story, and her chest tightened slightly. He had struggled so much trying to protect the heroine, Helena.
“But I truly didn’t expect to see you here today, Duchess.”
“Ah, I’ve started helping Her Majesty the Empress with some work as well.”
“I’m curious what kind of work.”
“It’s nothing major. She asked me to come up with ideas for an event to be held at the detached palace during the festival.”
“Do you already have any ideas in mind?”
“Well… not really yet.”
“For some reason, I feel like you’ll create something incredibly special. I’m looking forward to it.”
‘Ah, he’s so kind.’
There was a reason Eustace had earned the label of “gentleman.” The warmth he radiated made Yurita feel as though she were wrapped in a blanket.
Then Eustace hesitated slightly before speaking.
“If you have time during the festival… would you come watch the performance by the naval honor guard I belong to?”
“The honor guard?”
“Yes. We perform tricks like tossing and spinning rifles in the air.”
For a moment, Yurita hesitated.
It wasn’t because she disliked the idea of watching the performance.
There was another incident she had been constantly worried about during the festival.
‘The incident where Zachary and Eustace duel.’
In the original story, the two got into an argument at the harbor, which escalated into a sword duel. Just as Zachary was about to completely overwhelm Eustace, the heroine Helena intervened to stop them. Helena scolded Zachary and treated Eustace’s wounds. Witnessing that scene caused Zachary to spiral further into darkness and descend deeper into villainy.
‘It’s a little childish, but that incident becomes the turning point where Zachary really starts going astray.’
That was why Yurita’s focus during this festival was simple: she absolutely had to keep Eustace and Zachary from meeting. At the very least, she had to prevent them from fighting.
“You can come with Duke Killerster as well.”
When her silence dragged on, Eustace added gently.
“No! Absolutely not!”
Startled by her sudden outburst, Eustace looked flustered, and Yurita quickly regained her composure.
“I’ll come by myself, Marquis.”
As Yurita forced a smile, Eustace’s startled expression disappeared, replaced by a bright grin.
“That’s a relief. Thank you for accepting. I’ll have to practice hard.”
While Yurita smiled awkwardly, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.
“Oh, right. I saw Lady Helena earlier when I was meeting Her Majesty the Empress. Did the two of you talk today?”
Since Eustace supposedly liked Helena, Yurita thought it would be useful information for him. Since they were already at the same place, wouldn’t it be nice if they met?
“Lady Helena…?”
A question mark practically appeared on Eustace’s face.
“Who… is Lady Helena?”
Huh? What did he just say?
