RTP 06

Chapter 6

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It had been about four days since I began living in Glacies Castle.

Thanks to Asha’s attentive care and the priest who checked on me twice a day, my body was recovering quickly. But my heart was far from at ease.

The entire castle was busy preparing to receive His Majesty the Emperor and his delegation. The more time passed, the heavier my unease grew.

I doubted whether I could fulfill the role of the Grand Duke’s fiancée properly, and I doubted myself.

Even without strength, if I have the courage to take one step forward…

I repeated those words to myself whenever anxiety threatened to overwhelm me. My ability to hear the voices of trees was useless in welcoming the Emperor.

And since I didn’t even know what cards Russell held, recklessly revealing my own would have been foolish.

I still wasn’t certain if he was a good man or a villain.

The difference from life in the Duke’s household was that, no matter how hard I listened, I couldn’t hear anyone speaking ill of me. The castle was simply too busy.

Perhaps he silenced them beforehand. That would make sense.

But the simple absence of scornful looks or words of hatred was enough to bring me peace.

When I lived in the Duke’s estate, my sister always mocked and belittled me. I was constantly worried about offending the Duchess, to the point that my stomach hurt from the stress.

That didn’t mean I had done nothing for the past two days.

Russell had been visiting me regularly.

“Straighten your back, consciously. Shoulders back. Keep your lower stomach firm, don’t relax it.”

Most of the time, I practiced walking with my arm linked through Russell’s in the reception hall where we would greet His Majesty. He corrected the angle of my steps, taught me how to walk gracefully without bending my waist.

Of course, I had received basic lessons in etiquette back at the Duke’s house, but since I had never once received an invitation to any event, I never had a chance to apply them. I had forgotten most of it, so I had to start from the basics again.

“Like this?”
“Excellent.”

To my surprise, he was not stingy with praise. He said he only gave compliments or criticism strictly based on fact.

And so three more days passed, and on the seventh day—

His Majesty the Emperor arrived at Glacies Castle. Russell had prepared in advance to greet him, and aside from Asha and two attendants helping me dress, everyone in the castle was mobilized to receive the delegation.

I had risen before dawn. I bathed in lukewarm water scented with oils, and Asha applied camellia oil to my hair.

She gave me a light makeup—just enough not to feel heavy—and dressed me in a gown that didn’t cling tightly to my body. Finally, she put me in low-heeled shoes so I wouldn’t have trouble walking.

When my preparations were finished, Asha clapped her hands with an emotional little cry.

“Perfect! My lady.”
“R–Really?”
“Yes! You are truly beautiful.”

I had no way of checking, but hearing the compliment made me feel shy. Just as I was about to rise from the chair with my cane, a knock sounded.

Before I could answer, the door opened, and a familiar presence approached.

“All ready?”
“Yes! She can meet His Majesty as she is.”
“Good. Let’s go.”

I rose, taking Russell’s offered hand, now so familiar.

Tap, tap. The sound of my cane striking the floor echoed unnaturally in the silent corridor.

Russell walked beside me without a word. Each of his steps rang out against the floor.

The result of all our practice was clear: walking arm-in-arm with him down to the reception hall felt almost natural.

And yet, the thought of meeting the Emperor made my fingertips tremble slightly.

Will it really be alright for me to meet His Majesty?

Just as unease welled up again, Russell snapped his fingers before my face.

It was a signal to halt before the reception room doors. I stopped.

He whispered to me quietly.

“Don’t be nervous. Even before His Majesty.”
“Aren’t you nervous, Lord Russell?”

Perhaps he had noticed the trembling in my fingers. He clasped the hand that was hooked into his arm with his free hand.

Warm…

My chilled fingertips thawed in his heat. That alone loosened some of the tightness inside me.

“His Majesty is the ruler of the Empire, yes.”

I heard him chuckle softly.

I was certain—he must be smiling with that confident expression of his.

“But the North is my domain. Meeting him here is no different from walking through my own garden. Why would I be nervous?”

Such astonishing confidence.

Where did it come from, I wondered.

But right now… I want to lean on that confidence.

The Emperor was the most exalted being in the Empire. I had never, in this life or the previous, had even the slightest chance of meeting him.

Perhaps sensing my continued nerves, Russell spoke again.

“Hold on tightly to my arm. Even before His Majesty, you are still my betrothed.”
“…Alright.”

I drew a deep breath. Once the door opened, it would no longer be practice—it would be real.

Russell knocked twice, precisely, and the hinges creaked as the doors opened.

The first thing I noticed was the warmth of the air, far different from our practice. The reception hall had been heated so thoroughly that the air felt dry on my skin.

It was quiet. I could sense a presence in the distance—it was the Emperor.

The attendants and soldiers must have been dismissed.

Tap, tap. I counted my steps silently, keeping my back straight just as Russell had taught me.

Twelve.

At the end of the count, I stopped, set my cane against the sofa, lifted my skirts, and bowed my head.

“I am Fianna of House Lucianos.”

No response came immediately.

Was he looking over my appearance? Or had I made some mistake in my bow?

No—that sharp instinct told me His Majesty’s gaze was fixed on my eyes.

Then the Emperor spoke.

“…A pleasure, Lady Fianna. Forgive me for summoning you on such a long journey.”

His voice was calmer, gentler than I had expected.

So this is His Majesty’s voice…

I had imagined something far more oppressive and authoritative.

“You may sit, Lady Fianna.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

I carefully seated myself without making a sound. Only once he saw I was settled did Russell sit.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—what did the Emperor look like?

On his birthdays, I had always been locked away as the family disgrace, so I had never even glimpsed him.

Now he was within arm’s reach, yet I couldn’t see the most august man in the Empire.

My chest feels tight…

As I steadied my breathing, Russell suddenly spoke.

“Your Majesty. Forgive me, but it seems my lady would like a description of you, if you permit.”

A description?

What was he talking about?

This hadn’t been planned at all. I froze, but the Emperor apparently nodded, for he gave no objection.

Russell leaned closer. I couldn’t pull away, so I endured as his lips drew near my ear.

My earlobe tingled as though it might burst. He smelled faintly of refreshing mint.

“His Majesty has platinum-blond hair and golden eyes like the sun. His long hair falls to his chest, neatly tied. His eyes are sharp, hawk-like. His cheekbones are slightly pronounced, his nose hooked. But his face is clean-shaven, without a trace of beard.”

His low voice resonated in my ear.

And then—on the blank canvas of my vision, white lines began to take shape, until a clear image emerged: that of a middle-aged man, clean-cut but lined with deep wrinkles.

Before I could thank him, Russell withdrew.

“You describe him so smoothly to your fiancée. When did you two grow so close?”
“The more I see Lady Fianna, the more captivating she becomes. I can’t help myself.”

The Emperor gave a low hum, then replied.

“I was told you had little interest in marriage.”
“Age catches up with us all, Your Majesty. Even I feel a certain emptiness at my side now. I find myself realizing why the elders always said it was good to have a companion.”
“You, of all people?”

The Emperor burst into hearty laughter, as though hearing a delightful jest.

He was far more human than I had expected, and my thoughts raced ahead.

So Russell isn’t on bad terms with him…

After laughing for some time, the Emperor sipped from a teacup. He still chuckled a little before clearing his throat and speaking again.

“Truly, one lives long enough to see anything. To hear such words from you.”
“If it pleases Your Majesty, then I am honored.”
“How could I not be pleased?”

The sound of his cup being set down rang out.

Something feels… off.

Some other sense told me I was missing something important.

And before long, that feeling was confirmed.

“Even if I didn’t raise her myself, she still carries my blood.”
“Your Majesty…!”

Russell’s voice betrayed clear alarm. Mine was no different.

“B–Bloodline? What do you mean?”

I knew it was rude, but I couldn’t help asking.

This time, His Majesty’s voice was stern as he addressed Russell.

“Russell. You haven’t told your betrothed?”

Russell said nothing.

His silence meant only one thing—that His Majesty had revealed this on purpose.

And the Emperor’s next words hammered the truth in place.

“Russell Glacies is my son.”