Chapter 7
“That is welcome news.”
I could feel Russell’s gaze on my skin. He was probably watching me because he didn’t know how I would respond.
On the other hand, His Imperial Majesty’s gaze carried a sense of interest and curiosity.
“What news do you mean?”
Forcing the stiff muscles of my face to move, I shaped a smile.
If Russell truly carried the emperor’s blood, then I could more or less guess what kind of cards he held in his hand.
For a man of unknown birth to become master of the entire North was something inconceivable. But if he had noble blood to begin with, then many things that had seemed inexplicable could suddenly be explained.
And I—
I had to make it look as though I could gain practical advantage as the fiancée of the Grand Duke of Glacies, now that he was revealed to be the emperor’s blood.
“This betrothal might change both my fate and that of the Empire. Surely, that is fortunate for me, is it not? I could never hope to find a stronger partner in the future.”
Smile. I must smile.
Because smiling does not come naturally to me, the corners of my mouth trembled with tension. Still, I had to smile. The man before me was the sovereign of a nation. It was far too late to take back what I had already said.
“You speak interestingly. If that is how you see it, then how does a young lady such as yourself intend to aid in governing the North?”
The emperor was questioning my value as his son’s fiancée.
I had to gather all the knowledge I possessed and persuade him.
“I intend to go to the lowest places.”
“The lowest places?”
I had to prove to His Majesty that my existence would be of benefit to the North.
“The North shares a border with the Kingdom of Casus, so there is always military tension. At present, the king of Casus pursues friendship with our Empire, but… who is to say what work they may be conducting beneath the surface?”
“What sort of work do you mean?”
I could feel the emperor’s gaze sharpen with interest.
The Kingdom of Casus, bordering the North, had waged long disputes with the Empire since ancient times. After a prolonged and bloody war, the Empire claimed victory. Casus avoided subjugation only by ceding the North.
On the surface, it seemed as though peace had arrived—but the reality was otherwise.
“For example, somewhere in the North, or in the slums of the capital, there may exist covert organizations disguised as relief shelters.”
That much was based on fact.
When I had lived as a gutter rat, I had once witnessed a Casus spy disguise himself as a slum-dweller, gathering information from the capital. But none of the slum’s residents reported him to the guards.
Those who knew were silenced with scraps of bread or water—enough to survive one more day.
Of course, I had another ability.
But even if I could hear the voices of trees, would that truly prove my worth here?
No. To reveal that in this place carries too great a risk.
The only value I could show right now was the memory of my days as a rat in the slums. Especially since the matter touched national security, it could not be dismissed.
“Fascinating. Now I see why Duke Kalidus chose to hide away a clever young woman such as yourself.”
“…I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Your Majesty, my father did not hide me away because I was clever. He saw me as the family’s shame. A blind daughter was an embarrassment—so much so that, in the end, he sold me off through a bargain.
But of course I cannot say that.
The truth must be buried deep beneath the mask of a smile.
I had to prove my usefulness, no matter what.
“…I had thought you fragile, but I see there is more to you.”
Russell murmured in a voice barely above a whisper, and I quickly gauged the emperor’s reaction.
But His Majesty betrayed no sign of having heard.
He didn’t hear?
I was relieved, only for His Majesty to turn his gaze toward me.
“Perhaps the ancient sages spoke true—that those without sight possess the kindest hearts.”
“I am grateful beyond words for such high regard, Your Majesty.”
Russell said nothing. Whether from surprise or deep thought, I could not tell.
It would have been nice if he had at least given me a sign that I had done well. But we had never agreed upon such things beforehand.
“Well then. I came today for no other reason than this—I heard that Russell, who had never shown interest in women, had at last found a proper fiancée, and I wanted to see her with my own eyes.”
That was jest.
Of course, an emperor would never move for such a trivial reason. But it was a convenient excuse.
Even someone who knew nothing of the circumstances would not question that the emperor might be curious about the grand duke’s fiancée.
I heard the sound of Russell rising from the sofa, so I too stood up.
“I shall escort you to the chamber that has been prepared.”
“No need. I’ll have your adjutant see to it.”
He must have meant Frater.
The two of them exchanged words as they departed the drawing room, leaving me behind, smiling stiffly like a potted plant.
Had I done well?
Had my smile looked unnatural? While seated, had I hunched my shoulders too much, or slouched?
Had I played the role of the Grand Duke of Glacies’s fiancée convincingly?
As such thoughts weighed on me, a sharp ringing pierced my ears, and I instinctively covered them.
My legs tangled beneath me, making it hard to keep my balance.
My cane—where was my cane?
I reached toward where I had left it leaning against the sofa, but lost my balance and fell.
“My lady!”
“Asha…”
My cane clattered to the floor across my back. Asha must have heard the sound of me falling, for the door burst open.
“My lady, are you all right?”
Her voice seemed to grow distant. The consciousness I had been clinging to slipped into the mire, and I forced words out of my throat.
“I… I’m fine…”
“Fetch a priest! Quickly!”
No… it was no use.
Her voice grew fainter. The fine dress Asha had put on me stuck unpleasantly to my skin, drenched with cold sweat.
Ah, truly…
Why did this body of mine refuse to obey me?
In a haze of fading awareness, familiar voices rang in my ears.
“…Having to adapt suddenly to a strange land must have been overwhelming. It has likely been all stress. She should rest quietly for now…”
“…How long until her strength returns?”
“…At least five days without strain. And she must be spared any worries, if possible…”
As consciousness returned, my fingertips twitched. At the same time, a shiver seized my body, followed by pain like a thousand needles piercing every inch of my flesh.
I barely suppressed the urge to scream, forcing my heat-addled mind to stay awake.
How long had it been since I collapsed? With no sense of day or night indoors, I could not tell.
The bedding beneath my skin felt softer than straw, yet firmer than my usual mattress—this wasn’t my room.
Perhaps they had prepared a separate chamber for emergencies such as mine. Even so, the air was so stifling and hot that it was hard to breathe.
“…She has passed the critical point, so do not worry too much. I shall take my leave now.”
“Very well. Go.”
Ah—that was Russell’s voice.
I heard him sigh, then the scrape of a chair being pulled close to the bed. I wanted to speak, but my throat was parched after too long unconscious.
Silence lingered, and then he called my name in a quiet, steady voice.
“Fiana Lucianos.”
Why was he speaking my name?
What thoughts filled his mind as he looked upon me in this state?
Did he see me as a weak woman who required constant care?
Or as a useful pawn?
“…A blind body, malnourished and frail, small of frame…”
A large, warm hand clasped my arm. The touch radiated such vitality that I did not wish him to let go. Like a starving creature, I stole the warmth from him.
So that was how he saw me.
“…And yet, she hides an extraordinary ability she cannot reveal, shows resourcefulness, and possesses the potential to overcome crises.”
That couldn’t be.
I only clung to the pitiful memories of my past life. I only struggled to survive. I only fought to avoid the same cruel death I had once met.
My silent cries went unheard.
Russell continued speaking.
“Why did Duke Kalidus hide you? What is it you conceal?”
A faint scent of mint brushed against me.
Ah—he had leaned close. His breath touched my neck.
I wanted to answer, but I could not.
The thought of exposing what lay hidden beneath the surface terrified me.
I feared falling into the same cruel chains as in my previous life.
I feared being exposed as something as worthless as a speck of dust.
So I could not speak.
All I could do was pray for the moment to pass. That the mint-scented presence would recede, that he would leave my side.
But even as I slipped back into unconsciousness, the scent lingered.
Cruelly, it did not leave me.
