TESL 81

Chapter 81

“At the very least, I believe there shouldn’t be anything about you that I don’t know. I’m sure His Grace would agree with me on this point as well.”

At her reply, I shrank my shoulders slightly. Well… that’s not entirely wrong.

“I suppose that’s true. I’m sorry for not telling you.”

“That kind of apology is unnecessary. I’m just relieved nothing is wrong. Besides, as your mother, it’s something to be proud of that you are a citizen of the Empire with a strong sense of justice and a deeply ingrained sense of chivalry.”

As my mother let out a small sigh, the butler stepped forward at the right moment and poured tea into our cups.

“Go ahead and drink.”

“Yes.”

I lifted the cup he had poured for me. My mother raised hers toward her lips, then set it back down on the saucer instead.

“Aira.”

“Yes?”

When she called my name, I responded, and she smiled. It was a gentle, affectionate smile.

“I almost forgot to say this first… I’m truly glad to see you at home like this.”

At those words, I finally managed to return a natural smile.

“Home.” Yes, whether familiar or not, this is still my only home. My place.

“I feel the same. Actually, I saw you at the palace, and you stayed by my side right before the banquet, but even so, I missed you so much while we were apart.”

As I spoke, my emotions must have gotten the better of me. My nose stung slightly.

Maybe I’m still a child. Just saying I missed my mother makes me feel like this.

Did she notice that my last words trembled slightly? Soon, my mother also smiled and replied.

“Welcome home. Come closer.”

At her reply, she lifted her teacup again. It looked like she was about to drink, but I knew she was actually hiding her expression. That was just how my mother was.

Was she feeling the same way I was? Was she happy to see me too?

Stealing a glance at her, I quietly brought my own cup to my lips. The bright afternoon sunlight filled the reception room.

The tea time seemed endless. My mother and I spoke without pause, as if trying to make up for all the conversations we had missed.

“Your father must have been quite surprised. The moment he heard you were coming, he hurriedly brought you out of the palace early.”

“I was surprised too! He just said, ‘Let’s go now,’ all of a sudden.”

“Yes, and although he returned to the palace shortly after bringing you home…”

“What? Really?”

So that’s why.

When I met Father earlier, he did seem unusually busy. I had been uneasy even when he said he would return home immediately, but it seems he went back to work after all.

“Still, he said he would definitely come home early for dinner… Aira.”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, my mother set her cup down with a sharp sound and looked directly at me. She seemed resolute, as if she had steeled herself.

“There’s something I’m not sure I should ask you… but how are things with His Majesty?”

“You say you’re not sure you should ask, but that’s awfully direct.”

“You don’t look upset, so I thought it would be fine to ask.”

“Pardon?”

“If something had gone wrong, your expression would be worse. But your eyes are sparkling as always. Mischievous, just like usual. So I thought it was safe to ask.”

“….”

She had me there. And it was all true. I looked at her for a moment, then slowly nodded.

This was the moment. The right time to tell my mother my plan.

“You’re right, Mother. Well, the truth is… I’m not sure how to put this.”

I took a deep breath.

“I came here without telling His Majesty. Or rather… he might know by now.”

“What?”

“Ah, but Her Majesty the Empress Dowager knows. What I mean is, she is fully aware of everything I intend to say.”

After saying that, I scratched my cheek lightly.

“I’m thinking of testing His Majesty from now on.”

“What?”

My mother exclaimed in shock.

“Aira, you must not say such things openly. Even saying it could be considered treason, and you could be severely punished.”

“I know that. But please listen to me…”

— Aira.

Suddenly, I heard my name somewhere.

Was it an illusion? A sense of unease made my back straighten instantly.

No, it wasn’t an illusion. Something felt wrong. Something distinctly unfamiliar.

I narrowed my eyes and placed a finger over my lips. My mother immediately understood and nodded.

My ears itched. I sharpened my senses.

And then—

Bang!

Someone forcefully slammed the front door handle. At the same time, the chime bell began ringing loudly.

The reception room was on the first floor, very close to the entrance. The moment I heard the bell, I understood what I had been sensing.

The Emperor has arrived.

Ah, I must have become quite skilled at detecting His Majesty’s presence. At this point, I felt like a small animal sensing a predator.

Come to think of it, I had sensed him first even at the banquet after the partner invitation the previous night. That hadn’t changed at all.

“I will go see.”

The butler bowed politely and left the reception room. He would be here soon.

As I turned back to my mother while thinking calmly about what to say, our eyes met.

“…Aira.”

She only called my name, but I knew exactly what she was asking. Of course—who was at the door?

I could only nod in response. What else could I say? It was exactly who she was thinking.

At that moment, the entrance grew noisy. Maids and attendants rushed down the hallway.

“Ma-Ma-Ma-Madam!”

A footman ran into the reception room in a panic, his eyes wide and limbs flailing.

There was no silver tray that should normally be used for guests. He would definitely be scolded by the butler.

“What is going on?”

“It-it’s a guest…”

As the footman stammered, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

“Move aside.”

“Y-yes? S-sorry!”

The footman quickly stepped aside. Of course—this would be his first time seeing the Emperor.

But isn’t he overreacting? If his conduct as a servant is so poor, it reflects badly on our ducal house.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one thinking that. The butler glared at him briefly before stepping forward.

Behind him, knights in black and crimson uniforms lined both sides of the corridor. Familiar faces—the Imperial Guard.

A smile crept onto my lips.

Just as I thought.

The butler announced in a loud voice:

“His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, enters!”

“You don’t need to announce it so loudly. This isn’t a banquet hall.”

And almost immediately after the announcement, he appeared.

I smiled brightly.

Had there ever been a moment where things went exactly as I expected that felt this satisfying?

He was in military uniform. He must have thrown on his cape in a hurry, as the shoulder epaulettes were disheveled.

Our eyes met. His looked like they were burning with flames.

“Good afternoon. I apologize for the sudden visit, Duchess of Wildenbaston, Lady of Wildenbaston.”

The way he said “Lady” sounded like he was grinding his teeth. I wasn’t imagining it, was I?

At the same time he called our family name, my mother sprang up from her seat. In doing so, a teacup fell and shattered on the floor.

“Oh! No—Your Majesty, are you alright… I mean, I greet Your Majesty—no, but here…?”

My mother was flustered by the chaos unfolding all at once.

I gently took her hand to calm her down.

It seemed I was the only one remaining completely composed in the middle of this commotion.

“Mother, it’s alright.”

“Aira…”

I whispered to her, then stepped forward and stood before the Emperor.

“It is an honor to see Your Imperial Majesty again. So then, what brings you here?”

He took a slow breath and called my name again.

“Lady of Wildenbaston.”

“Yes?”

I replied as if I didn’t know anything. What else could I do? Whether he was angry or not, I also had something to say.

“I have matters I must discuss with you privately.”

“I obey your command.”

I answered clearly.

Now, the real matter begins.