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~Chapter 19~
“Y-Your Majesty! What brings you to my room so suddenly…?”
“Are the preparations ready?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking if the outfit I will wear at the banquet is ready.”
“I was planning to have the palace tailors handle it soon…”
“Did Izaya also entrust hers to the palace tailors?”
“No. From what I heard, she had it made by a new tailor who recently opened a studio at the guild.”
Hans sighed.
“It seems they wanted to create something fresh since the tailor is new, but I still don’t understand. Surely the palace tailors are more skilled.”
At that moment, Ern spoke.
“I’ll have him make mine as well.”
It was sudden, but the command came from no one other than the Emperor himself.
Hans nodded seriously.
“Understood. Then tomorrow…”
“Tomorrow?”
Hans swallowed nervously mid-sentence. The Emperor’s gaze was becoming increasingly intense.
“I’ll send a messenger to the boutique immediately.”
Watching Ern now, his expression had softened.
Some time passed, and the tailor was summoned to the palace.
“It is an honor to meet the Sun of our glorious Empire. Following the Empire’s Moon, we are humbled by the Empire’s Sun visiting our boutique!”
“Raise your head.”
The tailor, kneeling and bowing, glanced up at the Emperor and was astonished.
‘How could someone look like that?’
He had worked with many handsome young nobles and actors, but the Emperor’s beauty was unparalleled.
Silvery hair that shone, fair skin, and violet eyes with a faint hint of blue.
Even sitting slightly askew on the throne, he appeared elegant—a beautiful boy.
‘With looks like that, it must be rewarding to make clothes for him… but why do I feel a sense of déjà vu?’
He soon remembered: he had experienced the same reaction when he first met Her Majesty the Empress.
‘Ah, I see. Great minds think alike, huh?’
He opened his mouth.
“Please tell me the kind of style you wish for.”
Ern answered without hesitation.
“I must be the most dazzling at the banquet.”
Hans, overhearing, interjected with a puzzled look.
“Pardon? You usually find extravagant outfits cumbersome, do you not?”
It was true; even now, long decorations were bothersome. But…
“Especially our peers will dress extravagantly. If the Emperor looks dull…”
Izaya hesitated, and Ern realized something.
If he didn’t dress properly, she might feel embarrassed by him, and perhaps…
‘If I look shabby, she might look elsewhere.’
Ern replied firmly.
“I am the Sun of the Empire. Naturally, I must stand out more than anyone else.”
The tailor was taken aback but composed himself and nodded.
‘He’s at that age… obsessed with how he looks. Makes sense.’
The tailor resolved to do his best.
“I, Arman, will ensure Your Majesty shines the brightest.”
Ern nodded slowly.
“Good. Understood.”
“Now, please spread your arms and stand straight so I can take measurements.”
Ern complied, and the tailor measured while speaking.
“Your Majesty will surely be paired with Her Majesty the Empress, yes?”
“Yes.”
“My sister is making her dress, so I plan to design yours to match hers.”
Ern, who rarely smiled, showed a small grin at that.
But when the next comment came, his smile vanished.
“However… you and Her Majesty are about the same height.”
Ern’s expression stiffened, and Hans turned pale.
“Ah, ahem!”
Hans tried to hint something with a cough, but the tailor, focused on measurements, did not notice.
‘What on earth is he doing?’
When he glanced at the Emperor, Ern’s face had turned sharp and fierce.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
Terrified, the tailor froze.
“Make it slightly larger than the measurements.”
“Pardon?”
“Within two weeks, he will grow bigger.”
Hans and the tailor were stunned.
‘That’s impossible!’
But when they met the Emperor’s gaze, neither dared contradict him.
“Hans, prepare special meals starting today.”
“Special meals…?”
Hans asked cautiously. Ern’s icy gaze answered.
“Select foods that promote growth immediately.”
Meanwhile, on the Empress’s orders, Melanie delivered letters to the nobles.
Afterward, she went to the jeweler.
“Welcome! How kind of you to come!”
Despite the craftsman’s flustered greeting, Melanie calmly handed over the instructions.
“Her Majesty the Empress wants pearls added to this piece.”
The craftsman frowned.
“How long until the necklace is finished?”
“Even if rushed, about three weeks. The pearls are from the far south, after all.”
Melanie’s voice became earnest.
“Three weeks? Is there no way to finish sooner? It’s needed for the banquet.”
“Rona, come here for a moment.”
A young assistant approached Melanie. She hesitated, then asked awkwardly,
“What is the matter?”
Melanie showed the instructions.
“Her Majesty the Empress wants pearls added to the necklace. Can it be done as quickly as possible?”
The assistant sighed.
“Understood. We’ll try to get it done within two weeks.”
After handling the task, Melanie returned to the palace.
“Time to head back.”
Her calm behavior puzzled Gale.
‘Could she have noticed she’s being watched?’
For a moment, Melanie spoke to Gale.
“Sir Gale, thank you for escorting me today.”
“It’s my duty.”
Melanie smiled, blushed, and continued,
“If the escort keeps changing, it may be inconvenient. Could you accompany me whenever I go out?”
Gale immediately dismissed any suspicion.
‘She wouldn’t ask that if she knew I was a spy.’
“Of course.”
Melanie beamed.
“Thank you.”
Gale smiled inwardly.
‘Perfect. I can monitor her without suspicion.’
Arriving at the palace, the two went straight to the Empress.
“Welcome.”
“Her Majesty, I’ve checked the progress with the craftsmen. The jeweler also had a proposal.”
Izaya glanced at the knights and smiled.
“Good. Let’s discuss the details inside.”
Entering the room, the knights stood behind partitions to guard them.
Through the partitions, Gale overheard Izaya’s voice.
“How long will it take to make the jewelry according to this design?”
“The jeweler said about two weeks.”
“Two weeks… not bad. Shouldn’t have to worry about the design being leaked?”
“Yes, no need to worry about leaks.”
A trivial conversation, but Gale frowned.
‘Nothing to report at all.’
Yet that was a misunderstanding.
[Gale has willingly agreed to accompany her.]
Seeing this neatly written note, Izaya chuckled softly.
“Good, that’s a relief.”
Meanwhile, Duke Lauchen frowned at Gale’s report.
‘She went out… and there were no suspicious signs?’
Though unofficially pardoned, Count Balder would surely hear of it.
‘I invested in her under the condition that my nephews remain imprisoned and under watch…’
At this rate, he would surely go into a rage.
‘The only saving grace… is that she’s using the excuse of caring for the Emperor to make her move.’
At that moment,
“Duke, Count Balder is here to see you.”
As expected, Duke Lauchen sighed.
“Show him in.”
A short, scowling middle-aged man entered.
“Release? This is not what we agreed upon!”
The unwanted guest’s voice rose. Lauchen glared.
“Count Balder, what is this tantrum?”
“Tantrum? It’s been four days since my nephew disappeared! How could I stay calm?”
“Have you forgotten your niece is with my daughter? Soon, her location will be discovered. Be patient.”
The Count ground his teeth.
“Do not forget—if I withdraw, your investments will suffer!”
