TFR 72

chapter 72

Dantès had spent several busy days. He had concluded negotiations with the Kingdom of Terjes and even completed the return of hostages to Terjes.

However, the problem was that the compensation Dantès demanded was so large that it shook the Terjes kingdom. When the financial crisis hit, even other neighboring countries that had dealings with Terjes were put in a difficult position. Once imports and exports began functioning abnormally, they started looking for someone to blame.

Of course, they didn’t openly voice their complaints, but they seemed to consider it the tyranny of a great empire. Terjes, after all, could not compete with Delion, and Dantès’ demands were considered too excessive.

Dantès quickly sorted out the matters that needed to be resolved diplomatically. Countries that were talkative and needed to be restrained reduced their dealings with Delion or sent envoys to officially raise concerns. For nations with whom it would be beneficial to maintain closer ties, he decided to soothe them with moderate aid.

Days passed quickly as he worked through issues involving both large and small kingdoms. During that time, Dantès had not been able to meet Roselina. Even amidst his busy schedule, her face would occasionally come to mind, only to disappear again. He realized once more that unless he actively sought her out, the two could not meet. The emperor and the maid had no reason to cross paths.

The only thing he could know for certain was her health. Roselina was diligently receiving treatment from Lady Vanessa morning and evening. The report simply stated that she was gradually improving, so much so that Dantès considered having Milan confirm it personally to ensure it wasn’t a lie.

Milan said that Roselina’s complexion had improved significantly, probably because she had been eating properly and sleeping well. Dantès felt slightly relieved. Even when he had seen her at the banquet, her face had clearly looked better than before.

“Has she finally put on a little weight in her face? She wasn’t as thin back then as she is now.”

In truth, Dantès had been curious enough to pass through corridors she might have been cleaning, forgetting his own decorum. Though he couldn’t spare much time due to work, he could at least cut down on meal times.

Yet, no matter where he went, he could not meet Roselina.

He had even passed near the banquet hall, but she was never there. Apprentice maids were often called around, but she seemed to be missing at every turn.

“I need a reason to see her…”

After finishing his busy tasks, Dantès began thinking about ways to meet Roselina. Just yesterday, Alfredo had left a pleading letter, saying that it was time for him to try on clothes and asking for a date when fittings could be arranged.

Dantès considered the letter again. Since they had been present during the tailoring, should he use that as an excuse to have the same maids sent again? No. Maids assigned to serve the emperor didn’t handle important matters. In fact, summoning maids deliberately, as Marco had warned, could put Roselina in an uncomfortable position.

After encountering Demeteria at the banquet, her messengers reportedly prowled like hunting dogs. Fortunately, Marco had prepared everything meticulously, so no problems arose.

Marco had warned him, sharing rumors that the Perril household had a loud clatter of broken dishes due to Demeteria’s antics.

Dantès recalled the significant conversation he had with Marco:

“Be really careful. The one who could get hit by those dishes is none other than Lina.”
“She’s not the type to do something that bold. Perhaps her father might, but not her.”
“Maybe it’s prejudice. I keep thinking she could easily do it. She might have already done worse things.”
“What do you mean?”

Marco had shrugged without further explanation, promising to investigate more and let him know. Marco was not someone to speak lightly. He probably knew something about Demeteria Perril and the minions she controlled.

Dantès found Marco’s warning plausible. Thinking Demeteria would be satisfied with just the position of empress was a mistake.

The Perril family, while well-suited to control conservative nobles like the Turjack family, would likely harbor ambitions equal to any opposing force. Since Dantès’ ascension, the Duke Perril had consistently supported the young emperor, taking on unpleasant tasks, but that did not make him entirely trustworthy.

Even the subtle pressures that became apparent when they refused to provide an empress showed that. Families producing an empress would avoid the failures of the Turjacks and tighten their grip on the royal court.

Dantès realized that the only Perril he had been cautious about was the duke. The one who might enter the palace, stay close, and confront him unguarded would be Demeteria.

He reconsidered whether he had dismissed any possibility simply because she was a woman—just as he had assumed Roberto must be a man because he was a skilled knight.

Dantès rubbed his throbbing temples repeatedly. Yet, his tangled thoughts did not dissipate; they only knotted further.

As Dantès was lost in contemplation, there was a knock. It was Milan.

Milan placed a warm cup of rooibos tea beside Dantès and spoke:

“You’ve been sleeping much less these days, Your Majesty.”
“Have I?”
“Yes. You’ve never been one to sleep much, but recently the time you spend in your bedroom has become very short.”

Dantès smiled bitterly and sipped the tea. Its warmth spread inside him. Milan studied his face and continued:

“Is something troubling you, sire?”
“Troubling… yes, I suppose this counts as troubling.”

Dantès set down the cup and exhaled. Everything was complicated, but one thing was clear: he wanted to see Roselina. He wanted to meet her right now, and he craved it above all else.

“Is Lina still with Lady Vanessa?”
“No, sire. She should have returned to her quarters by now.”
“Really? How do you know?”
“Lady Vanessa just delivered today’s medical report and left.”

Dantès took the paper Milan drew from his coat. Though he waited for it every day, today it felt unwelcome.

The report was brief: the wounds were mostly healed, and the antidote had nearly taken effect. Monterno Aventurine had been surprisingly compliant in preparing and sending the medicine. He hadn’t asked for a reason, likely avoiding the topic of Roberto Brida’s execution, which had been shocking.

Though Monterno and Roselina had known each other only a short time, Monterno showed strong affection toward her—even though she was taciturn and a serious criminal. He recognized her as a just and upright person, more so than anyone in the expedition.

“The boy has a good eye for people.”
“Huh?”
“Monterno Aventurine, the mage. Not bad at all. If trained and guided properly, he might become a great asset in the future.”

Though he had been negative about Monterno during the expedition, objectively, he had great potential. He could become a strong force for Delion later.

“You mean the young man staying with the Griffin family? According to Sir Griffin, he seems to have some resentment toward the royal family… Is that okay?”
“That’s fine. Few of the current ministers are genuinely loyal anyway.”

Dantès stood and said,

“I need a walk to clear my head.”

Lately, whenever he had a free moment, Dantès wandered through the palace—corridors where he had seen Lina, the banquet hall, Milan’s office, and the dressing area. He did not know where the maids worked, so he seemed to roam the places they had met.

Lady Vanessa had intentionally told Milan not to send Lina toward the banquet hall after seeing her there.

Caught between someone wanting to create confusion and someone wanting to prevent it, Milan chose silence. Above all, he was curious which side the woman the emperor cared about was on. Yet, she too remained silent.

“I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

This meant no one should follow him. Milan persuaded the attendants who wanted to follow. Dantès’ steps led him toward the garden he had visited with Demeteria before.

‘Is he planning to revisit the banquet hall? The maids should have returned to their quarters…’

Milan hesitated, wondering whether he should follow from a distance, but instead stood still, watching Dantès’ back. Tall, broad-shouldered, with a relatively slim waist and long legs—his silhouette alone was more impressive and beautiful than any young man he had seen. He also held the greatest power in Delion.

Yet his steps seemed heavy. He could not obtain the one thing he truly wanted. Milan watched his long shadow and thought:

‘I must tell Lady Vanessa not to push him too hard. Forcing it won’t help.’

He decided he would watch the emperor’s back, wanting to see him less lonely, no matter what hardships came, until his shadow completely disappeared.