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Chapter : 33
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm…”
Agatha picked up her tea calmly, waiting for the emperor to speak. After a long pause, he finally opened his mouth.
“To celebrate the successful conclusion of the negotiations, I plan to hold a grand imperial ball at the palace. If we extend it to cover the originally planned last summer palace ball, spanning two days in grand fashion, even if it’s not officially proclaimed, everyone will understand that this event is in honor of you and Marquis Aratus.”
“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”
Officially, it was only a treaty between the Nobillis family and the Empire of Mainucor, not the Roxbard Empire, so such rewards were only natural.
“Did I not grant you 500,000 Car in gold to celebrate your seventh marriage? On top of that, I shall bestow an additional 500,000 Car to reward your excellent execution of this imperial order.”
“We must also give bonuses to the knights who accompanied us. They all worked tirelessly through the night keeping watch, so I’m sure they’ll be pleased.”
“…I don’t know if you heard, but the first time Marquis Aratus entered the court today, I personally seated him at the front row. Exactly in the first row where the ministers of each department sit.”
Only then did Agatha put down her teacup, intrigued.
Court meetings were held in the Hall of the Sun.
The emperor and royal family sat in the central, highest seats, and nobles were arranged in three semi-circular sections below them. One could gauge a noble’s rank and favor with the emperor simply by their seat.
“You gave him a first-row seat?”
“No! I gave him a seat in the center.”
The emperor added hastily. Given that Enoch, head of the prestigious Aratus family and married to the Nobillis heiress, held the title of war hero, a first-row seat was expected—but placing him in the center, and personally doing so, was significant.
The emperor continued, looking slightly pleased.
“I made sure to ask Marquis Aratus’ opinion on every item on today’s agenda. Surely, his standing at court must have risen.”
“And otherwise?”
“…Shall we grant tax exemptions on the Aratus family’s existing estates?”
The emperor asked carefully again, but Agatha smiled brightly, signaling that she wouldn’t mention the one thing she had in mind.
“You left one thing out, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“Will you be sending me to that seat again next time?”
To the seat where my ex-husband will appear.
Since the Empire of Mainucor and the Nobillis family had already concluded a preliminary agreement, and relations with the Roxbard Empire were restored, this autumn the Mainucor Empire would likely send official envoys to formally announce and implement the agreement.
Given what happened previously, the emperor of Mainucor would probably send the second prince.
‘Outwardly, again, to prove there’s no problem.’
Of course, she could ignore it, but Agatha no longer wanted to receive envoys or deal with such matters.
Enoch wouldn’t like it either.
“Please don’t make me receive the Mainucor envoys this fall. I doubt you would, but you wouldn’t send me to that seat again, would you, Your Majesty?”
Emperor Wormalay II looked momentarily speechless.
“However, the Mainucor Empire will expect you to receive them.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Ah, I understand. But you must attend the welcoming ball. If not, the Mainucor Empire may express dissatisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations.”
Agatha reluctantly acquiesced.
“If Your Majesty insists that much, I have no choice. I will attend with my husband.”
The emperor, who had been secretly relieved, now showed a slightly annoyed expression.
“Why is my eldest daughter’s character so firm? Even a godfather could make a mistake once, but this is really too much.”
If she made a second mistake, who knows what disaster might happen.
Agatha’s expression hardened.
“Honestly, if Your Majesty had given me the list of the Mainucor envoys in advance and reassured me, I wouldn’t have acted this way.”
“Really?”
“….”
Agatha ignored him and lifted her teacup again.
She suspected that perhaps she wouldn’t have acted so intensely had circumstances been different—but that was impossible to be certain.
The emperor sighed heavily and relaxed.
“Very well. This matter was my fault, so let’s move on. Was there anything else?”
“No. It was truly wonderful.”
What more could she say?
Among all the honeymoons she had taken, Agatha could confidently say this was by far the best. Seeing her faint smile, the emperor spoke.
“Would you care to have lunch with me? Since it was so enjoyable, I’d like to hear about the new territories and Palavi Island while dining.”
‘I have a lunch appointment with Enoch.’
Agatha blinked but agreed. Until now, the emperor had been subtly soft due to her past transgressions—but there were limits.
“My husband is waiting. May I join him? It would be more helpful for Your Majesty to hear through him.”
“No one can match Marquis Aratus’ military insight. Is he currently with the military?”
The emperor rang a bell beside the throne. Silently, the head servant of the imperial palace appeared and bowed.
“Your Majesty, you called?”
“Bring Marquis Aratus. I wish to have lunch with my eldest daughter and the Marquis together.”
“Yes. I will send a servant immediately.”
Agatha followed Wormalay II to the emperor’s private dining room, deep within the palace.
Shortly after, Enoch Aratus arrived, summoned by the emperor.
“Your Majesty. Marquis Enoch Aratus has arrived.”
“Bring him in.”
Agatha gave a small apologetic smile as the man stepped inside.
Though she regretted missing an opportunity to dine alone with him,
‘Having lunch with the emperor will benefit him as well. I must endure.’
There would be other opportunities to dine together.
“Welcome, Marquis Aratus.”
“Welcome, Madam.”
Perhaps noticing the situation, Enoch greeted the emperor silently.
“I have come at your summons, Your Majesty.”
“Good, Marquis. Agatha tells me your honeymoon was wonderful.”
Enoch’s eyes briefly met Agatha’s as the emperor continued.
“I called you to hear about the new territories and Palavi Island. No one in this empire can match your military insight, right? Hahaha!”
Agatha smiled and suggested to the emperor:
“Your Majesty, please have a seat first. Wouldn’t it be better to discuss this over the meal?”
“Ah, sit, Marquis. Now, let’s talk while dining.”
That day, the emperor’s lunch lasted a full three hours. As a bonus, Marquis Enoch Aratus’ standing at court increased even further.
Returning to their mansion, Agatha relayed the 500,000 Car and the tax exemption on the Aratus family estates that she and Enoch had received from the emperor. She also heard from Sir Huber that the administrator Conrad had been ecstatic.
And at the end of summer,
The two-day grand imperial ball was approaching.
Late summer, when the oppressive heat had begun to ease,
Nobles who had retreated to nearby mountains, rivers, or villas began returning to the capital.
The first thing gathered nobles did was exchange news of what had occurred in their absence.
Since Agatha’s marriage, the biggest topic was, naturally, Agatha Nobillis herself.
Rumors of her successfully concluding a trade agreement with the Empire of Mainucor, greatly pleasing the emperor, spread quickly.
And the news that the imperial ball had been extended to two days in her honor traveled alongside it.
By the time the rumors had circled the capital three or four times, the day of the imperial ball arrived.
Agatha spent the morning in a milk bath and receiving an aromatic massage.
The first ball she would attend as Enoch’s wife carried great significance, so she wanted to appear perfect.
Sitting in front of the mirror, Agatha examined herself, hair to toe nourished and soft.
“Is he ready?”
“Yes, he has finished preparations.”
Checking the time—1:00 PM.
With Enoch ready, she only needed to finish herself. Agatha began her final preparations with relief.
Golden hair, curled and flowing down her back.
Translucent white skin and subtly colored eye makeup made her elegant violet statice-like eyes stand out.
Her lips dyed a crimson flower, long lashes slightly lifted, enhancing the already beautiful face.
“How do I look, Madam?”
“I like it. Beautiful.”
“Then I’ll bring the dress.”
The maids brought the dress, shoes, and accessories chosen in advance. Everything she would wear had been fitted previously at Madame Chalette’s atelier with Enoch.
Made of fine white fabric embroidered with delicate patterns.
Rounded shoulders, exposed collarbones, slightly plunging neckline, fitted at the waist, and a voluminous skirt—the design was captivating.
In the mirror, a flawlessly poised noblewoman stared back. The only unchanged thing was the wedding ring on her left hand.
