TPTM 36

Chapter 36

“…!”

This time, Dave’s face turned red and blue with embarrassment.

A face that openly showed humiliation.

I could easily read his mind.

‘All those rumors behind my back, and now I’m supposed to apologize to a mere marchioness?!’

That was exactly the expression.

His face resembled Empress Carmi quite a bit, but apparently, he didn’t inherit his mother’s skill in expression.

After all, children who are spoiled rarely have much patience.

And the one who knew this best, naturally, was…

“Archduke Presier.”

It must be Empress Carmi, Dave’s mother.

“Whether prince or marchioness, they are still children who haven’t even debuted in society.”

She stepped forward and gestured with her eyes, and Dave backed off, puffing his cheeks.

“Since this is just a misunderstanding and a test of will, why don’t we let it pass at this level?”

Archduke Asis Presier threw a glance at Empress Carmi.

There was a short silence.

It wasn’t tense—rather, loose—but that was because Asis Presier’s gaze was indifferent.

One side was gripping the rope with all their strength, while the other held it casually with one hand.

It was easy to tell who had the upper hand.

There was no change in Empress Carmi’s smile, who would surely notice the gaze of Asis Presier, who kept her beneath him.

Honestly, that warm, unthreatening smile made me uneasy.

‘While pretending like that, she must have tormented the crown prince mercilessly behind the scenes, without anyone noticing.’

“The emperor’s son,”

The highest-ranking noble in the Briyan Empire, the only one who could address the empress without “Your Majesty.”

“Would kick someone in the stomach just over a test of will?”

And his gaze was like a predator.

“And that too, at a lady’s solar plexus. If this is the way of a gentleman, who taught him?”

Even at Asis Presier’s sharp words, Empress Carmi’s smile didn’t falter.

“If you mean who taught the second prince the ways of a gentleman, of course it would be His Majesty the Emperor.”

Truly, a woman who claimed the position of new empress with both beauty and wit.

To even bring the emperor into this conversation… Even a duke of the empire would have backed down.

‘But Empress Carmi.’

You underestimated Asis Presier, the most fearsome person in <Gmilpan> (my ranking).

“Then I shall go to the imperial palace now and ask His Majesty directly.”

“…!”

“Before being a lady, she is a noble; before being a noble, a human. All these statuses and ranks are encompassed in my granddaughter.”

For the first time, cracks appeared in the smile on Empress Carmi’s face.

“I must ask His Majesty directly whether he taught the second prince etiquette, after he kicked my granddaughter in the stomach over a test of will.”

“…Archduke Presier!”

For the first time, there was no composure in the empress’s voice.

The gentle, benevolent expression vanished, and her hands trembled.

“It is my fault for failing to teach the second prince properly. If His Majesty, busy with state affairs, hears of this…”

“This is also a matter concerning the empire, so naturally His Majesty should know, yes?”

Empress Carmi wanted to settle this, but the archduke’s intent was clear.

Since there was perfect justification that the second prince kicked me, Empress Carmi finally shouted sharply at Dave with a bloodless face.

“…Dave!”

“Yes, mother?”

“Apologize to the archduke immediately! And also to Lady Tullia Presier!”

“Grandfather.”

On the returning carriage, I asked carefully.

“You didn’t go to the imperial palace and returned straight to White Tower, right?”

“Tch.”

Archduke Asis clicked his tongue.

“Ruk, that one. Light on the lips.”

“But it’s true, Your Excellency. You didn’t want to leave your young granddaughter alone outside before her debut, so you changed the topic.”

“He’d bob just above the water with only his mouth floating.”

Ruk chuckled, and I inwardly felt a little embarrassed.

So, that meant…

‘He worried about me?’

Asis Presier, of all people?

It was surprising.

Of course, I had something I was worried about too.

“Grandfather,”

I spoke carefully.

“Didn’t you go too hard on the empress and the second prince?”

Archduke Asis Presier, sitting across, asked.

“What do you mean by ‘too hard’?”

“You didn’t have to force me to apologize…”

I trailed off, and Asis Presier looked at me. His dark green eyes were deeper than usual.

“Are you afraid of the second prince?”

“No. He’s not scary… No, that prince is not scary. He’s just a fool with too much in his hands.”

“I’m afraid of Empress Carmi.”

Since he stepped in this much for me, I had to be honest.

Archduke Asis Presier then asked an unexpected question.

“Do you like the hairpin you received from the empress?”

Indeed.

In my hand was a beautiful hairpin made of pure gold.

Empress Carmi had personally placed it in my hand earlier.

The gold hairpin, studded with sapphires and diamonds, looked extremely expensive. And it was a gift for me.

“You will surely become a remarkable beauty. A gift for the future jewel of the social scene.”

For an empress to personally give her own ornament was a great honor—if it weren’t to cover her son’s mistake.

I received it respectfully, but first looked at Asis Presier.

“May I accept it, Grandfather?”

The archduke watching the situation suddenly smiled, which startled me a little.

And the empress’s gaze had turned cold, making my heart drop.

Right now, the one holding my leash is Asis Presier, so it’s him I need to impress.

Above all…

I didn’t want to curry favor with the empress who had smiled gently while slapping Ferdinand until his cheeks bled.

That was my honest feeling.

“Yes. I really like the hairpin.”

I said with all sincerity, just in case the archduke might give me something similar, and he looked at me with a curious expression.

“Tullia Presier.”

“Yes, grandfather?”

“Was the reason you didn’t immediately take the hairpin you like because you were afraid I’d scold you?”

“Eh?”

I was caught off guard by the question’s direction but quickly shook my head.

“Because I am your granddaughter, it’s only natural to ask your opinion first, before the empress, isn’t it?”

I subtly emphasized the word “granddaughter.”

Although society gossips that I’m not really the daughter of Marquis Aster Presier, I don’t know who my bloodline is, but I am, after all, your granddaughter.

Grandparents are known to value those they raise, so please see me favorably.

Our eye colors are even somewhat similar, right?

Archduke Asis didn’t react. Only Ruk Kelposher next to him burst out laughing.

“Our young lady speaks very well. None her age could match her in eloquence.”

“Hmm hmm…”

The archduke said nothing more, but seemed satisfied with my answer. I could tell by the slight lift at the corner of his mouth.

“Eloquence is a talent of the nobility. Earlier, how did you find Empress Carmi, Tullia Presier?”

A sudden question.

I blinked and replied.

“Elegant and beautiful, but cold and ruthless.”

“Cold and ruthless, you say.”

I had no intention of mentioning what happened with Ferdinand. But this much was safe to say.

‘If I spoke more plainly, I’d say she is cruel, despite her appearance.’

That would surely make the archduke suspect more.

I added quietly.

“But because she is like that, she must be at the pinnacle of the Briyan Empire’s noblewomen… right?”

Archduke Asis Presier, who had been looking at me silently, spoke.

“Expensive decorations and etiquette to control people are merely secondary. Tullia Presier.”

“Yes!”

Just as I was about to shout, “Grandfather, you are completely right!”

“If one has true blue blood, one must carry absolute dignity and great purpose… and…”

Archduke Asis, staring out at the clearing sky, continued.

“One must always hold proud dignity in their heart. Only such a person is truly at the pinnacle of nobility.”

I was about to shout, “Everything you say is right!”

…But his profile, looking out the window, seemed strangely lonely for a great noble of the empire.

Fidgeting with the gold hairpin suitable for adult noblewomen, I spoke.

“Like grandmother?”

At those words, the archduke turned sharply toward me.