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Chapter 9
I somehow swallowed the curse that rose all the way to my chin at the Emperor’s shameless face and hurriedly offered a formal greeting.
“May the glory of the Empire be blessed by Lihibra—”
“That will do.”
I forced my twisted expression back into place and lifted my head to meet his eyes.
He didn’t appear to be formally dressed, nor did he have any attendants with him. It didn’t look like he had come through proper official procedures.
What is he doing… seriously?
Even though the Emperor and I were engaged, we were not yet formally married. If news of this spread, I would be the one who suffered the most damage.
Fortunately, perhaps aware of that much, the Emperor did not step inside and only stood at the doorway.
I swallowed the rising curse again and forced a smile.
“May I ask what brings you here so suddenly, Your Majesty?”
“I suppose I have intruded.”
That’s not what I’m asking.
“Of course not. I was just… surprised to see you without any warning.”
“So you dislike it.”
“Yes.”
Silence fell.
Just moments ago, he had looked almost in a good mood—but now his expression stiffened.
I desperately racked my brain. I have to fix this, Isanna.
“I… I wanted to always look properly composed in front of Your Majesty… but right now I feel like I look too shabby.”
“…Hah.”
His body trembled slightly.
Then I heard something that sounded like a laugh.
I looked up in shock.
He was actually smiling. That didn’t make sense for his personality…
“Your Majesty?”
“That will do. If you insist so much, I will wait in the reception room.”
“Y-yes. I’ll get ready and come down shortly.”
The Emperor disappeared.
Left alone, I quickly prepared, still uneasy.
Honestly, I wasn’t in a bad condition already—but since I had made a point about appearance, I had to at least show effort.
Still… he let it slide. That’s a relief.
Cold sweat trickled down my temple as I recalled the earlier tension.
“Quickly. As lavishly as possible.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll do our best!”
The maids’ fierce determination reassured me slightly.
Now I just had to figure out why the Emperor had suddenly come to the ducal estate…
It would be revealed soon anyway, but I needed to predict it.
Is it about the Oclark Mountain Range?
Since I had given my opinion on it, maybe he had come to ask further questions.
Perhaps he had rushed here due to the seriousness of the monster wave.
But… something doesn’t fit.
In truth, no one understood warfare and monster subjugation better than the Emperor.
In the original story, the Emperor and the Grand Duke had a very poor relationship. Because of that, the Emperor ignored the Grand Duke’s suggestion to protect the Popolas territory.
Without realizing the consequences of that decision.
In other words, he had essentially left knowing monsters would reach the heroine’s territory.
“…Ha.”
“Milady?”
“No. It’s nothing.”
Now that I think about it, the heroine and the Emperor had also fought over this incident in the original story.
I should’ve paid more attention when reading it.
I regretted skimming over those pages.
Then… why had he come?
I desperately tried to recall what events occurred around this time.
But nothing significant came to mind.
“Finished!”
“Good work.”
A maid’s confident voice rang out as she finished my hair.
With no expectations, I looked up—and saw someone entirely different in the mirror.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
“Your skill… is beyond human.”
“Hehe. Thank you, Milady!”
“What is your name?”
“I’m Ina.”
I decided to remember her name.
Isanna was already beautiful—but this… it was almost beyond human race entirely.
“The Emperor must be waiting. I should go.”
I dismissed the maids who tried to follow and went alone to the reception room.
I didn’t want to bring unnecessary attention in case the Emperor’s mood turned.
Still unable to figure out his reason, I entered the room.
Just the fact that he was there made the mansion feel unlike a home.
“Your Majesty.”
“…Isanna.”
He responded a beat late.
So Ina’s makeup really was that effective.
“Shall I have dinner prepared?”
“No. I came only briefly… to deliver something.”
Something urgent enough to come in person?
I waited tensely for him to continue.
“An envoy is arriving from the Kingdom of Toblon.”
“So it’s that time already.”
“You knew?”
I quickly covered my slip with a lie.
“I overheard it from His Grace speaking with his aide.”
“Hmm. Then you know the general idea.”
I gave no verbal confirmation, only silence.
“I would like you to oversee the banquet preparations.”
My lips twitched upward.
At last—an official opportunity to act as the future Empress in a public setting.
“I will prepare it perfectly. No—flawlessly.”
I steadied my voice.
A strange gaze lingered on me, but I didn’t have time to think about it.
This was a step closer to marriage.
Wait. This is my chance.
I should also use this opportunity to push my next plan.
A chance to promote the “good relationship” between the Emperor and his “fiancée”—even if it was all fabricated.
“Your Majesty, I—”
“Did you receive the gifts properly?”
We spoke at the same time.
I froze and repeated his words in my mind.
So he was asking if I had received the gifts he sent?
He had sent them this morning… and already came to check?
So that’s why he came here?
I forced a bright expression.
“Of course! When I first learned Your Majesty sent gifts, I was truly… moved!”
I blushed as if I had received an unexpected romantic gift.
What a ridiculous act.
Of course, inside I was ruthlessly judging myself.
“Is that so?”
“Yes… absolutely.”
I turned my gaze away toward the window.
Silence returned to the room.
Ah, right—I had something else to say.
I clicked my tongue internally and put on a sweet expression again.
“Your Majesty, have you decided on what you will wear for that day?”
“My clothes?”
“Yes. For the day the Toblon envoy arrives.”
“I haven’t thought about it.”
I smiled with conviction.
“Then please allow me to prepare Your Majesty’s outfit as well.”
At that, the Emperor silently looked at me.
That gaze I hated—the unreadable one that always unsettled me.
“I will leave it to you.”
I swallowed my irritation and smiled brightly.
“It is an honor.”
“Enough. I’ll be leaving.”
He stood abruptly, looking oddly displeased.
I followed him up as well.
“You’re leaving already… how unfortunate.”
“Is it?”
“Hm?”
His sharp voice made me pause.
“You look rather pleased that I’m leaving.”
Cold sweat broke out instantly.
This man really was sharp.
But I was Isanna Delorvant—the sole daughter of a duke, seasoned in high society.
I smoothly composed my expression.
“You misunderstand, Your Majesty. How could I be pleased to see the light of the Empire leave my presence?”
A flawless lie.
His gaze pinned down the top of my head.
“Let’s say that’s the case. No need to see me off.”
“I am honored.”
“Ha…”
He sighed again, clearly dissatisfied.
I wanted to sigh too—but I couldn’t.
Eventually, I watched his carriage leave the estate.
“Freedom.”
There was still a strange feeling lingering, but I had gotten what I wanted.
Matching outfits with the Emperor… couples’ coordination…
A chill ran down my spine, but it was still an opportunity.
In formal banquets, couples often matched outfits in color or accessories.
The Emperor and I had never once done that since our engagement.
“Hm… what did the Emperor usually wear to banquets?”
As I walked toward the storage room, I tried to recall.
All I could remember were the faces of women who had danced with him.
I couldn’t remember his outfits at all.
Damn… I almost feel sorry for dogs for comparing him to them.
While muttering curses inwardly, I noticed servants bustling about.
I decided I would choose his outfit tomorrow with Madame Kar.
For now, I had to deal with the bomb the Emperor had dropped.
“…There’s more than I expected.”
That was my first impression upon entering the warehouse.
“Yes. We couldn’t move everything due to existing storage items.”
“Then the rest?”
“We converted an unused stable into temporary storage.”
I nodded and walked inside.
Even in the morning, the pile of gifts had been enormous.
Seeing it again, my irritation toward the Emperor softened slightly.
“What are these boxes?”
“We haven’t checked all of them, but they appear to be gemstones over ten carats.”
I opened the top box.
…Heavens.
Inside was the “Tear of the Verdant Night,” the personal treasure of the 17th Queen of the Alexander Kingdom—an artifact said to have disappeared 400 years ago.
So that’s where it went. It was in the Karvandeka Imperial treasury.
