Chapter 8
8. The Photo Album of Memories
Lady Laval had recently told me that I should actively attend tea parties — both to practice choosing dresses and to make my face and name known in high society.
Just then, an invitation arrived from the Empress Dowager herself.
The Empress Dowager’s tea parties were small and private, but one still had to be careful about what to wear.
I stood before my closet, contemplating my dresses.
Since it was only a small gathering, something overly extravagant would be inappropriate. Yet, if I dressed too plainly, it might seem disrespectful to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.
After some thought, I decided on a simple spring-green dress and tied my hair half-up with a white lace ribbon.
For shoes, I chose a pair with medium heels.
Lady Laval gave me her approval.
“You can now select appropriate attire on your own without my interference, Princess Reisie.”
“It’s thanks to your guidance, Lady Laval.”
“I’ve heard that Lady Ludmila has also been invited to this tea party. You should take the opportunity to deepen your acquaintance.”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
With only three months left until the wedding, the lessons in imperial etiquette from Lady Laval and Lady Montreuil had entered their final stages.
Even after their training ended, I had resolved to continue studying so that I might become a worthy empress.
On the day of the tea party, His Majesty Aleksanteri came to escort me.
Together, we walked to the Empress Dowager’s Palace — close enough that we didn’t need a carriage.
Inside, tea had been prepared in a charming gazebo.
Today’s guests were Lady Ludmila, Chancellor Cayetan, Lord Julius, and Lord Theo.
When His Majesty and I appeared, they all stood and greeted us.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Highness the Princess Consort, it is an honor.”
“I look forward to sharing tea with you today.”
“It eases my heart to see how affectionate you both are.”
“It’s a pleasure to join you today.”
I knew that, as the most exalted person in the nation, His Majesty must be greeted formally, but having such distinguished people — the chancellor and his wife, and His Majesty’s close aides — bow to me still felt awkward.
I would have to grow used to it if I wanted to be a proper empress.
“Please, everyone, take your seats. Mother, thank you for inviting us today.”
“I wanted to speak with Princess Reisie. You didn’t have to come, my son.”
“Reisie and I are always together. Don’t try to separate us.”
The Empress Dowager laughed lightly, and His Majesty smiled wryly.
Once everyone was seated, the maids poured tea into delicate cups, and a lovely fragrance filled the air.
“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, was there something you wished to discuss with me?”
“Yes, the little embroidered pouches you made for me — I find them quite useful. I was hoping you could make a few more.”
“Of course, if it’s for Your Majesty. Would you like the same embroidery pattern?”
“Yes, but could you make them a little larger this time?”
“May I ask what you’ll use them for?”
“Last time, I used them for jewelry. This time, I’d like to keep my cosmetics and handkerchiefs organized inside my handbag.”
It seemed she wanted something like an inner bag — a pouch to place inside another bag.
Since handbags without compartments make small items hard to find, she probably wanted pouches of various sizes to match her bags.
“What size of bag will it go in?”
“I bought a travel bag recently.”
At that, His Majesty raised his voice slightly.
“Mother, are you going on a trip?”
“Once the Emperor is married, I’ll finally be able to lay down some of my burdens. I thought I might take a short trip within the country.”
I recalled that ever since His Majesty was six years old — until I came to the Imperial Palace — he had never traveled. That likely meant the Empress Dowager hadn’t gone anywhere either since the late Emperor’s passing.
Now that she wished to travel, perhaps she was beginning to look at life with renewed optimism.
“Her Majesty and I actually promised to travel together,” said Lady Ludmila.
“You’re going with her, Lady Ludmila?”
“Yes. My husband is always busy and can’t take vacations, so I’ve long wanted to travel. When Her Majesty invited me, I happily accepted.”
So the Empress Dowager and Lady Ludmila were going on a journey together.
Perhaps as women who had both married into the royal household, they shared a bond of friendship.
“Would you like to join us too, Princess Reisie?”
Caught off guard, I glanced toward His Majesty.
His expression looked slightly… displeased.
“Reisie will be traveling with me,” he said promptly. “Ah, that reminds me — Reisie, where shall we go for our honeymoon?”
“Our honeymoon? I’d like you to see where I grew up, Your Majesty.”
And I wanted to visit Cecil’s grave again, too.
When I told him that, His Majesty’s expression brightened.
“The Dian County, then. Excellent. I can also inspect the factories there.”
“I’ve never seen the factories myself. I’d love to visit them.”
As we chatted cheerfully, Lord Julius was watching His Majesty intently.
He seemed to have something on his mind, so I met His Majesty’s eyes and gave him a small nod.
“Once Your Majesty is married,” Julius said, “I plan to hold my own wedding as well. I would be honored if both of you would attend.”
“So you’re finally going through with it, Julius.”
“I couldn’t marry before my emperor did. My beloved fiancée has waited long enough — at last, we can wed.”
I remembered that Lord Julius had vowed not to marry until His Majesty did.
Now that the emperor was soon to wed, Julius would be free to have his own ceremony.
“I’ll attend as well, Lord Julius,” said Theo.
“Of course, please do, Lord Theo.”
Julius and Theo had been chosen as His Majesty’s companions when he was young, and their camaraderie still felt easy and natural.
I took the chance to ask the Empress Dowager, the Chancellor, and the two gentlemen a question.
“What kind of child was His Majesty Aleksanteri?”
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
Chancellor Cayetan spoke first, his tone somber.
“He was a child who let no one near him. Though very small, he seemed to have no will to live — he would eat only when forced.”
“After the coup, when he was returned to the palace, it was as though he had become another person entirely,” added the Empress Dowager softly.
Hearing that, memories stirred in my mind.
It was easy to forget now — because His Majesty is always so gentle and smiling — but after Cecil’s death, when he was brought back to the palace, he had been like a living ghost.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked.
I tried to change the subject, but His Majesty cheerfully spoke up.
“Mother, didn’t you have photographs of me as a child? Why not show them to Reisie?”
“Ah, yes. I have an album of him up until he turned six. Bring it here,” the Empress Dowager instructed her maid.
Soon, an album was brought in.
Inside were sepia-toned photographs — of baby Aleksanteri, of him taking his first steps, of him seated between the Empress Dowager and what must have been the late Emperor.
“How adorable…”
Every picture held traces of the little boy I remembered as Garne.
There was no doubt in my mind — His Majesty truly was Garne.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I looked through the photos again and again.
“These pictures are my treasures,” the Empress Dowager said softly. “They hold memories of the late Emperor and of my dear son’s childhood.”
“They’re truly precious. Thank you for showing them to me,” I said, returning the album with a bow.
Then, the Empress Dowager looked me straight in the eye and said clearly:
“When I pass away, Princess Reisie, I want you to have this album.”
“I can’t even imagine such a day, Your Majesty… but when the time comes, I will cherish it with all my heart.”
I promised to take care of the album someday — though, in my heart, I prayed that that day would be as far away as possible.
