Chapter 3
After returning from horseback riding and finishing a hot bath, even as he dressed himself, Reinhardt’s mood remained light and refreshed.
As he watched the attendant help him into his shirt and carefully fasten the cufflinks, he suddenly thought of the moment he had given Friede a diamond necklace.
Should I have included emerald earrings as well?
They would have suited her green eyes perfectly.
Having made up his mind, he immediately called over the chief attendant who was nearby, checking and selecting the outfit he would wear today.
“Order a pair of emerald earrings from the jeweler.
Make sure the design matches the necklace from last time.”
“Yes, I will place the order.
It would be fitting to set the delivery date to commemorate the day of Your Majesty’s first meeting with her.”
“That’s right.
Perfect timing.”
Reinhardt looked at his reflection in the large mirror.
Over a cream-colored shirt, a silk tie was secured with a simple diamond pin.
A dark burgundy jacket, a black vest, tailored slacks, and black shoes with a subtle sheen completed the ensemble.
Wearing only the imperial signet ring as an accessory, Reinhardt felt satisfied with his perfectly styled hair and appearance, as flawless as his attire.
Slicked-back black hair and silver-gray eyes.
A moderately tanned complexion befitting someone who enjoyed outdoor activities.
Once again, there was not a single flaw to be found.
On days when he met with the ministers, he had to prepare himself this thoroughly, or they would seize upon the smallest imperfection for no reason at all.
And such petty fault-finding could easily become a pretext to apply pressure on the imperial family, in ways both large and small.
Reinhardt had been born the sole legitimate heir—an exceptionally rare case in imperial history—and had grown up in the palace without a single challenge to his position.
Because of that, no one knew better than he did that he must be more outstanding than anyone else, and more perfect than anyone else.
There can be no openings.
Then, suddenly, the meeting scheduled for that morning crossed his mind.
“Has Duke Wilhelmar not entered the palace today either?”
The chief attendant tilted his head slightly in confusion.
“Is that so?
How unusual.
Make sure the message is delivered—he is to enter the palace without fail, even if it is tonight.
That fox-like old man should at least know how to restrain himself, if only for Friede’s sake.”
“Your words are most just.
I will send word at once.”
At the chief attendant’s signal, the servant standing by the door bowed and immediately left to carry out the emperor’s command.
“Your Majesty, breakfast has been prepared.
All ministers except Duke Wilhelmar are in attendance and waiting.”
Unlike the dawn ride, Linton—now properly dressed—announced that the morning schedule was ready.
He had already returned to his role as Baron Linton, the faithful aide devoted to his duties.
“Let’s go.”
As Reinhardt walked toward the breakfast hall, Baron Linton, his closest confidant, and Sir Jonathan of the Imperial Knights followed behind him, with aides, the chief attendant, and servants trailing after them.
Each time he passed, the guards bowed their heads in reverence.
Just as they entered the corridor leading to the breakfast hall, a servant who had gone to deliver the message to the Wilhelmar estate came running back in great haste.
Startled by this breach of palace etiquette, the chief attendant reprimanded him in a low but stern voice.
“This concerns His Majesty’s safety.
What reckless behavior is this?”
Yet even after the scolding, the servant’s panicked expression did not change.
His face pale, gasping for breath, he whispered something into the chief attendant’s ear.
The chief attendant, who had been listening with a frown, now wore an equally shocked expression.
“What is it?”
Just before entering the breakfast hall, the commotion drew Reinhardt’s irritation, and he frowned deeply.
At the emperor’s prompt, the chief attendant stepped forward carefully.
“Your Majesty, it would be best to cancel today’s schedule for now and move to the study.
I will report the details there.”
Seeing how dark the chief attendant’s face had become, Reinhardt raised one eyebrow.
“Say it here.
What is it?”
“Your Majesty…”
“Speak.”
After a moment of hesitation, the chief attendant finally revealed the tragic news he had just received.
“Lady Friede of House Wilhelmar has passed away.”
Gasps of shock erupted from those in attendance.
Despite being in the emperor’s presence, the corridor fell into chaotic murmurs.
“Cancel all schedules.”
After issuing the brief order, Reinhardt turned away and strode down the corridor, preventing the disturbance from spreading further.
The aides and servants, snapping back to their senses, hurriedly followed him.
“Last night—early this morning—a massive fire completely destroyed Duke Wilhelmar’s villa in Ramsher.
However…”
The chief attendant paused, then continued in a somber voice.
“Lady Friede and a guest were staying at the villa.
The fire was so severe that neither of them managed to escape.”
Pacing the study as he listened, Reinhardt finally slammed his fist down on the desk in anger.
“If Friede had plans to go to Ramsher, I would have received a report in advance.
She had no reason to be there.”
A restrained fury colored the emperor’s voice.
“And with a marriage imminent, the duke would never have allowed his daughter to travel all the way to Ramsher.
To begin with, are we certain the body found is truly Friede’s?”
“The investigators examining the fire are on their way from Ramsher.
For now, they say one of the bodies is almost certainly hers.
The ring and necklace found on the remains have been identified as Lady Friede’s belongings.
However…”
When the chief attendant trailed off again, the sound of a desk leg being kicked echoed sharply through the room.
It was Reinhardt, unable to contain his frustration any longer.
“What is it?”
“…There were not two women.”
At that moment, all movement in the study ceased.
A suffocating silence fell.
After a long pause, Reinhardt’s low voice broke through.
“Not two women?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The sound of teeth grinding echoed faintly.
Quick-witted Linton shut his eyes tightly, while Jonathan let out a low sigh.
After standing in silence for a long while, Reinhardt finally lifted his head.
In stark contrast to the fury twisting his features, his silver-gray eyes were icy cold.
“Summon everyone involved in this matter immediately.”
Mariel arrived at the imperial palace late that night, having received the emperor’s summons.
By day, the palace gleamed white with marble, but by night it transformed into a golden spectacle under countless lights.
To enter such a magnificent palace was the dream of nearly every noble lady.
Mariel, the daughter of a count who governed a fairly prosperous southern territory, had grown up far removed from such aspirations, thanks to her modest parents.
At most, she had only wondered what the imperial library might be like.
But today, nothing about the palace caught her eye.
Neither its luxury nor its beauty registered in her vision.
As she stepped down from the carriage and followed the chief attendant through the long corridors, her gaze remained fixed straight ahead.
Her pale face and rigid expression made her look like an empty doll, exuding an eerie stillness.
Perhaps the crumpled wedding dress she was wearing only heightened that impression.
“This way.”
Passing the waiting room guarded by soldiers, the group stopped before a massive door.
A servant came forward to meet them.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Leaving Mariel and Philip behind, the chief attendant entered first.
When he emerged shortly after, his expression was noticeably grim, as though he had seen something unsettling inside.
He then explained several points of caution to Mariel and Philip.
“Once inside, you must first pay your respects to His Majesty.
When His Majesty speaks, you are not to interrupt or make any sound until he finishes.
And above all, you must conceal nothing.
Do you understand?”
Only after repeating his warnings several times did the chief attendant finally allow them to enter.
“You may go in now.”
Mariel nodded silently, and Philip took her hand.
“Just tell them what you know.
I’ll be right beside you.
If it becomes too much, talk to me instead.
All right?”
Though he spoke gently, as if it were nothing, Philip feared deep down that his sister might break apart.
For Philip—and for herself—Mariel squeezed his hand tightly in return.
The siblings slowly entered the emperor’s audience chamber.
Just like stepping into the wedding hall she was meant to enter that very morning.
Just like that.
