Chapter 85 ….
Imperial Palace, Ruby Palace
Inside the palace draped in red veils, the Empress sat on the throne, with Noah and the ministers standing before her.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and dark, as if shrouded in smoke.
“The Emperor’s faction is plotting something quite audacious. They’re even thinking of dragging in the nobility. They must be quite anxious.”
The Empress smirked, twirling her long red nails.
A minister, standing awkwardly in the center, lowered his head and spoke.
“Even if they struggle, Your Majesty, the Empress faction’s forces are currently superior. But, Your Majesty, if war breaks out, there will be no turning back. Civilian casualties aside, the economic and diplomatic damage would be immense. It would be best to resolve this through high-level negotiations…”
“That’s correct, James. Public opposition is growing, and the psychological unrest has reached its peak. First priority is ensuring the Crown Princess’s safety. The Emperor’s head can come later.”
When Noah spoke, the Empress only nodded silently.
Sensing the shift in focus, the ministers’ attention turned to him.
“But Your Highness, there is no way to extract the Crown Princess from Archduke Skulus’s side. How can we…”
“No, there is a way.”
Noah gritted his teeth, staring into the void.
“I’ll do it myself.”
“Ugh, it’s hot.”
No matter how sunny it was, perhaps because it was nearly July, it felt unbearably hot.
And she was stuck indoors because of it.
“The sun is so harsh outside…”
Still, the weather wasn’t humid like in Korea, so staying in the shade was bearable.
“I’m bored… is there anything to do?”
Stretching and looking out the window, Elena was suddenly startled.
“What… what is that?”
She frowned and leaned closer.
A plump pigeon was charging toward the window at full speed.
“What on earth… why is a pigeon like that…”
Thump-thump—
The pigeon, plump as a pig, pecked at the window demanding to be let in.
A note was tied to its leg—an official messenger pigeon—but who would send such a chubby pigeon…
“Could it be Aiden?”
Of course, only Aiden would send her a message this way.
It avoided Decarus’s notice and was the fastest form of communication.
With a suspicious look, she opened the window, and the pigeon came closer with a soft coo.
“Let’s see.”
She untied the note from its leg and unfolded it to reveal a fairly long message.
Elena,
I was worried since I hadn’t heard from you.
I haven’t slept a moment since you left that last time.
Are you okay?
I want to see you and talk.
Come to the house on Fore Street tomorrow at noon.
I’ll be waiting.—Aiden
“Ah, so he really was worried. How thoughtful.”
Nothing beats a friend, after all.
Tomorrow, Decarus had a visit to the Delite district temple, so she could go out without worry.
She’d just have to be careful not to reveal her face.
“Time to write a reply.”
Elena cut a thin piece of paper and wrote a small note:
Aiden,
You’re the only one who worries about me.
I’ll be there at noon tomorrow, so wait for me.
I want to see you too.—Elena
“This should do it.”
She held the paper up to the sunlight, smiling, and tied it to the pigeon’s leg.
“Go deliver this to Aiden.”
Watching the pigeon fly off, she suddenly felt like going outside.
“I guess I’ll take a walk.”
She stood in front of her wardrobe, rifling through dresses.
Summer had fully arrived, so it was time for a short-sleeved dress.
“This one should work.”
A pale sky-blue dress with white buttons.
The rounded collar and small lace details made it look charming.
The color was refreshing, and the fabric breathable.
“Perfect!”
Elena grabbed a white parasol and left the mansion.
One hand held a wide-brimmed hat, the other the parasol—fully armed.
“Where should I go?”
Shielding herself from the blazing sun, she headed toward the garden.
The garden, which she hadn’t visited in a long time, was a riot of summer blooms.
Everything looked lush and healthy, with no wilted flowers, likely thanks to the diligent servants.
Walking toward the swing, she saw a boy already sitting there.
“Hey, who’s taking my spot?”
Just as she approached to scold him, he sensed her presence and turned around.
“Oh? Sister?”
“…Rei?”
It was none other than Rei.
The only child in the mansion with black hair.
He came running over, small feet stomping, but he seemed a little different somehow.
“Sis!”
“Oh, hi. But you look… taller?”
“Told you! You’re so small.”
“…What???”
Elena’s eyes and mouth widened in shock.
She couldn’t believe this little brat called her small.
And at his height, she wasn’t exactly tiny—163 cm isn’t short even in Korea.
“Hey, how am I small? I’m still taller than you.”
Rei gave her a look, chewing on the words, then nodded.
“Ah, okay…”
“Why that reaction?”
“No, it’s fine.”
One of the things she hated most was unfinished speech.
And a little kid daring to glare at an adult? Not in her country.
“Hey, little brat. You should show respect to adults.”
“Are you an adult?”
“What?”
Rei blinked innocently.
A child’s eyes can really seem angelic.
Her bad mood melted instantly at his clear gaze.
“I thought you were sixteen. You look so young.”
Was that flattery or honest? She was momentarily confused.
“You don’t look like an adult.”
Apparently, kids these days are cunning.
This one was about eleven, maybe.
While she stared drowsily at him, he blurted out three words.
“Sis, you’re pretty.”
Ah, children’s hearts are pure—they never lie.
“Mm, really? You actually know something, huh?”
Rei stared at her for a moment, then turned and muttered softly:
“Dummy.”
“What?”
“I said you’re pretty. But I’m bored. Play with me.”
He raised a small hand, leading her somewhere.
Elena had no choice but to follow, mumbling.
“Where are we going?”
“Wait and see.”
They walked for a while before Rei hid in the grass, peeking at something.
“What… Carus?”
“Sis, sit quickly.”
Wait, did he come all the way here to see Decarus?
She turned to speak, and the boy looked at him with awe.
How devoted is he to Decarus?
Like a fan stalking a celebrity.
She had to stay composed.
“War might be inevitable. For now, the Crown Princess’s safety comes first.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
They were some distance away, but she could hear the voices.
War…?
“What… what are they talking about?”
Rei seemed to know something, but when she looked back, he was covering his ears, trembling all over.
“Rei? Rei!!”
“Sis, I’m so scared…”
Elena, startled, hugged him close and patted his back.
The boy was having a panic attack, barely able to breathe. She didn’t know what to do.
“Carus… Carus!”
“Elena?”
Hearing her cries, Decarus frowned in concern.
“What is happening…?”
“Rei, he’s—”
“Give him here.”
Realizing the seriousness, Decarus picked up Rei and hurried back to the mansion.
“It’s a post-war trauma. Usually it happens after hearing loud noises like explosions, but if words trigger a seizure, it’s severe. With some rest, he should recover quickly. Just keep a close eye.”
“Thank you…”
“Glory to Estelle.”
Once the doctor bowed and left, reality hit her.
Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor.
Decarus rushed over and held her tightly.
“You okay?”
“Carus…”
As her breathing slowly synced with his heartbeat, she remembered their earlier conversation.
“What do you mean war is inevitable…?”
His hand patting her back paused for a moment.
When she looked up, he spoke with a dark expression.
“It’s nothing. You don’t need to worry.”
But the atmosphere was serious.
And the Crown Princess’s safety came first.
So the situation must be dangerous.
“Don’t lie. You even mentioned me.”
“Elena.”
“Is it serious? Even Archduke Low is in danger?”
“No, nothing like that. Don’t worry.”
“How can I not worry? Why are you always…!”
“Mom… Mom…”
Her voice rose, frustrated, when she heard Rei’s thin voice.
She ran to the bed, checking his face.
“Rei?”
“Mom…”
“You okay, Rei?”
He kept calling for her.
This little boy must have missed his mother terribly.
Rei lifted his eyelids, revealing worried red eyes reflecting Elena’s face.
“Sis…?”
