MHC 35

Chapter 35

“Th-that child….”

Chloe repeated the official’s words, clearly startled.

“May I ask what it’s about? I’d like to know what was selected as well.”

“You’re still as passionate as ever. Of course, if you wish to know, I should tell you. You used to attend the meetings regularly, after all—even if you took a short break.”

With a hearty laugh, the official briefly listed what Helena had presented at the meeting.

Good heavens.

The more Chloe listened, the more shocked she became.

Everything Helena had presented matched perfectly with the report Chloe had written.

For the celebratory speech, both the Emperor and Calis—who had contributed to ending the war—would participate.
All participants would wear their homeland’s armor during the ceremony.
During the festival period, a popular play from the Kingdom would be specially staged in the Empire.
For the nobles, an opera would be held—the story would remain the same, but the lyrics would be reinterpreted by the Empire.

Even the smaller events she had carefully planned were identical.

Even the argument that this festival—embracing both Imperial and Kingdom cultures—would strengthen the bond between the two nations, which had previously only been politically connected, and that the people of each country would grow more interested in their allied nation…

Coincidence?

Chloe didn’t want to act rashly based on personal emotions. Conclusions born from private feelings would only bring confusion to matters that should remain professional.

No… this isn’t a coincidence.

Even when viewed objectively, Helena was suspicious. Anyone would think so.

She wrote something identical to the report I lost.

Helena, who hadn’t been active in meetings, had somehow prepared such a detailed proposal in just one day—that alone was strange.

If she went to gather research materials, she must have gone to the Imperial library too.

And that day just so happened to be the same day Chloe had lost her report.

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I see the final proposal written by Lady Helena?”

“I’m sorry. Individual reports can only be reviewed by me, as the coordinator, and His Majesty the Emperor.”

If she could just see Helena’s report, everything would become clear—but the rules were the rules. It was frustrating.

If only she could present her own report and ask for a comparison.

She sighed, thinking of her report that now existed only in her memory.

I need to see that report.

Chloe didn’t want to lose the report she had worked on for days. And since the other party was Helena, her resistance only grew stronger.

Of course, it was partly her fault for failing to safeguard it—but if Helena hadn’t taken it in the first place, it wouldn’t have been lost.

But if I don’t have the authority…

There were only two people with access to the report.

One was the chairman. The other was the Emperor.

Since she had already been refused by the chairman, only one option remained.

Would it be too much to ask His Majesty…?

Strictly speaking, the imperial family only needed to select proposals. Chloe’s issue was personal—too personal.

…Let me think of him as Kuhn.

Chloe imagined the Emperor as her close friend—the one she exchanged private letters with, asking after each other’s well-being even from afar.

The man seated at the head of the table exuded elegance.

Even the way he sliced his meat with a knife carried the refinement of someone raised in nobility. It was so ordinary it was almost tiresome—no different from usual.

And yet, that gesture looked no different from Kuhn, the man she had once shared sandwiches with.

Once again, Chloe realized they were the same person.

“It’s fine, go ahead and speak, Princess.”

“…Pardon?”

“You look like you have something to say. Am I mistaken?”

Behind the mask, the faintly raised corners of his lips and the gentle tone in his voice felt familiar.

Perhaps that was why Chloe’s tension melted away so easily.

Yes. The Emperor—lofty and admired by all—was also her close friend.

“I visited the chairman today. I heard that Lady Helena’s report was chosen as the final proposal.”

“That woman who has a sponsor, you mean. What happened to your report?”

“Well… I lost it.”

“So even you are capable of such a mistake. How surprising.”

At his remark, Chloe’s pale cheeks flushed.

“It’s not a misunderstanding. I simply meant that you, who always strive for perfection, seem more human this way. So—what is it you wish to ask of me?”

“…What?”

Chloe asked blankly.

Repeating herself wasn’t a good habit, but everything he said felt new and unfamiliar when spoken by the Emperor.

“Didn’t you approach me because you needed something? If you’re the Chloe I know, that must be the case.”

“Ah…”

He was right. Whenever Chloe actively initiated conversation, it was always because she needed something.

“Um, I…”

To act so selfishly before the one person she must show utmost respect to…

Even now, it was the same.

Even if he called himself her friend, they were still separate identities—and the man before her was the ruler of the Empire.

Chloe quickly lowered her head in apology.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty.”

“There’s no need to be so formal with me.”

“….”

“I’m rather grateful you came to me. I owe you quite a debt, and it’s been troubling me.”

At his generous response, she slowly raised her head.

“So if there’s ever anything you need, call for me anytime. Strangely enough, I wish for your happiness.”

His voice was warm—like spring sunlight.

And in that unfamiliar yet gentle side of the Emperor, she saw someone else layered over him: the friend who had once boldly promised to stand by her side.

Ah…

Perhaps, in that moment, Chloe saw his sincerity.

Whether it was truly to repay a debt, or whether he had some hidden intention—

This man was helping her pursue happiness.

“So…”

Realizing there was no difference between the Emperor and her friend, Chloe finally gathered her courage.

“Lady Helena’s report coincidentally matches the one I lost. The time she wrote it overlaps with when I lost mine. I asked the chairman for permission to verify it, but I was refused due to lack of authority.”

“So you want me to grant you access to the final proposal?”

“I wouldn’t dare ask for that. I only ask that when Your Majesty reads her report, you check one thing for me.”

Kuhn gave no immediate response, silently urging her to continue.

Under the table, her hand clenched tightly in her dress.

“References. Please check whether the report includes references—books or newspapers the author consulted.”

It was the final day of the meeting.

Originally, it should have continued for another day or two, but since a final decision had already been reached from above, there was nothing left to revise.

The planning was complete; now only execution remained.

“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we have successfully completed the design. The Empire will ensure this effort is not in vain by preparing the greatest festival.”

The chairman stepped forward and spoke. A brief round of applause followed.

“We also thank Lady Helena for her excellent proposal. The festival will be held based on her report.”

At the call, all eyes turned to Helena.

She lowered her head shyly at the attention, then smiled faintly once she composed herself.

Chloe also clapped along with the others.

But as she glanced over, their eyes met.

Helena’s pink eyes gleamed with confidence. Though her cheeks were lightly flushed, the upward curve of her lips revealed arrogance.

Considering Helena’s personality, if she had truly stolen Chloe’s proposal, she wouldn’t act so boldly.

She would at least appear uneasy, trying not to get caught.

Could it really be a coincidence?

Or…

Could it be… she doesn’t even know I’m the original author?

If she had taken it from the library, she might not know who it belonged to.

In this situation, it’ll be difficult to speak up later.

If possible, Chloe wanted to raise an objection now, before the meeting fully concluded.

But since Kuhn hadn’t attended breakfast, she hadn’t received his answer to her request.

Which meant she had no solid evidence.

If she made a weak claim, she wouldn’t be able to defeat Helena, who possessed the physical report.

“Then, as we conclude the meeting—”

The chairman began to wrap things up.

Had his final words not been suddenly interrupted, everyone would have simply left the room.

The official organizing the documents, Calis and Helena preparing to leave—

And Chloe, who remained seated, staring into space—

All of them stopped and turned toward the source of the sound.

Step. Step.

Footsteps echoed through the hall.

Even such a basic action carried an air of refinement.

Though he stood on the same ground as everyone else, the man seemed to belong to an entirely different world.

When he reached the center of the room, the Emperor finally stopped.

Slowly, he scanned the room—

And his gaze settled on one woman.