EURL CH 12

Chapter 12

So “that day” arrived without warning.

It had not even been a week since the new emperor’s coronation.

It was a beautiful morning.

Father had finished breakfast and was preparing to leave for the Imperial Palace. Since I had overslept, I was not allowed to eat in the dining room. Instead, my breakfast was served in the sitting room, across from where Mother was seated.

The menu consisted of bland porridge, a few seasonal fruits, and yogurt made from fermented cow’s milk.

Tch. I had clearly heard that today’s breakfast was supposed to be freshly made chorizo from the farm, well-cooked scrambled eggs, and salad.

It seemed that because I overslept, the menu had been changed without mercy.

My parents hated laziness in nobles more than anything.

So really, it was my fault for oversleeping in front of them.

Mother was elegantly opening envelopes with a paper knife, reviewing the morning mail as part of her daily routine.

I cautiously kept adding honey to my porridge. The honey had originally been meant for the yogurt, but I had no choice.

I hated porridge.

How was I supposed to eat something that tasted like boiled paper paste?

And I couldn’t leave it unfinished. My parents disliked wasting food just as much.

If I add this much honey, it should be bearable, right?

I scooped up a spoonful soaked in honey and took a bite with a satisfied expression—

Without looking up from the newspaper she was reading, Mother spoke evenly.

“Would you like to go on a blind date?”

“Pfft!”

The porridge got stuck in my throat. I quickly covered my mouth with a napkin to avoid making a mess, but I still had to cough several times, eyes watering.

“Cough—what did you say?!”

“I asked if you’d like to go on a blind date.”

“What are you talking about? That’s so sudden!”

The moment I raised my voice, Mother crisply folded the Pacific Times and set it down firmly on the table.

My eyes shifted to the newspaper.

On the front page was Rubellus’s face, and beneath it, large bold letters:

The New Emperor Misreads the Declaration Before the Nobility?! Exclusive Original Text Secured! >

He misread the declaration? His Majesty?

As I leaned forward to read more, Mother spoke firmly.

“It isn’t sudden.”

I turned to look at her.

She held out a neatly sorted stack of colorful letters.

“What are these?”

“Wedding invitations for ceremonies taking place within the next two months.”

“Wedding invitations?”

Why are there so many?

I picked up the top one and gasped.

The daughter of Count Morelli… I knew that name.

While I looked through them, Mother sighed and explained.

“The nobles in the capital are rushing to get married. If His Majesty announces his own marriage, then for about a year before and after, there will be an unspoken marriage ban. That would delay many weddings.”

Whether political marriages or love matches, it seemed they all wanted to marry quickly before things became restricted.

But what did that have to do with me?

I shifted nervously.

“But I don’t plan on anything for now…”

“Aira, I’m not forcing you to go on a blind date.”

Mother lifted her teacup, took a sip, and sighed softly.

“And let me say this first. There are other paths besides blind dates. You are a member of the Wildenbiston family. I would accept a love marriage. I would accept it if you declared you wished to support the family in your own way. But I can no longer allow you to continue doing nothing as you are now.”

I looked up and met her eyes directly.

Layered within them were love and concern.

“I am not telling you to go for the family’s honor. If you step into the marriage market, people will flock to you for the sake of our family name. We are still powerful enough for that. But in doing so, you would gain something as well. The ability to judge people. The ability to see yourself objectively. Reason that weighs practical benefits. And, if you are very fortunate, perhaps someone who can support you.”

She smiled gently.

“I know you’ve had a difficult time. But please understand a mother who worries about her daughter’s future.”

“…Yes.”

I nodded.

There was no resisting her when she spoke like that.

I stood up with slumped shoulders. The porridge I had barely touched had already hardened.

“I’ll think about it. But please forgive me for leaving breakfast unfinished.”

“Very well. But remember, you are still not allowed to go out. Spend the day quietly in your room. Inform us if you use the study.”

“…Yes.”

I dragged my slippers as I left the sitting room.

But Mother did not know two things.

That I was still holding one of the invitations in my hand.

And that I fully intended to go out today, no matter what.

***

As Aira slowly disappeared beyond the landing, a hand touched the Duchess of Wildenbiston’s shoulder from behind.

She turned and smiled faintly.

It was her husband.

The Duke of Wildenbiston, his mustache impeccably groomed, held out a handkerchief.

“Since you didn’t choose one, I did. Forgive me if it doesn’t match.”

“You chose very well.”

She smiled and neatly folded it before tucking it into his breast pocket. The handkerchief draped like a flower against his chest.

“Thank you, as always.”

The Duke gently kissed her forehead.

After receiving the kiss with closed eyes, she whispered softly,

“I told Aira to consider a blind date.”

“Well done. What did she say?”

“She said she would think about it. But even if she refuses, I intend to send her. She needs a new turning point. I have a feeling we cannot leave her as she is any longer. …Are you going to the Palace?”

“Mm.”

The Duke stroked his mustache and nodded.

“You’re retiring soon. It seems the Palace is reluctant to let you go.”

“That’s not it.”

“What?”

He looked slightly troubled.

“Well… I’ll explain properly later, but we may need to postpone our move. Inform the staff to delay the packing.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Last night, Count Walden—the provisional candidate for Prime Minister—was urgently arrested. Charges of bribery. He sold government positions to northern frontier nobles. His Majesty was furious. Walden is a key figure of the new nobility faction and someone His Majesty has relied on since his time as Crown Prince. That’s why there’s an emergency council today.”

“Oh…”

The Duchess covered her mouth in surprise, then quickly composed herself.

“So you will remain Prime Minister for the time being?”

“There’s been no official word. The cabinet reshuffle has been completely delayed. The Nobles’ Council had already prepared a new cabinet aligned with His Majesty’s preferences, but now with Walden’s arrest, investigations into existing officials may take far longer…”

He frowned, lost in thought.

“…Actually, I do not fully understand it either.”

The Duke was deeply unsettled.

Things were not unfolding according to his plans.

He thought of a secret agreement he once made with the Emperor—an oath of trust forged when Rubellus had still been Crown Prince.

According to that agreement, Count Walden was not meant to be punished yet.

This time was supposed to be his turn.

Something was going wrong.

Even so, the Duke continued quietly,

“His Majesty surpassed me long ago. I cannot presume to understand his mind. The former emperor—now the grand emperor—was fiery and acted immediately on his intentions. But the current Emperor… sometimes I cannot read him.”

Just like now.

But he could not simply ignore what was happening.

He needed to meet His Majesty and ask directly.

What was going on? What was he planning?

There was only one thing that lingered in his thoughts.

Aira.

The Duke’s eyes sharpened.

Surely…

Could it possibly be because of his daughter?