Chapter 38. The Beginning of What I Must Do
On the way to the Imperial Palace, I kept thinking about the epidemic in the East.
I was sure the Marquis of Perje’s ball had come first, yet the Eastern epidemic was what surfaced first.
No matter how many times I retraced the events before my regression, the conclusion remained the same.
The outbreak of the Eastern epidemic had occurred well after the ball at the Marquis of Perje’s estate and the incidents that followed.
I had already established Lloyd’s position firmly before sending him to the East, using that opportunity to spread tales of his virtue across the Empire.
Did I borrow people from an Eastern merchant group back then too?
“Are you thinking of sending people to the East?”
Betty’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She looked at me with a puzzled expression that didn’t suit her usual composure.
She must be wondering why I made this decision today.
Even Betty, who typically accepted my decisions after reasoning through them, found this one questionable.
I understood why.
After all, my decision was based entirely on memories from before my regression.
“Yes, I’m going to send them. The merchant network being cut off means something is happening in the East, don’t you think?”
“Well, yes… But then shouldn’t we just send a small team? I don’t understand why you’re sending food and blankets along as well.”
She wasn’t wrong.
If it were only a matter of reestablishing communication, that would’ve been enough.
But that wasn’t all I was aiming for.
“I can’t give you a clear answer right now. This is a decision based on speculation, so I can’t confidently say why.”
“Well, I know you sometimes make decisions based on intuition, but even then, I can usually figure out the reasoning… This time, it’s hard.”
Betty added that last part with a shrug.
I smiled faintly at her.
There wasn’t anything else I could say.
“I’ve already given the necessary orders. Let’s think about the rest once we reach the palace.”
I gestured toward the increasingly close Imperial Palace.
A place I’d be staying for a while.
Feeling strangely nostalgic, I took the secret path behind the palace that Leofric had told me about.
This was truly the beginning—of what I must do.
“Amelia.”
Leofric greeted me warmly when we met again.
He cheerfully said he’d just escaped from the Emperor’s office and was glad our timing worked out.
“Did your work go well?”
“Yes. Nothing serious happened.”
“That’s good to hear. I was worried, since I couldn’t contact you the entire time.”
“Same here.”
I debated whether or not to tell him about the Eastern epidemic. In the end, I decided to keep quiet.
It was true that an epidemic would break out in the East.
But whether it had already begun, or whether Enheim had simply sensed the signs and was moving early, was unclear.
And I didn’t want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings by bringing it up now.
No one in the capital had even mentioned anything about the East yet. I didn’t want to be asked how I knew about it.
Since Haley said she’d try to contact Ganner, it wasn’t too late to wait for a reply and then report it to Leofric.
Even before my regression, the news of the Eastern epidemic had spread much later than now.
So for now, it was better to focus on what was happening here in the capital.
With that thought, I gave Leofric a small smile as he beamed at me.
“Did anything happen with His Majesty?”
He had said he was going to meet the Emperor.
Apparently, the Emperor had suddenly summoned him, urgently.
If the Emperor, who had originally pushed Leofric to go on a honeymoon, was now calling him back, it must have been serious.
“Hmm…”
But judging from his face, it didn’t seem that bad.
He looked far too cheerful for someone who’d faced a serious issue.
And sure enough, Leofric gave a light nod.
“It wasn’t anything major. His Majesty could’ve handled it himself. He just decided to summon me anyway.”
“But he made it sound urgent when he called.”
“He always does that. You’ll get used to it after staying in the palace for a while, so let me tell you in advance—don’t take everything His Majesty says too seriously.”
“Uh… Can I do that? He is the Emperor…”
Leofric spoke in a playful tone, as if suggesting the Emperor could be ignored.
When I shook my head in disbelief, he waved his hand reassuringly.
“I mean it. Even when talking politics, His Majesty keeps things light.”
“Still…”
“You really can let it go in one ear and out the other.”
He gave me a warm smile, adding, “I’ll let you know the important parts.”
Seeing Leofric joke so casually made me realize how close he was with the Emperor.
To be able to banter like that with one’s father…
It reminded me again of how strong the bond was between the current Emperor and Empress.
…And how I was the outlier entering this tightly knit family.
“After a few encounters with Their Majesties, you’ll understand what I mean,” Leofric added lightly.
He shifted the topic cheerfully. I followed him, reins in hand, without replying.
I already knew enough about the Reinhardt family.
I had resolved not to disrupt that warmth this time.
A loving family should remain just that—loving.
As I quietly followed him toward the main palace gates—
“Is the Marquis of Bermerian not like that?”
Leofric suddenly asked.
It was a question about my father. I couldn’t grasp what he meant at first and failed to answer.
All I managed was a dumbfounded, “Uh…”
Leofric chuckled at my reaction.
“Judging by your expression, I take it the Marquis of Bermerian isn’t good at showing affection?”
“…Yes. My father isn’t very good at expressing his feelings.”
“Right. If he had shown even half the warmth he gives others to his daughter, I doubt you’d be reacting like this.”
He smiled knowingly.
It was surprising how he could deduce my father’s personality from just a moment of hesitation.
I found myself wondering—was Leofric always this good at reading people?
Contrary to my brief doubt, he cheerfully went on chatting, wearing a bright expression.
Was his meeting with the Emperor really that pleasant?
“His Highness has returned!”
Before I could gather my thoughts, the loud voices of the knights rang out.
Then came the sound of a horn from inside the palace.
“That horn signals a royal’s return.”
“I know. It’s like a beacon fire, right?”
“You know your stuff.”
As I lifted my head toward the sound, Leofric kindly explained, and I nodded.
Beacon fires were faster than messengers in emergencies, used to alert the Empire to danger.
Inside the palace, horns served the same function. All nobles knew this.
Even though I already knew, I didn’t say anything.
There was something pleasant in the way Leofric explained things like he was teaching me.
So I let him have that small joy.
“Welcome back, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
After the horn, everything followed like a ritual.
With formal greetings, we entered the palace and were escorted by knights to the quarters we’d be using.
On the way, we greeted the Emperor and Empress.
Then we were introduced to the head chamberlain and head maid of our annex as Crown Prince and Princess.
Only after the brief introductions did I finally enter my room with Betty.
“…We finally made it.”
“Indeed… You’ve worked hard, my lady—no, Your Highness.”
The journey wasn’t long, but there’s no better place to rest than somewhere you can truly relax.
As the weight of fatigue settled on me, I let out a deep sigh.
“Betty, take the rest of the day off. Have someone else serve me. I think I’ll fall asleep right after my bath.”
“I couldn’t possibly, Your Highness. It’s my joy to serve you.”
“Sweet words, but just do as I say. You can serve me tomorrow, and the day after.”
I hurried to bathe, thinking Betty must be tired too.
I sent her away despite her insistence on staying, and let the palace maids take over.
“Bring me the invitations that arrived while I was gone. I should look them over before bed.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll place them out for you after your bath.”
“Good. And I’ll have a light meal in my room.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t need attendants after that. You may go.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I gave a few simple instructions to those I would have to grow used to.
Then I bathed.
Sinking into warm, petal-scented water, I could feel my exhaustion melting away.
As my body relaxed, I nearly drifted off in the tub, so I hurried to finish.
Feeling refreshed, I returned to find the table set with the invitations and a simple meal.
Everyone had left, likely to let me rest.
The quiet was pleasant.
Alternating glances between the food and the letters, I reached first for the invitations.
My eyes landed on a familiar name—one I couldn’t ignore.
A pale yellow envelope.
The high-quality paper, the luxurious ink, the elegant script—all spoke of great care.
I picked it up and smiled.
[Marquis of Perje]
“They sent it faster than I thought.”
The first official event where I would tacitly reveal that I supported Lloyd.
I quietly smiled, imagining how different this banquet would be from the one before my regression.
