Chapter 7
7. Our First Trip
The day came for us to visit the villa near the lake on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
Our luggage—mine and His Majesty Aleksanteri’s—was loaded into another carriage, while the two of us rode together in a specially made, enormous carriage. Inside, there was a long couch, a table, and chairs, all arranged for comfort.
Standing quietly in the corner was a man who appeared to be one of His Majesty’s close aides.
With His Majesty’s hand to help me up the high step, I entered the carriage and sat beside him on the long couch. It was large and broad enough to lie down on—spacious and comfortable.
“It is an honor to accompany you. My name is Theo Grandi. Your Highness, please remember me.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Reisie Dian. I look forward to your company.”
“I am the second son of the Marquis Grandi family, though I serve in the Order of Knights. Today, I shall protect His Majesty and Her Highness as a knight.”
Theo Grandi—red-haired, green-eyed—was a name I’d heard before. I believe Lord Julius once mentioned that he was one of His Majesty Aleksanteri’s closest attendants.
After I returned his greeting, Sir Theo placed a hand to his chest in a knight’s salute, and I bowed my head in reply.
“Don’t get too close to Reisie, Theo.”
“You know, being jealous isn’t very becoming. Rest assured, I have a beloved wife and child.”
He seemed about the same age as His Majesty.
In this country, nobles usually marry soon after graduating from the academy, so it wasn’t unusual for someone my age to be married already. Remaining single as long as His Majesty had was quite rare.
If Theo had graduated from a knight’s academy rather than a noble one, and married soon after, then he must have been wed for about ten years now. Since he mentioned a child, that assumption was likely correct.
“Sir Theo, were you also one of His Majesty’s playmates in childhood?”
“Yes, I am the same age as His Majesty, so from the age of seven I was invited to the palace as a companion. I could not remain by his side during my time at the knight’s academy, but otherwise, I have always served close to him.”
“Then you must know what His Majesty Aleksanteri was like as a child! What kind of boy was he? Was he adorable?”
I had watched over little Garne in my dreams as Cecil, and now I wanted to know how he—the boy who became Emperor Aleksanteri—had lived in the palace.
But when I asked, Theo’s expression clouded.
“After His Majesty was rescued from the coup, he lost the person who had cared for him until then. It devastated him. No matter how I tried to invite him to play, he wouldn’t respond. He only asked to be left alone.”
That’s right…
His Majesty Aleksanteri had witnessed Cecil’s death right before his eyes. I had heard that afterward, he had sunk into despair and endured hellish days.
Perhaps my question only reopened an old wound. Concerned, I looked toward him, and His Majesty wrapped his arm around my shoulders, whispering:
“Reisie, it makes me jealous when you talk to another man while I’m right here. If you want to know about me, you can ask me directly.”
“I’m sorry… did I remind you of something painful?”
“As for Cecil, I found closure when I met you. As long as you’re here, I no longer feel sorrow.”
When I apologized, His Majesty smiled gently, as if to tell me it didn’t trouble him.
Even so, I resolved to be careful not to ask such careless questions again.
The carriage rocked a little but rolled along smoothly.
Sir Theo moved to sit in the corner, while His Majesty and I poured tea from a flask into cups and sipped as we chatted.
“So this is Your Majesty’s first trip?”
“I’ve gone on inspection tours for official duties, but this is my first private trip.”
“It’s my first as well. I’ve visited the Dian territory for inspections, but we never had the luxury to travel for leisure.”
The Viscount Dian household simply couldn’t afford to travel for pleasure.
Neither Sofia nor I had ever been on a trip.
We had visited the estate lands, but only as part of my training to eventually inherit the title—it was never for enjoyment.
“I hear one can fish at the lake. Are you interested in fishing, Reisie?”
“I’ve never tried it, but I’d love to if it’s with you, Your Majesty.”
“There are also boats on the lake. Would you like to go boating?”
“I’ve never rowed a boat before—will that be all right?”
“I’ll do the rowing. You only need to sit and enjoy yourself.”
The thought of fishing and boating with him filled me with excitement.
“Your Majesty, about fishing… it’s not exactly something ladies usually enjoy…”
“Oh? Why not?”
“Because the bait is insects. Many women find that unpleasant.”
Sir Theo was offering advice, but I interjected politely.
“I tend a vegetable garden at both the Dian estate and the Imperial Palace courtyard. When growing vegetables, one must often deal with pests. I’m not at all afraid to see or touch insects.”
“That’s my Reisie. I might be the one to hesitate first.”
“In that case, I’ll attach the bait to your hook for you, Your Majesty.”
You can’t manage a garden if you’re afraid of bugs.
Caterpillars, beetles—I could touch them with bare hands and remove them without flinching.
“Your Highness, you are quite… unusual. Ah, I mean that in no disrespectful way.”
“Theo, Reisie is an extraordinary woman. She works with tailors on embroidery and sewing, tends vegetables in the courtyard, ranked first at the academy, and excels in all her education as Empress.”
“I spoke out of turn without truly knowing Her Highness. Please forgive me.”
Sir Theo bowed deeply, but I shook my head to show that there was nothing to forgive.
“Please don’t worry. I’m aware I’m not like most noble ladies.”
“It’s precisely those differences that must have captured His Majesty’s heart.”
His expression softened, and I felt that perhaps we could become good friends.
By early afternoon, the carriage reached the villa.
When I stepped down, I saw a vast, glittering lake with a bridge stretching across it, and the villa itself seemed to stand right over the water.
So this was His Majesty’s private retreat.
With His Majesty leading me by the hand, I entered the spacious residence.
Servants were assembled in the entrance hall to greet us.
“Welcome, Your Majesty, Your Highness. Luncheon has been prepared in the dining room. Shall we serve it now?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Hand in hand with His Majesty, I entered the dining hall.
Our seats were arranged side by side, and soon, dishes were brought out: a salad of fresh vegetables, fish and vegetables baked in parchment, and warm, freshly baked bread.
Everything was delicious, and as we ate, His Majesty spoke of our plans.
“After the meal, let’s take a walk by the lake. Your family from the Dian estate will arrive tomorrow. The day after—or perhaps the day following that—we’ll fish and go boating. For tea today, how about on the hill overlooking the lake?”
“Having tea while looking out at the lake sounds wonderful.”
“We’ll bring your favorite quiche, along with financiers and florentines.”
“Yes, please.”
I had taken tea in the garden before, but never outside the estate grounds.
The thought of sipping tea beneath the open sky, with the lake before us, filled me with joyful anticipation.
