44. I Was Greatly Impressed Today
“I was greatly impressed today.”
“Is that so?”
“Well, Melky, who said he was jealous of you relying on Liana, changed his mind in just one hour. How on earth did you persuade him?”
‘Persuade,’ huh? Is that really a word an emperor would use? It was a genuine question, but I didn’t point it out.
“I did nothing. It was the Grand Duke’s kindness that considered my difficult situation.”
In that regard, the Grand Duke was truly an enviable heir. I could even understand why the Emperor cared so much about him. If someone is a promising heir, it’s never a waste to give them whatever they want.
“Haha. Is it humility, or did that move Melky’s heart? Well, whatever it is, it’s good.”
The Emperor tapped lightly on the cup of water. He said he didn’t need tea or anything, but I felt he wanted to keep up appearances, so he was served plain water.
“I told you then, about what I could give if the princess did well.”
“You’ve already given me more than enough.”
I knew how to build a friendly relationship with the Grand Duke, and both the Empress Dowager and Liana were quite fond of me, but the Emperor was still a troublesome opponent.
If I were to receive anything, I’d rather get it from others. I didn’t want to deepen my ties with the Emperor.
“Melky is young, Liana is naive, and the Empress Dowager is too noble to do what I can.”
But perhaps it wasn’t by chance that I had taken the Emperor’s place. The Emperor immediately probed my weak spot.
“I don’t think it will happen immediately, but from what I see, the princess is a very political person. As you grow, you’ll need less honorable methods sometimes. —At that time, you can borrow my hand once.”
What he wanted was still there. My own power, separated from the Imperial family.
My current position comes entirely from the favor of the royal family, and even that favor is just because I am ‘cute and endearing.’ It’s like giving a jeweled necklace to a dog you’re raising.
Even Baekryeon, who was the Prime Minister and held a huge territory in the north, was easily ousted. So how easy would it be to oust Blanche?
I hoped that besides favor, I would have at least one more reliable faction.
But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t get that right now. Even with Tula as my proxy, I would have to be at least twelve or thirteen years old to make it possible.
…Right. I don’t need it now, but when the time comes, I might have to accept the Emperor’s help. Having more options is never a bad thing. Judging this, I respectfully lowered my eyes and answered.
“I am grateful for your words. I will never forget this honor.”
It meant I would remember well and use it when needed. The Emperor smiled slightly, perhaps understanding my true meaning.
“So, you should talk again with Liana. Melky and Liana are currently discussing how to change the rewards.”
He said I just had to wait quietly, and it seemed he would keep that promise faithfully. The fact that just staying still would let the direction come to me was attractive, but I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Liana, who was caught up in the problems between me and the Grand Duke.
“Sorry for causing you concern. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if you took back the rewards.”
“That wouldn’t look good from the outside. It would look like a message that promises made to the princess can be overturned anytime.”
I personally didn’t care as long as the real powers didn’t think so, but the Grand Duke and Liana might see it differently.
“So it’s best to be honest with Liana about your plans.”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t turn my gaze away or jerk my head up or break my breathing rhythm. I just naturally tilted my head slightly, frowning as if I didn’t quite understand what the Emperor was saying.
Because flapping like a fish out of water every time someone pokes you is the behavior of an amateur.
“Oh, don’t misunderstand. My offer can be kept on hold until you actually need it, no problem.”
For the first time, the Emperor touched the cup of water.
“This is just advice. That person likes honesty and has good intuition. If you lie and get caught, the trust you’ve built will be destroyed, and that’s not good, right? So just be honest about what you want. Liana tends to forgive anyone who comes into her care.”
This was basically advice not to upset Liana’s mood. It was a good point that it would be a loss to ruin a friendly relationship built with effort. So I bowed my head obediently.
“Thank you for your advice.”
“Right. Let’s keep it this way from now on. Then you’ll get everything you want.”
That wasn’t wrong. The wealth and glory they could give me were by no means insignificant. If I wanted, I could live more luxuriously than many nobles of the empire.
The only problem was that I had experienced even greater power.
Suppressing memories from my previous life that would not fade easily even six years after rebirth, I smiled.
“If this foolish body can be of any help, it would be a great honor.”
After a month, I was summoned by the Grand Duke. After three years, I had a private audience with the Emperor. The big events left me completely exhausted. I understood the physical fatigue, but why was I also weakened mentally? Shouldn’t my mental strength be unchanged from my previous life?
Thinking it strange, I slouched without getting off the chair. Tula entered quietly and smiled as she asked:
“May I interrupt for a moment?”
“Wouldn’t it be heavy?”
“Your Highness is always as light as a feather.”
I thought there couldn’t be a feather this heavy, but then I remembered I needed to teach Tula swordsmanship too. Yes, I would think of it as strength training. Resolving to do so, I barely raised both arms to allow Tula to touch my body.
“Will you be busy again?”
“Yes.”
“That’s unfortunate. I was glad you were resting well.”
Since I’d be resting for eternity if I died anyway, I almost joked as I often did in my last years, but then I thought dying wouldn’t really mean rest. I’m certainly not resting now.
“Yes, you’ll be as busy as I am, so it’s a pity.”
“Oh my. So what should I learn now?”
“Swordsmanship.”
“Swordsmanship?”
“Yes. I think you should learn some self-defense.”
I hadn’t yet chosen what power I would have to separate myself from the Imperial family.
Looking back at my previous life, organizing an army would be easiest, but it would be nearly impossible for a foreign princess to lead a military force. Also, I had no talent for the social circles I could currently reach.
So I still hadn’t chosen my power, and that meant I needed to prepare thoroughly.
Therefore, even if I turned someone into an enemy, I had to teach Tula at least some self-defense so she wouldn’t become a hostage.
So apart from being taught by Liana, Tula also had to learn swordsmanship.
“I’ll do my best.”
Without knowing the reason, Tula was motivated. What a remarkable child. I hugged her neck and patted her back.
“Yes, let’s do our best together.”
The Emperor told me to be honest with Liana, but that’s impossible right now. If I said I needed my own power, Liana might ask if I was dissatisfied with the Imperial treatment.
So I decided to remember the Emperor’s advice well and reconsider it once I choose my power.
For now, I would just focus on sword training and Tula’s training. I paused my thoughts and rested my mind.
“Oh dear. Have you already fallen asleep?”
Since the conversation had stopped while I was lost in thought and my eyes closed, Tula’s low laughter settled on my forehead. I hadn’t really fallen asleep, but I didn’t feel the need to speak, so I just kept my eyes closed and mouth shut, letting Tula misunderstand. After all, Tula would change my clothes and cover me with a blanket.
Liana came to Jasper Palace with the training instructor who would help me with my physical conditioning.
“Now, Blanche. This is the instructor you asked for. She will fix your body until you’re ready to learn martial arts.”
The instructor was a middle-aged woman with graying hair, probably a little older than the Empress Dowager.
“She also helped me when I first started learning the sword. She’s very capable and will be a great help.”
“Your Highness, though it may be a bit late to start swordsmanship, if you are not aiming to become a knight, it’s fine. If you start now, you will be able to actually hold a sword within one or two years.”
