70. Why Won’t He Just Fade From Memory?
“I’ve finished organizing the report.”
Contrary to my expectations, it took Tula exactly one week to complete the organization. Not because she procrastinated without a deadline, nor because she pushed herself to the limit by cutting sleep. It was the kind of time it would reasonably take if she worked diligently every day after finishing her tasks, without overexerting herself.
“Well done.”
I smiled gently as I double-checked the original letters against the report Tula had compiled.
The content was excellent. Perfectly organized without missing anything. If this was her first attempt, maybe Tula actually had a knack for desk work.
“You organized it well. When you have your own secretary later, you can have them do this sort of work.”
“A secretary?”
“You will need one someday. You’re handling everything related to me right now. How long do you think you can keep this up? You should get someone to take care of tasks you don’t have to do.”
For now, since it’s hard to recruit good staff and I have almost no official duties, I just leave everything to Tula. But by the time she graduates from the academy, we should be able to find capable people. By then, the work won’t run smoothly without more hands.
“And besides this, teach them many of the things I’ve taught you.”
After all, the many things I taught Tula were so she would know what to delegate to her subordinates.
Things that don’t require her direct involvement, but she needs to understand how they’re done. The key duties of a manager.
“Don’t worry too much. Managing palace staff isn’t very different from this.”
Whether secretary or steward, ultimately Tula will be overseeing the details of the tasks she must check. There’s no big difference.
Seeing Tula tense up, I comforted her, and she managed a stiff smile.
“I’ll do my best not to betray your expectations.”
Effort — that’s good.
I’ve always felt fond of kids who try their best.
So I gave Tula a warm hug. I refrained from ruffling her hair, knowing she might find that strange — just a simple hug.
Among the reports Tula organized and sent to me was the name of Marquis Chase clearly stated. Also, the reason he still roams freely under the sun despite all his mischief.
“He’s backed by the Empress Dowager…”
It turned out Marquis Chase’s wife was a maid of the Empress Dowager. Then why didn’t he dare stand openly against Riana? Or rather, why choose to make the Archduke an enemy instead of Riana, when the Archduke is the Empress Dowager’s own son?
I have no idea how that choice came about.
“What a coincidence, sharing the same backer as me.”
Though I don’t know the deep connection between the Empress Dowager and Marquis Chase’s wife, I am sure the Empress Dowager cherishes the Archduke.
At least, it’s not because she favors Marquis Chase’s wife more than her own son that she turns a blind eye to Chase’s antics.
Then there must be another reason why Marquis Chase remains untouched. One I cannot guess.
Since I’m not well-versed in imperial affairs, many reasons beyond my guess are possible.
So there’s no point in racking my brain over it. If I’m curious, I can just ask if there’s a reason Marquis Chase can’t be punished.
Fortunately, I am in the Empress Dowager’s good graces, so if I ask, she will answer straightforwardly. I’m a bright child who communicates well, after all.
“So, why did our Princess Blanche want to see me suddenly on a non-visiting day?”
Of course, it was the Empress Dowager. She immediately cut to the chase, guessing I had something to say simply because I came on an unscheduled visit.
Unlike the Emperor, with whom I no longer had any private talks, or Riana, who still put on pretenses, the Empress Dowager and I kept a very dry, business-only relationship.
Though different from the Archduke who feigned harmony based on their arrangements, she was the most comfortable person to deal with. No need to mind emotional currents.
Because of that ease, I didn’t beat around the bush and brought up the Marquis’ name immediately.
“I recently met Marquis Chase.”
At those words, the Empress Dowager seemed to understand what I wanted to say.
“Oh dear, he must have been rude to you.”
“He was more disrespectful to His Highness the Archduke than to me.”
It was true. There had been no meaningful conversation between the Marquis and me. But the Empress Dowager smiled wryly, as if accepting my humility.
“The Marquis is a bit immature for his age.”
“Is there any reason he can act so shamelessly?”
No matter what was said behind the scenes, the Archduke showed proper displeasure when facing the Marquis. The Marquis was at the mercy of a 15-year-old child.
So the Marquis must have some idea of the Archduke’s power, yet he continues to behave brazenly.
The Empress Dowager easily gave the answer.
“Melchidec hasn’t run to me with tearful pleas, so he thinks it’s safe to act that way.”
Ah. So the Marquis believes that even if he messes with the Archduke, the Archduke will keep information controlled.
Though the Archduke isn’t an adult, he’s old enough for this strategy to work.
If the Archduke were a child, the Emperor or Empress Dowager would handle the Marquis. If he were an adult, he would apply political pressure on his own.
But the Archduke is too young to act fully and too old to rely on a guardian.
Besides, with his wife as the Empress Dowager’s maid, the Marquis must have been smug enough to think he won’t be removed just for being a nuisance.
Considering the Archduke’s delicate situation, and knowing he can manage on his own to some extent, the Empress Dowager has left things alone.
“Isn’t that the same for him?”
I pointed out with a smile that he, too, should realize his own precarious position.
A middle-aged man can hardly cry and beg.
More precisely, he could, but his wife wouldn’t run to the Empress Dowager to complain about him sobbing.
The Empress Dowager gave a meaningful smile.
“True. Even if he did, what could I say? That it’s pitiful to lose to a thirteen-year-old child?”
This meant I wouldn’t be hurting the Empress Dowager’s pride by embarrassing Marquis Chase.
Judging by that smile, she’s clearly displeased with his behavior as well, despite having tolerated it until now.
Good. Then I might as well be a bit aggressive.
“My questions have been answered. Thank you.”
The Archduke might think it unnecessary. After all, he can handle Marquis Chase without getting hurt, and that might be enough for him.
But I couldn’t tolerate such lukewarm thinking. How can there be a contest without winners or losers?
So I intend to win thoroughly.
As if she didn’t wait for the visiting day, Blanche didn’t even try to hide that she had come to the Sea Palace. It was only a matter of time before Melchidec noticed.
“What did Blanche ask of you?”
Lachia, Empress Dowager of the Letail Empire and Melchidec’s mother, calmly replied as she enjoyed the scent of her tea.
“Not a request, just a confirmation.”
“What kind?”
Lachia lifted her eyes from the teacup to look at Melchidec.
There was delight shining in those eyes. Should Melchidec be relieved that his mother enjoyed this? He swallowed a sigh as Lachia said,
“She asked if she could give Marquis Chase a good scolding.”
Taken aback, Melchidec nearly groaned. Seeing his expression, Lachia said with great amusement,
“You don’t know how she sees you, do you?”
That was the question Melchidec wanted to ask. The Blanche he knew never hid her resentment whenever she received something unpleasant.
He thought their distance would never close, yet now she’s moving to eliminate those hostile to him? Does she dislike receiving but not mind giving? What kind of selfless thinking is that?
“I’m curious about that too.”
Ah, truly.
I thought feelings would change over time. I thought given a hundred choices, there would be differences.
But somehow Blanche always picks the choice that the other person would make. She even resembles that person.
Even worrying about him, who is in a more dangerous position, while she herself is safe — that aspect too, really…
How can she be so much like him? Why won’t he just fade from memory?
Melchidec could not understand it, and was truly curious.
