MHC 29

Chapter 29

With great effort, she forced her heavy eyelids open. Even after resting, her eyes still felt dry and tired. Stretching out her arms in a long yawn, Chloe rang the bell. Soon, the sound of many footsteps followed.

Maids lined up as they entered the room to assist her preparations. Following their guidance, she moved to a separate powder room within the chamber.

“My, your hair is like silk!”
“And your skin—like white jade! I’ve never seen such clear and pale skin before.”

The maids in charge of her hair and makeup showered her with compliments one after another.

Though the constant praise made her shy, the lively conversation left no room for boredom.

“How about styling you in a way that highlights a lovely charm?”
“No, that would be beautiful too, but I think something elegant would suit you better.”

Around that time, a dispute broke out between the maids choosing her outfit and those doing her makeup. Both had to match well, but opinions differed on what direction to take.

“What would you prefer, my lady?”
“Pardon?”
“It seems best to go with what you want.”

As the disagreement couldn’t be resolved, the decision fell to her.

I… have to say it myself?

Lovely or elegant. Chloe had to decide what suited her better.

In truth, she didn’t mind either. But with so many expectant eyes on her, she felt she had to choose.

“…Could you make it elegant?”

At that one sentence, the two groups reacted very differently.

“Of course! Leave it to us!”

The maids’ confidence in making her beautiful was rather endearing.

Perhaps because she was the Emperor’s guest, they treated her with excessive kindness—enough to remind her of life in the royal palace.

Back then, I was happy like this too.

Happy memories had now become nothing more than nostalgia. She could no longer accept such kindness sincerely.

Abandoned by both the ducal house and the royal palace, she had nowhere left to lean on.

The thought left a bitter taste in her heart. Chloe forced back the tears threatening to rise and focused on her preparations.

“You may open your eyes now!”

After keeping them closed quietly, she was awakened by a maid’s excited voice.

Mirrors placed all around reflected her face from every angle.

Her glowing skin made her pale complexion stand out even more. The soft tones blended harmoniously, enhancing rather than overshadowing her features, creating a mysterious aura.

They had styled her to highlight her natural beauty.

“You’re already so beautiful, you’d look good no matter what, but we thought this would suit you even more! Do you like it?”

Chloe smiled and nodded. The maids looked delighted, as if they had received the highest praise.

Her dress was a mermaid-style gown, a faint violet with a touch of white sheen. Though simple at the top, the ruffled hem added elegance.

Her bare arms and neck were balanced with ornate jewelry.

She had never dressed this carefully even for banquets, yet while it felt unfamiliar, she loved it.

“Have a wonderful day!”
“You too. Thank you so much.”

After finishing her preparations, Chloe followed a maid to the dining room.

The place she arrived at was quite different from where she had eaten on her first day. Smaller, yet far more beautiful and ornate.

Not meant for entertaining guests—but for a single person.

“You’ve come, Princess.”

Turning toward the arrogant voice, she saw a man perfectly suited to be the owner of such a place.

The maid seated Chloe beside him, then left after a brief bow.

Soon, only the two of them remained.

“A fine lunch.”
“I greet the sun of the Empire.”
“And I greet the sun of the Kingdom. Sit.”

They exchanged formal greetings.

Kuhn used a title he didn’t even use for King Valont. Chloe hesitated at the natural way he said it, but let it pass.

Soon, the table was filled with dishes prepared by chefs.

“Let’s begin.”
“Thank you for the meal.”

Chloe took some bread and spread apple jam on it.

“Are you feeling better?”
“I am. Thank you for your concern.”
“…Once again, I’m truly sorry. I offer my regrets.”
“It’s alright. If we must assign blame, it lies with the duke—and the foolish royal family who believed him.”

She redirected the blame elsewhere.

The Emperor, who had pretended to be persuaded despite planning to end the war anyway.
The royal family, who praised Calis for persuading him.
Calis himself, who stayed silent for the sake of power.

There was no need to deliberate who was at fault.

“Hearing you say that eases my mind. Still, I will help you fully. No—allow me to help you.”

Chloe’s hand slowed as she cut her steak.

His reaction was too intense to be mere courtesy. If sincere, did he truly intend to help her?

She recalled her plan.

Divorce…

A wish denied by both the royal family and the temple.
A plan only one person could help her with now.

Could this be a trap?

Though she should have accepted immediately, her past experiences made her cautious.

Why would the Emperor feel guilty over something like this? A man who didn’t hesitate to take lives—why worry about her?

It seemed more likely he had another motive.

She took a sip of water to buy time.

When she glanced at him, he was staring right back.

And in his gaze, she saw something profound.

Behind the mask—red eyes.

Those terrifying crimson eyes.

So different from hers—and from her only friend’s.

Yet suddenly, Kuhn came to mind.

The emotion beyond those eyes reminded her of her true friend.

“…Then…”

A stiff handwriting that once promised to grant a friend’s request.

“…Then, Your Majesty, can you help me divorce the duke?”

A man who shared the same name as that friend.

Because of that simple fact, Chloe chose to trust again.

With the Emperor’s approval, Chloe felt somewhat relieved. Of course, she still had to remain cautious.

After the meal, Kuhn went to review the divorce procedures in his office.

Chloe headed to the conference room for her next task—the festival, the original reason they had been summoned.

Inside were not only Calis, but also Helena.

“You’re here, my lady!” Helena greeted her warmly, though her tone differed slightly due to the presence of imperial officials.

“You’re late, my lady. How careless to be late for such an important matter,” Calis scolded, clearly trying to make her look bad.

He had changed the schedule without properly informing her—yet blamed her.

“I apologize. I was delayed due to a luncheon with His Majesty. I couldn’t very well leave while he was dining.”

There was no need to argue.

She decided to borrow the Emperor’s authority—just this once.

“So, may I ask for your understanding this time, Duke?”

As expected, Calis fell silent.

“And my apologies to everyone. Shall we begin?”

Seizing the moment, Chloe took control of the meeting.

After four intense hours, the meeting concluded successfully.

The festival would be a fusion of the Empire and Kingdom—blending their similar yet distinct traditions.

Participants were to prepare reports.

I should start mine right away.

If they were going this far, the festival would be grand. It wouldn’t hurt to earn merit—especially now.

Chloe resolved to work hard to have her proposal selected.

After organizing the meeting notes, she left the conference room.

“Princess.”

A sharp voice stopped her.

Only two people called her that.

And only one carried such hostility in the title.

She decided to ignore it and walk away.

But then—

“Such a remarkable princess. First the hero of the age, and now the Emperor of the Empire? How greedy of you, not knowing your place.”

The mocking voice echoed through the corridor.