Chapter 136
“I would like to make a request.”
At Regina’s words, Walter quickly signaled to the attendant.
The head attendant moved swiftly, bringing paper, a quill, and black ink.
Regina looked at the neat sheet of paper and writing tools laid out on the table in the meeting room.
Taking a deep breath, she began writing the letter in one go.
[I believe that though human existence is fleeting, the beauty of thought is eternal.]
The graceful and refined handwriting was etched deeply in the center of the paper.
The letter had no formalities—no recipient, no sender. Yet, Delia’s mentor would recognize it immediately.
Feeling everyone’s eyes fixed on her, Regina skillfully finished the letter.
“If you deliver this letter, I’m sure you’ll get a response.”
She handed the neatly folded letter to Walter.
But before it could leave her hands, a strong grip stopped her wrist, halting the letter midair.
“You must give it to me, Regina.”
Regina turned her head to face him.
Aaron’s ash-colored eyes studied her up close, so near that it felt as if they could see right through to her very soul.
Regina stiffened her shoulders and held her breath.
“I know where President Zeanoti is.”
Aaron tugged Regina’s tense hand and twisted it slightly.
Was it to loosen her stiffness? He gently rubbed the tender skin on her wrist as if soothing it.
“I’ll have someone deliver it for you.”
With slow, careful movements, Aaron took the letter from her hand.
“In that case… I’ll leave it to you.”
Walter looked at Regina’s wrist, held by Aaron.
As if shaking off unnecessary thoughts, he quickly wrapped up the conversation.
“Then let’s first propose this to Professor Zeanoti Mirandella.”
Only then did Aaron release Regina’s hand.
“I’ll make sure the recommendation letter Regina wrote reaches him safely.”
Regina touched her wrist and nodded.
“Thank you.”
Whether in the empire or her homeland, wherever it might be, she was glad she could do something to ensure her mentor lived a stable life.
So the kingdom’s people could live and flourish with their abilities.
She was grateful there was something she could do before it was too late.
By now, the sun was tilting, painting the sky in sunset hues.
How did she manage to sit there so steadily with such a fragile frame?
Even after Minister Pierre, sent by the Emperor, left, and Colin, sent by the Grand Duke, departed, Regina’s posture remained unchanged.
Aaron, still watching her upright figure reviewing documents, muttered.
“Aren’t you tired from sitting so long?”
He reached for the nape of her neck.
Startled, Regina tried to dodge, but he caught her slender neck in one hand.
Applying gentle pressure, he massaged the tense muscles.
“Shall we call it a day and go for a walk?”
“I still need to review the market situation on the Eastern Continent, so there’s not enough time.”
Aaron’s hand slid along her fine line to her shoulder, giving a refreshing stimulation to her head.
Regina couldn’t resist and let out a soft groan.
She was clearly feeling fatigue too. Concerned, Aaron complained.
“Being around your brother has corrupted you.”
Walter, unknowingly becoming the axis of mischief, twitched his eyebrows.
“Why me?”
“You’ve become a bad influence—making someone forget the pleasures of the world and focus only on work. That’s why I didn’t want to leave pure-hearted Regina with a workaholic.”
Regina quickly intervened at Aaron’s complaint directed at Walter.
“I said I’d help. I want to contribute, even slightly, to the Ionian negotiations.”
“Anyway, the negotiations are handled by him. Your help is secondary; the matter will still pass through his hands.”
Pressed by Aaron, Walter suggested gently to Regina.
“I can take care of what’s left. Regina, you should take a short walk.”
Even with Walter’s suggestion, Regina shook her head slightly.
“I’ve been a lifelong councilor under His Majesty’s support, yet I haven’t been able to do anything. I’m glad I can help in this way.”
As if today were her last day. As if the Ionian documents were her final duty.
She held on tightly and wouldn’t let go.
Aaron and Walter sighed at Regina’s stubbornness.
“Your Majesty.”
Gerard, the head attendant, who had been observing the stalemate among the three, spoke cautiously.
“Earlier today, the gardener, Notre, visited.”
“Notre?”
Walter’s eyes lit up at the familiar name.
“What did he say?”
“He requested a visit to seek advice regarding the parterre next to Lake Lassis.”
Walter breathed a low sigh.
“Ah, I see.”
“It might be good to go before the sun sets completely.”
Understanding Gerard’s intention, Walter smiled softly.
He rose and glanced over the stacked documents on the table.
It was about time for a break.
For Regina, stubbornly clutching the papers, and Aaron, massaging her to relieve fatigue.
“I think I’ll go to Lake Lassis. Care to join?”
The garden was Walter’s sanctuary.
Like planning a city, dividing sections, planting flowers and trees, channeling water to fill the lake.
The more effort he put in, the more beautiful it became.
It brought peace.
The palace alone, Walter’s only hobby.
Following him out of the office were lifelong councilor Regina and the younger Grand Duke.
“The palace hasn’t changed.”
Aaron muttered indifferently.
From one side of the corridor, laughter and music drifted out.
Small fragments of pleasure floated through the hall, coming from the palace’s social events.
“Yes, indeed.”
A strategy for Walter’s weak position as Emperor.
Providing nobility with theater, gambling, hunting, and other amusements to keep their attention fixed.
As a result, the palace held festivities almost daily.
“Can we skip them?”
“It’s fine. It’s not an important event.”
These diversions were for attracting the nobility; he could not get involved himself.
Walter turned away, continuing down the corridor.
Aaron asked quietly.
“How about the Ionian envoy welcome banquet?”
“It will be grand. We need to suppress their spirits to make negotiations easier.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
Aaron saluted playfully, yet firmly.
“But Regina won’t attend.”
If the Ionians had anyone who recognized her, it could be dangerous.
“I won’t let her attend. It’s risky.”
“But as a lifelong councilor, if she doesn’t attend, the other nobles will find it odd.”
“Tell them she’s ill.”
“And right now, she knows more about Ionian and Eastern Continent affairs than anyone else in the palace.”
“That’s your concern, not mine.”
Aaron’s firm stance made Walter rub his brow.
“The banquet after the official reception will be a masquerade. She can attend with a mask, or not attend, and it won’t be obvious.”
“A masquerade?”
“That works well. The Ionians enjoy masquerades too.”
Walter glanced briefly at Regina.
She was so absorbed in something else, she didn’t react even when discussing her own safety.
“The choice to attend is up to Regina.”
Aaron’s gaze shifted to her.
She had already stopped walking, staring off somewhere.
“What’s wrong?”
She didn’t answer, seemingly blinded by the brilliant lights, deaf to the laughter.
Regina was staring blankly at the peace enjoyed by the empire’s nobility.
“Regina.”
When Aaron and Walter called her again, she finally returned her gaze to them.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes. Speak.”
“May I temporarily use some of the items you’ve granted me elsewhere? I will repay you.”
As if wandering through a dream, faint and ephemeral, she returned to reality.
Aaron let out a relieved sigh.
“Use them as you wish. I told you, you don’t need to ask me.”
“They can hear you.”
Even with Walter’s low warning, Aaron didn’t stop.
“What your brother gave you, he did because there’s more value to draw from it. He may seem kind and naive, but he never loses out.”
Ha. Seriously.
Who’s talking about whom?
Walter glared at Aaron, who whispered as if to be overheard.
“Regina, what you’ve received is yours. Don’t ask me. Do as you wish.”
“No. I will repay it. Please allow me to use it temporarily.”
Walter sighed lightly at her stubbornness.
“Very well. Make sure to repay it. I believe you will, someday.”
Reluctantly granted permission, Regina bowed lightly in thanks.
She then walked into the small social hall.
The Emperor and Grand Duke followed behind.
At their sudden appearance, all conversation and music stopped.
The nobles bowed in unison.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Walter returned their greeting with a slight bow.
Regina continued her measured steps, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.
She only stopped when she reached a lady by the window.
“Hello.”
Startled, the lady turned to look at Regina.
Seeing the Emperor and Grand Duke behind her, she composed herself and returned the greeting.
“Yes. Hello.”
“Thank you for helping me find Olivia during the hunt.”
The lady recalled Regina’s desperate figure in the hunting grounds and smiled gently.
“No trouble at all.”
Her smile resembled someone awkwardly smiling at a teasing joke.
“I only told you what I knew.”
“I had no idea where she had disappeared to. Thanks to your help, I found her without getting lost.”
“I’m glad it helped.”
Regina swallowed the lump in her throat and cautiously asked another question.
“Excuse me, may I ask one more favor?”
“If it’s within my power, anything.”
“That corsage.”
At Regina’s words, everyone’s gaze fell on the black corsage pinned to the lady’s chest.
“I would like to have it. Could you give it to me?”
The lady was startled by Regina’s sudden request.
She had come to thank her, yet now she was asking for the corsage.
It was made of black scrap fabric, so not expensive.
But recalling its meaning, the lady could not refuse.
“I’m sorry, but it’s very precious to me. I cannot give it.”
