Episode 176
Princess Helena’s eyes welled with tears before she finally burst into a sorrowful sob. Her husband, Young Marquis Alvici, frowned and protested.
“Your Imperial Majesty, this is too much. My wife is carrying a child. I never imagined you were the type of person to insult and cry a pregnant woman who needs care!”
Princess Helena pulled on her husband’s arm and spoke through her tears.
“No… it was my fault for being rude. After all, Her Majesty is someone who cannot have a child even if she wants to…”
“You wench! How dare you mock me?!”
The Empress grabbed a handful of grapes and threw them at the Princess’s face. The surrounding noblewomen rushed to calm the Empress. Hit by the grapes, the Princess wept even more piteously.
“Ugh, the smell of those grapes is so nauseating…”
“Ah! Then let’s leave this place at once.”
The Alvici couple left the scene. Empress Beatrice trembled with rage. She ground her teeth and threw the entire bowl of grapes. The fruit scattered across the floor as the bowl rolled away.
“What ‘smell’ could there possibly be from mere grapes? That vulgar, wicked girl is mocking me…!”
The Empress, shouting that she could no longer stay because her mood was ruined, turned away. Her close associates followed her out of the banquet hall, trying their best to soothe her anger. This continued even after they reached a private lounge.
“She acts that way because she was raised as a nuisance in the Imperial Palace and learned nothing.”
“Jacadorian women are said to have shallow educations. What could a neglected child have learned?”
“She’s just making a scene. What kind of smell comes from a grape?”
Finally, the Empress calmed down. Her beautiful face returned to its normal color. Viscountess Melissa Fleming fanned the Empress and spoke softly.
“Do not take the words of a foolish Jacadorian woman to heart. She is nothing more than a silly girl using her youth as a weapon. That is why she cannot even grasp Your Majesty’s teachings.”
The experienced Viscountess Fleming said exactly what the Empress wanted to hear.
“Your Majesty is the supreme Moon of Vianteca, filled with a wisdom and dignity that a young girl could never possess.”
Empress Beatrice regained her composure and pride.
‘Even without a child, I am the Empress. No one can shake me. Not even His Majesty the Emperor!’
When she reappeared in the banquet hall, Empress Beatrice was relaxed and majestic once more. She was the most beautiful woman in Vianteca and the most noble lady at the peak of high society.
Seeing her return, Demian approached. He was there to offer greetings at his father’s urging. Others hesitated, remembering the earlier scene, but Demian’s steps were steady.
“Demian Rosana greets Your Imperial Majesty.”
Empress Beatrice brightened and wore a beautiful smile.
“Young Duke Rosana. It has been a while. You are becoming more handsome by the day.”
“Your Majesty remains as beautiful as ever.”
The Empress had recently become quite close to Duke Rosana, so she asked after the Duchess.
“Is the Duchess of Rosana’s health alright? I heard from the Duke that she had improved, but I am saddened that she could not attend my banquet today.”
“Because Your Majesty looks after her, my mother would be deeply moved. Recently, however, she heard that Lia was nearly hurt in a monster attack in the North, and she…”
It was a blatant lie, but as Demian trailed off, it was perfectly convincing. Empress Beatrice covered her mouth.
“Oh dear. She must be losing sleep worrying about her daughter. I was inconsiderate. After losing Lady Isabella, she must be so anxious about losing her only remaining daughter…”
The Empress signaled to her maid.
“Pack some peach syrup for the Young Duke to take when he returns home. I made it myself with the maids; it should suit the Duchess’s taste.”
The Empress made peach syrup herself? Demian was surprised but replied politely.
“I am deeply moved, Your Majesty. My mother will be very happy.”
“I hope it brings her some comfort.”
Empress Beatrice let out a small sigh. She looked like a benevolent mother of the nation, and everyone admired her.
As Demian moved through the banquet, he had to hear about Eliano everywhere he went. Since his twin’s reputation was sky-high, he maintained a favorable public stance.
“I am glad Eliano has not forgotten our sisterly bonds. Although the terrorists who killed Bella haven’t been caught, that is due to Jacador’s incompetence. Bella closed her eyes as a member of the Rosana family, so she will rest in peace.”
Unlike the capital, which was forcing a sense of liveliness, the atmosphere in the North was very gloomy. This was due to the large-scale funeral for the residents killed in the monster attack.
The Howard Estate was also soaked in sadness over the death of the Prince. The young royal boy’s presence had been quite large.
“Charlotte.”
“Your Grace… you’ve come.”
Charlotte’s face was haggard and thin. Her hands would not leave Pavel’s coffin. Because she didn’t want to accept his death and because his life—where he couldn’t even have a proper funeral—was so tragic, she couldn’t even close the lid. If anyone tried to close it, she would scream like a madwoman. As a result, no one dared touch it.
Pavel lay beautifully in the open coffin, wearing formal clothes. The wounds torn by the monster’s claws were gone, replaced by a clean appearance. Charlotte had treated his wounds and poured in her mana. But she couldn’t bring a dead person back to life. Her magic only stopped the body from decaying; it couldn’t make his heart beat.
“Is it true there is still no response from the Imperial Palace?”
When Eliano nodded with a dark face, Charlotte shouted in frustration.
“How can His Majesty do this!”
Even Grand Duke Boarné, who had raised him for two years, expressed his deep regret officially. Yet, the Emperor, his own father, remained silent after hearing of his son’s death.
“He should at least say something so we can hold a funeral! Pavel was his son too!”
She didn’t expect a state funeral. She just wanted the boy, who had always been starved of affection, to have a funeral among family and close his eyes in peace.
“All the residents who died that day have been buried, so why must Pavel lie here all alone!”
Tears streamed down Charlotte’s face. She couldn’t bear the pity she felt for Pavel, who was ignored by his father even in death.
“We cannot hold two funerals. I will personally meet His Majesty and speak to him.”
“I beg of you, Your Grace.”
Since Pavel was a Prince, he should have been buried in the Imperial Tombs. To do that, the Emperor’s permission was required. Building a royal tomb in the North was unheard of. Even Flint’s grandfather, Crown Prince Alphonse, was buried in the Imperial Tombs.
“I will do my best to ensure Pavel’s funeral is held at the Imperial Palace. I am ashamed that I have been of no help to you.”
“Um… Pavel said…”
Charlotte hesitated before speaking. She remembered Pavel’s last words.
“Charlotte… I… was so happy here… but if I say I want to be buried in the North… it would be a burden for House Howard, right…? Then I don’t want it… I don’t want to… trouble… Brother and Sister…”
Pavel had passed away before he could even finish his sentence. Charlotte had wailed for a long time as she closed the child’s eyes.
“He said he was happy at the Howard Estate. That’s why he wanted to be buried in the North.”
“Ah…”
Charlotte had seen Pavel looking truly comfortable and happy for the first time in the North.
“But he said that would be a burden to the Duke and Duchess… so he told me not to clash with His Majesty by insisting on the Imperial Tombs.”
Charlotte also knew Flint’s position in trying to avoid conflict with the Emperor. Eliano bit her lip.
“But Pavel is a Prince. He deserves the respect of a royal that he never received while he was alive.”
“What use is respect after death! I want to fulfill Pavel’s wish.”
“…But.”
“I shall do so.”
Eliano turned around at the heavy voice from behind. Flint stood there with a somber face.
“We must grant Pavel’s last wish.”
As an older cousin, he hadn’t done much for the boy, so he felt he had to at least do this. Flint looked at Pavel in the coffin with sunken eyes.
“Seeing as the Emperor hasn’t mentioned the funeral yet, he clearly doesn’t want to give him a place in the Imperial Tombs.”
Flint spoke as if spitting the words out and thudded the coffin lid shut. Charlotte didn’t even have time to reach out. He sealed the coffin without hesitation and covered it with a cloth. Charlotte wiped her tears when she saw the red coffin shroud embroidered with the Howard family crest.
Flint spoke with a firm face.
“Pavel is a Viantecan, not a Howard, but he will be laid to rest in the Howard family tomb. I promise you this.”
Eliano nodded slightly in agreement. Charlotte spoke with a surprised face.
“No, Your Grace. How can Pavel be in the historic Howard family tomb… no. Just burying him in a place with a good view would make him happy.”
“Historic? The Howard house only started with my father. What do you mean, Charlotte?”
Flint gave a small smirk and continued with gentle strength.
“There are only two Howards currently, and I will do this by my authority. The other Howard does not object.”
The “other Howard,” Eliano, lowered herself and took Charlotte’s hand.
“Don’t worry. While it’s true Pavel should be in the Imperial Tombs… if His Majesty is displeased, there is a place for Pavel in House Howard.”
Charlotte burst into the tears she had been holding back. Listening to her thanks, Eliano hung her head weakly. If only I hadn’t taken Pavel with me… Deep guilt and sadness were etched in her emerald eyes.
Flint immediately sent a letter to Hereis stating that they would hold Pavel’s funeral in the North.
“Will it be okay?”
At Eliano’s worried question, Flint answered decisively.
“That is why I sent it to Hereis. If he has even a shred of brotherly affection for Pavel, he will allow this much. I don’t believe Hereis would be so cold-hearted even to his dead brother.”
“His Majesty might…”
“If the Emperor truly considered Pavel his son, he would have told you to bring the body when he summoned you to the capital.”
Flint ordered the funeral immediately. It happened even before Hereis could reply. Eliano was inwardly surprised by his drive.
Pavel’s funeral was held solemnly, with all the Northern nobles in attendance. Many noblewomen, including Viscountess Sullivan, who had been fond of Pavel, wiped away tears. Everyone remembered the Pavel they had seen at social gatherings.
When the funeral ended, Charlotte announced her intention to leave with a slightly lighter face. In her arms, Pavel’s favorite cat, Cheese, let out a small meow.
“I plan to stop by the South and then head to the Magic Tower. I will never forget the kindness you’ve shown me. And…”
While Charlotte hesitated, the cat jumped from her arms and clung to Eliano’s skirt. Charlotte looked at the cat and then spoke firmly to Eliano.
“Pavel died because of the monsters. So, Your Grace does not need to feel guilty.”
Charlotte vaguely knew of Eliano’s guilt. She wanted to comfort Eliano, who felt sinful for taking Pavel to the conference. If Eliano lived her life carrying this sadness, Pavel would be sad in heaven too.
“At first, I didn’t understand why Your Grace wanted to raise Pavel like a royal. But I realized I was wrong.”
Eliano shook her head with a pained face. Charlotte’s original thought was right. Pavel should have grown up normally and lived a normal life.
“When the whole world knows Pavel is the Emperor’s son, how could he live a normal life? Eventually, he would have lived as a Prince.”
“…”
“Thanks to Your Grace’s education, Pavel would have found his own happiness as a Prince without succession rights.”
Tears fell from Eliano’s eyes. The cat cried mournfully as if responding to her grief. Charlotte took Eliano’s hand.
“Pavel liked Your Grace very much. If he knew you were sad because of him, he would be upset in heaven.”
Eliano nodded and wiped her tears. Charlotte spoke with a forced bright face.
“Then, I will truly be going. Please stay healthy and well.”
As Charlotte turned to leave, Eliano stopped her. She had an important request for her.
“Charlotte, actually, I have an urgent favor to ask. I know your heart is heavy, but please stay in the North a little longer.”
Eliano continued with a very serious face. Charlotte looked shocked at first, but soon her expression turned solemn, and she nodded.
“I, Charlotte Boarné, will fulfill Your Grace’s noble wish.”
For the first time since joining the Magic Tower, she used her family name.
