Chapter 31
#031. A One-Year Grace Period
In front of the magnificent and splendid Emperor's office in the Imperial Palace.
Sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows and struck the marble floor. Olivia faced the Chamberlain of the Imperial Palace, who stood guarding the large door.
"His Majesty is currently engaged in important state affairs."
For the third time. The Chamberlain was repeating the same words without emotion.
Important state affairs, he says. Despite scheduling the visit in advance, the thick door showed no sign of opening.
Postponing the audience with excuses.
It was an obvious tactic, even to Olivia. Moreover, it was something she had experienced often.
She thought only Leopold and the Princess didn't keep their appointments.
"...Reconfirm with His Majesty. Tell him that Grand Duke Bikander has come to request his wish, as promised."
Eventually, a ruthless voice, as if about to devour someone, was unleashed.
Even Olivia, who was behind Edwin, was slightly surprised by the voice, and a crack appeared on the experienced Chamberlain's expressionless face.
"...I will confirm."
Eventually, the Chamberlain entered through the solid door. It was then that Edwin, who had intimidated the Chamberlain, turned to Olivia.
"Aren't your legs tired from standing for so long?"
"That 'so long' was only about five minutes, though?"
"Still. Heels can be quite painful for the feet."
"I'm used to it, so it's okay—"
Olivia, who was smoothly continuing her reply, stopped talking. Edwin, who was looking at the hem of Olivia's dress with a worried expression, looked puzzled.
"...You seem to know a lot about heels, Your Highness."
It was meant to be teasing, but the voice that came out was quite petulant. Edwin's eyes widened, then narrowed into a gentle curve.
"It just looks uncomfortable. But why are you calling me 'Your Highness' again?"
"...Because this is the Imperial Palace."
"The Imperial Palace. So?"
"It's difficult to call Your Highness's name carelessly outside."
As Edwin's smile deepened, Olivia's answer became more and more awkward. Olivia averted her gaze without realizing it. But when persistent eyes continued to meet Olivia's.
"Ahem."
A deliberate cough intervened.
It was Winston. Winston, who had just coughed loudly, avoided Edwin's gaze. If he met those intense eyes, it wouldn't end with just a few laps around the Grand Duke's Residence.
But this was not the Grand Duke's Residence, but the Imperial Palace, specifically in front of the Emperor's office. Winston endured the stinging gaze and praised himself.
In that gap, Olivia stepped back two steps from Edwin. And she smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.
"Wow... are you doing this on purpose?"
"Doing what?"
The expression of feigned annoyance was amusing. Olivia lifted her chin, pretending not to know. Just as the Grand Duke was about to retort, the door to the office opened.
"His Majesty is still engaged in important state affairs. It seems difficult today, so how about requesting an audience again on another day?"
The Chamberlain conveyed the Emperor's words verbatim. The Grand Duke, who had been staring at him expressionlessly, turned his gaze to the door.
Eyes as red as blood stared at the door as if gauging something.
It looked like he wanted to break down the door.
The Chamberlain felt a chill down his spine. The door was made of Carbin, the hardest mineral. No matter how much the Grand Duke was called a slaughter demon, he couldn't break down a door that was also protected by a wizard's reinforcement magic.
He wanted to dismiss it as a useless thought, but his instincts continued to conjure ominous images.
That's when it happened.
"Then shall we come next time?"
Edwin turned to Olivia. Olivia smiled awkwardly and whispered to Edwin.
"Actually, I was feeling a little tired."
Olivia glanced at the doorway. She didn't want to come back to this Imperial Palace, but it was true that she was tired. It seemed that she had unconsciously tensed up when she faced Leopold earlier.
"Shall we go then?"
As if the business was over, Edwin hastily moved his feet. As if understanding immediately, Winston was already far away, preparing the carriage.
Olivia and Edwin followed behind. Just as she was thinking that the lake in the rear garden, visible through the open window, was secluded.
A group of nobles was walking from afar. The nobles stopped when they discovered Olivia. Such gazes were nothing. Olivia tried to move her feet leisurely.
...If it weren't for Conrad, who was looking at her with cold eyes among those nobles.
Conrad frowned. Olivia, who had been smiling brightly just a moment ago, hardened her expression the moment she met his eyes.
He was the one who should be making that expression right now. Not only did she leave the house without permission, but she was with the Grand Duke, with whom she was entangled in scandal.
At the same time, the whispering voices of the surrounding nobles pierced his ears.
"Why are those two together?"
"It seems she's really going to marry the Grand Duke."
"Then what about Crown Prince?"
"What can you do? There's the youngest Madeleine."
House Madeleine was being bandied about like a midday gossip. Conrad frowned in displeasure.
It was clear why he was so annoyed. The Madeleine Dukedom was a mess right now.
Esella was dejected because she missed Olivia and ended up being confined to her room, and Jade, who had returned from the battlefield not long ago, was spouting strange things. That was also about Olivia.
So. It was all because Olivia had left the Madeleine Dukedom.
She should have stayed quietly as she had been doing. She suddenly went to the Grand Duke's Residence and was now trying to marry the Grand Duke.
Then what about Esella.
With a thought that chilled his mind, Conrad opened his mouth to call Olivia.
"Oli—"
"I said I was tired."
A handsome voice crushed Conrad's words. The Grand Duke gently placed Olivia's hand on his arm.
"The carriage should have arrived by now, right?"
"...I suppose so?"
Olivia barely managed to answer. She had dealt with the Duke and Jade, but she was surprised just by seeing Conrad.
Perhaps it was because they hadn't finished things. She hadn't even exchanged a word with him on the last day of the victory banquet.
Conrad's last memory was the last night at the Dukedom, looking at her as if he hated her. The tips of her fingers trembled slightly.
Edwin escorted Olivia smoothly. He stood firmly between Conrad and her like a wall.
She was pleased with that consideration, that sense of stability.
Before she knew it, the trembling in her hand had stopped.
* * *
"The Grand Duke has left, Your Majesty."
The Emperor, who heard the Chamberlain's report, nodded with a worried face. The quick-witted Chamberlain read that the Emperor wanted to be alone and left the office.
The Emperor glared out the window. A black carriage with the Bikander family crest was crossing the Imperial Palace garden and leaving.
The Emperor slowly clenched his fist. Just a few weeks ago, he was confident that he could hold that bastard in the palm of his hand.
That was why he had handed over the White Crystal Mine to the Princess. The White Crystal Mine, which he had coveted so much, was an excellent bait.
Even the sword he brought to make the oath was the treasured sword Airaluten.
He naturally thought that he would swear allegiance to the Princess. With that hasty judgment, he even bestowed a wish in the Emperor's name.
But to dare to wish for marriage with the Madeleine Duchess with that wish.
His head throbbed again. Apart from not swearing allegiance to the Princess, the very fact that he had proposed to the Duchess, who was the Crown Prince's fiancée, was a problem.
The Madeleine Dukedom, the head of the Emperor's faction, was the best match to lay the foundation for the Crown Prince. If the first Duchess was not possible, then at least the second Duchess.
"...It is the Madeleine bloodline. If you accept this child as the Crown Princess Consort, Madeleine's loyalty will continue to follow Your Majesty steadfastly."
Fourteen years ago, the Duke's words, buried in his memory, surged up.
The Emperor had been eyeing Esella Madeleine, the Duke's legitimate daughter, since she was born. But the Duke, who had been hesitant, one day brought a slightly older girl, claiming she was the first Duchess.
Rumors had already spread widely in society that the Duke had brought in a bastard. Even though he could gain the Duke's loyalty, he eventually accepted her despite her unsatisfactory birth.
The Emperor stroked his chin. The green eyes that gave him a sense of déjà vu briefly flashed through his mind, but that was not important now.
The Duke's loyalty, and the dog that pleased him. He was about to lose these important things. The dog he had always thought was his, to Grand Duke Bikander.
"...What should be done with a dog that bares its teeth at its owner?"
The Emperor's blue eyes flashed. Just then. With a knock, the Chamberlain spoke from outside the door.
"The Empress has come to see you."
As soon as the Emperor's permission was given, the door opened and the Empress entered. The Empress, seeing the Emperor's frowning face, tilted her head like a girl.
"Oh my, Your Majesty. Do you have any worries? Should you be making such a face?"
With a sweet voice, the Empress came close to the Emperor. Along with the sweet scent of perfume, a soft hand unreservedly pressed the Emperor's brow.
With appropriate pressure, the Emperor's brow gradually relaxed. The Emperor slowly said.
"...The Grand Duke came. Asking for permission to marry the Duchess."
"How presumptuous. He doesn't know his place."
"That's right. But it's a wish in my name. It's difficult not to grant it, but I'm worried about my relationship with Madeleine if I do."
"How about acting according to etiquette, Your Majesty?"
The Empress said as if it were nothing. The Emperor's eyes widened.
"Etiquette?"
The Empress smiled gently.
"Yes, Your Majesty. According to ancient books, a woman who has a marital relationship with the Imperial Family cannot form a relationship with other nobles for one year in order to clarify the origin of her heir."
The Empress spoke softly. A smile bloomed on her flower-like face.
"So, grant the marriage on the premise, but with a one-year grace period. If it's the Duchess who likes ancient books, she would agree to that much."
The Emperor hummed. He suddenly remembered the Duchess mentioning the etiquette of ancient books when receiving the Grand Duke's oath. Only then did the corners of the Emperor's lips slowly rise.
"Empress. How did you come up with such a good idea?"
"Isn't it all thanks to Your Majesty's virtue?"
The Empress smiled coquettishly. The Emperor, who was looking at her with satisfaction, quickly turned his head.
A one-year grace period.
During that time, he would surely come up with a good plan. Whether to return the first Duchess to her original position or to welcome the second Duchess as the Crown Princess Consort.
Of course, the best way was to return the first Duchess to her original position.
It was rather fortunate that the Grand Duke seemed sincere towards the Duchess. Because she would desperately feel how despairing it was to have her happiness taken away.
Just like the previous Grand Duke had.
The Emperor smiled coldly. The Empress, who was watching the scene, asked softly.
"...But Your Majesty. There is something I'm curious about."
"What is it, Empress?"
"Did the Duchess also agree to the Grand Duke's proposal?"
The Emperor's eyes widened. He hadn't even thought about it when the Grand Duke said he was requesting an audience, but it was an important point.
"The Duchess liked the Crown Prince so much. If the engagement is broken due to the Grand Duke's coercion, wouldn't it be too pitiful?"
The Empress, who had never pitied Olivia even once, had a mournful face. The Emperor laughed lowly and praised the Empress.
"To think that I have someone as clever as the Empress by my side."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty."
Two good conditions were met to attack the Grand Duke. The Emperor also knew that the Duchess thought highly of the Crown Prince. If the Duchess just showed that she didn't like it, his worries would become useless.
The Empress smiled with arrogance as she looked at the Emperor, who was soaked in arrogance.
To think that he couldn't even control his own dog and was so anxious. It was an uncharacteristic aspect of the Emperor.
But it was fortunate. Because her children, who would become the future of this empire, resembled her.
The Princess, who used Olivia like a limb, and the Crown Prince, who always received Olivia's sincere love.
A proud smile flashed across the Empress's face. Without knowing what situation her proud children were in.
