Previously
Irenia convinces Caesar to cut his dangerously sharp claws, praising him like a child to keep him calm during the difficult process. The next morning, she is shocked to find that his claws have fully regrown overnight and that he has crawled into her bed.
At that moment, the first thing I felt was fear. I didn't know the exact reason, but my fingertips grew tense and broke out in cold sweat.
“There, we're all done.”
Mercedes was patting Caesar's face dry with a towel after gently washing him.
Just like that, those cracks vanished, and the deep rift in my chest disappeared, as if a spring flower field had opened up anew. A mild breeze devoid of all danger began to drift around me.
“You said you gave your word to Her Majesty the Empress, did you not?”
She spoke while keeping her back turned to me, busy putting away the washing supplies.
“Yes, I promised to attend the banquet Her Majesty the Empress is holding three months from now, together with Caesar.”
“…The banquet.”
She answered with that single phrase. Her voice was flat and devoid of emotion, making it difficult to read what she felt. So I simply stared at her back in silence.
“What do you plan on doing today?”
She kept talking, still without facing me.
“Well, it’s time for breakfast, and starting today, I’ll begin teaching Caesar etiquette.”
Her hands suddenly froze.
“Etiquette?”
Just the sound of the word was enough to shatter that tranquility. Her tone carried quite an edge.
Still, I didn't dwell on it too much; it was only a slight feeling—closer to suspicion than outright worry. I just hadn't figured out how to handle her yet.
“Yes, etiquette, so that he won't embarrass himself before others.”
Mercedes turned sharply, and I hardly knew how to describe the look in her eyes.
A strange silence descended, leaving me to wonder what in my words had displeased her so.
“Understood.”
Her expression began to soften, growing calmer. In my mind's eye, I saw green grass sprouting, flowers and trees blanketing the wide fissures, and that gentle spring breeze blowing once more.
Yet for the first time, that serene and bright scenery did not make me feel safe. There was always a lurking danger… a venomous snake, a ravenous beast, or a bottomless swamp.
I moistened my dry lips with the tip of my tongue and spoke up slightly.
“Yes, everything will be just fine.”
Though directed at Mercedes, those words were meant just as much for myself. I would be fine. Just as I had always been. I would find a way through this crisis.
“As you wish.”
Mercedes answered placidly, having regained her usual composure. But I knew what that response meant…
She disliked the idea. And as flawlessly as she masked it, it showed plainly in her eyes.
The Empress had granted me a window of three months. It wasn't a long time, but neither was it too short.
A timeframe barely sufficient to shape a human being… or at the very least, paste a humanlike mask onto someone's face.
Answering a philosophical question like “What makes a person human?” was far from simple. Defining humanity was no easy feat.
Yet I knew enough to satisfy Cornelia.
‘The conditions she mentioned… walking on two feet, using utensils, and speaking.’
Yes, that was all she asked. At first glance, those terms might sound daunting, but at their core, they were clear. If Caesar could fulfill only those three requirements, it would be enough.
At least Cornelia hadn't demanded that Caesar engage in philosophical debates, compose spontaneous poetry, or win a dueling tournament. That alone… gave me a shred of hope.
All she asked of him was to display the barest minimum of human appearances.
Within three months… I had no expectation that he would become perfect, but we didn't need perfection.
All we needed was an optical illusion. Yes, an illusion to fool their eyes, even if only for the duration of the banquet.
We were members of the imperial family—honored guests. We wouldn't be expected to linger through the entire event. And while I had little experience with banquets, I could envision how it would unfold.
Greeting everyone, sitting quietly, taking a bite to eat, and smiling. That might be all that was asked of us.
The crucial part was the overall appearance. People always judged first by what they saw. Thus, we had to make him look the part.
What if we began by smoothing down the rough edges? Just like clipping claws, they become soft with proper care.
If we refined him little by little, perhaps… just perhaps, Caesar would truly appear human. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
“It won't be easy.”
A sigh escaped me unawares. But now was no time for despair.
I resolved to call this mission
‘Operation: Turn Caesar into a Human.’
“First, we'll start with the outward things.”
It's a mistake to fuss over minor details when a room is in absolute disarray. Outward appearances must always take priority.
Fortunately, I had already brought someone to help me: Delfina.
Delfina was a quiet, gentle-hearted maid. With light brown hair and pale hazel eyes, she was distinguished by her tenderness and docile nature.
Seeing that, I understood why Ilda had tried to pin the blame on her. People like her were easily taken advantage of.
“Delfina.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
Like Ilda, she was one of the maids in charge of imperial garments. As such, she was the best suited to assist me with this.
“Could you help me with something?”
She answered with glistening eyes, visibly moved.
“You saved my life, Your Highness. I would do anything for you.”
Her words were dramatic, yet they lent me a strong sense of reassurance.
I then shared the details of Operation: Turn Caesar into a Human with her.
“You will be attending a banquet hosted by Her Majesty the Empress?”
She was caught completely off guard upon hearing it. A look of hesitation and disbelief spread across her face.
“Yes, that is what happened.”
“I see…”
I knew well how difficult it would be. Still, I chose not to view it as impossible.
“First of all, we must make Caesar look presentable.”
The social season begins in the spring and runs through early summer. In the beginning, young maidens and gentlemen exchange their affections. It all culminates in the grand midsummer ball hosted by the Empress.
At that ball, young ladies wear brand-new dresses tailored specially for the occasion, as do the young men.
After all, haven't they always said that clothes make the man?
“Who is currently in charge of Caesar's attire?”
At that, Delfina rose demurely and brought over some of Caesar's garments to show me.
“There is normally an attendant who oversees the imperial family's wardrobe, and sometimes dressing maids assist as well.”
“And could you take care of it?”
Delfina nodded shyly. That took a weight off my shoulders.
“His Highness hasn't worn formal attire in a very long time.”
Indeed, Caesar had only ever worn simple under-tunics, and even those were torn here and there. They were closer to rags.
A short, plain tunic made of linen or wool.
Without embroidery or ornamentation, sometimes sleeveless or short-sleeved.
Worn straight against the bare skin, typically intended for comfort, lounging about the quarters, or doing hard labor.
And we all knew the reason he hadn't worn proper clothes.
“I imagine he hasn't been very cooperative until now.”
Delfina nodded, dropping her gaze to the floor.
“However, there is another matter we need to attend to besides the Prince's attire.”
“What would that be?”
Delfina blinked several times, as if asking, ‘Do you really not realize?’
“Your gown, Your Highness.”
“Oh, don't worry about that. I have plenty.”
Among the bridal trousseau I brought from the Flores Duchy, there were several formal gowns suitable for outings; I could easily pick one of those.
“Even so, it is customary to have a new dress tailored before attending any banquet, as you know…”
Delfina spoke hesitantly, a tinge of regret in her voice. Right then, one of the knights stationed outside stepped in to announce an arrival. It was Countess Elvira.
“I knew I would find you here, Your Highness.”
“It has been a while, Countess Elvira.”
She offered me an elegant smile, looking as proud as ever. But what could have brought her here so unexpectedly?
“Countess, what brings you here?”
She gave no answer, merely offering a slight nod. Immediately afterward, a train of servants entered carrying large chests. The moment the Countess made a gesture, they began opening them one by one.
The first chest contained lavish dresses adorned with glistening accents, shimmering so brilliantly they dazzled the eyes with their breathtaking beauty. The other chests held costly jewels, feather-trimmed hats, ribbons, and an assortment of ornaments.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Countess Elvira chuckled, raising her fan to her lips in an aristocratic flourish.
“I heard that Your Highness will be attending the upcoming summer banquet alongside the First Prince. Her Majesty the Empress was so moved by your resolve that she saw fit to bestow these garments upon you personally.”
It was a gift from the Empress.
FADE OUT