Chapter 13
Chapter 13.
“I believe Mother is right, Grandmother.”
Lady Neuta, the sister of the Duke of the current era, who was having tea with them, stepped forward to support Grand Madam’s opinion.
“When has that Agatha ever bowed down to you, Mother, or me? Even when she dared to enter this mansion, she always looked us straight in the eye and said, ‘Mother. That is something I cannot agree to.’”
Agatha Nobilis was a special daughter-in-law to them, in a very bad way.
She never easily granted their requests, nor did she act as they demanded, and at times, she would act as if they were tormenting her, creating conflict between Theodore and them.
“Agatha will never cover up any rumors that spread regarding our family. She even let the false rumors from when she divorced slide, didn’t she? Who knows, she might even take the lead in a public relations campaign for my happy married life this time.”
How many rumors had spread when Agatha Nobilis divorced for the sixth time?
By chance, the false rumors that she divorced due to their unreasonable demands and abuse spread the most widely, forcing them to seclude themselves, unable to attend any social events that spring.
Grand Madam pounded her chest as if frustrated.
“Mother. Are you just going to stand by and let us be hurt like this? We must fight back.”
“……”
“Mother! You know how Theodore is these days, yet you hesitate?”
At those words, Madam Neuta sighed.
“……How could such a degenerate have come from that noble Nobilis family.”
Lately, her beautiful grandson’s complexion had been growing paler day by day.
There were days when the usually proper young man would be drunk.
On those days, he would regret divorcing Agatha Nobilis and look resentfully at her, his mother, and his sister.
—Why couldn’t you just look upon her favorably, just once?
Finishing a brief recollection, Madam Neuta clicked her tongue and made a decision.
“Very well. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give that girl, who was once my daughter-in-law, a final lesson.”
Grand Lady Neuta’s and the young lady’s eyes gleamed as if filled with life.
However, this was a matter of dealing with ‘that’ Agatha Nobilis. Even though she said so, Madam Neuta did not let her guard down.
In her calculations, a direct confrontation would be too much, but she felt that in the social circles, she could certainly humiliate her if adequately prepared.
Their influence and status were, more or less, on par.
“The autumn hunt would be a good time.”
“We will prepare.”
“Yes, Grandmother!”
It was the signal for the return of the Neuta trio to the social scene.
Today is the day of the luncheon with the Emperor.
Agatha, who woke up early in the morning, chose the dress that best suited her mood from those she had selected late last night.
“That one will do.”
It was the most luxurious among the dresses she had chosen, with a skirt made of thin pink fabric layered abundantly, a top lavishly adorned with silver thread, and frilled sleeves reaching mid-forearm.
“Isn’t it too flashy?”
“No. Considering what we have to do today, that level is appropriate.”
It was a luncheon in name, but she was going to have a battle of wills with the Emperor. Rather than being understated, showing the height of extravagance would leave a stronger impression.
“Then I’ll apply heavier makeup for you today.”
“Please do.”
Full-length mirrors stood on three sides, and her attendant maids busily brought and laid out accessories and cosmetics.
For jewelry, she wore a set of earrings and a necklace studded with diamonds the size of a fingernail.
Her hair was gathered to one side, adorned with several hairpins, transparently crafted like lilies, placed in the middle.
Bright eye makeup with pearl shimmer.
Her plump lips, with a slight blush on her white skin, were striking.
Though her slender neckline and shoulders were fully exposed, and she was dazzlingly adorned, Agatha perfectly carried off even that extravagance.
“You are truly beautiful, Miss.”
“Good. Now, let’s choose shoes.”
As Agatha, satisfied, was choosing her shoes for the last time, a maid knocked and entered.
“Miss. Marquis Aratus has arrived.”
“Oh?”
After a moment of thought, Agatha chose shoes with a gradient dye.
The upper part was white fabric, but it deepened into a violet hue towards the heel, with small diamonds scattered as if sprinkled.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Miss.”
After a final check of her attire and gathering the proposal she would present to the Emperor, Agatha descended directly to the first floor.
A carriage was prepared by the palace attendant, while in front of the entrance, a man with a familiar back was conversing with his aide, John.
With a slightly trembling heart, Agatha uttered the name that had been implicitly permitted since their last meeting.
“Enoch.”
“You are here, Agatha.”
He turned his head casually, paused for a moment, then walked towards Agatha. The act of holding her hand and kissing it softly seemed natural at first glance.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“It was fine. The combat preparations are also perfect.”
“Is this your combat attire?”
“I am facing His Majesty. I must not be intimidated.”
The last words were whispered softly as Agatha placed her hand on his arm.
Enoch, pausing again for a moment before moving naturally, escorted Agatha to the carriage.
“Huh? Aren’t you riding with me?”
Agatha reached out to Enoch, who was turning away, in a hurry. He looked down at her fair hand for a moment, then his lips slowly parted.
“Shall we travel together?”
“Yes.”
Enoch handed his beloved horse, which was being prepared nearby, to John, his aide. Having grown more accustomed to horses over the past ten years, riding in a carriage was quite a rarity.
“We will depart.”
“Yes.”
Enoch sat opposite Agatha, and with the shout of an Imperial Knight, “Depart!”, the carriage began to move towards the Emperor’s palace.
Agatha subtly observed Enoch. His blue hair, with only his bangs slightly swept back, swayed gently in the breeze as he gazed out the open window.
“Yesterday, did you get home safely?”
The man’s gaze, which had been fixed outside the window, finally turned to Agatha. His expression was unreadable.
“You seem unusually quiet today.”
“I failed to consider you, Miss.”
As she closed the window, Agatha’s gaze met his, and she unconsciously recalled the garden two days prior.
Back then, he had approached her with that same indifferent expression and kissed her casually.
Even though it was just a kiss on the cheek, not her lips, Agatha felt a flutter like a young girl experiencing her first physical contact.
Enoch, after a moment of silence, spoke.
“We will soon need to set a wedding date, do you have any preferred dates, Agatha?”
“Hmm, I believe His Majesty will set the date.”
It would likely be decided as the soonest possible date for preparations.
Agatha intended to focus her attention on other areas.
Such as the venue, the dress, the accessories.
Agatha preferred a wedding held in a quiet place rather than the capital.
While this had rarely come to fruition in the past due to various political views and opposition from the groom’s family, she asked,
“There is a small but very beautiful temple on the outskirts of the capital. I would like to hold the ceremony there, would that be alright?”
“Wouldn’t a venue that reflects my wife’s taste be more beautiful than one I choose? Do as you wish, Agatha.”
With such an indifferent expression.
Yet, his words were all so sweet, making Agatha’s heart clench and release in vain.
“Do you have any place in mind for the honeymoon?”
“Ah, anywhere by the sea would be nice. Islands are good, and coastal cities are good too……”
“An island.”
Enoch seemed to be contemplating something. Just then, the carriage slowly stopped, and a knock sounded from outside.
“Marquis Aratus. Miss Nobilis. We have arrived at our destination.”
“Let’s get out.”
Enoch, who stepped out first, escorted Agatha. The palace attendant, who had been informed in advance and was waiting at the entrance, greeted the two.
“Miss Nobilis. Marquis Aratus. You have arrived.”
“Where is His Majesty?”
“He instructed us to escort you to the dining hall first upon arrival. Please come this way.”
High arched ceilings adorned with thousands of crystals below.
Sunlight filtering through marble pillars made the corridor gleam golden, while the paintings and patterns carved into the opposite wall boasted the grand history of the empire.
The grandeur and oppressive atmosphere emanating from the corridor transformed into extreme splendor and restrained luxury as they proceeded deeper into the palace.
This was the private space where the Emperor and royalty lived.
“This is it.”
The attendant led them to the Emperor’s private dining room, a place Agatha had visited several times before.
Though smaller than the official banquet hall, it was decorated with far more luxurious and precious items.
Stepping into this place with her future husband was a scene that revealed Agatha Nobilis’s status, both in the court and in society.
Agatha sat opposite Enoch at the round table. The head seat was empty.
“Please wait a moment, His Majesty will be here shortly.”
“Thank you for your service, Attendant.”
A moment later, the doors opened, and guards and attendants poured in.
“Behold, His Majesty Warmilai II, the Sun of the Roxbard Empire!”
The awaited appearance of the Emperor.
