Chapter 33
Chapter 33.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hmm..."
Agatha delicately ate pastries, waiting for the Emperor's next words. The Emperor, who had been humming, finally spoke.
"To celebrate the successful conclusion of the negotiations, I plan to hold a grand imperial ball. If we extend it to the originally scheduled final summer imperial ball, holding it magnificently for two days, everyone will know it's a banquet I've prepared for you and Marquis Aratus, even if it's not officially declared."
"Your Majesty's grace is as vast as the sea."
It was a natural outcome, as the treaty was officially signed between the Nobilis family and the Mainyucore Empire, not the Roxbard Empire.
"To celebrate your seventh marriage, did I not bestow upon you 500,000 gold kar? In addition, to commend you for successfully carrying out this imperial decree, I shall grant you an additional 500,000 gold kar."
"I must give bonuses to the knights who accompanied me this time. They worked hard guarding until late at night, so they will be delighted, won't they?"
"...Whether you've heard or not, Marquis Aratus, who entered the court for the first time today, was personally seated in the place of honor by me. Precisely in the first row where the ministers of each department sit."
Only then did Agatha put down her teacup, showing interest.
The court assembly is held in the Hall of the Sun.
Below the seats of the Emperor and the royal family, who sat in the highest central place of honor, the nobles' seats were allocated in three sections divided into a semi-circle. These seats indicated one's status in court and the Emperor's favor.
"Did you give him the seat in the first corner?"
"No! I gave him a seat in the center."
The Emperor added urgently. It was natural for Enoch, the head of the prestigious Aratus family who received the title of war hero and married the heiress of the Nobilis family, to be in the first row, but the fact that he was seated in the center, and that the Emperor himself had seated him, was significant.
The Emperor continued with a slightly excited expression.
"For every agenda presented at today's court session, I specifically asked for Marquis Aratus's opinion. His status in court must have soared."
"What else?"
"...Shall I grant tax exemption benefits to Marquis Aratus's existing territory?"
To the Emperor's cautiously repeated question, Agatha smiled brightly but did not say "that's enough."
"You've left one thing out, Your Majesty."
"What do you mean?"
"Will you send me to that position next time?"
To the position where my ex-husband appears.
The Mainyucore Empire and the Nobilis family had a prior agreement, and relations with the Roxbard Empire were restored. By this autumn, the Mainyucore Empire would send an official delegation to formally declare and implement the agreement.
Given such events, the Emperor of the Mainyucore Empire would likely send the Second Prince again.
'Outwardly, to prove that everything is fine.'
Of course, it didn't matter if she ignored him whether he came or not, but Agatha no longer wanted to host any delegations or anything of the sort.
Enoch would hate it too.
"Do not ask me to receive the Mainyucore delegation visiting this fall. I don't think you would, but you won't send me to that position again, will you, Your Majesty?"
The Emperor, Warmilai II, looked speechless.
"However, the Mainyucore Empire would expect you to receive them."
"Your Majesty."
"Ah, I understand. But you must attend the welcome banquet. Hmm? If you don't, the Mainyucore Empire will also have complaints about the negotiation results."
Agatha conceded as if she were accepting it very reluctantly.
"If Your Majesty insists, I have no choice. I will attend with my husband."
The Emperor, who had been relieved without realizing it, soon wore an angry expression.
"Why is my goddaughter's personality so resolute? Come now, a godfather can make a mistake once, you're being too harsh."
If I make a mistake twice, what kind of incident would occur.
Agatha's expression turned serious.
"Honestly, if Your Majesty had given me the list of the Mainyucore delegation in advance and just offered words of comfort, I wouldn't have gone this far."
"Really?"
"..."
Agatha pretended not to know and picked up her teacup again.
She thought it might have ended at about half of what it did now, but...
Of course, she couldn't be sure because that was an event that happened then.
The Emperor, who had been staring, let out a sigh and relaxed his body.
"It's fine. This was my mistake, so let's move past it. Yes, was there anything else?"
"Yes. It was really good."
What was there to say?
Agatha could confidently declare that it was by far the best honeymoon she had ever been on. Seeing her softly smiling face, the Emperor spoke.
"Would you like to have lunch with me after a long time? Since it was so good, I'd like to hear about the new territory and Palavi Island over a meal."
'I have a lunch appointment with Enoch.'
She blinked, but Agatha agreed. The Emperor, who had been acting somewhat meekly until just now due to his mistake, had his limits.
"My husband will be waiting, so may he join us? It would be more helpful to hear it through my husband than me."
"There is no one who can match Marquis Aratus in military insight. Is the Marquis currently in the military?"
The Emperor rang a bell beside the throne. The Head Steward of the Imperial Palace, who appeared without a sound, bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty. You summoned me."
"Summon Marquis Aratus. I must have lunch with my goddaughter and the Marquis."
"Yes. I will send a servant immediately."
Agatha followed Warmilai II to the Emperor's private dining room, located in the inner chambers of the Imperial Palace.
A moment later, Enoch Aratus, summoned by the Emperor, arrived.
"Your Majesty. Marquis Enoch Aratus has arrived."
"You may enter."
Agatha offered a apologetic smile as she looked at the man who stepped inside.
Although she was disappointed to miss the opportunity for the two of them to have a meal together.
'If he has a private lunch with the Emperor, it will be beneficial for him too. I must endure.'
There would be other opportunities to have lunch together later.
"Welcome, Marquis Aratus."
"Welcome, Marquis."
Perhaps sensing the situation on his way, Enoch bowed to the Emperor without a word.
"I have come upon your summons, Your Majesty."
"Yes, Marquis. I heard from Agatha that your honeymoon was very enjoyable."
For a moment, Enoch's gaze turned to Agatha. The Emperor continued.
"I wish to hear about the new territory and Palavi Island from you. After all, there is no one in this empire who can match the Marquis in military insight, wouldn't you agree? Hahaha!"
Agatha smiled and urged the Emperor.
"Your Majesty. Please have him sit first before you speak. Wouldn't it be even better to hear it while sharing a meal?"
"Ah, please sit, Marquis. Come, let's talk over a meal."
That day, the Emperor's luncheon continued for a long time, a full three hours. Marquis Aratus's status in the court rose further as a bonus.
Upon returning to the mansion, Agatha relayed the 500,000 gold kar received from the Emperor through Enoch and the tax exemption benefits for Aratus's existing territory this year. She heard from Sir Huber that the administrator, Conrad, who received the news, was overjoyed and jumping.
And at the end of summer.
The special imperial ball, lasting two days, began to approach.
In the late summer, as the sweltering heat began to subside slightly.
The return of nobles who had gone on vacation to nearby mountains, rivers, and villas began.
The first thing the nobles did upon gathering was to meet in their factions and exchange news of what had happened while the capital was empty.
The biggest topic after Agatha's marriage was, naturally, Agatha Nobilis once again.
Rumors that she had successfully concluded the trade agreement with the Mainyucore Empire, greatly satisfying the Emperor, spread rapidly from mouth to mouth.
And the rumor that the imperial ball had been extended to two days as a token of appreciation was not left out.
After the rumors had circled the capital about three times and then some, the day of the imperial ball arrived.
Agatha spent the morning bathing in milk and receiving an oil massage.
As it was the first ball she would attend as a married couple with Enoch, it held significant meaning, and she wanted to present a perfect image.
Her body, moisturized and softened from head to toe, Agatha sat before the mirror and asked.
"Is he..."
"He has finished preparing."
She checked the time. 1 PM.
If Enoch's preparations were complete, she only needed to finish her own. Agatha began her adornment with relief.
Her golden hair, styled in thick curls, cascaded down to her lower back.
Her clear white skin and bright eye makeup made her elegant, violet-like eyes stand out.
She tinted her lips with the color of red flowers and slightly curled her long eyelashes upwards, making her already beautiful face even more radiant.
"How is it, Madam?"
"I like it. It's beautiful."
"Then I will bring the clothes now."
The maids brought the dress, shoes, and accessories that had been pre-selected. Everything she would wear today had been custom-made with Enoch at Madame Challet's atelier.
It was made of white, fine fabric with small patterns embroidered together.
The rounded shoulder line and décolletage, the slightly low-cut bodice gently cinched at the waist, and the skirt that flared out generously were captivating.
In the mirror, a perfectly beautiful noblewoman was reflected. The only thing unchanged was the wedding ring on her left ring finger.
