Winter (7)

“…”

Eleanor pressed her lips tight to keep from laughing.

Her elegant throat twitched as she forced the breath down.

Reichardt’s golden eyes flicked rapidly between the Emperor and Alicia.

“It seems you refuse because you do not understand what the position of Palace Count entails.”

“Rei enters the palace at dawn and leaves at midnight. He already has too much work, and I cannot let him take on even more here, Your Majesty.”

Alicia gave the Emperor a firm refusal, then babbled “Aww, how cute,” at Georg in her arms and burst into bright laughter.

Reichardt and Eleanor smiled as they watched her.

“Alicia, would you like to hold Conrad as well?”

As Reichardt spoke to Alicia, he sought the Empress’s permission with his gaze.

Eleanor took Georg back from Alicia.

Reichardt placed Conrad in Alicia’s arms, and Eleanor placed Georg into his.

“Conrad.”

Alicia whispered with a strange feeling.

She could not know whether the child who had been born as the Emperor and Empress’s eldest in her previous memories was the same child as this one.

Back then, Alicia had not been in a position to even see the imperial prince.

Reichardt looked back and forth between Georg in his arms and Conrad in Alicia’s.

“Is the reason you cannot officially settle Georg’s name because of that name? If Georg becomes the heir, he would be Georg I. If Conrad becomes the heir, he would be Conrad VI. From the imperial family’s perspective, it must be an important issue.”

He spoke dangerous words no one else would ever dare utter aloud.

His face remained perfectly calm.

“Who knows what life will bring?”

Eleanor murmured as if singing.

On the twins’ faces, purring in sleep, it was hard to imagine anything as frightening as a succession struggle.

“The babies are so pretty.”

Alicia said with a radiant smile.

“Well—”

As the Emperor was about to say something, Alicia returned Conrad in her arms to the Empress.

Then, smiling brightly, she said,

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Alicia says she does not want it, Your Majesty.”

Watching from the side, Reichardt placed Georg back into the Emperor’s arms and spoke politely.

To the Emperor’s ears, it sounded nothing but infuriating.

Even as he heard words that crossed him, the Emperor kept a faint smile.

All eyes were on them.

Reichardt and Alicia expressed thanks for the Emperor and Empress’s consideration and withdrew.

As he turned away, Reichardt cast the Emperor a quick glance.

The look he sent was insolent beyond measure, yet the arm he wrapped carefully around Alicia’s shoulder was gentle to the end.

“You have a wrinkle on your forehead, Your Majesty.”

“Damn it.”

“You must use pretty words, Renat.”

In lowered voices, the Emperor and Empress traded words and offered picture-perfect smiles to the attendees.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor kept laughing softly.

The Empress’s face was full of laughter as well.

From her seat of honor, Alicia watched the smiling Emperor and Empress with shining eyes.

“It’s nice.”

Reichardt pulled Alicia a little closer into his arms and smiled.

The cheerful imperial banquet flowed on peacefully.

Compared to Rain and Tessen, Baden’s midwinter was generous.

When the sun came out, one could sit by the window.

Alicia sat by the window, basking in sunlight.

In her hand was a teacup Daisy had prepared.

From the manor, the grand ducal residence’s wide garden looked refreshing, yet each section was decorated with charming details that made it enjoyable to examine.

The crackle of sparks in the fireplace, the sunlight spilling through the window, the clean winter air—

Everything was peaceful.

“Your Grace.”

Henrik’s voice came from beyond the door.

“Come in.”

Alicia answered, turning toward the door.

The door opened at once, and Henrik entered.

“Your Grace, we have received word from House Belz.”

Henrik said with a composed face.

“Belz?”

At the reappearance of a name she had forgotten, Alicia rose from her chair.

She set her teacup on the tea table and looked back at Henrik.

“At dawn today, the Marchioness of Belz passed away.”

A calm voice delivered it evenly.

“…”

Alicia only blinked as she stared at Henrik.

Until a moment ago, she had completely forgotten the Marchioness of Belz.

And now, hearing that the sudden news was an obituary, she couldn’t gauge how she was supposed to react.

The Emperor.

That was the only person who came to Alicia’s mind.

“Your Grace, are you all right?”

Henrik approached the stunned Alicia, took her hand warmly, and guided her to the sofa.

“…I’m fine… I was just surprised. The Marchioness of Belz…”

Alicia murmured fragmented words as they surfaced.

“They say it was an accident.”

At Henrik’s gentle words, Alicia almost snorted.

It was fortunate she didn’t blurt something like, Believe what’s believable.

“An accident?”

Shock still lingered on Alicia’s face as she asked.

“The Marchioness of Belz goes hunting at dawn for camaraderie with her attendants. Before leaving for the dawn hunt, she stops by her office, and they believe she lost her footing on the terrace outside the window.”

As he spoke, Henrik watched Alicia.

Her face looked deeply shaken.

The shock and confusion on her expression were pitiful.

Henrik decided that if he ever had to deliver news of accidents or deaths to Alicia again, evening would be better than morning.

“…”

Beside Alicia, who could not easily snap out of the shock, Henrik fidgeted uneasily.

“Shall I bring His Grace?”

At Henrik’s worried question, Alicia nodded.

“Please.”

Watching Henrik leave the room, Alicia sank into thought.

At the banquet celebrating the birth of the twin imperial princes, the Emperor’s face—smiling like a painting—had been nothing but beautiful.

It was hard to associate that Emperor with death, or an imperial order that commanded murder.

Only the Emperor could decree death upon the Marchioness of Belz.

And the Emperor had more than enough reason.

After the Empress, the consort Baroness Renger—said to be pregnant—miscarried not long after Alicia left for Tessen.

According to the court physician’s diagnosis, Baroness Renger would have difficulty becoming pregnant again.

Back then, society had whispered that the Baroness had lost the child because of conflict among the consorts.

Among those named as possible culprits was even Empress Eleanor.

The Emperor quickly contained the rumors and sent Baroness Renger back to her natal family so she could recuperate.

Since the Baroness miscarried while walking to pay morning respects to the Emperor, there was no single “incident” to point at.

Because nothing overt had happened, the matter was quickly forgotten.

Alicia had known the Emperor would take revenge on the Marchioness of Belz.

But she hadn’t expected that day to come so soon.

An Emperor was someone who smiled and chatted with a warm face, yet could bestow death on anyone, at any time.

Fear rose as she faced the hidden side of the man who had welcomed her, smiling, as a new member of the family only days ago.

She had thought she understood—yet seeing it up close made the size of her fear entirely different.

Click.

The study door opened, and Reichardt came in.

“Rei.”

“Alicia.”

Alicia ran into Reichardt’s arms like a child desperate for love.

Reichardt held her tightly.

He gently stroked Alicia’s stiffened back.

The Emperor was severe.

Clutching Reichardt’s clothes, Alicia let out a breath.

The hand soothing her felt as if it knew everything.

He understood Alicia’s shock, yet he did not seem shocked the way she was.

Was that simply what royalty was like?

Alicia knew about power struggles.

If necessary, she did not hesitate to use her hands.

But she could not smile like the most benevolent person in the world while destroying an enemy.

“…Did you know?”

“You expected a day like this would come, sooner or later.”

Reichardt pulled Alicia into a stronger embrace than ever.

“What will happen to the Marquess of Belz?”

“The young marquess will inherit the title. Marquess Estevna will serve as his guardian.”

Alicia felt relief and certainty at the same time.

The one who dealt with the Marchioness of Belz was certainly the Emperor, and the young marquess would be safe.

The Marquess of Belz was still only a boy.

But the young marquess was also a royal noble—like Reichardt and the Emperor.

A marquess’s life awaited even the boy.

“The funeral?”

“It will be held only with the marquess and Belz’s retainers.”

Reichardt answered without hesitation.

Alicia decided not to entertain needless thoughts.

“I don’t want to stay here.”

“Alright.”

Reichardt softly stroked Alicia’s hair.

“Let’s go to Tessen.”

Alicia said it like a plea.

There was still a long time before the day they were scheduled to leave for Tessen.

“I’ll prepare it.”

Still holding Alicia, Reichardt nodded.

Before the grand ducal residence’s splendid main gate, Judith spoke with a clear face.

“I’ve come on an errand from Master Pullman.”

Not a trace of deceit could be felt in Judith’s confident bearing and pure voice.

Her youthful face inspired strong trust in the guards.

“Lady Judith, welcome to the grand ducal residence.”

After finishing the identity check, the captain of the guard greeted the visitor warmly.

“Thank you.”

Judith greeted politely and passed through the gate.

Though she did not show it, Judith was a little tense.

She had visited the grand ducal residence many times, but this was the first time she had entered through the main gate.

She found it hard to understand Alicia’s order to come through the front gate instead of using an easier route.

She could only guess that Alicia had some official embroidery commission in mind.

These days, banquets in the imperial capital never seemed to end.

For gifts and for Alicia’s own use, Judith had been embroidering without pause.

Even after working me this hard, she’s officially summoning me to pile on more work—she really is a woman like an ox.

She had grumbled before leaving, but Judith followed Alicia’s order faithfully.

She complained, but even if she pushed herself a bit more and embroidered extra, it would be fine.

Judith also liked herself as an embroidery artisan.

“This way.”

Henrik, who had come out to greet her at the gate, guided Judith.

He led her into the manor.

Judith knew every path without needing to look, from visiting so often—but she couldn’t let it show.

“…”

Following the grand ducal butler, Judith sensed something strange in the manor’s atmosphere.

From the butler—whose movements were polite and elegant—there was a trace of regret.

The other servants in the grand ducal residence wore faces similar to the butler’s.

What is going on?

After admiring the manor’s luxury, they soon arrived at the residence.

Henrik guided Judith with an elegant yet brisk pace.

He knocked twice on the study door.

“Come in.”

Alicia’s voice sounded from inside, and Henrik opened the door and stepped back.

“Please.”

Judith nodded in thanks and entered.

“Judith.”

Alicia’s study in the grand ducal residence was bright and colorful.

Judith stepped into a study lined with golden floral silk wallpaper, and packed shelves in pink, mint, sky blue, and yellow.

The refined study in Ludern, with all manner of weapons hanging on one wall, had been bewildering enough—but these multicolored bookshelves were just as bewildering.

After sweeping her gaze over the dazzling room, Judith offered Alicia a respectful bow.

“I greet Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

Alicia was seated at the tea table.

“My apologies. Your study is incredibly beautiful.”

It was the most splendid study Judith had ever seen.

“It’s a wonderful place. Sit.”

Alicia offered Judith a seat and poured tea with her own hands.

Taking the cup Alicia handed her, Judith kept glancing around the study.

The first impression was so flashy she didn’t know where to rest her eyes—yet once her eyes adjusted, everything that entered her view was gorgeous and beautiful, and she couldn’t look away.