Chapter 20
20. Not a Ring, but a Thimble
After visiting the seamstresses’ workroom, I became greedy.
Sewing and embroidery alone in my own room was very enjoyable, but learning directly from skilled seamstresses gave me new discoveries.
The next day, I made a request to His Majesty Aleksanteri.
“Please allow me to visit the seamstresses’ workroom from time to time. I have learned sewing and embroidery on my own, and I would like to study new techniques from them.”
“Lacy, you truly are enthusiastic when it comes to sewing and embroidery.”
“Please, I beg of you.”
“If you insist so much, I suppose I have no choice but to grant permission. However, the seamstresses you meet must be women only. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes! Thank you very much!”
Since I hold the position of an imperial consort candidate, it must be considered improper for me to associate with men.
Now that I think of it, all the maids attending me are women, and my tutor, Madam Laval, is also a woman. Even yesterday, the seamstresses I met in the workroom were all women.
Although I would never allow my heart to waver toward another man, His Majesty Aleksanteri seemed intent on thoroughly removing all men from around me.
“Um, I would never commit infidelity.”
“Nor do I intend to. For all my life, I will devote myself to you alone, Lacy.”
That might actually be a bit troublesome.
I am to become His Majesty Aleksanteri’s consort, and someday I may be expected to bear children. Yet, surely His Majesty only entered this temporary engagement with me to avoid being pressured into marriage by those around him. If he were to meet someone he truly loved, I might not be able to step down from the rank of consort, but I could very well be driven out of the imperial palace and made to live in some consort’s residence.
That is how it ought to be.
Though premarital relations are considered improper, His Majesty is the Emperor. He must have children. He must continue the bloodline. The more children of his blood, the more secure this nation would be.
“Your Majesty Aleksanteri, about that…”
“Lacy, let us have wedding rings made. For the gemstone, perhaps a purple sapphire to match your eyes.”
“Eh!? A ring is unnecessary!”
I had intended to encourage him to take other consorts, but an entirely different topic appeared, and I ended up refusing far too hastily.
That was a mistake. Madam Laval had told me I must accept anything His Majesty offered me.
“Do you not wear rings?”
“I’m sorry. I truly appreciate your thought, but when I am sewing, rings sometimes get in the way.”
Even though I knew I should accept, to wear it and not use it would be disrespectful, so I answered honestly. His Majesty thought for a moment and then spoke differently.
“What about a finely crafted metal thimble?”
“A thimble?”
“Yes. A thimble fitted perfectly for your finger, to press the back of the needle when it won’t pass through the cloth.”
“A thimble… yes, I would love that.”
I had used thimbles before, but they were store-bought, ill-fitting, and made of leather. They wore out quickly. A metal thimble would be more durable and might make sewing easier.
When I told His Majesty I wanted a thimble, he smiled.
“I shall have the finest thimble made for you.”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
Since he didn’t insist on forcing a ring upon me when I declined, His Majesty Aleksanteri truly showed his kindness. Grateful, I looked forward to the thimble being finished.
That day, I went with Madam Laval to the imperial kitchens.
As she had instructed beforehand, only female cooks were gathered. Madam Laval addressed them.
“Lady Lacy will be making bite-sized muffins herself for her birthday tea party. She will be creating a trial batch, so assist her.”
“Yes, Madam,” they all answered in unison.
I greeted them with, “Please take care of me,” and together we baked muffins.
Even though I had only mentioned it yesterday, small muffin tins had already been prepared, so everything went smoothly.
The finished muffins were tasted by us and the cooks.
They were sweetened just right, and very delicious.
“A few days before the birthday tea party, we shall begin baking in earnest, so I will rely on you again then.”
I thanked the cooks, then moved on to the dining hall.
After lunch, I went to the courtyard.
Summer flowers were nearly gone, and the flowerbeds were becoming empty.
Into those empty patches, I planted seedlings of potatoes, eggplants, and cucumbers.
It seemed the gardeners had already prepared them, so I made rows in the soil and planted them.
After watering thoroughly, washing my dirt-stained hands, and wiping away sweat, I noticed His Majesty Aleksanteri walking along the corridor facing the courtyard.
He hadn’t yet noticed me. I moved quietly closer, and saw that his expression was the cold one he had worn toward the nobles at the engagement ceremony.
Before I could call out, he turned and saw me.
Since I was wearing plain work clothes brought from Viscount Dian’s house, I thought he might mistake me for a servant.
But the moment he recognized me, his face brightened into a warm smile.
“Lacy, I came home early today, hoping we could have tea together.”
“Welcome home, Your Majesty Aleksanteri.”
“I’m home, Lacy.”
As he approached, I quickly raised a hand to stop him.
“I’ve just been gardening, so I’m dirty. And sweaty as well…”
“Lacy, I’ll wait for you in the tea room. Go and change.”
“Yes, I’ll change at once.”
Because he didn’t come any closer, I didn’t risk soiling His Majesty.
Still, I found myself blushing at the thought that he might embrace me.
Until now, His Majesty had never touched me so casually. He had kissed the back of my hand only once, and apart from that, only escorted me with my hand on his arm or resting in his hand.
For a consort candidate, our contact might seem far too little. But since ours might be a marriage in name only, I assumed that was normal. If not, and children became necessary, I was prepared to accept His Majesty.
After all, as someone destined for a political marriage, I could not refuse to bear children.
Would His Majesty’s child be adorable, I wondered.
—Big sister! I love you!
I seemed to hear little Garne’s voice from my dream.
His Majesty had silver hair and garnet eyes. Garne had silver hair and garnet eyes. If I bore His Majesty’s child, might they grow up to be as endearing as Garne?
Though it was only a dream, recalling the lifelike figure of Garne made me think of such things.
In the tea room, I had tea with His Majesty.
He brought along samples of the thimble.
It was wider than a ring and looked as if it might be decorated with gemstones, but its flat surface would surely be useful for pushing a needle.
“I plan to set a purple sapphire here.”
“Is that really necessary? A simple thimble would be enough for me.”
“No, it is the consort’s thimble. It must be suitably dignified.”
At those words, I could no longer protest.
I had already refused a ring. To reject this thimble, which looked much like a wide ring, would not be possible.
“I will use only a small purple sapphire, so it won’t be in the way. You can press the needle against the undecorated part.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
“Then, I’ll have it ordered in this design.”
If that satisfied His Majesty, I had no objection.
Since it would be a thimble set with something as precious as a purple sapphire, I must be careful not to lose it, and use it with great care.
I didn’t know how long it would take to be completed, but I resolved to treasure that thimble for the rest of my life.
