Episode 45
As Kaien’s closest aide, Glenn knew about the recent changes in him—but unlike Miller, he didn’t think much of it, and unlike Emma, he didn’t know the deeper details.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
Silence fell. Though they’d known each other for years, they rarely talked much. Growing up together in the harsh land of Lubeo, they’d always communicated more with swords than words.
“I want to… send some kind of message to the empress.”
“Yes.”
Kaien let out a short sigh and looked straight at him.
“I’ll need you to help me think of how to do that.”
“Yes.”
Then Glenn blinked.
“…Wait, me?”
“Who else is here?”
Honestly, there were plenty of people better suited for the job—basically anyone except Glenn.
“Emma could—”
“She’s not here today.”
“There’s the chief attendant, or other senior maids—”
Kaien immediately shook his head. Emma had been his mother’s maid and had known him since childhood, so he could open up to her. But telling something like this to any other palace servant? His pride wouldn’t allow it.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not like I want to pick you.”
“Of course, I understand.” Glenn accepted his fate with resignation.
“But don’t expect me to be like Emma.”
“I don’t.”
Kaien glanced at the clock, annoyed at himself. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have wasted time pacing around earlier.
“Do you remember when I summoned the Minister of Rites?”
“Yes. You asked about the marriage validity.”
“Right. And that’s today.”
Glenn nodded blandly.
“Well? Got nothing to say?”
“…Ah—congratulations, Your Majesty?”
Was he making fun of him? Kaien glared—then remembered Glenn didn’t have it in him to joke like that.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You said the marriage expires after a year. So today’s your first wedding anniversary.”
Sometimes the simplest answers were the best. A perfect excuse had been right there in front of him, and he hadn’t seen it.
“Glenn!”
“…Did I say something wrong? Should I fetch Emma?”
“No. You’re actually useful for once.”
Of course, just because you found an idea didn’t mean your judgment was good.
“Now think—what should we send to the empress as an anniversary gift?”
Glenn just blinked.
“What should the letter say?”
Kaien was already focused on the plan.
“What do people usually give for a first anniversary?”
“Uh… flowers?” Glenn guessed.
In Lubeo, they saw ordinary people’s lives up close, so at least this answer made sense.
“Then we’ll write the letter later. Let’s go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
They shared a look and nodded, satisfied with their teamwork.
“It’s reassuring having you here.”
“You flatter me.”
If Emma had seen this display of “brotherly camaraderie,” she’d have grabbed them both by the collar. But the two men were already grinning proudly.
“Though… flowers alone might be lacking.”
A rare, reasonable comment from Kaien—unfortunately, he was talking to Glenn.
“What if we pick a lot and fill a big basket?”
Kaien liked the sound of that. “Good idea.”
They didn’t realize that no flowers were blooming in winter. Or that, for a royal gift, a flower basket was supposed to be crafted by artisans over days.
“…There aren’t any flowers,” Kaien muttered after they circled the garden like they were scouting a battlefield.
“Maybe because it’s winter?”
“Oh… right!”
It was probably for the best no one saw this. The two of them were dead serious about it.
“Then where do we get flowers?”
“Don’t worry, I have an idea.”
Kaien looked at him with newfound respect.
Glenn bent down under a pine tree, picked something up, and proudly held it out. “How about this?”
“…That’s a pinecone.”
“It grows on the palace trees. Same as flowers.”
“You’re right. Basically the same thing.”
If only someone had been there to stop them.
“Look, acorns too.”
Kaien stooped to pick one up, grinning. They honestly thought they were being clever and resourceful.
“I have another idea, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?” Kaien’s eyes lit up—after three days of silence from the empress, just having a reason to approach her was exciting.
“You’re writing a letter, right? Put it in the middle of the basket so it stands out.”
Again, no one was stopping them.
“Glenn.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You’re very dependable today.”
They grinned at each other and started gathering pinecones with all the energy of preparing for battle.
By the time they had a huge pile, they were sweating.
“So… put these in a basket with the letter and send them to the empress?” Miller asked, hoping he might realize how odd it sounded.
“Yes. She likes plants—she’ll love it.”
With that much hope on Kaien’s face, no one could tell him the truth.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Miller bowed, swallowing a sigh.
“Send it quickly.”
Kaien was still smiling. Maybe these last three days of distance had been better after all.
When the enormous basket arrived at the empress’s quarters, it caused immediate confusion.
“What… is this?” Alicia stared at the pile of pinecones.
“His Majesty and Sir Glenn personally gathered them,” Miller explained, trying his best to sound respectful.
“…He personally picked all these pinecones for me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She’d been wondering about his thoughts before—now she had even more questions.
“I can’t take this anymore.”
She turned to Miller. “Tell His Majesty I thank him for the gift.”
“Yes.”
“And… if he’s free tonight, I’d like to invite him to dinner here.”
Agnes’s eyes widened at the sudden announcement, then softened into a smile.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Even after Miller left, Alicia kept staring at the pinecones.
“Isn’t it nice? His Majesty personally sent this.”
“No,” Alicia said firmly.
“It just makes me even less sure what he’s thinking.”
A gift wasn’t always welcome—and sometimes the thought behind it could be scarier than any weapon.
“I can’t stand it. I’ll have to ask him directly.”
She might have been slightly off-track, but in the end, things were going exactly as Kaien hoped.
“Otherwise, I’ll be too curious to sleep.”
“Yes, a good idea. If something’s on your mind, better to ask,” Agnes said knowingly. Because really—if you didn’t care about someone, would you be losing sleep wondering about them?
“I’ll handle dinner preparations. You should bathe first.”
“Me? Why?”
Agnes hid a smile—Alicia was still annoyed at Kaien, or maybe embarrassed by how quickly her anger had faded.
“It’s just to warm you up. It’s chilly today, and we’ve got a nice new bath soak.”
“…Fine. I was feeling cold anyway.” Alicia tried to sound aloof, but to Agnes she just looked adorable.
“Nancy will assist you. Meanwhile, I’ll have the fireplace lit.”
“Well… I don’t have anything else to do, so I might as well enjoy a bath.”
No one had asked for an explanation, but Alicia gave one anyway—and stood up faster than her words suggested. Nancy bowed and led her away.
“Maren, hurry,” Agnes told the other maid. “Get the dress and jewelry we picked out ready in her chambers.”
“Yes, Madam. I’ll prepare the vanity too.”
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”
Tonight, the emperor would come to the empress’s quarters again.
That alone was enough for the maids to ready themselves like they were preparing for war.
