IRATBP I Chapter 06

Chapter 06

It had been four days since I started living in Glacies Castle.

Thanks to Asha taking such good care of me and the priest who came twice a day to check on me, I was recovering quickly. But even as my body got better, my heart felt uneasy.

The whole castle was busy preparing to welcome His Majesty the Emperor and his delegation. As time passed, I grew more anxious.

I was worried about whether I could fulfill the role of the future duchess.

I started to doubt myself.

‘Even without strength, if I dare to take one step forward….’

I kept repeating that phrase in my head to encourage myself. My ability to hear the voices of trees had no use in welcoming the Emperor.

Besides, I didn’t even know what cards Russell was holding. Revealing all of mine without knowing his would be reckless.

I still wasn’t sure if he was a good or bad person.

One thing was different from the time I lived at the Duke’s house — the castle was so busy that I couldn’t hear anyone speaking badly about me, no matter how hard I listened.

‘Maybe they were told to keep quiet.’

I was still at peace because I did not feel hated or ignored.

When I lived at the Duke’s house, I was always been mocked or ignored by my sister, and I had to be careful not to upset the Duchess. I was always so nervous that my stomach hurt.

But that didn’t mean I had done nothing these past two days.

Russell came to see me regularly during those two days.

“Keep your back straight. Shoulders up. Don’t relax your lower stomach.”

We practiced walking arm-in-arm, just like I would have to do in the drawing room when we greeted the Emperor. Russell corrected the way I stepped, showed me how to walk gracefully without bending my back.

I had learned basic manners at the Duke’s house, but since I was never invited anywhere, I forgot most of them. So I had to start learning again from the beginning.

“Like this?”

“Excellent.”

Surprisingly, he wasn’t stingy with compliments. He said he only praised or criticized based on facts.

Three more days passed, and on the seventh day—

His Majesty the Emperor arrived at Glacies Castle. Russell prepared to greet him in advance. Except for Asha and two maids who helped me get ready, everyone else in the castle was busy guiding the imperial guests.

I had already been awake since dawn. I soaked in warm water with scented oils, and Asha applied camellia oil to my hair.

Asha gave me a light makeup that didn’t make my skin feel heavy, helped me into a loose dress, and put low-heeled shoes on me so I could walk comfortably.

When I was done, Asha clapped with joy.

“You look perfect, milady!”

“R-Really?”

“Yes! You’re truly beautiful.”

I had no way of checking for myself, but her compliment made me shy. Just as I was about to get up with my cane, someone knocked on the door.

Before we could even say “come in,” the door opened, and a familiar presence approached me.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes! She’s ready to meet His Majesty.”

“Then let’s go.”

I took Russell’s hand and stood up.

Clack, clack. My cane tapped against the hallway floor — the only sound in the quiet corridor.

Russell walked silently beside me. Every step he took made a sharp sound echo in the hallway.

I wondered if all our practice would pay off. I had grown used to walking arm-in-arm with him to the drawing room.

But thinking about meeting the Emperor made my fingers tremble slightly.

Can I really meet the Emperor like this?

Just as anxiety took over again, Russell snapped his fingers in front of my face.

It was the signal to stop — we were at the drawing room door.

He leaned in and whispered,

“Don’t be nervous. Even if it’s His Majesty’s chamber.”

“Aren’t you nervous, Russell?”

Maybe he felt my hand shaking. He gently covered my hand with his.

It’s warm…

The warmth in his hand melted the cold from my fingers. That alone made me feel a bit calmer.

“The Emperor rules the Empire,” he said.

Then he chuckled.

He must be smiling confidently right now. I just knew it.

“But the North belongs to me. This is my garden. Why would I be nervous in my own garden?”

What confidence…

Where does he even get that kind of self-assurance?

But right now, I want to lean on that confidence.

The Emperor is the most powerful man in the Empire. In both this life and the last, I never even dreamed of meeting him.

Maybe Russell noticed I was still nervous, because he spoke again.

“Hold onto my arm tightly. Even though we’re meeting His Majesty, right now, you’re my fiancée.”

“…Okay.”

I took a deep breath. Once that door opened, it wouldn’t be practice anymore. It would be real.

Russell knocked twice. The door creaked open.

The first thing I noticed was the warmth. Unlike when we practiced, the room was so warm that it made my skin feel dry. They must’ve lit the fireplace strongly for the Emperor.

The room was silent. But I could sense someone’s presence from afar — it was the Emperor.

He must have dismissed all the servants and guards.

Clack, clack. I walked with my cane, straightening my back like Russell taught me, and counted my steps in my head.

Twelve.

I stopped walking, leaned my cane against the sofa, held up my dress, and bowed.

“I am Fiana of the House of Lucianos.”

There was no immediate reply.

Was he examining my appearance? Or did I do something wrong in the greeting?

No. His gaze was on my eyes. In that tense moment, I could feel it.

The Emperor finally spoke.

“…Nice to meet you, Lady Fiana. I’m sorry to have made you travel so far.”

His voice was calmer and gentler than I expected.

“This is His Majesty the Emperor’s voice…”

It was unexpected. I thought it would be more authoritative and overwhelming.

“You may sit, Lady Fiana.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

I carefully sat on the sofa, making sure not to make any noise. Only after I was seated did Russell take his seat.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—what does the Emperor actually look like?

Even during His Majesty’s birthday celebration, I was locked up at home for being the disgrace of the family, so I never got the chance to learn about him.

Now he was within arm’s reach, yet I couldn’t see the face of the most powerful man in the empire.

‘It feels like there’s a weight on my chest.’

As I tried to calm my breathing, Russell suddenly spoke.

“Your Majesty, excuse me, but it seems my lady would like a description of you. May I?”

A description?

What is he talking about?

Russell was acting without any prior discussion. I was so surprised I couldn’t say anything, and the Emperor didn’t seem to object—perhaps he nodded in agreement.

Russell leaned in close. I couldn’t move, so I had no choice but to let him whisper directly into my ear.

My earlobe felt like it might burst. He smelled faintly of mint.

“He has platinum blonde hair and golden eyes like the sun. His long hair reaches his chest and is neatly tied. His eyes have a sharp, hawk-like shape, and his cheekbones are slightly raised. He has a hooked nose, but no beard—he keeps his face clean-shaven.”

His deep voice echoed in my ear.

In the darkness of my vision, white outlines began to take shape. Soon, I clearly pictured a neat, middle-aged man with deep wrinkles.

Before I could even thank him, Russell pulled away and returned to his seat.

“You seem quite skilled at describing your fiancée. When did you two grow so close?”
“Lady Fiana becomes more captivating the more I see her. I couldn’t help myself.”

The Emperor chuckled, then replied:

“I was told you weren’t very interested in marriage.”
“I suppose getting older makes a man feel lonely. I finally understand why our elders said it’s good to have a partner.”
“You of all people?”

The Emperor burst into hearty laughter, amused.

His surprisingly human side made me reconsider my thoughts.

‘It doesn’t seem like he and Russell are on bad terms.’

The Emperor laughed for a while, then took a sip of tea. He kept chuckling, then finally calmed his voice.

“It is true that people live long lives to witness oddities.”
“It makes me grateful to see Your Majesty pleased.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”

There was a sound of the Emperor setting down his teacup.

‘Something feels… off.’

My sixth sense told me, There’s something I’m missing.

That uneasy feeling was soon explained.

“Even if I didn’t raise him myself, he still carries my blood.”
“Your Majesty…!”

Russell was clearly shocked. Honestly, I was just as stunned.

“B-blood…? What do you mean?”