Episode 15
“Rovlien of House Calix greets His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”
I stole a sidelong glance at Father’s face. His expression… was a touch inscrutable.
Had I done something wrong?
Without stopping, I finished exactly as my tutor had taught me.
Convinced I had blundered, my head drooped of its own accord. I wanted to do even better with Father watching.
Clap, clap, clap!
Suddenly, applause filled the room. I looked toward the sound and saw Father, eyes shining, clapping his hands.
“My daughter excels at everything. Come here—my child.”
At the cue of Father’s clapping, Tutor Jenkins and everyone else present broke into delighted applause.
The girl who’d been mortified by a supposed mistake vanished; I ran to Father where he sat.
“Hey now—if you dash like that and trip, what then!”
Snuggling into his arms, I put on a bit of a whine.
“I won’t trip. And even if I do, I’ll dust myself off and get right back up.”
His gentle hand touched my brow; with his forefinger, he tapped lightly.
“Are you becoming more like Johan by the day?”
I imitated Johan’s deep voice as best I could.
“When am I ever like him?”
My clumsy impression made everyone laugh. Father’s light taps turned into a little smack of a kiss on my forehead.
His slightly bristly chin prickled, but my heart felt wonderfully warm.
The day finally arrived—the day to visit Former Princess Yulia’s salon.
Preparations that began at dawn were exhausting. Somehow the process felt even more complicated than the day I met Prince Adrian.
I surrendered myself to Basha and the maids and simply spaced out. At some point Grandfather, Father, and Johan had all come and were watching from the room.
“When did you come?”
Grandfather’s eyes met mine, and he smiled wide.
“My granddaughter is awake? Not long ago.”
I turned to Father and Johan. They were nitpicking the outfits Basha had prepared.
“Father, isn’t this far too ostentatious?”
Father scrutinized the dress, very serious. To me, every dress looked beautiful.
“Ostentatious. Next!”
A maid brought another dress—a sky-blue piece with a sheer fabric at the upper bodice.
A ribbon tied at the neck; from the bodice to the waist, tiny, translucent gems were set densely like embroidery.
Whoever made it must have worked painstakingly. With gloves long enough to cover the arms, it might be quite nice.
Before I could say I liked it, Father and Johan barked in unison:
“Next!”
“Why?”
All eyes turned to me when I raised my voice. Father spoke in a soothing tone.
“This one is absolutely out of the question.”
Johan added,
“Right. Rov, there’s far too much showing.”
I understood what worried them. Rising from my chair, I walked over to the dresses.
“I like this one. And what you’re worried about—we can solve it like this.”
I picked up long white gloves thick with lace.
“I’ll try it on first. Then you can judge again.”
Time was running short anyway. It was time to decide. Basha followed, carrying the items I’d chosen.
With her help, I changed and stood before the mirror.
“How is it? Does it look strange?”
I watched my reflection, then glanced at Basha’s face. She hesitated a moment.
Is it no good?
Like someone struck by inspiration, Basha suddenly bustled into motion.
“Forgive me—I was thinking of a hairstyle to match the dress. Of course it suits you wonderfully. How about an updo with this ornament?”
“I love it! Please.”
As expected, her sense was uncanny. She knew exactly what I wanted. I should have spoken up sooner; we wasted time.
She worked quickly: twisted up about half my hair and let the rest fall naturally.
Last, she fixed a jeweled headband in place and showed me the back with a hand mirror.
“It’s a feather motif.”
In the twisted section, a hairpin carved like delicate feathers gleamed—every detail exquisite.
“How do you like it?”
I gave Basha and the maids a big thumbs-up.
“Shall we go?”
Gathering my trailing skirts, I walked—slowly but proudly—on still-awkward heels.
I hope they like it…
Basha opened the door first.
“The young lady will enter.”
I went in, determined to stride forward even if I had to force myself. And then I locked eyes with someone I hadn’t expected to see.
Why is he here?
Prince Adrian sat beside Johan, dressed to the nines himself.
“I greet Your Highness, Star of the Empire.”
After we exchanged courtesies, he smiled. My face warmed. Flustered, I looked aside and met Johan’s gaze.
He flicked his eyes between me and the prince—glowering at Adrian, smiling at me.
Honestly. How can a person change expressions that fast?
“My granddaughter, come here.”
Grandfather held his arms open. The mood said I had better go that way, so I moved carefully, determined not to stumble.
Perhaps I looked unsteady, because Grandfather rose to meet me.
“My son, we must visit the palace after all. Look at our granddaughter—what if everyone loses their minds for her?”
Father, who had been watching with a neutral face, spoke:
“Steward! Send word to the Imperial Household. It seems I’ll have to accompany them.”
Still glaring at Adrian, Johan chimed in from the side,
“Father’s health isn’t perfect. I’ll go instead.”
Their absurd back-and-forth made my cheeks burn. The prince, watching from the side, was laughing under his breath.
“Um… I—”
I was about to intervene when Prince Adrian rose and walked straight to me, hand extended. I took it on reflex.
Holding my hand lightly, he flashed a bright smile.
“Lady Rovlien, you needn’t worry. I will protect you from start to finish.”
At his words, Johan shot to his feet, pointing at the prince with a face full of protest. Even if they were close, he was the prince—what if Johan got hauled away for lèse-majesté?
“Brother!”
At my call, Johan plopped back down with an audible thump. Then Grandfather’s voice cut in, edged like a blade.
“Prince, do you even know what it means to say you will protect someone?”
Father’s low, even voice followed.
“Father, what are you expecting from a young prince? Does he understand that failing to protect her would mean staking even his life?”
They pressed down on Adrian right in front of him.
“Please don’t worry. I’ll do well.”
“My child, you say that because you don’t know. The palace is dangerously—”
“Grandfather!”
My heart lurched. Those words were perilous.
If the prince returned to the palace and accused House Calix of slandering the imperial family… we would all but be dead.
I tried to rein Grandfather in, but who could say how he’d take it? My hand, still clasping the prince’s, trembled. I looked up at him.
“Your Highness…?”
He looked like someone savoring a particularly entertaining spectacle.
I tried again.
“Your Highness?”
Shh.
He put a finger to his lips.
“Rov, give it a moment. We’re right at the fun part.”
Fun? Of what?
The prince I remembered from before my return had never been like this. It felt as if he wasn’t the person I knew at all.
Prince Adrian leaned close and whispered at my ear.
“Rov, when do I ever win against Johan? And now we have Grand Duke Calix and the grand prince too. Opportunities like this are rare.”
Even as he murmured to me, his eyes stayed on my family.
Perhaps my unease for the empire’s future was only a feeling…
He is the one chosen by the gods; I shouldn’t doubt him.
“Grandfather, Father, Brother—we should depart. I’d hate to tarnish House Calix’s honor by being late.”
I made quick farewells and tugged the prince along by the hand.
Adrian wore a fleeting look of regret—but I pretended not to see it.
To be continued
