IITYVA 43

Chapter 43 – 

The continuous stream of dialogue, which reminded me so much of yesterday, caused a creeping sense of unease to rise within me.

As I struggled to manage my expression, As took the initiative to ask the question.

“Who’s the guest?”

“His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…H-Haha.”

I laughed mechanically.

Yep. Just as I expected…

You can’t very well keep a noble guest who’s graced you with a royal visit waiting.

Dragging my feet, I got up and followed Gilbert to the drawing room adjoining the bedroom.

Yesterday, I’d been so anxious over As being sick that I couldn’t see anything else.

That was why I’d hurled insults I’d never dream of saying under normal circumstances—calling the Emperor crazy, saying no sane brain would think like that…

As a result, I got roped into this.

“I was just so happy you returned, I wanted to throw a splendid banquet for you…”

“Your Majesty.”

“I had so many things I wanted to do for you. I waited anxiously all night and came as soon as the sun rose…”

“Your Majesty…”

“I never imagined… that I’d hear such cruel words from sweet little Einra…”

“Your Majestyyy…”

Normally, I would’ve thought the Emperor’s gloomy expression was pathetic and fake, but now it stirred guilt and regret, stabbing at my conscience.

In the end, defeated by guilt, I took the Emperor’s hand and headed to the imperial palace to prepare for the banquet.

And what awaited me there was… an endless barrage of tight, exhausting schedules.

“Now then, Lady Einra, let’s get your waist measurement. Could you lift your arms a little more?”

“Here is the catalog. If you have any preferred texture or color among the fabrics, let us know.”

“Do you have a preferred style? If not, we can tailor it to the latest trends.”

“You can look through this catalog for accessories. Of course, we offer custom designs as well.”

Arriving at the palace at the crack of dawn, I spent the entire morning fitting the dress I’d wear to the banquet.

Well, technically, the Emperor did most of the choosing.

“Since Einra is adorable, a bright, vibrant color like pale pink or soft yellow would suit her best. We’ll go with a comfortable texture. As for the style…”

Though it was supposed to be my outfit, the Emperor was far more enthusiastic and kept interfering.

I could only widen my eyes in disbelief, but because I was guilty, I obediently played the role of a living mannequin.

After a light lunch with the Emperor, I was promptly dragged off to the Diamond Hall—the largest hall in the palace.

The place was buzzing with banquet preparations.

As soon as we stepped inside, one of the Emperor’s aides overseeing the setup approached and bowed.

“Your Majesty, and Lady Spirit Summoner.”

“Ah, good. How are the preparations going?”

“They’re progressing smoothly, sire.”

“Excellent. And what I asked to be prepared yesterday?”

“Right here, Your Majesty.”

The aide handed over some documents he had tucked in his coat.

From a glance at the cover, it looked like paperwork related to the banquet.

After taking it, the Emperor handed the stack to me.

“…?”

Blinking in confusion, I looked up at him. He smiled.

“Didn’t I say the banquet would be decorated to your taste? Try to fill in as much detail as you’d like.”

“…”

Why not just ask me to plan the whole thing?

I turned the cover page and found a large blank sheet—basically empty.

So… he’s telling me to fill all this out? Every single item?

A sigh rose to my throat but I swallowed it down.

My head spun at the thought of how long this would take, and the overwhelming pressure of knowing my scribbles would determine the entire direction of the banquet pressed down on my shoulders.

‘Is this really a banquet for me?’

It felt more like the Emperor was just messing with me on a grand scale.

The suspicion gnawed at me, but regardless, the fate of the banquet was in my hands.

So I racked my brain so hard I thought my hair might catch fire, trying to decide on the theme.

It was only near sunset that I was finally able to escape from the Emperor.

Now finally free, I dragged my exhausted body along the path back.

Even when I arrived this morning, my steps hadn’t been light—but now they felt as heavy as boulders.

‘But since I’m already out… I can’t leave without seeing my favorite person.’

I hadn’t seen him at all yesterday because I was caring for a sick As.

I was finally back in the capital—daily visits to my favorite person were mandatory!

Just thinking about him made endorphins rush through my whole body.

I hopped on Hisha and headed straight for the townhouse where Harnen lived.

Harnen’s house looked just like I remembered.

I knocked softly at the front door.

Before long, the door opened, and Harnen appeared in casual clothes.

His sandy-colored hair was messily tied, and he wore a loosely buttoned white shirt.

A pair of glasses hung from a thin chain across his straight nose.

‘It’s been a while since I saw Harnen in glasses.’

He must have been working on research.

As I thought that to myself, he looked at me with gently smiling eyes and asked,

“Are you here to visit, Einra?”

“Yeah, I came to visit.”

I nodded.

His smile deepened.

“I’m glad you came.”

He brushed back my hair that had been tousled by the wind and stepped aside so I could enter more easily.

The townhouse Arkes had prepared for his subordinate was spacious and luxurious, meant for middle and lower nobility.

Originally, Arkes had planned to assign a servant to help with chores.

But Harnen refused, and instead hired a helper who came by once a day to clean.

Due to betrayal in his past life, he hated having others in his personal space.

“Wow, it’s been so long since I’ve been here…”

I murmured absently as I stepped inside.

A subtle nostalgia began spreading from deep within my chest.

Most of the things in the house had come from his old dorm room at the Atlanta Academy, making it feel all the more familiar.

As I wandered around, eyes brimming with memories, Harnen looked on warmly and called from the kitchen.

“Einra, do you want some tea?”

“Yeah, I’d love some.”

“Your usual dew tea?”

“Yup!”

I nodded with a bright smile, and Harnen chuckled as he put the water on and opened the cupboard.

The soft clinking of teacups filled the air.

I followed him into the kitchen and sat at the table, watching his back as he busily moved about.

A sudden chuckle escaped me.

“Being here like this reminds me of those times.”

“Those times?”

Harnen turned to me with the teapot in hand.

I nodded and continued.

“Back when we were at the academy. We always came in first and second place, so we both had single rooms.”

“Ah.”

“And whenever I dropped by your room, you always served me tea like this.”

Memories rushed back, making me smile again and again.

Harnen’s eyes warmed as he poured hot water into the teapot. A gentle smile bloomed on his face.

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Oh, and remember how we’d say we were going to stay up studying during exam season but always fell asleep? Then we’d wake up in the morning freaking out?”

Harnen blinked innocently.

“Hmm, I think you were the only one who did that. I never fell asleep.”

“What? You really…!”

I shouted in disbelief, but Harnen just tilted his head with that innocent expression.

Even though I could clearly see he was acting, it was still so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.

By then, the tea and snacks were ready.

“Here you go.”

Harnen set a teacup in front of me.

As I took the steaming cup, I murmured softly,

“I missed this.”

His hand, which had been lifting his own cup, paused.

Across the table, his sky-blue gaze met mine gently.

“Einra.”

“Yeah?”

“How do you feel about living here?”

He asked the question lightly, like it was nothing, but his tone lingered in the air.