Chapter 34
“Few people can assess a situation clearly without being swayed by emotion when problems arise.”
Luigi meant it sincerely.
Becoming an empress meant being both a life partner and a political companion to the emperor. Many challenges would arise, and sometimes things would get messy. That’s why he appreciated Laura’s exceptional problem-solving skills.
‘People like that are rare.’
Then again, Luigi trembled in anger with clenched fists.
“And yet you pull a stunt like this!”
He was appalled at Asel—who had not only made a two-year contract with Laura but was also the one who suggested it.
“What if someone else swoops in and steals her away…!”
Luigi knew that when something good is hidden, it eventually reveals itself—and someone would either covet it, or…
‘Try to destroy it.’
“There’s no way misfortune could fall upon someone the prince personally favors.”
“You think I’d fall for the same thing twice? Just look at Marquis Wheeler. If he’d waited, I would’ve found a good match for him, but he couldn’t even hold back!”
“Your Majesty…”
Luigi even started bringing up events from twenty years ago.
Dorothea, clearly flustered, remembered it all well.
The children didn’t know, but Luigi had strongly opposed Marquis Wheeler’s interest in Dorothea—because he was a notorious womanizer.
Dorothea came from a fallen noble family and had lost her parents early. Most of her wages as a lady-in-waiting went toward supporting her younger siblings.
Knowing this, Luigi helped ensure those siblings found good jobs, fearing Wheeler would try to buy her affections with money.
Eventually, Luigi realized Wheeler was sincere and—worrying Dorothea would suffer in a debt-ridden marriage—gave her a dowry from his own funds.
Luigi complained to your face, but took care of everything behind your back. That was just his way.
Now he seemed intent on looking out for Laura as well.
But Dorothea voiced one concern:
“Still… If His Highness has no feelings for her, nothing can be done, can it?”
“No. He definitely does.”
Luigi was certain—because some of his memories had returned as the curse weakened.
‘Asel definitely had feelings for her.’
The news had come from Mortum, but the informants Luigi planted in the Empire had never betrayed him.
For some unknown reason, everyone forgot that connection. Even Asel himself—and the maid who delivered the message.
If he liked her once, why not again?
“Do you have a plan in mind?”
“The best thing would be… calming down those ridiculous rumors.”
That was where Luigi’s bias against Laura stemmed from—from those awful rumors.
But rumors don’t die easily. Trying to force them down only backfires.
Still…
‘Looking at what she’s accomplished, I can’t even worry properly.’
Laura had won Luigi over in just a few days.
“All I can do is solidify that the Imperial Family welcomes her.”
That way, no lowborn scum would dare covet her.
And Luigi already had a plan.
“I’m going to host a tea-tasting event and introduce her there.”
He planned to gather all his old connections from his time as a princess—mostly aged social elites, some retired, but all influential behind the scenes.
If he could attach them to Laura, she’d gain tremendous power.
All of them were connected to Dorothea as well.
“That’s why I ask… Can you arrange the venue?”
Dorothea nodded immediately.
“If it’s Your Majesty’s will, how could I refuse?”
Though Luigi wasn’t her master, she could never forget the grace he had shown her.
* * *
That noon…
I was lounging in bed at the estate when a telegram arrived.
「Emergency: Princess Luigi sighted. Immediate evacuation advised.」
“What is this?”
The message was ridiculous.
“What is she, a monster? ‘Sighted’?!”
Still, I dressed properly—thinking there must be some reason Asel wrote in such frantic handwriting.
But to my surprise, absolutely nothing happened.
‘Was that… a mistake?’
I learned why Asel sent that telegram four days later.
“A tea-tasting?”
Marsha handed me an invitation.
It was officially hosted by the Marchioness Wheeler, but everyone knew Princess Luigi was behind it.
“Hmm, nothing major.”
I tossed the invitation on my desk.
“Is there nothing you need to prepare?”
Marsha asked, slightly worried by my casual response.
“Not really?”
Because this event appeared in the original story too.
At that time, Luigi had also organized a gathering to build Seraphina’s network—and it had ended on a positive note.
‘Looks like she likes me.’
In that case, Asel didn’t need to worry.
‘I should send a reply telling him not to overthink.’
Asel had a tendency to blow small things out of proportion—an instinct born from trying to minimize risks as a leader.
Luigi, on the other hand, was fiercely independent.
Even Asel couldn’t stop her. Interfering would only provoke her further.
Then I picked up the next letter.
The scent of a familiar perfume wafted from the envelope.
‘Esha?’
The message was simple:
She was coming to visit the Luweiz estate to celebrate my return.
‘A dress…?’
She wanted to personally design the dress I’d wear to the tea-tasting.
Sewing was one of Esha’s hobbies.
Even after becoming a merchant guild leader, she often said that in another life, she would’ve been a tailor.
She was quite good at it too.
I had worn her dresses to social gatherings before.
But this time… the problem was, I already had a dress.
Sillona had made dozens for me in preparation for the last banquet.
Several were still unworn, and since the season hadn’t changed, I could still use them.
‘I should turn her down…’
Then I noticed the time mentioned in the letter.
“Wait… she’s coming today?!”
“Excuse me?”
Marsha looked at me in surprise.
“Uhh…?”
Even Seraphina, who had been napping, rubbed her eyes and sat up.
Thanks to our more comfortable home (compared to the ruined temple), Seraphina had been napping more lately.
I usually let her, knowing it helped with growth.
But now, I’d woken her up.
“Oh no, sorry. Want to go back to sleep?”
I tried to carry Seraphina to her room.
My own room wasn’t ideal for sleeping with a guest arriving.
But Seraphina tightly gripped my sleeve and shook her head.
She was still clever despite being so young.
She clearly knew the difference between when I left the house and when I didn’t—so if I was home, she wanted to stick close.
‘This is bad.’
“Saint, please come here, yes?”
Marsha reached out gently, but Seraphina buried her face in my chest with a pout.
Even when sulking, she was impossibly cute.
And right then, the guest arrived.
“Announce my grand entrance! My hands are full and I can’t open the—”
It was Esha, her arms overflowing with fabric samples.
“…Me?”
She froze mid-step when she locked eyes with me—standing at the entrance, holding Seraphina.
“…?!??”
Esha dropped all the fabric in shock.
