Episode 5
Back in her chambers, Alicia pressed a hand over her pounding heart and let out a shaky breath.
“I thought my life was about to end…”
Seeing Kaien face‑to‑face again had been far worse than she expected.
His presence felt sharper, heavier than her memories.
His unique scent filled the air, and when those black, obsidian‑like eyes swept over her face, she could hardly breathe.
“At least I’ve done my duty… maybe I can rest now.”
But her hope lasted only thirty minutes.
A servant arrived with a message that was hard to believe:
The Emperor himself had requested a private dinner with her.
“This… this can’t be happening…”
She kept repeating those words.
Kaien’s actions were so different from the man she remembered.
“What wonderful news! His Majesty has invited Your Majesty to dine with him!”
Aness, unaware of Alicia’s true feelings, beamed with joy.
Alicia couldn’t bring herself to tell her the truth.
“You must be happy as well, Your Majesty?”
“…Y‑yes. Of course… happy.”
Deep down, Alicia wanted to scream: I wish everyone would just leave me alone!
But there was no escaping an imperial command.
Still, she could at least try to make the dinner a little less unbearable.
“How thoughtful of His Majesty to dine here at the Empress’s quarters.”
Aness’s smile was bright, but Alicia’s mind was elsewhere.
“We should open the grand dining hall and decorate. By evening—”
Alicia cut her off.
“No. I’ll host him in my usual dining room.”
“What? But this is the Emperor—”
“Precisely. And for the Emperor, something simpler and warmer would be better.”
Aness looked confused.
But Alicia knew what she was doing.
In her previous life, the few times she and Kaien dined together had been torture.
A long table separated them so far that they could barely see each other’s faces.
Course after course arrived in endless formal order, taking hours.
By the time each dish reached them, it was already cold.
“He’s lived out in Lubeo, in constant battle. I doubt he enjoys endless palace etiquette.”
She imagined spending two silent hours like before… and felt sick.
“We’ll cut down the number of dishes. Focus on the main course. Make sure nothing gets cold. A single silver candle holder will be enough decoration.”
“So… we prepare the meal like you usually eat?”
“Exactly.”
“Find out his favorite meat dish. Let Howard handle the kitchen and the table.”
“But that’s usually my task…”
“I have another job for you.”
Alicia’s calm blue eyes sparkled with a quiet plan.
“Limit the table setting to five pieces of cutlery. No more.”
Aness looked puzzled.
“Why…?”
Alicia leaned closer and lowered her voice.
“The Emperor doesn’t know palace dining etiquette.”
“What? That can’t be true!”
“Think about it, Aness.”
Alicia gestured for her to sit.
“When he was just a boy—only seven—he was sent to Lubeo on the former Emperor’s orders. He grew up there with Count Hayer’s family and Sir Glenn. But the Countess died young. There was no one to teach him, and no time or place for lessons.”
In her previous life, Alicia had only learned this after she was bedridden, when it was far too late to matter.
But now… now it was useful.
“If we follow strict formal rules, it might only make him angry.”
She remembered clearly how Kaien had once lashed out when a servant corrected the order of his cutlery.
How nobles laughed at him for ignoring the custom of having dishes served by attendants.
It hadn’t happened yet in this life—but it would, if nothing changed.
“So tonight, your role is very important.”
Her blue eyes glimmered with determination.
Dinner was supposed to start at six, but Kaien arrived late. It was seven when he finally stepped into the room.
“Your Majesty.”
The staff bowed as he entered.
Kaien said nothing about the small size of the dining room and simply sat down.
“Please, sit as well,” he told Alicia.
He didn’t intend to make her stand, but after years of living in tents with Glenn, such manners didn’t come naturally to him.
“Thank you.”
Alicia sat quietly.
Aness stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“Her Majesty has not fully recovered, so we prepared a modest dinner. We ask for Your Majesty’s understanding.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Kaien nodded, and the first dishes—bread, soup, and salad—were brought out all at once.
“Before we eat, there is something I must say.”
Alicia looked at her plate and spoke.
“Speak.”
“Since my fever, I… have trouble remembering things. I’m embarrassed to admit, I even forget proper table manners. I may need help from my attendants.”
It was a lie, smooth and deliberate.
Aness knelt and supported the story without hesitation, while Howard stepped forward to serve Kaien personally.
“Very well. I understand.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Alicia dipped her fingertips in a small bowl of clean water, then wiped them with a napkin. Kaien followed her example.
“Your Majesty,” Aness began softly, “use the outermost utensils first. For soup or dessert, you may use the same spoon.”
Kaien didn’t react, but Alicia noticed him listening.
“The pheasant is whole, but we will carve it and serve it for you.”
“And the cutlery?”
“You may continue using what you already have. We will remove used plates as we go.”
It was a carefully staged lesson, hidden within ordinary instructions.
If Kaien didn’t pay attention, nothing would change—but at least he wouldn’t be embarrassed.
“If you wish to stop eating, place your cutlery across the center of the plate.”
Alicia had done all she could.
The rest depended on Kaien.
“Thank you for your patience, Your Majesty,” she said softly, looking directly at him with a gentle smile.
She tried to eat, though her eyes kept flicking up to watch Kaien.
But Kaien simply ate at his own pace, calm and composed.
“This is better than a formal banquet,” he said at last.
Alicia felt her shoulders loosen.
“I’m honored, Your Majesty.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve eaten hot roast pheasant. In this palace, I’ve never had a meal so satisfying. Is this how you usually dine?”
Kaien turned to Howard.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Usually even simpler, since Her Majesty eats alone.”
The meal was plain and homely compared to the grand feasts of the palace—yet it was perfectly prepared and full of care.
“…I see.”
Because the food pleased him, Kaien’s sharp gaze softened a little.
He ate quietly, while Howard served smoothly, and Alicia carefully followed each step of etiquette.
“Shall I bring dessert, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
When dessert and tea were set out, the attendants bowed and left.
Now it was just the two of them.
The table was cleared except for small plates of fruit and a single fork—simple, unconfusing.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a meal like this,” Kaien said.
“I’m honored.”
For all his power, Kaien was still a man.
Good food in a comfortable setting improved his mood, and his voice lost some of its usual coldness.
Then his dark eyes fixed on her, sharp again.
“Now… speak.”
(To be continued…)
