~CHAPTER 27~
Dianu and Elpenlira slumped forward on the desk.
Sir Loisen looked down at them with a sympathetic gaze.
Elpenlira muttered in a completely drained voice.
“Why is Arasas grammar like this…?”
“…From an Arasas native’s point of view, Catalos grammar isn’t easy either.”
“Why do verbs have to transform? It’s one word, so why do I need to memorize eight more?”
“But nouns don’t have gender.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“……”
Dianu couldn’t bring herself to resent Elpenlira.
She really was doing her best.
The problem was that her concentration was short and she hated memorizing more than anything.
For Dianu, who had both patience and an exceptional memory, it was a problem she couldn’t relate to at all.
At this pace, Elpenlira would end up exchanging greetings with her future husband for the rest of her life.
Dianu weakly pushed herself up from her seat.
“We’ll stop here for today. I need to think of a better approach.”
“Since I can’t keep up, you must feel like all your effort is wasted.”
Her voice sounded unlike her, small and defeated.
Dianu looked down at her in surprise.
“Am I stupid?”
Still resting her cheek on the desk, Elpenlira whispered.
“Father said it’s a relief I’m beautiful, because I’m not smart like my brother.”
Dianu was horrified.
How could a father say something like that to his daughter?
“If I were born a boy, I could’ve become a knight. Knights don’t need to study much.”
“……”
“Teacher. Do you also think I’m stupid?”
Her eyes, so similar to the Emperor’s, looked straight at Dianu.
There was no self-pity or resentment in them, only genuine curiosity.
Or is she testing me?
Either way, Dianu had a duty to answer with sincerity.
She sat back down across from Elpenlira.
“When I was eight years old, I attended Sirene Girls’ School here in the capital. There was a student in my year named Obina.”
Elpenlira lifted her head and rested her chin on her hand.
Unlike when she wrestled with Arasas grammar, her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Dianu cleared her throat awkwardly and continued.
“Obina was famous for being slow-witted. Even at eight years old, she couldn’t read a single letter.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes. She originally had a private tutor, but they couldn’t teach her, so her parents sent her to school.”
But despite her extreme effort, Obina never learned to read properly.
When the teachers were exhausted from meaningless encouragement and punishment, a young teacher who had studied abroad offered a suggestion: assign a maid to follow Obina everywhere and read aloud whatever she needed.
The result was a success.
“Obina graduated from Sirene with excellent grades the same year I did.”
“How could she take exams if she couldn’t read?”
“The examiner read the questions aloud and she answered verbally.”
Elpenlira rounded her lips.
Her expression was openly amazed, and Dianu found it cute.
Even if the lesson hadn’t progressed, Dianu felt as if she had tamed a wild cat.
“You’re definitely not stupid, Elpenlira. How could someone stupid read sheet music and sing? Sheet music is a language.”
Elpenlira narrowed her eyes.
Her face still showed suspicion, not fully convinced.
“If you’re just saying that to make me feel better, stop.”
“That’s not true. People learn differently. My job is to find the method that fits you. Think of how much you’ve read—”
Dianu stopped speaking.
It struck her like lightning.
She shot up from her seat, startling Elpenlira.
“I just got a good idea.”
“Huh?”
“Please excuse me for now. Sir Loisen, we’re heading to the Imperial Palace.”
As always, Sir Loisen hurried to follow her as she rushed out of the Oak Palace corridor.
She needed the Emperor’s help.
* * *
The chief steward didn’t flinch when Dianu and Sir Loisen suddenly appeared.
“Hello, Steward. May we see His Majesty?”
“His Majesty is napping, though it’s almost time for him to wake for his medicine. I will take you to the drawing room.”
Dianu blushed, involuntarily imagining the Emperor lying in bed.
What shameful thoughts am I even having?
But even after tea was served in the drawing room, the strange images refused to leave her head.
Sir Loisen glanced at her strangely as she squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.
“Are you alright, Lady Ortensa?”
“…I just realized even His Majesty takes naps.”
“His Majesty is human, of course. He has been overworking after the Spruce Palace incident.”
What would he look like sleeping?
His golden hair falling loosely across his forehead.
His lashes trembling from dream movement.
His chest rising and falling with slow breaths.
Scenes she had never seen and would never be allowed to see flashed through her mind.
“Lady Ortensa, your face is red.”
“I think I need to go to church…”
“Pardon?”
“I probably need prayer.”
Sir Loisen simply blinked, and Dianu was suddenly grateful for his obliviousness.
When the Emperor arrived, his appearance was no different than usual.
The only difference was that his usually slicked-back blond hair was slightly untidy.
She couldn’t meet his eyes and bowed.
He signaled Sir Loisen not to bow, then sat across from her with ease.
“I kept you waiting. My apologies.”
“I feel sorry for interrupting Your Majesty’s rest.”
“Do not worry. What is this about? I was told Lira is studying well.”
Her foolish daydreams faded.
She put on the face of a competent governess.
“For Princess Elpenlira’s lessons, I would like to request Your Majesty’s help.”
The Emperor nodded for her to continue.
“I want to meet Lady Karellina.”
“Lady Karellina… the author of ?”
“Yes. Your Majesty can discover her identity, correct?”
“Of course, but… how would meeting a romance novelist help Lira?”
Sir Loisen nodded in agreement, but Dianu stayed firm.
Obina hadn’t been stupid.
She simply needed a support method she couldn’t create herself.
Dianu believed Lady Karellina could be that support for Elpenlira.
“If she lives in the capital, I’d like to meet her. Once is enough.”
The Emperor studied her confident expression, then nodded.
“Is this something that requires a royal command?”
“No. Lady Karellina might faint from shock if things are too formal. Just her name and location will be enough.”
“Then you’d need to leave the Imperial Palace to meet her.”
Dianu suddenly remembered how much sensitive information she now knew.
“…Would it not be allowed? It will only take half a day.”
“……”
“I won’t meet anyone except Lady Karellina. If I’m not trustworthy enough… Sir Loisen can accompany me.”
“That’s not what concerns me.”
The Emperor thought briefly, then made a clear decision.
“It will take three days to locate Lady Karellina. I will arrange your permission to go outside.”
Dianu smiled brightly.
She thought she saw his gaze linger on her a bit too long, but it was likely her imagination.
* * *
On the day her permission was granted, Dianu dressed more carefully than usual.
This was her first outing since moving to the Oak Palace, and she couldn’t hide her excitement.
She even wore a hat, something unnecessary inside the palace, and packed the gold coins given by Grand Duchess Erbinjel.
The weather was colder than when she first arrived at the palace, so she put on a cape as well.
Cora recommended a new hairstyle popular among young noblewomen in the capital this social season, and Dianu accepted.
She stepped out of her room with a light heart and found Sir Loisen already waiting.
His outfit was neat but plain, and even his usual sword was missing.
She smiled teasingly.
“Can you protect me dressed like that, Sir Loisen?”
Sir Loisen silently opened his coat to show a dagger secured inside.
“Within the capital, it is enough.”
“Well, that’s very reassuring.”
They left the Oak Palace and began walking.
But instead of heading toward the main gate, Sir Loisen guided her toward a line of guard posts.
He explained when she looked confused.
“We can leave quietly through here.”
“Ah… because using the main gate wouldn’t look good?”
“You will understand once you’re inside.”
Dianu sensed unease.
There was a hint of apology in his expression.
Her suspicion became certainty as soon as she stepped inside.
The Emperor was waiting.
She squeezed her eyes shut and let out a groan without meaning to.
“Your Majesty…”
He smiled as if enjoying her reaction.
“You don’t seem pleased to see me, Lady Ortensa.”
“You never said you were coming with us…”
“If I had, you would’ve refused, correct?”
Of course she would have.
“Expecting a lady’s refusal and removing her choice is not something a gentleman does.”
Words slipped out before she could stop them.
She realized too late how improper it sounded toward the Emperor.
Even Sir Loisen stared in shock.
Dianu quickly covered her mouth.
She was ready to bow and apologize.
But the Emperor wasn’t angry.
He even laughed as if amused.
“It feels like I’ve gone back to age ten and my etiquette teacher is scolding me.”
“……”
“I won’t interfere with your task. I have business of my own today.”
He gestured to his ordinary outfit.
“We’re not going anywhere filled with nobles, so this is fine. Hardly anyone will recognize me.”
“……”
“Even you didn’t recognize me at first.”
“Please forget that ever happened…”
Despite her silent complaints, Dianu had no choice but to leave with the Emperor and Sir Loisen.
What was supposed to be a cheerful outing had turned into an overwhelming expedition.
As she grumbled internally and walked ahead, the Emperor spoke behind her.
“…For just one day, isn’t something like this nice?”
When she turned around, he was smiling with a hint of loneliness.
