Blue and Red
The late hours of night had fallen over the Imperial Palace, and the servants were gradually wrapping up their daily duties one by one.
But for Karina, her work was only just beginning. For several hours she had carefully brewed a medicinal tea, then poured it with delicate precision into an intricately crafted glass cup.
She lifted the cup with great care and made her way to the Emperor’s bedchamber. Sophie, the head maid of the Emperor’s palace, announced her arrival.
The heavy doors soon opened, and Karina stepped into the Emperor’s bedroom. The Emperor lay reclined against the pillows, his face etched with profound exhaustion.
“Your Majesty, today I brewed a blend of herbs that restore vitality and gently raise body temperature. The weather has been fickle day and night lately, and your cough has grown more frequent. By tomorrow, you should feel entirely recovered.”
After her explanation, Karina placed the teacup into the Emperor’s hand. He took a sip of the steaming liquid, then immediately frowned.
“The tea tastes particularly bitter today.”
“I ground in a larger portion of the herb roots than usual. No matter how bitter it may be, it should still be far more tolerable than the medicines prepared by the court physicians. Please endure it just a little longer.”
Karina offered the Emperor a graceful smile. Though he wore a reluctant expression, he continued to sip the tea.
Yet because it was so bitter, the cup barely emptied. As a result, the time Karina spent at the Emperor’s side grew longer as well.
“Um… Your Majesty. If it would not be too impertinent…”
Karina watched the Emperor drink while rummaging through her apron.
“Would it be all right if I read you a fairy tale?”
In her hand was a small book. The sudden appearance of a children’s story made the Emperor blink in surprise.
“A fairy tale? For me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. In the past, I cared for young children. Whenever they refused to take their medicine, I would read them a story. They would become so absorbed in the tale that they drank the medicine without even realizing it.”
At her words, the Emperor burst into laughter, clearly amused.
“Very well. Go on and read it, then.”
Karina brought over a small chair and sat close beside the Emperor. She turned the pages one by one, reading the story in a gentle voice.
When the papa bear appeared, she used a low, growling tone. For the mama bear, her voice became elegant and refined. And when the baby bear came on stage, she spoke in a bright, childlike lilt as if she had truly become a little one herself.
The Emperor found himself drawn into the story, captivated by Karina’s theatrical performance. By the time the final page was turned, the teacup—as she had intended—was completely empty.
“What a fascinating talent you have.”
The Emperor gazed down at the empty cup in his hand.
“Tell me, have you ever taken formal lessons in recitation?”
When Karina shook her head and said she had not, the Emperor’s expression grew puzzled.
“Then how is it that a commoner like you can speak with the accent of nobility?”
Although it was merely a children’s fairy tale, the pronunciation and intonation Karina used while reading were unmistakably aristocratic. Moreover, it was not just any noble accent—it belonged to the central nobility who frequented the Imperial Palace.
It was a manner of speech that even nobles living in the capital could hardly imitate without regular contact with the palace, let alone those from the provinces.
“It is the accent my older sister taught me, Your Majesty.”
“Your sister?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. There was a time when my sister was close to a high-ranking noble. She taught me the accent she learned then.”
“Your sister must be quite clever. Does she also work in the palace?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Karina gripped the cup the Emperor had returned to her so tightly that her fingertips turned white.
“My sister passed away several years ago.”
“Ah…”
The Emperor clicked his tongue softly in sympathy.
“What happened? Even if there was an age gap, she must still have been young. How did she…”
“That story is far too long to tell you all in one night.”
A bittersweet smile formed on Karina’s beautiful face.
“But since we will have plenty of time together in the future, I will tell you everything slowly.”
The Emperor nodded in understanding.
Ishtel had never warmed to this maid, but the Emperor found her quite agreeable.
She possessed a keen intelligence and delicate sensibility rarely seen in other servants. Moreover, unlike most attendants who feared him, she showed no sign of intimidation.
On the contrary, she seemed to look forward to their meetings, and her attitude was remarkably proactive. In many ways, she was a most intriguing maid.
“Your Majesty.”
Karina, who had been preparing to leave, called out to him once more.
“Do you remember asking me, back at the stables, whether there was anything I desired?”
“I remember.”
At the time, the maid had been too flustered to properly state her wish. Had she finally thought of one? The Emperor gave her a look that urged her to speak.
“I heard that a ball will soon be held at the palace.”
A mysterious smile curved Karina’s lips.
Ever since Karina had been assigned as the Emperor’s tea attendant, His Majesty’s complexion had improved beyond recognition.
Not only the servants who attended him closely, but even the nobles who attended court meetings had begun to notice the change.
While I was relieved, I did not let down my guard.
I occasionally received reports about Karina from Sophie, the head maid of the Emperor’s palace. Recently, she had been given the additional duty of reading the morning newspapers to His Majesty.
Sophie had added that there was no need to worry too much. She explained that His Majesty tended to show interest in new servants at first, only to shift his attention to someone else once another newcomer arrived.
In truth, I no longer had the time to concern myself with Karina.
The Founding Festival, hosted by the Imperial Family, was drawing near.
Since ancient times, the festival had been an event attended by the imperial family as well as all the central nobles. With its lavish balls and the attendance of every prominent figure in high society, it demanded meticulous preparation.
“Moreover, this will be the first time both Archdukes make their appearance at the ball, so we must prepare with even greater care.”
At Baroness Touren’s elegant gesture, the waiting maids lined up before me, each holding a magnificent dress.
“Now, the first dress is made from fabric woven in the Roland region. Its subtle blue hue complements the golden hair of the Duchess of Wintera perfectly!”
Rose, a maid from a viscount family, held up the voluminous gown before my eyes.
“When paired with Your Grace’s beautiful silver-gray eyes, it creates such an intellectual atmosphere! And the texture is divine! Personally, I adore this dress.”
“Or perhaps this striking red gown that instantly captures everyone’s gaze.”
This time, Baroness Touren pointed to the dress held by the second maid.
“At this ball, you will be the center of attention, Ishtel. Every noble gathered in the palace will have eyes only for you.”
“Exactly. Everyone is dying to know which Archduke the Duchess will share her first dance with.”
“In that case, naturally…?”
“The most dazzling dress!”
Rose and Baroness Touren worked together with perfect timing, as though they had rehearsed beforehand.
Afterward, the two continued to present the dresses with the fervor of matchmakers trying to wed me to one of them. Eventually, worn down by their enthusiasm, I raised the white flag.
“I truly don’t mind any of them. Please choose whichever you think suits me best.”
“What? Duchess, how can you say ‘any of them’ when this is such an important matter?”
My passive response made Rose plant both hands on her hips in indignation.
“A beautiful dress is the greatest weapon for winning the heart of your desired partner! Refusing to choose a dress is no different from marching onto the battlefield without a weapon!”
Baroness Touren clapped her hands lightly in agreement.
“Ishtel, even if you have no personal preference, you must at least know which dress the other party would like. So tell us.”
“Which Archduke will you dance with first?”
Both the baroness and Rose leaned in close. Their eyes sparkled without pause, and the pressure washed over me like a wave.
“I don’t know… I really don’t know.”
I clutched at my hair in despair.
The recent confrontation between Illid and Hellion over Karina’s punishment flashed through my mind. Back then there had been no spectators, and we had somehow muddled through. But this time would be different.
Before the eyes of countless nobles, I would have to choose one person clearly. There could be no ambiguous escape, nor was it possible for the three of us to hold hands and dance together.
“I almost wish I would break a toe. Then I wouldn’t have to dance at the Founding Festival at all.”
“Shall I?”
The ever-practical Rose pointed to a heavy statue displayed in the room. Baroness Touren stopped her in horror.
“Don’t you know how nobles are? Those people would insist you dance even from a wheelchair.”
“That’s true…”
Rose folded her arms and nodded.
“In any case, Ishtel. Archduke Illid will prefer the blue dress, and Archduke Hellion will favor the red. So it would be best to choose between these two.”
I had to agree with Baroness Touren’s assessment.
Blue was the symbol of the Southern Archduchy. Moreover, given Illid’s calm and gentle nature, he would likely prefer a soft, muted blue gown.
In contrast, red was the color of the North where Hellion had grown up. Furthermore, Hellion himself possessed rare red hair. Regardless of personal taste, red was regarded as the emblem of both the North and Hellion.
“Therefore, if you intend to dance with Archduke Illid, wear the red dress. If you plan to dance with Archduke Hellion, wear the blue.”
“Huh? Why? Shouldn’t it be the opposite?”
Rose voiced exactly what I wanted to ask. Baroness Touren then began to explain in a calm, measured tone.