Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: The Empire Really Has Two Emperors
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That's strange.
And not just a little strange.
I first sensed something was off the moment I stepped into the workshop for work.
"William, you're here."
"...?"
It started when Elizabeth spotted me and approached with an unusually affectionate demeanor, naturally grabbing my arm and seating me at her workbench instead of mine.
Up to that point, I figured she was just in a good mood from something nice happening yesterday.
"Isn't today's seating arrangement a bit weird?"
"It's spring. Time for a change of atmosphere."
"Uh, yeah..."
Elizabeth promptly stole Elin's seat, dragging her chair right up next to mine.
"Um, Eliza..."
"Elin, just for today, why don't you take that nice spot over there."
"Y-Yes...!"
She eyed Elin—who had arrived just a tad later than us—with a gentle but sharp gaze, shooing her away to my seat.
"Hmm~"
"Something wrong?"
"No, nothing much. Why?"
"You just let out this tired sigh all of a sudden..."
"I was just mulling over a design...?"
Even the tiniest mutter while pondering designs had her fidgeting restlessly, constantly sneaking glances at me.
"Elizabeth, aren't you a bit close?"
"Am I?"
"I see..."
At lunchtime, she sat so close our arms brushed.
"Nngh~"
"Tired? Want to rest a bit?"
"Nah, not that bad."
Even just stretching had her jumping in surprise and placing a hand on my shoulder.
How could I not notice something was wrong with all that?
She was acting just like a cat confronting its owner who came home reeking of other stray cats after sneaking off to play—anyone would notice, even dead drunk.
Elizabeth's bizarre behavior itself didn't bother me much.
No one dislikes a beautiful woman drawing close, after all.
And aside from a brief moment of surprise at her uncharacteristic demeanor, the other employees didn't pay it much mind.
Elin next door had long since ground her teeth down to nubs, so she was fine.
The truly scary part was having no clue why she was acting this way.
Had I skipped her birthday banquet?
No—the date was public, and even without an invite, I'd said in advance I'd attend.
Then did I blow off her weekend summons?
No—though flustered, I'd accepted very earnestly.
Sure, I'd taken the "date" label way too seriously, but Elizabeth wasn't the type to sulk over something that minor.
Even if she was sulking, she'd needle me some other way—not act like an anxious cat, chipping away at her haughty, elegant image.
No.
So why the hell was she doing this?
"What're you thinking about?"
"Just post-lunch drowsiness..."
Look at her now—even a brief blank stare had her pupils dilating as she scanned me intently.
What on earth happened overnight to turn the lofty Imperial Princess—the pampered flower of the palace, doted on by maids and servants—into a total mess?
"Nngh..."
This was serious.
So serious that waiting it out with "time heals all" didn't feel like an option.
"Hey, Elizabeth, mind if I run to the bathroom?"
"Ah, sure. Of course."
Convinced I had to do something, I used the unbeatable bathroom excuse to stand up.
I worried her mental state might be so far gone she'd say something insane like "Bathroom? Want me to come too?"—thankfully, she wasn't that far gone yet.
Slipping out of the workshop alone, I headed not to the bathroom, but quietly to the servants' lounge.
"Miss Sera? Is Miss Sera here?"
I poked my head through the door without knocking, beckoning her out.
"Yes, I'm here."
"If you're free, could you step out for a moment?"
"Yes."
I'd called her out rather rudely, peeking just my face through the door and flicking my fingers impatiently—but upon seeing me, her shoulders flinched, and she rose without complaint, hurrying out with quick steps.
"Young Lord Howard, what is it?"
"Miss Sera, I'm short on time, so let's keep this quick and to the point."
"Understood."
"Elizabeth is in bad shape. Do you know why she's acting like this?"
"Ah..."
Her pupils shook violently at the question.
So violently I felt dizzy just watching them whirl.
Her unnatural reaction made my brows furrow instinctively.
100% something happened.
And not something good.
"...Is it serious?"
I barely suppressed a scowl as I pressed further.
"Absolutely not."
She shook her head vigorously, denying it outright.
"It's not... bad... or harmful to anyone... no, um... it's not a big deal, just a headache... nngh..."
But she trailed off into babble, pressing her temple lightly in clear distress.
"Anyway... it's not a big deal."
After frowning and relaxing, parting and pursing her lips repeatedly as she chose her words, she finally gave up explaining, adopting a weary expression and dipping her head slightly.
"If it's not a big deal, why the intense reaction?"
"Hm..."
Her eyes narrowed.
She furrowed then smoothed her brow repeatedly, organizing her thoughts before speaking as cautiously as possible.
"This weekend, a storm the Imperial Princess can't block is set to hit."
"A storm...? What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry, I can't say more due to security protocols."
"Ah...!"
If even Elizabeth can't block it and it's a security matter she can't detail, it has to involve another Imperial family member.
"But why is she so anxious? No matter the storm, it won't harm her, right?"
"For Her Highness alone, there's no loss..."
She trailed off, lips twitching as she stole glances at me, then forced the words out with effort.
"However... it might cause trouble for Young Lord Howard, so Her Highness is worried you'll suffer because of it."
"Pardon?"
My mind went blank.
Our Elizabeth... worrying about inconveniencing me?
"Then what about everything I've dealt with so far...?"
Was that not an inconvenience?
It was technically His Majesty's doing, but still—not the kind of thing the root cause of said inconvenience would fret over.
Why else would titles and weird honors be shoved down my throat by force?
"That's a different issue. This one's truly like a natural disaster—no one can predict what'll happen."
"Hah... I see."
The empire's fourth-most noble blood was fretting, and a veteran among veterans of imperial maids was on the verge of breakdown.
What the hell was going down in the palace?
"That's why, before the weekend hits, she's trying to... soothe Young Lord Howard...? No, more like taking precautions so a precious vase doesn't shatter."
"I get the gist."
If it was serious enough to make Elizabeth go full anxiety mode, I'd need to brace myself.
"Thanks for the heads-up."
"No, if anyone's suffering most, it's you, Young Lord Howard—we should be thanking you."
"Well, knowing a disaster's coming ahead of time is half the battle, right?"
I chuckled and shrugged.
"If I'm prepared, I can weather it just fine."
"Yes... I hope so..."
Miss Sera gazed at me with pity, lightly clasping her hands in prayer.
I appreciated the concern, but was all this fuss really necessary?
The worst-case "disaster" was probably His Majesty popping up for some chaos.
Unpredictable as he was, who else could be a "storm" Elizabeth couldn't block?
As if there'd be another guy like the Emperor.
—
Yeah, back when I harbored such foolish thoughts.
"Baron Howard, apologies, but before meeting Her Highness Victoria the Imperial Princess, could you come with us?"
The moment I set foot in the palace, imperial knights surrounded me with an order phrased as a request.
"Yes, understood."
"Thank you for cooperating. We'll now take security measures—please don't be alarmed."
"...?!"
The atmosphere screamed "don't refuse," so I nodded reluctantly—only for them to grab both my arms and hood me with a black cloth on the spot.
"Wha... what's going on?"
"Sorry, can't say."
Without warning, I was dragged off somewhere.
"Baron Howard, one more door and you'll meet someone important. Treat her with utmost courtesy and respect—she's dangerous if offended."
"What do you mean..."
"In you go."
No further explanation—just the hood yanked off as I was shoved into a room.
"It's been ages since I've shown myself to anyone outside family and maids. Feels awkward."
Until I was left standing alone before Her Highness the Eldest Princess—who hadn't appeared before others, not even the palace, in a decade.
"William Henry Howard, Baron Howard, greets Her Highness the Eldest Princess—the star closest to the Empire's Sun!"
"Ufufu~ Nice to meet you, even if belatedly."
The empire really did have two Emperors...