Misunderstanding??
Lady Elnoa—Risha greeted Elizabeth with a bright, welcoming smile.
“It’s been so long!”
“It really has. How have you been, Risha?”
“Huhu. I’ve been absolutely swamped preparing for the wedding… I should have reached out more often.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve been quite busy myself.”
“I’ve heard the news, of course.”
The two women, reunited after a long time, chatted with a warmth that bordered on intimate. For Elizabeth, who had once reigned supreme over high society, there were almost no equals. And the term "almost" implied that there were, in fact, exceptions. Risha was one of those rare individuals.
The reason?
“Ohohoho.”
It was common knowledge that one shouldn't cross a madwoman. Instead of forcing Risha into her faction, Elizabeth had chosen to let her roam free while maintaining a friendly connection. The choices made by the head of the largest faction became a trend in and of themselves.
“You know, I’m aware of it. That you were the one protecting me, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Hmm.”
Could one really call it protection? Elizabeth couldn't be entirely sure, but she just laughed it off, thinking that it was better to keep things amicable. Besides, weren't they both effectively retired from high society now? Risha, due to her marriage, and Elizabeth, due to...
“How is life in the Imperial Palace?”
Risha’s eyes sparkled. Life in the Imperial Palace. Wasn't that a staple theme in romance novels? Any young lady who read a decent amount of romance in high society had surely read that genre at least once.
Of course, among the noble ladies, there were reactions like, *“Oh my, isn't this a bit risky?”* Writing a novel set in the Imperial Palace of an empire where the master of the royal family was still alive—and a violent one at that—was bold. Whoever the author was, they certainly had nerves of steel.
Nevertheless.
“There is a reason why novels set in the Imperial Palace keep coming out.”
“That is…”
“Because it’s so arousing!”
“Risha!”
Elizabeth was horrified. A Countess! A newlywed woman, no less—how could she be so indecent…! No, more importantly, what on earth was so arousing about it?! Elizabeth simply couldn't understand.
“Ahem. My apologies.”
Fortunately, Risha calmed down quickly.
“…I’m glad you’ve regained your composure.”
“But I’m truly curious about how you’ve been spending your time in the Imperial Palace, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Umm…”
Elizabeth covered her mouth with her fan. Since she had come to ask Risha for help anyway, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to share a little bit?
“Then, will you listen to my story in return?”
“Ohoho, of course!”
After talking for a long while, Risha spoke with a somewhat serious expression.
“…Are you actually getting proper rest?”
“O-of course. Look at me today. I even took leave to come see you, didn't I?”
“That…”
Risha hesitated. In her experience, no noble lady took leave just to meet a friend.
“Look at this instead. Hasn't my skin improved?”
“…Oh my. It really has.”
Risha’s eyes widened. Elizabeth’s hands were incredibly soft.
“How did that happen?”
“That is…”
Elizabeth kept her mouth shut. It was only natural that her body, which had been overworked to the point of exhaustion without a single day of rest, would look better now. There was the fact that she had been eating the various gifts the Emperor kept giving her—*“Here. This is good for your health, so eat it.”*—and because she was a genius who, while perhaps not on the level of Theodore or Serena, was still top-tier, her physical body had naturally been honed to match the growth of her magical capacity.
It was the result of everything combined, but—
“…Because of the gifts His Majesty gave you?”
Because Elizabeth’s entire focus had been concentrated on one place recently, her cheeks flushed.
“…I see?”
Risha started to say something, then just nodded.
“Anyway, I’ve heard enough. You said you had something you wanted to ask me, too, Lady Elizabeth? What is it?”
“Ah~ about that…”
It was time. Elizabeth felt nervous for no reason. Her gloved palms felt like they were sweating.
“…This is a story about an acquaintance of mine.”
“Aha. Yes, yes.”
Risha saw right through the clumsy excuse, but she didn't point it out. She figured Elizabeth must have a reason for not being honest. In fact, she was intrigued. *‘What could it be? Elizabeth wants to hide that it’s her own story, yet she still wants advice.’* It smelled like an interesting tale.
“Well, it’s nothing special. It’s a matter of love, I suppose.”
“If it’s love advice, that’s my specialty.”
‘Love advice?!’ Risha was excited. It wasn't just anyone; it was Elizabeth’s love life.
“Ahem. Once again, I’m telling you, it’s not my story, okay? So, here is what happened…”
...
“...That’s how it is. What do you think?”
“…That, that’s love, isn't it?”
“What?!”
An immediate answer. Elizabeth was flustered by the response that had popped out without a moment’s hesitation. It might be true. It was possible that a man named Khalid von Aquitaine actually held a woman named Elizabeth von Valerian in his heart! She had thought as much, but... but! An immediate answer?
‘Doesn't that mean it’s been obvious to everyone else until now?!’ Elizabeth was in a state of confusion.
“So, based only on what you’ve told me, Lady Elizabeth, I think it sounds like a story straight out of a romance novel.”
“Is it that obvious?!”
“Well.”
Risha pondered. *‘Should I say this?’* If she heard this much, she would know whether she liked it or not. That Elizabeth’s story was none other than the one between the Emperor and herself. To be honest, while she was doing well for herself, the scale was a bit much for a Countess to handle. Was it really okay to meddle…?
“…Isn't it stranger if it *isn't* love? According to what you said, the head of a noble house has entrusted all his authority to a lady of another house.”
Risha’s hesitation didn't last long. It was, after all, a story hard to find even in romance novels set in the Imperial Palace. The only reason it was hard to find was that there were no novels with the Emperor as the protagonist. Regardless, Risha couldn't just let this slide. Her soul couldn't bear it.
“W-well, that may be so, but.”
Elizabeth looked at her with a *‘Is it really?’* expression at Risha’s passionate persuasion.
“But there’s no reason for it. We are childhood friends, but we hadn't seen each other for so long that we had become quite distant.”
“That doesn't matter!”
“Hick!”
Thud! The table with the teacups shook. Risha stood up and leaned in close to Elizabeth.
“Lady Elizabeth!”
“Y-yes?”
“Let me tell you one important thing.”
“W-what is it? I’m listening.”
“The reason for falling in love? It’s important. Especially in a romance novel. But!”
But?
“…In reality, the reason for falling in love doesn't matter. Because reality isn't a novel!”
“…!”
Elizabeth clenched her fists without realizing it. It was all the more persuasive because it came from Risha, who had read so many romance novels that she had even tried to reenact them.
“…Do you understand?”
“Y-yes. …Once again, I’m telling you, this is strictly about my acquaintance, so don't get the wrong idea, okay?”
“Ohohoho, of course.”
Good. That should do it. Like an agent who had successfully completed a major mission, Risha sat back down with a refreshed face.
“…B-but.”
“Yes?”
“Isn't it possible that the woman doesn't have those feelings for the man?”
“…What?”
Elizabeth stammered, then said primly. Risha, who had been momentarily speechless, pondered for a moment before covering her mouth with her hand.
“…Ah~ yes~. That is so, that is right. Ohohoho.”
“H-humph. Right? It could be one-sided, couldn't it?”
“Of course, of course.”
In Risha’s opinion, this would also be quite interesting.
‘…Is it really true?’
On her way back after parting with Risha, Elizabeth was lost in thought. She didn't think Risha’s words were wrong. Love has no reason. That statement was incredibly persuasive. But.
‘Is that really all there is to it?’
Khalid von Aquitaine loves Elizabeth von Valerian. Does that alone resolve all the sense of incongruity Elizabeth has felt until now? …No, it doesn't. There is still a lingering sense of unease. That means there is still a puzzle piece left unsolved.
“…Let’s add the new premise that His Majesty, that he loves me, and think about it again.”
Muttering to herself, Elizabeth reconstructed the timeline once more. Khalid von Aquitaine loves Elizabeth von Valerian. Having added one more true proposition, a new question arose. Since when?
She couldn't know. The moment the question *‘Could Khalid actually love Elizabeth?’* first arose.
‘I only have you.’
…When he entrusted her with full authority after meeting her for the first time in years. At that time, if he looked at her with those eyes, she couldn't help but be swayed. He had swayed her in that way.
“…Ugh.”
Thinking about it again, it was strange. Love without a catalyst? It could exist. Endless trust? That could also exist.
‘But trust is something that grows only after seeing someone’s face…’
When Khalid came to find her to entrust her as his proxy, they had already been distant for years without even seeing each other’s faces. And yet, he suddenly showed up and said he would entrust her with the full authority of the Empire? Saying he only had her?
‘It’s strange.’
It felt like the order of events was reversed.
“Come to think of it…”
Strangely enough, Khalid knew a lot. Almost as if he knew the future. At first, she thought it was his intelligence network through Lily.
“…No? Actually, most of the information His Majesty knows, I don't even know myself.”
It wasn't that. In fact, even Lily felt a secret sense of disappointment, feeling that she couldn't be of proper help to such a Khalid. If so, then on earth.
“…You knew?”
...
“Could it be?”
Elizabeth’s reasoning reached a single conclusion. The Emperor, Khalid von Aquitaine…
Had he turned back time?