Chapter 2
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Garden Meeting
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The gardens of the Imperial Palace are divided into two main areas.
An outdoor garden and an indoor garden.
The indoor garden resembles a greenhouse.
The outdoor garden is meticulously trimmed and maintained in a style reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles.
Tall green walls rising like a maze.
Flowers blooming here and there between them.
An early spring day with a pleasantly cool breeze.
Today's guests were waiting at a table prepared in the outdoor garden.
Along with a truly splendid day.
"Do you see that mother and daughter sitting at the table over there?"
Orpheus's gaze turned toward one corner of the garden.
Following her line of sight, I spotted a mother-daughter pair rising to greet us.
A noblewoman dressed in splendid finery.
Beside her stood a small child, hesitantly getting to her feet.
"Yes, I see them."
"Those are today's guests. They've come to curry favor and make a good impression on you... Do you understand what flattery is?"
"They're doing it because they want to get close to me, right?"
"My son, you're so clever. But it's not just about wanting to be friends. There's greed mixed in."
Orpheus gently stroked the back of my head while smiling.
Even carrying a ten-year-old in one arm, she didn't break a single drop of sweat.
"Greed?"
"Yes. They want to gain something by getting close to you. You'll come to understand what that is as you grow older."
"I think I already know."
There's only one reason a noble lady would try to get entangled with me.
To bolster her house's power through marriage.
Of course, there could be other motives, but nothing surpasses marriage.
"As expected of my son."
Mwah. Mother's lips pressed against my cheek, her affection so overwhelming it bordered on embarrassing.
Her praise was so saccharine it felt like my teeth might rot.
"Your Majesty, and Crown Prince. I trust both of you are in good health?"
As we drew near, the noblewoman was the first to bow her head.
Her adequately ample breasts hung slightly downward, but they fell woefully short.
'The baby would starve to death.'
At the very least, she'd need udders like a wet nurse's to keep a child from starving.
With that size, it'd barely moisten an infant's lips.
"Indeed. You must have had a arduous journey here. Is the one beside you your daughter?"
Orpheus carefully seated me at the table as she inquired.
It was the query of an emperor, not a doting mother.
I wanted to offer greetings as well, but the moment didn't call for it.
"I am Ekyon. It is my greatest honor to behold the nation's supreme sovereign and exalted lord."
The red-haired girl trembled at the shoulders as she bowed deeply.
Her voice quivered with tension.
Even so, the hand placed over her heart and her etiquette were utterly flawless.
Impeccable, beyond any reproach.
"You've raised the child quite well. She must possess an excellent temperament in her own right."
"My thanks for viewing my deficient daughter in such a favorable light."
Orpheus praised the point as well.
The noblewoman's complexion brightened markedly at the commendation.
"Hm. We've exchanged brief pleasantries, so I'll take my leave for the moment. It wouldn't do for me to linger while my child appraises your daughter, would it?"
"Of course."
The noblewoman smiled as though she'd been awaiting the words.
From the unfolding situation, it appeared they'd arranged something akin to a betrothal meeting.
"I'll return in an hour, so entrust any errands to the attendants nearby. Take a good look and see if the girl pleases you."
Orpheus leaned in, her lips brushing my ear as she whispered.
Was this truly matchmaking?
"Huh? Why?"
"If she catches your fancy, you may use her as your plaything. If not, discard her. Do as you will."
Wow. Not matchmaking at all—this was an offering.
Her excessive affection was welcome, but at this rate, it was no surprise if the child ended up spoiled rotten.
Like roots rotting from overwatering.
"Yes, Mother. Thank you."
"No need for thanks. I'll see you later. Enjoy your time."
Orpheus planted a kiss on my cheek before departing with the noblewoman.
Only the red-haired girl and I remained at the grand table.
The servant girls hovering indistinctly in the distance were too awkward to call over.
Unnecessarily involving them would only heighten the pressure, so best to ignore.
"Have a seat for now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
First, I guided the girl—who'd been standing there staring blankly at me—to her chair.
The lingering awkwardness made the air feel stifling.
"How did you come here? Did your mother summon you? Or did you just drop by?"
"His Majesty the Emperor summoned me."
Well, now.
Without the Emperor present, her voice grew far calmer and more distinct.
Strength filled her eyes and expression.
Whether from the relief of the Emperor's oppressive aura lifting, or if it had all been an act.
I'd have to observe closely to judge.
"Why?"
"I believe it's to test whether I might serve as a companion for Your Highness. Our ages align, after all."
"Was the journey here uncomfortable?"
"Thanks to Your Highness's thoughtful arrangements, I felt no discomfort whatsoever."
Her manner of speech and bearing.
It was astonishing how aged beyond her ten years she seemed.
'Still, she's not entirely at ease.'
Upon closer inspection, faint traces of tension lingered.
With the Emperor there, she likely hadn't even had the chance to feign composure.
What sort of conversation was proper in a situation like this?
Lacking any experience conversing with children, it was difficult to find my footing.
"Ah...!"
The poised girl suddenly sprang to her feet in alarm.
She looked utterly flustered, as if she'd committed a grave blunder.
"I formally greet Your Highness the Crown Prince. I am Ekyon, daughter of Duke Claudius. Please forgive the rudeness of my belated introduction."
She placed a hand over her heart and bowed deeply.
It was indeed the greeting that should have come the instant we were alone, marking it as a misstep.
That said, it wasn't a crime warranting death.
Merely a minor lapse, surprising only due to her ducal lineage.
"It's fine. No rudeness at all. Raise your head."
First, I coaxed her upright with words, then reseated her.
Her ashen face looked truly pitiable.
"My deepest gratitude for your magnanimity."
"It wasn't a blunder worth such forgiveness. I'm glad you introduced yourself now—I was just curious."
I chuckled lightly and waved my hand.
A servant girl in the distance spotted the gesture and hurried over.
"Did you summon me?"
"Yes. Wait just a moment."
Having called the servant to standby, I turned back to the girl and asked.
"I was thinking of having a snack. What do you like? Snacks or full dishes—speak freely."
"Pardon? I, well......"
She bowed her head and stole sidelong glances at me.
Anyone could see she was gauging my mood.
"If there's something you want, say so. If not, just say no. No need to force yourself on my account."
"Truly... may I?"
"Naturally. I'm not just saying it."
The price of capturing a young heart varies with age.
Bribing with treats is an effective strategy.
As anticipated, the hesitant girl cautiously spoke up.
"In that case, might I request something with chocolate?"
"Of course. Shouldn't be an issue."
I glanced at the servant, who nodded readily as if expecting it.
Fortunately, no trouble.
"Then bring chocolates or chocolate desserts, and cookies for me. Pair it with suitable tea."
"Understood."
The servant bowed courteously and departed.
"You like chocolate?"
"Yes. I do. I rarely have it, so that makes me like it even more."
"Rarely? Why?"
"Mother says too much chocolate isn't good."
Fair enough.
Excess sweets are unhealthy in many ways.
Still, surely today was an exception?
"Then tell her I insisted you eat first. She'll let it slide once."
"...Yes. Thank you."
The girl nodded, her cheeks flushing.
She appeared far more composed than during her greeting.
"Your Highness. I've brought the requested treats. For tea, I've selected a light herbal blend—refreshing with minimal sweetness to complement the snacks."
Chatter about family matters.
Discussions of education.
Before long, amidst our idle talk, the departed servant returned.
The Emperor and the noblewoman took seats on the indoor terrace.
With her son enjoying the floral scents, she wished to do the same.
The matriarch of House Claudius.
Ekyon's mother.
Ella Claudius swallowed dryly.
Across from her sat the voluptuous beauty with deep indigo locks, sipping her tea.
An emperor whose heart was as frigid as her chilling demeanor.
"Your daughter takes after you and is certain to blossom into a beauty. Wouldn't you agree?"
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favorable regard toward my daughter."
Ella sipped her tea with feigned humility.
Cold sweat beaded within, though outwardly she maintained a serene smile.
Concealing even terror unto death.
Such was the bearing required of a noblewoman.
"Why so tense? My summons is tantamount to a command, leaving you no choice but to obey—yet you came with designs of your own, did you not?"
Indeed. She had calculated carefully.
A precious son born after centuries.
She intended to offer her daughter for his seed.
The Ion Imperial Family perpetuated primarily through incest.
The prospect of incorporating outside blood was exceedingly remote.
Precedents existed, but expectations ought to remain modest.
Why, precisely?
Ion's bloodline yielded ever-superior offspring with each incestuous union.
Incest proves detrimental to survival.
Human society naturally shuns it, but what if the inverse held true?
If incest assured exceptional progeny?
Then pursuing lineage through incest became not merely logical, but imperative.
Human greed demanded as much.
Yet.
History recorded instances where external houses had borne the fruit of Ion's male seed.
Blended with Ion's essence, children emerged brilliant, robust, and exquisite.
No exceptions.
Thus, houses coveting solely Ion's seed were plentiful.
House Claudius numbered among them.
A great ducal lineage now, yet futures prove fickle.
Ion's seed promised safeguards for posterity.
This truth was intimately known to both Ella and Orpheus.
"Forgive my impertinence."
Ella bowed, trembling despite all.
Her greed-clouded gaze cleared once more.
"No need. Craving superior seed is but the instinct of any bitch."
Orpheus dismissed it with a casual shake of her head.
She harbored no designs to wield her darling son in political games.
Accept if Niu desired; refuse otherwise.
Nothing more.
Ella exhaled inwardly in relief, lifting her head with utmost caution—so as not to irk the Emperor.
"I am humbled."
"However, whether that child receives seed rests wholly upon my son's whim. Heed that well."
"I shall engrave it upon my heart."
One hurdle cleared.
With breathing room, Ella's lips traced a faint crescent.
Ekyon was, by any measure, a charming child.
Any man would naturally take interest and extend a hand.
'My daughter can manage it.'
She harbored no delusions of a principal consort's seat.
With the imperial household's vigilant eyes upon it, such was folly.
A seed alone would suffice.
Any further gains would be serendipity.
"The tea will cool. Drink."
"Yes, Your Majesty. My thanks."
Ella lifted the half-cooled cup.
Lukewarm against her lips, yet perfectly palatable.