Chapter 99
"......Why is Mother summoning my teacher?"
"I'm sorry, but I wasn't told the reason either. I was only ordered to bring you."
Serenon's expression was excessively stiff as he spoke with the attendant. I eyed him for a moment—he looked so gravely serious—before rolling my eyes.
I can pretty much guess why she's calling... No reason I can't go. I'll probably get an earful for coming home late, though.
The sun was already setting. Guessing I'd get scolded by the family for returning late, I still stepped forward toward the attendant.
"I can go, but as you can see, I'm not exactly in a state to meet Her Majesty the Empress. Is that alright?"
"She said she wants you to come immediately, regardless of your condition."
I was a bit sweaty and disheveled from finishing sparring just before. Nodding at the attendant's firm confirmation, I roughly smoothed down my wind-tossed hair.
"Looks like I have to go, Your Highness."
"W-Wait!"
Serenon grabbed me in a panic. His pupils trembled. I could vividly sense his agitation, so I narrowed my eyes.
"Is there a problem?"
"W-Well, I just think... it might be better if you didn't go......"
Serenon averted his gaze and stammered awkwardly.
Of course. Tina Kypress is a ruthless woman, after all.
He was probably worried about what Tina might do to me. As a member of the ducal house, I could refuse the summons if I didn't feel like going.
But she's someone I have to meet at least once. Tina's no fool; she won't try anything overt. And even if she does... I won't go down easily.
I had no intention of refusing Tina's summons. I gave the worried-looking Serenon a small smile.
"It's fine. Now that I've become your teacher, Your Highness, shouldn't I at least meet the parents once?"
His expression turned indescribably subtle at the word "parents." Suppressing a chuckle, I bowed at the waist.
"I wish you peace. I'll take my leave first."
I turned toward the imperial palace and urged the attendant to lead the way. The attendant glanced between Serenon and me for a moment, gave Serenon a brief bow, then guided me along.
Tina's palace was right next to Serenon's. Walking through the solemn interior dominated by cold colors, I thought it was frighteningly pristine.
"This is the place."
At the end of the long corridor was the audience chamber, guarded by two knights. One knight confirmed our identities and opened the door.
"You've come."
As the door opened, a cold, monotonous voice captured my ears.
......As expected. A ruler is a ruler, huh.
Even though she was an ordinary person without a shred of martial aura, her overwhelming presence dominated the air. I was a Sword Master, yet even I found myself narrowing my eyes in admiration at her intimidation. With light steps, I stood before her and bowed at the waist.
Diego took after the emperor, but Serenon must have resembled the empress. Her pale lavender hair, a shade more saturated than Serenon's, was neatly trimmed to just brush her shoulders. Her cloudy pale blue eyes hadn't even waited the short time for my arrival—she'd been reading documents even in the audience chamber.
From the color to the drooping corners, her eyes were like a photocopy of Serenon's. The biggest difference between her face and his, though, was undoubtedly the gaze.
Even if she was pondering something behind that look, the gaze she revealed was nothing like Serenon's slippery one. Tina's eyes were like those of a beast ready to snap at an opponent's throat.
I met that gaze without flinching and slowly, politely bent at the waist.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress. I am Kashmir Crisis."
Tina Kypress. The empress of this empire.
The one who keeps putting Diego Solatine in constant mortal danger.
The thought sent a chill through my head. Imagining that elegant face ordering Diego's assassination made my skin crawl.
But showing it would be even more foolish than a fool. I forced a calm facade and kept a stoic expression.
"Thank you for responding to my sudden summons. Please, sit."
I sat in the chair opposite her as she indicated. Soon after, a maid entered, placed tea and refreshments on the table between the chairs, and quietly withdrew.
No poison.
I lifted the cup of black tea, sniffed it briefly, and concluded. I knew Tina wasn't stupid enough to attack me directly, but not knowing her well made me habitually cautious. Moving with perfect etiquette, I sipped the black tea.
"It must have been sudden, but I'm grateful you accepted without complaint and became Serenon's teacher. How was the first lesson with him?"
"Ah, His Highness the Prince learns very quickly. It was enjoyable."
For some reason, it felt just like a parent-teacher conference, which was oddly disconcerting. My slightly awkward reply earned a nod from Tina as she elegantly lifted her cup. Nobility and grace infused her every small gesture.
"Serenon is a clever child. By the way, I heard you've also become a companion to His Majesty the Emperor."
"Ah, yes."
"Has His Majesty said anything particular? For example......"
Tina's blue eyes flashed fiercely.
"......something like asking you to become the Crown Princess."
"Cough."
A sudden cough escaped at the abrupt statement. Fortunately, it was shallow enough that I didn't spit out my tea.
Why...... is she asking this?
I composed my startled mind and met Tina's eyes. They gleamed like a predator's before prey, utterly serious without a hint of jest.
He did say something crazy at the end about dating both Diego and Serenon... but that was a joke. He never said anything about becoming Crown Princess...
I shook my head after a moment's thought.
"No. He didn't say anything like that."
"That's a relief, then. You're probably wondering why I summoned you, Lady. I'll be direct."
Tina set her cup down on the table. Her cold, rational gaze turned to me. Under that stare, I felt like I was being calculated and measured on a scale.
After gazing at me steadily, Tina spoke.
"Lady, have you no thought of becoming princess consort?"
There was only one prince that could mean: the Second Prince, Serenon. She was telling me to become Serenon's wife.
I nearly dropped my teacup but held firm through sheer willpower. My face stayed fixed on the tea to hide any agitation, though my trembling pupils reflected back from its surface.
From what Serenon had let slip about this matter, I'd predicted Tina's involvement and her desire to pull me—a ducal daughter—into the faction supporting the Second Prince.
But to go this far... Proposing I become princess consort isn't just 'join our side'—it's like saying 'become the first mate of the ship.'
Speechless at the suddenness, Tina continued.
"I know. It's startling. I admit it's a hasty proposal. However...... I also know you're close to the crown prince, so I'm in a hurry. I can't let a fine card like the daughter of Duke Crisis go to him."
Her firm, cold voice laid out the situation bluntly. She called me a "card" without hesitation.
So, Tina's proposing a political marriage to Serenon.
I knew that for nobles, marriage was the ultimate tool to bind factions. But receiving such a direct proposal left me a bit dazed.
As I blinked wordlessly, Tina pressed on.
"Duke Crisis did announce he has no intention of marrying you or Lady Aria Crisis off politically, but a father's heart and the parties' might differ, no?"
Did Kaiser Crisis even announce that?
I slowly moistened my lips and stroked my chin. Observing me with cold eyes, Tina spoke.
"I plan to make Serenon emperor. If Serenon becomes emperor, you'll naturally become empress. The noblest woman in this empire. All power will gather in your hands."
Tina crossed her legs and leaned forward, bringing her face closer. Her deep blue dress fluttered briefly. Lurking in her eyes was an ambition like obsession.
"A woman born into this world should dream big. A life with the emperor as husband—doesn't it tempt you? If you become princess consort and lend the ducal house's power, Serenon becoming emperor is only a matter of time."
"Won't you join us?"
Tina was offering to make me empress if I lent the Crisis ducal house's strength.
Is becoming the noblest woman only possible by having the emperor as husband?
Absently stroking my teacup in thought, I slowly opened my mouth.
"......May I ask a few questions?"
"I'll answer what I can."
Tina lifted her teacup again with an unwavering, elegant gesture. Watching her flawless posture and attire—without a single flaw or disarray—I drew in a short breath.
Is this what an empress should be like?
She was so ruthlessly thorough she seemed less human than machine. My gaze lingered briefly on her waist, tightly cinched by her corset, before I spoke carefully.
"First, why propose this to me? I understand you need the Crisis ducal house's power, but as you know, the duke has more than one daughter. There's also a far more outstanding girl with greater influence in high society."
"In short, as empress, Lady Aria Crisis would be more suitable."
I nodded curtly. Tina let out a small chuckle.
"I thought that too, naturally. That's why I already proposed to Lady Aria once."
"......You already proposed to her?"
My eyes widened. It was news to me.
Don't tell me... that time.
Aria had never mentioned it directly. But I could roughly guess the situation.
A few months ago, I'd seen Kaiser and Aria—uncharacteristically amicable—sitting together in serious discussion.
'The empress's side contacted us, but... I hate it. Why should I get married? I'm going to live with my sister forever.'
'Knew you'd say that. Not surprised. The Crisis house has stayed neutral all this time; refusing one proposal won't shake us. Do as you wish.'
'What are you two discussing so seriously?'
'Oh, nothing!'
'It's nothing.'
Those two, who rarely even stuck together, had huddled and whispered. I'd wondered what it was about—something about the imperial palace and empress seemed off—and it turned out they'd been talking about Tina's proposal.
"Yes. I proposed exactly the same to her. But she refused outright. So I turned to you."
Tina said calmly. Toying with her fingertips, I slowly raised my gaze to her.
"One more question. Your Majesty, are you fine with the Second Prince marrying someone he doesn't love?"
"......What a ridiculous question."
Tina, who had stared silently at my words, let out a cold laugh.
"Imperial marriages aren't fruits of love. They're tools for the best alliances."
"I know, but still. Do you think His Highness would be happy married to me?"
Tina paused briefly and averted her gaze. Slowly caressing her cup, she rose from her seat.
"Love is like a flower that blooms briefly for a season and then withers."
She crossed the room with elegant steps and stopped before the window. A bouquet of red tulips adorned the sill. Gazing intently at them, she plucked one with graceful fingers.
The beautiful bud filled her small, white hand.
"Once the time passes, it wilts and crumbles all too easily."
Crunch.
Her white hand clenched into a fist. The crushed red tulip oozed through her fingers like spilled blood. Staring coolly at her hand stained with the dead tulip's remnants, Tina unhesitatingly scattered the debris to the floor and returned to her seat.
For a moment, the tulip scent filling the room felt eerily like the smell of blood.
"Love is fleeting, but power is eternal."
Seated once more, Tina brushed off the red petal remnants from her hand. Her voice was chillingly cold and emotionless.
"I want to pass that eternal power to my son. That's all."