Chapter 81: Queen’s Garden (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: Queen’s Garden (1)
“It’s been quite some time since we last spoke. To think Sir Demia, who was once smaller than me when we were young, has grown up to become my daughter’s guard knight.”
“……?”
I looked up at Veronica, who was speaking with a soft smile, and my eyes widened.
Veronica and Demia already knew each other?
But then again, it wasn't that surprising. Veronica used to frequent the Imperial Palace as the Crown Prince’s playmate when she was a child.
It seemed she had become acquainted with Demia, who was an apprentice knight back then. I looked back and forth between the two with interest.
“The... The Ducal Lady was also quite small back then.”
“Fufu, do you remember? How I used to pester the Knight Commander so I could train with you all? It was so much fun, wasn't it?”
“Fun……, yes, I suppose it was.”
Unlike Veronica, who was reminiscing about warm memories, Demia’s complexion turned noticeably pale. For some reason, I didn't feel like asking exactly what kind of 'training' that had been.
“I always knew Sir Demia would become a fine knight.”
“Is that true?”
“Of course. A good sprout is vibrant and stands out, after all.”
Perhaps because she was happy to meet an old friend, Veronica spoke in an upbeat voice. At her words, Demia’s cheeks flushed even redder.
If Demia had been a man, I might have suspected Dantalion had a new rival, but fortunately, Demia was a woman. So, there was no need to worry about her being killed or eliminated by Dantalion.
‘She must admire Veronica.’
Demia looked a bit younger than Veronica, and back when Demia was training with her, there were likely even fewer female knights in the Imperial Knight Order than there are now.
In the already cutthroat Imperial Knight Order, competing every day against formidable rivals must have been incredibly difficult for Demia.
To her, the existence of Veronica—a woman who was stronger than her—might have been a powerful source of motivation.
“Does the Ducal Lady... still hold a sword?”
Demia asked, her eyes sparkling. As Veronica met her gaze, her smile deepened.
“Yes. Though there was a time I almost let it go.”
“I am truly glad to hear that.”
“It makes me happy to hear you say that.”
A heartwarming atmosphere settled over the group. It seemed Dantalion had chosen Demia as my guard knight because he knew about their relationship. It really was an excellent choice.
“Dia, my sweet, were you very startled?”
“I’m okay! I could take a kid like that with one punch!”
“How brave of you.”
When I raised my fist and shouted loudly in response to Veronica’s worried question, she gave me a satisfied smile and stroked my hair.
[Hmph, next time I see him, I’m going to kick him right in the butt!]
[I’m going to give him a good bite with my fangs.]
‘Hmm.’
Bibi’s legs might be one thing, but Desmond’s fangs would be a serious problem right now. I muttered to myself as I carefully inspected the Direwolf’s protruding fangs.
“……Dia.”
“Yeah?”
At the sound of my name, I turned my head to see Nathaniel wearing a gloomy expression.
I tilted my head, unable to understand why his face looked so dejected.
“Niel, what’s the matter?”
“I…… I’m so frustrated.”
“Frustrated?”
“Yes.”
Nathaniel gave a small nod.
He seemed to want to say more, but it appeared he had reached the limit of what he could express in words. I had to deduce what he was feeling.
What was he frustrated about? I arched an eyebrow. Nathaniel continued, struggling to get the words out.
“I hate it when people are rude to Dia. But I…… I couldn't even protect you, and last time too……”
“Ah.”
Only then did I realize what Nathaniel was trying to say.
By 'last time,' he must have meant when the Empress Dowager or the Temple sent assassins after him.
Back then, they were targeting Nathaniel, not me, but since he didn't know that, he seemed completely discouraged.
I had simply been caught up in it because I was by his side at night. If anything, it was a good thing I was there. Otherwise, he would have been snatched away to the Temple without a trace.
But I couldn't tell him that honestly. After a moment of thought, I gave him a bright smile.
“Niel, you were amazing!”
“Huh?”
“You fought against those big adults to protect me. You were like a hero!”
“A hero……?”
“Yeah! And just now, you told that kid who’s bigger than you to apologize! You’re so cool, Niel!”
At that, Nathaniel’s pale face turned bright red. I had never seen him get this flustered and embarrassed before, so it felt like seeing a new side of him.
“R-really?”
“Yeah!”
Niel seemed moved; he clasped his hands together and squirmed bashfully. Veronica and Sophia watched us from behind with fond smiles.
“Ducal Lady, someone has arrived from the Empress Dowager’s palace.”
“Is that so?”
Veronica’s eyes widened as she looked at the maid who delivered the message.
A message from the Empress Dowager right after the incident. I had a bad feeling about this.
A moment later, someone entered the room. It was a woman with dark green hair styled in an ostentatious updo.
“Greetings, Ducal Lady. I am Mariam Neville, a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
“Yes. What did Her Majesty say?”
The gaze of the maid named Mariam as she raised her head was quite insolent.
Veronica must have felt it too, as her tone was far from friendly. I glared fiercely at the woman named Mariam.
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has graciously invited the Ducal Lady to the Queen’s Garden. Please prepare yourself and come to an audience with Her Majesty.”
The Queen’s Garden refers to the imperial garden that only the Empress of the Empire can possess.
Once Dantalion and Veronica marry, the garden will belong to Veronica as the Empress, but for now, it was still managed by the Empress Dowager, the elder of the Imperial Family.
The fact that she specifically chose that place as the meeting spot was clearly intended to remind Veronica of her current status—not yet the Empress—and to engage in a power struggle.
‘She’s so petty.’
However, we couldn't ignore the Empress Dowager’s command, and if we went, she would undoubtedly find a way to harass us again.
Veronica’s expression darkened, as if she also anticipated the hardships ahead.
“I understand.”
She then turned to me and said,
“Dia, Mommy has to step out for a bit, so……”
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has commanded that the Little Lady must also attend.”
“…….”
Veronica turned her head back with a hardened face. I couldn't see the look in her eyes from where I was, but I saw the arrogant maid’s face suddenly freeze in fear.
“Do not interrupt my conversation with my daughter.”
“M-my apologies, Ducal Lady.”
An argument is only possible when the parties are of similar standing.
The difference between the maid and Veronica—both in their birthright and their innate nature—was as vast as the heavens and the earth. Before the sheer pressure radiating from Veronica, who had reached the level of a Sword Master through her contract with Luers, the maid could do nothing but tremble.
It was a sight that perfectly illustrated the saying about a newborn pup not knowing to fear the tiger. She must have come here excited to bully Veronica with the Empress Dowager’s backing, so this served her right.
I looked at Mariam, who was bowing deeply, with a look of utter contempt. Veronica turned her gaze back to me.
“Dia, it’s time for your nap. Aren't you tired? If it’s too hard, Mommy will go and tell Her Majesty that you can’t come.”
“No, Dia’s okay.”
I couldn't miss out on such a juicy scene. I shook my head vigorously. Veronica still looked at me with worried eyes, but perhaps because of the Empress Dowager’s order, she didn't stop me.
“Oh, our Little Lady is just too cute!”
Since the invitation was to the garden, it seemed there would be a tea party, so I quickly changed my clothes. When I put on a dress covered in frills—unlike my usual attire—Sophia’s eyes turned into hearts.
“Yeah, Dia’s pretty.”
“Thank you!”
I smiled brightly at Nathaniel.
Unfortunately, Nathaniel’s training hours had been increased starting today, so he couldn't come to the Queen’s Garden with us.
Come to think of it, Abel hadn't been around lately either; he must be busy. I waved goodbye to Nathaniel.
‘I’ll probably have to start studying soon, too.’
I’m still too young to learn swordsmanship or magic, but since I’m slated to become an Imperial Princess, etiquette lessons will surely be mandatory.
I let out a quiet sigh as I was carried toward the Queen’s Garden in Veronica’s arms.
“We have arrived.”
The distance between the palaces was quite far, so we had to take a carriage even though we were within the same Imperial Palace grounds. I held Veronica’s hand as I stepped down from the carriage.
“Whoa.”
Everywhere in the Imperial Palace is like a wonderland, but this place was truly special. Perhaps because spring was approaching, colorful spring flowers greeted us in full bloom.
“Welcome, Ducal Lady. And Little Lady.”
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
I followed Veronica’s lead and stole a glance upward. There, I saw the Empress Dowager wearing her usual faint smile.
Beside her stood Cedric, his face set in a stiff expression, and behind him……
‘Oh my god.’
My jaw dropped.