Chapter 82: Queen's Garden (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82: Queen's Garden (2)
I blinked, unable to process the situation. Veronica looked down at me, her expression questioning as I stood there frozen.
“Dia?”
“O-Oh, yes.”
I quickly snapped out of it and let go of the hem of my dress.
When I lowered my head as if I were just a nervous child, a clear, melodic laugh rang out.
“Hoho, it seems the child is nervous since it’s her first time in a place like this.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“Not at all. Please, come in.”
Veronica’s expression didn’t change even though Cedric was right there. However, as the full view of the tea table was revealed, her face stiffened.
“U-Um…”
Gloria, the female protagonist of the novel and Veronica’s former rival, scrambled to her feet. She seemed to be the one most on edge; the hand clutching her dress was trembling violently.
“Allow me to introduce you, Ducal Lady. I’m sure you already know who she is, but this is Gloria, who will soon marry Cedric. She is also the mother of our future Saintess.”
“…It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Ducal Lady…”
Gloria couldn’t bring herself to meet Veronica’s eyes. She looked like a herbivore standing before a predator.
It seemed Gloria still believed Veronica harbored a grudge against her.
That might have been true in the original story where I, her daughter, had died, but the current Veronica likely didn't feel that way. To her, Gloria was simply an awkward presence she’d rather not deal with, much like Cedric.
“And our future Saintess is here as well.”
“M-My name is Marianne.”
Having already met Marianne once before, Veronica gave a calm, slight nod.
Veronica sat down while still holding me. Though her face was somewhat stiff, it seemed to be from the surprise of the sudden encounter rather than genuine agitation.
“Since a ball will be held during the upcoming Moon of Life, I thought there were things the Ducal Lady should know.”
The Empress Dowager spoke leisurely as she sipped her tea. Her words made me realize why she had summoned us.
The Moon of Life refers to spring, the season when flowers bloom. In the Empire, the Imperial Family and the Temple co-host festivals once in the spring and once in the autumn.
Spring is the Moon of Life, and autumn is the Moon of Life. The Temple leads the commoners' festivities, while the Imperial Family hosts lavish balls for the nobility.
Dantalion and Veronica’s wedding was scheduled exactly during the Moon of Life. No matter how quickly they moved, an Imperial Wedding couldn't be handled carelessly, so overlapping with the Moon of Life was inevitable.
“As you know, Ducal Lady, many Imperial Weddings have historically been held during the Moon of Life, so there’s no need to feel pressured. If it becomes too difficult, I shall assist you.”
“No, I cannot trouble Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. I will handle it myself.”
Veronica replied with a soft smile.
Since an Imperial Wedding was a joyous occasion, it was often intentionally scheduled to coincide with the Moon of Life.
To receive blessings alongside the national festival, the Imperial Family would partner with the Temple to hold the ceremony. In such cases, the duration of the festival and the balls would be doubled.
‘She intends to use Gloria and Marianne to seize the initiative.’
Unfortunately, while Veronica had attended festivals and balls as a Ducal Lady or a Marchioness, she had never actually organized one.
Furthermore, the same was true for Gloria and Marianne. Marianne might be the Saintess, but she was still just a child. The timing was so perfect it felt as though the Empress Dowager had intentionally chosen a successor who would require her guidance.
“If you refuse like that, what will become of my reputation? There will be much to coordinate with the Temple, so do not push me away so coldly.”
“…”
“I am certain you will find my help necessary.”
Her words sounded like a threat—that even if no problems existed, she would create them. Veronica seemed to catch the underlying meaning as well, her expression hardening further.
“For today, I simply wished to create a space for everyone to become acquainted, so please, make yourselves comfortable.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Veronica answered with forced composure and lifted her teacup.
In the original story, she might have acted like a villainess and thrown the tea at Gloria, but of course, nothing of the sort happened. Veronica took a sip of her tea with more grace and dignity than anyone else.
“Ah!”
On the other hand, Gloria, who came from a commoner background, fumbled as if she still hadn't mastered etiquette.
Having applied too much force, tea splashed onto her dress as she set the cup down, leaving a brown stain. Gloria’s face paled.
“Oh dear, are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. I’m fine… My apologies, Your Majesty.”
Gloria quickly corrected her speech, looking utterly lost. Veronica simply watched the scene unfold.
“Cedric, your wife has made a mistake. Why don't you kindly wipe it away for her?”
The Empress Dowager turned to Cedric and asked in a bright tone. With a silent nod, Cedric took out a handkerchief and began dabbing at Gloria’s dress.
However, his gaze was fixed on Veronica. Veronica did not look away either, staring right back at him.
[Why is he staring like that? It’s creepy.]
[Does he still have feelings for Master’s mom?]
[What? Is he even human?]
Desmond and Bibi shrieked in indignation.
But this time, I agreed with them. Moreover, I felt like I was watching a total soap opera.
A meeting between an ex-husband, a former mother-in-law, the ex-lover he’s about to marry, and their daughters. To top it off, the two girls are half-sisters with the same father.
‘What a complete mess.’
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I reached forward. I picked up a sweet-looking cookie and held it up.
“Mom, eat this!”
“Oh.”
Breaking her gaze from Cedric, Veronica looked at the cookie in my hand and smiled broadly.
“Are you giving this to me?”
“Uh-huh!”
“My sweet daughter.”
Stroking my hair, Veronica took a bite of the cookie. Her smile deepened.
“It tastes even better because my daughter gave it to me.”
“Hehe.”
The atmosphere shifted in an instant. As we laughed warmly at each other, the Empress Dowager’s expression momentarily soured, as if this wasn't the direction she wanted things to go.
Cedric, who had tossed his handkerchief onto the table as if throwing it away, returned to his seat.
‘Hmph, glare all you want, it won't do anything.’
Feeling Cedric’s piercing gaze on me, I peacefully shared the cookie with Veronica. I usually didn't like sweet things, but this cookie tasted delicious.
“Is the wedding preparation not difficult, Ducal Lady?”
“No, it is fine.”
“I heard you are already taking over the affairs of the Empress’s Chambers from the aides. Aren't you overexerting yourself?”
The Empress Dowager’s lips twitched slightly as she struggled to maintain her smile.
It seemed this was the real reason she had summoned Veronica today. She was bothered that Veronica, who wasn't even the Empress yet, was already involving herself in internal affairs.
“It is work I must do soon anyway, so I should familiarize myself with it.”
“Haste makes waste in any matter. Take it slow.”
The Empress Dowager spoke in a gentle tone, mindful of the surrounding eyes. Although the Queen’s Garden was a space reserved for the Empress, it wasn't closed off to outsiders, so there were many onlookers.
If this had been the Empress Dowager’s palace, rumors of today’s meeting would have spread slowly, but it seemed she had planned for this as well.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. But I am truly fine.”
Veronica also wore a picture-perfect smile, conscious of their surroundings.
From her greeting to her tea etiquette, the flawless Veronica shone brighter than anyone. Though she had briefly strayed from etiquette while eating the cookie with me, most onlookers were instead admiring the sight of the affectionate mother and daughter.
[That witch, her expression is terrible.]
[She must have called us here with big plans, serves her right.]
Desmond and Bibi snickered as they watched the Empress Dowager. I caught a glimpse of the Empress Dowager subtly biting her lip.
I had a feeling it wouldn't end like this…
As I felt a sense of foreboding, someone caught my eye.
A young boy with long, dark brown hair was walking precariously while carrying a tray. It looked like too much for his thin, frail limbs to handle.
“Ah!”
Sure enough, before he could reach the table, the boy tripped over a stone. He pitched forward and slammed into the ground.
Crash!
“Luci!”
At the sound of the crash, Marianne jumped up from her seat in shock. She rushed toward the fallen boy.