CH 6

Chapter 1. Strange World

Episode 6

I felt as if I was sitting on a cushion of thorns all the way to the Imperial Palace in the carriage.

When the carriage stopped and I checked the place I had arrived, I couldn’t help but panic.

I thought it would be called the reception room of the main palace, but it was the winter palace where the emperor personally stayed.

I asked the servant who had met me in advance.

“Isn’t this the Emperor’s personal palace?”

“His Majesty said that he would like to meet you in a meaningful place because it is a private meeting.”

There’s no need to give it that much meaning.

It felt like entering a tiger’s den trying to catch a fox.

The Winter Palace was the palace where Aster stayed since the days of the Crown Prince.

This was a really private realm, and no woman had come to this place except the Empress.

‘How am I supposed to say that I made a mistake while drunk?’

A cold sweat was running down my back.

I was worried that if I said something wrong, my neck might be blown away, because the emperor described in the original was a person who would remain that way.

The place we arrived after following the servant was a beautiful greenhouse.

True to the name of the Winter Palace, it was a space full of flowers blooming in winter.

And in front was Aster who came out beautifully decorated.

“Princess, come here.”

“…It’s an honor to see you. Your Majesty.”

I paused for a moment and looked at him.

Aster was dressed in casual clothes. He felt a little different than when he was wearing a uniform.

“From here on, I will guide you. Come this way, Karin.”

“Yes, yes. Your Majesty.”

I was startled by the sudden call by my nickname, and I stumbled. It was so elegant that I wondered if my name could be heard like this.

“Come this way.”

He guided me to a small pavilion full of camellias. Cute desserts and tea were placed on a table made of white marble.

“It is my first date, so I had a hard time choosing what you liked…”

“Thank you for caring so much, Your Majesty. I can’t wait to see what it tastes like.”

“When we’re alone, you can call me by my first name.”

“What? Oh, but that…”

“If you want to call me like that, it’s fine. Get seated. The tea will get cold.”

At the end of the day, I sat down in the chair.

Aster warmed the teacup and poured the tea. The sound of water falling while drawing elegant lines and the neat appearance of Aster went better than expected.

I could not have imagined that he was a cruel emperor who was engrossed in power known to the public.

He somehow felt unfamiliar with how he handled the tea skillfully.

Come to think of it, I had many fiances during that time, but he was the first to personally serve tea.

He smiled at me and set the teacup in front of me.

“It’s my favorite tea, but I don’t know if it will fit the princess’ taste.”

“Ah, I like to drink anything, so it’s okay.”

“I think we should get rid of alcohol if anything.”

My face burned with a strange grumpy tone.

That day was too much for me to even think about. I muttered with my head down.

“Hey, forget about that day.”

“I’m kidding. You don’t have to be so shy.”

He said so and tapped the back of my hand.

When I raised my head, I met Aster’s eyes that were sparkling with playfulness.

“By the way, what if you’re sorry? I don’t regret that day.”

The words arranged in a low, soft voice felt dangerous.

I couldn’t take my eyes off his eyes staring straight at me.

“That, so. This…”

Seeing my bewildered face, Aster laughed out loud.

“I know what the princess was thinking. After waking up the next day, you must have remembered your family’s position.”

He spoke kindly, as if he understood my situation.

Still, there was something unknown in his gaze towards me.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“No need to be sorry. Isn’t it just a relationship?”

“What?”

“I don’t care if the princess wants to be a couple without getting engaged. Although marriage is the best for me.”

There was no word for a moment in response to his cool reply.

Aster was the emperor of the empire. A strong ally was needed to counter the aristocratic faction centered around Archduke Gloucester.

And the easiest way to get that ally was through marriage.

In particular, the Duke Pioneer family boasted a long history as a family in the country of origin.

Besides, my father was honest enough to be upright, so he was popular with the people.

As an emperor, acclaimed to have sat on a throne soaked in the blood of his brothers, it was perfect for renewing his image.

But he was letting go of this chance.

What happened to Aster’s head?

“Your eyes are saying that I’m crazy, princess.”

“Ah…no, Your Majesty. How could I have such a bizarre thought?”

“The person I saw that day was bold and sassy.”

I had nothing to say.

The problem was that I drank alcohol and was so angry that I couldn’t see anything in front of me.

“You don’t have to think too deeply, because you can screw the Duchess, and I can have the Pioneer Duke as a half ally.”

“You knew that I had a bad relationship with the Duchess.”

Aster said to me as if it was something obvious.

“Isn’t it pretty famous? I thought you were a pushover, so even though you lost your lover every time, you were still close to her.”

“You misunderstood.”

Except for the Duke of Gloucester, I was never sincere in the relationships. But after losing him, it was really hard.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that I was half insane at that time.

The love I had with the Duke of Gloucester was the most desired and cherished of all my life.

And the experience of being deprived of it left deep scars on my soul.

I stopped trusting others, doubting people’s intentions, and was unable to open my heart.

‘Thanks to that, I wasn’t seriously hurt with the issue with Wilhelm.’

I remembered Tatiana, who was affectionately standing next to Archduke Gloucester.

And my ex-lover who fell for her ignored me.

To be honest, I would be lying if I said I had no desire to get revenge.

No, I wanted revenge on Tatiana.

I hope she suffers and struggles as much as I did.

“I don’t want to be a nuisance to Your Majesty. It’s just a private matter between me and the Duchess.”

“But you can use me for that.”

The calm attitude of the emperor as if he didn’t care about my impure intentions was embarrassing. Read only at pm tl.

But at the same time, my heart was moved by that boldness.

Hopefully this time it will be different.

As if recognizing my shaking heart, Aster smiled relaxedly.

“So, what is your answer?”

Aster returned what I had said.

My heart was pounding.

Everything became so clear that it felt funny to me that I had grunted over this the past few days.

After contemplating for a moment, I looked straight into his eyes and said.

“Okay. I’ll do it. The relationship.”

Aster’s eyes softly curved at my answer.

The bright summer sunlight shone on his dazzling blonde hair.

Maybe it’s because I’m sober, but I seemed to understand why Tatiana fell in love with him at first sight.

“I’m glad, Karin.”

“I wish you all the best in the future, Aster.”

For once, I decided to join him.

~*~

Tea time with Aster was quite enjoyable.

We had quite a lot in common.

It was similar to not liking sweets or getting tired when there were a lot of people.

Even the way he smiled pretty at my joke, which was nothing special, was perfect.

“I think we can be good partners.”

As if regretting letting me go, Aster did not let go of my hand easily.

“I want you to be my partner.”

“I’m not done yet with Lord Wilhelm.”

There was only about 15 days before the foundation day.

Although Wilhelm shamelessly offered to become a paramour, I didn’t want to go down to the same level.

So it was still burdensome to hold hands as his partner right now.

“I don’t want you to be in trouble. Still, since you are my lover, I want to be your first dance partner.”

I was grateful for him for being willing to consider my circumstances.

Was Aster such a kind person? His smile matched his refreshing look, and his voice was sweet.

After all, I was so enamored with him that I almost told Aster to do what he wanted without even measuring the situation.

“I’m sorry, but my first dance partner is my father. Instead, I’ll give you the second one.”

Aster’s eyes widened at my answer.

Then he smiled and nodded his head.

“It’s such an honor.”

Soon the sun was going down.

It was late in the evening when I returned to the duke’s residence after Aster saw me off.

Lily chatted incessantly, organizing the presents she had received from His Majesty.

“I like His Majesty a lot. I think he’s the coolest guy you’ve ever met.”

“Lily, you told me that every time my partner changed.”

Unfortunately, Lily’s hit rate was surprisingly low. I laughed and teased Lily, who diligently organizes the jewelry.

Her figure, which turned red even to her earlobe, was cuter than I thought.

“Ah, miss! Shall I just throw it away?”

“Huh? What is that?”

What Lily brought out was a glass bracelet. The bracelet, made by threading colored glass grains, was flawless and clean.

“You kept this. Did you buy this when you were 10?”

“Well, it was a gift rather than a purchase.”

I was handed the bracelet from Lily. Glass grain bracelets for toddlers sold on the street.

There was one reason why I kept this precious. Because it was Daniel’s gift.