Chapter 52 – Ice Doll (1)

It was the day before my birthday. As we were only staying at the villa for two days, I didn’t have much pack. I wore comfortable, low-heeled shoes instead of my formal ones, and donned a waterproof cape in case of rain.

“Enjoy Your vacation, Your Majesty.”

Countess Eliza, who was not accompanying me on my trip, carefully fixed my buttons, and mentioned she was thinking of going home for the two days I was gone.

“Don’t worry, Countess Eliza. I will take care of her.”

Countess Jubel laughed and patted Countess Eliza on the back, who narrowed her eyes and lowered her hands. I smiled as I watched the two opposite personalities exchange glances without speaking.

“Let’s go.”

When I arrived at the central palace, I found Sovieshu standing in front of the carriage. He was dressed in his usual formal clothes, and I didn’t see his luggage or his servants following him. I gave him a questioning look, and Sovieshu explained with a regretful expression.

“I have a matter to attend to. Can you go ahead?”

“Is it that urgent? You don’t have to push yourself to go the villa.”

“It’s urgent, but not completely so. It is not an issue that the Empress needs to visit for her birthday.”

I didn’t mind, but I decided not to answer. Sovieshu smiled softly and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

“You need rest after all the hard work you’ve done. After I finish my work, I’ll leave in the evening.”

The villa was twelve hours journey away from the capital. If he left in the evening, he would travel all night until morning. I was worried, but…it had to be fine. Come to think of it, sitting face-to-face with Sovieshu would be supremely awkward, and so I climbed into the carriage without protest.

*

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*

Countess Jubel fell asleep as soon as she got into the carriage, while I spent my time reading a book. That was for about two hours, until motion sickness from the swaying of the carriage overwhelmed me. I closed my book and looked out the window.

The carriage was on a well-maintained road leading out of the capital, and I saw yellow farmland stretching out before me. Farmers and scarecrows were scattered about the field, and somewhere I could hear children’s laughter.

“I hope this trip will improve the relationship between you and the Emperor.”

I turned my head and saw Countess Jubel yawning. Our eyes met, and she shrugged.

“I couldn’t say that in front of Countess Eliza.”

“…”

“It’s difficult for nobles to divorce, Your Majesty. There are many political complications and disagreements about how to divide assets. Who would take more benefits? But if one doesn’t care for the loss, one can divorce at any time.”

“But I can’t.”

“It’s a shame, but yes. You’re the Empress. No matter how much you hate the Emperor, you cannot initiate divorce first. So it’s better to get along.”

Countess Jubel began to nod off again. I leaned my head against the backrest with both hands on my knees. I agreed that it was better to be on good terms with the Emperor. However, there was something that I could not agree with Countess Jubel on.

Divorce…

Could I improve our relationship just because I couldn’t divorce him? It was this part that I disagreed with. To others, the fact that I wasn’t in a position to divorce Sovieshu may elicit sympathy…In any case, there was no way that anyone treated poorly by their spouse wouldn’t be pitied. Sovieshu was completely blind when it came to Rashta, and occasionally ended up accusing me because of it.

But even if I could get divorced, I had no desire to do so from Sovieshu. I was groomed to be the empress from an early age, with rigorous training and specialized education throughout my childhood into adulthood. I didn’t know if I fit the aptitude or not, but to be empress was my destination in life. It would be a lie if I said that I was alright with my husband bringing in a concubine and treating me coldly. Our marriage was political, however, and while it was hard, I could carry the burden. I didn’t want to lose my lifelong work simply because Sovieshu loved someone else.

If there really came a situation where I could tolerate it no longer, then perhaps—?

*

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*

“Your Majesty, look at this!”

Rashta ran to Sovieshu with an engraved pendant given by Duke Elgy from Blue Bohean.

“Your Majesty!”

Rashta burst into the room with a large smile and then stopped in surprise.

“Wow…”

Rashta covered her mouth as she stared at Sovieshu before her.

“Your Majesty, you look wonderful…”

He was dressed in a black and white suit, different from the fancier outfits of the New Year’s celebration. He smiled weakly, not looking in the mirror. Rashta quickly went ot his side and admired him from top to bottom.

“You look good everywhere. Aren’t you being too shameless by looking this handsome?”

“You flatter me.”

Rashta gave a small giggle then held out her hand to him.

“Look at this.”

“That’s the crest of Blue Bohean.”

“Wow. Your Majesty’s genius. You recognized it right away?”

Rashta’s eyes widened in admiration again, and Sovieshu gave a small smile and rubbed her back with one hand. It was a strange reminder that Rashta was from another world, as nobles were almost obligated to memorize the crests of other houses.

“Why are you dressed so nicely?”

She placed the pendant in her pocket. In truth she had shown the pendant from Duke Elgy to Sovieshu because she wanted him to be jealous. She was taken aback when he seemed rather calm, however, as if he were ignorant of her intentions.

“I told you a few days ago. I have to go to the royal villa.”

“Oh…Rashta thought you were supposed to leave by morning, but it was cancelled. You said you’d be back the day after tomorrow, right?”

Sovieshu glanced at the clock and nodded.

“Make yourself comfortable here, Rashta.”

Sovieshu lightly kissed Rashta’s cheek and turned away.

“Rashta will see you off.”

She followed him enthusiastically, rambling away about her day. While Viscount Roteschu had completely destroyed her reputation, Duke Elgy’s appearance had slowly drawn back some of the nobles to her. She was both happy and relieved, and she wanted to tell all of this to Sovieshu.

She stopped speaking, however, when she saw a silver jewelry box inside of Sovieshu’s carriage. Her eyes widened.

“What is that?”

“It’s a present for the Empress.”

“…Empress?”