Chapter 19

“Not even a trace of gratitude for His Majesty’s benevolence. Just loafing around all day, doing nothing.”

“…”

“And look at that hair. What a mess. So unkempt.”

Dianne closed her eyes for a slow breath in. Then opened them again. Her breathing was speeding up, and she forced it to slow with effort.

It was better to let it go. She had to let it go. This woman was a lady-in-waiting of the princess and a proper noble lady of the imperial palace. Dianne, who was tasked with educating and guiding the princess, had nothing to gain by making an enemy of someone like her.

‘But hasn’t she already made me her enemy?’

A person who finds fault with what you say or do can sometimes be won over. But someone who scorns your existence… Well, that’s a different story.

Dianne slowly turned back around. Bertona met her eyes defiantly at first, but the cheerful smile spreading across Dianne’s face made her flinch with distaste.

In a sweet voice, Dianne said, “It seems you’re quite confident in your own usefulness, Miss Aldebaran.”

“…What did you just say?”

Dianne switched to the Arathos language.

<If you’re so envious of my cushy little position, why not beg His Majesty for it? Say you can teach the Arathos language better than that pathetic excuse of a governess.>

Bertona flushed. She may not have caught every word, but she understood enough. That was the typical foreign language skill most Catalos noblewomen had, unless they were highly educated or had studied abroad.

With poise and grace, Dianne offered a curtsy to the maid who now looked like she might kill her, then turned and walked out.

She didn’t feel even a flicker of satisfaction.

* * *

Something astonishing happened the next morning. As always, Dianne rose early and dressed with Cora’s help. With no other choice, she pinned her hair back again for the day.

When she stepped into the parlor, a royal attendant from the Emperor’s wing was already waiting.

The attendant greeted her politely and said,

“His Majesty has sent you a gift, Miss Dianne Ortenza.”

“A… gift?”

Something given by the Emperor to a subject should properly be called a bestowal, not a gift. And there was no way the attendant wouldn’t know that. That alone made it clear the Emperor had explicitly instructed them to use the word “gift.”

“He also asked me to deliver this letter.”

The attendant handed the package to Cora and gave the letter to Dianne. It was a modest card, not even enclosed in an envelope. Yet even Dianne, who was known for her elegant handwriting, found the calligraphy strikingly beautiful.

Miss Dianne Ortenza,

I was reminded that you enjoyed the tea the other day.

I hope you will not forget what this tea signifies.

The rest is simply a token of my sincerity.

May it please you.

— Rezion Catalos

The meaning of the tea was obvious. Surely, the possibility of peace with Arathos. But what the rest referred to was a mystery. Suppressing her curiosity, Dianne turned to the attendant.

“I’ll write a reply. Would you mind waiting?”

“His Majesty said he would prefer to receive your thanks in person. He also asked me to remind you that the doors of the Emperor’s Palace are always open to you.”

Baffled, Dianne dismissed the attendant, then looked at Cora, who was still holding the package.

“Would you open it?”

“Yes, miss.”

“Actually, wait. I’ll do it.”

She took the package and stepped into her bedroom. Cora followed quietly.

Sitting at the small table in her room, Dianne carefully undid the wrappings. Cora, peeking with curiosity, gasped in delight.

Next to the jar of tea leaves was a silk ribbon, delicately embroidered in gold thread. It was long enough to need folding several times, and it was blue. The same color as Dianne’s eyes.

Part of her wanted to leap with joy. Another part was flustered and unsure what to think.

‘There’s no way he could’ve known…’

But still, it was too perfect a gift to be mere coincidence.

As Dianne stared down at the ribbon, her thoughts tangled and muddled, Cora exclaimed,

“It’s such a beautiful ribbon!”

“Ah… yes, it really is.”

“If you braid it into your hair, it’ll look absolutely stunning. And I think it would go perfectly with that blue dress you wear often. Since you don’t usually wear much jewelry, this alone would make a wonderful accessory.”

Cora quickly sat Dianne down at the vanity and began redoing her hair. Just as she’d said, once the soft, winding brown locks were braided with the long ribbon, the result was dazzling. She looked elegant and refined.

Dianne reached up, fingertips grazing the ends of the ribbon, a strange feeling stirring in her chest. All dressed up like this, she felt she looked quite like a proper noble lady.

“It suits you perfectly. I didn’t know His Majesty could be so thoughtful.”

“…Does it seem that way?”

“You’re a beautiful woman, Miss Dianne, but you always dress so modestly. Maybe His Majesty took notice of that.”

Perhaps he felt that having the princess’ governess appear too plain reflected poorly on the imperial family. That explanation made sense. It was rational, dignified. And yet, something lingered beneath the surface of Dianne’s thoughts.

‘Miss Ortenza.’

The way his lips had curved, the warmth that had glinted in his eyes, those were unmistakable signs of favor. And now, with a gift like this to add to the equation, one couldn’t help but question the intent behind such kindness.

‘When a handsome, unmarried man is kind to you, it’s only natural for a woman to get the wrong idea.’

Dianne figured the Emperor would surely forgive her for feeling a little giddy inside.