Capitulo 46
Episode 46.
I hated that face that always smiled so much that I didn’t know what he was thinking, and I hated the creepy crudeness he sometimes showed.
Therefore, it was always painful to come to the Imperial City to report.
«Aren’t you coming today?»
But today was a little different.
Aster used to call Karina before and after coming to report, showing off his relationship with Karina.
The cold stare was still heartbreaking, but he was grateful to see her like this.
Andrew, who had been wandering down the hallway for a long time, finally moved forward. Back at the Grand Duke’s residence, he was the first to find Tatiana. The butler said she was in the drawing room with Wilhelm.
There was a suspicion of their relationship in the butler’s manner of speaking. But Andrew purposely asked nothing.
«Sir, go in there.»
«Yes, yes!»
When I opened the door, I saw Tatiana and Wilhelm. Tatiana’s eyes were red with tears.
«I see His Excellency.»
The insolent man bowed to Andréw.
«Let us take a seat, for you must hear him.»
Wilhelm, who was leaving the room, stood behind Tatiana at Andrew’s words.
He was in an ambiguous position as to whether he was the Knight Commander of the Grand Duke Gloucester or not.
«Her Majesty ordered the Duchess to attend the hunting festival.»
Tatiana’s blue eyes widened.
Her eyelashes trembled and she soon burst into tears.
«Shh, I don’t like it. I don’t want to go out.»
«It’s Hwangmyeong..(an imperial order) If you don’t want to die, you should get out.
«What do you mean by Hwangmyeong?» sure enough, Karina made them do it herself. Screaming, Tatiana began to cry convulsively.
«Is it necessary to exaggerate so much? I’m the one who’s going to be cursed anyway. Just like that one time.»
Tatiana burst out in anger at Andrew’s plaintive words.
«Why are you doing this to me?»
What have I done so wrong? I didn’t know it would come to this much, but why does everyone do this to me?»
She was annoyed by his wicked words, but Andrew’s expression remained steady.
Tatiana was more desperate, knowing that he wouldn’t change even if she cried and begged.
It was natural for Tatiana, who had barely eaten in a few days and only cried, to break down.
I opened my eyes and saw a strange ceiling.
It didn’t take Tatiana long to realize that it was Andrew’s bedroom. Turning around, I saw Andrew talking to his doctor.
«Water.»
In short order, the waiting maid came running to her.
She got up, supported him with a cushion behind and helped him drink water by tilting her cup.
«I…
«She was crying so hard, she was exhausted. If you rest, you’ll be fine.»
«I’m sick, so I don’t want to go out hunting.»
Andrew let out a long sigh at Tatiana’s comment.
«As I said before, it’s an imperial order. You don’t know what retaliation you’ll get if you simply don’t go.» «But it hurts so much. I can’t even stand up, how can I get out?» Andrew knew he was lying.
But he was too tired to argue about it.
«Why don’t you want to go to the hunting festival? If you tell me the right reason, I’ll beg Her Majesty.»
«Are you really going to do that?»
«Let’s hear the reason,»
Tatiana was about to say the reason, but stopped. Then she was silent for a long time.
Andrew, who was excited and expected to give dozens of reasons, cocked his head to one side.
«Why don’t you speak?»
Tatiana, who was gently biting her lips, finally confessed the truth.
«Well, that’s just it,»
After all, I didn’t want to attend the hunting party because I knew Karina was the one who had created this situation.
I can’t believe I let myself be taken in by her hands.
My pride was hurt, so I didn’t want to go any further.
But I’m sure Andrew will despise me a lot more if I say this.
«Sigh,»
Andrew stood up with a cold stare.
«You must attend the hunting festival.»
Boom, he closed the door and walked out.
Tatiana, who had been left alone in the room, bit her lips.
«I’m sure you’re already excited.»
Boiling anger rushed at Karina with a purpose. She got up from the bed and pulled out the notepaper.
It was a special letter paper that Raymond sent immediately when his name was written at the bottom.
The letter to Raymond had a short sentence written on it.
[Please keep your promise at the hunting festival] It was a promise that only the two of them knew.
* * *
Now they had to start preparing in earnest for the hunting festival. I’m going to attend as Aster’s partner, so I have a lot to prepare.
«Miss!»
«What’s wrong?»
«The fire and brimstone are here!»
Lily exclaimed, stomping her foot.
I thought Aster would send a message at this hour.
I immediately got up from my seat and went down to the second floor.
«Princess Pioner, receive the Imperial order.»
I knelt down and raised my hand, and the mayor handed me the letter.
I rose from my seat and opened the letter with the clipboard Lily had brought.
«What does it say?»
«He wants to go to the same place I do.
«Really?»
For some reason Lily seemed more excited than I was.
After checking the date, she made a fuss and said:
«I have to go shopping.» But I had a question.
How can I go shopping with an emperor of a country? The date of the appointment was just around the corner.
Both of them have been so busy that they haven’t had a chance to spend time together, so I was looking forward to this outing.
«But what on earth are you going to do?
It won’t be easy for the emperor to move among the others and choose clothes.
There was also a security problem, but it was obvious that the aristocrats would talk about their prestige.
There must have been many difficulties.
«His Majesty has arrived, miss,»
At the butler’s words, I left the salon and headed for the front door.
My father had meetings with foreign envoys, so I was the only one who could greet him.
When I opened the door, Aster was stepping out of the carriage.
«I see His Majesty,»
I knelt down and he quickly lifted me up.
«You don’t have to be so formal, how have you been?»
«Thanks to His Majesty’s concern, we are getting along very well.»
After a brief greeting, we climbed into the carriage.
Naturally, the carriage headed for Berries Street, the major shopping district. Looking out the window, I looked back at Aster and asked,
«How are you going to shop?»
«Well?»
«And there’s the problem of security? You might run into other aristocrats.»
At my concern, Aster cocked his head and said normally:
«I’ve closed the whole street today.»
«What?»
The unexpected response made me feel distant.
«You don’t have to worry about damage, as I’ve decided to double the weekend sales.»
«But if that’s the case………… »
In fact, only the nobles who were out shopping today were affected. It was a ridiculous plan and a ridiculous drive.
«You don’t like it, do you? But I hope you understand.»
«No, I don’t understand, I’m just surprised that it’s in an unexpected way.»
Aster then smiled broadly and left a terrible comment.
«Then there will be more surprises left.»
I had to swallow saliva unconsciously at his boastful words. It didn’t take long for the carriage to reach Berris Street.
My first destination was the boutique she gave me as a whole floor.
«Madame was worried that the princesses weren’t coming as often as she thought.»
«Oh, I’m just busy, that’s all. I feel sorry for her for no reason.»
«Hurry up,»
Aster nodded briefly and held out her hand to me.
As we entered the boutique with her escort, we were greeted by some very nervous employees.
«Welcome, Your Majesty, Princess Pioneer.»
I was stunned at the loudest welcome I had ever received.
That day, Aster walked in and pulled her close to his body.
«Your Majesty, and Princess, I have been expecting you.»
The lady bowed courteously and rose from her seat. Then she led us inside.
«Normally, it would have been crowded with customers on the second floor, but today was different.»
The entire floor Aster rented for me was moved to the second floor.
«What tea would you like?»
«I’d like a Louis Voss car, please.»
Normally, I would drink coffee or black tea, but if I drank it now, my heart would burst with tension.
«Same.»
Aster also asked the same, and the car sped off.
As I relaxed with a cup of hot rooibos tea, a grim-faced madam planted herself in front of us.
Behind her were several mannequins.
It was covered with a screen, which heightened expectations.
«Madame’s face is very bad.»
As they were both busy, they only delivered dimensions, preferred colors and designs, which was inevitably tiresome for the lady.
In addition, the pressure must have multiplied several times over, as the imperial family had to make clothes for the emperor with a tailor in charge.
«I heard that the two of them were going to the hunting party. So I prepared two hunting suits, a dress and a tailcoat.»
Aster looked at me with a surprised face.