The day after he’d received the invitation, Rosenta arrived at the imperial castle and was amazed at the sheet number of people.
It was crowded around the imperial palace, and nothing could be heard above the hustle and bustle.
"All of this for one person."
This had happened because of one existence, Yura.
It was clear that everyone here must have gathered from all over the country to see if they could catch a glimpse of the saint or receive her blessing.
While he was observing the people, he overheard the conversation between his coachman and the imperial palace guards.
“How long do I have to wait here? You’re keeping the Duke waiting.”
"Apologies. Because there are so many people gathered like this, things have become complicated... … . Please go in quickly.”
After that brief conversation, the coachman's roaring cry of "Giddyup!" was immediately heard.
Things went quickly after that.
The carriage quickly pulled into the entrance of the imperial palace and the guards slammed the gates shut.
In an instant, the surroundings became quiet. That silence was completely different from the outside.
“Rozen!”
As soon as he got off the carriage, he heard a familiar voice shouting 'Rozen'.
He looked around.
He saw someone running toward him from afar. Her pink hair fluttering in the wind was impressive.
“Rozen!”
As if she had been waiting, she came closer and hugged him tightly.
He could feel the wavy pink hair tickling the tip of his chin. He used his hand to calm that hair.
Then Vivian began snuggling like a puppy in a good mood.
He said her name for the first time in a long time.
“Vivian.”
It had been a long time since that day.
Fortunately, it seemed that Vivian had been resting and regaining her peace of mind.
Vivian's face seemed to be more full of life than usual.
When their eyes met, Vivian shook one of his arms.
“Rozen! I missed you so much! Ugh, I actually tried to go to the duchy without my parents and older brothers finding out... … .”
The pink cheeks and duck lips protruding from her grumbling face were so cute.
“Because I was caught, the surveillance only got worse. I don’t know what they’re problem is!”
Slowly, the corners of his lips rose.
“Vivian, you must have been surprised, and there are some things I told you to take special care of. Don't blame your family too much."
“Rozen?”
"Yes."
Vivian's eyes widened. Those large red rubies turned towards him.
Out of habit, he ended up messing with her neat bangs.
It was a childish thing for adult nobles to do.
But when Rosenta was with Vivian or Theodore, he unwittingly acted like a child.
Just like now.
“Oh, I am no longer a child!”
“Yes, I understand.”
Vivian didn't bother to move her face.
She pursed her lips in disapproval, but her mouth was pleasantly curved.
Above all, the dimples on her two pink cheeks were hollowed out.
He looked down at Vivian then held out one arm and said, “Young lady, it seems that the time has arrived. Would you like me to escort you now?”
‘Pffft.’ Vivian smiled.
Then, like an elegant lady, she grabbed the hem of her skirt and curtsied.
“Then, please escort me, Duke.”
***************************************************************
The dining room was filled with the sound of Rosenta and Vivian’s voices.
“This is the first time you have visited the Imperial Palace since then, right?”
"Yes."
"Thank god. I was worried that you two would get together without me. It was to the point that I spent every day at home gnawing at a handkerchief.”
Was it that it was exciting to finally go out after such a long time? Or was it that they all enjoyed being together again?
Following Vivian's lead, the conversation between the two of them continued.
If there was a break in the conversation, she would quickly switch to another topic.
In a way, it seemed as if they spent more time talking than eating.
Rosenta didn't hate it. It was rather good.
That's why he also eagerly responded to Vivian's words.
“While I was at home, I was so bored that I started learning painting. The painter who teaches me is a rather famous person, and praises me highly for my skills.”
“I never thought you would have such a talent for drawing. I can’t even imagine it.”
After hearing my words, Vivian flipped her hair vigorously for no reason.
It must have been meant to convey arrogance, but it didn't look that way at all.
He stopped himself from laughing.
“Pfft.”
"Oh. Why are you laughing?”
Vivian grumbled.
But he knew that Vivian wasn't really mad.
It was playful.
Although it went against etiquette, he placed his arms on the table since it was just the three of them.
He rested his chin on one hand and looked at Vivian gently.
He could see her two cheeks, sitting across from him, turning bright red.
A brief staring competition ensued.
It wasn't long, though, before it ended with Vivian turning her face away.
Her next target was Theodore.
“Your Majesty, do you have something to say? Your expression has been this way for a while now... … .”
Vivian narrowed her brows and eyes. She seemed to be mimicing Theodore's expression.
“It's so tense. Is there anything you’re displeased with us about?"
Theodore had been making that expression ever since they all met.
When he looked at Rosenta, his eyebrows were even more serious.
Just like Vivian had said, it looked like he had something to say to them.
Rosenta also looked at Theodore with a serious expression.
Could he be bothered about Yura?
"Nothing."
“Nothing. I've known Your Majesty for years. And at one time... … It's embarrassing to say that I had an unrequited love for His Majesty... … . Ugh, anyway! It’s pointless to pretend! I can see it.”
Vivian shuddered violently.
Was that the reason?
Theodore's expression suddenly melted away. He now wore his usual smirk on his lips.
Then he replied playfully to Vivian, "Yes. Lady Marigold has had a crush on me for a long time.”
No matter how you looked at it, it was clear that he was trying to tease Vivian.
He even made a vague expression while looking off into the distance.
On the one hand Rosenta thought it was a bit of playfulness, on the other hand, he got the impression that Theodore was changing the topic.
It seemed like he wasn't the only one thinking that.
"Your Majesty."
Unlike usual, Vivian did not easily fall for his teasing. Instead, she hardened her expression.
When she was with them, she felt like a cute bunny or little sister, but that didn't mean that the real Vivian was stupid.
Vivian was the flower of high society, a well-known battlefield.
Standing at the center of that world was not something an innocent person could do.
Vivian had to be excellent at dealing with people and sensitive to their emotional changes.
"What going on?"
Theodore's expression darkened.
Seeing that, Rosenta opened his mouth, following Vivian's question.
"It's okay to tell us since it seems you've called us while the saint’s was busy with her work."
“… … That's not it."
Vivian's face was suddenly flushed with annoyance.
Perhaps the word 'saint' really stirred Vivian's heart.
“Good point, Rosen! My heart almost popped out of my chest because of her! At my age, to be banned from going out because of worries about my health!”
Vivian patted her chest and made a very passionate gesture.
"Ha! I don’t get to do it this time either! Touch His Majesty's feelings? Hmph!"
The last words were very out of nowhere.
Rosenta knew her words were meant to help Theodore’s mood. However, because of Vivian's last words, he barely held back the laughter that was about to come out of his mouth.
‘Ah, let’s make good use of the atmosphere created by Vivian.’
It would be helpful to make Theodore feel more comfortable so that he wouldn't feel pressured to speak up.
“It seems that the lady is jealous that someone has His Majesty's heart skip a beat before she did. Although I don't know if the other person is the saint.”
“Rozen! What a terrible thing to say!”
Vivian trembled as if she had seen a scary monster.
I don't know if the action was intentional or not, but it seemed to have helped put a smile on Theodore's lips.
Theodore smiled for the first time that day. His aura had also become much more relaxed than before.
“I never thought Vivian would still like me.”
“Who likes you? Your Majesty is my greatest enemy!”
Vivian shouted with a flushed face.
Theodore and Rosenta looked at Vivian as if they had made a promise. To wait until she's done.
And by the time everything was at peace again, Theodore gradually relaxed his upper body.
He seemed like someone who wanted to tell a story that no one else should hear.
“Something strange has happened the past few days. It felt like someone was playing a trick on my mind, or rather, controlling my body.”
It was a strange thing to say.
But neither of them interrupted Theodore.
Rather, as difficult as it was to understand, Rosenta focused in order to hear him more closely.
Theodore tried to open his mouth again, but he couldn't get the words out.
He kept his mouth shut because of the voices coming from outside.
I couldn't hear it in detail, but it seemed like there was a commotion going on.
“Inside there’s already… … .”
“Let’s have dinner together like last time… … .”
Eventually, the dining door burst open.
Theodore had clearly ordered not to let anyone come in.
"Loo-… … Oh! Guests... … Sor-, sorry.”
Theodore stopped smiling the moment he saw the face of the uninvited guest.
The person who opened the door was familiar.
It was a woman wearing a dress adorned with gorgeous jewels.
Due to her changed appearance from their first meeting, one wouldn't have recognized her if one hadn't seen her black hair and eyes.
It was embarrassing. So no one even thought to open their mouth at first.
Rosenta, Vivian, and the uninvited guest.
But Theodore's low voice was heard, breaking the silence.
“What brings the saint here… … .”
*