# 54
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Lady Zed rushed to the Grand Duchy like a bullet as soon as she received my message.
I won't bother explaining how her eyes crinkled when she learned that I, who was neither a princess nor a member of the royal family, would meet the Emperor.
"I shouldn't be standing here! I need to fetch the finest fabrics immediately!"
“No, calm down...”
“This is a matter of my pride and honor as Lady Zedd! I cannot allow you to wear any dress when you go to meet His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Whatever you make is always excellent...”
“Ah, Your Highness! You speak so beautifully! I will return your kind heart!”
My attempt to comfort her seemed to fuel her passion instead. As a result, I naturally suffered for days on end, as Mrs. Zedd brought a huge amount of fabric from somewhere.
“Those were difficult and stressful days...”
I swore never to mention the subject of the interview with the Emperor again.
The weekend has come. When I walked down the hall wearing Lady Zed's masterpiece, Ian was waiting for me.
He was wearing his usual white uniform that he wore for monthly meetings at the Imperial Palace, and his hair was slicked back.
I admired him quietly.
'He's really handsome...'
In front of his appearance, I couldn't help but feel resigned.
“You slicked your hair back.”
Ian turned at the sound of my voice and extended his hand normally.
"Yes."
“It suits you well.”
As I gave him a light compliment, Ian paused noticeably. He looked at me calmly before speaking softly.
“…Your dress suits you too, ma’am.”
Oh, looks like he's finally learned how to give compliments.
“Yes, when Lady Zed heard that I was going to meet His Majesty, she paid extra attention to me.”
I lifted the light green dress with a semi-sheer lace ruffle at the hem as I spoke.
Watching intently, Ian looked like he was about to say something, but then he swallowed his words, cleared his throat, and extended his hand.
“Shall we go?”
❖ ❖ ❖
As we were to see the Emperor, the carriage was more extravagant than usual.
I had visited the Imperial Palace before at the princess's summons, but this time, Ian and I were officially invited by the Emperor, so it seemed like everyone was paying extra attention.
'The only one who seems hesitant is Ian.'
As evidence of this, Ian was wearing a darker than usual expression throughout the flight.
'Well, he never liked going to the Imperial Palace for personal matters.'
Despite Ian's attitude, the carriage moved smoothly, arriving at the gates of the Imperial Palace.
“It's the Grand Duke's carriage!”
When the guards at the gate checked the carriage and shouted, several knights came out and directed the carriage to the east.
Then the knights signaled to each other and occupied the columns. A hidden path opened before us.
“Is there a road here too?”
“This is an entrance reserved only for distinguished guests invited by the Emperor.”
"Yes…"
As Ian said, the road was wide enough for a camper to pass comfortably, with dense trees lining both sides of the road, creating a structure from which the inside could not be seen from the outside.
After about five minutes, we arrived at the back gate of the Palace of the Sun, where the Emperor and Empress reside.
Ian, who had already alighted from the carriage, extended his hand to me in a now familiar manner.
“Will you allow this?”
"Thank you."
As I got out of the carriage, one of the silver-haired attendants who had been waiting for us approached me and bowed deeply.
“Greetings to His Highness, Grand Duke Ian Cloud, and Her Highness, Grand Duchess Eloise Cloud.”
“Nice to meet you.”
While I calmly returned the greeting, Ian simply stood there, holding my hand and staring at the attendant with a dissatisfied expression.
'Why is he acting like this now, after coming all this way?'
I pushed him gently to the side, signaling him to respond, but the attendant was faster.
“It's okay. It's been a long time, Prince – no, Grand Duke Ian Cloud.”
The attendant looked at Ian with a gentle smile.
Ian narrowed his eyes before reluctantly shaking his head. He still didn't say anything.
'They seem to know each other.'
No matter how much they knew, his reaction was ridiculous. I wanted to say something, but since there were people watching, I held it back. Just wait until we get home, Ian Cloud.
“Then, if you both follow me this way. His Majesty the Emperor is waiting.”
Meanwhile, the attendant started walking to guide us. Usually an audience with the Emperor is held in the reception room of the Palace of the Sun, where the affairs of the empire are conducted, but since this was a personal meeting, it was as if we were invited directly to where the Emperor and Empress resided.
As we followed the escort inside, an incredibly luxurious interior was revealed before us.
The huge chandelier was made of diamonds and gold, shining brightly, and the walls and ceiling, illuminated by lights, were deny decorated with elaborate paintings and patterns. In contrast to this opulence, the ivory-white statues scattered throughout the place created a tranquil atmosphere.
“Wow...”
The Emerald Palace, where the princess resided, was more luxurious than I had imagined, but it could not compare to the place where the emperor lived. My mouth dropped open at the dazzling sight, and Ian's gaze briefly fell on me.
“Ma’am, maybe you should keep your mouth shut.”
"… Yes."
Did I open my mouth too wide? I hurriedly covered my mouth with my hand to regain my composure.
'He didn't even ask me to close it.'
Even his criticism was somewhat proprietary.
“The corridor is unexpectedly beautiful.”
“It is where His Majesty the Emperor resides. This must be your first time in the Sun Palace, ma’am.”
“Yes. I had no reason to visit when I was the Marquis’s daughter, and after my marriage, I only attended official occasions. But you must have come here often as a prince, right?”
“I've done that in the past.”
Ian answered indifferently. At the same time, the attendant who was walking a few steps away, who was listening to our conversation, looked at us and spoke.
“You two seem very close.”
There was a hidden smile in his voice. I tilted my head slightly and asked,
“…Do we look like that?”
“Yes. For this old man, you two look very nice.”
He spoke in a satisfied tone and then turned his gaze forward again. As I responded to the escort's words casually, Ian's expression seemed strangely dissatisfied.
‘It is unusual for an attendant to interrupt his superiors when they are speaking…’
They would be more strict about their behavior, especially in the Imperial Palace. This attendant may have been a special acquaintance of Ian.
While I was deep in thought, the attendant spoke again.
“I was skeptical when I heard the rumours, but they seem true.”
“…hmm?”
“I mean the rumors are that you two have become much closer lately.”
His sudden comment took me by surprise, and even my steps slowed.
Even if this escort knew Ian, wouldn't that be too much? I looked at Ian and saw that his expression had hardened even more.
“...Excuse me.”
I was about to ask the employee to watch his words when Ian spoke first.
“I think that's enough.”
“Your Majesty.”
“…Your Majesty?”
'...Your Majesty?'
Before I could even process Ian's sudden call, the attendant suddenly stopped in his tracks. Then he turned around, smiling.
His expression, now filled with relief, was a complete contrast to the formal demeanor he had displayed moments ago.
“Well, I thought I did a pretty good job this time.”
“My younger brother is as sharp as ever.”
As he let out a small laugh and clicked his fingers, the silver-haired attendant disappeared, revealing the form of a man I had never seen before.
The first thing that caught my attention was his tall stature and his shiny blond hair that fell to his waist, as if it had caught the sunlight itf. Beneath that, his eyes, a mysterious sky blue – the hallmark of the royal family – shone brightly. His face was like a perfect painting, with a distinctive nose and a wide, cheerful smile.
Smile cheerfully.
“Can't you at least pretend to be tricked, little brother?”