The Abandoned Empress

“… Well, it’s nothing. As I have something to talk with you about the temple, I would like to let you know about it.”

“Oh yes, Your Majesty.”

‘Well, I don’t think I need to report to him directly.’

I felt a bit strange about his intentions, but what he said made sense. It was natural that he was very much concerned about the festival because it was the first big event after his coronation, and that he needed to contact me directly to solve the poison case.

For whatever reason, I felt much more relaxed as our conversation continued, so I presented the documents to him with a light heart. While he was reviewing them, I sorted out what I needed to brief him about with respect to my deal with Duke Jena Jr. yesterday and my conversation with my father this morning.

After finding out the location of the secret vault, I asked my father for help after giving him a full briefing about my deal with Duke Jena Jr. I asked him whether I could use the blessed criminal for my plan. At first my father hardened his face, asking me why I was looking for him, but he soon nodded his head, agreeing to my plan after hearing the details. He also promised that he would try his best to help me obtain the seal.

The seal, featuring a shield, a sword, a rose, with the inscription of the phrase ‘Volente Castina.’

If I could obtain it, I would be able to prove the crime of Duke Jenna in conjunction with the documents about Earl Lanier, which I had acquired recently, and the documents I received from Earl Apinu the other day. I could finally wrap up the investigation into my poisoning case that took me almost a year.

Besides, I could have him punished for poisoning the emperor, which was not yet proven at this point. Of course, it would not be easy because he should be charged with treason, not just injury. But it would not be impossible if I back it up with the testimony of the two High Priests who already agreed to testify, the testimony of Ian Belot and other men at the palace affairs office, and some other hard evidence that I’m still trying to find. Besides…

“… Aristia? ”

“… Yes, Your Majesty? ”

“Why were you thinking so hard? You didn’t respond even after I called you several times. ”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just organizing some things in my mind to brief you on.”

Trying to shake off some doubt that kept coming to my mind, I answered calmly.

Apparently everything seemed to be working out well, but I felt somewhat strange. The more I dug into this incident, the more I felt some strange shadow was lurking around me.

“Really? Hmm. Is there any progress in your investigation?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Actually…”

I thought I had better keep my deal with Duke Jena Jr secret, so I briefed him about the findings of my investigation up to now except for the deal, ranging from the unearthing of Earl Lanier’s hidden documents, the involvement of the temple in the acquisition of poison to the discovery of the winemaker’s daughter and even her exposure to possible danger.

When I was done giving him a long briefing, he, who kept silent all along, said with a pensive expression, “I see. Then, the thing is time.”

“That’s right.”

“I think you had better wrap it up as early as possible, given the High Priest’s remarks. Let’s rescue the woman in question as soon as the festival is over, and let’s start working on it right away. ”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When I answered politely, he said with a sign after moving his lips for a moment as if to say something, “You are really… … . ”

“Pardon, Your Majesty?”

“… Oh, nothing. Never mind.”

Leaning against the back of his chair, he sighed again deeply, looking silently out of the window. Following his gaze, I also looked out the window.

The world seen through the window was all colored gray with rain. When I saw the pouring rain, I recalled the rainy autumn day when I spent with him. At that time I was scared of him, rather than sharing each other’s warmth. But we were sharing silence back then like now.

How much time passed?

When I was looking out the window blankly, lost in memories, I heard him calling me, breaking the sheer silence.

“Aristia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You told me the other day that you don’t hate rainy days, right? Then how about walking in the rain? Do you like it? ”

“Yes, I do like it.”

When I readily nodded, he took his eyes off the window and looked at me.

“Then, will you walk with me for a minute?”

“Pardon? Why are you suddenly…?”

“Well, I’ve got a headache with all sorts of things on my mind. If you don’t mind, I would like to get out for some fresh air with you.”

“But Your Majesty, the High Priest has advised you not to…”

“Let’s get out just briefly. I promise. ”

“… Okay.”

He stood up as soon as I replied and reached out to me. It seemed that he felt frustrated a lot.

When he opened the door, the royal knights on standby hurriedly bowed. Returning their greetings, he walked silently, then suddenly stopped to say, “You stay here.”

“Your Majesty, what do you mean… ”

“What’s the problem, Your Majesty?”

“It’s raining a lot. Are you guys going to get caught in the rain?”

Surprised, I looked up at him. Did he really say that? How could such a cold-hearted man like him make kind and considerate remarks to them?

It was not only me who was surprised by his warm response. The royal knights who looked at him blankly for a moment came to their senses one by one and said, “We are fine, Your Majesty!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Are you sure? You guys are really stubborn. Are the knights all like that?”

Then, he turned with a sigh. I also quickly turned. At that moment, I caught a glimpse of them who seemed to be touched by his unexpected response. Some of them were smiling at me with a meaningful smile.

Why are they looking at me like that? Perhaps because of that?

I blushed when I recalled what happened three days ago. Come to think of it, they must have watched him kissing me. In particular, given my conversation with Sir Lank the other day, it was highly likely that the rumors about me that night already spread.

Suddenly, my hand he was holding felt hot as if burning, so I pulled it gently, pretending that I was receiving an umbrella from a servant. When he looked down at me with a puzzled expression, I just walked away, trying to avoid his eyes.

“Please give it to me.”

“But…”

“It is very difficult for you to lift the umbrella high enough to cover me.”

“… ”

“If you insist, let’s do this. Give it to me. It’s my order.”

“… Yes, Your Majesty. ”

When I handed the umbrella to him, pouting, he held and opened the white umbrella, turning his mouth a bit. After looking up at the gray clouds, I stepped under the white shade of the umbrella in the rain.

I heard the sound of my heels and his shoes stepping on the wet pebbles, with raindrops pattering on the umbrella. The green leaves that hadn’t turned red yet fell off, unable to bear the weight of the water droplets on them. The falling sound was like a melody peculiar to a rainy day, which was echoing in the world blurred gray with the rain.

Carried away with the raindrops, I closed my eyes and deeply breathed in the wet air. The pleasant earthy scent tickled the tip of my nose.

“It seems you really like rain.”

I opened my eyes at his voice. Suddenly, he stopped and looked down at me under the shade of the umbrella.

My heart started beating fast.

“Yes, Your Majesty…Ouch! It’s cold.”

When I hurriedly turned my head and walked away, I shivered with the falling cold raindrops that wet my body. He came fast toward me and put an umbrella over my head, clicking his tongue.

Only

“What can I do if you quickly walk away like that? You’re all wet now!”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“I can’t let you walk like that. Just come closer to me.”

“Oh, ah, yes… Your Majesty.”

“You’re still far from me. Come closer. Like this.”

I came closer to him hesitantly when he suddenly pulled me hard to his side.

I opened my eyes wide, surprised, but he wrapped me with his arms softly, which made me stiffen.

What is he doing now?