Published at 13th of September 2019 01:30:09 PM
Chapter 52
Chapter 52 – Ice Doll (1)
It was the day before my birthday . As we were only staying at the villa for two days, I didn’t have much pack . I wore comfortable, low-heeled shoes instead of my formal ones, and donned a waterproof cape in case of rain .
“Enjoy Your vacation, Your Majesty . ”
Countess Eliza, who was not accompanying me on my trip, carefully fixed my buttons, and mentioned she was thinking of going home for the two days I was gone .
“Don’t worry, Countess Eliza . I will take care of her . ”
Countess Jubel laughed and patted Countess Eliza on the back, who narrowed her eyes and lowered her hands . I smiled as I watched the two opposite personalities exchange glances without speaking .
“Let’s go . ”
When I arrived at the central palace, I found Sovieshu standing in front of the carriage . He was dressed in his usual formal clothes, and I didn’t see his luggage or his servants following him . I gave him a questioning look, and Sovieshu explained with a regretful expression .
“I have a matter to attend to . Can you go ahead?”
“Is it that urgent? You don’t have to push yourself to go the villa . ”
“It’s urgent, but not completely so . It is not an issue that the Empress needs to visit for her birthday . ”
I didn’t mind, but I decided not to answer . Sovieshu smiled softly and wrapped his arms around my shoulders .
“You need rest after all the hard work you’ve done . After I finish my work, I’ll leave in the evening . ”
The villa was twelve hours journey away from the capital . If he left in the evening, he would travel all night until morning . I was worried, but…it had to be fine . Come to think of it, sitting face-to-face with Sovieshu would be supremely awkward, and so I climbed into the carriage without protest .
Countess Jubel fell asleep as soon as she got into the carriage, while I spent my time reading a book . That was for about two hours, until motion sickness from the swaying of the carriage overwhelmed me . I closed my book and looked out the window .
The carriage was on a well-maintained road leading out of the capital, and I saw yellow farmland stretching out before me . Farmers and scarecrows were scattered about the field, and somewhere I could hear children’s laughter .
“I hope this trip will improve the relationship between you and the Emperor . ”
I turned my head and saw Countess Jubel yawning . Our eyes met, and she shrugged .
“I couldn’t say that in front of Countess Eliza . ”
“It’s difficult for nobles to divorce, Your Majesty . There are many political complications and disagreements about how to divide assets . Who would take more benefits? But if one doesn’t care for the loss, one can divorce at any time . ”
“But I can’t . ”
“It’s a shame, but yes . You’re the Empress . No matter how much you hate the Emperor, you cannot initiate divorce first . So it’s better to get along . ”
Sponsored Content
Countess Jubel began to nod off again . I leaned my head against the backrest with both hands on my knees . I agreed that it was better to be on good terms with the Emperor . However, there was something that I could not agree with Countess Jubel on .
Divorce…
Could I improve our relationship just because I couldn’t divorce him? It was this part that I disagreed with . To others, the fact that I wasn’t in a position to divorce Sovieshu may elicit sympathy…In any case, there was no way that anyone treated poorly by their spouse wouldn’t be pitied . Sovieshu was completely blind when it came to Rashta, and occasionally ended up accusing me because of it .
But even if I could get divorced, I had no desire to do so from Sovieshu . I was groomed to be the empress from an early age, with rigorous training and specialized education throughout my childhood into adulthood . I didn’t know if I fit the aptitude or not, but to be empress was my destination in life . It would be a lie if I said that I was alright with my husband bringing in a concubine and treating me coldly . Our marriage was political, however, and while it was hard, I could carry the burden . I didn’t want to lose my lifelong work simply because Sovieshu loved someone else .
If there really came a situation where I could tolerate it no longer, then perhaps—?
“Your Majesty, look at this!”
Rashta ran to Sovieshu with an engraved pendant given by Duke Elgy from Blue Bohean .
“Your Majesty!”
Rashta burst into the room with a large smile and then stopped in surprise .
Sponsored Content
“Wow…”
Rashta covered her mouth as she stared at Sovieshu before her .
“Your Majesty, you look wonderful…”
He was dressed in a black and white suit, different from the fancier outfits of the New Year’s celebration . He smiled weakly, not looking in the mirror . Rashta quickly went ot his side and admired him from top to bottom .
“You look good everywhere . Aren’t you being too shameless by looking this handsome?”
“You flatter me . ”
Rashta gave a small giggle then held out her hand to him .
“Look at this . ”
“That’s the crest of Blue Bohean . ”
“Wow . Your Majesty’s genius . You recognized it right away?”
Rashta’s eyes widened in admiration again, and Sovieshu gave a small smile and rubbed her back with one hand . It was a strange reminder that Rashta was from another world, as nobles were almost obligated to memorize the crests of other houses .
“Why are you dressed so nicely?”
Sponsored Content
She placed the pendant in her pocket . In truth she had shown the pendant from Duke Elgy to Sovieshu because she wanted him to be jealous . She was taken aback when he seemed rather calm, however, as if he were ignorant of her intentions .
“I told you a few days ago . I have to go to the royal villa . ”
“Oh…Rashta thought you were supposed to leave by morning, but it was cancelled . You said you’d be back the day after tomorrow, right?”
Sovieshu glanced at the clock and nodded .
“Make yourself comfortable here, Rashta . ”
Sovieshu lightly kissed Rashta’s cheek and turned away .
“Rashta will see you off . ”
She followed him enthusiastically, rambling away about her day . While Viscount Roteschu had completely destroyed her reputation, Duke Elgy’s appearance had slowly drawn back some of the nobles to her . She was both happy and relieved, and she wanted to tell all of this to Sovieshu .
She stopped speaking, however, when she saw a silver jewelry box inside of Sovieshu’s carriage . Her eyes widened .
“What is that?”
“It’s a present for the Empress . ”
“…Empress?”