After introducing herself to the servants of the palace, Elena met up with Carlisle to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress . Carlisle wore his usual formal clothes, save for a cravat around his neck . She looked at him curiously, but then turned away as their eyes met . She still felt a bit embarrassed after their kiss at the training hall .
“Tie it for me . ”
“…What?”
“I heard that other people’s wives do it every morning . ”
“Who did you hear that from?”
“My subordinates . ”
“Please ask one of the maids to do it . ”
Carlisle’s brow furrowed at Elena’s rejection .
“Why should I allow a maid to do it when my wife is perfectly capable?”
“I…”
Elena paused, and breathed a low sigh . Then slowly, she admitted her inability .
“… I don’t know how to tie it . ”
Carlisle’s eyes widened in surprise .
“You’ve never done it before?”
“There was no one for me to do it for . My father and brother are knights, and they usually wear their uniforms . ”
The knights’ uniforms had standing collars, so there was no reason to wear a cravat . Even when her father and brother did have to wear one, they would ask one of the maids to do it, not Elena .
Carlisle’s mouth gently lifted upwards .
“Then I can be your first . ”
“…I really don’t know how . ”
“It’s fine . ”
“People might talk badly of me if they see an uneven cravat . ”
“Then I’ll cut their throat . ”
She was shocked by the casualness of his remarks . She couldn’t tell how much of it was true and how much was a joke .
“We have to go soon . ”
“What does it matter?”
Carlisle’s response caught her off guard . She was about to refuse again, but she knew the futility of it and took the strip of cloth from Carlisle’s hand .
“I warned you . ”
“I know . ”
Carlisle slightly lowered his upper body, and she concentrated on fastening the cravat around his shirt collar . When she looked up, she saw that his gaze was fixed intently on her .
“…What are you thinking of?”
“Beautiful . ”
His response came out of nowhere, and Elena widened her eyes as she looked up at him . He spoke again, his voice like velvet .
“My wife is so beautiful . ”
Elena’s fingertips felt shakier than before, and she suddenly became aware of his proximity to her . His breath tickled her forehead . She didn’t want him to notice her burning cheeks, so she hurriedly finished tying the cravat . It didn’t look as neat as a maid’s work, but it was acceptable enough .
“It’s ready . ”
Carlisle carefully stroked the cravat with a look of satisfaction .
“I should have married you sooner . ”
Elena alternated looking between Carlisle and the cravat, and spoke with a perplexed look on her face .
“Because I did your cravat?”
“Yes . Maybe I’ll ask you to do it every morning . ”
Elena sometimes really wondered what was going on in Carlisle’s head . He extended his hand towards her as a warm smile played across his face .
“Let’s go then . ”
Elena and Carlisle arrived at the Emperor’s Palace in time for their meeting . The guard gave a deep bow and opened a massive door embellished with pure gold .
Kkiiieu—
Beyond the doors was a lavish interior, and sitting inside was Emperor Sullivan, looking more sickly than before, and Empress Ophelia, a picture of elegant beauty . Elena remembered the rare plant she received from the seemingly generous Empress . Ophelia was not someone to be underestimated .
“Kollog—welcome . ”
Sullivan held back a coughing fit behind his hand as he greeted Carlisle and Elena . A frown crossed Carlisle’s face .
“You look worse than before . ”
“As you age, each day is different . There is nothing to worry about . ”
Sullivan carelessly waved his hand, but Elena thought he did look sicklier .
“How was your night at the Imperial Palace, my dear?”
Elena blinked and turned to look at Sullivan’s face .
“Thanks to the care of Father and Mother, there was nothing lacking . ”
It was a routine answer, but it didn’t seem to be the one he was looking for .
“Yes, my daughter-in-law can say all kinds of lovely words . But is it true that Carlisle gave you an enormous return gift? The palace is buzzing about it . ”
Elena nodded as she recalled the small fortune Carlisle had given her . She was still embarrassed about it .
“Yes . Carlisle cares about me very much . ”
Sullivan smiled knowingly .
“Haha, it’s no use persuading my son otherwise, isn’t it?”
Hearing this, Ophelia answered with a honeyed smile .
“It’s a blessing when a couple gets along well . ”
“Just like us?”
Ophelia’s eyes glimmered like a snake, but the look had disappeared in an instant and no one noticed .
“Truly…it is a great blessing . ”
However, Elena sensed something was wrong . Sullivan and Ophelia looked amiable on the surface, but somehow it felt as if they were treading on thin ice beneath them . Elena couldn’t quite put it into words . She soon gave up trying to gauge their mysterious relationship, and instead intended to watch them for now .
“I received the flowers that you sent today, Your Majesty . ”
Elena’s words caught Sullivan and Carlisle’s eyes, and she continued .
“I hear that it is a rare plant only found in the Sibena Kingdom . The blooming flowers symbolizes harmony and fertility . ”
If the plant was truly harmful, she had to make Ophelia say she was the one who sent them herself, so she could not claim otherwise later . The Empress’ eyes shimmered, but then she smiled and casually answered .
“Yes . When I heard there was such a plant, I immediately thought of you . ”
“I don’t know how I could express my gratitude for sending me such a gift . Thank you, Your Majesty . ”
Elena hid her true intentions, instead projecting the appearance of a simple-minded princess . Nothing would be better than taking her enemy off guard .
‘…It will be easier to make my move that way . ’
Elena didn’t want the Empress to immediately be wary of her . Ophelia’s influence was greater in the Imperial Palace, and Elena had not yet established her own power .
An elegant smile graced Ophelia’s face .
“Oh, I didn’t realize you would like it so much . Would you like me to plant them all over the garden of the Crown Prince’s palace?”
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