Chapter 28

“Say it again. What are you going to do?” Cahir’s reaction was intense, as upset as someone who had been splashed with water while sleeping.

Rosaline’s round eyes stared at him as he carded fingers through his golden hair.

“What are you going to do?

“Have tea parties with the other young ladies and attend banquets…”

“No, not that,” he cut her off.

‘What else? What did I say?’

Cahir obviously seemed upset, but she wasn’t sure what mistake she made. Did he think tea parties were a luxury unbefitting of aristocrats? Was he angry about the banquet?

She nodded absently.

Was it about her marrying?

“Your Majesty, are you upset that I’m planning to get married?”

Upset? He wasn’t upset, he was angry!

There was a spark in his eyes. “Rosaline, how can you think of dating and marriage? I’m the one who’s being told to get married for politics!”

Rosaline flinched. Cahir stepped closer, seemingly… more imposing than usual.

She had been cornered without her realizing it.

“No, no, no, no. Don’t even dream of quitting before I get married.”

‘So I can quit after you get married?’

Her mouth almost opened, but she thought better of it.

***

A half-asleep Derek was called to Cahir’s room. James had come to pick him up from Hui’s.

“Do you know what time it is? Even Eteusis would be asleep at this hour. It’s past midnight. Midnight.”

“I know that.” James seemed a little annoyed too.

As Derek kept grumbling, the knight warned him to be quiet. He had been ordered to be discreet. James explained the situation, and the aide shut his mouth discontentedly.

***

James was guarding the door when Cahir rang the bell, making him jump. His adrenaline spiked as he kicked the door open and pulled out his dagger. The emperor was always the target of assassinations. For him to call in the middle of the night… James’ heart froze.

“What are you doing to His Majesty?” His loud voice echoed in the bedroom.

Cahir was alive and well. “Put the dagger down.”

The knight inhaled sharply. “Your Majesty? Am I too late? Have you already sorted it out? Where is the body?” He had run in there as soon as he heard the bell.

It looked like the body had already been thrown away. It wasn’t surprising, given the emperor’s notoriety and skill. James lowered his weapon, eyes scanning the bedroom. It was neat, almost too neat after an assassination attempt.

Cahir stood by the open window and the curtains fluttering in the wind.

“Your Majesty, did you throw the body out the window?”

The emperor frowned. James kept saying strange things.

“James, why do you think I called you?”

“Because of the assassin…”

“What? I called you because of the assassin? Because I’m afraid of assassins?”

That couldn’t be true. No one was skilled enough to kill Cahir. James had seen his swordsmanship for a long time in close proximity, and he was certain of that.

“Then… Did you call for the disposal of the body?”

Cahir clicked his tongue.

“Your Majesty, why did you…?”

“Bring Derek in. Secretly.”

He called him for something that required secrecy. James understood immediately. If it wasn’t a secret, he wouldn’t have used the bell.

***

When James returned to Cahir’s room with Derek in tow, the emperor was staring out the window in his nightgown.

“Derek, prepare a tea party for this afternoon.”

“This afternoon, as in, later today?” The aide’s voice trembled. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand, as he knew that midnight had passed and it was a new day. However, he was curious about Cahir’s motives.

“Yes,  today. It must be splendidly grand, with all of the aristocratic young ladies in attendance. How old is Rosaline? How much time is needed to prepare?”

“Yes… No, wait, Your Majesty. Why do you want to host a tea party all of a sudden?”

If a banquet was the venue for men and women of all ages to expand their power, establish connections, and exchange information, a tea party was the venue for pure socialization between the nobility. It was not at all compatible with Cahir, the most powerful man in the empire.

“Ah, I had an epiphany. I think we need to exert a little effort to keep talented people next to me.”

“Who the hell would put themselves next to you? Secretary Rosaline?”

Cahir glared at Derek, who was asking obvious questions. “If you understand, prepare thoroughly. The party must have the best cookies and cakes in the palace, and the same goes for the tea. I hope you don’t neglect the tablecloths and the setting. And again, the attendees must be near Rosaline’s age.”

Derek agreed dazedly, wondering if he was in a dream.

The emperor moved closer, grabbing his shoulder.

His power was no joke, wow… This was definitely not a dream.

Derek despaired, realizing that he wasn’t in bed and hugging Hui. “I’ll work hard to prepare,” he replied reluctantly.

“Good. And one more thing.”

‘What else is this going to be?’

A gloomy Derek looked at Cahir, silently pleading with him not to make him work more.

Cahir grinned, unconcerned. “Who’s the most famous in the empire for their embroidery?”

“Do you need that information right now, Your Majesty? Do you want me to get up now?”

“I don’t need it right now, but try to have the answer by dawn. Invite them to dinner as soon as you find out. Let’s have that meal together tomorrow. Go.”

Tomorrow was the day when the building of the new temple would commence. An inspector from Berlos was scheduled to arrive at night because the trip by the mana stone train would take a whole day.

That was why dinner was already scheduled.

“Well, Rosaline will be in charge of this.”

When Derek was in trouble, Cahir opened his mouth first. If Rosaline was going to work, he had nothing to worry about except the tea party.

Cahir waved him out of the room.

“You’re telling me to get to work, right?” he said on his way out.

The door closed quietly.

Derek, stressed out, nearly ripped out his own hair. Standing next to him, James wore a pitying expression.

***

Rosaline was ordered to take charge of the construction of the temple. First, she set up a team to work on it together, composed of enforcement officers Naju, Zelio, LeBona, and Paulo. They were talents selected by Cahir himself. Except for LeBona, they were all men and about the same aage. Rosaline believed that it would be a pleasant task.

“Today, we will have a new officer from Berlos who will be working with us. We’ll be meeting them for dinner. How’s everyone doing?”

“Is it okay for us to go?”

“They’re an esteemed guest,” LeBona began cautiously. “Isn’t it rude for an administrator to be there on the first meeting?”

“Berlos is not very strict on manners, and their doctrine states that everyone is equal. To them, all mortals are the same. Besides, they’ll like it even more that work can be started promptly.”

They nodded at Rosaline’s explanation. With that, the meeting ended, though she stayed behind to pack things up.

“What kind of person will they be? The people of Berlos are known for their good looks,” LeBona said idly.

Naju and Zelio shook their heads, but she didn’t falter, praying to the goddess to purify her eyes.

Rosaline smirked as she listened to their conversation. They seemed so much younger than her.

‘Of course. I was over thirty years old in Korea, and I’ve spent five years living as Rosaline. My mental age is much higher than theirs.’

She felt eyes on her. She swept her hair back and raised her head. “Your Majesty?”

Cahir was leaning against the door, staring at her.

How long had he been there?

Rosaline slowly went on her feet as he stayed silent. “Your Majesty, do you have anything to say to me?” She clasped her hands together.

Instead of answering, he shook his head and held out his hand. “There’s a place I want to go with you.”

“Oh, it’s already tea time, Your Majesty!” Rosaine checked her watch late, realizing that she had taken too long to clean up. It was almost 2 o’clock.

She scrambled to tidy her desk, her hair getting in the way. She had no choice but to twist it into a bun and stick her quill in it to hold it in place.

Cahir clicked his tongue. He could see Rosaline’s neck that way, accentuated by the lace on the collar of her dress. The sea-colored fabric went very well with her lavender hair. The dress had no special decorations. It was neat, but not shabby. Just… modest.

He didn’t like it very much.

“Rosaline, change your dress.”

“What? Why?”

“You can’t see it!” he growled. He looked uncomfortable.

She tilted her head. Why did she have a bad feeling about this?