Chapter 36

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There was great confusion among the aristocratic families who had daughters of marriageable age. Due to the emperor’s whims, it became impossible to predict who would become the empress. The alliances that had existed for a long time broke one after the other. Some of those who were familiar with Cahir’s temperament were wary, unwilling to send their children as candidates.

Businesses flourished as the families rushed to prepare, the entire nation falling into an excited frenzy.

Well, except for Rosaline.

“Rosaline, are you also a candidate?” Roy asked with a serious look.

She was currently at home on vacation because Cahir didn’t exempt her from the selection. Instead of working, she became busy with choosing dresses, accessories, and the like.

“Yes, Brother. His Majesty said that he could not give preferential treatment.”

“Oh my…” He sighed. It was something that he always regretted, that his only sister was caught by a crazy tyrant.

He’d married and was blessed with an adorable child, but it was sad to see Rosaline bloom into a fine lady yet remain unmarried. Roy also secretly prayed to the heavens that she could get away from the emperor as soon as possible.

However, rather than his wish, she ended up being an empress candidate. It would have been nice if there was no chance of her being selected, but…?

It was terrible just thinking about it.

Roy would not allow Cahir to be his brother-in-law.

“Rosaline, I heard that the young ladies who are already engaged are exempted from being candidates. Is that true?”

“Yes, as His Majesty values faith and loyalty.”

“That’s it! Rosaline, I have a nice friend who isn’t married yet. Why don’t you meet him?”

“Ah, what?”

“Rosaline, you always say that you want more time to rest whenever you come home. You can rest when you’re married. I mean, do you even want to be the empress?”

She didn’t respond to her brother’s leading statements. It was true that she wanted to rest, but she didn’t want to run away from her duties by using the marriage system.

And as for wanting to be the empress…

Besides, why did Roy hate Cahir so much? In the first place, he had avoided a huge death flag thanks to her replacing him as the emperor’s secretary. The Verites weren’t harmed at all, so she couldn’t understand the hostility.

It was kind of unpleasant, to be honest. Did people just hate for no reason?

“I’ll make an appointment right away. Don’t feel pressured, it’s just meeting each other. Just think of it as a simple meeting over good tea. What do you think about tomorrow afternoon?”

“…Hm?” She was still thinking of the unwarranted hatred towards Cahir.

“It’s a promise. Don’t forget.”

Rosaline was run over by Roy’s aggressive attitude. He patted her on the shoulder, pleased with himself, then hurriedly ran off.

‘This feels wrong, somehow, but should I just go with it? Who knows, maybe we’d be a good match… right? As long as there’s no pressure, I guess it’s fine.’

Maybe she’d end up getting engaged, married, and free from her job before His Majesty could fully realize it.

‘Hmmm…’

***

Rosaline picked up the spoon, stirring her tea. It had been five days since she left the palace, and now she was staring out a window wearing a light pink dress.

‘I’ve already deducted his points for being late.’

She was in a terrible mood. She’d been woken up at dawn by the maids—even her own family—to prepare for the day. A mixture of milk and some other things were put on her face as if she was a cake. All the fragrant oils they used hurt her nose, and that bath was, in a word, suffocating.

When she was finally allowed out of the tub, she almost collapsed from dizziness.

Rosaline wasn’t even allowed to eat breakfast. The cup of milk on the table was snatched away and used for a massage.

Her corset was tightened enough to squeeze her ribs, and she was given a petticoat in a style that she never wore. The maids didn’t even let her do her own makeup and hair.

She was extremely dressed up.

Only one thing reflected her preference.

Rosaline touched the necklace she received from Cahir.

Her maids had balked, telling her that it was too plain and that she needed something fancier. The nagging went on up until she stepped into the carriage, but she remained resolute.

She hated this.

‘Should I just go home?’

The unpleasantness of the morning was worsened by the fact that her brother’s friend was late.

Would such an irresponsible man change after getting married?

‘They said that grown men don’t change their ways… But His Majesty did. As expected our emperor is smart.’

She didn’t know why she kept thinking about him.

‘So I guess those people weren’t totally right.’

A sound interrupted her thoughts, a long shadow falling over the table. Rosaline looked up. Her ‘date’ had arrived.

“Sorry for being late. The carriage wheels were broken.”

Points were deducted again because he made an excuse as soon as he arrived.

“It’s okay.” Rosaline smiled civilly.

Based on what she knew, the man in front of her was a banker who was five years older and his father’s successor. He was tall and had a good appearance, though she wouldn’t say that out loud.

‘His face is likable enough, but it pales in comparison to… His Majesty’s face.’

She smiled absentmindedly. Sometimes she nodded.

“…Hahaha. Ah, did you hear what I said?”

Rosaline was fiddling with her necklace.

“Lady Rosaline?”

“I’m sorry, could you repeat what you said?” Her picturesque smile faltered, the small shift in expression unmissed by the man.

“Sorry, I’ve been talking too much about myself, haven’t I? So uh, you’ve been serving His Majesty for a long time?”

He was obviously frustrated, perhaps even offended, by her lack of focus, but he smiled leisurely and made her the subject of the conversation.

“Yes, I’ve been serving His Majesty for five years. It’s my family’s honor, as well as mine.”

“Oh dear,” he murmured, sounding a little strange. His tone was pitying…

Rosaline looked around.

“It must have been difficult for such a delicate lady. Are you alright, Lady Rosaline? Were you ever harmed?”

One of her eyebrows shot up, but he continued to talk, not knowing that she was uncomfortable.

“I heard that mistakes were punished very severely in the palace. How did you work in such an environment? It must feel like walking on thin ice every day, especially if he lashes out for no reason other than being a tyrant.”

Her expression cooled, turning icy in a way that makeup would never be able to conceal.

“I heard that he wakes up at dawn and monitors who are making errors, choosing his next victim.” He paused. “Ah… Lady Rosaline? Oh, I must have brought up the horrible memories of being bullied by His Majesty.”

What was he saying? Badmouthing the emperor while using honorifics? Were her ears the problem? How dare he insult His Majesty in front of me with baseless rumors?

Only now did she understand why some people laughed at absurdity.

Rosaline smiled, and the man was relieved at her relaxed expression. When he opened his mouth again, she opened a small purse, took out several gold coins, and put them on the table.

“What’s this for?”

“The price of the tea I drank and the laundry fee that your lying self will spend.”

“What?”

She poured the rest of her tea on the liar, who was still gaping at her confusedly. She poured slowly, the cold liquid running from the top of his head and dripping down his jawline and onto the table.

Drip, drip, drip.

***

Cahir patted Derek’s shoulder, jolting him from his work. He hadn’t even realized that someone approached.

“Why are you so surprised? Didn’t I tell you to work?”

“What are you talking about? Can’t you see how bloodshot my eyes are from staring at these reports?”

It was really unfair. Cahir had no idea how burdensome his tasks were in between presentations. Derek looked up, tears filling the corners of his eyes.

“You seem to be having a hard time, so let’s take a break and go out?”

“So suddenly?”

“I’m saying that I want to go out and drink tea today.”

Derek folded the documents he had been looking at, glancing at the clock. “Are you going?”

“Going where?”

“To see Secretary Rosaline?”

“Why would I?”

Derek looked at Cahir with suspicious eyes, who then met his gaze unblinkingly. “…Okay. I know a place.”

“But I want to go to ‘Afternoon Sunlight’. That’s the best place to eat desserts.”

‘See! I knew this would happen!’

He shook his head. That place was where Rosaline was supposed to meet someone. After she’d left the palace, Cahir sent James to guard her. Everything was reported, from her food, to the people she met or would meet.

Cahir always listened to the reports while he ate, and there had been no problems until James told him of her ‘date’.

“Where?” he asked, the fork in his hand bending.

“They are supposed to meet at two in the afternoon in a teahouse called ‘Afternoon Sunlight’.”

“With whom? No, that’s not important. Alright.” Cahir remained calm, not even ordering Derek to investigate.

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Derek assumed that he had moved on.

‘You were going to go in person…’

He scratched the back of his head as Cahir walked away.