CH 10

Chapter - 10 || The Duchess Who Was Stigmatized As A Fake Saint

Rudolf-sama had prepared for me a very beautiful villa.

Everything was provided for me, even maids and attendants.

"You need to rest first."

I was pleased with his concern, but there was something I wanted to ask him.

"Rudolf-sama."

"What is it?"

"I would like to request an audience with the Emperor and Empress."

Rudolf-sama looked surprised.

"You can wait until you are more comfortable."

I shook my head.

"'What kind of girl would a duchess be if her engagement was broken off and she was stigmatized as a false saint? I'd like to pay her a visit.'"

Rudolf-sama thought about it for a while, and then nodded.

So, a few days later,

First of all, Rudolf-sama and I were to have tea together at the Empress's palace.

His Majesty the Emperor was on an inspection tour in the south.

When I greeted her, the Empress, surprisingly, spoke to me in a friendly manner.

"I've met the Duke of Lustro several times," she said. "Please make yourself at home."

"I'm afraid not."

The Empress was a dignified yet glamorous woman, with eyes that resembled those of Rudolf.

"I have no objection to it."

"No matter what my father and mother say, I will marry Elvira."

"Rudolf-sama."

I couldn't help but interrupt him, but Rudolf-sama continued enthusiastically,

"I've adored you since you were engaged to that irrepressible Prince Alexander. Frankly, I thought it was a chance God had given me."

To my surprise, the Empress nodded.

"Oh, well, hey. Both His Majesty and I had at one time considered Elvira-san as a candidate."

I had never heard of that.

"Is that so?"

The Empress, holding a magnificent tea set in her hand, said, "That's right,"

"I remember how disappointed I was when you got engaged to that prince."

Rudolf-sama sighed.

"Yes, I remember that too, it was a pity."

"So that's why Rudolf has been putting off his engagement until later, because he wanted to study abroad or go on a trip."

The Empress laughed.

"Well, the nobles in the empire are all in check with each other, and any one of them could have upset the balance, so we had to put it off."

"If anything, we've been taking advantage of the checks and balances."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

The Empress smiled and stared into the tea cup.

"I see, it's Duke Lustro in the Kingdom of Turku... What should I do?"

She seemed to be thinking about something, but I told her first.

"Um, Empress, may I?"

"What?"

"I am very grateful for your sentiments, Your Majesty, but I think it would be difficult for you to accept me as I am."

The Empress raised her eyebrows as if to say, "Oh, no."

"Elvira is fine as she is. There is no flaw in it whatsoever."

The Empress ignored Rudolf-sama's words.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Are there any flowers of the Maiden Lily in this country?"

The two people looked at each other at my question.

"If there isn't, I would like to grow the Maiden Lily again. If I were really a saint, wouldn't the lilies with their shining white petals and blue pollen bloom again?"

"Don't bother with that, Elvira is a saint."

I looked at Rudolf-sama.

"I think it's necessary to win the trust of the people."

'Above all, it is for the sake of Rudolf-sama,' I added in my heart.

I want to do this to repay him for choosing me.　

"Not bad."

The Empress murmured.

"Mother?"

The Empress said to me,

"What will you do if it doesn't bloom?"

I replied with a perfect smile,

"Then please punish the fake saint for her attempt to deceive the Crown Prince."

"Elvira!"

The Empress nodded.

"I understand. I'll let the temple know."

"Thank you very much."

"You don't have to do that. You're a saint."

"Oh, I know."

The Empress said happily, 

"Since we're here, let's set a deadline. That way, Elvira will be more motivated."

"Mother! Don't be absurd."

I immediately complied.

"Yes, Your Majesty. How long will it take?"

"Next month, there will be the Maiden's Lily Festival, right? I want to show it off to the people at the festival."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

——

"Your Majesty, we are in trouble!"

Jacek came running into the office of the Kingdom of Turku today.

It's been like this every day for a while now.

Alexander replied with disgust,

"What's wrong today, Jacek?"

Since the collapse of the Holy Mountain, natural disasters have been occurring all over the country.

Rivers are overflowing, lakes are drying up.

To be honest, I didn't want to hear anything else, but that wasn't an option.

Jacek said with a pale face,

"A ship had sunk in the harbor. It's a big loss!"

This surprised Alexander.

He stood up and shouted,

"The ship? Why? There's not even a storm!"

"I don't know, Your Highness. According to what I saw, the ships started moving on their own, collided with each other and sank. The people are working to rescue them, but I need permission to send the Knights!"

"...How far did it sink?"

Even one ship could do a lot of damage.

Alexander hoped there would be less damage, but Jacek responded with a heartbreaking cry,

"All of them!"

"All?"