CH 37

[……Of course not, I was just passing along his thoughts that I happenned to know.]

The relationship between the Spirit and Theo was still questionable. The strange spirit was strangely siding with Theo.

He didn’t even like him. Does he owe him something?

[Well, of course you don’t. You’d be too pervy if you were Theo].

[…What?]

[Pretending to be a spirit trying to fool me. A reliable and honest Theo wouldn’t do such a thing.]

[……I see. Hmm, of course, of course Theo wouldn’t do such a thing, but if something like that were to happen, it’s because he’s always concerned about my master.]

I couldn’t guess what the spirit’s expression was like, since it didn’t have a physical body. But somehow, I could sense a subtle hint of embarrassment in the spirit’s fluid writing.

The spirit’s next words came immediately.

[And don’t worry, he doesn’t think you’re the reason he went to Schubert. Since Master is very worried about Theo, I’ll go to his dream today and tell him to be safe.]

[Okay, thank you!]

[Even though he didn’t raise the sail, the infamous Derrion seems to be quiet this time thanks to the owner’s thought of Theo. He’ll appreciate it a lot.]

The warmth in the spirit’s writing somehow reminded me of Theo’s soft voice.

With that thought, I realized that Theo was right. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend time with the spirit every now and then.

***

Today, I enjoyed a cup of tea at the tea table in the garden of Vanessa Palace after a long time. The once deserted Vanessa Palace seemed to be coming back to life. As the Empress’ frequent visits became public, the palace staff cleared the leaves and tended to the flowers.

A clear fragrance wafted up from the tea with white chrysanthemum petals and tickled my nose. It was then that Stella quietly approached and said.

“Colin Berid, the editor-in-chief of the Locale newspaper, is here.”

Today was the day I would meet the man who would help me raise funds for my settlement. Colin Berrid, the journalist who wrote about nobility scandals.

At the words of the attendant, I glanced at the man waiting at the entrance to the palace. He was said to be harassed all day by vicious loan sharks as he sat in a mountain of debt. At first glance, he appeared to be extremely worn out and disheveled.

His dry lips and slightly disheveled reddish hair gave off the impression that he had a difficult life. He was neatly dressed, but couldn’t hide the fact that his shirt looked very worn.

But his brilliant eyes, a clear sky-blue, seemed to be filled with firearms, so my curiosity was piqued. He stepped closer and offered the most polite greeting possible to the Empress.

“The blessings of the great goddess Lumitharas be with you. I see Her Majesty on the glorious Greetings, Your Majesty, the bright moon of Asha.”

“Have a seat.”

He hesitated for a moment, then took the seat across from me. It seemed uncomfortable sitting face to face with me, the empress.

The maid serving the tea went inside with a new refreshment. A steaming cup of tea was placed in front of him, but he didn’t even glance at it. His lips were stiff throughout.

I couldn’t tell if it was simple nervousness or animosity toward a noble. In any case, his rigid expression suggested that I should be the first to speak.

“You said you wanted to see me, didn’t you?”

“It was a matter of life and death for me and my people. Forgive my rudeness.”

Unlike his somewhat pale appearance, his tone was calm and powerful. The extraordinary spirit I felt in his voice seemed to clearly indicate what kind of person he was.

“I understand. I’ve already given you the terms of the contract, is there anything else you want to ask?”

“I’d like to know the real reason why you’re doing this……. I don’t want to be caught in the middle of a feud and become a scapegoat without knowing anything about it.”

He didn’t bother to beat around the bush. It was a straightforward way of speaking that did not consider the feelings of the other person, which was quite different from the conversations of other nobles. Even though he knew I was his last hope of saving the Locale newspaper, he didn’t try to appeal to me.

Or anyone, for that matter.

He waited with bated breath for my response. This man was a journalist whose unwavering beliefs brought him together and who used his unstoppable words to stab the aristocracy.

He must have had the wisdom to see through the hypocrisy and pretense of the aristocracy at once. The gleam in his eye made me realize that it would be better to be straightforward than to try to play fast and loose with words.

“I need money for my own personal use, and I’d like to bring in some wealthy noblemen’s money.”

“Is that……all?”

“That’s right.”

Colin seemed speechless for a moment at the simplicity of my answer. Seeing his bewildered expression, I spoke in a calm tone.

“I suppose when I told you that I, the Empress, would be dealing with such vulgar tales, you expected some sort of plausible explanation, but that’s all. But if I can make a decent profit from it, a righteous journalist like you can continue to write, and I can finance the necessary expenses.”

For a moment, expectation flashed in Colin’s wary sky-blue eyes.

“Does that mean…… it’s okay if I continue to write articles criticizing vested interests?”

“Absolutely, and you won’t be going to jail for it anymore.”

“May I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Your Majesty…… Which side are you on?”

Colin’s face, when he uttered the words, was deeply pensive. I thought for a moment about what the intention of the question was. Most likely, he wanted to know if the path I’m taking is leading me to the Bledel family or the Imperial family.

What decision will the emperor’s wife and the Duke’s daughter make in the tense conflict between the infamous Duke of Bledel and the young and capable emperor? He is curious about the intentions of a woman who is forced to weigh her father and her husband from an ambiguous position.

“What I can tell you for sure is that my father’s path and mine are different. What I’m about to do will eventually bring the Bledel family into trouble.”

He still hasn’t wiped the worry from his face and doesn’t seem to fully believe me yet. But the results won’t change.

His livelihood is threatened, and he doesn’t have a choice. He might be bruised by the fact that he has to write a low-quality story, but in the end, the newspaper won’t go out of business and he’ll be able to write whatever he wants.

Isn’t that promiscuous scandal also an attack on the wealthy aristocrat whom he despises? For a man who is trapped in poverty and won’t compromise his beliefs, it can be a very alluring proposition.

Just as Colin was about to say something, I saw Ian approaching in the distance.

What’s going on here? Colin also seemed confused by the unexpected visit from the Emperor. As he approached, Colin introduced himself and offered a polite bow to the Emperor. 

Ian’s sharp eyes scanned Colin’s appearance up and down. There was a fairly awkward pause at the Emperor’s arrival, and then he asked.

“You come here often.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Just passing by.”

Ian looked at Colin with a vaguely hostile stare. Colin, with a greatly bewildered expression, seemed to have felt it. He had never come to Vanessa’s Palace before.

It sounded a little strange to say that he was just passing by. When I glanced at Colin’s rigid face, I thought I should wrap up the conversation at this point.

“I’ve said my piece, and the choice is yours. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

Colin bowed again and turned to leave.

“Wait a minute.”

Ian called up Colin. Colin turned to leave Vanessa’s palace, but stopped at the sound of the Emperor’s voice addressing him.

“I’ve never seen you before.”

“I….”

Colin had identified himself to Ian earlier, but that didn’t seem to be enough. I stopped Colin from saying what he was going to say and gave him an answer instead.

“I know him personally.”

Ian looked at him for a moment, then asked me this time.

“There must have been a way to meet in the Empress’ Palace’s audience room through formal procedures, right?”

The words made Colin look even more puzzled. His pointed tone somehow felt like he was reprimanding me for my behavior, and my mood quickly turned sour.

“You make it sound as if I’ve done something impure.”

“It’s easy for people to get the wrong idea in a place like this. And with the recent incident with the young Marquis Claflin, I’m worried that the words spoken about you will bother you.”

He said, glancing slowly around the empty Vanessa Palace. I wasn’t unaware of the rumors about my affair with the heir of the Claflin family. Of course, I was the one who started the rumor.

He said it because he was worried about me, but somehow it didn’t sound right. Seeing him mentioning the official audience out of nowhere and even bringing up Theo’s story…… I had a rough idea of what he meant.

“Do you think I’m meeting a new lover?”

The corner of Ian’s mouth lifted slightly at the blatant question, but there was a coldness in his eyes. It wasn’t the others who were getting the wrong idea, it was him.

I smirked and continued in a provocative tone.

“So what about it?”