***
In the afternoon, when the red curtains fluttered in the breeze that came in through the opening window, light leaked brightly through the window, illuminating the Empress’s palace.
Liv’s red eyes shone brighter in that sunlight.
“Then, as the Count said, the terms of their negotiations are not clear.”
Count Duncan von Baxter’s voice grew quieter as he sat facing her.
“There has been a lot of talk at the negotiating table, but it seems to me that they have a hidden agenda.”
‘A hidden agenda…’
The words reminded Liv of before the regression. At the time of Edgar’s accession to the throne, there was one condition that had come out of the mouths of the envoys of the Delta Kingdom.
“We want a marriage alliance. If you agree to it, we will make all the conditions match the wishes of the empire to the maximum extent.”
It was an expected condition. It was an unconventional proposal.
Liv asked her husband, Edgar, not to be swayed. What was the use of marriage when there was no love?
Despite Liv’s strong dissuasion, Edgar shook off his wife’s hand and took the Princess as his Imperial consort. Emporium was then able to gain free maritime rights and rich trade rights from the Delta Kingdom.
In the end, the prosperity of the empire was a suffering to Empress Liv.
Liv made a reasonable guess. The reason why the envoys were biding their time in the meantime. Because they were waiting for Brianne to capture someone’s heart.
There was only one candidate. Grand Duke Edgar.
Liv gently bit her lip, lost in thought.
‘If Edgar and Brianne were to marry, they would be the most threatening force to His Majesty… ………… No. It is different from the situation before the regression. I must not be careless in my judgment.’
”Your Majesty, what should we do…………?”
Liv averted her gaze again at the Count’s question, which snapped her out of her reverie.
“First, don’t act rashly and wait. Sooner or later, the envoys will move.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Then I’ll leave.”
Soon, the Count got up from his seat, greeted Liv politely, and went out. As soon as the Count left, Jane hurried inside.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived.”
Carius, who was holding Theodore in his arms, entered the room.
As Liv stared at the child whose clothes were a mess, her eyes went to the child’s injured knees. The dry blood was seen through the torn pants.
Liv hurriedly walked over to Theodore. When the child saw her, he gently opened his small lips.
“Mother, it hurts………..”
Liv couldn’t open her mouth in surprise.
Carius sat the child down in a chair. He looked at her face as he spoke to calm the situation down.
“The Prince ran and bumped into the Prince of the Delta Kingdom. I’ve called the doctor here.”
While checking Theodore’s wound, Liv turned her head and asked curiously.
“Prince of the Delta Kingdom………..?”
“Yes. I was told that he arrived today with the second delegation group. The youngest prince is the next heir to the Delta Kingdom.”
Liv’s eyes moved busily. She was trying to recall her memories before the regression. However, there was no memory of the prince.
She stopped that thought when Theodore, who was in front of her, grabbed her skirt.
“Mother…”
Liv carefully swept the child’s dirty clothes.
“What happened to your clothes…”
Theodore gently lowered his eyes, as if he was trying to see her expression, then he murmured quietly.
“I wanted to feed the horses……….”
Perhaps he had gone to see the newly born foals in the stable this time. Liv’s heart fluttered at the cute little child’s behavior.
Theodore opened his hand, which had been clenched tightly. In it was the necklace that had been hanging on his neck. Liv opened her eyes wide.
“Why did the necklace come off?”
Theodore lifted his head slightly to make eye contact with Liv, and then quickly lowered it again.
“The Princess returned it to me.”
Liv’s brow furrowed at the mention of Theodore being with Brianne. She hastily searched for the necklace’s clasps. Then she muttered quietly in a suspicious tone.
“It seemed to be ripped.”
Liv immediately averted her gaze from it and looked at Theodore.
“Prince, be honest.”
Liv tried to make eye contact with Theodore, but he turned his head and said nothing. In response, Liv rushed to call the prince’s attendants outside, but Carius stopped her.
“It’s useless. The maids let the Prince go by himself and this is what happened.”
Liv’s eyes grew redder and she bit her lower lip. Something must have happened. But she couldn’t pursue the Princess and Prince of another country without proof.
When Liv could not control her anger and only exhaled, Carius stared at her and smiled.
“You’re really becoming a mother now. You’re upset about the child like this.”
Liv felt offended by his laughter for a moment. She replied in a sharp tone.
“Of course. I am the Prince’s mother.”
Then Carius asked in a low voice.
“What are you going to do later? Will I be able to leave here without any regrets?”
Liv’s eyes opened wide and she rushed over to Carius and covered his mouth. Then she shouted.
“Now change the Prince’s clothes!”
Soon the maids came in and carried Theodore out on their backs. Only then could Liv calm down her startled heart. She gave Carius a quick glance and raised her voice.
“How could you speak like that in front of the Prince!”
Carius gradually rose to his feet and stepped towards her.
“Isn’t that what you emphasize to me every time, Empress?”
Liv couldn’t answer the question, only her lips moved silently.
Carius naturally raised his lips as if she was cute, and then he hugged her tightly around the waist with one hand.
“Your Majesty…!”
The startled Liv moved her body to escape. But it was he who gave more strength to his hands.
Carius said in a low voice, still against her ear.
“I came however you wanted. But how I leave is my choice.”
Liv raised her eyes to meet Carius’. His blue eyes lit up sharply. She quickly averted her gaze.
“It was a condition of our marriage. If it wasn’t……”
Carius recited in a low voice before Liv could finish.
“Those were the terms, anyway. Isn’t it something only we know?”
Liv’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
Carius looked at her face. His charming lips turned upward again.
“So why did you sign a contract with the Emperor without fear?”
Liv shook at Carius’s question. Soon his eyes fell on her red lips as he spoke up in a low voice.
“Keep in mind that all of you belong to me.”
Liv spoke quickly, meeting Carius’ gaze.
“If you steal my lips without my permission, I will not put up with it.”
Carius chuckled as she went ahead and threatened him.
He moved closer, facing her red eyes, and placed his lips on her forehead.
Boom boom boom. Only the sound of her heart rang loudly in the room.
Soon she heard the presence of people from outside. The doctors hurried into the room and stood there in surprise. They just looked at the innocent wall and coughed in vain.
Liv hurriedly pushed Carius away and her eyes fluttered in panic.
Carius sat down again, unconcerned, and only smiled, as if he was enjoying the situation.
***
The next afternoon, gardeners in boots were tending to the Empress’ garden, tidying it up nicely. In it, statues of winged angels were lined up in a row, as if guarding the Empress’s palace.
Theodore and Liv were enjoying a picnic under a large tree. Jane, who was next to her, took the teapot and made tea.
Liv tried to appease Theodore, who was in despair, and wouldn’t talk at all about the incident.
She took out a piece of a fruit pie from the picnic basket. Then she called out to Theodore as she handed it to him in a gentle manner.
“Oh, you wanted to go to the festival with mother, right?”
At the word “festival,” Theodore, who had been looking only at the fountain, turned his head. His blue eyes sparkled.
Liv smiled at the curious child.
“They say that this harvest festival will be held in grand style. There will be stages set up all over the city during the festival, precedent plays will be performed, and the Prince will get to see your favorite animals.”
Theodore’s eyes grew wider and wider, and he nodded.
Liv looked at the child and placed a finger on her lips.
“Shh. Your father won’t allow us to go to the festival. That’s why we’re going secretly. You can keep it a secret, right?”
Hearing Liv’s words, Jane spoke softly with a worried look in her eyes.
“Your Majesty, the recent attack has been rough on the Imperial family…..”
However, Liv had no intention of bending her will.
“Wouldn’t it be okay to go for a while? It would be good to go and comfort the Prince’s mood.”
Jane sighed incessantly, as she was worried. Liv spoke as she looked at her.
“Jane, don’t tell the maids, but bring me the commoners’ clothes.”
“Did you say commoner’s clothes…”
When Jane asked back, Liv said in an even firmer voice.
“We’ll attract attention in the city if we wear fine clothes. Go quickly and bring them to me secretly.”
Unable to bend her master’s will, Jane walked with heavy steps into the Empress Palace. She immediately brought some commoner’s clothes.
Liv and Theodore went to a separate room in the corner of the garden and changed their clothes. They put on their hats and hurried to the carriage that was waiting in front of the Empress’ palace.
Jane, perhaps concerned, also followed them.