***
A large crowd of people was seen in the distance.
Precedent plays were being performed on stages set up here and there in the center of the city, and in the middle of the street, acrobats were showing off their special skills in handling animals.
Liv and Theodore got off the carriage and started walking down the street.
Theodore’s previous depressed expression was gone while he was busy looking at the curious sight with his eyes wide open. Liv felt a little excited at seeing the sight she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Before she knew it, Theodore was following the acrobat kids his age around.
Liv watched him with delight and was filled with memories of the past.
‘When I was little, I used to hold my father’s hand and follow the acrobats… …’
It was those days when everything was mysterious. Those were the days when she was full of curiosity. Liv chuckled, thinking of those past days.
Jane asked cautiously.
“Your Majesty, it is almost time to dine, we must return to the Imperial Palace………..”
Liv turned her long brimmed hat and looked back at Jane.
“There’s a good dessert café a short walk from here. Why don’t we try it outdoors while we’re here?”
“But Your Majesty…………”
“You’ve never been there either. You should try it this time. I’ll make it a special treat for you.”
Liv took out her thick wallet and smiled at Jane. Jane frowned as she looked at it.
”When did Your Majesty pack that, weren’t you in a hurry……..?”
When Jane was busy moving her eyes, Theodore jumped toward Liv.
Liv held Theodore’s hand and headed for the dessert cafe. As the dessert cafe approached, the aroma of freshly baked savory bread and sweet tea began to spread.
Liv and Theodore sat on the outdoor terrace while Jane was in the cafe and ordered some cakes and tarts.
The city was bathed in warm sunshine, and beautifully dressed women were passing with their parasols. The children were busy gathering in threes to watch the plays.
Just as Liv was moving her eyes from place to place, a man and a woman sitting at a table across from her entered her field of vision.
It was a man with golden hair, dressed neatly in a blue uniform. And a woman with rich brown hair, elegantly holding a cup in her light purple dress and white gloved hands.
They were a splendid looking man and woman.
‘They must be nobles. I guess they come out to enjoy their date.’
Liv pulled her brimmed hat down deeper, hoping that no one would recognize her face.
As soon as Jane returned, the owner of the cafe placed before them what Jane had ordered earlier.
As Liv picked up the teacup, she looked at the man and the woman again. Somehow they looked familiar.
The moment she saw them, she was so startled she almost spilled the tea she was holding.
It was two faces Liv didn’t want to see.
She lowered her head nervously, afraid that they would see her. But her ears kept hearing the conversation between them.
“Thanks to Your Highness, we’re able to see the festival and eat such delicious desserts.”
The woman said in a gentle voice, and the man sitting just in front of her replied in a flat tone.
“The reason why the harvest season is so grand is because it is so difficult to secure abundant crops.”
“Delta Kingdom is a land of ports, so it’s rich in maritime resources and food. It seems that each country has its own strengths and weaknesses.”
When the woman’s cheerful words were over, the atmosphere became quiet for a moment. Soon, the sound of clanking was heard when someone put down the cup on the tray.
The woman casually laid out her compliments to him.
“Your Highness must have been very popular among the ladies. It’s true that you are so perfect.”
The man responded shortly.
“I’m flattered.”
“Can I ask Your Highness a question?”
“….?”
“You must have had a lady in your heart, right…..? Oh, is that rude of me to ask?”
Liv raised her head for a moment at Brianne’s question. Then a subtle expression of Edgar came into her view.
After a moment of silence, Edgar finally spoke.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”
“Oh, I guess things didn’t go well with that lady. Since you’re here alone….”
“….”
Edgar didn’t say anything, but took a sip of his tea.
Brianne carefully opened her red lips as she stared at him, who was not responding.
“The lady in your heart is the Empress, right?”
At her unexpected words, Edgar shifted his gaze from the teacup and looked at Brianne.
Brianne’s lips curled up spontaneously, as if she already knew everything.
“I can’t believe you’re responding now. Your highness, I’m disappointed.”
Edgar hastily put down his teacup. Then, in a low tone, he asked.
“Where did you hear that story?”
His questioning tone made Brianne’s eyes widened.
“I’m sorry if I startled you. Rumors have already been spreading………….”
Edgar moved his eyes busily. Perhaps it was because he already believed it was a rumor. He was silent for a moment and then looked sternly at Brianne.
“It’s just a rumor. From now on, you must never speak of it again. Be sure to keep it in mind.”
Brianne nodded unknowingly at his cold tone.
Edgar then picked up his teacup and took a sip again. He turned his gaze and looked at the crowded streets as he sighed.
The expression on Liv’s face, who was watching this, was also hardened. Jane stood close by, asking her with a pale face.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong….?”
Liv finally turned her gaze to Jane, and shortly after, Theodore entered her field of vision with whipped cream on his lips.
Liv had her handkerchief out and wiped the child’s mouth. Then she said secretly to Jane.
“Let’s leave.”
She pressed down on her long brimmed hat and got up from her seat. Just as she was about to walk out of the cafe.
Suddenly a boy in a neat uniform walked in and everyone stopped.
“Hey, is that……?”
When the boy looked at Theodore, he just backed away with his whole body frozen, and soon Liv heard someone calling out to him.
“Oscar, what’s wrong?”
Then the boy shouted cheerfully, pointing at Theodore with his hand.
“It’s that kid from yesterday!”
Immediately, Liv heard the sound of a woman’s shoes walking thumping in her ears. The woman hurriedly lowered her gaze and looked at Theodore.
“Prince…………Why are you here alone?”
Brianne hurriedly greeted Theodore with courtesy. She raised her eyes and looked around, her gaze stopping on a woman wearing a deep long brimmed hat beside Theodore.
Brianne’s mouth gaped open the moment she met Liv’s red eyes.
“Empress…?”
Immediately, the sound of a chair scraping the wooden floor clearly heard. Edgar was soon standing in front of Liv with thumping shoes. He slowly scanned Liv’s appearance.
“Your Majesty…”
Liv eventually took off her hat. The edge of Edgar’s mouth raised as if in convulsions.
“What brings you both here…?”
“We’ve come to see the festival.”
She put on an indifferent face. Edgar frowned, worried about Liv.
“Your Majesty, how did you come out without escorts? And your outfit…”
Liv coughed, clearing her throat and her gaze met Oscar’s, who was looking at her.
Brianne hurriedly pulled Oscar to stand in front of Liv.
“Hurry up and greet the Empress.”
“I have the pleasure of meeting the Empress, I’m Oscar de Helle!”
“Prince Oscar, nice to meet you.”
“I would have come to greet the Empress yesterday, but unfortunate circumstances prevented me from greeting you. Please forgive me.”
Brianne bent her knees to convey her apology. Liv gave a casual shake of her head. Edgar stared at Liv with a worried look in his eyes.
“Your Majesty, you’re not feeling well yet. If it comes out like this…”
“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”
When Liv tried to turn away, Edgar stood in front of her.
“You must return to the palace quickly. You know it’s dangerous to be outside the Imperial Palace.”
Liv scowled at him.
“I appreciate your concern, Grand Duke. We’ll be going now.”
When Liv ignored his wistful gaze and turned away again, Brianne cautiously suggested.
“If you don’t mind, can I have a moment of your time, Your Majesty?”
Liv was startled by her words and stood in place. And she looked at Edgar and Briane alternately and said firmly.
“Oh no, I wish I could, but I don’t want to interrupt you two. The Prince wants to watch the play.”
But Brianne would not bend to her will.
“Leave the Prince to Oscar. There’s a safe place they can go play.”
Oscar looked anxious and wary at Theodore, but quickly nodded at Brianne’s wink.
“I will take care of His Imperial Highness, Your Majesty.”
Brianne looked contentedly at the two children, then averted her gaze toward Liv.
“It will be a most honourable time if the Prince and Oscar can get to know each other through this occasion. Your Majesty.”
When Liv hesitated, Brianne put an end to it.
“I would like to have a moment with the Empress. As the Princess of the Delta Kingdom, I implore you. Your Majesty.”
Liv nodded helplessly. She then turned her head towards Jane.
“You shouldn’t let the prince out of your sight for even a moment.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Don’t worry.”
Soon, Jane excused herself, assisting Theodore and Oscar.
The three people, seated on the outdoor terrace of the cafe, only sipping their tea in an awkward atmosphere.
Brianne smiled and broke the ice.
“Thanks to His Highness the Grand Duke, I’ve been able to learn more about the Empire recently. Trade negotiations will have to wait.”
Liv stared at Brianne and raised one eyebrow.
‘That’s more important than trade negotiations…’
She had already anticipated this. Liv smiled purposefully and nodded.
Brianne stared at her and said.
”I want to get close to the Empress.”
****