Chapter 52

Asulin slipped into my arms like she had become a part of my daily routine, but I started the new year by gently removing her. I had planned on spending the last day of our holiday by giving New Year’s greetings to my in-laws and spending a leisurely day with Asulin. However, things didn’t go as planned.

“Ugh…”

After breakfast, Asulin received a note from His Majesty the Emperor with a serious expression. It seemed that this one note would change the course of our day yet again.

“It’s the first New Year since my ascension to the throne, so they want me to come to the palace and liven up the atmosphere a bit.”

Asulin burned the note to ashes with a spark of hostility, saying there was no way she could spend the day quietly in the villa. Without another word, she immediately began preparing to leave.

We arrived at the palace after hastily getting ready. No matter how noble one might be, entering the imperial palace isn’t something that can be done easily. Even considering it was the first day of the new year, gaining entry wasn’t as smooth as one might hope.

With the carriage we rode in emblazoned with the crest of a fallen dragon, and the fact that the emperor had already sent someone to the villa to fetch us, it felt as though everything was already predetermined.

The Caladborg Dukedom, despite its decline, had never been seen as a family that lacked dignity. Yet, as an ordinary noble, one still had to queue to enter the palace.

Seeing the Caladborg Dukedom enter the palace with just their emblem on the carriage, bypassing all the usual procedures, made me think deeply.

Dead… No, maybe not dead. Even if his words were unreliable, understanding why my father fought so hard to elevate the family’s status, even during the Succession War, when the outcome was obvious, gave me some insight.

Even if it was a gamble that failed, causing the family to nearly collapse, and then bringing back another child—whether or not he was a true child—I couldn’t help but feel that they were doing everything possible to keep the family alive.

Despite the disgust I felt, it was clear that this understanding brought some clarity.

While I was lost in these heavy thoughts, Asulin maintained a displeased look, staring at me with her eyes half-closed.

“Why are you like this?”

I asked out of confusion.

“Every time the palace maids pass by, they glance at you.”

“So?”

“You should bow and walk on your knees behind me.”

“Doesn’t it wear down just by looking?”

“Grrr…”

Amidst our journey to the side room, Asulin revealed her discomfort towards the maids who glanced at me as we walked.

Though others might have felt her sharpness, I couldn’t help but wonder if she had been drinking secretly.

“…”

I responded with a mixture of surprise and bewilderment.

This hope that she wouldn’t say anything strange seemed to backfire.

“…They should have put a mask on me before letting me in.”

I felt like raising my right hand to my forehead in frustration, though I resisted the urge to do so.

Despite the temptation, I felt a warmth in my heart knowing that she cared about me.

“Next time, I’ll take care of it myself. I can say it’s to hide a burn scar.”

“Yeah, that sounds perfect. Let’s put it on right now…”

“We’re almost at the side room. Wait until we get there.”

We continued our journey silently, discussing such trivial matters.

Asulin’s other facets entered my mind. On the battlefield, she was a formidable opponent, respected for adhering to the lines that shouldn’t be crossed. She also enjoyed drinking more than I expected, always trying to find time to drink with me.

Adding to that, she often sought comfort in my embrace, making her seem endearingly vulnerable.

But now, seeing her cheeks puffed up and her eyes wide open, filled with jealousy, made me realize just how protective she could be.

When I first met Asulin, I imagined that her fierce demeanor on the battlefield would dominate our interactions. But over the month we spent together, I realized that many other aspects of her personality came to light.

Though I was surprised by these unexpected facets, I didn’t mind the feeling of confusion.

“Ugh, no. Even with a mask, those beautiful eyes would stand out, making it counterproductive…”

It was nice to see her playful, adorable side.

Thus, I could only hope.

Even though I carried secrets that I couldn’t share with her, and the thought of taking them to my grave didn’t bother me, I hoped that someday she wouldn’t be hurt because of my secrets.

High-born, her noble heart, as dark as my hair, hadn’t been damaged by me. After seeing the world as cruel and people as tools, she had taught me that the world was still worth living in and had given warmth to my frozen heart.

I hoped she wouldn’t be hurt because of someone like me.

“The Emperor is waiting for you both.”

The housekeeper’s announcement shattered my reverie, reminding me that we had arrived at the side room.

“The Emperor, the Junior Duke and Duchess of Caladborg have arrived.”

As the housekeeper announced our arrival, the door opened without a sound, indicating the grandeur of the space beyond.

Clapping lightly, the attendants bowed deeply and left the room.

In the somewhat austere reception room, the three of us remained.

“Strange, the more you decorate the room, the more barren it feels. Even if I’m not interested in luxury, this is too much.”

Asulin commented, reflecting my own thoughts.

“But you know, those who can’t cultivate their inner beauty tend to cover their surroundings with money. Once you climb up, you realize it’s a waste of money and time to decorate such places.”

The Emperor, Claudia Josef Ascalon, replied casually, disregarding the formalities expected of him.

“She was known for despising extravagance even in her princess days. She seems to live a life free from desires, beyond mere frugality.”

My admiration for her grew, but my gaze was drawn to a display case in the otherwise plain room.

“Oh…”

I swallowed a sigh that I couldn’t let escape.

“I thought it was just a lie, but it’s real.”

My admiration and respect for the Emperor were barely held back.

What did I see that caused my admiration to fade?

Wine. In the display case filled with complex wine-making techniques and preserved orders, I saw precious silks.

How could I not sigh?

Even though it was still early afternoon, I tried to reassure myself that they wouldn’t be drinking here.

“But you don’t skimp on buying good wine.”

“That’s true. I prepared this to have a drink and chat with a friend who came down from the capital!”

Watching Asulin and Claudia swiftly set the mood for drinking, I tried to calm my growing unease.

“Still, the Empire… It will be alright.”