Da Capo 41

? Views,

Chapter 41.

Blair, who had entered the palace by riding in Theodore’s carriage, sat in a plush chair in a quiet room of the Executive Palace waiting for Theodore and Adriana. No one dared to inspect the carriage of Theodore, a high-ranking official of the Executive Department and a Viscount. Thanks to this, Blair was able to slip into the palace unnoticed. He looked around with a renewed sense of unfamiliarity.

Despite having come and gone countless times in the past as if it were his own home, for some reason, the Imperial Palace felt strangely unfamiliar today. Blair gazed at the sky through the wide palace window.

Blair, still just an Academy student, had few days when he could move about freely. Only during this short vacation could he utilize his time as he pleased. Whether Kyle would come after receiving the invitation was unknown, but if he did, even that period would be cut in half.

Of course, he could get a pass to enter and exit the Academy, but traveling to the Imperial Capital or House Monetery territory, which was a three-hour round trip away, required quite a commitment. Since it would likely take up an entire day, it was best to plan major matters in advance. So he needed to handle this quickly.

Theodore was old-fashioned, rigid, inflexible, a stickler for principles, conservative, and dull. But Blair had reason to trust him.

Theodore liked Adriana. Though his common sense would never allow him to imagine a woman ascending to the throne, love has a way of clouding all reason. Affection is what changes people the most. Whether it’s affection one harbors or affection directed toward oneself. Blair believed that affection was the most powerful force that could transform a person. No one would let someone they care about die.

So he himself must have felt the same in the past. Memories of dying from an arrow wound forced their way out of the locked box in his mind and invaded his thoughts. He remembered Kyle’s screams. Blair looked out the window with a bitter smile. He couldn’t help thinking about Kyle’s young face, who would still be at the Academy. I wonder how he’s doing now.

In the past, Theodore had only married after turning well past thirty. It was long after Imperial Princess Adriana had died. Though his sister-in-law had been a gentle, faultless person, this time around, Blair wanted to help his brother’s long-standing unrequited love.

He wondered if he was overstepping when he could barely take care of himself. Still, Blair genuinely liked Theodore. Clara was so unpredictable and had such peculiar traits that he figured she’d manage fine on her own. In the past, she had always lived well by herself.

Clara had never attended the Academy nor formally married. The Crassia Empire was relatively conservative. Even among nobles, having multiple wives and concubines was considered disgraceful. Yet in the past, Clara had kept ten male concubines. She enjoyed smoking water pipes and was a workaholic who liked working for days without sleep.

It was a talent to live so well while always choosing paths that everyone else would point fingers at. So there was no need to worry about Clara. But he did want to offer some guidance for Theodore’s life. Blair stood up from his seat and leaned against the windowsill. The sky was deep blue. The exact same color as Kyle’s vivid blue eyes.

Theodore, who had returned to the Moonlight Palace, raised his hand to touch his face and compose his expression. His mouth was twisted downward; if he entered looking like this, everyone would sense something was wrong. Nothing had happened to him. No, nothing should have happened. He had come to handle a routine matter. After thoroughly convincing himself, Theodore entered the Moonlight Palace.

“Oh, Lord Theodore?”

The maid who had guided him to the reception room yesterday greeted him. Red hair with freckles. Theodore was startled and quickly checked the small name embroidered on her maid uniform collar.

‘The maid’s name is Sisi. She has red hair and freckles.’

Blair’s voice echoed clearly in his mind as if he were speaking right beside him.

The maid’s name was Sisi.

Theodore’s expression grew even more rigid. Everything Blair had said was gradually taking shape. After regaining his composure once more, Theodore spoke.

“Has the Princess awakened?”

“Yes, she has. Shall I tell her you’re here?”

“Yes. Tell her Theodore from the Executive Department has arrived.”

Theodore nodded. The maid bowed politely and hurried away. Theodore stared at her red hair with suspicious eyes. The maid returned not long after.

“She asks that you go in first and wait for her.”

“Very well.”

Theodore entered the reception room first to wait for Adriana. Anxious, he tapped his fingertips on the table. Adriana soon entered the reception room.

“Hello, Theo. What brings you here so early in the morning?”

Having just woken up, Adriana’s face showed signs of fatigue.

“Princess Adriana, I need you to come with me somewhere briefly.”

“What do you mean?”

Adriana looked at Theodore with puzzled eyes. It was natural for her to react that way since he had cut to the chase without explanation. This is why one needs to be articulate.

“It’s for your benefit, Princess. I’d appreciate if you could spare me an hour of your time.”

Theodore looked at her with an utterly serious expression. By this point, Adriana seemed to realize that Theodore wasn’t joking. Theodore was neither impulsive nor reckless. He always acted with a caution that belied his physique. Adriana’s expression hardened.

“I don’t intend to harm you, Princess. There’s someone who wishes to meet you. If you could just come to the Executive Palace and meet them briefly, that would suffice.”

“Who is it?”

“…Someone who will be of help to you, Princess.”

Theodore mentally sorted through countless words. My younger brother, the third son of House Monetery. But none of them seemed appropriate. Adriana, someone who will help you. That was all he could say. After staring at Theodore’s face for a long time, Adriana chuckled.

“If someone as serious as you speaks this way, there must be a reason. Fine, lead the way.”

Adriana left the reception room. She instructed the maids waiting outside to prepare a carriage, offering a plausible excuse.

“I hear there’s an issue with next quarter’s budget. I’ll go check it myself and return. Prepare lunch for when I come back.”

Leaving the Moonlight Palace, Adriana immediately called for a carriage and headed to the Executive Palace. Though carriages weren’t allowed in the inner palace by rule, members of the imperial family were exceptions. Theodore judged it best to move by carriage to minimize visibility. It wasn’t good for Adriana, whose physical condition wasn’t great, to walk directly either.

The two entered the Executive Department, careful not to attract attention. Theodore opened the door to the room where Blair was waiting. Hearing their approach, Blair slowly rose to greet them.

“Welcome, Princess.”

Blair greeted her with a gentle smile. Receiving his courteous and respectful greeting, Imperial Princess Adriana nodded.

“So you’re the one who sought me out?”

“Yes, that’s me. Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Blair Shuho Monetery. The third son of House Monetery and the younger brother of Theodore over there.”

“I see. You two look quite alike.”

Adriana sat down and examined Blair’s features carefully. Though their overall impressions were quite different, their facial features showed they were indeed brothers who closely resembled each other.

Adriana scrutinized Blair’s attitude and manner of speech. His noble bearing and perfect etiquette were flawless. House Monetery had taught him very well.

“So, why did you seek me out?”

Adriana asked Blair. Her voice was calm and dignified.

I thought she would be flustered, but Adriana was much more composed than expected. So this was her personality.

In the past, Blair had never had occasion to meet Adriana. He had only seen her from afar when she performed duties as the national mother figure. In the past, he had died before actively involving himself in politics, so Blair had never exchanged words with Adriana. Having heard she was sickly, he had expected her to be sensitive and irritable, but Adriana appeared calmer than he had anticipated.

Her straight posture, well-groomed skin and hair, and dignified blue eyes. She definitely possessed the dignity of royalty. Blair smiled with satisfaction. Indeed, Adriana was a person suited to the position of Emperor.

“Well, I wanted to discuss some matters with you.”

Adriana blinked. Blair leaned slightly forward and began to speak. He articulated one by one the words he had mentally prepared until Adriana’s arrival.

“I know you may not believe everything I’m about to say. Nevertheless, I hope you’ll listen until the end, even if it seems absurd. I assure you I’m in a perfectly sound state of mind.”

“They say true madmen never declare themselves mad. The same goes for drunkards.”

Adriana countered with a smirk.

“Indeed.”

The light joke gradually eased the tense atmosphere. Blair smiled gently and got to the point.

“Princess, did you drink tea brewed with Esilie yesterday as well?”

Adriana’s eyes widened at Blair’s words.

“How… did you know?”

It was a tea she had never served to anyone and only drank when alone.

“You should stop drinking that.”

Blair continued speaking, disregarding Adriana’s shock.

“What do you mean?”

“If you don’t wish to die prematurely.”