“Your highness.”
Luis handed me the book with a black leather binding. I asked her to bring it for me from the library.
“Thank you. Was it heavy?”
“A little. By the way, why did you want a book about the Coronos War?”
I couldn’t tell her the truth. My meeting with Clodys at the library needed to remain a secret. This book was my way of communicating with Clodys.
I replied, “I started to read it by accident, and I became interested. I didn’t get to finish it last time.”
As I flipped through, I found a message card stuck in the middle of the book.
Luis nodded when she saw it.
“That must be where you left off last time.”
She must have thought it was my bookmark. I smiled and nodded.
“Yes. The book is very interesting and informative.”
I picked up the message card. It had a simple design and Luis didn’t pay attention to it. The material and design of the card were very different than the ones I used, but she didn’t seem to notice.
Luis left my side and I turned the card around. On it was a picture of a red lily, which was Princess Liliana’s symbol. There was also a message.
It was one word.
Yes.
Below it was two initials.
C & L
I smiled secretly.
We had a deal.
***
It was an unexpected relationship built on needs rather than trust. However, I felt that this was a better relationship. We needed each other in order to get what we wanted, which meant we couldn’t betray each other.
Besides, you could never trust anyone anyway.
What I needed to do was to report to Lucretius about this.
“…”
However, I had no idea if this new development would work out. Should I let him know after I have accomplished more?
I couldn’t figure out what to do.
I also wondered if he already knew about this. If he did, it meant he was spying on me still. I felt angry at the possibility, but it also would have meant I wouldn’t have to report to him about it.
If he didn’t know what was going on, it meant he wasn’t spying on me. I would have felt relieved, but I didn’t want to have to report to him about it.
There were a few reasons why I hesitated in telling him about this.
First, Liliana and Clodys were a part of his family whether he liked it or not. This would be an uncomfortable alliance. On top of that, this meant he now had to protect two more people and promise their safety.
Another thing I worried was how he would feel about what happened in the library.
The fact was, I was with another man alone in the library.
It wasn’t intentional. It was to make a political deal. In addition, Clodys was in love with someone else. Lucretius and I weren’t exactly a couple anyway.
All in all, I knew I didn’t do anything wrong, but I just didn’t want to tell him about it.
Why did this bother me so much?
“…”
I didn’t know why. I just felt uncomfortable and nervous telling him about it.
I felt as if I cheated on him.
“[… Have I finally gone mad?]”
***
“…”
“…”
Only the sounds of cutleries were heard in the room.
Today was the day all royal family members gathered for a meal. The former emperor’s concubines weren’t invited. Only the direct family members of the current emperor were allowed. This included the dowager empress, the emperor, the wives of the emperor, and their children
As soon as a royal child turned five, he or she received a personal wing with servants and maids. It was rare for the entire royal family to eat a meal together.
The Great Meal, as it was called, happened in the Mano Hall. It wasn’t the biggest hall in the castle, but still too big for my taste.
“…”
“…”
The dowager empress didn’t attend with an excuse on the matter of her pregnancy. As the emperor didn’t have any children or any other wives, this meant this Great Meal would consist of just Lucretius and I.
This was awkward.
I saw him every day, but in this hall with such a huge long table, it felt strange.
Was it because I felt guilty?
I shook my head. Why should I feel guilty? I didn’t do anything wrong.
My mouth felt dry. I drank my wine, but it couldn’t quench my thirst. I was very nervous.
How should I start this conversation? Why wasn’t he saying anything? He usually sputtered nonsense all the time.
My heart was pounding. My eyes met with him briefly, which made my condition worse.
Why? I couldn’t understand.
When I finally got the courage to say something, he said to me.
“You look tired. Are you feeling unwell?”
“…!”
His quiet voice rang throughout the hall. It surprised me. I flinched and dropped my fork.
Clink!
It hit the floor and made a huge metal sound. The servants nearby walked towards me to pick it up.
Suddenly, Lucretius raised his hand.
“No need.”
At his order, the servant left quickly.
Why? What was he doing?
I was stunned. Royal families didn’t pick things up from the floor. It was a rule apparently.
The servant should have come to pick it up and hand me another fork, but Lucretius stopped it.
Why? What did he want? Did he want me to pick it up myself? Why?
Was he making fun of me?
I started to sweat. Why was I so nervous? I felt anxious.
While I contemplated picking up the fork myself, he suddenly stood up.
“Huh?”
He walked towards me.
W, what was he doing? Should I stand as well?
“Huh?”
He stopped in front of me and kneeled.
“…”
While I remained quiet with shock, he stood up again. In his hand was the fork I dropped.
Huh?
While I stared at him in surprise, he smiled proudly and tried to place the fork back on my side of the table. Then suddenly, he seemed to realize something. He turned towards the servants and ordered.
“Get me a new fork.”
“Yes, your highness.”
The servant quickly moved to bring him a brand-new silver fork. Lucretius took it and smiled at me in satisfaction.
“I can’t let my wife use a dirty fork!”
He made sure the fork was clean. Then suddenly, he kissed it lightly.
He then placed it on the table for me.
Huhhhh?
What the hell? Now I couldn’t use the fork. Was he trying to bully me somehow?
He said to me, “Now that I see you up close, you look fine. I’m glad.”
He then returned to his chair.
What was with him today?
But then… He was always this weird.
I became annoyed.
Without thinking, I ate a piece of lamb and pumpkin. It tasted great.
Suddenly, I realized I used the fork! It was the one that man kissed!
My face became red. I felt like I was going to explode.
Lucretius asked me, “It looks like you want to tell me something.”
“P, pardon?!”
I shouted in surprise. My voice rang throughout the giant hall.
I tried to look like nothing was amiss, but it didn’t work.
He wasn’t that stupid.
“…”
“…”
After a long awkward silence, the snake finally showed its teeth.
He grinned at me. His lips were smiling, but his eyes weren’t.
“I see that there really is something.”
I continued to sweat. What should I do? Should I pretend nothing happened? Should I lie?
Suddenly, I realized something.
Why should I be so anxious? I didn’t do anything wrong! In fact, I worked my butt off to make something happen!
Besides, even if I did like another man, it wasn’t a big deal! It wasn’t like Lucretius was my boyfriend….
Oh, wait… He was my legal husband…
Hmm…
Well, I didn’t do anything wrong anyhow.
I decided to tell him.
“It’s something to do with the favor I asked recently.”
“Wait.”
He raised his hand to stop me.
“Please leave, everyone.”
As soon as he ordered, the maids and the servants left in a hurry.
Soon, in the giant hall was just me and him.
“Now, let’s hear it.”
