Chapter 7
Ephinia was worried about something else.
Because of the Crown Prince’s remarks, she worried that the nobles she encountered would look down on her, and that Transcendents might treat her carelessly.
The words of the Crown Prince, of someone so high in status, carried that much weight.
She wondered if there could really be someone stupid enough to take those words at face value, but people with plenty of malice were always quick to use such things as an excuse to torment others.
‘I knew it, it’s impossible between His Highness and I.’
There was a difference of two ranks, and on top of that, he disliked her that much. Even if she had to prostrate herself at the feet of His Majesty the Emperor or Her Majesty the Empress and beg, it seemed she should at least try once.
That kind of Transcendent was unacceptable to her as well.
If she were to meet Her Majesty the Empress or His Majesty the Emperor again, she would definitely say it. Ephinia steeled herself, thinking that moment would come before long.
* * *
As expected, word came from the imperial palace just two days later. It was an invitation from the Empress. Since it was not a gathering of other young ladies or noblewomen but an audience meant only for the two of them, Ephinia knew the time had come.
Yekaterina, with her lofty and arrogant impression, was unusually kind to Ephinia. Ephinia knew that this kindness stemmed from the fact that she was the Crown Prince’s only Guide.
That was why she was being careful, and careful again, doing her utmost not to upset the Empress’s mood. She never knew when another Guide might appear.
They said Guides appeared once every four or five years, but even in this vast empire, there were only two A-Class Guides and one S-Class Guide, so there was no telling.
“I imagine you can guess why I summoned you, Baroness. About what happened at the ball… I scolded the Crown Prince severely. You must have been very upset and embarrassed.”
As the Empress seated her beside her and spoke gently, Ephinia felt deeply honored. If this had been back when she was working as a maid, she might have thought, My soul is being sucked out, but for Her Majesty the Empress, I could do anything.
‘But after hearing the Crown Prince say things like that, I don’t want to stand in front of him.’
To be honest, after hearing those words, all Transcendents started to feel uncomfortable to her. She kept telling herself that Meredith, who she met every day, was an exception, but deep down she wondered. Was Meredith also looking at her with thoughts like that too? Was she only putting on a pleasant face in front of her for the sake of guiding? …Those thoughts came to mind.
‘I’m afraid of how Her Majesty the Empress might suddenly change once I say this.’
Her kindness was extended only on the premise that Ephinia would guide the Crown Prince. If that premise did not hold, there was no telling how Yekaterina might turn on her and torment her.
Even so, she had to try. She could not live the rest of her life in hell just because she was afraid. Someone who could hurl such verbal abuse openly in front of everyone might resort to violence when alone.
“I will try to persuade the Crown Prince no matter what, so do not keep what happened last time in your heart. He’s also a Transcendent, so in the end, he will accept reality.”
“Y-Your Majesty, I…”
The Empress subtly reached out, took her hand, and patted it reassuringly, and Ephinia’s face crumpled. She wanted to squeeze her eyes shut in fear, but thinking it would be discourteous, she lowered her gaze.
“I’m s-scared.”
“Of what?”
Perhaps because she could anticipate what was coming next, Yekaterina’s voice seemed to lower slightly. Ephinia went pale.
“I’m t-terrified of the Crown Prince. B-Before, Lady Caneze said my face annoyed her, and she poured hot water on my face.”
Just thinking about that time made her body tremble at the sight of a boiling teapot. It was only because she had dodged in surprise that she escaped disaster. If not, something terrible would have happened. Even now, though she had improved somewhat, Ephinia still hated piping hot tea.
“His… His Highness is far more exalted than a young lady of a count’s house. He is someone of a status I cannot even dare to look at, so it is only right that he becomes angry! But… he dislikes me that much. I’m afraid that if I were to offend him, something even… even worse might happen. So please…”
“……”
She was not even sure if this argument made sense. As a Guide, if he, a Transcendent, merely shoved her, her bones would break. If he were SS-Class, it would be even worse.
As Ephinia, pale as a sheet, poured out these words, Yekaterina felt curses about Kasselard rising to the tip of her tongue.
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