Chapter 19
Early that morning, a white sheet was burned atop the roof of the Empress’s Palace to prove that the wedding night had been consummated.
When news of this reached the Empress Dowager Isadora, she felt considerably relieved. She had feared Lucian would refuse to fulfill his obligations outright, but at least he had secured the Empress’s standing. For that much, she was grateful.
“I was worried what might happen if the Emperor dug in his heels, but I’m glad he followed my wishes in this, at least.”
“Indeed so. If the wedding night had gone unconsummated after the imperial wedding, it could hardly be called a proper marriage.”
Isadora nodded at Sophia’s reply.
“If only the Empress could win the Emperor’s heart and he would turn away from that wretched Saintess.”
Isadora’s wish would not come true. Lucian’s thoughts were consumed entirely by Asteria. He was so consumed that he had refused to consummate his marriage on her account. But Isadora, unaware of the depths of it, had no way of knowing this.
“The Empress will be coming to pay her respects shortly.”
“Now that the marriage is sealed, it is natural that she would.”
Isadora said languidly. Just then, a young lady-in-waiting leaned close and whispered something to Sophia.
“Your Majesty, the Empress says she will be entering now.”
“Is that so? Show her in at once.”
Isadora’s expression brightened visibly.
She, too, had once been an Empress, and she wished to support Rosalyn’s future. Above all, she dearly hoped that Lucian was unlike his father, and would not fall under the spell of some bewitching Lumines w***e.[1]
“Her Majesty the Empress is entering.”
Seated in the place of honor, Isadora received Rosalyn with a composed bearing.
“I greet the Empress Dowager.”
Rosalyn offered an elegant bow. But her eyes were swollen and red.
“Empress, you look unwell. Has something happened?”
“…No, Your Majesty. I am merely fatigued.”
“I suppose so. An imperial wedding is no small ordeal. Please, sit.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Rosalyn took her seat with her hands clasped demurely.
Isadora was inwardly pleased by Rosalyn’s bearing. The Bellotien royal house was renowned for its power and prosperity, and she believed a woman raised with such refinement was a fitting partner for the Emperor.
“Now that you are Empress, you will need to begin taking charge of the household affairs of the Orbien imperial house.”
“I shall humbly seek Your Majesty’s guidance.”
It was the answer of a princess raised to become an Empress, through and through. Isadora nodded with approval.
“Once you’ve settled in, you will find nothing too difficult.”
“I am still lacking in many ways. I humbly ask for your guidance.”
“If the Empress wishes it, I shall help at any time.”
Everyone in the palace except Lucian had welcomed Rosalyn. Yet she was not receiving her own husband’s love, Rosalyn felt as though her heart were burning.
Still, she dared not confide in Isadora, not with Lucian’s threat hanging over her. For now, he showed her mere indifference, but if she revealed the truth to Isadora, that indifference could harden into outright hatred.
In that regard, Rosalyn possessed a measure of wisdom.
* * *
Today, a welcome visitor had come to the White Tower. It was Olga, the Elder of the Lumines clan, who had cared for Asteria from infancy until she came of age.
“Elder.”
Asteria greeted Olga warmly. Clarisse tactfully withdrew to give them room for their reunion, for so much time had passed.
“Come, sit down.”
“Yes.”
“Have you been well?”
“…Yes.”
But her complexion, contrary to her answer, did not look well at all.
“What dream did you have?”
“I saw the Saintess who served the late Emperor.”
At those words, the creases around Olga’s eyes deepened.
“What was her name?”
“A name destined to be forgotten.”
“She said the very same thing. But I want to know.”
“Her name was Evangeline. But as I told you, it is a name fated to be forgotten, you must let it go.”
Olga studied Asteria closely.
This was the first time she had seen the girl since they parted on her eighteenth birthday, and the graceful figure she remembered had blossomed into a beauty that could only be called sublime.
Those mysterious violet eyes shone with an extraordinary light. Even measured against the Empress, who is said to be the greatest beauty on the continent, Asteria would surely hold her own. And that only deepened Olga’s worry.
“Have you met the Emperor?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Asteria hesitated.
Translation Notes
[1] ↩
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