Chapter 59
“What did you just say?”
Good heavens. Was he seriously saying that now?
To think he had done that again… with someone who was already asleep.
Sylaria froze in shock, her face stiffening, while Euclid cautiously glanced at her, like a large dog who had caused trouble but was now gauging its master’s mood.
“But, Sylaria. There’s something I feel even more sorry about.”
“…What now?”
“We need to pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress. Do you think you can move?”
At Euclid’s question, Sylaria shut her eyes tight. Then, glaring sharply at him, she snapped.
“And you’re only telling me this now?!”
* * *
A short while later.
Dressed and ready, Sylaria stood with Euclid before the doors of the Empress’s bedchamber. They had come to greet her since the Emperor, claiming his health had worsened, had declined their visit.
It was tradition to pay respects to the elders of the imperial family on the first day. And the first day meant the morning after consummating the marriage.
‘Honestly. How could I have forgotten this?’
Standing at the doorway, Sylaria let out a sigh. Wearing a heavy gown and standing still for so long only worsened the aches already throbbing in her body.
The Empress did not immediately open her doors to them, keeping them waiting outside. It seemed to be her way of protesting the breach of etiquette with how late they had come to offer their greetings.
“Has word been given to Her Majesty the Empress that the First Prince has come to pay his respects?”
Seeing Sylaria’s expression darken, Euclid turned to the head lady-in-waiting guarding the door. With graceful poise, the woman gave a slight curtsey and answered.
“Yes, Her Majesty asked that you wait a little longer.”
“It feels like it’s already been an hour.”
“My apologies, Your Highness. Her Majesty seems to be unwell…”
At the feeble excuse, Euclid’s brow furrowed. Beside him, Sylaria also found it difficult to keep her expression composed.
If the Empress wanted to rebuke them, she should have done so outright. This petty punishment of leaving them standing was childish.
Glancing at Sylaria, Euclid let out a loud sigh, deliberately making sure it was heard. Then, in a firm and commanding tone, he addressed the head lady-in-waiting.
“Today doesn’t seem to be the right day. Tell Her Majesty that I will come again another time.”
“My apologies, Your Highness, but according to imperial etiquette, you cannot withdraw without permission from your elder.”
“Indeed. That’s what you said before.”
Euclid curled up one corner of his lips. His cold sarcasm made the lady-in-waiting flinch.
“You said the same before that. And even before that. So spare me the lectures on etiquette. I already know it well enough.”
“My apologies…”
“And stop repeating that damned ‘my apologies’.”
At the First Prince’s coarse words, the lady-in-waiting’s face stiffened. But Euclid ignored it and continued.
“Do I look like I’m asking for your permission right now? Just deliver the message that I’ll come again another time. If you don’t, I don’t care. I’m leaving either way.”
“…Please wait just a moment.”
Overwhelmed by the First Prince’s domineering words, the head lady-in-waiting retreated inside. After a short while, she reappeared with a noblewoman at her side.
“It has been a long time, Your Highness the First Prince.”
“Countess Lacroix.”
With dignified grace, the noblewoman exchanged greetings with Euclid. Seeing the lady with pink hair and green eyes, Sylaria narrowed her brows.
‘Why is she here?’
Countess Faustina Lacroix was a central figure of Davoud Empire’s high society. It wasn’t that she enjoyed gathering followers; rather, people were naturally drawn to her because of her innate character. The Lacroix Salon was renowned as a place where people of all factions came and went freely.
She was discreet to an extreme, always careful in her conduct, and avoided contact with the imperial family altogether. She clearly knew that getting entangled with the imperial family could bring grave misfortune.
In her previous life, the Empress had made efforts to win her over. Securing Countess Lacroix meant securing all the people around her as well.
Thus, the Empress had often invited her to imperial banquets and events. But despite all her efforts, she never managed to grow particularly close to the Countess.
But of all times it had to be today, when Euclid had come to pay his respects. Why was it that she happened to emerge from the Empress’s chambers?
Could it be that, in this life, she had become one of the Empress’s people?
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