Chapter 47
VI. Slowly, one by one
“You must be pleased that we seem so close, right?”
At Calix’s remark, Bianca had no choice but to force a smile. It was something she herself used to say all the time.
“Hoho, of course. What parent wouldn’t be happy to see a son and daughter caring for one another?”
“Haha, indeed. That’s exactly what one would expect from the Empress of the Cantabria Empire.”
“…Thank you, my son.”
Caught between the two, Lea couldn’t bring herself to say anything. From what she remembered, interactions between them had usually consisted of Calix quietly enduring.
But now, anyone could see it. Calix was clearly provoking Bianca.
Confused, Lea struggled to compose her expression and interjected into the conversation.
“His Highness has gifted me a present, wishing me a speedy recovery. It’s something to be grateful for.”
In front of her mother, Lea had planned to behave no differently than she had in the past. However, she could no longer bring herself to speak down to Calix. With a gentle smile, she added,
“Family really is everything.”
At her words, her mother’s expression turned somewhat ambiguous. A puzzling look that didn’t reveal whether she was pleased or not, and then, Bianca let out a loud laugh.
“You’ve finally said something worthwhile. Yes, of course. Nothing matters more than family. On that note, Lea…”
Bianca’s voice lowered subtly, and Lea could guess what was coming next.
“Wouldn’t you consider giving that silver-furred fox to your one and only mother? If I turned it into a scarf, I think it would keep me quite warm this winter. I’ll make sure you’re properly compensated so you don’t feel slighted.”
Supporters chosen by the winner of the tournament were granted the privilege of receiving a gift from the Empress. But without so much as mentioning that part, her mother jumped straight into demanding what she wanted.
Lea let out a hollow laugh at the sheer greed of it.
It would be no loss to give up the silver-furred fox if it meant keeping her mother deceived a little longer. And yet, for some reason, the words wouldn’t come out.
The silver-furred fox was as good as a gift she had given to him. And now, Calix had given it back to her as a present.
To give such a meaningful silver-furred fox, and not to just anyone, but to her most loathed mother…
That was simply impossible.
“…What should I do about this?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“The silver-furred fox, I mean. It’s considered a sacred creature, isn’t it? In the Cantabria Empire, Mother.”
“…Is it?”
Since her mother was only well-informed about her own interests, there was no way she knew that Cantabria had a temple, and that silver-furred animals were considered sacred there.
And just as expected, Lea could feel not only Calix, but also Zion and the nearby attendants turning their eyes toward them.
Feigning innocence, Lea said apologetically to Bianca,
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you wanted it, Mother… I already sent a letter offering it as a donation to the temple.”
“What?”
“If I had known you planned to use it as a scarf, I wouldn’t have done that. I apologize, Mother.”
“……”
Lea knew exactly what Bianca was most sensitive about. It was the same reason she tormented Calix in such petty, covert ways.
Public perception.
Despite having seized power, Bianca still held dearly to her image as a benevolent Empress who cared for the people of the Cantabria Empire.
There was no way she would ever make a remark that could be seen as disrespectful toward the clergy of Cantabria.
“My, Lea. You’ve done a good deed on behalf of your mother. Very well done.”
“…Yes, Mother.”
“I was worried you might use the fox for something improper, so I asked… but I suppose I was being narrow-minded.”
“I’m always learning from you, Mother. As soon as I remembered your words, I sent the letter to the temple.”
“…I see. Even while sick, you acted quickly. How admirable, my daughter.”
Though Bianca praised her with words, her gaze was as cold as ice. Everyone present—those who knew her nature well—would surely have felt it too.
Still, matching her mother’s unshakable performance, Lea also maintained a graceful smile.
“As expected of my sister.”
At that moment, Calix—who had quietly listened until now—interjected. Smiling brightly, he stepped closer and wrapped an arm around Lea’s waist.
Startled by the sudden contact, Lea inhaled sharply and froze.
“I would’ve held your shoulder, but since you’re injured, I hope you’ll forgive me for wrapping my arm around your waist instead, Sister?”
Instead of answering, she simply gave a small nod.
“Sister? You don’t look well. Perhaps it’s still too soon for you to be walking around?”
Just sensing his scent this close was already too much, and now with him leaning in, she felt a strong urge to escape.
With a pale face, Lea slipped out of his arms as naturally as she could and answered while looking away.
“No, I’m fine.”
Her curt reply, cold enough to feel like rejection, briefly made Calix’s expression harden.
“Oh dear, what a mischievous son. Tormenting a sick girl—that’s hardly gentlemanly behavior.”
“My apologies if it came across that way, Sister. I was only worried…”
“Oh, Lea. His Majesty the Emperor said you may ask for anything you want, should there be something you desire.”
Perhaps something about her had pleased Bianca—suddenly offering her a prize. Lea instinctively looked at her mother. Those golden eyes, so much like her own, gleamed brightly.
“…I’d like a jewelry box.”
“A jewelry box?”
“Yes. I’m not asking for one as fine as the one you own, Mother. But something similar, filled with various gems, would be lovely.”
Lea made the request deliberately, hoping to come across as a daughter eager to follow in her mother’s footsteps—hungry for her approval.
“Hmph, fine. A prize is a prize, after all. I should give you what you ask for.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Mother!”
Lea expressed her joy as enthusiastically as she could. And in truth, she was genuinely pleased. She planned to collect all such gifts to build a personal reserve of emergency funds.
With that money, she would slowly, piece by piece, help Calix reclaim all that he had lost.
To do that, she needed to take advantage of this moment—while Bianca still held the Emperor’s favor and was depleting the national treasury.
Bianca looked at Lea’s smiling, foolish-looking face with scorn. Calix, meanwhile, watched with eyes sunk in quiet intensity.
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