Chapter 63 (1/2)

While I was chatting with them, the protocol officer announced the next to see the emperor. The next was our family’s turn, who was the third most powerful family in the empire.

When I was about to leave the waiting room with my father, I suddenly felt someone was staring at me in a disapproving manner. They were none other than a gray-haired old man and a purple-haired middle-aged man.

“What’s wrong, Tia?”

“… ”

“Don’t look at them. Let’s go.”

My father, who looked at them, spoke with a displeased voice. His voice was even threatening.

I opened my eyes wide and looked at my father. Our family, the center of the pro-emperor faction, and the Duke Jena family, the leader of the anti-emperor faction, couldn’t mingle together, but I didn’t think my father showed such a hostile reaction to them.

“Welcome, Marquis Monique and Lady Monique.”

“I’m honored to see Your Majesty, the Sun of the empire.”

“I, Aristia La Monique, am honored to greet Your Majesty, the Sun of the empire.”

As if he was in a good mood on the occasion of the New Year, the emperor welcomed us cheerfully.

“You don’t have to offer such formal greetings to me, given our relationship, Marquis Monique. Let’s have a chat.”

“Your Majesty!”

“It’s my order as the emperor. I hope you understand me. You can leave after you see me, but I have to see all the guests outside.”

“… Sure, Your Majesty.”

The emperor laughed heartily at my father’s reply, then told me, “It’s been a long time, Lady Monique. How is your new job as the captain’s aide?”

“Well, I’m still learning, so I’m causing lots of trouble.”

“Really? I’ve just heard from Duke Lars that you’re doing a good job. You know, too much humility is pride.”

“I’m honored if you say so, Your Majesty.”

“I think your father deserves the credit. No matter how smart she is, I hear she has had only a few months of apprenticeship. Still, you have trained her so well that even Duke Lars is praising her competence so much. Awesome! ”

“I’m flattered, Your Majesty.”

While he was chatting with my father for a while, the emperor said as if he recalled something,

“Oh, I recently heard an interesting rumor. Well, they say that you and Duke Lars’ son are lovers.”

I flinched at the emperor’s unexpected remarks. When I looked into it, I found out that it was just ungrounded gossip, and most of our faction didn’t believe it. Actually, I also gave it a pass, but I didn’t think the emperor seemed to be interested in it.

“It was really interesting. According to the rumor, he eloped with her, so the crown prince stopped by the Monique estate as he couldn’t stand it anymore.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. As I neglected my duty, I was foolish enough not to check my daughter’s behavior and disgraced the honor of the imperial family…”

But the emperor stopped my father in a hurry and said, “Ah, don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to blame you or your daughter. I came to know the whole story. I was just afraid that some stupid guys were spreading such ridiculous rumors.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“Well, don’t you know who spread the rumors? As your daughter joined the knights division, they must have felt something strange. I think they tried to test the relationship between the Monique family and the emperor by spreading such strange rumors,” said the emperor, clicking his tongue.

“Lady Monique, as you are smart, you must have understood what I said, right? Why do you think I tacitly agreed to let you join the knights division?”

“I’m not sure, Your Majesty.”

I was curious about it. I just guessed that my father must have done something to make it work.

Looking at me, the emperor said with a smile, “It’s because I owe a great deal to your father, but I’ve not yet given up. I feel sorry for you and your daughter, but I still think your daughter is the most ideal empress candidate.”

I tightened my grip on the hem of my skirt, but I struggled not to express my feelings.

I silently looked down.

“A few years ago, I was worried that I would clash with Rube about this matter, but he seems to be a little different now. I’m sorry, Marquis Monique. That’s why I don’t want to let go of your daughter. Forgive my selfishness.”

After being silent for a moment, the emperor said with a little sigh, “Can I ask you a favor, Lady Monique?”