Chapter 83 (2/2)

“Let me see you off in return for your tea. Let’s go to your wagon.”

“You must be busy… I’m fine, Your Majesty. ”

Despite my dissuasion, he got up and walked out first. I helplessly walked after him, thinking he was really strange these days.

On the way back home I thought about what was going on with him. Last time when I brewed tea, he emptied it quickly and took a second cup. Why did he refuse it today? Didn’t he like it?

Of course, he emptied the first cup. Come to think of it, when he came to my house the other day, he acted rather strangely and hastily drank hot tea. Did he react like that when he was embarrassed?

‘Well, let me check if my guesswork is right next time when I see him.’

Lost in thought, I opened the carriage window and looked at the scenery outside.

With the festival around the corner, all the roads were full of excited crowds, street musicians’ playing and delicious smells.

It was the first day of the National Founding Day festival.

The streets that I watched on my way to the Imperial Palace were all festive. Because the festival was banned due to a massive famine for the past three years, it was natural that everyone was excited about its return. Even though it was already getting dark, there were many crowds on the street.

While I got carried away with the sound of crowds’ voices, street musicians’ playing music and children’s joyful laughter of children, I suddenly felt like I wanted to go out there to join them, but gave up.

‘Well, I may have a chance to enjoy the festival someday.’

I closed the window quietly, giving up the urge with regret.

I arrived at the Central Palace and entered with the crown prince waiting for me.

Shortly afterwards, the emperor entered and delivered a short congratulatory speech, starting the first day of the festivals to celebrate the National Founding Day.

After delivering the speech, the emperor, who sat at the top of the platform, looked at him and me who were sitting side by side on the lower platform.

“Lady Monique, you are so beautiful today.”

“I’m honored to hear your compliment, Your Majesty.”

“Why don’t you wear things like this more often instead of wearing a uniform all the time? ”

“… Yes, Your Majesty.” I replied feebly to him who cracked a joke with a hearty laugh.

I looked at my dress again. The dress I picked in advance was dark, but I changed it because I was bothered when he asked me why I liked dark colors.

I was putting on a light blue dress that fluttered like a wave, a hairpin inlaid with sapphire and diamond and a necklace made of aquamarine on a silver line and earrings with the same design as the necklace. I looked different from what I was before.

At that moment, I saw five women approaching us. Come to think of it, today they were supposed to formally introduce themselves as candidates of the crown prince’s bride candidates. Starting off with Princess Frincia, they showed due manners by bowing to the emperor. He then left, asking them to enjoy the banquet. After bowing to the emperor, I came down from the platform, holding the crown prince’s hands.

“Some of you have already met her, but this is the first official meeting. Please introduce yourself.”

The princesses were silent. They looked hostile to each other. It seemed that they felt offended as they had to bow to each other because they were accustomed to living as royal family members in their motherlands. Or they might have felt bad because they might have to bow to me first as they heard about the rumors about the crown prince’s alleged breakoff of engagement to me.

Princess Frincia spoke to me first with a smile.

“Hi, Lady Monique. I’m glad to see you again. Since it is an official place, I would like to introduce myself again. I am Frincia de Lua, the 2nd princess of the Lua kingdom. ”

She slightly made an eye gesture to me with a smile. I also smiled at her.

When she stepped back, another princess greeted me hesitantly.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Monique. I am Beatrice de Lisa, the fifth princess of the Kingdom of Lisa. “