Married Couple’s Qualifications

“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Marquis Clayton.” (Luzen)

“Your Majesty has invited me personally so how can I refuse?” (Bake)

‘I’m very grateful to hear you say that. I was worried that the Marquis might not want to dine with me because he was always trying to reason with me.” (Luzen)

Apart from the sarcasm, the Emperor greeted Bake with a bright smile, as if welcoming an old friend, and Bake was not much different. 

Bake broke the mood by smiling socially at the emperor who tapped him on the shoulder and thanked him for his courtesy. But he actually didn’t want to come to the Imperial Palace.

 Bake wanted to get out of the Imperial Palace at this very moment, now that he was invited to dine with the Emperor.

 He knew better than anyone that the Emperor could not have arranged the meal with pure intentions.

“It can’t be.” (Bake)

“Of course it can’t. You’re truly the most loyal of the empire’s loyalists. I remember everything about how much you’ve done for me so far.” (Luzen)

“…….”

“That’s why this incident is even more heartbreaking. In many ways.” (Luzen)

Bake silently met the emperor’s gaze, which naturally turned towards him. It was to keep the emperor in check, but now the emperor had no hesitation.

‘It’s a pleasure to see you again. Marchioness Clayton.” (Luzen)

“Ah, yes! Your Majesty. It is an honor to meet you here.” (Riv)

Rivianna greeted the Emperor enthusiastically as a young lady who had just received her debutante a long time ago. She didn’t know if Duke Pierre had already told him the story or not, but the way the Emperor looked at her was particularly intense.

“I guess you don’t remember me after all. It’s a shame, really. We were quite close.” (Luzen)

“Your Majesty and I?” (Riv)

“Why are you so surprised? There can’t be a man in the capital who doesn’t like a white deer of the society. You have no idea how disappointed I was when you held the hand of another man before I came of age.” (Luzen)

“…….”

“I swear, you are partly responsible for the fact that I am still single.” (Luzen)

“Don’t make fun of my wife, Your Majesty.” (Bake)

Unable to resist, Bake interrupted and expressed his displeasure. However, whether that appearance satisfied the emperor, the emperor just smiled and nodded more pleasantly.

“Who made fun of her? I’m just confessing the truth. I was one of the men who adored Marchioness Clayton.” (Luzen)

“…….”

“Marchioness Clayton, if you don’t like your husband’s behavior, just say it. I know a good man.” (Luzen)

“……you’re joking too much, Your Majesty.”  (Bake)

Bake, who had somehow remained silent, once again couldn’t stand it and spoke out. Of course, this time again, the Emperor did not really care. Rivianna’s amnesia was a good opportunity for the Emperor.

“It wasn’t just a joke, you know. Marchioness Clayton has more than one or two first loves.” (Luzen)

“…….”

‘It’s a mouth-watering story and an outrageous one at that. Really, I heard that Lady Clayton’s fame was amazing back then.” (Luzen)

Unlike the Emperor’s eyes, which were arcing lines, Bake’s expression darkened. It wasn’t a mistake for the emperor to deliberately mention the word ‘Lady’. There was someone else who would call her ‘Lady’. Rivianna deliberately erased the person’s face that came to her mind and presented the box she had brought to the emperor.

 “It’s not enough, but I felt it would be rude to come empty-handed to the invitation, so I prepared it.” (Riv)

“It’s not enough? The fact that the Marchioness of Clayton brought it with her beautiful hands is amazing in itself. Especially for someone who is so nostalgic for the memories.” (Luzen)

The more Bake’s expression distorted, the more the emperor continued to talk with increasing amusement. No matter how much momentum the Marquis of Clayton had, as long as he belonged to the Empire, he couldn’t go against the absolute imperial order. 

Despite his public reputation as a clumsy monarch whose abilities had yet to be recognized, the young emperor knew how to make good use of his position.

“Too much talking has made me hungry. It’s not polite to keep the guests waiting, so let’s talk while eating. I’ve given the chef the word to prepare the best food, and I’m sure you’ll like it.” (Luzen)

After he finished talking, Luzen walked away, and the waiting servants opened the door in time. In order to reach the dining room, they had to pass through the huge door, which was opened by two partitions, at least three times.

“……There must be more invited guests besides us.”

“I called him over because I thought it would be better for everyone to share the good food.” (Luzen)

Bake’s lips quivered finely at the Emperor’s eyes, which knew everything but bent on sarcasm. There were three of them in the dining hall, and the seats provided were for four.

“If I had known this was the occasion, I would have paid more attention to it.” (Bake)

“Very well. I think the Marquis of Clayton is the most fashionable man in the capital. Rather, it is Duke Pierre who has to prepare.”(Luzen)

“…….”

“The only thing that came back was a letter saying he would be late.” (Luzen)

The emperor sighed, not hiding his regret, and Bake’s expression brightened somewhat. 

Checking his appearance with a sideways glance, the emperor said nothing, but sat down at the top of the long table and beckoned. It was a signal to hurry up and take a seat, and also a signal to hurry up and serve food. 

Rivianna was escorted to her seat by Bake. It was not known what the Emperor was up to until revealed his true intentions, so for now she was going to watch.

With Bake distracted by the still unfilled seat rather than the endless chatter of the Emperor, she was able to look around.

However, perhaps her expectations were too high, but unlike her nervousness, the emperor didn’t move much. All he did was take out the unnecessary talk and try his best to keep the atmosphere lively. Eventually she couldn’t stand the boredom and lifted her  glass.

“Oh. I see that the Marchioness’s glass is already empty. Does the wine suit your palate?”

“It’s delicious. The aroma is especially good.”

“Well then, how about another glass? Because this is the wine that I prepared for the Marchioness from the beginning.”

“How can I refuse when you have said so, Your Majesty?”

As soon as Rivianna finished her answer, the transparent glass was filled with reddish-black wine. It was at that moment that she felt her nerves melt away as the scent of oak tickled her nose. 

The glass was filled, and the bottle of wine that the retreating servant was holding staggered and shook, and the wine spilled directly onto her.

Thump, thump, thump. Thump, thump, thump. In the silence that fell, she heard the sound of falling water drops very loudly.

“I’m sorry!”

The servant who was the first to grasp the situation knelt down in front of Rivianna. She shrank, covering her damp chest with her hands. 

The texture of the fabric clinging to her skin was uncomfortable. In front of the public, it was very embarrassing to have her dress stained. 

Nevertheless, she was not offended because she had already seen it. While everyone was embarrassed and at a loss, the emperor was actually smiling.

****

In the room guided by the maid, there was a man, not new clothes. Rivianna laughed in vain when she saw Duke Pierre, contrary to 

the emperor’s words, Duke Pierre had already arrived at the imperial palace. 

She didn’t know when he waited for her here, but at least what was  certain was that the servant who poured wine on her did not make a mistake. Rather, he only performed his duties perfectly.

“His Majesty said he would provide new clothes for me, but I don’t think it’s the case.”

“His Majesty ….”

Duke Pierre stopped speaking as he walked towards Rivianna. Eventually, he seemed to discover her chest, stained red with wine. She was a little troubled to see what kind of expression he would make because he was standing against the sun, but she quickly lowered her gaze. It was something she didn’t have to know.

“Since His Majesty arranged this, may I assume that Your Excellency has now accepted my proposal?” (Riv)

In the end, she clasped her hands, pretending not to know, knowing the man’s cold stare. After a few moments of silence like that, Duke Pierre spoke up first.

“You say it shamelessly.” (Calix)

“…….”

Rivianna slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again. No other words were needed. She could understand the man’s feelings for her just by looking into his resentful eyes. But she had to pull herself together. It wasn’t that she didn’t have something to say, but too many years had passed. Most importantly, she was already prepared.

“Don’t you want this shameless woman?” (Riv)

“I don’t want it.” (Calix)

“Then why did you do what I asked?” (Riv)

“I’m going to find out how far you would  go.” (Calix)

“…….”

“And how it will collapse.” (Calix)

Duke Pierre took another step closer to her. She could see his face for the first time in the close distance. So she decided to laugh some more.

“That wouldn’t be very bad either.” (Riv)

“I’m not on your side. And it won’t make much difference to His Majesty either.” (Calix)

“How can you say that? Are you worried about me?”(Riv)

“It’s not a concern, it’s a threat. Just in case the situation changes later, so that you don’t get scared and run away.”

Rivianna gulped at the distance, which was too close. For a nobleman, perfume was so important that it could be considered another piece of clothing, but Duke Pierre didn’t wear perfume. Instead, there was a different scent coming from him. It was a raw, unadulterated scent that resembled dark eyes glowing in the dark. She cradled herself in the shade that hung over her head.

“Since we started, we have to see the end.” (Calix)

“…….”

　Clank. She heard the sound of iron friction. Rivianna reflexively empowered her arms against the sharp blade visible on Duke Pierre’s waist.

“If there is anything I can do to help, I will. I am in the position to deal with your husband too. One strike and that’s it.” (Calix)

“…….”

“Now that you’ve started, don’t even think about stopping. If you want to avenge your daughter, you must constantly prove usefulness and work hard. Otherwise, you’ll be sorted out before you can handle your husband.” (Calix)

“I’m not going to stop even without your threat.” (Riv)

“That’s something we’ll have to wait and see. The Marchioness is quite fickle, isn’t she?” (Calix)

When did he lower his sword? Rivianna let out a short gasp at Duke Pierre, who stepped back, suppressing her emotions. It was only then that she realized she was holding her breath. She chose her words for a moment and slowly parted her lips. But Duke Pierre was faster.

“What difference does it make when someone who had sent her dead parents and siblings ahead of her is still alive because she lost her daughter?” (Calix)

“…….”

“In the end, the Marchioness will try to live this time as well. As before, she will try to forget the past and make a new start.” (Calix)

“……..”

“At that time, I’ll be there.” (Calix)

Duke Pierre didn’t say anything after that. But he was still holding his sword at that moment.