I felt as if I was sitting on a cushion of thorns all the way to the Imperial Palace in the carriage.
When the carriage stopped and I checked the place I had arrived, I couldn’t help but panic.
I thought it would be called the reception room of the main palace, but it was the winter palace where the emperor personally stayed.
I asked the servant who had met me in advance.
“Isn’t this the Emperor’s personal palace?”
“His Majesty said that he would like to meet you in a meaningful place because it is a private meeting.”
There’s no need to give it that much meaning.
It felt like entering a tiger’s den trying to catch a fox.
The Winter Palace was the palace where Aster stayed since the days of the Crown Prince.
This was a really private realm, and no woman had come to this place except the Empress.
‘How am I supposed to say that I made a mistake while drunk?’
A cold sweat was running down my back.
I was worried that if I said something wrong, my neck might be blown away, because the emperor described in the original was a person who would remain that way.
The place we arrived after following the servant was a beautiful greenhouse.
True to the name of the Winter Palace, it was a space full of flowers blooming in winter.
And in front was Aster who came out beautifully decorated.
“Princess, come here.”
“…It’s an honor to see you. Your Majesty.”
I paused for a moment and looked at him.
Aster was dressed in casual clothes. He felt a little different than when he was wearing a uniform.
“From here on, I will guide you. Come this way, Karin.”
“Yes, yes. Your Majesty.”
I was startled by the sudden call by my nickname, and I stumbled. It was so elegant that I wondered if my name could be heard like this.
“Come this way.”
He guided me to a small pavilion full of camellias. Cute desserts and tea were placed on a table made of white marble.
“It is my first date, so I had a hard time choosing what you liked…”
“Thank you for caring so much, Your Majesty. I can’t wait to see what it tastes like.”
“When we’re alone, you can call me by my first name.”
“What? Oh, but that…”
“If you want to call me like that, it’s fine. Get seated. The tea will get cold.”
At the end of the day, I sat down in the chair.
Aster warmed the teacup and poured the tea. The sound of water falling while drawing elegant lines and the neat appearance of Aster went better than expected.
I could not have imagined that he was a cruel emperor who was engrossed in power known to the public.
He somehow felt unfamiliar with how he handled the tea skillfully.
Come to think of it, I had many fiances during that time, but he was the first to personally serve tea.
He smiled at me and set the teacup in front of me.
“It’s my favorite tea, but I don’t know if it will fit the princess’ taste.”
“Ah, I like to drink anything, so it’s okay.”
“I think we should get rid of alcohol if anything.”
My face burned with a strange grumpy tone.
That day was too much for me to even think about. I muttered with my head down.
“Hey, forget about that day.”
“I’m kidding. You don’t have to be so shy.”
He said so and tapped the back of my hand.
When I raised my head, I met Aster’s eyes that were sparkling with playfulness.
“By the way, what if you’re sorry? I don’t regret that day.”
The words arranged in a low, soft voice felt dangerous.
I couldn’t take my eyes off his eyes staring straight at me.
“That, so. This…”
Seeing my bewildered face, Aster laughed out loud.
“I know what the princess was thinking. After waking up the next day, you must have remembered your family’s position.”
He spoke kindly, as if he understood my situation.
Still, there was something unknown in his gaze towards me.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
“No need to be sorry. Isn’t it just a relationship?”
“What?”
“I don’t care if the princess wants to be a couple without getting engaged. Although marriage is the best for me.”
There was no word for a moment in response to his cool reply.
Aster was the emperor of the empire. A strong ally was needed to counter the aristocratic faction centered around Archduke Gloucester.
And the easiest way to get that ally was through marriage.
In particular, the Duke Pioneer family boasted a long history as a family in the country of origin.
Besides, my father was honest enough to be upright, so he was popular with the people.
As an emperor, acclaimed to have sat on a throne soaked in the blood of his brothers, it was perfect for renewing his image.
But he was letting go of this chance.
What happened to Aster’s head?
“Your eyes are saying that I’m crazy, princess.”
“Ah…no, Your Majesty. How could I have such a bizarre thought?”