“Oh, Wilhelm. Come on, get up. I’ve told you so many times that you don’t have to be so formal in front of me.”
“Before you are my brother, you are the only sun in Rosenberg. I can’t be disobedient.”
“You’re so straightforward anyway.”
Alexander shook his head and asked.
“So, how was Ishstabil?”
“As you said, it was a beautiful place. I can understand your fascination. The red roses blooming in the sky were very pretty.”
“I thought you’d fall in love if you saw it, too. I visited many places after the enthronement, but it was the first place where roses were blooming so brightly.”
Alexander, who smiled faintly while recalling where he had been a long time ago, asked again soon.
“Wasn’t the ride harder than that?”
“I wasn’t tired at all thanks to the great carriage the Emperor gave me.”
“You’re talking nonsense, man. I’m glad the carriage relieved you of any fatigue. If you’re having a hard time, the picture won’t come out well.”
Alexander grinned and asked.
“So, when will the painting be completed?”
“I’ll do my best to show you soon.”
“Yes, yes. Don’t overdo it. If you need anything, feel free to tell me. Got it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Wilhelm, I forgot to tell you something more than that.”
Wilhelm looked at Alexander with a curious look on his face, and a surprising remark was heard soon.
“The Empress is pregnant.”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
Wilhelm smiled broadly and congratulated Alexander.
“It’s a happy occasion. It is an honor to hear such good news directly from Your Majesty.”
“Haha, thank you for the compliment. The first child was a son, so I’m hoping for a daughter this time.”
Alexander spoke with a throbbing smile, turning stealthily to Wilhelm.
“You should get married and start a family soon…”
Alexander asked Wilhelm with a sneaky look.
“Don’t you want to get married?”
“…not yet.”
Wilhelm opened his lips carefully.
“I have no thoughts on it.”
Marriage meant settlement. In that case, his choice of leaving the palace and wandering life as soon as he had the Coming-of-Age Ceremony would be meaningless.
“You’ll feel comfortable without me.”’
He never doubted Alexander’s affection for him. He was a man who mercifully embraced his half-brother and his mother even after he ascended to the throne.
Many of his supporters may be hoping for his purge, but he tried to protect him to the end.
To repay Alexander’s loyalty, Wilhelm also insisted on living close to exile.
Alexander couldn’t have known Wilhelm’s feelings.
“…you too.”
Alexander sighed.
“Yes, you can go now. I heard you arrived last night, but you must be very tired since you entered the palace right away.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I’ll go back.”
“I’ll see you again before we leave.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll come back to you at a later date.”
Wilhelm smiled and lowered his head.
~~~~
“Are you sure you’re not coming with me, Olivia?”
Violet asked with a slightly disappointed look.
“It would be nice to go see the flowers with you…”
“I’m not feeling very well today. Have a good time with His Royal Highness.”
She asked for Olivia to accompany Louis to the flower viewing, but the answer of rejection immediately came back.
It couldn’t be helped because her body was sick.
“Well, by the way…”
Then, Olivia asked insinuatingly.
“Is His Majesty really not going with you?”
“Yeah. I guess he’s too busy to sleep well these days.”
Violet said to Olivia with a look of regret.
“Let’s go together next time, Ollie. Take care of yourself.”
“Yes, Her Majesty. Have a good time.”
“Okay, see you again.”
After saying goodbye to Olivia with a friendly hug, Violet went to the carriage where it was parked and got on with the help of the maid.
Louis planned to travel separately in a carriage with his nanny.
Then…
“Oh, my.”
Violet covered her mouth with a startled look.
“Your Majesty…”
“Ta-da. Are you surprised?”
“Oh, my God. What are you doing here?”
Violet still looked in disbelief, but smiled reflexively as soon as she saw her husband.
“I’m sure you’re busy…”
“It was a lie. To surprise you like this.”
“Oh, my lord.”
Violet slapped Alexander on the shoulder as if she couldn’t stop him.
“I was really surprised. I wasn’t expecting anything. I told Olivia to come with me.”
“Oh… So Lady Fontaine will accompany you?”
“No, it’s hard because she’s not feeling well.”
“Good. We can spend a cozy time alone in the beautiful flower garden.”
“Oh, my God, your Majesty… There’s Louis.”
“He has a nanny, too. It’s been a long time since we’ve spent time alone.”
“That’s true. I’m looking forward to it because it’s been a while.”
With such an unexpected number of people added, the carriage departed.