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For a moment, the first question that popped into my head was, "Why?"
But I swallowed the question that had risen to my chin.
I was curious about the answer, but I wasn't curious.
Because it felt like it would be a turning point in our relationship, in any direction, in any way.
No matter which way the answer went, I was afraid of the change it would bring.
So, I chose to bury the question for now.
"...I understand. It's not a difficult task. But before that."
I immediately grabbed Idris's hand as he was about to fold the letter.
"Since you're back at the mansion, why don't you go wash up first?"
Idris let out a hollow laugh, then raised both hands as if admitting defeat and stood up.
After pushing him away like that, I started writing the letter again.
"The next one is..."
As I checked the name on the list, I frowned without realizing it.
[The Cloel Barony]
The name of my father's family, which was all too familiar and even tiresome, was written there.
'It's been strangely quiet lately, though...'
I had mixed feelings of wanting to live without ever hearing from them again and being curious.
'But let's send an invitation for now.'
Because we have to face and resolve this in some way.
After writing the invitation to send to my family, I let out a sigh mixed with annoyance as I checked the next one.
[The Farnese Duchy]
'I don't even want to see their faces, but...'
Still, they're high-ranking nobles, and this event is being held in the name of the imperial family, not mine.
'I shouldn't act on my personal feelings.'
Suppressing the rising revulsion, I wrote a perfunctory invitation roughly and finished.
And the last one is...
'Should I send an invitation to this person too?'
The next day.
"Haa..."
Getting out of the carriage, I sighed and looked at the magnificent building in front of me.
A place with the emblem symbolizing the empire drawn on it.
It was the Imperial Palace.
'The Emperor is still scary.'
The reason why I came to the Imperial Palace myself, even though I was so scared, was, of course, because of the bazaar invitation in my hand.
Other nobles would just send one invitation for a family or a married couple...
'I don't think I can do that for His Majesty.'
Isn't he the sun of the empire?
Of course, the Empress is hosting the event, so he would definitely attend even if I didn't send an invitation.
But I felt like I would get on his bad side if I didn't even send a formal invitation.
Being in a position where I'm already disliked, I didn't want to give them any reason to pick on me.
'Anyway, I have to keep pretending to be Idris's lover for the time being.'
So, I brought the personally written invitation and came to the Imperial Palace myself.
'He's a busy person anyway, so I won't run into him.'
I was just going to deliver the invitation to the head chamberlain and go back.
"What brings Lady Cloel here?"
...Until His Majesty the Emperor appeared behind me.
'Gasp.'
I swallowed the scream that almost burst out of my mouth and quickly paid my respects.
"Y-Your Majesty the Emperor."
Then, a beat late, I remembered the question from earlier and was about to answer, but His Majesty's gaze reached the invitation faster.
"...A letter?"
I quickly held out the invitation.
"It's an invitation to the upcoming charity bazaar."
His Majesty took the invitation I handed him.
"I'm sure you already know the schedule... But it's the first event I've planned, so I wanted to formally invite you. Because you are a very precious guest."
"..."
"There's nothing important in it, so you don't have to read it."
"..."
"Then, I will take my leave now."
I bowed and turned around before taking up more of His Majesty's time.
But then.
"If you're not busy, stop by for a moment."
"...Pardon?"
Before I could even understand what he meant, His Majesty had already entered the office.
Barely regaining my senses at the urging gaze of the head chamberlain, I swallowed hard and entered the office.
"Sit comfortably."
His Majesty pointed to the sofa with a nod, reading the invitation I had just handed him.
I forced a faint smile and sat on the sofa.
'I wasn't this nervous when I met him with Idris...'
Just when I was starting to calm down after being flustered by the sudden situation, His Majesty put down the invitation I gave him.
At the same time, the head chamberlain, who had entered with a knock, put down the tea and left.
After the sound of pouring water, a suffocating silence returned.
I was fully prepared to answer any question he might ask, and finally, His Majesty opened his mouth.
"How are the preparations for the bazaar going?"
The first topic was about the bazaar.
I calmly explained what I had planned.
"Since the event has been suspended for the past two years, I thought the biggest problem was that people's interest had faded. So, I made increasing attention the biggest task of this bazaar..."
But His Majesty only asked questions from time to time and didn't offer any particular evaluation.
Idris always had a smile on his face, making it difficult to know what he was thinking, while His Majesty had a consistently expressionless face, making it impossible to read his thoughts.
'They're different but similar, kind of like brothers.'
I calmly finished the briefing, thinking of the man in front of me as Idris, not the sun of this empire.
Then, the next topic flew in.
"I heard you've known Idris for a long time?"
I paused for a moment at that question.
'A long time...? I haven't known him for a long time.'
Did Idris say that?
If so, I had to match his words.
"Ah, yes."
"I'm curious about what aspects of that guy you liked."
If someone else had asked, I would have thought it was just curiosity about gossip, but if the questioner was His Majesty the Emperor, it was a different story.
'Could he be guessing that Idris and I are in a contract relationship and testing me...?'
I feel like I'm sweating cold on my back...
But it wasn't a question I couldn't answer.
"At first, to be honest, I was more afraid because of the rumors. But after getting to know him a little better, I realized right away that those rumors were all misrepresentations, and that he is actually a kind and warm person."
This wasn't a lie to deceive His Majesty, but the truth.
But His Majesty showed a reaction for the first time at those words.
"...That kid is kind and warm?"
With his brow furrowed deeply, with an expression of disbelief.
I tilted my head.
"Isn't he? He treats His Highness the Crown Prince and the other children kindly, so I thought he was a naturally warm person."
"Of course, he is to Ludian, but..."
Kind... Warm...
His Majesty muttered those two words with a serious face, then asked the next question.
"Do you have any thoughts of marrying Idris?"
Finally, that question came out!
I was caught off guard when Her Majesty the Empress asked me before because I hadn't expected it, but I was prepared today.
'It's better to lie appropriately here for Idris's sake.'
If I say I have thoughts of marrying him, Idris won't be bothered about marriage anymore.
And when this contract relationship ends later, if I act like Idris dumped me, there won't be any repercussions.
As I was about to open my mouth with that thought, His Majesty added first.
"If it's just a lighthearted relationship, I hope you'll end it as quickly as possible."
That was an expected story.
No, it was more surprising that I hadn't heard it sooner.
But the expression on His Majesty's face as he said that was something I hadn't expected.
"That child... lost his mother early and has been living lonely without a family of his own. I took care of him as much as I could, but it wouldn't have been enough for his heart."
"..."
"So now, I want that child to build a 'real family' and be stably loved and loved."
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