NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37
Chapter 37: The Imperial Palace
The long line of debutantes stretched ahead, with the Duchess and me at the very end.
Unfortunately, no one joined behind us, which meant we’d be the last to present ourselves—a rather uncomfortable position.
The girl in front of me, slightly plump and nervous, approached the Emperor, bowed gracefully, exchanged a few polite words, and left after receiving a kiss on her hand.
Now, the Emperor and Empress turned their gazes toward the Duchess and me.
Behind them stood a middle-aged man in a pristine military uniform adorned with medals.
A line of soldiers stood at attention, likely ready to prevent any untoward incidents.
As the Duchess and I stepped forward, we performed a deep curtsy, slightly lifting the hems of our skirts.
I kept my mouth shut, knowing that speaking first was a privilege reserved for those of higher rank.
After a brief pause, the Empress addressed the Duchess.
“It’s been a while, Duchess Vitelsbach. Have you been well?
Has Mitch… that fool… been giving you much trouble?”
Mitch—that was an affectionate nickname. My father’s name, Mitchell, hardly suited him.
“Not at all, Your Majesty. My husband has always showered me with love,” the Duchess replied with a serene smile.
“Haha, that’s good to hear.
And so, this must be Marisela.”
The Empress’ gaze fell on me, and I inclined my head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I’ve heard a great deal about you. The people here are always hungry for gossip, you know.”
I had no idea what stories she’d heard, but I doubted they were flattering.
“Most of the children who come here bring dreams of love, hope, or the prospect of an honorable and wealthy match. But your eyes…”
She leaned forward slightly, studying me. “Your eyes are dark and lifeless, as if you’ve been dragged here against your will with nothing to hope for.”
“…I apologize,” I murmured.
“There’s nothing to apologize for, child.”
Her tone softened. “I only said it because you seem pitiable.
After all, there are enough people eager to defame you—like the absurd rumor that you killed a knight at the age of eleven.”
Her words made me flinch slightly. It wasn’t defamation; it was true.
“Even if everyone else here shuns you, know that you have my welcome.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Empress extended her hand, and I mimicked the gesture of taking it, bowing again. She seemed pleased with my composure, a faint smile gracing her lips.
The Emperor spoke next, his white gloves pristine against the vibrant red of his uniform.
“I read the letter Mitch sent about you. It was full of praise for your intelligence and beauty. Seeing you in person, I can see he wasn’t exaggerating.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“No need to thank me.
If Mitch was willing to look beyond that beautiful woman at his side and fall for a commoner, your mother must have been truly stunning.”
The Duchess’ face froze, her forced smile trembling at the edges.
Couldn’t she control her expressions before someone so high-ranking? Was she really just another emotionally-driven woman no different from those on the streets?
The thought amused me.
The Emperor continued, unfazed. “I imagine even those scholars who pester me incessantly would lose their composure if they saw you. Those who argue it’s impossible to define human beauty would surely be captivated by your presence.”
His words reminded me of the tedious philosophical texts the Duchess had once forced me to memorize. Without thinking, I responded:
“Those scholars, cloistered away and disconnected from the real world, can hardly compare to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, then began quizzing me about those very texts.
“Have you studied at the Academy?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
I hadn’t needed to. The endless hours spent reciting passages filled with drivel about aesthetics, perception, and natural phenomena had left me intimately familiar with their arguments.
The Emperor seemed impressed.
“The Duchess must have been a remarkable teacher.”
“…Yes.”
His gaze shifted, playful and calculating. “Another exceptional child stood before me earlier.
Like you, they were bright and beautiful. Yet despite your similarities, you seem opposites in every way.”
He must have been referring to her—the protagonist. I had caught a glimpse of flowing golden hair that almost seemed to glow, illuminated by nothing but the chandelier overhead.
I didn’t see her face, of course, and I couldn’t very well abandon decorum to push past the Duchess and get a better look.
The Emperor leaned back, studying me.
“Every child who has stood here has answered the same question. Tell me, child, what kind of Emperor do you think I am?”
The Duchess had drilled me on this: recite his titles, every single one, in perfect order.
“The rightful king of the Charichin Kingdom, head of the united realms blessed by Isten, protector of faith, legitimate Emperor of all the imperial peoples…”
“Enough,” he interrupted, waving a hand. “Reciting forgotten titles even though I don’t care about them is pointless.”
My voice grew a little sharp. “Then what would you like to know, Your Majesty?”
He didn’t seem offended.
“One child said I seemed like a slightly foolish yet kind uncle. That response broke the captain of the guard’s stoic demeanor—it had been ages since I’d seen that.”
The Emperor chuckled to himself. “Now tell me, without reciting my titles or sugarcoating your words, what kind of man do you think I am? Speak honestly. Curse me if you like.”
His gaze wasn’t on Marisela, the Duchess’ daughter.
It was on Marie, the orphan from the slums.
For the first time, I realized he’d seen right through me.
And so I spoke, unfiltered.
“You’re a self-important noble who doesn’t even bother to notice the people beneath you.”
The room didn’t fall silent.
The guard captain’s expression tightened slightly, and the Empress looked vaguely uncomfortable, but nothing more.
“The slum rats seem to think so,” the Emperor replied with a smirk. “And what of the common folk—not the beggars, but those with modest means?”
“They likely think you’re a great Emperor. You’ve never lost a war, and you leave a small chance for those with talent to rise, even if most struggle in poverty.”
“And does this empire seem eternal to you?”
“It does.”
“Then may your life in this eternal empire be filled with honor and love.”
He extended his hand for me to kiss.
His hand bore a faint red mark—evidence that the golden-haired girl had left a much more enthusiastic kiss than etiquette demanded.
I barely brushed my lips to his hand before bowing and exiting the chamber.
The Duchess followed silently until we reached the carriage, where she exploded.
“Marisela! What were you thinking spouting such reckless nonsense to the Emperor?!
We’re lucky he was in a good mood or dismissed you as an uneducated child!”
Her tirade washed over me. I sighed and muttered an apology.
“Three days from now, the ball at the palace—don’t you dare cause any trouble there.”
“Yes, Duchess.”
The carriage rolled on.
I sank into the sofa, loosening the suffocating dress and undoing my hair. Then, I picked up the catalog and pen.
I marked a polished piano, a guitar, and a bottle of sweet sleeping draught before setting it aside.
Back at the mansion, I shook off the persistent servants, left my dress in the wardrobe, and retreated to the bath.
I scrubbed myself clean, as if trying to wash away the day’s weight.
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