LSOV Chapter 06 — [R15]

 006. Journey to the Empire

"The princess is the last to arrive. Sit down."

Father, Mother, Shade, Daimond, and also Rachel and Cedric were already seated.

As soon as I sat down, the banquet began.

The first appetizer was served, a dish of crushed tomatoes spread over bread. A few fruits and jams were served along with the bread.

"Duke, was the journey tiring?"

"No, Your Majesty. It was manageable."

"In the days before teleportation existed, you would've had to ride a horse for an entire month, wouldn't you? It seems teleportation has greatly improved convenience for the people of the kingdom."

Daimond added to the conversation. Compared to him, I had nothing to contribute. I focused on the bread in front of me, adding more tomatoes from the small dish placed beside my plate.

"Mmm."

Father paused briefly. During that moment, the second appetizer arrived, barley noodles rolled into bite-sized coils topped with truffle sauce. I used my fork to pick up the center of the rolled noodles and ate it in one bite.

The mealtime proceeded in the usual formal manner. Dishes the chefs had prepared with great care for the guests came out one after another, and the people at the table chatted about their everyday lives.

While they spoke, I quietly cut into the main dish, a chicken steak.

I only began to participate in the table conversation once the desserts started to arrive.

Among the desserts was a piece of milk flan. I pressed my fork into it and put it in my mouth. It held its springy shape on the plate yet melted softly once inside my mouth.

"Daisy, why don't you have some more flan?"

Mother spoke gently.

Today's milk flan was especially delicious. Because I had been focusing on it, the flan on my plate disappeared quickly.

I glanced at the attendant standing behind me. The attendant ordered a servant to bring out a fresh serving of flan, placing a large bowl of it in the center of the table.

The attendant served a portion onto my plate. I pressed down on the flan with my spoon, cutting into it before eating it. Rich and sweet. I smiled with my eyes as I enjoyed it.

Then my eyes met Cedric's. He turned his head away without expression.

"It looks nice. I'm honestly a little jealous."

Rachel chimed in. Had I looked too fixated on the food during a meal with guests? Feeling slightly embarrassed, I slowed the movement of my hands.

Father also began talking about me.

"Though you may already have been informed, Duke, the princess will be joining you on the journey to Owen."

"Yes. His Imperial Majesty asked me to ensure the princess's safe escort."

"The Emperor is thoughtful indeed."

Father briefly glanced at me before turning back to Cedric.

"I feel greatly reassured that you're here, Duke. I'll be in your care."

"I will do my utmost."

I spoke with a gentle smile, while Cedric replied like a line straight from an etiquette textbook. Mother joined in, speaking about my journey to the Empire.

"Princess Daisy has stayed only within the palace. Unlike the princes, she commuted to the Academy. I believe this will be a wonderful opportunity for her to experience Imperial culture and learn much."

Cedric, who had been maintaining eye contact with the others as he conversed, briefly turned his gaze to me, just for a moment, before looking back at Mother.

"The princess is already exceptional. Still, if there is anything she requires of me, I will assist her."

It was purely a formal courtesy. A polite sentence delivered with the same utterly emotionless demeanor he used even when offering help.

"Ah! Duke Deirton, that's a wonderful idea!"

Rachel suddenly spoke in a slightly louder voice, flashing a bright smile. The attention at the table shifted to her.

"The truth is, I've been thinking about where the princess should stay. Since I'm extending the invitation, it's my responsibility. And hearing your words, I realized, it might be best for Her Highness to stay at the Deirton ducal residence in the capital! What do you think?"

Surprised, my hand froze.

I hadn't given much thought to my accommodations, but I had assumed I would naturally be staying at the Imperial Palace. However, since Rachel had already suggested somewhere outside the palace, I couldn't very well bring the palace up now. Cedric's eyes settled briefly on me.

"Wouldn't it be an inconvenience for the Duke? Bringing it up so suddenly at this table might make it hard for him to refuse even if he is uncomfortable."

"But the princess doesn't really have anywhere else to stay, does she?"

Rachel spoke as though the Imperial Palace had never even crossed her mind.

"I wouldn't mind renting a small house for a short time. I grew up surrounded by family and attendants, so I'm rather looking forward to staying somewhere quiet."

"Even if you take a few knights with you, wouldn't safety be a concern? If the Deirton residence isn't suitable, I can help find another noble household for you."

Rachel smiled sharply. Saying that the Deirton residence might be "unsuitable" right in front of Duke Cedric Deirton was a breach of decorum.

Flustered, I quickly waved my hands, saying that wasn't what I meant.

Cedric took a sip of his drink. After slowly setting his glass down, he spoke.

"I have no objection. You may stay at the ducal residence as long as you wish."

Outwardly, Cedric truly looked as though he didn't mind at all.

"With the Duke being so considerate, I hardly know how to repay you."

"No repayment is necessary. It is only natural."

Since the master of the household himself said it was fine, there was no longer any reason for me to refuse. Honestly, I didn't care where I stayed. In fact, it felt better to stay at Cedric's residence, where no one knew my true name or the circumstances behind my visit, rather than somewhere close to the Imperial family who knew everything.

"I'm a princess, I'm used to receiving people's kindness. So I'll gratefully accept your help, Duke."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Or should I call you… the homeowner?"

Cedric had said earlier, during the agreement with Rachel, that he knew nothing about the transport of the treasures. He'd also said he wasn't aligned with her.

Even so, he was willing to accept the inconvenience of a guest suddenly joining his household and readily agreed to take me in. I was genuinely grateful for that.

Half out of habit, I made a small joke to express my gratitude, but a brief silence followed. The others at the table were listening to our conversation, but Cedric himself seemed like someone who wasn't comfortable with jokes.

Cedric quietly looked into my eyes. His cherry-colored irises were strikingly vivid. I smiled at him for no real reason. He then spoke, relaxed and steady.

"That's fine."

"You're fine with being called the homeowner?"

"You may call me whatever is comfortable for you."

His cherry-red eyes were so intense I felt as though they were pulling me in. Yet his face remained entirely expressionless, giving away nothing.

I carefully averted my gaze, and saw Rachel.

Her curly red hair, Cedric's ripe-cherry eyes… If you were to capture them in a painting, it would look like the artist deliberately chose colors that complemented each other perfectly. That's how alike their atmosphere felt. It made sense that the two of them suited each other so well.

A spark lit in Rachel's eyes. She lifted the corners of her lips into a bright smile. She looked at Cedric with a face full of delight, almost mischievous.

***

Daimond, who had spent the entire day trailing me while shouting, "Anything but the Deirton residence!"

Shade, who always made time each day to have tea with me. Father, who couldn't hide his worried expression every time he came to check on me.

Mother, who packed every imaginable thing out of concern for sending her child abroad for the first time.

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

Rachel occasionally met with my father or mother, but I never ran into her myself.

The last time I saw Cedric was at the banquet. He seemed to have no interest in the kingdom or in me whatsoever. Over the course of five days, he could have interacted with the kingdom's nobles for political purposes, or he could have taken the time to grow more familiar with me, the person who would be staying in his home. But Duke Cedric Deirton did neither.

And so, today, the day to depart for the Empire, finally arrived.

I stood before the carriage and bid farewell to my family. Rachel and Cedric had already exchanged the formal greetings required for royal guests.

"I think I received more affection in the past few days than I have in the past twenty years."

"I'm glad you felt our love."

Mother pulled me into a tight embrace. While I was in her arms, one of my hands was taken by Daimond.

I stepped out of Mother's embrace with a cheerful smile. She kissed my forehead. As I turned to board the carriage, Shade approached and whispered into my ear.

"Contact me anytime. I'll come to get you."

"Haha!"

This time, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I knew that was the best way Shade could express himself.

I had no intention of returning within three years, yet having him say that made me feel as though I had a strong support at my back.

"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

I clasped Shade's cold hand between both of mine before letting go.

My family, who had never once given me any reason to doubt their love, not since the day I was born. I looked at each of their faces one by one, committing them to memory.

Three years is not such a long time, yet at the same time, it is long enough for many things to change.

I may change when I'm in Owen. But the fact that I love my family, and that I am loved enormously by them, will never change. I pressed those convictions, along with their faces, deep into my heart.

It was truly time to leave now. To avoid appearing reluctant, I turned away lightly.

Cedric stood in front of the carriage. He extended a hand toward me. Detached, impeccably polite, and the master of the home where I'd be staying. I smiled as I placed my hand in his.

Cedric held my hand. This time, he enveloped it with his own, and I realized his hand was far larger and sturdier than mine.

He supported me as I climbed into the carriage. Even then, he was careful not to apply too much force, remarkably gentlemanly.

Now, the journey to the Empire had truly begun.