Episode 88

Chapter 88. Into the Beast’s Maw

It was a peaceful morning.
The imperial palace was bustling with noble ladies and young noblewomen.

Today was the day they embroidered handkerchiefs to give to the men participating in the upcoming hunt.

“Oh my, Young Lady. Your stitching is absolutely lovely!”

“The Lord insisted he had to have one embroidered by me this year.”

“My husband practically begged me. I couldn’t say no.”

Each woman worked on her handkerchief with hopes for her loved one’s safe return.

Most embroidered their family crests, or animals and plants symbolizing their houses.

They’re all so… intense about this.

The atmosphere was a bit too heated for something that was supposedly just about wishing for safety.

Then again, the safety wishes are just a pretense anyway.

In reality, for noble ladies, it was a way to boost their husband’s morale.
And among the younger women, it was practically a confession of love.

Caught up in the fiery mood, I found myself stitching away with the same enthusiasm.

There was just one tiny problem…

“O-oh my goodness, Your Majesty…!”

“What a… unique embroidery technique! Did you invent it yourself, Your Majesty?”

It was my first time ever trying embroidery.

I kept sneaking glances at the ladies around me, trying to study their method.
My fingers got pricked more than once, but I refused to give up.

And finally!

After many trials and errors, my first piece shyly made its debut into the world.

“There’s such energy in Her Majesty’s embroidery. It’s like it might leap off the fabric at any moment!”

“Yes, exactly! And that tangle of thread—that’s intentional, right? So bold! Not just anyone could pull that off!”

A flood of enthusiastic (?) praise poured in.

“Ah! I see it now. It’s a cat, isn’t it? So cute!”

“…It was supposed to be a lion.”

“R-right! And this red thread—clearly it’s the sun! Got it this time!”

“……”

I couldn’t bring myself to tell them it was a rose.

I stared blankly down at the handkerchief.

Where… where did it all go wrong?

Probably the moment I picked up the needle.

I’m sorry, little handkerchief. You could’ve been so beautiful… if only you had a more competent owner… sob sob.

I really did feel bad for it.

I’d planned to start simple, with a plant or animal symbolizing the palace.
But clearly, even that was too ambitious for a beginner.

Just then, whispers rose from across the room.

“Oh my…!”

The noblewomen were gasping in awe over Fay’s embroidery.

It was objectively excellent.

Delicate lily of the valley, resembling her own demure beauty, bloomed on a pure white handkerchief.

“The imperial concubine must practice often. Did you study embroidery formally?”

“No, I’m self-taught. His Majesty said he really wanted one made by my hands.”

Is she trying to make me jealous or something?

Fey spoke loudly enough for me to hear every word.

“Of course, compared to Her Majesty’s embroidery, mine still has a long way to go.”

Oh?
If that’s how you want to play it, I don’t mind at all.

Smiling sweetly, I replied as gently as possible.

“If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask. I’d be happy to personally guide you to improve your technique.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Though I’m not sure you’ll be able to keep up. The methods I use are quite advanced.”

Realizing what I was up to, the other noblewomen quickly joined in.

“Oh, of course. Only Her Majesty could express something so creative and bold!”

“I’d love to learn too, Your Majesty!”

“The imperial concubine is truly fortunate. Isn’t that right?”

“…Yes. Of course.”

Fay answered through gritted teeth.

Her expression remained pleasant, but her hand—still gripping the embroidery—was trembling ever so slightly.

See? This is what happens when you poke the wrong person, Miss Heroine.

That satisfying sting of triumph settled in my chest.

Huh. Maybe I am cut out for this villainess thing.

“Your Majesty!”

As the meeting was wrapping up, Mary came to find me.

She said an important foreign guest had arrived early and needed to be greeted immediately.

Unfortunately, Jerome was away briefly, inspecting the forest where the hunt would take place.

That left me alone to welcome the guest.

Guests usually arrive a day or two before the eve of the hunt…

But this one had come a full week early.

Of course, it wasn’t a problem.

While uncommon, it wasn’t unprecedented either.

As long as they had an official invitation, it didn’t matter when they showed up.

Maybe some leisurely noble just decided to come early.

I hurried toward the Empress’s reception room.

A servant opened the door for me, and I stepped inside.

In the distance, I caught sight of a man staring out the window.

Wait a moment.

My steps halted abruptly.

There was something strangely familiar about his silhouette…

Especially when I saw his blood-red hair. A chill ran down my spine.

The man slowly turned around.

At last, his concealed face was fully revealed.

“…!”

My eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

His features were sharply defined, deeply attractive.

His piercing steel-blue eyes glimmered intensely.

Yes. It was a face I knew all too well.

“What a funny face.”

He smirked at my stunned expression.

“Too happy for words, aren’t you?”

I muttered absentmindedly.

“Could it be that this ‘foreign guest’ is…?”

It was King Calus?!

“Why did you come so early? There’s still some time before the eve of the hunt. You could’ve at least contacted us.”

“Hmm… If I said in advance, it wouldn’t be any fun, would it?”

King Karssen of the Calus Kingdom spoke.

“Of course, Momo kept complaining the whole way here that I was being rude. But anyway, it seems you’ve been doing well.”

“You’re still as you always are, Your Majesty.”

“What’s that you’re holding?”

“…?”

My hand?

Oh. I had brought this in a hurry.

I quickly hid the handkerchief behind a nearby cushion.

It wasn’t because I was ashamed of my embroidery skills—absolutely not.

“It’s nothing.”

“Nothing, huh.”

Karssen casually snatched the handkerchief.

His expression turned serious as he examined the embroidery.

Then, with a meaningful tone, he said,

“…A cat?”

Ugh. Heard ‘cat’ again!

“Yes, it’s a cat. Okay? If you’re done looking, give it back!”

I reached out to reclaim the handkerchief from his hand.

But Karssen wasn’t about to return it so easily.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction.

“I’m joking. It’s obviously a lion.”

“…Does it really look like that?”

“Why, isn’t it?”

“No, it is!”

Wow. Someone appreciates my art!

I felt an unexpected sense of pride.

Meanwhile, Karssen naturally tucked the handkerchief away.

I hurriedly grabbed his arm.

Hey now, stop that.

“Why are you putting it in your pocket?”

“Isn’t it mine now?”

“I don’t recall giving it to you.”

“I guessed the embroidery, didn’t I? Of course it’s mine now.”

Karssen said with ease.

What kind of nonsense logic is that…?

I stared at him with a dumbfounded look.

There was no way he’d give it back willingly.

“I’ll make you a new one. Since it’s my first piece, there are lots of imperfections.”

“This one’s already perfect enough, so don’t worry, Your Majesty.”

“You’re just saying that because you don’t want to give it back.”

“I know.”

Karssen shrugged.

Honestly, this man hadn’t changed at all even after all this time.

Still, I didn’t dislike it completely.

Like meeting an old friend after a long while.

There’d been all sorts of things going on in the Calus Kingdom, and somehow I’d grown attached.

“Alright. Then I’ll return this handkerchief on one condition.”

“No, this isn’t a matter of conditions, is it?”

It’s my handkerchief to begin with!

But Karssen brushed off my words lightly and firmly stated his condition.

“Let’s tour the city together. That’s my condition.”

“Tour the city?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t explore properly last time I was here.”

“If that’s the request, there are plenty of people better suited than me to guide you.”

“But there’s only one Empress.”

Karssen refused to back down easily.

“I hear opening the water source was a big help. You can call this a personal thank-you for that.”

“We already compromised by opening the free port on our side.”

“But that was a public matter. Doesn’t personal gratitude still apply?”

“Negotiations are official business. Personal favors aren’t necessary.”

“That’s disappointing. When was it that the government—”

“Hahaha. Did I really sound grateful? Yeah, I did. More than you can imagine.”

I hurriedly cut him off.

Please don’t start talking government stuff now.

How many ears does he think I have?

I gave him a sharp look.

Karssen raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not making things up, am I?”

“Well…”

I was speechless.

I had to think of another excuse.

“I’d love to go, honestly. But…”

Luckily, I had a good excuse ready.

“I still have lots to prepare for the eve of the hunt. Right, Mary?”

I gave my ladies a pleading glance.

Did my desperate look work?

The maids exchanged looks and answered in unison.

“No, Your Majesty, the Empress!”

“Huh?”

“We’ll finish the remaining tasks ourselves.”

“That’s right. Only minor things are left now, after all.”

No! You all!

I don’t want to go, really!

I forced a smile and asked again.

“Still, wouldn’t it be better if I did it myself?”

Come on, everyone. Let’s do better this time.

Please, someone read my mind!

I shot them an even stronger look.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. We can handle it just fine.”

“Have a great time!”

The response was endlessly bright.

Karssen’s smirk turned teasingly sharp.

“You heard them.”

Th-they’re…!

They’re throwing me right into the jaws of a dangerous beast!