Chapter 20

“Th-thank you.”

I hurried out of the crown prince’s arms and bowed.

Thank goodness. I didn’t fall into the water. I let out a relieved breath as I looked down at the fabric in my hands.

‘Again… I ended up receiving His Highness’s help.’

Walking naturally beside the crown prince, I arrived at the gazebo and introduced the tea to him, just as I had been invited to do.

“These are black tea leaves grown under the warm southern sun. Please try it while it’s hot.”

“It has a pleasant aroma.”

The black tea, dark as ink in the clear glass cup, let out a soft wisp of steam. The crown prince lifted the cup and took a sip.

“It tastes as good as it smells. Roasting it this deeply makes the fragrance richer and the flavor fuller. I wonder why I’ve never heard of this tea. I’d like to stock it in the palace.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

While enjoying the scent, the crown prince set the cup down and gestured toward the luggage on the side table.

“My lady. I believe it’s time you tell me what those are.”

So he had been thinking about it. I came to introduce tea but carried heavy bundles with me—of course he would be curious.

‘Better curiosity than disinterest.’

The moment of decision had arrived.

“These are new products from my trade guild, and I wished to present them to Your Highness. If it isn’t too presumptuous, may I show you?”

“Please do.”

When he nodded, I unrolled the fabric on the table.

“These are various textiles dyed with a new dye developed by the Baimery Trade Guild.”

“Remarkable. The same dye, yet different colors on different fabrics.”

Stroking his chin lazily, the crown prince moved closer to examine the cloth. He seemed interested—so I quickly pushed ahead.

“We plan to release them later this month after much trial and error. I brought them because I wished to gift them to Your Highness.”

“I did not expect them to be a gift. Thank you, my lady.”

“These dyed fabrics don’t bleed when wet. They also take to common materials like cotton easily, so they’re versatile. I thought they’d be perfect for Your Highness’s garments.”

He handled the cloth thoughtfully, then looked me up and down.

“The material of the dress you’re wearing—does it also come from your trade guild?”

“Yes! This dress is made from the fabric we developed.”

He rubbed his chin again, then spoke.

“Is it possible to acquire more of these fabrics?”

“Yes. It’s possible once production begins, but…”

“I’ve never seen cloth in such varied colors. The fact that the dye doesn’t bleed is intriguing. I’d like to have some clothing made with it. And while we’re at it, outfitting the palace staff with new uniforms seems wise.”

My jaw dropped.

I had hoped simply that the title cloth gifted to the crown prince would help boost the trade guild.

But if the crown prince himself used the fabric for his clothing… the fabric would sell like wildfire.

‘And the price…’

The math began racing through my mind.

Ten gold coins for the high-quality fabric needed for the crown prince’s wardrobe.

With about a thousand palace staff, the total cost for standard fabric would be 150 gold coins.

‘That’s 160 gold coins in total.’

An ordinary serf would have to save for eighty years—without spending a single coin—to gather that amount.

Even after subtracting raw materials and labor, the Baimery trade guild would earn five times its annual profit.

‘I… think I just succeeded.’

“You seem startled by my sudden proposal,” the crown prince said. “It must be difficult to prepare such quantities. I didn’t consider that. Forget what I said—”

I snapped out of my bliss at his words.

“No! I was just calculating the production schedule.”

I gave him a bright smile. The crown prince was a golden ticket.

“By when shall I prepare—”

“Your Highness!”

A voice cut me off.

A maid rushed up the gazebo steps, clutching her skirt.

“If it’s not urgent, speak later,” the crown prince said coolly.

Struggling for breath, the maid lowered her head.

“Her Majesty the Empress urgently seeks Your Highness. She ordered that you be brought to the Empress’s Palace at once…”

Her terrified demeanor didn’t match the crown prince’s serene smile. Something cold flickered beneath his expression.

“Lady Lilithia, forgive me. I must take my leave today.”

He looked apologetic.

“Let us go to where Her Majesty awaits.”

With the maid guiding him, the crown prince walked out of the pavilion.

I watched his retreating back, feeling unsettled, until I finally snapped out of it.

“I didn’t even finish the conversation…”

***

The teacup in the Empress’s hand trembled violently. Tea spilled over her hand, but she didn’t care. She ground her teeth.

At that moment, Ivailo stepped into the sitting room.

The Empress, unaware of his arrival, hurled her cup toward the floor near the maids.

Crash—

The white porcelain shattered, floral patterns scattering across the floor.

Ivailo showed no reaction. He simply stepped over the shards, unmoved.

Crunch. Crunch. Only the sound of porcelain breaking under his steps filled the room.

The maids trembled.

Standing beside his visibly furious mother, Ivailo asked,

“What has troubled Your Majesty so deeply?”

“I’m going to make Nazlee Idarand the crown princess.”

“What…?”

The Empress slammed the table and glared at him.

“When a mother says something like that, shouldn’t you assume there’s a reason? Or are you planning to ignore your own mother now?”

Ivailo gently held her hand.

“I’m only concerned. I wanted to know what angered you so.”

Her furrowed brow eased. She clenched her fist and spoke.

“I should never have spared that wretch, Freyer.”

“How does Freyer come into this talk of Nazlee Idarand?”

“Nazlee Idarand has a crush on the second prince.”

The Empress recalled her earlier conversation with the Duke of Idarand.

“You speak of a marriage between Nazlee and the crown prince?”

“Yes. I thought it would strengthen the bond between the imperial family and your house.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty, but I don’t wish to force Nazlee into a political marriage.”

“This is a valuable opportunity, Duke. Even for your house.”

“I do not wish to discuss my daughter for political gain. I only want her to be happy. Forgive me.”

He turned on his heel at once.

The Empress ground her teeth.

‘If he thinks I’ll back down that easily, he’s mistaken.’

She had then opened the door to the sitting room with a bright smile. Inside waited Nazlee, who rose and curtsied.

“You’re right on time, Lady Nazlee.”

“Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty. I lost track of time while looking around!”

They sat and shared tea.

Nazlee gave a shy smile.

“I’m so happy to spend time speaking with Your Majesty.”

“My, that makes me happy too. May I ask something?”

“Of course.”

“At the end of the banquet, I tried to speak with you, but you had left. Was something the matter?”

“Ah… I wasn’t feeling well and returned home early. I didn’t know Your Majesty was looking for me.”

The Empress set her cup down.

“I see. It was nothing serious. I only wondered whether you had spoken with the crown prince.”

“No, Your Majesty. I didn’t get the chance.”

“Oh dear. My son must have missed his opportunity.”

“?”

“The crown prince seems… interested in you. As his mother, I cannot just sit by. I’d like to arrange a meeting. What do you think, Lady Nazlee?”

Nazlee stiffened, eyes darting anxiously.

‘Uncomfortable at the crown prince’s interest? Or at my suggestion?’

The Empress smiled subtly and pressed further.

“Is it perhaps because you’ve taken interest in another young man?”

Nazlee blushed shyly.

“Yes…”

“May I ask who?”

“Well…”

Nazlee hesitated, lips trembling.

The Empress swallowed her irritation and maintained a gentle smile.

“I… hold affection for His Highness the Second Prince, Freyer.”

“Freyer…?”

The moment the name left her lips, the Empress clenched her fist so hard her nails dug into her palm.

But she hid it well and ended the tea gathering without revealing her fury.

“I should have killed him along with his mother.”

The Empress clutched her head.

She should have killed the concubine and Freyer together.

If only the Emperor hadn’t gotten suspicious, the matter would’ve been simple. She regretted missing the chance.

Still, she hadn’t feared Freyer.

The only rightful successor to the throne was her son, Ivailo.

That was why she had magnanimously allowed Freyer to live.

And now, he had become a threat.

“If Duke Idarand learns that Nazlee loves Freyer…”

He would push for their marriage.

The Idarand House would become a pillar of support for Freyer.

“No. Impossible. The throne belongs to my Ivailo. That wretch cannot—”

She trembled with rage.

The Emperor had survived countless brushes with death, clinging to life.

His faction of nobles clung to their coin purses.

The aristocratic faction hid, plotting gods-knew-what.

“If only the Emperor would die sooner, I wouldn’t have to deal with this.”

Ivailo placed a warm hand over hers.

“Mother,” he said softly, though his eyes gleamed sharply, “I have a good idea.”