“That explains it… No, please, have a seat.”
“…….”
“Please.”
When Selina stubbornly refused to sit, Yellodia rose from her seat instead.
“…….”
Selina glanced at Edward for a moment. He wore a faint smile, as though he had expected as much.
Yellodia still seemed restless, so Selina reluctantly took her seat.
“I had no idea… I hope I haven’t been discourteous. I am Yellodia Lewis Saviera.”
“Please, speak comfortably, Miss. I am not a noble.”
“But you are the Baron’s aunt, are you not?”
At Yellodia’s bewildered question, Selina smiled inwardly, chagrined.
She had realized Yellodia’s identity from the start and watched her carefully.
Contrary to her expectation of a cold, arrogant noblewoman, Yellodia had treated Selina with surprising kindness and gentleness. It was a bearing one could hardly imagine from the Emperor’s niece and the treasured daughter of a ducal house.
Yet Yellodia did not strike her as merely fragile and naive. When facing the servant who had slighted Selina, she had displayed an overwhelming dignity impossible to defy.
*She must have a stronger will than she appears. Infinitely gentle to her subordinates, yet capable of being extremely cold when necessary. She will make a good match for Edward.*
Then Yellodia spoke up impatiently.
“I heard that you raised and cared for the Baron.”
“There was a time for that. I looked after Edward from when he was ten until he turned sixteen.”
“Oh my, six whole years?”
Yellodia covered her gaping mouth with her palm as she looked at Selina. Her eyes sparkled so brightly that Selina nearly burst into laughter.
“You seem to have many questions.”
“Yes, all sorts of things. But among them, I wonder if the Baron caused as much mischief as my older brothers did.”
Selina couldn’t help smiling warmly.
“Ted did not get into serious trouble like other boys, even when he was young. So it was easy on me, but on the other hand, it was rather heartbreaking.”
“I see.”
Yellodia absentmindedly murmured, “Ted…,” before snapping her mouth shut with a soft gasp. Edward’s gaze had reached her.
Before Yellodia could ask another awkward question, Edward cut in.
“The sun will be setting soon. I would like to escort both of you to the main building. It will grow cold here quickly.”
“Edward, I should like to return to the manor and rest now.”
At Selina’s reply, Yellodia said with a disappointed expression.
“Ma’am, I heard they will set off fireworks from the naval warships at sunset. It would be lovely if you could watch them with us first.”
“Please do so, Aunt.”
Urged by both of them in unison, Selina’s expression turned troubled.
She felt that excusing herself now would be best for everyone, yet Edward, of course, and even Yelloda wore expressions full of regret.
*Just how was this young lady raised?*
Swallowing her bewildered question directed at no one in particular, Selina rose from her seat. Yellodia linked arms with her familiarly and turned to Edward.
“Baron, let’s go.”
“Yes. I shall guide you.”
Edward led the way with composure. Selina could only be dumbfounded.
Before entering the Naval Headquarters building, Yellodia turned to Edward with a request.
“Um, I believe my brother Hesder may be looking for me. Could you send word that I have moved?”
“I will send a soldier. If Lord Hesder has not left these grounds, we should be able to find him.”
“I would be grateful if you could. Being hounded by my brothers over such matters is so bother— um, I do not wish to worry them.”
“Yes.”
Edward answered with an amused expression, then caught a passing soldier and gave an order.
As the soldier departed with a face rigid with military discipline, Yellodia finally felt relieved.
“This way.”
Edward guided the two toward the stairs.
Ascending the carpeted stairs, they soon came to a massive iron door. On the flags flanking the pillars on either side, a dragon and a lion guarding the empire were embroidered.
Two knights stood before the iron door. The moment they saw Edward, they respectfully opened it.
“Please, enter.”
“Wow…”
The moment the room beyond was revealed, Yellodia and Lady Selina opened their mouths simultaneously in admiration.
Beyond the wide windows, the deep blue sea stretched out.
The sky, beginning to be stained by sunset, was blotched with purple, orange, and dark blue, while beneath it lay an unfathomable sea stretching out majestically.
“It truly is beautiful.”
“Yedi, nothing in this world is more beautiful than you.”
At the voice that suddenly rang out, Yellodia’s face brightened.
“Your Imperial Majesty.”
A long sofa was placed facing the window, and there the Emperor sat languidly with his legs crossed.
His golden hair, falling to his shoulders, was dyed in the sunset glow, and his mysterious golden eyes radiated a light that was, as always, cold yet warm.
“You look to be in good spirits, Yedi.”
“It is all thanks to Your Majesty.”
“Haha, my niece’s flattery sounds as pleasant as birdsong no matter when I hear it.”
The Emperor laughed lazily and savored the red wine.
Yellodia suddenly directed her gaze to the knight standing behind the Emperor in a rigid posture.
The knight frowned the moment his eyes met Yellodia’s. It was Fabian.
“Ah, was it family reunion time?”
The Emperor looked at the two with a delighted expression.
“Pay me no mind and greet each other comfortably.”
Despite the Emperor’s suggestion, Fabian, dressed in the uniform of an Imperial Guard knight, maintained an expressionless face. When guarding the Emperor, he must not let his eyes wander elsewhere.
Even so, Yellodia could read his thoughts from his blank expression, thanks to her long-honed perceptiveness.
His blazing eyes were desperate to ask about Hesder’s whereabouts, so she decided to explain briefly.
“Your Majesty, my youngest brother might come looking for me soon. The Baron sent a soldier. He was chatting with an academy classmate around the time the review began, then vanished without a trace.”
“Is that so?”
The Emperor uttered this in a voice devoid of great interest.
“He will return when the time comes. A fully grown adult will not get lost here.”
Soon the Emperor gazed at Lady Selina, standing beside Yellodia, with curious eyes.
“Who might you be?”
Selina, who had been frozen stiff until then, barely managed to bend her trembling knees in a deep bow.
“I-I bow before the one who is the s-sun, the m-moon, and the s-stars of the Empire.”
“That is not my name, but nevertheless, I am pleased to meet you. You seem connected to Edward; what is your relation?”
Edward earnestly satisfied the Emperor’s curiosity.
“She is my aunt, Your Majesty. When I was young, she raised me in my father’s stead while he was serving in the navy.”
“Goodness! If that were the case, you should have said so sooner. You have quite the mischievous streak yourself. Hmm… Rather than the engagement ceremony, introducing the Baron’s aunt to society must take priority.”
The moment the Emperor finished speaking, Selina started and froze in shock.
She could not believe what she had heard, even having listened with her own ears.
From the moment she entered this room, everything had been an unbelievable series of events.
From merely meeting the Emperor—whom she had never imagined seeing even once in her lifetime—to hearing his voice so vividly from such close quarters…!
“Time is short, so I shall have to arrange a special occasion. Chamberlain.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall prepare as you command.”
The chamberlain, waiting in the corner like a shadow, bowed his head and answered. The Emperor rose lightly from his seat.
“Now then, I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
As the attendants following the Emperor began to bustle, Yellodia called out to him in surprise.
“Your Majesty, are you leaving already? Won’t you stay longer? It has been so long since we met like this.”
“If it were up to me, I would watch the fireworks light up the night sky with my beautiful niece, but your fiancé seems to have just presented me with a tiresome task.”
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.”
“You do not look so apologetic. Impudent fellow.”
The Emperor replied to Edward’s apology in a playful voice, then winked at Yellodia.
“I must take my leave now.”
As the Emperor moved, knights and attendants filed out after him.
Edward hurried after him.
“Allow me to see you off.”
“Do not follow me out and cause unnecessary commotion. Having the eyes of soldiers and nobles focus all at once is quite a tiresome affair for me.”
Having spoken thus, the Emperor finally looked at Lady Selina.
“Within this week, someone will call upon you from the palace, so make some time. I wish to have a long conversation with you.”
“I-I obey your command.”
“Do not be so nervous then as you are now. It is because I am curious about Edward’s childhood. I have long wondered how he was raised to become a man of such boldness.”
The Emperor smiled broadly. Selina was frozen, at a loss for words.
Leaving behind the three people staring at him blankly, the Emperor disappeared out the door.
Strength drained from Selina’s legs, and she slumped heavily into her seat. Edward rushed to her in surprise.