Chapter 26: Don’t Cry, Queen

Gifts from friends and relatives began to arrive five days before my birthday. My family was already was moneyed, but after I became empress I lived a more luxurious lifestyle. Of course, much of my wealth was spent on various welfare projects and state subsidies, and I didn't often buy things for my own pleasure. Because of this, most of the gifts given to me were meaningful, rather than expensive. Especially the one my mother sent me…

"The duchess must have been worried about you, Your Majesty."

I smiled awkwardly as Countess Eliza pored through my mother's gift, a semi-annual magazine called La Trang, which contained portraits of the most popular actors of the day. My mother sent me one that featured only male actors. It was not meant to hurt Sovieshu, but perhaps she thought that taking my own lover would settle my mind, and actors were a popular choice among nobles.

"Ah, this one's wonderful. Look at this man, Your Majesty. His shoulders are so broad."

"Isn't this one better? That one has bad rumors about him."

"What rumors?"

"His sexuality is apparently rather strange. Well…Al—Hmm. I'll keep them anonymous. A baroness said that she and that actor tried to play with fire, and she ended up nearly burning for real."

( P.S. "Play with fire" can also refer to a short but passionate romance )

"Really?"

…The ladies-in-waiting seemed to enjoy the gift more than I did.

Meanwhile, my father had sent me the latest fashionable dresses, as well as rare books, fabrics, and jewelry from abroad.

There was also an anonymous gift…called the "Love Potion."

…It was too awkward for me to use.

* * *

It was two days before my birthday.

Most of the presents had already arrived, and by tomorrow morning I would leave for the royal villa. I packed a suitcase for two days and spread several books on my bed. As I was deciding which ones to take, I heard the sound of wings pattering in the air.

Queen?

I rushed to the half-opened window and widened it even further.

It was Queen, but he couldn't easily enter the room like usual. His small head bobbed in and out of the window frame, and when I looked over I saw him carrying a large box tied with string.

"Queen!"

Surprised, I stretched out my hand, and Queen deposited the box and flew through the window. He fell onto my bed and panted for breath.

"Did you bring this by yourself?"

I tested the box Queen brought. It was quite heavy even in my hand, and I was surprised that he carried this himself. He was a large bird, but he was still a bird. Queen lifted his head, nodded helplessly, then flopped again.

"Prince Heinley has gone too far. He should've come in person or asked someone else to bring it here."

– !

"Why are you shaking your head? Didn't Prince Heinley make you do this?"

– …

"You don't like me saying bad things about Prince Heinley?"

He nodded his head.

"Alright…I'll be nice."

Queen had no energy to lift himself up, and settled in with a flop of his wings. I patted his rear, he was so startled that he jolted, but then he went limp as if he were feeling weak again. I sat beside Queen and put the box on my lap. What in the world did Prince Heinley send?

"Ah."

Inside was a large cake, and on the lid of the box was a letter. I opened it to read the contents.

– I think I'm good at cooking. I hope someone will compliment me.

Queen had risen and seated himself quietly next to me, and stole a glance in my direction. I placed one hand over Queen's shoulder, and dipped a finger from my other hand into the frosting and placed it between my lips. It had a simple, sweet taste of fresh cream without any greasiness.

"Did he make the cream all by himself?"

– ?

"It's delicious."

I laughed, and Queen shook his tail and rubbed his head against my arm.

"It must have been heavy. Thank you for bringing this to me, Queen."

– Gu!

"I'll thank Prince Heinley separately."

– Gu!

"Your owner is a very nice person."

– !

"Haha, why are you so embarrassed?"

I placed the cake to one side, then placed Queen on my lap and kissed his forehead. He turned completely into stone. I found his reaction so amusing that I smothered him with more kisses here and there.

Afterwards, I took the cake to the table, cut a slice and placed it on a place. I soon discovered that the cake wasn't the only gift.

"Ah…"

I let out an involuntary gasp. Embedded in the soft sponge were jewels of various sizes and color. I plucked one out and discovered it was a blue-colored diamond. I felt a poke, and turned and saw Queen blinking up at me with his large purple eyes, as if he was worried about my reaction. He looked so serious that I couldn't help but answer honestly.

"It's a little too much."

– !

It was acceptable to receive gifts even more extravagant than this from a foreign delegation. But Prince Heinley had given this as a friend. The cost wasn't a problem to him, of course, but the meaning of the gift was ambiguous.

I set the jewel aside, and when I saw Queen I looked at him in surprise and hugged him.

"Why are you crying, Queen?"

* * *

Because Queen had burst into tears and flew away, I decided to visit the southern palace myself.

'It'll be fine as long as I don't stay too long.'

I want to thank Prince Heinley for the cake anyway, but I was mostly worried about Queen.

"Oh my. Empress Navier."

A knight of the Western Kingdom was astonished when he saw me. I was in front of the quarters where Prince Heinley was staying, and another knight with blue hair came rushing towards me. He recognized me, but more than that, his gaze indicated that he seemed to know something. My ladies-in-waiting knew that Prince Heinley and I exchanged letters, and there had to be someone on his end that knew about me as well. Still, I had to guard myself to those even close to the prince, so I smiled faintly at him.

"I have a message for Prince Heinley. Is he inside?"

"I'm glad you came. I was worried because he came here crying."

"…The prince came crying?"

"I'm sorry? Oh, no, not the prince, the bird. It's a bird. The prince's mean bird came crying."

The blue-haired man added that the prince never cried, then hurriedly knocked on the tightly closed door and shouted.

"Prince, Her Majesty the Empress is here!"

About three seconds passed. I thought I heard a loud noise from inside, perhaps something like falling furniture, but then it was silent. I looked at the blue-haired knight to see if everything was alright, but it seemed unperturbed by the loud noise coming from the room. A few minutes later, the knight opened the door after a signal that it was okay to come in from the inside.

"Thank you."

I slowly entered the room, curious to what that was all about. Prince Heinley's room was clearly of the southern palace, yet it was somehow unfamiliar. His scent lingered faintly in the air, and there were unusual items scattered here and there. Prince Heinley, standing in the middle of the room, was the most familiar thing in this strange space.

"I'm sorry. I had something else to do…"

As I quickly looked around the room and stared at him, the prince smiled and kissed me on my hand before stepping back.

Something else—did that mean he was washing up? It looked like he had hastily thrown on his clothes. He usually had nary a wrinkle on his carefully selected attire, but he looked rather rumpled at the moment. I could see his skin peeking through the loose buttons of his shirt, but it would be awkward if I pointed it out. It wasn't like there weren't people that wore their shirts like that.

I turned my eyes on the prince's face, wondering whether to ignore it or point it out, only to see something that caught me by surprise.

His eye were red and there was a wetness on his eyelashes. It was obvious that he had been crying a little while ago.

'I shouldn't have come. This was bad timing.'

I awkwardly turned away my gaze. Did he cry while taking a bath? How embarrassing it must be for him to visit so suddenly. I was truly sorry.

"Did you receive the cake?"

However, because it was strange to have a conversation without looking at his eyes, I finally turned my head again. Prince Heinley was staring at me with moist purple eyes. I heard that animals often take after their master. Was this the reason? Suddenly I realized that Prince Heinley's eyes looked very similar to Queen's.

"Oh no. Did you not get it?"

It wasn't until the prince questioned me again did I manage to shift my focus away from his wet eyes.

"I received. I just wanted to come here to say hello and thank you."

"Thank goodness. I was worried Queen wouldn't deliver it properly. "

"Yes, it looked a little heavy for him to carry."

"I wanted to take it myself, but Queen insisted on carrying it himself….He's unexpectedly strong, so don't worry."

Prince Heinley gave a languid smile, but his eyes were still misty, making him look less arrogant and proud than usual.

"Would you like a cup of tea? Oh, was the cake delicious?"

"It was delicious. Did you make it yourself?"

"It's a hobby. I even have my own kitchen in the West. Are you good at cooking?"

"I've never done it before…so I don't think I am."

"I have heard that those who can cook and those who can't are made for each other. I suppose that means the Queen and I are meant to be."

That story was unfamiliar to me. I looked at him with a frown, and he turned red and scratched his nose.

"I suppose the saying doesn't cross countries."

"I suppose not."

"Is there something you wanted?"

"I…Your Highness. I wanted to see Queen."

"Queen? Why so suddenly…?"

"He was crying so hard when he left. I'm worried about him."

As I spoke, I paid attention to signs that Queen was somewhere in the room. However, I could neither hear nor smell a bird. Prince Heinley smiled awkwardly.

"There's nothing I can do. Queen went hunting."

"Hunting?"

" I don't know exactly what exactly he went hunting for, but he goes out alone to fly in the capital."

"Did he come in crying?"

"Somewhat? But he was quite alright."

The blue-haired knight worried that Queen came crying, but Prince Heinley said otherwise? I couldn't help but be curious, but Prince Heinley looked calm. If the owner said it was alright, then it had to be. I nodded reluctantly.

"I see. That's a relief."

I nervously brushed the skirt of my dress. There was nothing else I had to say. I said, "I'll see you again," and glanced towards the entrance as a signal that I wanted to leave, and Prince Heinley quickly strode forward to open the door. He didn't stop there however, and followed me as I stepped outside. I looked at him curiously, but he simply smiled and asked me which direction I was going.

"So how was the gift?"

I pointed to one direction, and Prince Heinley fell into step beside me. When I glanced back briefly I spotted the blue-haired knight, who ducked his head hurriedly when our eyes met. I turned my head around again.

"Queen? Was the gift not to your liking?"

"Oh, I liked it. Thank you, Prince Heinley."

"Wasn't it too much?"

"!"

How did he know that? I looked up with a start, and Prince Heinley explained with a faint smile.

"I was a little worried. Of course, I am friends with you, but we haven't known each other for a long time. I thought you might feel burdened."

"I see."

"I hope you don't feel pressured. The western kingdom is a jewel capital and many of the mines are owned by the Imperial Family. "

Feeling relieved, I nodded, and the prince smiled and placed one hand on his chest.

"Thank goodness. I was worried."

"I can see why you're mistaken to be a womanizer."

"What?"

"It's because you're friendly and caring."

"… I'm not a womanizer, Your Majesty."

"Of course I believe that."

"You shouldn't completely believe this face."

Well, at the New Year's celebrations he had laughed when I said I didn't believe the rumors he was a womanizer. He smiled awkwardly, and murmured in a gloomy voice.

"It's because of my friend. He truly is a flirt."

"Duke Elgy?"

"You heard of him?"

Is there any noble who hadn't heard rumors of the two of them? But instead of being honest, I asked more questions about the Duke Elgy.

"Duke Elgy recently came to the southern palace. Did he say he liked it here?"

After he arrived, most of what I heard about him had to do with him and Rashta. It was said he often accompanied Rashta, and there was no mention of Prince Heinley, who was supposed to be a close friend. That was why I questioned Prince Heinley, to know if he and Duke Elgy had a fight.

Prince Heinley's expression subtly shifted. I stopped walking for a moment in worry, and Prince Heinley stopped as well.

"As a matter of fact, Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask of you."

He completely sidestepped my question.

"What is it?"

"I've been worried about how to say it. Now that you brought it up, I think I'd better ask for a favor."

"?"

"Stay out of side in front of Duke Elgy.

"…"

What did you mean by this? I looked up in amazement, but Prince Heinley looked more serious than ever.

"Can you do that?"

"But why?"

"Any woman who gets entangled with the Duke Elgy is doomed to unhappiness."

"?"

"Sometimes he's like a living cursed doll or a real ghost story. If you catch his eye…"

Was this a joke? A form of flattery? I smiled, but Prince Heinley lowered himself slightly so that his brilliant purple eyes were level with me.

"I'm telling you, please. Never, ever look beautiful in front of him."