Chapter 33

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 33

Chapter Title: The Emperor's Gratitude

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“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

“Hm...”

Agatha gracefully sipped her tea while awaiting the emperor's next words. The emperor, who had been swallowing his murmurs, finally spoke.

“To celebrate the successful negotiations, I plan to hold a grand ball at the imperial palace. Connecting it to the originally scheduled final summer imperial ball, we'll make it a two-day extravaganza. Even without an official proclamation, everyone will know it's a feast in honor of you and Marquis Aratus.”

“Your Majesty's grace is as vast as the sea.”

Officially, it was an agreement between the Noblesse family and the Mainucor Empire, not the Roxbard Empire, so this was only natural.

“Did I not grant you 500,000 kar of gold to commemorate your seventh marriage? In addition, to commend you for carrying out this imperial decree so well, I shall grant another 500,000 kar of gold.”

“I should give bonuses to the knights who accompanied me. They stood guard until nightfall and worked so hard—they'll be delighted.”

“...You may not have heard, but today, when Marquis Aratus entered the court for the first time, I personally seated him in the front row—the very first row where the ministers of each department sit.”

Only then did Agatha set down her teacup, showing interest.

The court assembly was held in the Hall of the Sun.

The emperor and imperial family's seats were at the highest central position, and below them, the nobles' seats were divided into three semicircular sections. These seats revealed one's standing in the court and the emperor's favor.

“You gave him a seat in the first section?”

“No! I gave him a central seat.”

The emperor hurriedly added. As the head of the renowned Aratus family, a war hero, and now married to the Noblesse heiress, the first row was only natural for Enoch—but the center, seated personally by the emperor, was what mattered.

The emperor continued with a slightly excited expression.

“In today's audience, I made sure to ask for Marquis Aratus's opinion on every agenda item. His standing in the court must have soared.”

“And besides that?”

“...Shall I grant tax exemptions to Marquis Aratus's existing territories?”

At the emperor's cautious question, Agatha smiled brightly but said nothing more.

“You're overlooking one thing, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“Will you send me to that position again next time?”

To that place where her ex-husband would appear.

With the prior agreement between the Mainucor Empire and the Noblesse family, and relations with the Roxbard Empire restored, come autumn, Mainucor would formally proclaim the agreement and send an official delegation to implement it.

After this, Mainucor's emperor would surely send the Second Prince again.

To prove on the surface that there were no issues.

Of course, she could ignore him whether he came or not, but Agatha had no desire to receive any more delegations or the like.

Enoch would hate it too.

“Don't make me receive the Mainucor delegation visiting in autumn. Surely you won't send me to that seat again this time, will you, Your Majesty?”

Emperor Warmirai II looked at a loss for words.

“But Mainucor will expect you to receive them.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Ah, very well. But you must attend the welcome ball. Alright? Otherwise, Mainucor will be dissatisfied with the negotiation results.”

Agatha nodded as if reluctantly accepting.

“If Your Majesty insists so strongly, what choice do I have? I'll attend with my husband.”

The emperor, who had unwittingly sighed in relief, soon furrowed his brow.

“How is it that my grandniece has such a firm personality? Come now, even an uncle can make a mistake once— this is truly too much.”

Two mistakes, and who knows what accident might happen.

Agatha turned serious.

“Honestly, if Your Majesty had given me the Mainucor delegation's roster in advance and just comforted me, I wouldn't have gone this far.”

“Is that true?”

“...”

Agatha pretended not to hear and lifted her teacup again.

It probably wouldn't have ended at just this level.

Of course, that was then and this was now, so she couldn't be sure.

The emperor, who had been staring at her, let out a deep sigh and leaned back comfortably.

“Enough. This was my mistake, so let's put it behind us. Now, no other matters?”

“No. It was truly wonderful.”

What would be the point of saying it?

Among all her honeymoons so far, this one had undoubtedly been the best, Agatha could assert. Seeing her gentle smile, the emperor said,

“Shall we have lunch together after so long? It was so good, I'd love to hear about the new territories and Palavi Island over a meal.”

I have a lunch appointment with Enoch.

She blinked but nodded. Until moments ago, the emperor had been subtly meek due to his guilt, but there were limits.

“My husband is waiting—may he join us? It would be more helpful to hear it from him than from me.”

“No one matches Marquis Aratus's military insight. Is the marquis at the military affairs office now?”

The emperor rang the bell beside his throne. The chief chamberlain of the imperial palace appeared silently and bowed.

“Your Majesty, did you summon me?”

“Summon Marquis Aratus. I shall dine with my grandniece and the marquis.”

“Yes, I shall send a page at once.”

Agatha followed Emperor Warmirai II to the emperor's private dining room deep within the imperial palace.

Moments later, Enoch Aratus arrived at the emperor's summons.

“Your Majesty, Marquis Enoch Aratus has arrived.”

“Let him enter.”

Agatha gave the entering man an apologetic smile.

It was a shame to miss their chance to dine alone.

But having a private lunch with the emperor will benefit him too. I must endure.

There would be other chances for lunch together later.

“Come in, Marquis Aratus.”

“Welcome, Marquis.”

Having grasped the situation on his way, Enoch bowed to the emperor without a word.

“I have come at your summons, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Marquis. I heard from Agatha that this honeymoon was quite enjoyable.”

For a fleeting moment, Enoch's gaze turned to Agatha. The emperor continued,

“I wanted to hear about the new territories and Palavi Island, so I called you. No one in this empire can match your military insight, eh? Hahaha!”

Agatha smiled and suggested to the emperor,

“Your Majesty, have him sit first before you speak. Wouldn't it be better to listen over the meal?”

“Ah, right, sit, Marquis. Come, let's talk over lunch.”

That day, the emperor's lunch stretched on for a full three hours. As a bonus, Marquis Enoch Aratus's standing in the court rose even higher.

Upon returning to the estate, Agatha relayed to Enoch the 500,000 kar of gold received from the emperor and the tax exemptions for Aratus's existing territories this year. Administrative Officer Konrad was said to have jumped for joy upon hearing the news, as reported by Sir Huber Carwen.

And at the tail end of summer.

The special two-day imperial palace ball began to approach.

Late summer, when the sweltering heat had begun to subside slightly.

The nobles who had gone to nearby mountains, rivers, and villas for respite started returning to the capital.

The first thing the gathering nobles did was huddle by factions to exchange news of events that had transpired during their absence from the capital.

The biggest topic since Agatha's marriage was, naturally, Agatha Noblesse once again.

Rumors spread rapidly from mouth to mouth that she had successfully concluded a trade agreement with the Mainucor Empire, greatly pleasing the emperor.

And along with that, the rumor that the imperial ball had been extended to two days as a commendation spread just as quickly.

After the rumors had circled the capital three times over, the day of the imperial ball arrived.

Agatha spent the morning soaking in a milk bath and receiving an oil massage.

As it was their first ball attending as husband and wife, it held deep significance in many ways—she wanted to appear perfect.

With her hair, skin, and every inch from head to toe moisturized and softened, Agatha sat before the mirror and asked,

“And my husband?”

“He has finished preparing, ma'am.”

She checked the time. Afternoon, 1 o'clock.

If Enoch was ready, she just needed to finish up. Relieved, Agatha began her final touches.

Golden curls cascading thickly down to her mid-back.

Her translucent white skin and vibrant eye makeup accentuated her elegant purple statice-like eyes.

With red floral tint on her lips and long lashes slightly curled upward, her already beautiful face grew even more radiant.

“How do I look, ma'am?”

“I like it. It's beautiful.”

“Then I'll bring the dress now.”

The maids brought the pre-selected dress, shoes, and jewelry. Everything for today had been custom-made with Enoch at Madam Shallet's atelier previously.

A white, fine fabric embroidered with delicate patterns.

Exposing rounded shoulders and collarbones, the slightly décolleté bodice cinched softly at the waist before flaring into a voluminous skirt—captivating.

The mirror reflected a flawless noblewoman without a single imperfection. The only unchanged detail was the wedding ring on her left ring finger.