Chapter 52

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 52

Chapter Title: The Emperor's Invitation

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Moving to the reception room, she found none other than the Captain of the Imperial Guard waiting there alongside a servant from the Household Department.

"Sir Bailey. It's been a while."

"Congratulations on your victory, Marchioness."

The captain extended the emperor's invitation with a warm, genial smile lighting up his face.

"His Majesty said he'd like to join you for luncheon."

"Word must have spread already."

Agatha glanced at the invitation and checked the time. It was nearly noon.

Recalling the emperor's usual lunchtime, Agatha spoke up.

"He really said luncheon today?"

"He asked me to tell you he's waiting."

There was a reason the emperor had sent the Guard Captain himself rather than an ordinary servant.

Agatha let out a soft sigh and handed the invitation to her attendant maid.

"We'll prepare right away, so please wait just a moment."

"Of course, Marchioness."

With time running short, the maids sprang into action. Jessie selected an outfit while Marie touched up Agatha's makeup.

"Which dress would you like?"

Agatha chose one from the dresses Jessie had brought: an empire-waist gown in a soft, pretty pink.

"I'll style your hair up."

After fixing her hair, she donned earrings made of green diamonds.

"All done."

The maids moved like a well-oiled machine, working at top speed. In less than an hour, Agatha was fully dressed.

"Good work, everyone."

Agatha checked herself in the mirror and nodded.

"I'll be off."

True to his word about waiting, the emperor had held off on lunch.

Seated in the emperor's private dining room, Agatha shot him a slightly impertinent look.

"Calling me so suddenly like this."

If he had to see her today, he could have summoned her for dinner instead of lunch.

Or sent word earlier, at the very least.

The emperor cleared his throat awkwardly, caught off guard.

"I sent Sir Bailey the moment Aratus Marquis's victory report arrived."

The emperor raised his glass to Agatha.

"I couldn't just let your first victory slip by unmarked."

As if on cue, the emperor's head steward brought out a massive cake and placed it on the table.

Flamboyant icing flames rose from the white, fluffy whipped cream.

Agatha laughed helplessly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

This victory held special meaning for the emperor as well.

Divorce was one thing, but assassination threats from relatives ran counter to his wishes.

As the steward sliced the cake and served it, the emperor's pleased smile never faded.

"Choosing Aratus Marquis was the right call. This time, you've picked a truly outstanding man."

The praise flowed more lavishly than ever before.

"A true war hero—decisive and refreshing in his methods. I like it."

Kidnapping threats might persist, but assassinations would drop off sharply now.

"I'm glad my choice pleased Your Majesty."

"Enough holing up. Come out into the world now. Times like these are when you need to show off your achievements."

'So that's why he called me.'

Agatha quickly grasped the emperor's intentions. The victory was great, but he apparently felt she'd spent too long secluded in the mansion under the pretext of Enoch's campaign.

Agatha took a bite of the cream-laden cake. The sweet cream gave way to crisp fruit flesh.

Peach.

"I was just about to start preparations for the fall social season anyway."

Fall was nearly upon them.

Enoch should be back before the full autumn battles kicked off, so it was time to get ready.

If she hadn't come to the palace, she might have headed straight to Madam Shallet's atelier by now.

As Agatha elegantly scooped another bite, the emperor clicked his tongue.

"You think that'll suffice? Why not help prepare the upcoming palace ball instead?"

It was a proposal she couldn't bring herself to laugh at.

So there was another reason for summoning her today.

"You mean the palace ball?"

Agatha set down her fork and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. The cake was beside the point now.

"With Her Imperial Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Crown Princess there, what could I possibly contribute to the palace ball preparations?"

"You're like a daughter to me. You're more than qualified."

"Even so, it's the first palace ball of the fall. Just attending is enough for me, Your Majesty."

Others might not know, but the emperor was fully aware of the territorial war's details.

From title revocations to unofficial executions, all had proceeded under his tacit approval.

In any case, it meant he knew there had been discord between Marquis Aratus and his wife.

'Come to think of it, he once said he wanted stability now.'

She recalled a letter from Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba.

Seeing Enoch's sincerity in protecting Agatha even to the point of waging a territorial war, the emperor clearly wanted to entwine the couple with imperial affairs, making their bond harder to break.

Of course, there was no danger of that now anyway.

'Still, this isn't wise.'

Getting deeply involved in imperial matters wasn't prudent.

And inserting herself between the Empress and Crown Princess would be no small feat.

"There won't be any more of the worries plaguing Your Majesty from here on. If he'd been in the capital, wouldn't an heir have come along ages ago?"

Their hearts were aligned now. No need to fear a repeat of her past marriages.

"Is that true?"

The emperor's eyes widened, hitting the mark.

"Of course. So, can I just focus on attending the palace ball?"

"Very well! Do as you please. By the way, when can we expect that heir? Hm?"

"My husband's still far from returning. When he does, please lend him your influence so he can come straight home to the mansion."

"Naturally! No need for such worries. I'll handle everything."

Perfect. Agatha lightly raised her hand to summon the head steward.

"I think we've had enough cake. Shall we proceed to the meal, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, let's."

"Right away, Your Majesty, Marchioness."

After savoring the imperial chef's meticulously prepared dishes tailored perfectly to her taste, Agatha left the palace.

Leon Takran, First Knight Vice-Captain, who had been waiting outside, escorted her.

"To the mansion?"

"Since we're out, let's head to the atelier. To Madam Shallet's."

"Understood."

As she boarded the carriage, the knights formed their strict escort formation as always.

It was a short ride from the palace to Madam Shallet's atelier.

A three-story building with an elegant signboard fluttering in the breeze.

Madam Shallet herself stood at the entrance, beaming welcomingly.

"Welcome, Madam Agatha. Congratulations on your husband's victory."

"Thank you, Madam."

True to her role as the social season's top information hub, Madam Shallet was already aware of Enoch's triumph.

Agatha received her warm welcome and headed to an empty VIP room on the third floor.

"I wonder if champagne might suit better than tea."

Madam Shallet's eyes curved into gentle arches as she smiled and offered refreshments.

"I've already had some wine. His Majesty summoned me first to celebrate."

"Oh my. I see. I heard the news—His Majesty called for you the instant the victory report came in."

"I'm grateful."

It had been inconvenient with no time to prepare, but this would keep the social scene buzzing about Enoch's victory for a good while.

And that was quite pleasant. Sipping the tangy lemon tea Madam Shallet served, Agatha spoke.

"The war's going well, and he'll likely return before the main autumn campaigns, so I thought I'd start preparing for the fall social season."

"You only had those fitted recently, but that's a fine idea. I've just stocked up on lovely new fabrics for the new social season."

At Madam Shallet's gesture, the atelier staff began bringing out bolts of fabric.

These were fresh types, different from what she'd seen before.

"Word of your harsh critique last time must have spread—every product from the trading company since has had much brighter colors."

"Good to hear."

For early fall outfits, she didn't want anything too heavy.

She also had to consider coordinating with Enoch's wardrobe.

'What colors did he prefer again?'

Enoch favored achromatic tones mostly.

But he chose colorful shirts and cravats, and wore pieces with elaborate embroidery suited to the occasion.

Thanks to that, Agatha could easily select bolder fabrics.

"This red looks nice."

Agatha picked a rose-tinted pink fabric.

The subtle shade between red and pink would make her sunlit golden hair shine even brighter.

"And this peach shade would suit you perfectly too."

Madam Shallet recommended a similar yet distinct hue—a sweeter pink than the one before.

After selecting several bright fabrics, she moved on to moodier, deeper tones.

Suddenly, she recalled the heavy, solemn fabrics from the Neuta trading company she'd seen right after their honeymoon.

Unsuitable for that season, they might look striking at a hunting ground amid autumn foliage.

'Maybe they were made with that in mind.'

The day of the palace ball was approaching, and it was time to check on the tasks she'd assigned to her close aides.

Her to-do list was set.