At the same time.
In front of the old tree door leading to the secret garden, Alicia stood alone for a long time.
A bewildered expression. Her hand reached out to the doorknob, but she couldn't open it wide and stopped in the middle.
As a princess, Alicia could get whatever she wanted and achieve whatever she wanted.
However, even she couldn't dare to go against the sun of the empire.
"...Why did it turn out like this?"
The voice that was piercing to no one could hear, just spread out pitifully into the air.
Alicia's ambitious plan was as follows.
Using the opening of the relic storage as an excuse, she would give a very special gift to Wolfgang, her master and the future rock that would protect the empire.
In this way, she definitely captured the heart of her lover who kept trying to escape to other places, and through a three-way meeting with Abamama, she got their relationship acknowledged.
In short, it was simple, but it was a plan that she had prepared for quite a long time.
And just like always, she had no doubt that things would go her way this time.
But everything went wrong in a beautiful way.
"Abamama, please..."
Alicia shuddered with a terrible sense of helplessness.
In the imperial sentiment, free love was a dream for most noble ladies, but Alicia, as a princess, was relatively free from such matters.
Considering that she was born into the imperial family, her happiness and free will were more important than the political gains that could be gained through a political marriage.
However, despite that, it was clearly deserving of criticism that she had broken the strict rules of the palace and had made eye contact with a man without permission.
But it was something that could not be hidden forever.
So, this place, which was a recreation of the garden that the Empress had personally tended while alive, was chosen as the meeting place.
It was expected that if she, as the daughter, were present at the Emperor's favorite retreat and adjusted the mood, the conversation would definitely flow in a good mood.
However, judging from the cold attitude of Abba Mama who had just sent her away, was that too naive of an idea?
The secret garden inside the old tree door was a space isolated from reality due to mystery. There was absolutely no way to know what was going on inside.
"Abba Mama. If you are going to punish me, I would rather take it myself. It was not Wolfgang's fault at all."
With a complicated mind, Alicia caressed her neck as she casually blurted out the remark that would have shocked the Emperor if she had heard it.
—Sniff...
Then, the sweet time she had enjoyed just a moment ago came back to her like a dream. Extreme happiness and deep regret began to linger in Alicia's mind at the same time.
'This isn't just a pretty necklace.'
The imperial relic storage. Even if she was a direct descendant of the imperial family, it was not a space that could be entered freely.
The only authority given to Alicia was the one-time opportunity she received as a coming-of-age ceremony gift.
Of course, even if it was a one-time thing, it was an incredible opportunity that anyone would covet, but it was just a burden to her even if she had it.
In any case, the treasure was too much to handle. Furthermore, she didn't particularly need the artifact, so she had finally received it and left it for almost a year.
So she thought she would use it for Wolfgang.
She judged that it would be much more valuable to equip him with better weapons, as he was a knight who had to fight against enemies, than for her to use.
'The tremendous energy of mana. Why on earth… '
However, Wolfgang returned the gift Alicia gave him in full instead of using it for himself.
Even for her, the princess, it felt like the most precious of all treasures, so this must have come from the deepest part of the heart.
In Alicia's opinion, it was not only foolish, but also right. If she had known this would happen, she should have said it directly instead of using metaphors to set the mood.
I would get it again someday, but for you, it would be your only chance, so get the best treasure.
However, time cannot be turned back. What has already happened cannot be helped.
"Please, I hope your mother is not too angry."
All she could do now was desperately hope for Wolfgang's safe return.
How long had she been waiting with her eyes tightly shut and her hands clasped together?
After what seemed like an eternity, the tightly locked door finally slowly opened.
—Squeak!
"Master! Ah…!"
However, the sight of Wolfgang, who came out alone, was not something to be described as good, even in empty words.
His expression was noticeably haggard, as if he had been through some kind of hardship, and his shoulders were slumped limply.
Alicia couldn't help but burst into tears at the sight of his pitiful appearance, overwhelmed with emotion.
It was entirely her fault that her master had become like that.
"Huh, huh…!"
She was at a loss as to how to apologize.
......
The opportunity His Majesty had given me was very simple and clear.
Only two more times. To carry out his mission as a blade that he could wield freely.
He declared that he would acknowledge his relationship with Alicia and that he would not care whether or not we revealed the fact that we were lovers.
"Do you understand, son-in-law?"
"Yes. I will obey your orders with all my might at all times."
It was a generous condition that was a little surprising to me.
In any case, the object of my loyalty was the imperial family, both then and now, so I wondered what would change.
Unless His Majesty suddenly turned into a tyrant and issued inhumane orders, I had nothing to worry about.
Of course, the meaning of 'a blade that can be wielded at will' likely had more meaning than I thought, but it didn't really matter.
I would gladly follow you even if you were told to run out to the battlefield again and serve in the army. At least to this extent.
"Well, if you want to be treated properly as a son-in-law even when I'm not in my right mind, you have to show satisfactory results."
"...."
"Why are you so surprised? Just kidding. You are a valuable talent, even if you look at your daughter separately, so you won't be abandoned so easily. Probably."
...Is this a joke?
The content is so meaningful, and since it was from none other than His Majesty the Emperor, I felt a great sense of pressure.
When I showed my tension without hiding it, His Majesty smiled and snapped his fingers.
—Tta-da!
"Well, then, would you like to have a drink? If possible, I'd like to make many memories while I'm still sober. It wouldn't be bad to clink glasses with my son-in-law."
"Yes, of course. It would be an honor."
How could I refuse when the Sun of the Empire offered me a drink?
And so, the tea table was set with a refined yet flawless table of drinks, and I was given the honor of having a great conversation with His Majesty the Emperor.
"Ugh…"
"You're not as good at drinking as you look?"
One minor problem was that when drinking with a superior, it was basic courtesy not to drive away the intoxication with mana.
The fact was that His Majesty was a great drinker, not inferior to any man I had ever met in my life.
Thanks to that, I suffered for a long time, and only after emptying dozens of bottles of poison could I finally be freed with a calm expression.
Come to think of it, Master really enjoys drinking. Does he need the help of alcohol to reach the realm of transcendence?
'Damn, my bones are ringing… "
I never dreamed that the Supreme Being of the Empire, who seemed to live in a completely different world, would have such a human side until I met him in person.
After all, are they all the same people?
And now.
"Huh, huh…! Lord Wolfgang, Master…! I'm sorry, because of me..."
"No, why are you suddenly like this?"
After His Majesty left and we exited through the exit, Alicia suddenly started to sob sadly, shedding tears.
Could it be that something had happened in the meantime? I quickly shook off the alcohol and consoled her.
"It's all because of me... because I was greedy. You, my master...!"
"I'm fine. Please stop. Your pretty face is ruined."
Looking at it this way, father and daughter really look alike. They both really have a knack for making me feel awkward.
"No, no...! I'm a vile bitch, and I have to be punished. I'll follow whatever orders you give me, my master."
"Please, Alicia. This isn't the inside of the palace. Please be careful with your words and actions."
"I, I'm sorry... "
So, did she lose her mind?
While desperately trying to stop Alicia from making such a slur in the middle of the palace that she would only say in bed.
—Paaaat!
"… … Huh?"
The Fairy Queen's necklace that she had given Alicia had transformed into a dog leash with a chain attached.
"Your Highness, Lord Wolfgang? Are you done with your business?"
While seriously suspecting that she was still drunk in this completely unexpected situation.
Right now, she could sense the presence of Alicia's attendants nearby.
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