CPSMBD Chapter 09

CHAPTER 9

The Empress’ Plan

"My, you really don't know anything about this. I thought Her Majesty the Empress would have informed you, given that you're Prince Friedrich's aide."

The Alchemy Department Head interjected.

"It makes more sense that Violetta doesn't know. She's one of Prince Friedrich's closest confidants. If she knew about this, wouldn't she immediately report it to His Highness?"

"Ah, that's true."

The Herbology Department Head nodded in agreement with the Alchemy Department Head's reasoning.

Just moments ago, these people had been at each other's throats like mortal enemies meeting on a narrow bridge. Now they were suddenly united as one team.

"So what's this reason you're talking about?"

After some hesitation, the Herbology Department Head reluctantly spoke.

"This is highly confidential, so I'm not sure if I should..."

"You know me, don't you? I can keep a secret. This will stay just between us."

"Well then, I'll tell only you, Chief Violetta. You must not tell anyone else. Especially—and I mean absolutely must not—let this reach Prince Friedrich's ears!"

"I understand, just tell me quickly. I promise it won't reach His Highness's ears, absolutely not!"

"I'm telling you this because I trust you. At the upcoming twentieth anniversary celebration of His Majesty's coronation, there's supposed to be an announcement regarding Prince Friedrich's potential bride."

"What? What do you mean...?"

"Her Majesty the Empress is planning to make a grand announcement about finding His Highness a bride at this celebration. She's secretly ordered all noble families with eligible daughters to attend."

The Alchemy Department Head turned to me and asked:

"You really didn't know about this?"

This was the first I'd heard of it.

***

Prince Friedrich. The second most noble sun in this empire.

Though he appeared perfect in every way, he had one major flaw.

He showed not even the slightest interest in matters of romance.

This wouldn't have been a significant issue had he been born a commoner, but he was the empire's sole heir.

He had the crucial duty of continuing the imperial lineage.

'From Prince Friedrich's perspective, this must be truly unfortunate.'

During my time as his aide, I'd witnessed how desperately Her Majesty the Empress had tried to find him a match.

She'd arranged casual meetings with young ladies from prestigious families and even orchestrated introductions with princesses from neighboring countries.

But the Crown Prince had consistently disregarded the Empress's efforts.

'I thought Her Majesty had given up since things had been quiet lately, but it seems not. She was preparing something on an even grander scale...'

To verify the situation, I immediately requested an audience with the Empress.

Soon after, I found myself seated across from her as she elegantly wielded her fan, wearing a smile as perfect as a painting.

"Yes. This year, I absolutely must see my son married with my own eyes."

"Ah... Has this been discussed with Prince Friedrich beforehand?"

When I double-checked, just in case, the Empress's eyes widened.

"Of course not! I know my Friedrich's personality well. If he learns of this, he'll flee the palace and make all sorts of excuses to avoid coming anywhere near here for quite some time."

"Then what do you plan to do?"

"We must ensure this information doesn't reach my son's ears. Chief Violetta, you'll help ensure Friedrich finds a good spouse, won't you?"

This was troublesome.

'If I get caught between Her Majesty and Prince Friedrich's affairs, I might end up like a shrimp caught between fighting whales...'

At that moment, the Empress's delicate, beautiful hand firmly grasped mine.

Her beautiful eyes focused solely on me, shining enchantingly.

'Ugh! When you look at me like that...'

Being weak to the Empress's charms, I nodded as if hypnotized.

"Yes, I understand. If that is Your Majesty's wish, I will help with all my heart."

It wasn't easy to refuse the earnest request of a beauty looking at you with such pleading eyes.

'Who could refuse Her Majesty's request? Not just me—no one could.'

I decided to pretend this meeting never happened.

Both the fact that I met with the Empress and our conversation needed to vanish from memory.

The thought of what might happen if the Crown Prince discovered I knew about this was too terrifying to contemplate.

That's when the Empress suddenly snapped her fan shut and spoke.

"Ah, yes! I've thought of an even better idea."

"Pardon? What kind of idea are you..."

The Empress looked up at me with a coy expression.

'Why... why are you looking at me like that?'

An uneasy feeling crept up from my ankles.

Whenever Her Majesty wore that expression, she typically said something completely unpredictable to common folk like myself.

"Chief Violetta, what do you think of Friedrich?"

"P-pardon?"

I couldn't properly comprehend what I'd just heard.

"This isn't just because he's my son, but don't you think Friedrich is quite a catch?"

"P-pardon?"

I tilted my head in confusion while responding blankly. I knew I must look foolish, but I couldn't help it.

I couldn't understand the Empress's intentions at all.

"I think Chief Violetta would be perfect as Friedrich's match."

'Has my hearing gone bad?'

Perhaps I'd been working too hard and my auditory functions were impaired from overwork.

'Or maybe the part of my brain that processes vocal information has malfunctioned...'

The Empress, who had been carefully observing my expression, spoke again.

"I heard rumors that you recently went on a matchmaking meeting. Why don't you forget about that man and consider meeting our Friedrich instead?"

Eek! I jumped from my seat.

Goosebumps rose on my arms.

'How on earth does Her Majesty know about my matchmaking date?'

Even more shocking was the fact that the Empress was trying to pair me with the Crown Prince.

'No! That's absolutely impossible!'

The Empress waited for my response with an expectant face.

Extremely tense, I gulped. One wrong answer here would be my end.

"I-I've never thought of His Highness in that way, not even once!"

"Hmm. Then couldn't you start thinking about it now? This isn't just because he's my son, but Friedrich would make an excellent husband."

Excellent indeed!

To be honest, he wasn't excellent at all.

'But how could I possibly say that in front of Her Majesty?'

How should I refuse?

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

"Um... um... well..."

"What do you think?"

"I... I'm not worthy of His Highness, and... Prince Friedrich doesn't think very highly of me..."

"Nobody knows how relationships between men and women will turn out. If you start spending time together, going on dates in romantic places, couldn't feelings develop even if there weren't any before?"

The Empress gazed at me with desperate eyes.

Her golden hair shimmered as if forged from pure gold, and her beautiful eyes seemed crafted from the purest essence of water.

I almost nodded unconsciously, as if enchanted.

'I must be crazy. Get it together, Violetta Estrisen!'

If I gave even the slightest opening, I might end up having to spend time with the Crown Prince under the pretense of dating.

'Dating someone whose mere presence in the same room, breathing the same air, I can't stand?'

Though I was troubled, I had to firmly refuse the Empress's proposal.

'But how can I say no while looking into those eyes...'

I can't. I just can't do it.

'Then what are you going to do? Are you really going to date His Highness?'

Dating His Highness? I'd rather work terrible overtime.

'I need to refuse clearly right here. Just close my eyes and end it in one go.'

I bent my waist at a 90-degree angle.

"I'm so sorry! But regrettably, His Highness is not my type!"