CPSMBD Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The Empress’ Tears​

The Empress gently caressed the back of my hand, her touch warm and maternal.

"Our shy son has caused you quite a bit of distress, hasn't he, Chief Aide Violeta? Please don't hesitate to come to me if Friedrich gives you any trouble. Remember, I'll always take the side of my future daughter-in-law, no matter what happens."

I realized that if I remained passive, walking down the aisle with the Crown Prince would become merely a matter of time.

Why wasn't the Crown Prince offering any explanation about this situation?

I felt compelled to step forward and reveal the truth myself.

"Your Majesty, that's not quite—"

"Hush! Don't be shy, Chief Aide Violeta. I actually know everything already. I heard how our Friedrich has been following you around for days, declaring his love. To think that Friedrich has finally understood what love is! You can't imagine how long I've waited for this moment. I'm so overcome with joy that I'm nearly crying."

The Empress dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, sniffling with emotion.

That she would shed tears of joy over this... I found myself at a loss for how to explain the reality of the situation.

Just then, Secretary Derek burst into the office, his movements frantic.

"Your Majesty, the Empress!"

The moment I saw Secretary Derek fidgeting and casting nervous glances in my direction, I understood the whole picture.

The news of the Crown Prince's supposed infatuation with me had reached the Empress's ears through Derek's loose lips.

'So it was you.'

The one who had been spreading rumors about the Crown Prince's feelings for me.

No wonder. There was a reason the Empress, who never set foot in the Crown Prince's office, had made a personal visit.

I fixed Secretary Derek with a stern glare. Flinching under my gaze, he began to stammer out an explanation.

"Eek! Chief Aide Violeta, you see, that is..."

'Secretary Derek, I truly thought you were a good person. How disappointing to learn otherwise!'

The Crown Prince rubbed his temples with an exasperated expression before beginning his explanation.

"Mother, whatever Secretary Derek may have told you, I assure you that any romantic feelings for Chief Aide Violetta are purely fictional."

"Son, don't deny your feelings. I've heard everything from Secretary Derek. Or perhaps you need time to prepare yourself emotionally? That's understandable. However, it's not right to say such things when Chief Violetta is present. Think of how much this must hurt her feelings."

I stepped forward to clear up the Empress's misunderstanding.

"Your Majesty, Crown Prince Friedrich recently consumed Fairy's Tears by accident. His behavior in following me around was entirely due to the potion's effects, not his own will."

The Empress's eyes widened at my explanation.

"What? Friedrich drank Fairy's Tears? Surely not... you mean the same Fairy's Tears that makes one fall in love?"

"Yes, exactly. I happened to be the first person His Highness saw after consuming the Fairy's Tears. That's why he mistakenly believed he was in love with me."

The Empress's face darkened momentarily before blooming again like a water-laden lily.

"Then this is even better! It means Friedrich has found someone he loves. Regardless of how it happened, the fact remains that Friedrich has feelings for Chief Violetta. So, let's proceed with the royal wedding right away."

"Your Majesty, Crown Prince Friedrich has already taken the antidote. He no longer harbors any feelings for me."

"But just moments ago, you and my son were passionately kissing! That was clearly... love. One cannot kiss like that without genuine feelings."

"The Crown Prince took the antidote just before Your Majesty arrived. What you witnessed must have been before the antidote took effect."

"Enough, Mother. There will be no marriage between Chief Aide Violetta and myself."

At the Crown Prince's words, the Empress fixed him with a piercing gaze.

Wait, had I seen that correctly?

Surely our benevolent and gentle Empress couldn't have shown such a fierce expression.

The Empress sharply interrogated the Crown Prince.

"Why? Why is it impossible? Look me in the eyes and tell me honestly. Do you truly feel nothing for Chief Aide Violetta?"

"...No. I feel nothing."

"I am... so disappointed, my son. Truly disappointed."

"Mother, I will never marry in this lifetime. You know well that I have no interest in women. Please give up on this notion."

The Empress staggered at the Crown Prince's cold words, pressing a hand to her forehead.

"Friedrich, how could you say such cruel things to your mother..."

A tear like a precious jewel rolled down the Empress's cheek.

I found myself agreeing with her sentiment.

'How could you speak so harshly to Her Majesty the Empress!'

"I'm disappointed in you, Friedrich!"

"You may be disappointed, but impossible things remain impossible. Please stop wasting energy on this futile matter and return to your quarters. I will handle my own affairs."

"Son, you'll truly regret this one day! Do you understand?"

"If I come to regret it, that will be my burden to bear."

Wounded by the Crown Prince's words, the Empress fled the office in tears.

I glared at the Crown Prince.

He flinched slightly before speaking.

"W-why are you looking at me like that?"

"Weren't you too harsh with Her Majesty?"

"It's all an act from Mother. Don't feel guilty about it."

Well! Such a cold-blooded person, with ice running through his veins instead of blood.

I couldn't believe the Crown Prince's words.

Especially since rumors spread afterward that the Empress had taken to her bed from distress.

To speak such cruel words to someone who deserved only the gentlest treatment.

I wanted to insist that the Crown Prince go apologize to the Empress, but I'd been taught not to interfere in other families' affairs.

And so this round ended in the Crown Prince's victory as well.

I wasn't sure when the next match would begin, but it seemed the Crown Prince would be able to maintain his peaceful life as a bachelor, at least until the Empress devised a new strategy.

***

In Emperor Greatful's bedchamber.

The Emperor was personally brushing the Empress's hair in the warmly lit room.

It was a tender, beautiful scene.

The Empress, receiving her husband's attentions, heaved a deep sigh.

The Emperor paused his movements and spoke with concern.

"My dear, why are you so troubled?"

"I'm terribly worried about Friedrich."

"Has something happened to Friedrich?"

The Empress turned around, clasping the Emperor's hands tightly in her own.

"Your Majesty, please don't be shocked. Friedrich, he... he drank Fairy's Tears!"

"Ah. Yes, I was already aware of that fact."

The Empress narrowed her eyes and shot him a sharp look.

"You knew and kept it secret from me?"

"Ahem, well, my dear... I certainly intended to tell you. I meant to, but suddenly there was so much work..."

"Some things are too important to forget, no matter how busy you are! How could you keep such crucial information from me!"

"I apologize, my dear. I truly am sorry. But I handled everything properly. Friedrich treats women with less regard than roadside stones. I thought the effects would wear off naturally after a day, and I didn't want to trouble your heart needlessly."

"No, Friedrich had to seek out an antidote because the effects wouldn't fade on their own."

"My dear, what did you just say? The effects of the Fairy's Tears didn't fade?"

"Yes, that's right. You know about it too, don't you? About the hidden effects of Fairy's Tears."

"Indeed. When someone drinks Fairy's Tears and sees someone, they already have feelings for, they'll continuously profess their love. And the effect won't fade until they take the antidote."

"Yes, just as it happened with you, Your Majesty."

"That's right. I kept following you around, declaring my love. I finally went to meet the Fairy folk in search of an antidote, and that's when I learned the truth."

"Yes, I remember those days."

The Empress's eyes grew distant with nostalgia.