WMEEM Ch 10

Elizaveta

He introduced a young woman to me.

[Terkan] "Your Highness, this is Lady Elizaveta of the Guido Countship."

[Eliza] "Greetings, Your Highness. I am Elizaveta Guido. Please allow me to offer my deepest apologies once more. I intended to arrive punctually for our first meeting, but an urgent matter came up... I'm so sorry."

Deep anxiety was etched across her face. An actual emergency had clearly delayed her, so her tardiness didn't offend me in the slightest.

If anything, I appreciated that she'd come to a meeting she likely wanted to avoid, apologizing so earnestly over and over.

She seemed bound to dwell on her guilt unless I reassured her quickly, so I offered a warm smile.

[Celeste] "It's a pleasure to meet you. Was your issue resolved?"

[Eliza] "Yes... mostly... actually, not yet."

Tears welled in her eyes. Her sudden tears flustered me, but she quickly wiped them away, a sudden smile springing back to her face.

[Eliza] "I'll resolve it shortly, so please don't worry. Thank you for your concern."

She spoke bravely, as if the tears hadn't existed at all.

[Celeste] "I hope everything turns out well."

[Eliza] "Of course it will! Who do you think I am? I'll settle it completely."

She slammed her fist into her open palm and pursed her lips tightly. Though fury fueled her tone over whatever her problem was, her rapid shifts in emotion were amusing to watch.

Laughing at someone facing a serious predicament felt impolite, though, so I changed the subject.

[Celeste] "Your hair is lovely, Elizaveta."

When I brought up her hair—which had caught my eye from the start—she clapped her hands together, her face lighting up with genuine delight.

[Eliza] "You think my hair is lovely...? Your Highness is the first person ever to call it beautiful!"

[Celeste] "Is that so? It's a wonderful style. Your face is lovely, too."

Before I even finished speaking, Elizaveta bounced over and sat right beside me.

[Eliza] "I was so disappointed that no one recognized this magnificent style symbolizing freedom! Thank you for appreciating it, Your Highness. Now that you've approved of it, it'll surely become a trend soon!"

She showed her excitement without any filter.

Hadn't vicious rumors about me circulated throughout Kellinev? I appreciated her presence alone, yet her warm, casual demeanor felt both comforting and bewildering.

Fortunately, a look into Elizaveta's eyes revealed no pretense or malice. She seemed to embody freedom itself. Was that why she approached me without hesitation?

[Celeste] "So there was a reason behind your short hair. A symbol of freedom. How wonderful."

Terkan sat across from us, his voice quiet yet clear enough for every word to carry.

[Terkan] "Symbol of freedom? More like a symbol of rebellion."

[Eliza] "Terkan!"

She shrieked his name with a sharp glare. In response, Terkan bowed his head. Though he uttered a polite, "My apologies," the words sounded entirely insincere.

Watching him, a realization struck me. He acted like this toward everyone. Polite, yet subtly disrespectful. A strange contradiction in speech and behavior.

Elizaveta paid his antics no mind, though, as if she was well accustomed to his nature. She flicked her hand dismissively at him.

[Eliza] "Terkan, I wish to speak with Her Highness alone. I came here to talk with her, so your presence isn't necessary."

[Terkan] "My Lady, in this room, I follow only Her Highness' commands."

Terkan refused flatly. Pouting, Elizaveta sent a pleading look my way.

[Celeste] "Terkan, I'd prefer that as well."

At my request, he rose from his chair and walked toward the door. He opened the door, then paused and stepped back inside as if he'd remembered something.

[Terkan] "Your Highness, an escort knight will be assigned to you starting today."

[Celeste] "An escort?"

[Terkan] "It's for your safety, so if his presence bothers you, just pretend he doesn't exist. He's remarkably tight-lipped."

Without waiting for my reply, he departed. Elizaveta kept her eyes glued to the door until it clicked shut.

[Eliza] "What an insufferable jerk."

Though her words were harsh, the two of them seemed remarkably close.

[Celeste] "Are you close with him?"

[Eliza] "Goodness, Your Highness! Absolutely not. Close with a man like him?"

She waved her hands and shook her head frantically, denying it vehemently.

[Celeste] "You seem to know him quite well."

[Eliza] "I don't know him well. I only know he's insufferable."

[Celeste] "So Terkan is insufferable... I had no idea."

Truthfully, I wasn't entirely ignorant. I'd often felt that subtle, off-kilter edge beneath his polite exterior. If I'd picked up on it, she certainly had, too.

[Eliza] "He's insufferable, yet in a world brimming with lies, he's someone you can trust."

When she said "a world brimming with lies," a flicker of moisture flared briefly in her eyes before vanishing.

[Celeste] "Is Terkan really that trustworthy?"

[Eliza] "Regardless of status, if a noble commits a fault, he speaks the truth bluntly to their face. That's precisely why he's insufferable, though."

That much I already knew. Behind his handsome features and breathtaking smile lay a man capable of delivering verbal daggers.

[Eliza] "Yet that honesty carries its own charm, which is why half the noblewomen in Kellinev fawn over him."

[Celeste] "So he's popular."

[Eliza] "He's one of the two men who constantly dominate social gossip. He looks youthful, yet he possesses a magnetism and remarkable looks. Even without a title, his wealth is immense, and no one in the empire dares touch him. Set up like that, he's quite a catch."

Her stories were fascinating. While I'd guessed as much about Terkan, hearing it from her made it delightfully vivid.

[Celeste] "Who's the other man dominating social gossip?"

[Eliza] "His Imperial Majesty, of course."

She lowered her voice and leaned close to my ear.

Could I hear stories about Batizo from her, too?

[Celeste] "What kind of person is His Majesty?"

To me, Batizo consisted only of distant rumors and brief encounters over the past few days, kindling a desire to understand him better.

[Eliza] "A man far more terrifying than what meets the eye or ear."

[Celeste] "..."

[Eliza] "Oh my! Speaking like that about your future husband..."

Realizing her slip, she clapped a hand over her mouth. She quickly tried to smooth over her mistake.

[Eliza] "Still, as long as Kellinev's sovereign remained unmarried, every woman held out hope. Yet Your Highness claimed that position! A seat coveted by countless people! Congratulations!"

Unsure how to respond while she clapped enthusiastically, I offered only a smile.

In our brief time together, Elizaveta proved cheerful and passionate and quite talkative.

What subject did she come to teach me?

[Celeste] "What subject do you teach, Elizaveta?"

[Eliza] "I didn't come as a tutor, but as your lady-in-waiting."

I could hardly believe a count's daughter had joined me as a lady-in-waiting. Batizo or Terkan must've arranged it thoughtfully.

As she spoke enthusiastically with expressive gestures, she bore no resemblance to someone forced into an unwanted role. Nor did she harbor any hostility toward me.

[Eliza] "Should life in Imperial Palace prove difficult or anxieties arise, feel free to call on me. Or whenever solitude strikes and you want some conversation."

Though playful mischief danced in her lingering smile, I felt as if I'd gained a wonderful friend. I liked Elizaveta immensely.

---

Before lunch, as Elizaveta and I opened the door for a brief stroll, an unfamiliar man blocked our path. His hair was tied back, and his massive physique rivaled Batizo's.

[Eli] "Where are you heading, Your Highness?"

[Celeste] "For a walk... Who are you?"

[Eli] "Forgive my delayed introduction. I am Eli, assigned to escort Your Highness starting today."

[Celeste] "Ah, you. I heard from Terkan. I look forward to working with you."

Eli trailed behind us at a comfortable distance, causing no discomfort.

Under the bright midday sun, the air felt surprisingly warm.

While I'd forgotten it when standing beside Batizo or Terkan, walking beside Elizaveta reminded me of my Calyx roots. I envied her tall stature and slender frame.

[Celeste] "Are all women in Kellinev as tall as you, Elizaveta?"

[Eliza] "Generally, yes. Though heights have become more varied compared to the past."

[Celeste] "I envy you."

[Eliza] "I envy Your Highness! You're delicate and petite, so adorable, like a doll!"

A snort of laughter escaped me at the word "doll."

[Celeste] "An ugly doll?"

[Eliza] "Your Highness! Forgive me! I meant no such thing!"

She shook her head frantically and offered sincere apologies. I knew she'd intended it as a compliment.

Having been told I was hideous my entire life, adjusting to a genuine compliment felt unfamiliar.

[Celeste] "I know. It's just my first time hearing anyone call me a doll."

[Eliza] "I mean it sincerely. You really resemble a doll."

Unfamiliar as the compliment was, it gladdened my heart.

[Celeste] "Thank you. But don't they plant flowers in the garden?"

The garden looked bleak. Despite the warm sunlight, the barren landscape made winter feel as if it were pressing right against us.

[Eliza] "His Majesty's personal taste. Honestly, your reception room suffers the same fate! In a space housing such an adorable princess..."

She launched into a relentless stream of complaints. The drapes were drab, leaving a couple of sofas and tables sitting empty was absurd, the carpet design was outdated, and on it went.

Unlike me, who adored the room, it failed to meet her standards entirely.

[Celeste] "I love it, Elizaveta."

[Eliza] "Really?"

[Celeste] "Yes. I..."

I started to say that having a vast space all to myself made everything wonderful, but I caught myself. Though I recognized her good nature, I still wasn't sure if I should confide such personal details yet.

Self-reproach struck me as I reflected on my past.

Only days after gaining freedom, here I am complaining about a flowerless garden feeling bleak.

Walking freely through the imperial gardens mattered far more than flowers. That freedom alone felt like spring to me.

How fickle I've become.

I could plant flowers once I became Empress.

Noticing Elizaveta waiting for me to finish my sentence, I added quickly.

[Celeste] "I really love it as it is."

[Eliza] "As expected of our future Empress! Ordinary women always long to decorate their rooms gracefully."

She viewed me as modest. Which was far from the truth. Though she was right that I differed from ordinary women—having grown up in squalor—I felt immense gratitude for my current quarters.

Actually, I didn't know how to decorate a room anyway.

[Celeste] "I'll decorate it later, once I become Empress."

Though that day remained distant, studying and observing in the meantime would make it possible.

Awaiting that future, I looked forward to tomorrow's lessons with anticipation rather than dread.

---

The following day, a study desk appeared in a corner of the reception room. Though embarrassment over starting my education later than others had plagued me, seeing the desk banished it completely.

I traced my fingers over the desk assigned for my studies, losing count of how many times I sat down and stood up in excitement.

I leaned over the desk by the window, watching the scenery outside and enjoying the breeze.

Our first lesson covered reading and writing. Terkan took charge of foundational literacy.

[Terkan] "When did you learn to read and write, Your Highness?"

[Celeste] "Tarega taught me. Yet she wasn't fully literate herself, so advanced words remained beyond us."

[Terkan] "Was there anyone else besides her? You mentioned reading books. Where did you obtain them?"

[Celeste] "There was someone else."

Two people. No, one person and... another entity?

I hesitated over whether to mention the other entity, then decided to leave it for later. Since I'd never learned literacy from them, omitting it felt acceptable.

[Celeste] "Aranad must have been overlooked during your investigation. He's a friend."

[Terkan] "Confined to the annex as you were, did you have opportunities to meet friends?"

[Celeste] "Rather than me seeking him out, he came to visit me."

I met Aranad shortly after my arrival at the Calyx Imperial Palace. Frail and sickly, he struggled with outings, occasionally accompanying his father during palace visits. We met during one of those trips, forging a bond that endured.

For reasons unknown, Raff never interfered with Aranad's visits. Though his frequent illnesses limited our meetings, he taught me basic literacy and brought me books.

Suddenly, a forgotten promise resurfaced. I'd promised to write Aranad a letter, yet it had completely slipped my mind.

[Celeste] "I wish to write a letter to Aranad. Can you assist me? Or is that inappropriate during lesson hours?"

[Terkan] "Not at all. Drafting a letter serves as a natural extension of our lesson."

He handed me paper and a pen. I took the pen gently and dipped the nib into ink.

[Celeste] "Forgive me if my handwriting is untidy."

[Terkan] "It's quite all right."

He leaned forward and fixed his eyes on the paper, encouraging me to write.

[Celeste] "Could you look away? It makes me nervous."

[Terkan] "I must observe to guide you."

[Celeste] "I suppose so, but..."

[Terkan] "Have you used a pen before? Raff denied you a fork and knife, yet granted a pen?"

[Celeste] "Aranad gave it to me."

Carefully, I penned Aranad's name at the top of the parchment.

[Terkan] "Didn't he give you a fork and knife?"

[Celeste] "I never told him. He knew my wretched circumstances and pitied me, desperately wanting to help... I wanted to hide at least one humiliation."

Aranad longed to help me, yet Raff permitted nothing beyond brief visits. Though he secretly brought me small items, extracting me from that hell remained impossible. Guilt burdened him constantly because of it.

And I felt equally guilty toward him. Knowing that a royal princess lacked even basic necessities would've tormented Aranad deeply. I refused to burden him further.

[Celeste] "It felt humiliating."

A lie. With Aranad, humiliation never existed.

[Terkan] "Knowing so much already, hiding one more detail out of humiliation escapes my understanding. Then again, Your Highness differs from me."

Ignoring his comment, I focused on the letter.

[To my dear Aranad, whom I miss deeply. Departed without a word—]

I wanted to write Were you upset?, but lacking the word for "upset," I consulted Terkan. He wrote it on scrap paper, and I copied it carefully.

[Celeste] "I wanted to inform you, but time escaped me; hence this late letter. How do I write this?"

Terkan penned the words on scrap paper once more. Just as I moved to inquire about his health on the next line:

[Terkan] "Did you perhaps love him?"

His sudden question halted my pen, making me look up. He rested his chin on his palm as he asked, the sunlight streaming through the window obscuring his features.

[Celeste] "Whom? Aranad?"

[Terkan] "Yes. That man."

Though Aranad was a distant royal relative, Terkan referred to him as "that man."

---

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