WMEEM Ch 13

Gifts

An array of rings and necklaces was laid out on the table. Each piece was so lovely that selecting just one felt impossible.

I deliberated at length before choosing a necklace for Tarega and a hairpin for Elizaveta.

[Celeste] "This one and this one."

I pointed at my selections. The owner praised my choice and scurried off to wrap them.

Even though the gifts were for others rather than myself, a swell of fulfillment warmed my chest.

[Celeste] "Will the recipients like them?"

[Terkan] "You made excellent choices. However, keep in mind that they might not suit personal tastes entirely. Jewelry reflects individual preference heavily."

[Celeste] "Is that so? Should I choose something else then?"

[Terkan] "No. The pieces you chose would appeal to most women."

Flattery warmed me, and I squared my shoulders slightly, taking his words as praise for my taste.

[Terkan] "Expensive items tend to transcend personal preference, after all."

It was not a compliment. He meant expensive gifts were likely to be appreciated regardless of taste. He possessed a knack for adding unnecessary comments that dampened my spirits.

I ignored him and surveyed the shop's interior. An aroma of aged wood filled the air, a scent entirely absent from the imperial palace. It mirrored the scent near the forest of my childhood.

Clear music drifted softly from somewhere. Had it not been for the bustling passersby outside the window, I would have felt transported back to those woods. Yet the view outside held its own charm.

I had often wondered how ordinary people lived, so I watched them move about their daily routines. When a child stumbled and cried, his mother scooped him up to offer comfort. How long had it been since I last heard a child's cry?

It was endearing. The mother's tender eyes brought back memories of my own late mother. Despite her endless work, my mother always put me first. Both before and after entering the Calyx Imperial Palace.

Did her life ever hold moments of brightness? Guilt constantly haunted me with the fear that I had been a burden to her. If not for me, she wouldn't have labored endlessly, nor met her end in Calyx's Imperial Palace.

Something significant occurred on the day she breathed her last. Though I recalled the somber atmosphere of that day, the details eluded me.

That is why I must return to Calyx. I must discover what transpired that day.

Living comfortably like this feels like a betrayal to Mother.

To divert my darkening thoughts, I examined the unselected jewels remaining on the table. One ring repeatedly drew my gaze. The stunning piece whose radiant light had captured my attention earlier.

A smile curved my lips as I looked at it.

Who knew I possessed a fondness for jewels?

[Celeste] "Is this expensive?"

[Terkan] "Most items sold at Luiza carry steep prices."

[Celeste] "I see."

Since I had already purchased gifts, my spending had to stop here. Though I felt regretful, I decided to simply admire it.

The owner finished wrapping my items and approached with a smile.

[Owner] "Your Highness, if it pleases you, please take it. I shall offer a steep discount."

He pushed the box containing the ring toward me. Though tempted, I shook my head.

Now is not the time. Batizo provides plenty of jewelry. I shouldn't grow greedy.

[Celeste] "No, I have no need for it yet."

I pushed the box back toward the merchant, placing it out of reach.

---

When we left the jewelry shop, we didn't head straight to the carriage.

Terkan walked ahead, mentioning that there was a location we ought to visit. Although I didn't know our destination, my steps felt light knowing we were not returning to the palace immediately.

He halted before a shop where late afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows. Draped curtains before tall windows were bound neatly like the hems of fine dresses, and a rich fragrance filled the interior.

Musicians sat along the wall, playing string instruments softly. The gentle music created a realm entirely separate from the bustling street outside.

Finely dressed patrons gathered over tea ceased their conversations upon our entrance.

[Lady] "It is Terkan!"

A woman whispered, drawing the attention of the entire room.

[Lady] "Who is the woman alongside him?"

[Lady] "Indeed, who could she be?"

Though hushed, their whispers reached my ears clearly.

[Lady] "Has Terkan ever brought a woman to Antique before?"

[Lady] "I have never seen it."

[Lady] "Who on earth is she?"

The intrigue was directed entirely toward Terkan.

As a waiter guided us to our table, every eye in the room followed our movements.

[Celeste] "What manner of establishment is this?"

[Terkan] "A place to enjoy tea and desserts while conversing. Your Highness, refrain from looking around so openly."

I had lost myself in taking in the surroundings once more. Heeding his reminder, I fixed my eyes straight ahead.

Our table sat beside the window, where soft sunlight illuminated the gleaming dark wood surface. My bedroom housed similar furniture, yet seeing it here felt entirely different.

Mindful of his gaze, I lightly touched the table's edge.

[Terkan] "What manner of tea do you prefer?"

[Celeste] "Offer a recommendation."

Since I knew little about tea, relying on his choice seemed best.

[Terkan] "And regarding dessert...?"

[Celeste] "Decide for me."

Yet he presented the menu to me regardless.

[Terkan] "Select the dessert yourself."

I scanned the list carefully. I recognized a few items from the palace, while others remained entirely unfamiliar, and I hesitated between choosing a familiar taste or trying something new.

[Celeste] "This one."

I pointed at the menu, and Terkan placed the order with the waiter.

Throughout that brief exchange, gazes—predominantly from noblewomen—remained fixed upon us.

[Terkan] "I didn't expect you to master reading so quickly."

[Celeste] "Ah..."

It was another unannounced test. He taught me without formal examinations, constantly evaluating my progress through our daily interactions.

[Celeste] "It was not quick. I cut back on sleep and memorized relentlessly to reach this level."

[Terkan] "Well done. Swift progress is ideal."

The tea and desserts arrived. Just as the waiter placed a cup before each of us and moved to set down the desserts—

SLAM!

The front door burst open violently.

Wait….. that is Elizaveta.

[Celeste] "Eliza—"

As I raised my hand to call her name, Terkan pressed his hand over mine, lowering my arm.

[Celeste] "Why are you doing that?"

Just as I questioned him, Elizaveta shouted from behind a nearby table.

[Eliza] "How dare you pull a stunt like this!"

SLAP!

Gasps echoed through the room as everyone clutched their mouths, fixing their eyes on Elizaveta. I stared in speechless shock as well.

Elizaveta had delivered a fierce, stinging slap across a man's cheek.

[Eliza] "What? I am too old, so you can't possibly marry me? Don't use my age as an excuse. Admit you found another woman! Was my money sweet when you spent it, but marrying me suddenly feels like a chore?"

[Man] "El—Elizaveta!"

The man clutched his reddened cheek. Elizaveta promptly poured hot tea over the man and the woman seated opposite him.

Freshly served, the liquid must have been scalding. The woman shrieked while the man rushed to wipe her face with a handkerchief.

[Man] "Elizaveta! What manner of behavior is this for a noble lady of dignity? Doing this is precisely why I... Ugh!"

Elizaveta grabbed a handful of cake bare-handed and shoved it directly into his mouth. White cream smeared grotesquely across his face.

[Eliza] "Dignity, my foot! Did you not know I was like this? You were the one who confessed first, claiming you loved my free spirit! Ugh, I should have listened when my brothers called you a swindler!"

She tucked her hair behind her ear and set a hand on her hip.

[Eliza] "If you ever cross my sight again, you will regret it!"

[Man] "Look at this! She suffered a burn! I shall sue for damages!"

The man shielded the woman in his arms.

Elizaveta wavered briefly, then bit her lip tightly. She unclasped her bag and hurled a handful of metal coins at them. A metallic clatter echoed across the floor.

[Eliza] "Scoop all that up. It will cover treatment and then some."

As she turned to leave, our eyes met. I was uncertain how to act, wondering whether acknowledging her would help or if pretending ignorance was wiser.

Before I could decide, Elizaveta approached our table.

[Eliza] "Greetings, Your Highness. What brings you here...? Forgive me for showing you such a disgraceful scene."

She curtsied low. Her formal greeting drew every gaze on me, and whispers about my identity began to circulate.

[Celeste] "Elizaveta. Are you all right?"

I rose from my seat and took her hands.

[Eliza] "Of course! I am quite fine."

[Celeste] "Sit and join us for tea..."

[Eliza] "Forgive me. I have a prior appointment. If you permit, may I visit during afternoon tea tomorrow?"

[Celeste] "Yes. Let us do that."

Her claim of a prior appointment was surely a lie. It broke my heart to see her force a cheerful smile as she turned away.

She walked past the man and woman gathering coins without granting them a second glance.

[Celeste] "Should we let her leave like that?"

[Terkan] "Let her go."

[Celeste] "She came without even a maid. Leaving her alone seems wrong."

[Terkan] "You must not."

[Celeste] "Can royalty not even comfort a friend?"

[Terkan] "We are outside the imperial palace. Besides, she likely desires solitude at this moment."

Terkan was correct. Offering comfort was my own desire. She likely preferred not to display her vulnerability.

[Terkan] "Are you that concerned?"

[Celeste] "Yes."

He sighed and gestured to Eli.

[Terkan] "Escort Lady Elizaveta home safely."

As Eli departed, Terkan fixed his gaze upon me.

[Terkan] "Your Highness, don't form friendships easily."

[Celeste] "Why?"

[Terkan] "Because a friend must be someone you can trust."

[Celeste] "Elizaveta is trustworthy."

[Terkan] "You met her only days ago. How can you be so certain?"

[Celeste] "I know what you are thinking, but Elizaveta is someone I can trust."

Though it might appear reckless, my intuition insisted she could never be a bad person.

---

When I returned to the palace, I summoned Tarega immediately.

[Celeste] "Tarega, come sit."

[Tarega] "What happened, Your Highness? You said it was urgent, so I ran."

[Celeste] "I am sorry. It is not an emergency, but I wished to give this to you quickly."

Tarega glared at me playfully and sat beside me.

[Celeste] "This is my gift to you."

[Tarega] "What is this?"

[Celeste] "Open it."

Tarega offered me a quick glance, then opened the box. My heart pounded with nervous anticipation.

The lid lifted, revealing the necklace inside. Even in the dim bedroom light, its beauty remained striking.

I worried whether its beauty existed merely in my eyes.

Tarega gasped when she saw the necklace. She remained silent, staring at the jewel without lifting it from the velvet lining.

[Celeste] "Tarega, do you dislike it?"

[Tarega] "...It is not that."

Tears trickled down her cheeks.

[Celeste] "Tarega!"

[Tarega] "I wonder if I am worthy of receiving such a gift from Your Highness... I have done nothing for you, yet you bestow something so precious..."

[Celeste] "Why speak like that? How could you say you have done nothing for me?"

Memories flooded my mind. During my hungry childhood, she sacrificed her own meals for me. Even worm-eaten fruit tasted sweet because she shared it. After I endured beatings, she maintained a composed facade in front of me, only to weep quietly in secret later.

I knew all too well that her world revolved entirely around me.

[Celeste] "You suffered so much on my account."

[Tarega] "Oh, please don't say such things."

[Celeste] "When I become Empress, I shall ensure you can rest comfortably."

So you will never have to attend to anyone again.

I prayed earnestly for a day when we could enjoy meals, converse freely, and share happiness together.

[Tarega] "Your words alone are enough, Your Highness."

She wrapped her arms around me.

[Tarega] "You were so much smaller than me, and now you have grown so much..."

Her quiet murmur made my eyes burn.

I held another reason to live diligently, one I had briefly forgotten.

---

Batizo, who had noted we wouldn't see each other for a time, sent word requesting to dine together.

[Celeste] "Which dress should I wear?"

Tarega looked at me in confusion.

[Tarega] "Do you intend to change, Your Highness?"

[Celeste] "Is it fine to go like this?"

Since I had just returned from exploring the capital, I wondered if changing was proper.

[Tarega] "Yes. You look lovely, and your dress is clean."

I snapped back to reality and questioned my own thoughts. Why had I considered changing dresses? My mind felt strangely restless.

I checked my appearance carefully and proceeded to the dining hall.

Batizo had arrived first. He welcomed me, though his face bore no warm smile.

As I looked at him, I couldn't comprehend why I had contemplated changing dresses earlier.

[Celeste] "Greetings to Emperor Batizo, great leader of Kellinev. Celeste, Princess of Calyx, offers her respects."

[Batizo] "Is there any need for such formal greetings between us?"

[Celeste] "Pardon?"

[Batizo] "I am sick of such formalities."

[Celeste] "Yes. I understand."

Dinner proceeded similarly to previous meals. He inquired about my well-being, to which I replied that I was enjoying my stay, adding my gratitude for his consideration.

[Batizo] "I heard you ventured outside today."

[Celeste] "Yes. I went to purchase a few items."

[Batizo] "You may summon merchants to the palace. Then again, staying inside studying must feel stifling, so feel free to venture out occasionally. Speak to Terkan if your funds run short."

[Celeste] "You granted more than enough."

[Batizo] "Funds never remain enough once you start spending."

Though his words sounded blunt, he displayed subtle attentiveness. I was unsure how to respond, and time passed quietly.

As dinner concluded, Batizo summoned an attendant, who set a small box before me.

[Batizo] "Open it."

Curious, I lifted the lid.

Inside rested the ring from the jewelry shop, the very piece I had admired for so long.

I looked between his face and the radiant gem in disbelief, frozen in place.

[Batizo] "Does it suit your taste?"

[Celeste] "...Yes."

It was impossible not to love it.

[Celeste] "How did you..."

Was this how Tarega felt earlier? An unexpected gift brought surprise and a swell of emotion.

[Celeste] "Is this not expensive?"

He laughed aloud.

[Batizo] "My treasury is not in such dire straits that I can't afford a single ring."

Right. He is the Emperor of this nation.

Embarrassment flushed my cheeks at my foolish question.

[Celeste] "Thank you. I love it."

[Batizo] "I am glad it pleases you."

I returned to my bedroom in a daze, sat on the bed, and slipped the ring onto my finger.

I spread my hand and touched the exquisitely cut gem with my other hand. My heart fluttered with an unfamiliar warmth.

---

[Batizo] "Was it necessary to gift her a ring?"

He leaned back in his chair, looking exhausted.

Terkan had handed him the ring earlier, urging him to present it to Celeste. He complied, and to his surprise, she displayed overwhelming joy.

[Terkan] "Her Highness liked it, did she not?"

[Batizo] "She liked it immensely. She looked quite bashful."

Burdensomely so.

[Batizo] "Surely she will not develop actual feelings for me?"

[Terkan] "Is that not the desired outcome? Solidifying your bond so her heart remains unwavering moving forward would prove beneficial, would it not?"

[Batizo] "I detest nuisances."

[Terkan] "Handle nuisances as you normally would. Conduct yourself as you always do."

[Batizo] "Understood."

Since when did I care about another person's feelings?

Whether Celeste harbored feelings or not was none of his concern. She remained merely a tool to claim Calyx.

---

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