Chapter 21: A Request Too Small for a Throne

The carriage that had dropped off Fria and Judith turned back toward the main palace. As Fria watched it roll away, Judith’s grumbling voice reached him.

“It’s quite far to walk, why did you insist on getting off here? You even dismissed the escort. It’s getting dark… aren’t you scared?”

“It’s still within the concubine quarters, no matter how far. And it’s not even that dark yet. I just wanted to walk a bit. I feel like the dinner might sit heavy.”

Fria patted his chest dramatically. When the emperor left the table first after dinner, Fria’s expression had brightened, but Judith had been shaken to her core.

The chamberlain had apologized, saying the emperor had too much work piled up, but even he looked regretful. Still, that was nothing compared to Judith’s disappointment. Looking down at her sulking face, Fria grinned and held out his hand.

“Want me to hold your hand if you’re scared?”

‘Scary, indeed.’

Fria’s carefree optimism was what truly terrified her.

“I really don’t understand what went wrong.”

“Yeah. What did go wrong?”

“You’re already beautiful, but today you were absolutely dazzling! Overwhelmingly! Radiantly shining!”

“I just said what I wanted when he asked.”

“How can someone get even prettier than that? But today’s Fria is even more beautiful than yesterday!”

“Is that so hard?”

“Yes!”

“I see…”

Lost in their own thoughts, the two once again found themselves thinking about the emperor, an enigma neither could understand.

“Maybe he was just tired, having just recovered?”

“Even so. What kind of attitude was that toward someone who took care of him? He asked, then got annoyed.”

“The emperor got annoyed?”

Judith’s eyes widened in shock as she rushed closer.

“Why? Did you say something that upset him?”

“I just told him what I wanted. That’s all.”

“He really said you could ask for anything? So what did you say?”

“I just asked to be allowed into the library. That’s it. Oh right, Judith, you don’t have to fetch books for me anymore. I got permission.”

“Permission granted. But next time we meet, come up with a proper request.”

Those were the emperor’s exact words as he stood to leave. Fria had been half-worried the dinner might turn into another night of “service,” but instead, the emperor had summoned a guard and ordered him escorted back.

“The library? He said you could have anything, and that’s what you asked for?”

“I don’t really need anything. And you’ve been running around fetching books for me. This way, you won’t have to anymore.”

“Need? Why wouldn’t you need anything?! What about the new Sabina Collection?! Or the new collection! Or the new collection!”

“Judith… you wanted new clothes? You should’ve said so earlier. I can afford at least that much.”

“With one dress, we’d blow through this month’s entire budget!” Judith puffed her cheeks in frustration.

“At the very least, you should’ve asked for more attendants! Or even a new residence! Do you know how rare a chance like that is?”

“Are we short on hands? I can help, you know.”

“That’s not the point! You’re the master of a palace now. Walking around with just me doesn’t exactly command respect. Everyone else has at least three or four attendants. And it’s already known that the others quit.”

The number of older maids handling chores like cleaning and cooking hadn’t changed, but the higher-ranking attendants, companions, advisors, and social aides, had all left. Only Judith remained.

“When people see you, they should think, ‘Ah! That must be the emperor’s favored concubine!’ You need something that makes it obvious. If you’d received something grand, rumors would spread, and I’d feel proud too. Honestly, Fria, you really need to realize your position.”

As Judith spoke passionately, she suddenly fell silent. They had reached the Rose Palace, the residence of Lady Rosetta of Asmund. The garden before it was overflowing with red and white roses, as if to make sure no one could mistake its name.

The scent was overwhelming. Fria stopped, drawn in by the vivid scene bathed in the fiery glow of sunset.

“Let’s go. Don’t get involved with them, it’ll only bring trouble…”

But Judith stopped mid-sentence. A black-haired girl had appeared among the roses.

“My lady, it’s getting late. Please come inside.”

An elderly woman followed, placing a shawl over the girl’s shoulders. Then she noticed Fria and Judith and narrowed her eyes.

“I’m fine, nanny. It’s still warm.”

Her accent marked her clearly as a noble from the western lands. Black hair tinged with red, striking green eyes, Fria recognized her. Rosetta of Asmund. He had seen her a few times at tea gatherings.

‘Why aren’t you bowing?’

The old woman’s sharp gaze fell on Judith. For a moment, Judith faltered, then remembered her master outranked a mere duchy’s daughter. She lifted her chin defiantly.

Then, before anything could escalate, Rosetta stepped forward and bowed gracefully.

“Rosetta of Asmund greets the master of the Swallow Palace.”

“I’m Fria… of Alphenia…”

“…son.”

The word stuck awkwardly in his throat. His current status and appearance made it difficult to say with confidence.

“Forgive me for not recognizing you at once.”

“No, not at all.”

“You are as beautiful as the rumors say. The palace is full of talk about you.”

“Ah, no… Lady Rosetta, you are truly beautiful.”

Unable to bear the awkwardness, Fria glanced toward the blooming roses.

“They’re magnificent. Truly fitting for the palace’s name.”

“If you’d accept them, I’d be honored to give you some. Rien!”

At her call, a tall attendant hurried over. Judith’s expression twisted at the sight.

“Rien, prepare flowers for Lord Fria.”

Orders passed down in strict hierarchy among the servants. Watching the process, Fria felt a strange tension. This wasn’t like the other young noble girls he’d met. Rosetta was different, composed, poised, undeniably a “real” concubine.

Beautiful, dignified, intelligent, already regarded as a leading candidate for empress. Even without knowing all the political weight behind her, Fria could feel it. A quiet sense of guilt crept in, he was occupying a place meant for someone like her.

“Since I hadn’t seen you at tea gatherings, I worried you might be unwell. I’m relieved to see you well.”

“I apologize for causing concern. I’m just not used to such settings.”

In truth, he had never attended a single one.

“There will be a gathering at the Central Palace next week. If you are not too busy, I would be honored if you attended.”

Fria accepted the bouquet and reluctantly nodded. Now that he’d been seen, he couldn’t use illness as an excuse anymore. Judith, however, beamed.

****

“What should you wear? Shoes? Jewelry? A fan?”

Judith spun the bouquet excitedly as she mentally sorted through options.

“I can’t fake illness anymore… Judith, what do people even do at those gatherings?”

“Drink tea, eat cake, play cards, exchange gossip, who’s dating whom, who’s engaged… but mostly, they talk about His Majesty.”

“The emperor?”

“Where he went, who he met, official things. And what he likes. His favorite foods, colors… everything. Everyone wants to know everything about him.”

“He’s popular.”

“Of course! They’re all here to love him, and be loved by him!”

Fria thought of the emperor lying alone, sick.

“Judith.”

“Yes?”

“What’s a ‘proper request’?”

“Definitely not library access.”

“If you were me, what would you ask for?”

Judith paused, thinking.

“Power! Make everyone in the empire kneel before you!”

“…Didn’t know you were that ambitious.”

“Just kidding! I’d ask for a diamond necklace. The biggest one in the world. I’d wear it and show it off!”

“A diamond…”

“A dream, right? If you wore one to the tea party, everyone would be speechless with envy.”

A proper request…

Fria walked on, deep in thought, the evening moon trailing behind him.

“Fria! For the tea party, let’s dress you up really beautifully! I’ll call the tailor first thing in the morning!”

Judith’s excited voice echoed down the darkening path.

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