Chapter 4: Tea with the Emperor

It was the afternoon. Sun was high in the sky. It gave a soothing effect as the temperature drop kept increasing as days approached the winter season. Monica was on her way to meet the Emperor who would be in his office at this time according to his schedule that was provided by the secretary. Currently on his schedule, it was teatime with the princess.

As soon as Monica arrived, the knight stationed outside announced her visit. She was allowed inside. To her surprise, Harold was also there however it looked like he was done talking to the Emperor. The Emperor had already had tea with him as the used teacups were still sitting on the table. Monica couldn't help but frown. This kind of behavior really got on her nerves.

Upon seeing Monica enter, Harold respectfully bowed to the Emperor. Then he turned around and smiled as he looked at Monica. However, he left without greeting her. Monica, who expected such behavior from him didn't really care and proceeded to head inside. As Harold left, the knight outside closed the doors shut.

"I, Princess Monica, greet the sun of the empire"

Monica curtsied and sat on the couch.

The Emperor was already seated. Surprisingly, it looked like he had barely touched his tea. He called for a servant to replace the cold tea with freshly brewed warm tea and a new teacup for Monica.

"Why was he here?"

Monica asked in a curt tone. It wasn't the Emperor but Harold who was the cause of her bad mood and rough tone.

"We were talking about you"

Emperor calmly replied as he took a sip from his tea.

"What?"

Monica couldn't think of a reason why he would mention her right now. Was it about the succession of throne again?

"He wants a union between the empire and Pyrus kingdom to acquire a shorter sea route for trading. As you know, we only have the western border that is with the sea but not much trade is possible with foreign nations across the sea as the route is long and it is close to the border"

At first Monica was flabbergasted that that little scum was planning her marriage for her but then she started laughing at his courage to even bring it up. She still hadn't forgotten the funny look he had on his face when she had slapped the duke's successor who was also his cousin.

"If I remember correctly, the only eligible candidate is that bastard"

Monica frowned and picked up the cup of tea. The tea wasn't to her liking, it was a little bitter. She put it aside and picked up a cookie instead. Even the cookie was salty. Her frown got worse.

"Is it not to your liking?"

At hearing this, Monica couldn't hold back.

"Did you really ask that? Who would want to be married to a lusty dog? Try sending me there, I'll chop off his…ahem"

The Emperor cleared his throat. He could imagine that really happening.

"I meant the tea…"

For a moment there was complete silence.

"I prefer it sweet"

The Emperor called for the servant to brew sweet tea for her and bring in sweets as well.

"Monica, I will not allow such a disgraceful marriage. I might not be an adequate father for you but I will follow your mother's wishes. She wished for you to do whatever you want. That's why, suggest something of equal value"

Monica sighed but agreed to it. She got up and was about to leave the office.

"If you don't have a solution by the end of next week, I will do something about it but it might also not be to your liking. That child is likely to make his move on his birthday banquet"

Monica left the Emperor's office. It was new and weird to see him get involved between the two of his children, he never did this before. Monica clenched her fists; she was never going to let someone take advantage of her. Her resolve only got stronger

"I will no longer bear it. I will rightfully succeed the throne"

It didn't seem like the Prince had any thoughts of leaving her alone even after succeeding, he will try to use her again and the Emperor won't be a shield for her then. This was when she realized that she relied on the Emperor a lot more than she thought. They might not be close as father and daughter but he still protected her when needed.

"Not an adequate father, he says. He's not entirely wrong"

While Monica was still with the Emperor, Shadow stealthily left the palace grounds. He entered a small cottage that was located in a desolated area surrounded by vegetation. In the cottage, there was only a small bed in a corner, an old table with a chair whose broken leg was fixed. He looked at them reminiscently.

"Cough, cough"

He snapped out of his thoughts, now even the dust was getting in his way.

"So annoying"

Just then, a person appeared at the entrance of the cottage. He was also covered up in black. He genuflected before his master.

"Is there something I can do for you, master?"

"Alex, find out whatever you can about this arrow as soon as possible. We need to find the culprit"

Shadow handed Alex the arrow that Jason had given him.

"Master, how long do you plan on being there?"

"He gave me a place when I was chased out. I am just returning the favor. It's fun but also annoying. I haven't had a proper conversation with anyone for the past few days. It was stifling…Ah! Alex, what do you think about my face?"

He pulled down his mask to show his face. Alex was a little taken aback by the sudden question but he answered without hesitation.

"Master, you are very handsome. I can see the resemblance between you and your esteemed mother"

He gestured him to stop, then leaped onto the nearby tree and disappeared from sight.

"Master…you didn't answer my question"

Alex was left hanging.

By the time shadow returned to the palace grounds, Monica had left the Emperor's palace. He returned to the princess' palace. As expected, the Princess that was known for barely leaving her palace was there.

She was sitting in the garden, surrounded with beautiful autumn flowers…or that's how it was supposed to be. Instead, she was circling around the patio furniture while in deep thought. After a few minutes, she started circling around the fountain.

"I'm feeling dizzy just by looking at you, Princess!", Jason complained.

Monica stopped, looked at Jason, spaced out, then looked at Jason again and smiled.

-a few minutes later-

In the garden, three people were seated around the table.

"You see, that little scum…marriage...bastard...So, I need more minds to think of something better than that"

Monica explained the entire situation to the two people closest to her.

"How dare he! How can he do that to someone like you!", Alissa cried out of anger.

A scumbag like that guy to be her dear Princess' husband? It was preposterous.

"Exactly. I need to put him in his place", Monica agreed, someone like her shouldn't easily be pushed around.

"How about entering a monastery?", Jason suggested.

"Rejected! That doesn't suit someone like our Princess!"

Alissa strongly rejected. How could her beautiful Princess live such a simple life, the beautiful dresses and jewelry are what should suit the Princess. Although, she wouldn't look any less beautiful in a simple dress.

"That's right, they'll kick me out the next day. Besides, that place is boring I can't live there", Monica rejected the idea as well.

"Then how about becoming associated with the Magic Association? They're independent and it'll be safe there too", Jason suggested another idea.

"You are steering in the wrong direction. I'm not running away. I need to bring up an idea that is more advantageous than acquiring a sea route that will flourish trade"

Running away would be disgraceful and humiliating for her. She couldn't possibly accept such humiliating defeat.

"But Princess, there isn't such a thing that would be more advantageous. That's why I suggested those ideas. There is only one option left, reveal yourself as a ranked sorceress. It will be disadvantageous to give away such a treasure to another kingdom"

Alissa was shocked to hear this. Monica had never told her this before. She felt depressed knowing that Jason was closer to the Princess. Although she was aware of it but it felt worse than she had imagined.

"That's not possible. I have a damned restriction on me and they will try to tie me down by making me marry another man…Alissa, you okay?"

Monica noticed Alissa's glum expression.

"Ah, it's nothing. Just that I didn't know Princess was a ranked sorceress. Maybe I wasn't worthy of your trust"

Alissa teared up. She didn't want the Princess to see her being pathetic like this.

"There was no reason to bring it up. Also, there is no one more loyal and trustworthy than you. Do you not deal with all my personal matters?"

With a few reassuring words from Monica, Alissa cheered up. She suddenly stood up and volunteered to bring her favorite pastries and cookies.

"She's such a cute little rabbit"

Jason was in awe.

"I have never seen you treat someone like this. Princess, do you perhaps like her too?"

"Of course, I do. Isn't she quite cute?"

"I'd rather you hit me this time too"

"For randomly guessing my sexuality?"

Monica chuckled.

While in a distant tree, the black cat had been observing the Princess. The three had been gathered together for a while now. They seemed to be discussing a serious matter. He was bored being all alone. Although he didn't talk much and preferred to be alone but this was getting boring and tiresome. So, he jumped off the tree as soon as the coast was clear and quietly walked closer to the three. By this time, he was hiding behind the bushes. The maid suddenly ran off to bring desserts.

He quietly listened to their conversation. Unfortunately, rather than getting to know information worth reporting, he got to know something he wished he hadn't heard. The Princess had feelings her personal maid!

For a moment, he wondered why she said that his appearance was her type. The next moment, he felt pity for her as she would never be able to have that sort of relationship with her unless they ran away together. He vowed to himself that he would never tell anyone about this.

"I didn't hear anything at all", he mumbled as he came back to his original spot.