The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 46

The swift report from the Chief Attendant made Cayenne nearly jump with joy.

“As I thought, your idea was excellent, Glenn.”

“I am honored to have been of service, Sire.”

Though it was far from what the two men had originally intended, the result remained the same: Cayenne was invited back to the Empress’s Palace for dinner.

“Your Majesty, if you are to attend the banquet at the Empress’s Palace,” Miller, the Chief Attendant, began while lingering nearby.

Cayenne looked at him. “Of course I am going. Send word immediately that I accept.”

“Yes, Sire.”

Miller signaled with a hand, and a young attendant hurried out. However, Miller remained by Cayenne’s side, seemingly having no intention of withdrawing yet.

“Is there more to be done?”

“I shall assist you in preparing for the banquet.”

A question mark practically floated above Cayenne’s head. “Preparing for what?”

At first, it had been out of curiosity; then, it was because the food was excellent; after that, it had become so natural to visit the Empress’s Palace that he never thought any special preparation was required.

“There is dust scattered about here and there from your personal efforts, Your Majesty.”

“Ah.”

Cayenne brushed off his shoulders nonchalantly. However, the traces of having roamed the entire garden picking up pinecones were not so easily erased.

“Well, it has been a few days since the last banquet. Perhaps I should take a bath.”

Glenn found it strange that Cayenne would move for a bit of dust, but he chose not to point it out. He simply felt immense pride in having been a great help as a confidant today.

“It so happens that a new formal uniform tailored to your updated measurements has arrived. I shall order that to be prepared as well.”

Even in Emma’s absence, Miller was more than capable of fulfilling his role.

“Hmm, do as you like.”

Cayenne turned away as if he had no interest. However, the usual complaints—that it was a nuisance or to forget about it—never came.

“Yes, Sire.”

Miller bowed, hiding a small smile. A grim determination, no less fiery than that of the maids at the Empress’s Palace, was burning within his chest as well.

Alicia, soaked to her neck in white bubbles, was far from enjoying a leisurely bath. She was pouring all her thoughts into a single direction.

“The weather is cold. I assume the banquet will focus on warm dishes?”

“Naturally, Your Majesty.”

She felt the chill even indoors today, yet thinking of Cayenne out there picking up all those pinecones gave her a peculiar feeling.

“Madame Agnes is supervising the kitchen personally, so do not worry.”

“Still… tell them to prepare a cinnamon-based drink.”

“Yes. Cinnamon warms the body and is excellent for preventing colds.”

Nancy, who was assisting with the bath, signaled a maid behind her, who understood immediately and left the room.

“Agnes is preparing the banquet herself, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Despite her claims that she couldn’t stand the curiosity and simply wanted to see him to ask questions, all of Alicia’s excuses were rendered moot by the simple fact that she was eagerly waiting for the hour of his arrival.

“Do you like the scent of the new bath additive?”

“Yes.”

Alicia answered absently and fell back into deep thought.

“Seeing His Majesty’s gift today reminded me of my hometown,” Nancy said. Despite her youth, Nancy was always prudent due to Agnes’s strict training, and she rarely initiated personal conversation. “In my hometown, pinecones represent a heart that never changes.”

“Is that so?”

Alicia’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Nancy. “Why? They are just things that fall from trees. They aren’t particularly pretty.”

Even as she said it, Alicia did not withdraw her curious gaze.

“The conifers that bear pinecones stay green in every season. They are prickly and not soft like flowers, but they remain constant no matter the time.”

Nancy’s voice was as soft as the white bubbles. Hearing it, Alicia’s expression and heart felt equally light and airy.

“So, in my hometown, they are considered fruits that hold a heart that will never change. People treasure them, and in winter, they even use them to decorate their rooms.”

“Really? I didn’t know there was a place with such a meaning.”

“It also carries the wish for sweet dreams and deep sleep during long, cold nights.”

In truth, the maid’s words did not matter much. The size and shape of the pinecone basket had been somewhat shocking, but as she soaked in the warm tub and thought about it calmly, she pictured Cayenne personally picking up pinecones in this freezing weather.

“Since it has grown quite cold today, I hope they bring you comfort, Your Majesty.”

Honestly, she could not quite picture the scene, but between him climbing the tree and now doing things an Emperor should never stoop to doing, it was becoming difficult not to have any feelings for him.

“I am only losing sleep because my head is full of things I cannot understand.”

She wanted to tell herself that her state was caused by her thoughts, not her emotions. It was true that she was worried about what exactly the “decision-making power” Cayenne had granted her meant, and how far it extended. She wondered if that power could lead to the freedom she had always craved, but she was not yet ready to define it.

Silver candelabras were lit for the banquet. Logs crackled in every fireplace, providing a warm and cozy atmosphere. However, the most striking sight in the Empress’s Palace was Alicia herself.

“Is this not too much?”

“Pardon? I see no problem at all.”

Agnes feigned total innocence. “You look no different than usual.”

“Yes, you are as elegant as always,” the young maids agreed in unison.

“Is that so? Well, then.”

Under the pretext of taking out her winter dresses, Alicia had bathed until she was glowing. As she was groomed, her lips tinted and her long platinum hair brushed until it flowed freely, her graceful beauty shone more subtly than ever before.

“It is time. Shall we go down?”

Before Alicia could ruin her meticulously prepared look, Agnes took her hand and led her away. Alicia did not argue further, following her down the stairs.

“His Majesty will arrive soon. The banquet preparations are perfect, so do not worry.”

“I know.”

Servants were already lined up at the entrance to greet the Emperor. Alicia stood at the front and smoothed the fabric of her dress. Cayenne was always punctual for banquets, so the doors would open any moment now. Even though it had only been three days, she felt as nervous as the very first day he came to her palace.

Finally, after three days, the doors opened. It was not an attendant, but Cayenne himself who pushed the doors open and entered. Alicia and the servants hurried to pay their respects.

“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

As she lowered her gaze, a pair of unfamiliar shoes entered her vision. They were not the comfortable boots he usually wore, but elegant shoes one would wear to a ball.

“Alicia.”

Her name echoed lowly in her ears. Instead of telling her to rise, Cayenne took her gloved hand in his own and helped her up.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Alicia was naturally wearing gloves as part of her formal attire, but it was surprising to see Cayenne wearing them for the first time.

“It has been a while. Would you lift your head and show me your face properly?”

At his words, she looked up to see Cayenne dressed in a magnificent black formal uniform. It was a sight she hadn’t seen since the wedding, and it was so stunning that she inwardly gasped in admiration.

“I shall lead you to the… no, to the banquet hall.”

Alicia stammered unintentionally and quickly looked away.

“I am looking forward to it.”

For some reason, she had a feeling this was going to be a long night.

“I have missed this quite a bit.”

The first wedding anniversary was beginning in an entirely unexpected manner.

The banquet was magnificent, and there was nothing to worry about. However, Alicia felt scattered because Cayenne kept staring at her as if trying to bore a hole through her.

“Have you accepted my apology?”

Unable to hold back any longer, Cayenne spoke first. “I mean, about that… terrible misunderstanding and my ignorance.”

She wanted to say no, but Alicia had already nodded. “Yes.”

His actions had been terrible, but knowing there was no ill intent made it impossible to hate him further. Especially after hearing about his childhood from Emma and the circumstances that shaped him, she almost felt pity for him.

“Phew.”

Cayenne let out a long sigh of relief the moment he heard her answer. “To be honest, I was worried. I feared you would… mistake me for a lawless man.”

“I did that day, but I no longer misunderstand.”

Alicia answered, but Cayenne did not withdraw his gaze. He looked like a man who had more he wanted to hear.

“You aren’t smiling yet.”

That was not because she was angry, but because her tension hadn’t fully dissipated.

“Then again, it is likely my own greed to expect your mood to lift so suddenly.”

Was Cayenne always this submissive? Alicia felt her memories blurring. Her internal worry that he might lose his patience and snap at her by today proved to be completely groundless.

“I have something I wish to ask you.”

“Anything.”

“That night, by my window, you said you would give me all decision-making power regarding this marriage.”

At her slightly trembling question, Cayenne nodded immediately.

“What exactly does ‘all decision-making power’ mean to you, Your Majesty?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. All decision-making power,” Cayenne answered without a hint of hesitation. “Just as you chose to invite me to dinner again today, and chose to let me enter through the door instead of a window.”

His distinct low voice tickled her ears just as it had that night.

“Even if you were to kick me out right now without dessert.” His dark eyes stared straight at her. “It is your choice.”

She could no longer endure this suffocating gaze. Nor could she keep the heat trapped in her chest any longer. Perhaps because they were both feeling the same sensation, this moment felt even more stifling.

“My choice is…”

The time it took for Alicia’s lips to move felt incredibly long.

“To have dessert in the parlor next to the bedchamber.”

This time, it was Cayenne who had to hold his breath.