“Well, it wasn’t a situation I couldn’t understand, so you don’t have to ask for punishment. By the way, I heard the high priest asked to see you separately. Is that right?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded slowly. Did the emperor call me to ask me about this?

As someone who was always wary of the high priest, the emperor was obviously not happy about the high priest’s intervention. He couldn’t do anything about my middle name, which got me the title of the child of God’s prophecy, but he really didn’t want me to get entangled with the high priest at the temple.

If that’s the case, why did he promote me as the crown prince’s bride for the reasons of my title as the child of God’s prophecy when he was so wary of the temple? Was it because he couldn’t betray the people’s trust in God’s prophecy? Or was it because he couldn’t find a bride candidate that suited the crown prince?

“So, why did the high priest ask to see you?”

“I have no idea. He only said he wanted to see me in return for his treatment, but he hasn’t contacted me yet…”

“Hmm, if you meet him later, listen carefully to what he is saying and report to me later.”

“… Yes, Your Majesty.”

Did you notice my hesitation? While leisurely looking around the surrounding scenery, the emperor said, clicking his tongue, “Don’t blame me. You also know it as you learned the history of the empire. There’s never been a single time when the priests’ intervention in politics has brought about good results.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Faith is only faith. God is absolute, but the one who interprets His will is a human. Keep it in mind. ”

It was a fact that I already knew well and agreed with. After I returned from my past, I was skeptical about God, but God was an absolute being. However, the problem was that humans interpreted God’s prophecy or the Bible. How many times was history tarnished by human greed in the name of God?

“I know, but Your Majesty…”

“Something else?”

“I’m sorry to ask you this. I understand you are so wary of the temple. Then, why do you want to promote me, called the child of God’s prophecy, as the crown prince’s bride? I’m very curious about it, Your Majesty.”

“Do you think I’m trying to have you join the imperial family just because you are called the child of God’s prophecy?”

As if he gave me some time to ponder over it, the emperor walked silently. I walked silently behind him. The fresh air that I had never felt in the capital seemed to clear away my complicated thoughts.

After being silent for a while, he finally said in a quiet voice, “Did you ask me why I wanted to have you as Rube’s wife?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“There may be several reasons, but one of them is because of the promise between your father and me.”

“Promise?”

“It was a promise that I would protect you by all means.”

What does that mean? What does that promise to do with having me as crown prince’s wife?

I looked at him with a puzzled expression, but he just smiled without saying anything.

“Hmm, I’m a little tired after walking. I heard that you brew tea very well. Can you serve me a cup of tea?”

“My honor, Your Majesty. I will do my best to serve you tea, such as it is.”

There was a white table arranged in the middle of the garden. I picked out rooibos from various tea boxes on the table, carefully brewed it, and poured it into a teacup.

His Majesty enjoyed the red tea with a refreshing aroma of fruit then set down the cup with a satisfied expression. Fortunately, it seemed to suit his taste.

“It’s exactly how they said. Very nice.”

“I’m flattered, Your Majesty.

“I’m glad that you don’t resemble Jeremiah, your mother.”

“Pardon?”

Was he close enough to call my mother by name? Come to think of it, he called her by name once before.

I hesitated for a long time before opening my mouth. Normally, I would not have dared to ask, but today I felt I might get an answer to my question today.

“Your Majesty.”

“Um. Any question?”

“May I ask you one thing? ”

“Okay, go ahead.”

The emperor put down the cup and looked at me.

“I don’t think other people know it… Actually, I heard a strange story from Duke Jenna. ”

“Hmm, you mean something about your vulgar blood?”

Given that he asked calmly, was the emperor also involved in my mother’s case?

As if he was sorting out his thoughts, the emperor emptied the tea that was already cold and opened his mouth with a worried expression.

“Well, I don’t know how much you know…”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Just forget about it. Jeremiah was an educated and cheerful noble woman. ”

“… Oh, I see.”

When I replied a bit late, he said thoughtfully, “Think about it. If she had been of humble station, Duke Jenna could not have sat idle. He would have spread rumors all over the place.”

“… ”

“But the fact that he didn’t do so means… Um.”

When I turned my head along his gaze, one of the royal knights who was on guard at a distance was seen approaching carefully. Maybe it was time to leave.

“We should leave now. Let me wrap it up here. I think I satisfied your curiosity enough.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then let’s go. See you again next time. ”

I stood up and bowed deeply to the emperor who was disappearing into the other side of the garden.

In the shade of fresh green, I was looking in the direction of his disappearance for a long time, then I slowly moved to the place where I was staying, reflecting on my mother.

The outer walls of the white marble, towering through the densely wooded garden lush with trees like the forest, reflected the sunlight and shined brilliantly. The cool wind blowing over a huge pond of transparent water blew the heat away.

I was in a room with the bright sunlight beaming through the window and the wind blowing softly inside. I sat in front of the desk in one corner of the room and opened some silver stationery.

‘Today I’m going to write a letter to my father. Let me also write a reply to Frincia. ‘

I dipped the quill in the ink and wrote the letter sincerely.

< Dear Father, Please forgive me for sending you a letter only now. I hear it's very hot in the capital. Are you doing well? It's very cool here in the summer palace unlike the capital city. The emperor also seems to be satisfied. I'm doing fine, but I often feel uncomfortable when I recall that I only am having a happy life while the servants and maids at my mansion in the capital are having a hard time. With a shortage of knights, I think you are working without rest , right? Even if you're busy, don't skip meals and take care of your health. Just as you have told me that I am the only one you have, you are the only one I have. Please send my best regards to the 2nd Knights and the employees of our family. I'll write to you again. Love. Tia>

< Dear Frincia, I received your letter well. It's very cool here at the summer palace. It looks like the rumor is true that this place is under a spell. Thank you very much for letting me know what's going on in the capital. I was wondering how my father was doing, but I feel relieved to hear from you he was doing fine. I look forward to seeing you again. Yours sincerely, Aristia la Monique.>

After waiting for the ink on the silver stationery to dry, I folded it finely and put it in the envelope. After signing the shiny silver envelope, I stamped my family’s seal.

I was about to stand up after picking up the two letters when something suddenly came to my mind.

‘Shall I also send a letter to the crown prince?’

Was it because my recent meeting with him weighed on my mind? Whenever I heard about the events in the capital, I was concerned about him unconsciously. Since I read Frincia’s letter, I was all the more concerned about him.

After hesitating for some time, I picked up my pen again. I dipped it in the ink and tried to write something on the silvery letter, but I often hesitated after writing the first line.

“Whew!”

In the end, I put down the pen with a sigh. However, I was bothered by the blank paper. What can I do? What should I do?

‘Oh, I don’t know.’

I got up, letting out a sigh again. Then, I went to the administrative department in charge of communicating with the headquarters in the capital, handed them the letters, and headed to the temporary training fiend of the knights. It was time to start work for the day.