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Chapter 29

Cahir had always hoped that Rosaline would wear the necklace he gave her. It was only natural for him to feel possessive of such a competent secretary.

‘I want to have her by my side as an emperor who wants to utilize someone’s talents to the fullest.’

“What are you talking about?” Rosaline’s eyes sparkled like diamonds.

He subconsciously raised his hand, entranced.

“Your Majesty!”

Her cry brought him to his senses and he lowered it slowly.

“Your Majesty, what were you doing just now?”

“Oh, I was going to fix your hair.” He deftly swept the short hairs from her neck. Cahir grazed her skin accidentally, his fingers stiffening at the ticklish feeling that erupted from within.

Rosaline’s face turned red. “I’ll do it.” She carefully pushed his hand away.

“You’re always doing things for me.”

“That’s because I’m Your Majesty’s secretary.”

“At least once, I should be the one to show kindness. Isn’t it nice? If you’re apprehensive because it’s too sudden, don’t fret. You’ll get used to it eventually.” Cahir turned away.

‘Get used to what? What does he mean?’

She really couldn’t fathom his reasoning, sometimes.

“Rosaline, what are you doing? Aren’t we going now?” He held out his crown to the pouting Rosaline, who accepted it anyway.

Cahir smiled. Combined with his gleaming golden hair, the effect was blinding. Her eyes closed without her realizing.

His fingertips touched her neck again, sending a numbing sensation to her arms and legs. It was all so confusing.

Her face burned even hotter.

‘I can’t open my eyes when he’s like that! I know better than to look directly at the sun.’

Meanwhile, Cahir was still staring at her. Specifically, staring at her graceful neck. “Rosaline, I hope you wear a wide-necked dress next time.

“Why?”

He could feel her breaths against his hand. “I can’t see the necklace.” Cahir turned his heel and left.

Rosaline was left alone in the hallway, stiff and speechless. The part that he had touched was exceptionally hot.

***

Derek was busy preparing for the tea party. The bags under his eyes were as dark as the evening sky.

Under orders from the emperor, he couldn’t sleep. Well, it wasn’t that he was prohibited to do so, it was just that he had to wake up the desert chefs at the palace, the administrators who were in charge of the matters of the nobility, and the staff who would serve at tea time. Among them was Hui.

And so the tea party was ready a few hours past noon.

There was one thing he was worried about, though.

Everything from the food down to the tables was in the palace. But as for the attendees… How many young nobles would accept the invitation to a sudden tea party at the palace. Honestly, Derek was skeptical.

But contrary to his expectations, there was a rush of visitors. They flocked inside to the point that the maids who were assisting them were completely frazzled.

Of course, Ella was one of the attendees.

“Hello. How are you? I’ve met you before at the banquet hall. It’s an honor to see you again,” she greeted Derek perfectly.

***

“Oh my goodness!” Rosaline gaped, seeing the party from afar. “Your Majesty, what is happening?”

‘Please don’t say you prepared a tea party for me.’

It must have been a meeting for the nobility, but… to hold it so suddenly… She was certain Cahir just wanted the aristocrats to suffer.

But the closer she got, the more unbelievable it became.

First of all, the participants were different. Rosaline’s peers were conversing with each other, wearing fancy dresses.

Second, there was a sweet smell of dessert.

“It’s a tea party, Rosaline. You said you wanted to do it.”

‘Oh come on! I wanted a normal tea party. Something simple.’

She looked tearfully at Cahir, whose face was glowing with a sense of pride.

***

“His Majesty is here!”

Murmurs burst out in the hall. As the trumpets announced his presence, Rosaline wondered how Cahir ever got used to all the pomp and circumstance.

But even before, he had never backed down, saying that this was his calling.

Thanks to his confidence, his appearance had always attracted attention.

The hall fell silent. Knights in blue uniforms lined up in a row, saluting her and Cahir as they passed.

Rosaline flushed. “This is too much!”

Tea parties were supposed to be casual. She was aiming for a simple meeting where it was fine to wear clothes that were not too loud.

Even if the noise could be attributed to the arrival of the emperor… Then why were the best lace tablecloths on display? Why were there so many desserts?

Additionally…

Why did the ladies all dress up so much?

Aetheus had dress exhibitions quarterly to determine the season’s trend and share information. Banquet-style exhibitions were a form of promotion where designers gifted clothing to aristocratic children who were well known for their influence and beauty. Those people would then appear wearing their gifts.

As the trend was decided at the exhibition, there was a high demand for invitations, and so it was difficult for lower-ranked or less-popular nobles to get in.

Exhibitions were often colorful affairs. Not only dresses, but also matching shoes and accessories were prepared by the designers. Everything was fancy because everyone wanted to stand out in some way.

This tea party was just as glamorous, if not even more so. The flamboyance of coiffed hair, fist-sized earrings, and revealing gowns was dizzying.

Such excess made the neat and modest Rosaline stand out more.

“Your Majesty, I’m honored to be invited to this party.” An older woman approached and bowed, likely a chaperone for the event.

Usually, one or two older ladies with good reputations were invited to tea parties. They mediated conversations and prevented problems from arising out of petty jealousy. Often, these ladies also taught the younger generation etiquette and decorum.

The lady invited for today was Baroness Becky, well-versed in manners. Noble families who had daughters were lined up with bundles of money to hire her.

“Thank you for responding to the sudden call.”

“I will always be ready to go to the palace when you do.” The baroness held a hand to her chest and bowed again. “Your Majesty, who is the host of the tea party today?”

A host had an important role, as she had to lead the party from the spotlight. Rosaline looked around. It was normal for tea parties to be held at your home, but was Cahir really going to host this party?

This was more than simply preferential treatment for her.

Cahir’s eyes met hers.

“Me?”

Mrs. Becky looked at her sharply. It was impolite to speak like that, especially to the emperor. If she was the host…

“Rosaline Verite is the host of this tea party.” Cahir gently pushed Rosaline’s shoulder forward.

The eyes directed at them widened.

“Thank you for hosting such a big party, Rosaline.”

“Ah… Yes, yes,” she replied awkwardly.

‘Does this even qualify as a tea party? There’s tea, but… This isn’t what I wanted!’

***

Ella had been in a bad mood since Rosaline and Cahir appeared.

“Don’t those two look really great together?”

“I heard from my father that there would be an empress selection soon. I wonder what that would entail.”

“Why?”

“He already has Rosaline. Didn’t you see them at the banquet last time? They were so close to each other! And she’s so skilled, too.”

Ella cut in between the two young ladies, nearly slamming her glass onto the table and startling them. “Oh, did I interrupt your conversation?”

They both smiled at her despite the offense, convinced by her doe-like eyes.

“No, we’ve been talking too much. Lady Ella, come and join us.”

Ella smiled shyly, leading the conversation skillfully. “The empress will be selected soon?” she asked softly.

It was unsurprising that young ladies were drawn to her gentle personality.

***

“The host of the tea party should greet everyone who came.”

Rosaline’s face paled. She could see more than thirty people, how was she supposed to greet them all?

It was even more difficult because it wasn’t just a matter of saying a simple greeting. Small talk was a show of courtesy.

She would probably be greeting people until the end of the party.

“Since the tea party is big, we’d better keep our greetings simple. They will understand,” Mrs. Becky advised.

Rosaline nodded bravely.

“Do a good job and come back. I’ll be waiting here.” Cahir settled on a table with a pinkish tablecloth and a pile of desserts, staying a good distance away from the mayhem.

“Your Majesty, you’re staying here? I don’t know when this tea party will be over. Your afternoon schedule…”