Chapter 27
“……”
There was no taking it back now, and Michalis felt as though a heavy stone had settled in his chest.
When a servant, who had been watching from a distance, returned with a new fork, the meal continued—but it felt like sitting on a bed of nails. The once-tender meat now chewed like dry straw.
The following afternoon.
Imperial Year 321, June 1st. The carriage from House Ascher arrived at the Imperial Palace precisely at the scheduled hour.
“We welcome the Duke and Duchess of Ascher.”
As Eliana stepped down from the carriage, escorted by Michalis, the waiting attendant greeted them with a formal bow.
“Please follow me. His Majesty is eager to meet with you.”
Eliana walked alongside Michalis, taking in the grandeur of the Imperial Palace as they moved through the halls.
Towering arched windows lined the corridor, with art pieces so exquisite it felt like walking through a gallery. Gilded reliefs adorned the columns spaced at even intervals, completing a display of overwhelming opulence.
“The Duke and Duchess of Ascher have arrived.”
At the attendant’s announcement before the audience chamber, two palace guards stationed at the entrance stepped aside.
“His Majesty will receive you now.”
The firmly shut doors opened, and a middle-aged man with a neat, dignified appearance stepped out. He was the Chief Attendant who always remained by the Emperor’s side.
“Michalis Ascher of the South, humble servant of the Empire, greets the Radiance of the Sun.”
“I greet the Radiance of the Sun,” Eliana echoed, entering with Michalis.
She lowered her gaze carefully, not daring to meet the Emperor’s eyes as she performed the formal greeting.
“Raise your heads.”
When Eliana slowly lifted her gaze, she saw a man in his late forties seated on a velvet throne adorned with gold. He was the Emperor—the final mastermind in the original novel The Broken Clockwork Doll.
Eliana quickly shifted her gaze to the tapestry hanging behind the throne. Embroidered with the Empire of Wespera’s flag and cornflowers in vivid hues, it shimmered in the light.
“Hah, I still remember when you came to the palace as a child with your father. Hard to believe you’ve grown so much,” the Emperor said, stroking his chin as he studied Michalis’s face with nostalgia.
“That was already twenty years ago, Your Majesty,” Michalis replied with polite deference. He had been just seven at the time, not long after his mother had passed away.
“Ah, how time flies.”
Back then, the Emperor had been a young man himself. Hearing Michalis’s words stirred a longing for those days when he had been full of ambition.
“So, are you the result of the late Duke’s final wish?”
The Emperor, caught for a moment in memory, turned a curious gaze toward Eliana.
“……”
Feeling his eyes on her, Eliana lowered her lashes quickly.
“Indeed, you are as beautiful as the rumors claim. The late Duke would have been most pleased.”
The former Duke of Ascher’s final wish had been for his son to marry. Securing the future of the Ascher line, the Empire’s shield, was a priority even for the Imperial family. Thus, the Emperor viewed Eliana with nothing but favor.
“I am humbled by Your Majesty’s gracious words.”
Eliana dipped her head, tense from the unexpected warmth. This man, so different from the ruthless and cold Emperor in the novel—especially toward Freya—left her somewhat stunned.
“I wish to speak privately with the Duke. Everyone else may leave.”
“We obey the will of the Sun.”
At the Emperor’s solemn command, the guards who had lined both sides of the audience chamber bowed and filed out in unison.
“……”
As the last guard exited, Eliana, unsure of what to do, felt the Emperor’s gaze land on her.
“Chief Attendant, show the Duchess the palace gardens while I speak with the Duke.”
“We obey the will of the Sun.”
At the Emperor’s order, the Chief Attendant—who had been standing quietly, blending into the background—approached Eliana.
“My Lady, if you’ll follow me.”
I’ll come find you in the garden once we’re done, Michalis conveyed with a reassuring glance toward the visibly uneasy Eliana.
The palace gardens were vast—so much so that one might worry whether a day would be enough to see them all. At the edge of a pond large enough to be mistaken for a lake, swans drifted gracefully over the water. Square-cut marble paths crisscrossed the grounds, dividing the gardens into sections filled with colorful blossoms and carefully trimmed topiary, arranged like a living canvas.
It really is like an art piece made from the sweat and toil of master gardeners.
Eliana walked alongside the Chief Attendant, fully absorbed in the garden’s beauty.
Once their month-long stay in Wespera came to an end, she would return to the southern estate and officially begin her duties as Duchess of Ascher. One of her responsibilities would be overseeing the manor’s gardens—so the Imperial Garden made for perfect inspiration.
She studied the layout of the plants, the color harmony among the flowers, and the placement of the trees as she moved along the path. On this first day of June, the sun had grown stronger, and beads of sweat formed on her brow.
If I’d known it’d be this bright, I would’ve brought a parasol…
“Duchess of Ascher, is that you?”
As she shaded her eyes with her hand, Eliana froze. That voice—she’d heard it once before.
“I greet the Radiance of the Young Sun of the Empire.”
How could she forget that clear, gentle baritone?
Recognizing the voice’s owner, Eliana quickly bowed in respect. Unlike at the wedding banquet, the Crown Prince now wore a slightly more relaxed outfit.
“It’s an honor to see you again.”
Behind the smiling prince, two royal guards followed at a discreet distance, about two meters behind.
“May I have the honor of guiding you, Duchess?”
As the Crown Prince leaned slightly toward her, the sunlight caught his honey-gold hair, making it sparkle like stardust.
“……”
Eliana, caught off guard by the Crown Prince’s unexpected offer, studied his face. The expression on it was nothing but sincere goodwill.
We’re not alone… it should be fine.
Rejecting him in this situation would only make things awkward for both of them.
“It would be an honor, Your Highness.”
After a brief hesitation, Eliana placed her hand on the Crown Prince’s arm. As she stepped closer to stand beside him, the corners of his lips, which had curved into a soft smile, trembled ever so slightly.
“I’ll take you somewhere that suits the season.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As Eliana walked alongside him, receiving his escort, the Chief Attendant quietly fell back. The two royal guards followed a short distance behind.
Shhh—
A breeze swept through the leaves, scattering like whispers in the air.
The Crown Prince guided her into a wisteria tunnel lush with greenery, where light purple blossoms hung in bunches like grapes, cascading from above. The contrast of the vivid green with the delicate flowers created a breathtaking display—and more importantly, shaded them from the sun.
“This is one of my favorite places.”
As he stepped beneath the canopy of blooms, the Crown Prince’s eyes curved like crescent moons in a warm smile.
“Oh… I see.”
The smile was disarmingly charming. Seeing it up close, Eliana’s face flushed red.
She remembered now—it was to see this face that she had first logged in. Had she not already built up a resistance to handsomeness by regularly seeing Michalis’s face, this might’ve been dangerous.
Get a grip, Eliana.
She shook the feeling off, forcing herself to focus. Her mind briefly conjured Michalis’s image, helping her anchor her emotions. It was too late to falter now—she had a duty, a loyalty, to the Duke who had stolen fate with her.
This is Retriever Prince… yeah. It’s just like taking a walk with a friendly mochi puppy who can talk.
Perhaps the self-hypnosis worked. The Crown Prince’s occasional smiles now seemed more like those of a sweet, overly friendly adolescent pup.
At the same time.
Michalis, in private audience with the Emperor, was discussing the geopolitical state of neighboring territories.
“Judging by recent events, the Second Prince is an ambitious man. We intend to continue monitoring Kantur closely.”
“I see…”
“As for Jaifen, the death of General Cheriada has weakened the rebel forces significantly. If they are swiftly crushed and reunification is achieved, it’s only a matter of time before their swords turn once more toward the Empire.”
“Undoubtedly. They’ve always coveted access to the continent.”
“Please do not concern yourself too deeply, Your Majesty. As always, the shield of the South will stand to protect the Empire.”
Michalis spoke calmly but firmly. His confident cobalt eyes held no trace of uncertainty.
“Hah… To see you grown and guarding the Empire—I am truly reassured.”
The Emperor’s pleased laughter filled the audience chamber.
“And what of enemies within our walls?”
“…Your Majesty?”
At the Emperor’s sudden change in tone, Michalis’s eyes narrowed. The light-hearted air had vanished from the monarch’s face entirely.
“There are those, lately, with treacherous intentions.”
“……”
Michalis did not answer immediately. The Emperor was speaking of potential rebellion.
“May I ask… who dares plot such treason?”
Michalis finally broke the silence, his voice composed, steady.
“The faction surrounding Count Espensen, the Minister of Military Affairs.”
“……”
Michalis’s thoughts spiraled.
The Minister of Military Affairs had control over Wespera’s armed forces. If he had the will to rebel, he was in a position where he could have already dethroned the Emperor.
Because of that risk, the tenure for the military minister was limited to five years. According to what Michalis knew, the current minister had only two months remaining in his term. Had he not made a move yet simply because he lacked justification?
Is this truly rebellion?
“……”
More likely, this was a matter of political strife between the Imperial faction and the noble faction.
In the year 321 of the founding calendar, the noble faction’s influence had been steadily growing, while the Emperor’s authority had begun to wane. The Emperor, seeking to reverse the tides before his power ebbed further, needed to act.
It wasn’t hard for Michalis to discern what the Emperor truly wanted: to sever the right arm of the noble faction’s leader, Marquis Vinter—namely, Count Espensen.
But even the Emperor could not simply erase a founding noble house without a clear and compelling reason.
This meeting was not merely a warning. The Emperor was asking House Ascher for aid—to borrow its strength in cutting down his political enemy.
