Chapter 15
At the entrance of the glass greenhouse, tall trees lined both sides. As you walked deeper inside, small and colorful flowers appeared in neat rows. The rarest species were kept even further in, like treasures on display. In the center of the greenhouse, a space designed like a resting area held a beautifully arranged dining table.
The table was more decorative than the greenhouse itself. The chairs matched its elegance, and the dishes laid out were just as lavish. Emperor Lydian approached the table, muttering under his breath.
“Why are we having a meal in the greenhouse anyway? It is not even winter. I get warm easily, and greenhouses are always stuffy.”
He could not dress casually, but wearing his usual formal clothes in this kind of weather was uncomfortable. If only the central doors had been opened, a bit of fresh air might have come in. However, no one was allowed to open or close the greenhouse doors without the owner’s permission.
“Still, the place is very well maintained. Since the Empress likes this space, make sure the staff keeps it in perfect condition. Understood?”
After giving that order, Lydian continued to grumble about the heat as he reached the table and sat down. Just then, from the far end of the greenhouse, a woman appeared wearing a flowing purple dress.
She had obviously heard everything he said. The place she had just come from was close enough to hear every word clearly.
“If you dislike this so much, we can stop having meals together.”
“You really never miss a thing.”
He did not know why she had been hiding back there, but it was clear she had heard all of his complaining.
“If you heard everything, at least forgive me for it.”
His expression briefly showed guilt, but he quickly smiled and tried to move past it. Empress Midienna gave him a short glance, then calmly sat down across from him.
These kinds of grand meals were part of their regular lunch routine.
It was not unusual for emperors and empresses to marry without love. That was true not only for royalty but also among nobles who often married for power or family alliances.
Even so, there were empresses like Midienna who, despite marrying for duty, refused to fulfill their roles and acted on their own emotions. She had even confessed her feelings to the most powerful duke in the empire, saying she would follow her heart no matter what.
In any other case, such behavior might have been enough to remove her from the palace. However, the duke she loved belonged to a house with deep roots in imperial history. He was also one of the Emperor’s closest and most capable allies. Removing the Empress for this would damage the royal family’s reputation and complicate things with the powerful House Medilan.
“Why are you acting like you cannot wait to eat? It is not like you even enjoy these meals.”
Her lips, painted red, delivered the line in a cool tone, and then she fell silent again. Even the way she lifted her fork was graceful.
“We rarely do things because we enjoy them. Most of the time, we do them because we must.”
Lydian had spent his life avoiding trouble and preparing to pass on the throne. For him, duty always came first. There were more things he had to do than things he wanted to do.
Of course, some of those duties eventually became enjoyable. That was rare, and when it happened, it felt like luck. But with someone like her across the table, things became more difficult.
“Right, this was my father’s idea. I understand. I do not want to hear him complain either.”
Midienna responded with her usual sharp tone, then quietly began to eat. She took small bites and chewed slowly. Lydian watched her for a while before picking up his own fork.
Neither of them spoke for a while. Midienna did not feel the need to force conversation during a meal she saw as an obligation. Lydian, knowing how sensitive she could be, simply hoped she would eat and leave without incident. Their quiet table was a result of that unspoken understanding.
As he continued eating, Lydian suddenly frowned. He stood up without warning and quickly reached across the table, lifting the steak plate that had been set near Midienna.
“Hantes. Bring the head chef immediately.”
His voice rang out through the greenhouse, and everyone froze. Midienna and the nearby attendants all looked up at him in shock. Lydian rarely raised his voice. He was usually calm and easygoing.
Even Midienna, who was normally indifferent to his moods, felt nervous. She set down her fork carefully and looked at him.
“What is going on?”
Still seated, she stared up at him with wide eyes. Lydian did not sit down. He remained standing and looked directly at her.
“Midienna, did you not tell the kitchen staff that you are allergic to raspberries?”
His tone was serious. Pressured by the weight of his words, Midienna slowly shook her head.
“I did. I should have. Every time a new chef joins the palace staff, that information is supposed to be passed on without fail.”
She bit her lip and stared at the steak plate in his hand. His question had made it clear. She understood now why he was so angry.
Soon, the head chef was brought in, and a wave of intense questioning followed. This time, it was Emperor Lydian himself who took charge.
“How can a chef working in the Imperial Palace not know the allergies of the people he serves? Speak. Who told you to do this?”
“I am so sorry, Your Majesty. Truly, I beg your forgiveness. I just arrived as the new head chef one week ago. I was never informed about any allergies. I had no idea at all.”
The chef pleaded in a shaken voice. All he could say, again and again, was that he had not been told and that he was truly sorry.
“Are you the only one working in the kitchen?”
“There is one other person. He joined with me, also just a week ago.”
Lydian looked down at the chef for a long moment. Then he turned and called for Leila, the chief maid who served the Empress.
“Who is responsible for informing the kitchen staff about known allergies?”
“Well, Your Majesty… there are usually three people in the kitchen. The chefs have always shared that information among themselves.”
“So let me get this straight.”
Lydian turned his eyes back to the head chef and Leila, his expression colder and more imperial than ever.
“All the chefs were replaced, and the chief maid failed to pass on the Empress’s allergy information?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am terribly sorry.”
Lydian’s sharp voice struck directly at Leila, and she began trembling. She immediately dropped to the ground and bowed her head low in apology.
“The sauce on the steak I was holding earlier. What was it made from?”
“It… it was made with raspberries in the base sauce.”
At the chef’s answer, Leila quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Her mistress had a severe allergy to raspberries. If the Empress had eaten that steak, the result could have been extremely dangerous.
“My mistake is serious. I will accept any punishment without complaint.”
Leila lowered her head all the way to the floor, tears welling in her eyes as she begged for mercy. The Emperor stood silently, looking down at her with a cold and measured gaze.
Failing to pass on information that could affect someone’s life was nearly as serious as an accidental attempt on their life. The chef, who had not taken the initiative to confirm such an important detail, was equally responsible.
“Please calm down, Your Majesty.”
It was Midienna who spoke, surprisingly calm despite the situation.
She was still in shock. She had almost eaten that steak without knowing. Lydian’s anger and the near disaster both hit her all at once.
“The chief maid failed to report something that could endanger the person she serves. The chef failed to identify something that could cause serious harm. What should I do with them?”
“Wait. Please wait, Your Majesty.”
While the chef and Leila were frozen in fear, unable to speak, Midienna stepped in from behind to stop him.
It looked as if Lydian might throw the steak plate at their heads at any moment.
“It is alright. Now we all know. From now on, we will all be more careful. I will be cautious with what I eat, so let us move on from this.”
Lydian looked down at the trembling pair, still considering what to do. But when Midienna stepped forward and calmly took control of the situation, he turned his gaze to her.
“Are you sure about this? I can at least have them replaced immediately.”
Even as he said this, Midienna stood firm. Her quiet response made it clear she was removing them from the reach of the Emperor’s wrath.
“Everyone, leave.”
Lydian’s voice was low but firm. The attendants waiting nearby entered and quickly escorted the chef and Leila out of the greenhouse.
The noise that had briefly erupted faded as quickly as it had come. Once again, only Midienna and Lydian remained at the table.
Lydian slowly set the steak plate down in front of himself. Midienna, watching his every move, finally spoke.
“Thanks to you… I was saved.”
Her voice was quiet and steady. Though it came softly, it was clear that her gratitude was sincere.
Lydian forced down the smile that tugged at his lips and sat in his seat with a composed air.
“Well, I have been aware of your dietary needs for some time. When you live with someone, you naturally become more careful.”
Their meal continued from there. After what had just happened, the mood was not suited for small talk, but the food kept coming.
“This one is your favorite, is it not? I already took some, so you can have the rest.”
She had not spoken to him so gently at the table in a long time. Lydian gave her a subtle smile and nodded.
“Thank you. I will enjoy it. I suppose I was careless too. With so many new staff members coming in, we all need to pay closer attention.”
Trying to ease the lingering tension, Lydian dipped his fork into the food she had offered him and continued eating with quiet effort.
