The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 56

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 56
The day was remarkably warm. Though autumn had surrendered to winter’s approach and a crisp breeze had begun to sweep across the outside world, the sunlight pouring through the glass ceiling bathed the Indoor Garden in gentle warmth. And so too did the gentle nature of the Empress, who hailed from a small duchy far in the Southern Region.
Lauren, who had seldom ventured beyond Siaz Territory, had only heard tales of it, yet she was certain that the Empress’s homeland—situated far to the south of the territory where she had grown up—must be as warm as the Empress herself.
If a fairy tale princess were to age with the passage of time, would she not resemble her? That cotton candy pink hair that shimmered like spun sugar from the festival, those emerald eyes that sparkled like precious gems. The Empress, who had appeared so fragile beside the Emperor, proved brighter and kinder than Lauren had imagined, and she was one who devoted herself wholeheartedly to her responsibilities.
In the countless storybooks Lauren had read, princesses resolved all their troubles simply by smiling without a care in the world. But the real princess was different. The princess who married her beloved prince became an Empress. It was a role that beauty and delicacy alone could not fulfill.
The Emperor was one who ruled an entire nation. The Empress who stood beside him was no different. She could not afford to simply strive to appear beautiful like other noblewomen, nor could she indulge in leisure. Even during brief conversations, Attendants brought documents for the Empress to review and approve. She paused mid-sentence to apologize. Lauren, who had believed the fairy tale ended with “and the princess lived happily ever after,” now admitted her thinking had been shallow.
“Now that I think of it, the Duchess was the daughter of Marquis Siaz, was she not?”
As if searching for something she longed for, the Empress gazed at Lauren’s face. At the mention of her father’s name—something she had not expected to hear in this place—Lauren’s heart tightened.
“I am grateful that you remember the departed, Your Majesty.”
Lauren placed her hand over her heart and bowed her head. When spring came, it would be exactly one year since her parents had passed. Those who vanish from this world are given the name of the past and fade beyond memory as a matter of course. Though it was inevitable, people still remembered Emel Siaz. What had not been permitted at Marquis Siaz Estate—reminiscing about her parents—became possible here in the Imperial Palace, where she had thought it would have no relevance. Lauren was profoundly grateful for that fact.
“Marquis Siaz was a remarkable man.”
Lauren was somewhat surprised by what the Empress said next. It was not only the Emperor who had benefited from Emel Siaz’s assistance in governing the nation. She had not known that her father had served as the Empress’s personal tutor. When Lauren’s expression turned blank, the Empress lowered her brows and laughed softly.
“And he spoke highly of you to me.”
“Spoke highly of me?”
“He said you were his finest student—teach her one thing, and she understands ten.”
So Father had said such things to others. Somehow, she felt a little embarrassed.
“He was truly an enlightened man. He said that women, too, need work and education. Though the noblewomen of this age regard work as a base pursuit, he insisted it was absolutely not so.”
Lauren nodded. In the Empire, it was commonly believed that women were less intelligent and capable than men, and thus naturally lived in their father’s shadow in youth and their husband’s shadow in age. But her father, the late Marquis Emel Siaz, did not think so.
He believed the difference between nobility and commoners was merely fortune, and likewise, the difference between men and women was nothing but physical. Naturally, this aligned with the educational philosophy of Siaz Territory, allowing girls to attend school and study as they wished. Of course, such deeply rooted prejudices could not be overcome in a single moment.
In the duchy where the Empress had lived before her marriage, women held titles, participated in governance, and ruled their fiefdoms. From her perspective, this nation bore only the name of an Empire; it might be inferior to the duchy.
The Empress, hailing from such a duchy, appeared to participate in governance from beside the Emperor. One could see it simply from watching Attendants bring her documents during their conversation, receive her approval, and depart. The Empress was not a doll who smiled prettily at the Emperor’s side.
“If this were a duchy, the Duchess could surely display her talents freely.”
The Empress narrowed her eyes as if in regret. Since there were nobles who criticized even the Empress’s participation in governance, it would be impossible for Lauren, merely a Duchess, to participate in state affairs. Lauren also smiled wryly. At least it was fortunate that Aster Veil Lilywood employed capable individuals generously. Had it been someone else, she would have been unable to intervene in the management of her fiefdom.
“Your Majesty.”
The Head Maid, who had been checking the clock, approached the Empress. It seemed the tea time had ended. The Empress, who participated in state affairs, could not simply sit endlessly sipping tea like other noblewomen. The Empress rose from her seat. Lauren and the Imperial Princess followed her.
“Thank you for sparing me such precious time, Your Majesty.”
“I regret that duty calls just when we were enjoying ourselves so.”
Lauren spread her skirts wide and bowed deeply to the Empress. The Empress regarded her quietly, then extended her right hand. It was a custom of men alone. Lauren’s eyes widened, but in the next moment, she smiled and took the Empress’s right hand. The Empress grasped Lauren’s hand firmly and shook it gently.
“It was delightful, Duchess. If it would not trouble you, I should like to see you often.”
“I shall await your command with pleasure, Your Majesty.”
“Next time, I hope we might call each other by name. After all, we studied under the same teacher.”
The Empress winked at Lauren and smiled. The name Claire she had given was pronounced in the Imperial style as Claire, though it was a name from the Southern Duchy. Now that she had become the Empress of the Empire, she would have no occasion to use her duchy name, so permitting its use was perhaps her way of expressing intimacy.
Lauren quietly watched the Empress’s retreating figure. Though she had been quite nervous at first, the tea meeting with the Empress had been far more enjoyable than she had anticipated. Yet it left her with something troubling on her mind. Namely, the Imperial Princess who stood quietly beside her. The Empress seemed to show greater interest in Lauren than in her own daughter, the Imperial Princess.
“Then, Duchess.”
As the Empress’s figure disappeared, the numerous handmaidens who attended her departed as well. The Imperial Princess rose without hesitation. Without thinking, Lauren caught hold of the Imperial Princess. The Imperial Princess tilted her head, regarding Lauren with a puzzled expression, as if unable to understand why she had been stopped.
“Oh, if you have no pressing engagements, would you not stay a while longer with me? There is still tea remaining.”
“I have no other appointments, but… would I truly be acceptable company? I have not learned much, and I lack the skill to make conversation entertaining.”
The Imperial Princess blinked. Her face was expressionless, yet her golden eyes held an unmistakable sparkle that could not be hidden. Had she truly disliked it, she would not have worn such an expression. Noticing that sparkle, Lauren smiled gently rather than offering reassurance.
* * *
Contrary to her self-doubt, the Imperial Princess knew how to speak with joy. Her voice was pleasant to hear, and her manner of speech was composed. Though she had worried she had not learned much, conversation with her never lacked for topics. Her eyes sparkled, and a faint smile played at her lips—an expression far more vivid than any Lauren had seen from the Imperial Princess before.
“I apologize. I’ve been talking about myself far too much, haven’t I?”
The Imperial Princess lowered her head in contrition, perhaps interpreting my silent gaze as disapproval. I quickly shook my head. Our conversation had been genuinely delightful—ranging across so many different topics rather than confined to a single subject.
“I’ve been pointed out many times that I become so absorbed in discussion that I lose awareness of others, yet I still haven’t managed to correct it.”
The Imperial Princess lowered her brows and smiled, as if the world were nothing but difficulties.
“You truly are remarkable, Duchess.”
She murmured while gazing down at her teacup. What could possibly be remarkable about me? Yet I found myself unable to either deny or affirm her words. It seemed she wished to say something more.
“I received little education, so I could never have dreamed of discussing difficult matters with Her Majesty the Empress, my mother. But you engage in conversations about political affairs and the welfare of the Empire’s people….”
Her golden eyes rolled toward me, and in that gaze which had been so carefully emptied of emotion, admiration now glimmered faintly. I concealed my bitter smile behind my teacup. It was nothing remarkable. Anyone could do such things with proper education. I could not fathom what about me had captured the Imperial Princess’s heart.
“Your Highness is capable of the same. Don’t you receive instruction?”
“I’m a woman.”
The Imperial Princess smiled, yet her expression seemed tinged with sorrow. In that brief answer lay a wealth of emotion. Though both were children of the same Emperor and Empress, the treatment of the Crown Prince and the Imperial Princess differed greatly. The Crown Prince, who must succeed the Emperor, received instruction in governance, politics, and economics, while the Imperial Princess, destined to be married elsewhere, was taught embroidery, cosmetics, singing prettily, and at best, the management of a household. This disparity would likely persist as she aged—it was the standard for women throughout this Empire. The situation was entirely different from that of the Empress, who hailed from a Duchy, or myself, who had studied administration under Emel Siaz.
Yet our conversation had flowed so naturally. I tilted my head slightly. The Imperial Princess was someone capable of engaging in substantive discourse with rich and varied topics. I had felt no sense of inadequacy in our exchange. But it seemed her own assessment differed.
“I’ve read books and studied on my own, but…. There are limits to what one can accomplish alone.”
The Imperial Princess spoke with a melancholic expression. She did not aspire to the level of governance studies afforded to the Emperor’s heir, but rather wished to study economics, history, and administration—subjects beyond the cosmetics and social graces meant for public display. I had thought the Empress, being of Duchy origin, would have paid attention to the Imperial Princess’s education, but it seemed that was not the case.
“Have you spoken to Her Majesty the Empress about this?”
The Imperial Princess shook her head. I sighed inwardly. In Siaz Territory, boys and girls alike attended school together, so that everyone could receive education and discover their aptitudes to pursue their callings.
Of course, many among the common people—especially those with daughters—regarded education as a luxury. But Emel Siaz had not given up. He had eventually ensured that children could attend school rather than labor. The education provided was only basic instruction in reading and arithmetic, but who knew? Had that great statesman of the Empire lived longer, perhaps schools for children would have spread not merely throughout Siaz Territory, but across the entire Empire.
Had that come to pass, perhaps one day even women could study freely, inherit titles, and pursue their desires. Watching the Imperial Princess with her lowered head, I thought such things.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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