Timid and Shy - Chapter 52

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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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52.

The Emperor asked with a faint smile.
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty granted freedom of the press himself. But is it achieving the effect you desired?”
“I am satisfied. Does it not appear so to your eyes?”
“Judging by the articles that have been turbulent these past days… Setting aside the sordid content, the intent itself cannot be called clean either, can it? The stakes have grown quite serious this time—the identities and matters involved are becoming grave. The misuse of the press to sway public opinion is hardly a rare occurrence, is it? Don’t you feel concern? Don’t you think it necessary to exercise control?”
The Emperor laughed and spoke.
“Surely no article in history has attacked a Crown Prince and a ducal suitor so brazenly. And never before has everyone come to know of a suitor’s sexual preferences. Yet… I am seeing results.”
“What results, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor addressed Sophia with continued gentleness.
“When people attack one another by exposing mutual weaknesses, they reveal much that should have remained hidden. Many will come to see how little consequence the nobility and imperial house truly possess. After this, people will no longer blindly revere and look up to those of high station.”
Sophia’s eyes widened. The Emperor, observing her expression, continued.
“I long ago recognized that the Young Noblewoman of Ariel possessed sharp wit. Now I understand that House of Ariel has endured not because Ariel is a poor territory, but because it possesses genuine ability.”
Sophia spoke.
“So long as Titania remains, Ariel will endure.”
“The goddess Titania’s gift assists as well. I confess I did not know that gift was a salt mine. You were thorough in your preparations. Now I understand why you hastened to claim the title of Frontier Baron, and it seems my inspector was quite thoroughly deceived as well.”
Sophia chose her words carefully before speaking.
“The salt mine is indeed a gift to Ariel, but not one easily managed. Through me, Ariel has become entangled in political complications. Moreover, the location of the salt mine itself will soon become a problem. I required time and justification to strengthen our position—security was paramount. I had to prevent internal interference and external threats alike.”
“So you eagerly seized the betrothal to Crown Prince Robert. And yet…”
Sophia spoke with composure.
“When November arrives, my niece will be born. I plan to return to Ariel to witness her arrival.”
“I see. November is when society blooms most vibrantly. The young noblewoman who departed will return. It is a pity you depart so soon. As it happens, I have prepared a modest gift for you. Take it with you.”
The Emperor gestured, and Caliburn entered bearing a wooden box. He set the plain wooden box upon the table and withdrew.
When the Emperor looked toward Caliburn, Caliburn ushered all those who had attended him into the greenhouse out of the chamber.
The Emperor opened the wooden box himself. It was filled with gold coins.
“This is a gift in commendation of your acuity and wise conduct, Sophia. Take it with you. Ariel can no longer receive budgetary support from the center. When word of the salt mine spreads—and it shall—matters will grow far more complicated. This will not be enough to forestall everything, yet it will prove useful nonetheless.”
Sophia answered with a forced smile.
“Thank you.”

***

From the Duchess of Wiscom she had received a velvet pouch. Now from the Emperor she received a wooden box. Both had been given as quiet urging for her to withdraw.
What Sophia had truly desired from the Emperor was but one thing: the title of Frontier Baron of Ariel. The proper rank and justification to shield the salt mine from interference.
Sophia’s aspiration had been realized—the Frontier Baron’s title had been granted. The Emperor had made it abundantly clear that she should return to Ariel. If Sophia remained in the Capital as Crown Prince Robert’s betrothed, complications would inevitably arise.
‘It seems Parma will soon return to the Capital.’
Sophia sat in the carriage bound for Pina’s Residence, her hand resting on the weight of the wooden box across her lap.
When she had made the contract with Crown Prince Robert, she had felt nothing of this humiliation and bitterness. Now it overwhelmed her, and Sophia could not fathom why.
‘Is it regret? Yet it was pleasant, wasn’t it?’
Sophia recalled nights when sleep came to her in a bedroom filled with flowers, and balls abundant with laughter, and conversations with Crown Prince Robert. She remembered his smile too—the way he would lift only one corner of his mouth.
‘Crown Prince Robert never laughs freely.’
But the weight pressing down from the box pulled her back to reality.
‘Did I hope the Emperor, knowing of my abilities, knowing of Ariel’s salt mine, would hesitate? Would waver?’
Sophia attributed her bitterness and regret to failing to earn the Emperor’s true recognition. She opened the wooden box.
As she carefully sifted through the gold coins, she searched meticulously—hoping, just perhaps, to find a document, jewels, something of greater worth hidden beneath.
When she found nothing of the sort, on the verge of disappointment, she discovered a thin envelope at the bottom of the box and withdrew it eagerly. Her hope promptly faded.
“Authority to command Gunter. So Gunter has duties beyond his role as inspector? He remains in Ariel, but is he there because of Umbriel? So… Gunter has a special commission.”
Sophia began to wonder if the Emperor had already chosen Crown Prince Robert as his successor. The fact that the Emperor had personally orchestrated her separation from the Crown Prince suggested as much.
As Sophia pondered this, she resolved to learn more about Gunter. Helen would also come to Ariel for the birth of her niece, so Gunter’s winter would certainly not pass in peace.
‘Should I interrogate Gunter while waving this document? With someone like Gunter, should I be direct and candid?’
Sophia returned the envelope to the wooden box. She closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, and thought.
‘I’m simply returning to Ariel. According to plan. Back to how things were.’
Sophia clutched the wooden box tightly and fought back tears, refusing to ask herself why they were falling.

***

The Emperor returned to his office. As Caliburn moved to withdraw, the Emperor called him back.
“Her expression was not one of joy. Yet she revealed no discomfort either.”
“Certainly her composure is flawless. Truly a brilliant young lady.”
“Indeed. To think such a girl would emerge from Ariel. The Young Noblewoman of Ariel is more surprising than the salt mines themselves. Still, there’s no actual movement from Oberon, is there? I’d prefer it to be mere suspicion.”
Caliburn spoke.
“No reliable intelligence has arrived yet, Your Majesty. But judging by how cautiously those reporting to us are gathering additional information, there does seem to be something amiss. If there were nothing at all, they would have no reason to submit their reports with such care.”
“Troublesome. Here I’ve been sitting in my office all this time, and a provincial noblewoman noticed what I missed. Perhaps I ought to have Sophia work in the Administrative Bureau instead.”
Caliburn merely offered a faint smile and said nothing.
The Emperor glanced at him, then spoke.
“I understand what you’re thinking. Yet often it proves easier to gain a capable house than a capable young lady. Is it not so?”
Caliburn remained silent again. The Emperor sighed and studied the aging attendant. He understood what Caliburn’s silence meant—disagreement with his reasoning.
Robert would need a more reliable alliance through marriage. Not a domain like theirs, struggling ceaselessly to defend their own territory.
After a long pause, Caliburn finally spoke.
“I do not say your thinking is wrong, Your Majesty, but when you selected the current Empress, you held the same reasoning. I mention this merely for reference.”
The Emperor’s face darkened at once.
‘Juliel Cressida.’
A house that appeared capable, paired with a noblewoman of modest talent. He was obliquely suggesting that choice had not succeeded.
The Emperor could only nod, his expression bitter.
“Let us hope Parma Gareis proves a better empress than the current one.”
Caliburn said nothing. The Emperor dismissed him with a gesture, troubled by the conversation. Though he believed his choice to be sound, doubt had crept in.
‘Sophia Ariel? First, House Ariel must survive. Robert needs a family with the strength to protect and support him.’
The Emperor reviewed the circumstances of Ariel and Robert once more, as if to confirm his own rightness. Yet the unease did not fade.

***

Robert ignored all the magazines and newspaper articles as he always did. His plan was to attend to domain affairs in the morning and meet Sophia in the afternoon. This time, he intended to execute one of the items from the list she had given him—a picnic outing.
Sophia had suggested he invite another couple, but Robert could think of no one worth inviting. Nor did he wish to. After dealing with so many people of late, he craved quiet time above all else.
Vian wanted to accompany them on the outing. Robert appeared well enough, yet that appearance was misleading. His reticent nature simply made serenity seem genuine when it was not.
‘Times like these…… especially times like these, one needs someone to open one’s heart to…… And if he were to spend time alone with Miss Sophia…….’
Ever since the scandal of Philip Wiscom’s impropriety had broken, and Robert’s name circulated as the one who exposed it, the noble families’ regard for him had grown cold.
Most were of the opinion that to expose such damaging revelations about a former friend, regardless of circumstances, was wrong. The goodwill Robert had garnered before the betrothal ball faded swiftly away.
Many saw through the article’s intent and suspected someone other than Robert, yet those voices made no effort to champion his cause.
Even those who might have become Robert’s allies seemed content to watch him crawl out of the mire himself, with no intention of offering aid.
‘Even House Gareis continues to observe from a distance.’
Just when matters seemed to improve slightly, mud would splash across everything again. Even Vian felt deflated—how must Robert himself feel?
Spending time with the Young Noblewoman of Ariel now might create problems. Sophia was perceptive; she would surely discern the true feelings Robert concealed.
Vian’s heart wavered.
‘If Miss Sophia were to offer him comfort or speak to him of something…… yet if Lord Robert receives comfort from no one, that would be lonely too…….’
Though Vian held Sophia Ariel in high regard, he did not wish for her to marry Robert.
‘I would prefer her to be a good colleague, but as Maeub said, it does seem Lord Robert views Miss Sophia as someone special. What to do…… If I were to go and disrupt the intimate mood they create together, should I?’
Yet the duties pressing upon Robert had multiplied beyond measure compared to before the ball. Vian could not afford to absent himself.
As Vian saw Robert off, he found himself anxiously studying his lord’s complexion. Robert climbed into an open carriage and went to collect Sophia.
Despite the negative propaganda swirling around Robert, Vian felt uneasy watching him depart for a picnic with apparent joy.
‘He seems far too cheerful, doesn’t he? No, surely not. It’s been so long since he escaped his duties. The fresh air, that must be it.’
Vian wished for Robert to have a pleasant time, yet simultaneously hoped it would not be too pleasant.

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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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