Episode 109

In the end, even after dinner, the Jacobs' mood was gloomy. For Jacob, Lucerne was a kind of seizure mechanism.

Since it was an opponent he could never win, Jacob became angry when someone mentioned Lucerne, and he openly became sullen on days when the family head praised him.

“Jacob. You are the best for Carola. She's not that disappointed. After all, he's an illegitimate child. Because the head of the family is very attached to his bloodline, there are times when he is fond of other grandsons besides Jacob.”

“You're right. Carola. But Lucerne is changing for the better when he meets a woman named Elisha. Even with the temple business, they are doing it more skillfully than Uncle Merha, and the business dealing with the Katie family has been reduced, but they have kept all the important businesses. Look. Carola. If the head of the family compares Lucerne and me, he will never set me up as a firm successor. Even now, you regret that Lucerne is not in the red.”

Carola let out a sigh.

“But there's no way Lucerne can get violent again. What if you make a mistake or cause a commotion at a big event? ….”

At those words, Jacob's expression was pensive. Carola often used this method. She encourages Jacob to get her bad thoughts, and decisions are never something she makes herself.

She prayed to shirk her responsibilities, and Caroline wanted her to be a pretty woman to her husband.

“Hmm. Okay. Lucerne has one seizure.”

“Ah. Is that? Wouldn't it be a waste to use that 'card' now?”

Carola rolled her eyes and said softly.

“If I were to play that 'card', at least Lucerne would beat her wife in her palace……. I wish it was something like that.”

“Is Lucerne beating her wife?”

“Yes……. If you are going to use their 'names'.”

Carola grinned.

“We need to properly provoke Lucerne.”

Jacob tilted his head.

“Carola, where are you going?”

“…….”

“We must prepare to depart for the imperial palace. Come to think of it, we were also invited to the Imperial Palace Hunting Festival, right?”

Jacob belatedly understood his words. He smiled cruelly.

“Okay. You can't just make Lucerne look good.”

*​ *​ *​

“Do you attend the hunting festival every year?”

Elisha was holding Lucerne's new jacket prepared for this hunting festival. The butler standing behind Lucerne helped him get dressed.

“Yes.”

“It must be your first time attending a hunting festival, Mrs. The hunting festival is held in the hunting grounds attached to the imperial villa. All the top bureaucrats attend.”

“Okay.”

Elisha nodded her head. She looked at Lucerne's new jacket.

“She told me to go with the Templars and go black,” She says. I think the navy blue jacket I matched last time would be okay too.”

However, Elisha thought that Lucerne was perfect now. She was originally a tall, beautiful man. She was dynamic and toned, and even ecstatic when a new black jacket embroidered with hermits draped over her skinny, muscular torso.

“How do you like your new jacket? I made my own choices.”

“…… You said you chose?”

“Yes.”

Elisha nodded her head. The butler who waited on Lucerne spoke softly.

“I heard from the lady-in-waiting of the lady, that if you match her new clothes, she will match the general's clothes as well. Even the colors and designs are similar.”

Lucerne stopped and looked at Elisha with only her pupils rolling. Elisha was just embarrassed.

“Come to think of it, there are more clothes in the closet that I haven't seen before.”

“…… Since you often wear military uniforms, I'll stop if you think it's a luxury to dress excessively.”

“Not bad. Do whatever you want.”

The butler looked up and coughed.

“Lady. Why don't you talk about the memorial stone?”

“That…….”

The butler was sincerely moved by Elisha recently. Elisha did not ask anyone, but she knew the role of a general's wife.

“A memorial stone?”

“I was going to talk about it after discussing it more specifically with the butler. There is a clearing in the back garden. A memorial stone was erected there, and the people under your command……. I want to comfort the fallen knights and soldiers. Those who want soldiers can come and offer flowers anytime.”

“Madam is really considerate. I also had a body that went to the battlefield before, so I admired the madam from the bottom of my heart.”

The butler added.

“This is the first thing you suggested when you said you could spend your money freely.”

Lucerne said nothing. He looked at Elisha quietly. She just glanced over.

“Butler, get out.”

“Yes.”

The butler quietly left. Lucerne saw Elisha. And he pulled her tight. Elisha suddenly embraced him in his wide arms. Elisha only blinked as her heart pounded helplessly.

“Why is that, really?”

Lucerne has been strange these days. Even when it wasn't time for her to go to bed, she suddenly hugged Elisha or couldn't take her hand off her body.

“Do you like the clothes?”

Lucerne stared at her, then replied, 'Yes.' Elisha felt her chest tickle for nothing.

“I like everything.”

Elisha realized that her work on her memorial service meant she wouldn't have to ask his doctor.

*​ *​ *​

After 'Spring Spirit's Day', the first spring festival, the biggest event of the first half of the year was held in the imperial palace. It was the hunting game of the imperial palace.

Nobles with knights gathered from all over the country for this hunting festival.

As the name suggests, the hunting ground in the forest outside the capital was vast, and the detached palace attached to it was white and beautiful.

Pointed golden spiers stood around the palace, and the surroundings gave off a sweet smell of spring flowers in full bloom, between which newly awakened butterflies flew.

“To think that I had to go to the imperial palace in my lifetime……. I can't believe it. I'm sure the lady is the prettiest in the imperial palace.”

“He says everything. Besides, this is just a separate palace.”

Elisha's maid, Sophie, couldn't hide her excitement the whole time. Today was the first day of the hunting festival, and it was the most important event. Elisha was in the middle of her grooming in the room assigned to the couple before the hunting festival.

“Are you done?”

“Ah. Yes!”

Sophie finished her final brushstrokes. She stepped aside in front of the mirror. Elisha slowly rose from her chair.

“Madam, you have become really very pretty. Of course, you were beautiful from the beginning, but these days…….”

Elisha felt that she was unfamiliar with herself in the mirror and felt her face. Elisha's appearance in a matching black dress with Lucerne looked pretty good on her.

She knew, as she had heard that it was normal for a hostess to match her dress to that of the Templars. When Carol also participated in such events, she used to wear red, the color of the Duke's Knights.

So she, Elisha, was wearing a dress made of black, the symbolic color of the Black Lion. It was a design that matched Lucerne's jacket.

“Now, all you have to do is wear jewelry. There are so many new jewels, I thought for a long time about what to wear for today's event!”

Sophie carefully took out her necklace and put it on. The necklace she chose with great care was made with dozens of diamonds woven together, and was designed to sparkle like a star even in broad daylight.

It matched Elisha's dress, which was decorated with silver and silver powder from her chest to the top of her head. Finally, Elisha donned her silver fox fur cloak.

As she walked out, her Ian and Nora stood there in full dress. They looked at Elisha in amazement. This is because her Elisha look was more alluring and shiny than usual.

“Are the new clothes weird?”

“No. I.”

Nora had a determined look on her face. Elisha tilted her head. Ian exclaimed.

“You look so beautiful today!”

“Thanks. Ian.”

Elisha calmly replied. Nora, on the other hand, had a sad expression. Elisha couldn't understand why.

“Did Nora ever want to wear a dress?”

“No, I……. I think it also lacks affability.”

This time, Nora, who tried to use friendly words such as “Excellently pretty” Or “The dress suits you”, Failed today as well. She has even done her practice.

However, Elisha, who had no way of knowing what Nora was thinking, tilted her head.

“Are you done?”

Then Lucerne walked. He was on his way to have an audience with the emperor first.

“Branch.”

Lucerne escorted Elisha. His eyes licked Elisha.

“It's a shame to give it up.”

“Yes?”

“No. Be careful of people If someone touches you, tell me right away.”

“You treat me like a child.”

“It would be nice if it was easy to handle like a child.”

“…… Lucerne.”

While talking useless things, Elisha and Lucerne arrived at the hunting ground. At the beginning of the hunting ground, a banquet was decorated.

People laughed and chatted, but when they saw Lucerne and Elisha, it became quiet like a lie.

Elisha felt the sticky eyes sticking to her. If the girl in her previous life had stepped out among people like this, people would have thought she was a clown who came to be made fun of. Before, it was a daily routine to kick them randomly. However……. Not anymore.

'Becoming this person's wife was more amazing than I thought.'

When Elisha looked nervous, Lucerne squeezed her hand.

“I will meet the emperor first.”

“Yes.”

Elisha nodded her head at Lucerne's whispered words. And she realized Since Lucerne had yet to introduce Elisha to the emperor, everyone was unable to approach Lucerne. He seemed like everyone wanted to say hello to Lucerne.

“His Majesty the Emperor, I greet Her Highness the Empress. My name is Elisha de Lorre.”

Elisha greeted politely according to the court etiquette she had learned.

The emperor was properly dressed in hunting attire. He was a man who gave off a warlike feeling, somewhat similar to Lucerne. The empress was benevolent, but looked fierce.

'These people are the ones who selected Lucerne and made him the current general.'

Elisha thought. She couldn't help but be a little nervous.

“Congratulations on your marriage. It's a very good thing.”

Said the Emperor softly.

“The Great General is the pride of our empire. He is like family to us, so we should see him often.”

The empress also said. They were kind to Elisha as they regarded Lucerne as her own.

'…… I'm surprised I thought you'd hate me for wanting to welcome Lucerne as her sire.'

If they weren't excellent actors because they were members of the royal family, the hospitality was genuine. Elisha responded politely.

“It is an honour.”

“Come closer. Is this your first time hunting?”

The emperor was surprisingly friendly.

“It was very good that Rosaria was made the great pope. You are the one who recommended Rosaria to Lucerne.”

As Elisha got closer, the emperor whispered softly. Elisha was terrified.

'The Emperor…… It's different.'

She couldn't help but think so. The emperor wished to weaken the power of the Cartier family. This is because the Cartier family exercised power over the imperial palace based on huge loans.

That's why they are satisfied with Lucerne's move this time. Although Rosaria was close to Lucerne, she was not one to be in the clutches of the Cartier family.

“First, I will explain the hunting rules. Oh right. Did you know that Lucerne is a master of hunting?”

After that, the emperor calmly spoke about this and that.

“First of all, the points are scored based on the prey, and each knight corps competes for points. And in the innermost part, there is an area where the demons are released, but it is blocked by an iron cage. Most of the articles there can't even approach it.”

“Your Majesty is expert in hunting, so you always have a complicated scoring system. Isn't hunting just about twisting the neck of the prey and piling up the corpses?”

“Yes, Colonel. Are you saying something stupid? I have to raise my spirits in a great way today. Yes?”

“I do not know. Didn't you win the championship last year too? I'm trying to do it in moderation this year.”

The emperor acted generously, but Lucerne showed a sullen expression. However, Elisha realized that Lucerne was relatively open to the emperor.

Even at that moment, Elisha felt people's eyes on her. She watched people with a terrifyingly envious gaze. Eyes of envy and awe.

Elisha had a strange feeling that she was from another world. In fact, even though I know that the seat I am standing in is an illusion.

“So, what does Lady Elisha think of hunting?”

The emperor asked.

“It is an important event. Even those who do not have the opportunity to participate in wars usually recall the feeling of being in the real battle while hunting. Even if the general looks like this, he prepared for this event for a long time. He will bring you good game.”

Elisha said she didn't like hunting. But she knew why nobles hunt, so she just answered politely.

“Look at the general's expression. Are you saying you're not interested anymore?”

“If so, the general goes to war more often than other knights, so he must be giving the other knights a chance to show their loyalty to His Majesty.”

Elisha answered without trembling. The emperor was satisfied with that attitude.

“Your way of speaking and your attitude are very nice. Ilione talks a lot about Lady Elisha. A very good friend, right?”

The empress also praised her and Elisha's clever answer.

Just in time, Ilione approached.

“Elisha!”

“Princess Ilione.”

Elisha bent her knees. She too gently bent her knees.

“Why do people talk about appearance so much! She said Elisha was pretty and made a fuss. Careful. The general will be jealous.”

Ilione said with a mischievous smile. Elisha pretended not to hear her Ilione teasing her and asked her about her hunt. Ilione was excited and answered what she knew.

That wasn't a bad choice. It was because Illione naturally took her Elisha and Elisha moved to a comfortable seat for her.