I’m Sorry I’m Not Qualified to Be Empress - Chapter 55

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Chapter 55

Rumors of the arrival of Rose Etoile and the Northern King Maxim Lancert in Solstern began to spread throughout the Imperial capital like wildfire.

After overhearing the exciting news, ‘chatterbox’ Tracy couldn’t stand the thrill of such amusing gossip and didn’t stay still. She ran so fast that the wheel of the wagon fell off.

She had to go to her closest friend, Eliza.

‘Rose is alive and has returned to Solstern!’

“Eliza! Eliza!”

Pushing aside the maid who was guiding her, Tracy went inside the drawing-room, almost storming in.

“Goodness!”

Startled by the situation inside the drawing-room, Tracy stopped, embarrassed.

Six or seven young ladies were sitting around, elegantly drinking tea. Ashamed of her abrupt behavior in front of such a group, she started to fan her heated face and shamefully spoke.

“Oh goodness, I didn’t know that everyone was here. Ho ho ho.”

Eliza rolled her eyes and scolded Tracy, who had suddenly appeared.

“I told you I was going to have a reading meeting today. You said you wouldn’t come because it was boring. So what brings you here, Young Lady Tracy?”

Tracy once again recalled the reason why she had come in such a rush. She folded up the fan and approached the table where the young ladies were sitting.

“Oh gosh, I heard some amazing news.”

All the ladies around looked at Tracy with sparkling eyes.

“What kind of good news? Did you receive a proposal?”

“Oh, please. The news of the Crown Prince’s marriage alone is enough to disappoint me.”

The young ladies covered their mouths and giggled.

“Don’t be surprised, everyone.”

Tracy placed a hand on her chest, as if to catch her breath before making the big announcement.

“Well, Rose is attending the Crown Prince’s wedding. Rose Etoile!”

There was silence for a moment. Then, the room suddenly became noisy.

“That’s something that is circulating, but it’s just rumors.”

At the words of one of the young ladies, Tracy said triumphantly, her eyes shining, as if arrogantly asking ‘Who do you think am I?’

“My uncle was on a business trip to the Etoile County, and he heard it himself. Since it came from Count Jared’s mouth, it’s 100% true.”

If the news were true, of course Lady Tracy would want to show off.

“Is that really true?”

“Oh my gosh. I never really thought she would come.”

“Isn’t no news good news after all? If Lady Rose has changed too much, I think it would be sad.”

The reactions of the ladies in the drawing-room were all different, but they were all excited and filled with anticipation.

It hadn’t been a long time since a big accident like this had occurred, making the Imperial capital noisy. The most recent surprising ‘accident’ was the announcement of the marriage between the Crown Prince and Young Lady Muriel.

Yet, even that seemed trivial compared to Rose’s return. It was obvious how much interest the people in the capital had towards Rose and the Northern King.

While everyone was excited by the sudden news, there was only one person who didn’t look good.

Muriel Montara.

She looked as if a dry thorn was stuck in her throat.

The castle, where snow fell like silver dust, was silent and yet, harmonious. As the King and Queen were about to go on a long journey, no mistakes were tolerated.

“Your Majesty, the preparations are complete.”

Rose, Natalie, and Hannah, guided by a servant, got into a large wagon together. Maxim, who was looking at his black horse, patted the horse’s back, as if satisfied.

Before leaving, he walked to Rishar one last time. He was standing on one side to see them off, and spoke to his Lord, smiling leisurely.

“It is a pity that we cannot go together. Please have a safe trip.”

“Please take care of the castle while I am away. I’m counting on you.”

“Rest assured.”

Instead of saying more, Maxim patted his shoulder lightly and turned around.

While Rishar was silently bowing to his master, another shadow was cast in front of him. He raised his eyebrows and looked at the person standing ahead.

“Please take care of the castle while I am away. I’m counting on you.” Tulio giggled like a fool and patted Rishar on the shoulder as their master had done earlier.

As Rishar glared at him like an angry beast, Tulio quickly removed his hand and stepped back, still giggling.

“Don’t be so discouraged that I was chosen instead of you. Even though you’re the knight’s commander. Kekeke.”

“Yeah, it’s amazing, truly incredible.”

“Indeed. It means that the master trusts and relies on me that much.”

At Tullio’s arrogance that stretched out to the sky, Rishar immediately poured water on it.

“I’m surprised the word ‘discouragement’ is not in your vocabulary.” Richard now spoke to Tulio with a very serious look and continued, “Take care of both of them. Don’t let people harm even a single hair on their head.”

“You f*cker, who do you think I am?!”

Tulio shouted angrily, but Rishar smiled calmly.

“Right, I believe in you.”

Rishar, still looking directly at Tulio, grabbed his shoulder tight.

“You too, be careful.”

Even if they fought like enemies every day, Rishar at that moment felt as if his heart was split in half and removed from his body. Tulio unexpectedly nodded with a childlike expression on his face. Since they started living together, they were never apart for that long.

“Go. The Lord is waiting for you.”

Tulio slowly turned away from Rishar with a disappointed face, perhaps regretting that he was leaving like this.

“Rishar. You know I like you, right?”

Tulio walked back and casually threw those words at him.

“Do you want to die?”

Thus, Rishar and Tulio finished greeting each other. A feeling deeper and more affectionate than that of the parting between two lovers arose from them. They fought every day, but now that they were going to be apart like this, it felt empty, as if they had lost an arm.

Rishar shuddered, trying to shake off the strange feeling, but Tulio was still waving his hand as he got on the horse.

“So tedious.”

He shook his head and walked towards the place where Rose’s carriage was standing. She was talking to Freddie through the wagon’s window, as if giving instructions.

As Rishar approached, Freddie bowed his head at her and quickly stepped back.

“You must be happy to visit your parents after a long time, Your Majesty.”

“I have mixed feelings.”

At her words, Rishar laughed out loud.

Hearing that pleasant laugh, Rose smiled.

“His Majesty really trusts and depends on Rishar. Please take good care of the castle until we return.”

“Don’t worry, have a safe trip. A present won’t be necessary.”

After saying the last goodbye, the group that had been lined up began to move slowly. Those who remained in the castle stood still until the last of the group left the gate, all of them hoping for a safe long trip.

Outside the castle, crowds gathered like clouds. It was the first time they had seen the King and the Queen marching together so they were all curious.

“I heard the bride is from Stern. Will we be close to Stern now?”

“Eiisshh! No way. They’re probably going to explore the place they’ll strike later.”

“I heard Her Majesty the Queen is riding the chariot with the black and red insignia.”

People stretched their necks and ran forward to look at the wagon. They couldn’t see anything because the window was closed anyway, but it was still amazing to think that the Queen was riding inside it.

“Oh! The window is open!”

When a boy gestured, everyone’s eyes were focused on one place. The tightly closed carriage window slightly opened, and the profile of a young woman was glimpsed. She looked up worriedly at the snowy sky and held her thin, white hand out the window to catch the falling snow.

‘No, that woman…!’

Someone in the crowd was surprised to see such a woman. He was a man who ran an art shop in the shopping district.

He rubbed his eyes several times and looked again as if he had been wrong. He couldn’t believe it, but with his sharp eyes, he realised that she was that woman. The woman who stopped by his shop last time and gave him gold coins for paint.

“Oh my god.”

Stunned, he lost his balance as he was pushed by the men following the wagon.

‘I was guessing that she wasn’t an ordinary woman, but I wouldn’t have thought she was our Queen!’

Still amazed, he laughed. He remembered her sparkling eyes as she heard him talking about the King.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine as he thought of any harsh words he might have spoken.

Then, soon after, he laughed out loud. No matter what he said, he was sure the woman that day enjoyed hearing his story.

Not knowing anything, he had a pleasant conversation with her that day and now it seemed unreal.

‘Then maybe that man–!’

The shop owner, who was immersed in his thoughts, shifted his eyes and quickly found the King this time. He was already far away, so he could only see the King’s back, but the man nodded and smiled.

“That’s the party that she said was waiting outside the store. After living so many years in this world, I’m experiencing so many crazy things!”

In the crowd, he laughed out loud at the great experience he had to keep for himself.

——

What am I supposed to do if Stern’s people hurt Tulio or Rishar? I love them so much!!

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