Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 29
If someone asked me what my favorite time of day is, I’d probably say 3AM. Even if I’m a late sleeper, everyone else is usually asleep at that time. I love that the world is quiet and I have the space to be alone and calm. It’s a time when I can fully immerse myself without any interruptions from anyone. I’d rather have a calm dawn than a bright day, a dim candle than a bright chandelier.
It’s not that I don’t like people, but I’m extremely comfortable when I’m alone. Finally, I don’t have to be anyone but myself. No need to conceal secrets or pretend allegiance.
Meow.
The cat with the title Duchess de Trippé meowed softly. Although I served as the chief maid, I was not of noble status, so strictly speaking, I was lower in status than the cat. However, all of the maids in the cat’s service were asleep, so there was no one to stop me from sitting her on my lap and petting her.
Indeed, as an extravagantly cared-for pet, its fur glistened luxuriously. The texture was as fine as silk, and my fingertips relished the sensation. Perhaps I had returned to see Trippé because I had no friends. I found solace in being alone but felt a bit lonely. Or was it just because she was so adorable…
“One of these days, I’m going to kick you out when I get the chance.”
Mraow.
“Especially the white elephants. I’ve got a whole list of people to give them to.”
Meeeew.
“…Cute.”
Unable to say anything more heartless, I hugged Trippé and closed my eyes. I needed to rest a bit before getting back to work.
There is inertia in life. Once you get used to pushing yourself harder, it takes less effort than the first time around, but I was still out of breath. There was more to be done after I helped Teiles II ascend the throne. This delightfully soft cat was my sanctioned respite, more than I had expected.
I put down Trippé and returned to my quarters. The corridors were quiet, and I exchanged brief eye contact with the knights I occasionally met. I read and rested, sometimes immersing myself in work. From the cool dawn until the sun brightly rose, I had no issues with concentration—that was until the chambermaids came knocking.
“Have you been working?”
“…What is it?”
“Her Majesty the Empress has requested that we prepare for Lady Leyesha’s appearance at the ball.”
I like to keep the curtains closed. But the maid came in and dutifully pulled back the curtains in my room. The room was flooded with sunlight so bright it hurt my eyes. Her bedroom wasn’t the only thing the Empress took care of, so my room was also very colorful for a chief maid’s quarters. But I had deliberately relied on a small light source to keep my eyes focused on the table, so the light pouring in from all directions felt like an intrusion of my space.
I put down my fountain pen. The atmosphere was not something I could easily ignore, just like the jewelry gift I had received before.
One by one, the maids came in with dresses in their arms.
“Miss Leyesha, you must choose your outfit now, as we need time to make alterations to fit your figure.”
‘Are they considering this ball as my social debut?’
The dresses were far too beautiful for a maid, and some might mistake the combination of my unfamiliar appearance and expensive dress for a debuting young lady. While technically a noble, my official status now was that of a commoner who was only a distant relative of the Empress. The only difference between me and the maids was that they all had blue collars on their uniforms, while I alone had a red one. That was the only difference in class. There was no reason for me to enjoy any attention at the ball. I’m not the type of person who enjoys the spotlight…
“Tell her I am grateful, but it is undeserved, and that I will go in my usual attire.”
“Her Majesty mentioned that if Lady Leyesha refuses in such a modest manner, she’s not representing her family well as a relative. Please convey my orders to her,” the maid said.
Surprisingly, the Empress had prepared in advance as if she saw through my response, but the maid was equally prompt. This was a woman who bestowed titles to her cats and gives them all sorts of luxuries. As I fell silent, the maid who brought down the dress also came in with a jewelry box.
“Her Majesty the Empress has granted me permission to open her own jewelry box, provided there are no other suitable accessories for Miss Leyesha.”
“You’re indeed a greatly favored relative, Lady Leyesha.”
“…Is there no other reason?”
“Pardon?”
“The reason for all this dressing up.”
The maids exchanged glances at the question. They didn’t know what to say.
“Well, the truth is, all the famous noble heiresses are expected to attend…”
“Even the lesser-known ones are said to be attending. There’s even a rumor going around that the price of a tailor has skyrocketed due to the event. Everyone is scrambling to prepare pretty dresses.”
“…All of a sudden?”
It shouldn’t have been such a noteworthy ball. I panicked for reasons I didn’t realize.
“Do you have a list of who’s attending the ball?”
“Here it is, Lady Leyesha.”
I took the list the maid handed me and read it slowly. The names on the first page were ones I already knew, mostly members of the ‘reformist’ faction or the Abel Empire’s emissaries. I flipped to the next page, and as the maids had said, every noble family worth their salt had expressed interest in attending, from ‘neutral’ to ‘elitist’.
I wondered how it was possible to have a list like this. It wasn’t supposed to be this big. Then my gaze fell on an unexpected name.
‘Lecan?’
