By Zephyria 
Ruben was very curious about what kind of conversation I had with the Empress Dowager.
I explained that things had gone better than expected, that the Empress Dowager had doted on me and welcomed me warmly, and that she had offered to make herself available day and night throughout May, allowing me to contact her anytime to visit with Ruben. However, Ruben didn’t believe a single word I said.
But what could be done if he didn’t believe me?
The fact that we had to visit the Sapphire Palace multiple times before May ended would not change. It was the Empress Dowager’s responsibility to take my measurements for the wedding attire, fit it, review the silhouette, and add embellishments.
The time Ruben could spare was usually only an hour or two in the late afternoon, and that was mostly when he would see the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager seemed to pity her tired son. After I had spoken with her and reasoned with her, she no longer argued with Ruben’s desires, whether he wanted to do this or that. She simply let him have his way, saying, “It’s your wedding, so do as you wish.”
Ruben didn’t seem pleased with the Empress Dowager’s attitude either, but he was so drained from preparing for the Imperial Conference that he didn’t have the energy to argue with her. In any case, I was satisfied that the two of them weren’t in major conflict.
Benjamin sent a two-word telegram.
“Success.”
Marianne said something entirely different.
“Sam Marcus has officially become an Earth Spirit Master. I’m enclosing the promised item with joy. I hope Undine and the Sylphs will be pleased!”
I was very curious about how Benjamin had pleaded with Marianne, and with what heart Marianne had accepted his proposal, but both of them were too busy to meet me.
They weren’t the only ones busy. Jenny and Damian, and even Mac Weaber and Matt Nico, were all running around the Imperial Palace and its surroundings, extremely busy and bustling. They said it was in preparation for the upcoming Imperial Conference, so I just accepted it and behaved myself quietly.
Instead, I took the opportunity to bring up the topic of flower children with the three of them.
Michael and Asdel jumped up in protest.
“Oppa, I’m fifteen. I’ve already had my debutante. We’re not lovers, so wearing matching outfits with our own siblings is too childish.”
“Yes, that’s right. Hyung, you don’t understand. Flower children are for kids between five and eleven years old.”
“But I like you guys.”
“…I know! I know you like us too, Hyung, but…!”
“Do you dislike it that much? My wedding will only happen once in my life.”
“No, it’s not that we dislike it, it’s just…!”
“I want to show off my beloved siblings at my wedding.”
Michael, who had covered his face with both hands and was wriggling, grabbed my sleeve and shook it.
“Then, Ruben Hyung, can Ruben Hyung do that too?”
“That child brought it up first.”
“I’m going crazy, really.”
Both of them grumbled for a long time, but eventually, they reluctantly agreed.
I went to see Lucilla with Ruben.
As soon as the word “flower child” was mentioned, she laughed so hard her Adam’s apple was clearly visible.
“Me? No, are you serious? You want me to sprinkle flowers and dance at your wedding?”
“Dancing… isn’t strictly necessary. But if you wish to dance, it’s fine. It would be very lovely and heartwarming.”
“I really don’t know what to make of you. Ruben, you too? Are you okay with it?”
“….”
“I’m doing this? I’m really doing this? Even if you say no now, I won’t accept it?”
“….”
Ruben nodded, his ears turning bright red.
Seeing Lucilla jump up and down with great joy made me feel very happy too. No matter how old she got, she was still my sister, and her actions showed her youthful side. Ruben would probably look back on this day fondly later, I thought, and my fingertips began to tingle.
Surprisingly, the one who was most shocked and dismayed by Lucilla’s news about being a flower child was the Empress Dowager.
“…Do you know that Lucilla Anti Sierran is twenty-six this year?”
“Yes. But she is still unmarried, isn’t she? I heard it doesn’t go against the law.”
“No, still…”
“Ughh. The main couple said yes. They asked me to do it. They said I’d look perfect. Should I dress like a goddess? Should I wear a ribbon in my hair? What do you think, Your Highness? What if someone picks me up because I’m so cute? I should hold Mommy’s hand tightly, right?”
Lucilla, who had followed along to watch the amusing spectacle, put on a show with a childish lisp. I ignored her, unable to understand why she was trying to spoil things when they were already settled.
The Empress Dowager did not look at Lucilla. With a pale face, she asked again.
“…Duke Ernhardt. Are you truly, truly serious?”
“Yes. The more people who sprinkle flowers, the better, wouldn’t you agree? And the Princess is not someone who would play pranks on such an important occasion.”
“…If it’s acceptable among distant relatives, I have an eight-year-old son and an eleven-year-old daughter.”
“Ruben has already given his permission.”
“…What is that child thinking? Honestly, I can never figure out what’s going on in his head…”
Since our previous conversation, the Empress Dowager had not tried to sway Ruben’s decision. Thanks to that, I easily obtained her permission. Although Lucilla’s constant patting on my back was a bit awkward, it wasn’t something to be overly concerned about, so I just laughed it off.
❖ ❖ ❖
Monday of the second week of May.
I was lounging in the reception room of the Sapphire Palace, sinking deep into the sofa. Having visited many times, I had grown accustomed to the floral scent that permeated the Sapphire Palace.
Even in this palace, filled with all sorts of greenery, the reception room was the most fragrant. The Empress Dowager liked to decorate her surroundings with fresh flowers, and when she had many guests, she would bring in even more vases.
After much deliberation, she asked the same question she had asked several times before.
“Did the lady of the house say she would prepare plenty of white and pink flowers?”
“Yes. That’s what I heard.”
“They are all of a certain age, so perhaps more subdued colors would be better…”
I didn’t bother to answer her obvious musings. It was fortunate that my mother-in-law no longer reprimanded me even if I showed a little lack of etiquette. My mother-in-law muttered a few more things to herself, pondering various concerns.
In truth, I didn’t need to come here today. However, since it was said that my siblings and Lucilla’s attire as flower children also needed the Empress Dowager’s approval to be in accordance with custom, I had agreed. I came along because I was worried my siblings, who were about to face the lady of the house, might get nervous and cause trouble. Both my siblings, while chiding me for being overly fussy, kept glancing at me for reassurance whenever they felt a little anxious, so I inwardly thought it was good that I had come.
The Empress Dowager sat on a slightly elevated single-person chair, intently observing the scene before her.
On a lower chair placed a little further forward sat my two siblings, stiff and frozen, and Lucilla, beaming. Attendants and maids held up fabrics of hundreds of colors beneath their chins, assisting the Empress Dowager in her deliberations. The children maintained their posture for hours without showing any signs of fatigue.
Ruben and I were to wear clothes made from the whitest fabric in the world, so such a process was unnecessary for us. To me, this green and that green looked the same, and this red and that red were no different, yet she pondered for so long.
The Empress Dowager, after her contemplation, let out a sigh.
“I wish Lucilla looked good in olive green…”
“I look good in olive green.”
“….”
“Is there any color that doesn’t suit me… Ah, alright. Mother, you’re always like this with me. Madam May, bring me something more flashy. Then the color won’t stand out as much, right?”
“No. You’ve come back with your skin tanned black again this time.”
“I’ll be wearing makeup anyway. I can just apply it completely white.”
Seeing them bicker like this, Lucilla was right. Their squabbling made them look quite like mother and daughter.
My gaze naturally drifted past my siblings, who were too nervous to utter a word, and then towards the back.
Behind the attendants and maids, Ivan Bikoff was helping with errands, handing over various fabric scraps. The Eldos Merchant Guild was in charge of transporting the fabrics for our wedding. This must have also been influenced by Ruben.
Ivan, catching my eye, gave a slight smile. On the wrist he casually raised, a familiar watch was visible. It seemed Baroness Vikoff had delivered the gift properly.
Even though it was my break time, Ivan was working, so I didn’t want to disturb him. I simply exchanged a glance and returned to watching my siblings. No matter what color was added, both children looked adorable and cute, so I had no worries.
During a brief break, I went out into the corridor to find Ivan.
He seemed unusually cheerful. With his long eyes crinkled in a smile, he offered his hand for a handshake, which I took and shook up and down.
“I received the gift well. My wife also asked me to convey her thanks.”
“I had heard you frequented the Marquisate of Antines, but I didn’t know you were helping with my wedding preparations. When did it start?”
“Not long after the wedding was mentioned, His Majesty the Emperor brought up Porta. It’s not a long journey, so I readily agreed. The fabrics I’ve brought are all from the same place.”
Profit or gain is not my concern. I simply accepted it as it was.
“What are the others doing these days?”
“Didn’t you ask His Majesty?”
“I’ve barely had a chance to see Ruben’s face lately.”
Even though I said that, I slept with Ruben every night.
Ever since Ruben became completely unable to spare any time, I saw his face during our three meals a day. During those times, just looking at each other was not enough, and we were so affectionate that there was no room to mention the names of other people.
I wanted to know about my friends’ news, so I resisted the urge to rummage through the Nobility Yearbook department, and when I met someone I knew, I became curious.
Ivan easily relayed the recent whereabouts of my friends.
“The regular Imperial Conference is being held next month, isn’t it? Nobles from all over the country are gathering to legalize same-sex marriage. Since this is the first time so many voters are gathered, all sorts of proposals are pouring in.”
“Mm.”
“…Michael knows this too, but the agenda items proposed at the Imperial Conference are selected 30 days before the conference date. This conference is scheduled for the third week of June, so proponents and those who agree with the agenda are currently submitting various opinion papers and consent forms to the capital, along with lobbying efforts. By the first week of June, the first review of the selected agenda will be completed, and then things should become a bit more relaxed.”
“Never mind the others, but is Benjamin involved in that matter?”
“Well, if one has a bill they want to propose, or if there’s someone around who can propose it, one can lend a hand. Even if he doesn’t hold a position in the Imperial Palace, he has a title, doesn’t he?”