After apologizing, Elena left the room. Afterwards, Orbit was taken to the knights. Because the tiara was returned undamaged, Tistye desperately begged Gaizel. In the end, it was decided that Orbit would only receive a strict reprimand.

“I’m really sorry that you got involved in my family’s affairs.”

Luka bowed deeply.

Tistye also thanked him.

“I’m sorry for getting ahead of myself… I didn’t know that you were properly trying to make preparations for Elena’s future… I just did as I please…”

“No, because of you, she managed to resolve herself earlier than I expected. As such, I’m grateful to you.”

Eh?

Tistye tilted her head.

“Actually, it was a bit of a gamble.”

“A gamble?”

“Yes. I’m going to make Elena the designer of my new branch, but I didn’t know what I’d do if she didn’t find confidence in herself.”

“Come again…?”

“Originally, I was thinking of bringing up this topic with her once the empress’ dress is completed. But, judging from Elena’s previous mindset, ‘I can’t sell it under my own name.’ it was highly likely she’d refuse my proposition.”

As Luka said, if Elena kept concealing her true desire, she’d have likely refused, even when it was her dream career.

But, thanks to the interference of Tistye and Orbit, she managed to gain the determination.

“That girl is kind. While concealing her true feelings, she did her best to respond to expectations of others… As her brother who is making money by taking advantage of that aspect of her, it’s only natural I would get criticized.”

“Luka… san…”

 Tistye also had a moment when she suspected that Luka was taking advantage of Elena. But in reality, Luka was an awkward person, one prepared to soil his own reputation for the sake of his dear sister—rather than do anything for his business.

Tistye’s chest tightened with joy, and she almost burst into tears. But as soon as she saw Luka’s bright, laughing, expression, she blinked.

“I think… part of it is also thanks to Orbit.”

“…Eh?”

“I thank Your Majesty the Empress for her help.”

“Y, you’re thanking me?”

“Yes, as Elena’s friend, will you support me and be her witness? She’s definitely a true designer.”

When she heard that, Tistye felt a horrifying tremor.

“…I, is that why you brought Elena to meet me?”

“I had her accompany me for your measurements because I think that as the designer, Elena herself should be in contact with her client, the empress. Afterwards, you visited the workshop and went to her room. It was a blessing in disguise.”

T, this person… how scary!

Tistye had heard that Luka usually didn’t allow tours of the workshop because he was keeping the designer’s—Elena’s—identity a secret.

Of course, it could also be because Tistye was the empress that Luka didn’t dare to refuse. Still, Luka probably intended to do so from the start for Elena’s sake. Needless to say—

—Aside from Tistye, who was frowning, Luka gave a graceful Verscian salute to Gaizel who had been quietly watching the turmoil from earlier.

“Your Majesty, I deeply apologize for making you upset.”

“It doesn’t matter. Be sure to make it to the ceremony.”

“Of course.”

Despite how intimidating Gaizel appeared, Luka could still maintain his smile. Once again, Tistye realized how scary that man was.

Apparently, both Tistye and Orbit were dancing on top of Luka’s palm. It shouldn’t come off as too much of a surprise, but—Tistye lifted her head.

“…Thanks to that, Elena managed to steel herself. It’s a good result.”

“No, not good at all.”

At Gaizel’s words, Tistye turned towards him.

Then, despite the two of them being alone, Gaizel turned to being ‘Emperor of Ice’.

While sweating profusely, Tistye reflected upon her previous actions.

Without having time to remember, Gaizel spoke in frustration.

“Even though the ceremony is near, even though the citizens don’t know your face… what was the empress doing alone in the city?”

“I, I told you—I was going to the workshop.”

“I heard that you refused to be accompanied by the maid, let alone an escort.”

“I just didn’t want to get in the way of your work… I also didn’t want to stand out amongst the crowd…”

“That letter is the best that you can do?”

“I’m sorry…”

In haste, Tistye had left a letter to a concerned butler, one which then reached Van.

While Van was astonished by the letter, Gaizel suddenly appeared. It seemed that with an agility of a carnivorous predator, Gaizel rushed out of the royal palace.

---

***T/N: I’d love this scene if IT DIDN’T HAPPEN A YEAR AFTER THEY GOT MARRIAGE, BECAUSE IT ONLY EMPHASIZES HOW TISTYE IS STILL TIPTOEING AROUND HER DEAR HUSBAND AS IF HE’D WIFEBEAT HER AT ANY GIVEN TIMES DUE TO THE SLIGHTEST MISTAKE!!!!

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