The Coronation

The morning sunlight was warm.

I was walking through the courtyard corridor with Havid. Summer was giving way to autumn, and a fresh clarity had settled over the grounds. Leaves were beginning to change color; others had already fallen from the shrubs.

I was watching the trees when a thought made me stop.

“Havid. I heard someone developed a variety of cherry tree that blossoms all year round. Is that true?”

“Ah, the ever-blooming cherry tree? As far as I know, they finished developing it in the trading city of Yebrinus.”

“Then… could we bring one to Deharem Mansion?”

“Hm. It's quite rare and expensive, particularly since it must be shipped across the sea. But the household's finances have improved considerably, so it's certainly possible. Why do you suddenly want a cherry tree, my lord? I never knew you were especially fond of them.”

Did he really intend to make me say it aloud?

I gave him a meaningful look. Havid only looked honestly puzzled.

Embarrassed, I scratched my cheek and tried to explain.

“Havid. The war is over now, isn't it?”

“It is. Thanks to Her Majesty Benelia taking power, the tax rate has been cut in half. People everywhere are singing her praises. Corrupt officials and those who accepted bribes are being punished as well. It feels as though the Empire is finally moving in the right direction.”

Havid's face brightened as he spoke.

He might never have gone hungry while serving in our household, but he understood how desperately others had suffered. Some had even joined the rebels because they could not otherwise survive. A halving of the tax burden would give such people room to breathe.

The imperial treasury's debts remained a concern. If Benelia could recover what dishonest officials had taken, perhaps she would gradually replenish it.

But that wasn't what I meant to discuss.

“Exactly. And that's why we ought to plant an ever-blooming cherry tree.”

“My lord? What does better government have to do with cherry blossoms?”

I looked aside.

“The war is over. It's time we made plans for a celebration. Have you forgotten my engagement to the Pelgaroin family?”

“A wedding… Ah! You're finally preparing to propose!”

“Yes. I made a promise to His Excellency the Count…”

My voice grew quieter as embarrassment caught up with me.

Havid rolled up his sleeves and looked almost ready for battle.

“In that case, leave everything to me! Even at the cost of my life, I'll see that cherry tree brought to Deharem Mansion!”

“Please calm down. There's no reason to risk your life over a tree.”

“It's only a manner of speaking! More importantly, to think I might see the two of you married before I go to my grave…”

Havid began to cry. He drew a handkerchief from his coat and dabbed at his eyes.

I had no idea what to do with him. He took a deep breath, then nodded with renewed purpose.

“This is no time to stand around! I'll tell everyone in the household the wonderful news!”

“Don't.”

He halted.

“It would be better if word didn't spread.”

“Why, my lord?”

“Think about it. Wouldn't Ashley be less moved by a proposal she knew about beforehand? Such matters should be prepared in secret.”

“Oh! Of course. You're quite right. You really have thought everything through.”

He accepted my wisdom with such humility that my conscience pricked me.

In truth, Beynon was the one I'd consulted about preparing the proposal secretly.

There was no need to mention that. I touched the brooch at my throat out of habit and started walking again.

“Let's go to the front yard. I'd like some fresh air.”

“A fine idea. You've been working too hard lately.”

Havid followed with a kindly smile.

We continued chatting as we crossed the corridor and opened the door to the front yard. A cool breeze greeted us. Below the steps, I noticed the elf sweeping fallen leaves from the path.

Sweeping wasn't among her assigned tasks today. Nobody had ordered her to do it, either. She had chosen to help on her own.

I found myself smiling with pride.

As we approached, her pointed ears twitched and she looked up.

“Ah! Theo—”

Then she noticed Havid behind me and cleared her throat.

“…Master. What brings you here?”

“I've come to see you. Once I finished my work, the chief chamberlain told me you were out in the front yard.”

Her cheeks reddened. The hand holding the broom tightened slightly.

I was enjoying her transparent embarrassment when something caught my attention.

There was a smear of chocolate beside her lips.

The culprit must be…

Beynon, perhaps. He had recovered enough to wander through the mansion on crutches, giving pieces of chocolate to the people working there. He called them small gifts for their hard work. The habit did no harm, and he never handed out very much, so I saw no reason to interfere.

It was the first time I'd noticed the elf eating chocolate. Perhaps she had developed a taste for sweets.

I decided to tease her.

“We've been looking for a chocolate thief. Could you help us find the culprit? You might know something. I can smell chocolate somewhere nearby.”

“Master? What are you talking about…?”

“Strange. I can smell it, and you're the only one here. Don't tell me you've been eating chocolate without my knowing?”

Her red eyes wavered.

Havid and I struggled not to laugh. The elf, meanwhile, seemed to be taking the accusation very seriously. Perhaps she was afraid I would dislike her if she admitted to stealing something.

“N-no…”

She denied it, though the evidence was still on her lips.

Havid finally broke into laughter. The elf looked at his shaking shoulders and began to sweat.

“W-why are you laughing…?”

That was enough teasing.

I took out my handkerchief and gently wiped the chocolate away.

“You had some on your lips. That's how I knew.”

“Ah… I… Beynon gave it to me. I didn't realize it had been stolen…”

“No one stole anything. I wasn't accusing you. I made the thief up as a joke, so don't worry.”

I folded the handkerchief and slipped it back into my coat.

The elf narrowed her eyes. Apparently she did not appreciate my joke. Her cheeks puffed out indignantly.

“…Theorad.”

She stepped closer, clearly intending to protest.

I was about to clear my throat and apologize when the rattle of carriage wheels drew my attention away.

“Hm?”

A carriage was coming through the mansion gate.

The white lion emblazoned upon its side marked it as a vehicle sent by the imperial household.

It stopped in the front yard. The door opened and a familiar, elegantly dressed middle-aged man stepped down.

Professor Roylen.

I walked toward him. He noticed me and beamed.

“Oh! What an honor. I didn't expect to find you here the moment I arrived!”

“It's good to see you again. But what brings you to the mansion?”

“Why, what other reason could there be? Her Highness the Princess—no, the woman who is soon to be crowned Her Majesty—has sent me with a message.”

He opened his bag and withdrew a sealed letter.

Recognizing that it came from Benelia, I lowered myself to one knee. With her power now comparable to an emperor's, it seemed proper to show the respect her station required.

But Roylen did not unroll a formal decree and read it aloud. He simply held out the bound letter.

“Here.”

I looked up.

“I'm to read it myself?”

“Yes. Her Highness specifically ordered me not to read it aloud. The person it's addressed to must read it personally. I don't know why, though I imagine it concerns the coronation.”

There was nothing to do but obey her wishes. I rose and accepted the letter.

I glanced around.

Havid and the elf were talking some distance away. Roylen was too loyal to peek at another person's letter, and there were no other servants in the yard. This was as private a place as I was likely to find.

I untied the string and unfolded the page. Her handwriting was neat.

To Theorad Deharem of the County of Pelgaroin,

Even you, who take so little interest in politics, must have heard that my revolution succeeded.

Now that the evils afflicting the Empire have, to some extent, been put in order, I intend to hold my coronation, as those loyal to me have urged.

High officials and great lords, soldiers who have served their country, commoners who have contributed to its prosperity, and women whose daily labor has so often gone unrecognized—all will be invited. Neither age, gender, nor station will bar anyone.

Of all those people, however, there is one I especially wish to see: you. Even with so much work before me, I find myself thinking of you whenever I have a moment to rest. It has been a long time since I wanted to see someone so badly.

Answer my summons and attend the coronation. That is an order, and I will not accept a refusal.

It was a characteristically imperious invitation. Still, warmth showed through the commanding tone. She had made it clear that I mattered to her. I saw no reason to decline.

My difficulty was with the single line written in smaller letters at the bottom.

P.S. I intend to claim the wish you promised me before. Prepare yourself, and come with your body cleansed.

The writing was darker than the rest, as though she had lingered over those words.

I felt an unfamiliar dread.