Chapter 76: Empress’s Personal Request

"Lady Lydia Valendorf, your performance in this year’s Hunting Competition has brought honor to your family. Accept this insignia as a symbol of your achievement."

Emperor Regulus personally presented Lydia with a golden insignia as a token of her victory in the Hunting Competition.

Since her Spirit Animal is a white deer, the insignia transformed into one, but in golden color. How wonderful!

"Thank you for this great honor, Your Majesty. I shall treasure it." Lydia accepted the insignia with a graceful curtsy.

Lydia carefully accepted the reward, already thinking about where she would keep it when she wasn’t wearing it.

It was pretty, prestigious, and valuable. What more could a girl ask for?

Like usual, the annual Hunting Ball was held to commemorate the competition and celebrate the year’s winners.

Her shoulder still felt sore but Lydia was relieved to know that it was nothing more than a mild bruise.

Thankfully, Erin had chosen a practical dress for her tonight.

Music and laughter filled the palace as guests gathered for the ball. Lydia attended with her family.

"I never thought an SSS-Rank Dimension would appear in the Restricted Area. Not to mention that you were injured as well. Try to not hurt your shoulder too much, Lydia." The Duke frowned at the bruise.

"It’s not that bad anymore, Papa. The hospital’s treatment worked wonders." Lydia gave him a reassuring smile. "Thankfully, the Ludenberg Hospital team had treated me quickly. The swelling had gone down a lot and it barely hurt."

"I should hit that assassin harder. No. I think I should do that again tomorrow," Sylvain murmured. "How dare he did this to you. Ah, and don’t worry, I have informed Vincent about this matter as well, Lydia."

"But isn’t Brother Vincent still in his military deployment in Luanna?"

"That was the point. I asked him to find the Prime Minister and teach him a lesson to not mess with a Valendorf."

Coming from Brother Sylvain, Lydia had a hunch that Brother Vincent would do his best to hound down the Prime Minister.

Or based on her personal experience, Brother Vincent wouldn’t even bother to come back to Adelstein before he captured that man. Either death or alive—but mostly dead.

That Prime Minister was as good as a dead man. That would be the best.

Vincent Valendorf was always known for his fiery temperament, after all.

However, Lydia’s evening took an unexpected turn when an imperial attendant approached her.

"Lady Valendorf, Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see you."

"The Empress?"

"Yes, my lady. Her Majesty requests your presence."

After informing her family that she would be meeting the Empress, she followed the attendant through the palace.

She wondered what Queen Renata wanted to discuss with her. The Empress had always treated Lydia warmly, but a private summons during the Hunting Ball suggested that this was more than an ordinary greeting.

When Lydia arrived at the Sun Palace’s private sitting room, Queen Renata welcomed her with a gentle smile.

Her dark brown hair was neatly tied in a loose bun. Even in a simple evening dress, Queen Renata looked graceful and beautiful.

She carried herself with the same quiet elegance, even without her usual royal attire.

Anyone could tell that Ephraim looked similar to her. Well, except his blond hair and crimson eyes—one that he inherited from the Adelstein lineage.

"Come, Lydia. Sit beside me. I’ve been wanting to speak with you."

Lydia curtsied before approaching the Queen.

"Your Majesty, you wished to see me?"

"Indeed." Renata gestured for her to sit. "First, congratulations on your victory. I heard that the Emperor personally awarded you the golden deer insignia."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I was honored to receive it."

"You certainly deserved it." The Queen’s smile widened. "You’ve worked hard, and I’m pleased to see your efforts recognized."

After a maid brought them some desserts, the Queen sent her away so they could talk alone. Soon after, Queen Renata brought up something Lydia hadn’t expected.

"I am well aware of your relationship with the heir of House Ludenberg."

Yikes. What a way to crack open a conversation!

"Worry not, Lydia. I only want to wish you well with your Sentinels. After all, just like you, I used to have my Sentinels as well—Count Gustav and Lady Isolde. How I miss her dearly everyday."

Now that Lydia thought about it, Queen Renata used to have two other Sentinels beside the Emperor Regulus.

But Count Gustav had died of an illness last year and her beloved retainer, Lady Isolde died of miasma poisoning a few years ago.

"Ephraim told me that he had been thinking about cancelling your engagement."

Lydia’s smile stiffened.

Ah. So that was what this conversation was about.

Queen Renata let out a long sigh then she frowned. "I scolded him terribly for even considering such a thing. How could he be so foolish? You had been engaged for years, and he thought he could simply throw everything away."

The Queen shook her head, still looking displeased at the memory.

"Honestly, I don’t know what that foolish boy was thinking."

Lydia remained silent, unsure how to respond. Still, she was certain that Ephraim had changed his mind and truly wanted to be with her.

"But I’m so relieved that you two are still engaged," Renata continued. Her expression softened as she gently took Lydia’s hand. "I would have been heartbroken if things had ended differently. Do you know that Ephraim could barely sleep when the Council pressed him about the annulment? He was so troubled that I couldn’t help worrying about him. I’m glad he finally came to his senses."

The Queen gave Lydia’s hands a gentle squeeze. "I would hate to lose a wonderful daughter-in-law like you. You’re the only person that can make him smile and laugh freely."

"Your Majesty..."

"Besides," the Queen added with a small laugh, "I’ve noticed that Ephraim smiles much more often these days."

There was no hesitation in Renata’s voice.

Lydia tilted her head. "Does he?"

"Of course! Mother knows best. He always seems to look forward to his studies at Belfort University, and I suspect you have something to do with that."

Renata looked genuinely delighted as she spoke about her son.

"He used to keep so much to himself and rarely showed much excitement about anything. At least he often told me about you. Lydia this and Lydia that. Glad I managed to ask Regulus to sign that agreement. Ephraim had to clear countless Dimensional Rifts and even kneel before his father to get that Emperor’s Seal."

Ah. That "bet".

Who would’ve thought that Ephraim went that far and tried to brush it off only as a mere "bet"?

He sure was the worst when it came to being honest with his feelings. Talk about being emotionally constipated.

The Queen smiled at Lydia again.

"After you agreed to continue your engagement, he kept smiling everyday. Even when he had to handle multiple SSS-Rank Dimensional Rifts. I like seeing Ephraim happy like that. And I’m glad that you are still by his side. After all, I’m his mother. I only want what’s best for my son. Seeing him so happy lately makes me happier than you can imagine."

Renata’s expression gradually grew more serious.

"However, there is something else I wanted to ask you."

"What is it, Your Majesty?" Lydia straightened.

"I want you to check on Ephraim for me. Has he been feeling better lately? Have you noticed anything unusual about him?"

"Unusual?"

"He has been keeping himself busy with his royal duties and other matters, but I’ve noticed some changes in his behavior lately." The Queen nodded. "I’ve begun to worry that he might be relying on something to keep himself going. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, so I was hoping you could keep an eye on him. You know him better than most, after all."

The Queen’s words made her mind wander to something Zachary had mentioned a few days ago.

Could Ephraim really be taking drugs and suppressants? Why would he need to take something like that?

"I understand, Your Majesty," Lydia replied. "I’ll check on Ephraim and see how he’s doing."

"Thank you, dear. I knew I could count on you."

Renata’s expression softened again, and she gave Lydia’s hand another affectionate squeeze.

"Actually, I would like you to stay at the palace for a few days, if you don’t mind. I’ve already spoken with Duke Valendorf and your brother, Lord Sylvain, about it. So rest assured."

Lydia looked at her in surprise.

"Yes. It would give you a chance to speak with Ephraim without having to rush back to the academy the day after tomorrow."

"Of course, Your Majesty. If it will put your mind at ease, I’ll stay for the next few days."

"Wonderful." Renata looked relieved. "I hope you two will have a chance to talk."

The ball continued until late at night. When Lydia finally returned to her private suite, she didn’t need an attendant to show her the way.

The room had been reserved for her for years, ever since she became Ephraim’s fiancée.

"Welcome back, Lydia."

Lydia was surprised to find Ephraim waiting in her room, especially at this late hour.