Lydia was speechless. Her tears had stopped flowing, and I gently patted her head.
This is one of those opportunities to grow as a person. Do your best, Lydia.
Lydia brooded over Clementina’s words in silence for a few moments. She seemed entirely unaware I was still hugging and patting her, until she suddenly noticed and gave a little shriek. She jumped out of my arms. Her face was bright red, and her mouth kept opening and closing as she stared at me, panicked.
Sorry, you didn’t want your mortal enemy patting your head, did you? But that’s no reason to leap away so fiercely. What are you, a frog?
I hadn’t realized it before, but Lydia was pretty fit. Voice training didn’t look like much from the outside, but it sure built the core, huh?
The former empress laughed. “Your dress is very pretty, but it’s all dirty now. Go change and come back, Lydia.”
A waiting maid, who seemed to be a trusted confidante of the former empress, stepped forward and bowed. She took Lydia’s hand and let her away.
“Shall we get back to our seats, Ekaterina?” Clementina asked, holding out a hand for me.
My eyes widened in surprise, but I still took her hand and stood up.
I couldn’t help but glance at the center of the stage out of concern for Olga and Renato.
The former empress smiled. “The God of Music asked them to let him hear that song once more. He seemed to appreciate your song, not just their playing and singing. You needn’t worry. He won’t keep them in his garden forever. He shall bring them back after they’re done.”
“Thank you for letting me know, Your Imperial Majesty. I’m relieved.”
She’d been through this, so I could trust her. Much more at ease, I returned Clementina’s smile.
“It was a good song,” she said. “The melody and the lyrics are deep and subtle. You have great talent.”
Uh-oh. Holst was talented, sure, not me!
“I-I didn’t do much. In truth, Lord Selesar redid a lot of my writing and melody, so I’m not worthy of such praise...”
I let out an awkward laugh in the hope of wriggling my way out of this. The former empress took a good look at me, her gaze warm and gentle.
“Ekaterina... You said she was called Olga, did you not? Is she related to an Irina?”
My eyes widened again. I hadn’t expected that question at all. “I apologize, Your Imperial Majesty, but I’m not familiar with her relatives...”
“I see. I’m sorry for asking you such a thing so suddenly. I must have surprised you. Pay it no mind.”
I followed Clementina back to the VIP seating area, where Valentin and Mikhail welcomed us with smiles.
They’d been alone together for a few minutes now. I wondered what they’d talked about, but I pushed that question to the back of my mind and bowed before the retired imperial couple and Mikhail.
“I apologize for leaving my seat without asking for permission earlier. I should not have behaved this way in front of Your Majesties. I’m terribly ashamed...”
“It’s fine. Lydia is a relative of my empress, and she visits us from time to time. I’m glad you showed her concern. This is a private gathering. You may be at ease.” Valentin smiled. “But being polite is a good thing. You take after Alexei in this.”
Yay! He said I’m like Alexei! He didn’t need to say more to make my day.
Had my brother visited the previous emperor often before he became duke? After Sergei passed, it seemed unlikely. From what I knew, he’d practically been cooped up in the duchy, doing our father’s work for him. He’d most likely only seen Valentin when he was still emperor, and our grandfather was still alive.
Even back then, Alexei had been a very mature child. The sort who’d make people think: Are you really a kid?
He must have been so cute! Ah! How I wish I could’ve seen baby Alexei!
“I heard you and Alexei grew up apart...” Valentin continued, a tinge of sadness in his tone.
My eyes unconsciously darted to Mikhail. What have you been telling him?
Mikhail just smiled at me.
I wasn’t sure how to answer him and opened my mouth hesitantly. “We did grow up apart, so I’m very happy I live with him now.”
I thought I’d managed to come up with a pretty innocuous answer, but Valentin remained silent. After a long pause, he sighed. “The last time I saw Aleksandr, after Sergei passed, I told him it was time for him to protect his wife and children... But I couldn’t interfere in the internal matters of the Yulnovas,” he whispered.
I never knew Valentin had been concerned about my mother, my brother, or me back then. The last time he’d seen my father would have been right before Valentin abdicated and left for the detached palace. Afterward, he wouldn’t have been able to meet up with a duke. If only my father had listened...
Before Sergei passed, my mother and I had lived a decent life. However, that didn’t change the fact that we’d been confined to a secondary residence. The wife of a duke not living with him and never appearing in public must have given birth to rumors at the time.
Our life had become truly difficult after Sergei’s death. By then, Valentin had already begun his secluded life in the detached palace and no longer had contact with important nobles. He’d had no way to learn of our circumstances.