Chapter 130

Third Act The Couple’s Holiday As Aileen makes for the imperial couple’s bedchamber, she’s startled to see Keith emerge from it. She blinks. “It can’t be. Has Master Claude already retired?” “Yes, he has. He’s waiting for you, Lady Aileen.” “He’s early. I wonder if something’s happened.” Claude has been swamped with work since ascending to the throne, and he usually returns to their bedchamber later than Aileen. Keith responds to her concern with a smile. “Oh, you know: First Elefas, now Keith and Walt.” “Oh, of course.” That makes sense to Aileen, although she isn’t sure it should. Without another word, Keith bows his head and leaves, as if to say the rest is in her hands. That’s Keith for you. He’ll already have gotten Claude ready for bed, or rather, made sure he’ll behave himself and sleep. Dismissing the servants, Aileen enters the bedchamber. Claude is sitting listlessly on a sofa near the terrace. There’s a wine bottle on a low cabriole-legged table that matches the sofa. He makes quite the picture, sitting there sighing, with his long eyelashes lowered and a wineglass in one hand. Even for Aileen, who’s grown fairly accustomed to his beauty, he’s devastatingly seductive. In company like this, her nightgown seems flimsy and inadequate. However, as his wife, she mustn’t tremble. Aileen softly steps forward and seats herself beside Claude. “Are you sulking because your subordinates are getting engaged one after another?” “…Not especially.” His response is brusque. From his tone, he’s definitely sulking. Aileen smiles wryly, a hint of exasperation in her expression. It had taken Claude a long time to secure any human retainers besides Keith, and he treasures each of them so intensely that it startles even Aileen, the one who found them for him. It’s easy to say that all he needs is one attendant he can trust. However, Claude was disinherited and left without anyone to support him, so he must still feel unfulfilled on some level. “Just because they have families now, that doesn’t mean they’ll neglect you, Master Claude. Those are two separate things.” “I’m not so sure about that. Wives are powerful. You know they’ll prioritize their wives’ birthdays over work and ask for those days off.” “Are you speaking from personal experience?” Instead of answering, Claude sips from his wineglass. Taking this attitude in the presence of his wife is a problem, but Aileen is the one who wished for her husband to be happy in all manner of ways. “Still, now you’ll be able to attend your retainers’ weddings as their superior.” “…Maybe I’ll kidnap the grooms at those weddings.” “That sounds entertaining, and I’d quite like to see it, but get them wedding and engagement presents first.” “Keith can do that, or you can. It’s not my problem.” Perhaps it’s from the wine, but Claude’s ear is a little flushed, and Aileen puts her lips close to it. “Since we have the chance, why don’t we slip out of the castle and go buy them together?” Her husband’s eyes widen. Picking up on what she’s plotting, he turns to face her. He’s a troublesome person. He’s adorable as well, though. She’s sure he feels the same way about her. That day marks the beginning of “Operation: Couple’s Holiday.” “While we’re at it, I’d like to have a secret rendezvous somewhere, Master Claude. The way lovers do.” “Very nice; that sounds like fun. I can teleport, so the problem will be how to get you there.” “Rachel does keep a strict watch… Perhaps we could use Isaac as bait.” “Suggesting they take a honeymoon would probably just make them suspect us. Is there some sort of social function that the president of the Oberon Trading Firm would have to attend with his wife? If there isn’t, we could always create one.” “Nice idea! Let’s make that the day we act.” The date has been set. “The day before, I’ll visit my family home and make my preparations there. That way, Rachel will relax and take the day off. And if we say I’ll return to the imperial castle the following day, Sir Keith and the others will assume you’ll behave and wait there for me, and they’ll grow careless.” “True. The problem will be if we have pursuers.” “The demons will be on our side, won’t they. However, Elefas can teleport, while Walt and Kyle have good instincts and are constantly training… And how shall we outwit Sir Keith? The day after will be frightening as well, especially considering both my father and older brother are at the imperial castle now.” “Wouldn’t those two think it entertaining and let us be? There’s no need to worry about Keith, either; I have a way to get him to forgive us. I can use it once a year or so.” “Goodness, what way is that?” “I give him a written pledge to do anything he tells me to, just once.” Plotting together as husband and wife has shown Aileen that there are still things she doesn’t know about him. “Can you gather money and what you’ll take with you on the day, Master Claude? And plan what you’ll wear?” “That should be fine. I’ll have Almond hold on to my belongings for me.” “…Show me what you intend to take beforehand. We won’t be able to afford any missteps.” “I know. I’ve read a book on errands very carefully.” “Not a book on dates?” “I thought it would be best to learn about outings beginning with the fundamentals. On the day, I’d like to try riding one of those ‘bicycle’ contraptions.” “Maybe a bicycle built for two? I’ve never done that, either. How marvelous.” Having something to look forward to makes even busy days feel fulfilling. “Bad news, Aileen. Keith’s suspicious. He asked if I was plotting something; he’d noticed the demons acting restless. That book on errands seems to have been a bad idea, too.” “I had a feeling this would happen. It’s all right, though: Rachel has asked me to give you a firm reminder not to slip out of the castle while I’m visiting my family.” “Ah. Then it’s actually better if I’m the one they suspect.” “Yes. You mustn’t leave here until I’ve left my parents’ home, Master Claude.” “Right. Not until they send word that you’ve left the house.” Exchanging secret smiles in bed, they begin their operation. After being away from one another for a little while, it’s sure to be a sunny day when they reunite. Aileen feels a bit apologetic toward Rachel, but she’s used to slipping out of Duke d’Autriche’s mansion. Her three older brothers were also free spirits, and the d’Autriche servants had overlooked their behavior. They won’t have been expecting her to sneak out now that she’s empress, but today Aileen is simply playing the role of a young noblewoman, so she hopes they’ll kindly ignore her. Aileen leaves the d’Autriche mansion and sneaks partway back to the imperial castle. They’ve arranged for Claude to make his escape once he receives word that Aileen has left the d’Autriche residence. She’s wearing an elegant new dress with a navy-blue bow and delicate lace accents, plus her favorite pair of pumps. A broad-brimmed hat with a ribbon screens both the soft spring sunlight and the glances she steals at her surroundings. I wonder if Master Claude’s arrived yet. Was he able to slip away without any trouble? Even if he’s managed that, he hasn’t gotten lost, has he? They’re meeting in the third layer, at the central district of Alucato, and it’s crowded. There’s a stylish brick café behind her and a brand-new accessories shop next door. The street bustles with horse-drawn carts, and a department store stands on the other side. They chose this spot because a lively place would be best both for shopping and for hiding. However, Aileen is a young noblewoman at heart: She’s never waited for a man in front of a café by herself before, and it’s making her fidgety and uneasy. Her restlessness may be showing through her attitude. “Are you alone, miss?” A large shadow falls over her, and she looks up. Two young men are standing there, hemming her in. They don’t seem to be aristocrats, but they’re wearing rather nice suits in a careless way—students probably. “Me?” “Yeah, you. It seemed like you might be in trouble or something.” “You can tell us about it if you want. Oh, and hey, I know a shop that has good cake.” She gets the impression they’re blocking her view a bit too much for people who are simply being kind. Could this be one of those “pickups” she’s heard about? Goodness. Aileen puts a hand to her cheek, batting her eyelashes. This has never happened to her before. For a moment, she wonders whether they’ve failed to see her wedding ring, but it’s true that she isn’t dressed as the empress or a married woman. She’s disguised herself as a young noblewoman and come here for fun, so they can’t be blamed for getting the wrong idea. “I’m sorry. I’m waiting for someone.” “Who? A friend?” She doesn’t really want to say My husband; she’d decided to forget about emperors and empresses today and simply have fun. That’s also true of the individual who’s just come into view behind the two young men. “Your friend can just come with.” “Yes, I’d love to.” Startled, the young men look back. From the sharp sounds of the man’s leather shoes on the stone paving and his deliberate gait, he certainly doesn’t seem like a commoner. “In any case, I believe I’m the one she’s waiting for. Who are you two?” When a tall man with red eyes and an inhumanly beautiful face gazes down at them and issues threats in a bone-chilling voice, ordinary humans will take to their heels before anything about demon kings or emperors even occurs to them. Sure enough, the young men run without making any attempt to argue. As she watches them go, Aileen lets out a deep sigh. “Poor things…” “Why are you sympathizing with them?” “Because even dressed like that, you’re in a completely different league.” Claude grimaces. He probably intended to look like a normal nobleman’s son today; he’s tied his unadorned hair back in a loose ponytail, the lines of his suit cut a striking figure, and his collar is embroidered, but that’s all, and the simplicity of his appearance strikes her as novel. “You don’t think it suits me? I worked very hard to pick this out.” “Gracious, by yourself? How splendid.” The way his hair’s been bound back is a bit messy, and his outfit could use some work, but that’s part of the charm. She’d normally make a few adjustments for him, but today she doesn’t even do that. After all, she isn’t supposed to be his wife today. Besides, when he casually holds out his arm to Aileen, the gesture is polished and absolutely perfect. “How did it go?” “You vanished, I’m gone, and the information is probably getting more and more muddled as we speak. I’ve told all the demons to hide. That should buy us some time, but we can’t be careless.” “Hee-hee. In that case, let’s hurry. We’ll go shopping first. It would be nice if we could have a bite to eat after that.” “And after dinner?” She’d planned to return by then, no matter what, so Aileen hadn’t thought that far ahead. Claude gives her a mischievous smile. “Tell me what lovers should do when they’re together until nighttime, my lady. Should I send you home, or would it be best not to?” “Goodness… My, my.” A smile escapes her. At the same time, she feels a sweet ache deep in her heart. This is her first taste of romance in a long while—a feeling that’s begun to transform into a steadier love since their marriage. Her cheeks flush red. “I really wouldn’t know. Please don’t ask such a mean question, Master Claude.” “You’re right. No gentleman would make a lady say such things.” “There, you see? You always tease me.” “Yes, because you’re adorable. I’m sure you always will be. Even marriage and children won’t change that.” She almost gets upset with him, and this time, it isn’t an act. “You bad man.”