Bluebell thrusted her chest out and looked at Siennas expression as if she had just said a great secret. If Sienna heard that this marriage was not Carls intention, she must have thought that Sienna would make an emotional change. But Sienna knew the story. Thats why she didnt react much. Then Bluebell cried out in a fit of rage.

Honestly, I think its dirty!

Bluebells angry look didnt look fierce. It looked just cute, perhaps because of her red-colored cheek and her baby fat.

You forced the Empress to marry Carl. Im the one who really loves him. Did you want to have Carl that much? Didnt you think that you might have his body that way, but you wouldnt get his heart?

Sienna laughed at her criticism. A girl who believes in true love.

Sienna did have a guilty conscience about being swayed by Arya and taking Carls side seat instead of Bluebell and killing her child. But there was no guilt for splitting true love.

Sienna didnt hate her talking about the love between herself and Carl like a little girl. Rather, it felt cute.

As expected, Im in the role of the villain who divided true love.

To be honest with you, Ive never thought about that. I thought that marriage between the aristocrats was always in line with the interests of the family.

How could you! So youre saying that you didnt get married because you loved Carl, but because you wanted to be a princess?

The answer to that question was not easy. In the past, Sienna was sure that she wanted to be Carls princess because of love. But now she wanted revenge on Arya, and she wanted to protect Carl from her, was the reason she accepted the marriage.

It wasnt that she didnt feel anything about him now, but the difference was huge. Before, she got married because of love, but this time she fell in love after she got married with interests. Moreover, there has been no change in her one-sided heart before or now.

I didnt even get married because I wanted a seat, but

Anyway, you dont get married for love.

Dirty!

Although she didnt say it out loud, Bluebells emotions were obvious on her face. She looked like she could never accept a marriage that is based on interests, not love.

Sienna felt complicated in front of an immature girl who thought love was the most important value.

Thats so unfair. If I had been born two years earlier, I would have been Carls wife! But youve already married My Highness, so what does the coming-of-age ceremony mean to me anymore?

She said, sweeping down her own forearms as if she were getting goosebumps.

I have to attend the coming-of-age ceremony under the escort of another man! Ive been thinking all my life that Ill be next to Carl.

Bluebells prickly words dried Siennas mouth. She couldnt get rid of the thirst even after drinking a refreshing mint tea.

Let me join and attend this coming-of-age ceremony with Carl.

This seemed to be the business she had come to. Sienna did not readily answer. If things went as it did in the past, Bluebell would have appeared at the coming-of-age ceremony, holding Carls hand. It would look good to tell Bluebell to do as she wishes as if she was showing broad generosity, but Sienna could not easily say those words.

Even if you dont allow it, Ill attend with Carl. I originally came to see you to ask this as a favor, but after talking to you, I dont think I need to. Its not a request, its a notification. You dont care because you dont love him anyway.

No

Sienna tried to stop her, but Bluebell shook off her seat and stood up without even listening to her.

Then Im done with my business, so Ill get going.

Bluebell left the room without receiving Siennas goodbye. Sienna couldnt hold on to her any longer. What did it mean by holding her up anyway? Now that shes Carls wife, she cant see her and Carl join hands in the coming-of-age ceremony? Sienna wondered if she was qualified to say such a thing.

What has changed since staying in the capital recently was that most of the meals were now shared with Carl. Usually, Sienna liked this time very much. He also looked more relaxed.

In the past, Sienna ordered meat for Carls meal and fish for her own, but after Carl said this wasnt necessary, mainly seafood was prepared. Today, the main was fried cod on top of the potato puree. Sienna looked at Carl, who was zoned out while using his knife.

-You mean you didnt marry Carl because you loved him, but because you wanted to be a princess?

Bluebells face, full of scorn, came to Siennas mind.

Come to think of it, Bluebell and Carl were a very good match. The delicate-faced Carl and the enchanting-looking Bluebell. Just thinking about it made her heart boil with jealousy.

She didnt want to admit it at the time, but Sienna actually knew. The fact that she was nothing but an obstacle between the two.

That hasnt changed even now. From Bluebells point of view, whether she was willing or not, Sienna was the villain who took her place by joining hands with Empress Arya.

What are you thinking about? Youre not eating.

She hesitated wondering if she should talk to Carl about the conversation she had with Bluebell today.

I heard you met Bluebell today. What brought her here?

Is he interested because its about Bluebell?

She didnt want to tell him what happened today. She felt pathetic for having not said anything, and she was afraid that her guilt would be revealed.

It wasnt a big deal. Oh, Ive got something for you by the way

Sienna had Hain to bring pickled miree. He was glad to see the yellow-colored miree in the clay bowl.

Ah, marinated miree.

I prepared it because I thought it would be hard to get when it gets colder. I did make a jar of it, but they said they couldnt eat it for an extended time even if they are pickled.

Carl took a bite and rolled it in his mouth. For a moment, he frowned as if it was sour, but it was not because he didnt like it. He seemed to like it.

Have you ever had pickled miree?

Once, but at the time I ate something I made wrong, so Im not sure if its really pickled miree.

Then try it. This one is quite well pickled.

Carl dipped a yellow miree with a fork and held it out to her. Sienna hesitated to eat it because it tasted so terrible when she tried it before.

Yes, it wasnt in season at the time, it was just a mess because I made it myself.

Sienna stuck her head out and held miree in her mouth.

Ugh!

As soon as she put the pickled miree in her mouth, her mouth was filled with saliva. The sour smell poked through her nose and the strange mixture of salty and astringent flavors made her tongue ache. Carl burst into laughter as she frowned.

Sienna couldnt spit it out and forced herself to swallow it with a mouthful of saliva. No matter how much water she drank, the sour and bitter taste didnt go away.

It must have gone bad. No, I think I made it wrong. It tastes really weird.

Carl said with a smile on his face.

This is how it tastes. Miree is characterized by sour, bitter, and salty flavors.

Why on earth do you like this taste?

Its okay when you get used to it. It digests well.

I dont think Ill get used to the taste. Wouldnt it be faster to have your tongue paralyzed before that?

Its a traditional food that weve been eating for quite a long time in the eastern part of the country. Never gets skipped on a table.

Carl was more familiar with the local food culture than the capitals food because he had many days to stay on the border since childhood. Unlike in the imperial palace, he ate comfortably with his people.

The food you eat with the right person is more delicious.

Sienna shook her head and drank water, saying she wouldnt get used to it, even if she ate with people she likes.

I think seafood dishes are getting better these days, too. The fried cod tastes good again today.

The chef Aunt Kelly recommended made these. He seems especially good at cooking seafood. Its hard to get rid of the fishy smell, but its really good, right?

I see.

She, too, admired the chewy texture of the fish hidden in the savory batter.

I didnt like it when I only ate the miree, but it tastes really good when I eat fried food after eating it. Its not greasy. Of course, I dont want to eat it again.

Yes.

A gentle wind blew through the window. The wind was mingled with a sweet smell.

Huh? Whats this smell?

It smells like Sellum.

Sellum?

Sellum was the first flower to bloom when winter passed and spring came. The flowers bloomed early because the capital was as cool as of late autumn weather.

Its in its prime. Its in full bloom in the garden, and the scent is amazing, and its flowing all the way here. Would you like to go there with me after the meal?

Oh, you mean the yellow flower? Thick like a ball with thin petals stacked in layers. So thats what it smells like. It smells really good. But I cant today. Ive decided to have tea time with the Empress today.

I see.

You can go alone today, Mr. Carl.

No, no. But rather, tea time with the Empress? Were you well acquainted with her?

We became very close when you werent in the palace. I think shes a really good person. She is very naive that you cannot believe she lives in the palace. Shes older than me, but shes like a younger sister.

I see.

But I havent been able to visit lately because the Emperor has been very ill.

Recently, Valore has been seriously ill, to the extent that he was unable to participate in state affairs, although the political meeting went smoothly because they were led by Aryas followers.

Only

Im worried about the Emperor. More than I expectedNo! I just think he is very ill.

Just because you worry doesnt make him feel better, why should you worry?

Carl said coldly.

That I know but

Sienna closed her mouth. She could not bring herself up to tell Carl that Valore might be in critical condition. Even though Carl talks that coldly about Valore, he was still Carls only sibling. Although they could not interact frequently due to Arya, at least in Siennas eyes, the two brothers had affection for each other. Even if they were not blood-related brothers.

Just by looking at Carls reaction when Valore was made the emperor makes it obvious. Carl could have used Valores the secret of his birth as a reason to put him out of the seat. If he wanted, Carl could have been the emperor by now.

Sienna felt sorry to see Carl who could not be honest with himself. Only if he could be a little bit more acknowledging with his feelings.