The next day, before dawn, in the garden of the House of Baron Zecalion.
"Ah! So refreshing!"
Penelope stretched her arms and wandered into the garden. She had slept well and was in a bright mood.
Though it was still before sunrise, she was always up early—no matter how late she went to bed.
"Well, what an early bird am I…"
She twirled lightly, humming to herself, when a soft voice called from behind.
"My lady… how are you feeling?"
"Jenny?"
"I thought you'd stay in bed longer…" Jenny looked anxious and fidgety.
Penelope sighed. Jenny had been like this ever since the engagement with Count Gordon had been broken.
"How many times must I say it, Jenny! I really am fine!"
"That jerk… sniff."
Jenny's eyes welled up with tears.
'Is she crying again? Oh lord.'
"Jenny, please don't cry. I will get married."
Jenny wailed even louder.
"Oh, how can you get married again at this age? Now you'll grow old alone, never knowing a man's touch. My poor lady!"
Huh?
Penelope froze. Should I tell her I spent the night with a stranger?No, she'd die on the spot.
"Well, there are plenty of single women living happily in Lavata," Penelope tried to reassure her.
"But that woman is eighty! And a widow!"
Penelope groaned. "Still, some blind fool could take me away. Or my dowry—"
Jenny gasped. "Oh, my poor lady. The Baroness said there will be no dowry if you're not wed."
Penelope froze. "What?"
That dowry was her last hope for freedom.
"So you see, you must marry. But now, the only unmarried man good enough for you is the Emperor himself…"
Penelope groaned. "Please. Is the Emperor insane?"
"It's him or some old widower."
Penelope rubbed her temples. "I'm going to meet Rubia in town."
"This early in the day, my lady?"
"Yes. I… have a task first!"
Jenny tilted her head with pity. "Oh, my poor lady, speaking nonsense after such heartbreak…"
"Hush! I'm heading out!"
Penelope stormed off.
"I'm going to feed the dog!" she shouted.
Jenny blinked in confusion. "What dog? We don't have a dog in the mansion!"
Filled with the lush greenery of spring, the Emperor's archery field was already bustling.
"Your Highness, please give an answer," said Princess Yulia.
"To what?"
"Our marriage, of course. My father, King of Turan, sent word three months ago."
"So?"
"Pardon, Your Grace?"
Bart's flat tone made her falter.
He raised his bow, the string glowing with magic.
"Your Majesty, if you would only give your acceptance—"
"Is that so."
He released the string. The arrow, blazing blue, hit the moving target—just below the center.
A miss.
"You hinder my concentration. Be gone."
"I cannot leave without an answer, sire."
Bart's eyes glinted coldly. "Do you consider yourself worthy of being Empress, when you're a mere prisoner?"
Yulia froze, trembling.
Bart thought only of one woman—Penelope Arina Zecalion.
To have run away like that...
He aimed again, this time hitting the center. A perfect shot.
A faint smile crossed his lips. Soon enough, I'll capture her heart the same way.
Yulia's trembling voice broke the silence. "But I adore you, Your Majesty!"
"That is not affection, but lust," he said coldly.
"I was aware of your greed for the Empress' seat, but hearing it aloud disgusts me. Forget such vain dreams. The true Empress will arrive soon."
"E–Empress?"
"Yes. A noble lady I intend to marry."
Bart's expression softened slightly as he remembered Penelope's flushed face and hasty departure.
"So you see," he said, lowering his bow, "you'd best disappear from Lavata before she arrives."
Lavata's town square, James Field's tea shop.
James Field was once a merchant at the harbor before he discovered a patch of land that grew the finest tea leaves. He opened a popular salon in the heart of Lavata, where nobles gathered beneath arched windows while a songstress sang softly.
Penelope sat at a corner table with her dearest friend, Rubia, sipping fragrant tea from a golden-lined cup.
Rubia had been uncharacteristically quiet until she finally spoke.
"Penny, where did you go that night?"
"Wh–Where did I go? What do you mean, haha."
Rubia's fiery scarlet hair shimmered under the light, her golden eyes sharp and knowing.
"There is something going on. I have a hunch."
Penelope forced a laugh, feeling her chest tighten.
"Oh, my heart!" she exclaimed, pressing her hand to it. "Perhaps someone is shooting invisible arrows."
Rubia raised an eyebrow. "An arrow? Please."
Penelope chuckled nervously, but Rubia leaned closer, her voice firm.
"Stop turning tricks, Penny. Parion even sent Hermes to our mansion saying you disappeared."
"That twerp?"
"Yes! Do you know how happy I was, thinking he'd sent me a letter? Only to find it was about you!"
Penelope sighed. "Um... I was just staying over at a friend's house."
Rubia's golden eyes narrowed. "A friend? I am your only friend."
Penelope froze. "Oh, that's right. I don't have friends."
"Then tell me the truth!"
Penelope shut her eyes and blurted, "Rubia, I... with a stranger..."
"You what with a stranger?"
"...Slept with a stranger."
Rubia went silent.
Penelope peeked at her cautiously. "You look surprised, Rubia."
Rubia suddenly burst out laughing. "OHAHAHAHA!"
"R–Rubia?"
"You—you mean, it just happened?"
Penelope flailed. "No! I woke up in a bedroom. All I remember is... silver hair, violet eyes, very tall..."
Rubia's laughter faded. Her expression turned calculating. "Go on."
"And... a handsome figure."
Rubia tapped her chin, muttering. "Silver hair... violet eyes... tall..."
Then she froze, her eyes widening.
"No. It can't be."
"What can't be?"
Rubia leaned forward, whispering.
"Well... the Emperor?"