Chapter 197: CHAPTER 99 (1) – She Needs More Time

“Your Majesty, I think I must have misheard your words…”

“Unless you are deaf, you heard correctly. I told you I wanted to learn how to make a dessert.”

“…”

When Lucio repeated his words with great conviction, the Imperial Chef was astonished that he had not, in fact, misheard the Emperor’s words. -My goodness, His Majesty is asking me to teach him how to make a dessert!-

The Imperial Chef asked, “Perhaps… the desserts I made for Your Majesty were not to your liking?”

“No. Your skills certainly deserve recognition. Is that not why you continue to hold your position?”

“…” The Imperial Chef asked again after receiving the savage compliment, “Then why, suddenly…”

“It is because I have someone I need to make it for.”

“Oh, if it is a gift, I can make it for Your Majesty.”

“Of course, what you would make would taste more delicious and look better,” Lucio agreed calmly.

“…”

“But if that happens, the dessert would no longer be special. I have to make it myself… Then, I think I will be able to convey my sincerity accordingly.”

“…?”

The Imperial Chef could not understand what Lucio was talking about at all, but after a while, he gave up trying to understand, as he dared not question the will of the Emperor any further. He replied in a humbly, “If that is the case, then I will show you how, Your Majesty.”

<hr />

So Lucio’s Spartan-like training began. The first dessert Lucio tried to make, after he had finished his political affairs earlier than usual, was a brownie. At first, it started off well enough, but the shape of the brownie gradually became weird. The Imperial Chef could not stand to endure remaining quietly on the side, and asked him, “Your Majesty, may I be of slight assistance?”

“…I can do it alone.”

However, Lucio was forced to ask him for help after a short while. Still, he was not a completely hopeless student, as after failing at his first three attempts, he made a decently presentable brownie on his fourth try. After putting aside all of his distracting thoughts and placing the brownie with melted chocolate over it into the oven, Lucio waited for the brownie to cook as his mind drifted over to thoughts about Patrizia.

“…”

They said it was already too late once there was regret. He regretted that he had not recognized his feelings for her earlier, but it was already late by then. So the series of actions he was doing now, and all the things that he would be doing in the future, were most likely going to be useless and meaningless. However…

-Nevertheless, if I could just convey my heart through this…-

Then that would be enough. Lucio was distressed, his face twisted into a frown, and he bit his lip. -Why could I not have done this for her from the start? Why could I not have expressed my heart to her earlier? Why am I foolish to this extent? Why am I…-

“Ah…”

It was only when the smell of something burning came from the oven that Lucio came to his senses, and walked over there. He had thought that this time he had succeeded in making a brownie worth eating, but this brownie was also a failure. With a bitter look on his face, he put a burnt piece of the brownie into his mouth. The sweet taste of chocolate was nowhere to be found, and only a greatly unsavory charring taste remained.

<hr />

“Your Majesty, this is the plan for the birthday celebration that will be held next month.”

The birthday celebration for Patrizia was coming up next month. The ironic situation that she had to take care of her own birthday was pretty funny, but there was nothing that could be done about it. It was not like the Emperor could take over the planning of the birthday party for the Empress. Patrizia let out a sigh and muttered, “I was hoping to spend my next birthday at home.”

“…” No one responded to that statement. Patrizia showed she was also not really expecting to get an answer, as she took the documents from Mirya casually and began reading through them. There were not too many funds in the Imperial Treasury, but the estimated budget was too luxurious. Patrizia informed Mirya with another sigh, “We need to cut our budget a little. I grant my permission as the organizer of the celebration.”

“But, Your Majesty. Then Your Majesty’s dignity…”

“Make sure to do it like that. My dignity has already risen with the execution of Rosemond.”

After bringing up the taboo name, Patrizia leaned against the back of the chair, a tired expression on her face. She thought she should take a short break, but she was once again sitting in front of the desk as she went back to trying to get through all the work for the affairs of the Inner Palace.

Patrizia finally closed her eyes and tried to rest a little, but someone knocked on the door.

“What is it?” Mirya asked.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.” One of Patrizia’s eyebrows rose at the mention of the unwelcome visitor. She stood up and whispered something to Mirya; Mirya nodded with a flustered expression as she walked over to the door. When Mirya opened the door, Lucio was indeed standing in front of the doorway. Mirya politely gave a greeting, “Greetings to the Great Sun of the Marvinus Empire.”

“Is the Empress inside?”

“She is inside but… she just fell asleep for a nap.”

“Is she feeling unwell or something?”

Mirya was taken aback by the untimely interest, but responded naturally. “No, that is not the case though… Her Majesty does seem a little tired.”

“Oh, dear. I will have to send the Imperial Physician.”

“It is not serious enough to have to do that.”

“…”

Since the formal conversation had ended, it was time to focus on the purpose of his visit. Lucio hesitated and opened his mouth. “That… is…”

“Please continue, Your Majesty.”

“I have something to give to the Empress.”

At that, Mirya’s gaze turned to Lucio’s hands. Something was tied with a ribbon in a paper box. She asked him. “Is it what you are holding?”

“… Indeed.”

“I will pass it on to Her Majesty.”

“Ah…”

Even though he looked embarrassed, he then turned over the box to her without saying anything further. Seeing that there was something warm inside of the box, it appeared to be something to be consumed. Mirya smiled gently and imparted some words to reassure Lucio. “Please do not worry, Your Majesty. I will definitely let the Empress know.”

“Please do so.” His expression as he said so looked somewhat nervous, and Mirya could not help but feel it was quite refreshing for a change. This was the first time she had seen such an expression on his face. Mirya bowed gracefully to him and bid him farewell, then closed the door.

=======

Translated by Haeli

Edited by RED