"That's just the current fashion in the capital," Phoebe countered. "And, mind you, most of them are knights."
Elizabeth dropped into a beautifully crafted chair, waving her hand dismissively. "Knights or not, I prefer someone more robust—someone who looks strong and sturdy."
"…Your tastes are peculiar, sister. So, even if someone as handsome as Michael approached you, you wouldn't be interested?"
Elizabeth pondered for a moment before scoffing. "Exactly. I'm not into pretty boys. Now, stop chattering and get to your lessons."
Grumbling, Phoebe and Kate rose and headed to their tutor's room. The recent trend of educating women, inspired by Crown Princess Astrid, was gaining popularity, and the sisters were no exception.
Elizabeth sighed again, picked up her parasol, and prepared to go out. When her mind was clouded, a walk in the park always helped. Refusing the company of her maids, she took only her escort knight and strolled toward the park.
Standing by the serene lake, she fell into thought. The capital was overwhelming, with its bustling crowds, but it had one redeeming feature: its beautiful parks, perfect for leisurely walks.
Although the family's new mansion boasted a stunning garden, it didn't provide the same tranquility as the open parks. As Elizabeth gazed at the lake, lost in her thoughts, a shadow fell across her face.
A tall man had approached her.
"Another one?" she thought, turning with irritation. But her annoyance turned to surprise.
The man standing before her was as strikingly handsome as her brother Michael. His long red hair flowed elegantly, and his violet eyes sparkled as he smiled at her.
He extended a hand and spoke, his voice smooth and charming. "My lady, would you grant me the honor of a conversation?"
Elizabeth, stunned for a moment, quickly regained her composure. Opening her parasol, she responded curtly.
Sigmund, the Emperor of Celeste, stifled a laugh as he watched Elizabeth stride away with confident steps after her sharp rejection.
He had come to observe this "Michael" character but thought he might have some fun seducing his sister along the way. He hadn't expected this reaction.
For the first time in his life, he felt a peculiar sense of intrigue.
"Ha, the siblings are quite the pair. This is truly entertaining," he muttered.
James, the knight who had accompanied Sigmund from the empire, broke into a nervous sweat as he watched his emperor.
Whenever Sigmund showed this kind of interest, trouble was inevitable. Glancing at the lake where the breathtaking beauty had been moments ago, James silently offered his condolences.
"All sins stem from this mad emperor. Don't blame me; may you rest in peace…"
Meanwhile, strolling through the garden with Princess Astrid, Michael rubbed his tingling ear and muttered to himself.
"Is someone talking about me? Why does my ear itch so much?"
"Daddy, look over there! The color of the water is so, so beautiful!"
Sergey turned to watch his youngest daughter, Anastasia, as she gazed at the rippling sea from the ship's railing, her face beaming with joy. She laughed as though she owned the entire world, her happiness lighting up her features.
Sergey himself hadn't smiled this freely in a long time.
Anastasia, who had once been frail and gaunt from hunger during their time hiding in the mountains, now showed a healthier glow. Her once pale, patchy complexion had been replaced by a youthful vibrancy. Seeing her regain her cheerful spirit filled Sergey's heart with indescribable warmth.
Looking around the ship, Sergey noticed that every face bore a similar expression of relief and joy.
"Have I ever seen these people smile before?" he wondered, his chest swelling with hope.
When they were first driven to the seaside, they were consumed by fear. The symbolic flag raised on the mast had inspired tentative optimism, but boarding the ship five days ago had truly changed everything.
Onboard, they experienced a freedom they hadn't dared dream of. There was no one to oversee or command their every action. The sailors they encountered treated them with respect, and they were served three delicious meals daily, complete with cakes adorned with fruit and cream for dessert.
It had been so long since Sergey had tasted such delicacies that he couldn't even recall the last time.
Sergey, Alexa, and Natalie were slightly better off compared to the other serfs, having tasted fruit and cake in their past. Many of the others, however, were bewildered by how to eat the unfamiliar food. Some even tried to bite into unpeeled oranges, unsure of what to do.
It wasn't until the cooks and attendants demonstrated how to eat properly that the others managed to enjoy their meals. Their prior hardships were painfully evident in their confusion.
With consistent nourishment and rest, the serfs grew healthier. Their arms gained strength, their eyes sparkled with vitality, and even those who had previously been stoic or silent began to smile, however awkwardly.
Sergey pushed aside his swelling emotions and placed an arm around Alexa's shoulders. She had been concealing her condition, but at six months pregnant, she was no longer alone in body.
"This child will receive a proper education and live a life of respect, won't they?" Alexa asked, her dreamy gaze fixed on her husband.
Her expression was as radiant as the joy that filled Sergey's heart. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead and reassured her.
"Of course. That man, Michael, is a true hero."
Before being driven out of their former estate, Sergey had served as a scribe. One of his duties was to transcribe the Continental Gazette for the estate's influential figures, and it was through this that he had read an article about Michael.
"What kind of person is Michael?" Alexa asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Tightening his hold on her shoulder, Sergey looked out at the open sea.
"I've only read about him in articles, so I can't say for certain. Who can truly know someone's heart or thoughts? But based on what I've read, he seems to be an exceedingly fair and just man—someone who recognizes the value of others."