The Archduke’s Flower is in Jeopardy - Chapter 148



Only Krnovel

Episode 148 Side Story: Baptism of the Century
2024.02.29.

　
The prince’s christening ceremony was just around the corner.

Under the leadership of Madame Pontfeuigne, who had been appointed as the official tailor of the imperial palace, the final fitting of the clothes to be worn at the christening ceremony and commemorative banquet was in full swing in the dressing room of the empress’ palace.

As the Empress took off her gown to try it on, Madame Pont-Feigne and her assistants who were helping her cleared their throats.

“Hmm… … !”

Their faces were red as usual, but they did not show as much embarrassment as before.

‘It’s a good thing I paid attention to the neckline of the dress I’ll be wearing at the banquet in advance.’

When Madame Pontfeuigne came up with the design of the Empress’s banquet dress, she chose to cover up the décolleté line. It was thanks to the valuable experience I had at the last coronation dress in Gabon.

Sure enough, the red marks embroidered on the empress’ pure white skin were still vivid.

‘Your Majesty the Emperor and the Empress are still on good terms.’

Madame Pontfeuigne, who realized once again that the emperor and his wife liked the gold thread, smiled happily to herself.

After Eidel had finished trying on everything, including the tailored suit to be worn at the christening and the dress for the commemorative banquet, Madame Pontfeuigne spoke with admiration.

“Her Majesty’s appearance is still the same. “It’s so hard to believe she gave birth.”

“It’s thanks to Madame Pontfeuigne’s good tailoring. “Has the prince’s baptismal gown been completed?”

“sure. She even added the embroidery she gave me earlier. “Look here.”

Madame Pontfeuigne brought the baptismal robe of the crowned prince and unfolded it. The lily of the valley pattern embroidered on it was revealed along with the inner pocket of the baptismal gown.

She said, “I could feel that it was embroidered with great care.”

Idel traced carefully over her embroidery with the tips of her fingers. As Madame Pontfeuigne said, this embroidery was filled with sincerity in each stitch. Idel’s eyes, as she was looking at her embroidery, became deep as if she was reminiscing about the past.

.
.
.

When the emperor returned from official duties, the simple scenery of any other home unfolded in the empress’ palace.

– I’ve been there.

– Are you here? You had a hard time today too.

Entering the bedroom, Eidel kissed Caeron’s cheek and greeted him with a warm face.

– I miss you.

– me too.

Because their official duties had become so busy that they could no longer put it on the back burner, it was late at night before they saw each other again after having breakfast together.

Caeron, who had been tightly hugging the body of his wife who had missed her all day, lifted her up in an instant. At the same time, his steps naturally headed in the direction of the bed.

– Wait, wait!

Eidel, who knew very well his subsequent actions, urgently called Caeron over.

– I have something to do before I go to sleep today!

– A thing to do?

– Go to the table first. Come on.

At Eidel’s urging, Caeron walked to the table. On her table, the embroidery frame, needles, and colored threads she had embroidered with earlier were neatly placed.

– You didn’t forget, right? We decided to complete a gift for Lillian together.

– okay. I didn’t forget.

– I’ve been waiting to complete it with you.

As she had proven herself last night that her body had recovered to its pre-pregnancy state, Caeron did not restrict her movements as much as before.

Now that she was free of her movements, she could have completed the embroidery on her own, but Idel wanted to complete it with Caeron, as he had previously suggested.

– let me know. How do you do it?

Caeron, ready to learn, stared intently at the teacher in front of him. His expression was as calm as usual, but his blue eyes twinkled as if they were burning.

I couldn’t tell if it was because of my eagerness to learn embroidery, or my desire to finish embroidery and continue the work that Eidel had stopped me from doing.

– Now, watch what I do first.

For Caeron, who was unfamiliar with embroidery, Eidel gave a demonstration first, explaining in a quiet voice.

– Would you like to follow along now?

Eidel handed the embroidery frame and a needle with thread to Caeron. Even though he deliberately chose the largest needle, the needle in his hand seemed infinitely small.

– … … It’s not as easy as I thought.

Unlike his mind, which perfectly understood the principles of embroidery, his body could not move as flexibly as he thought. Caeron’s brows narrowed as he held the small needle with great difficulty.

Idel secretly covered the corner of his mouth as he watched the man embroidering in concentration with a serious expression. The smile that tickled my heart felt like it was going to burst out at any moment.

If it was the first time you met him… … Could you imagine seeing him like this?

Eidel’s eyes trembled slightly as she saw Caeron doing his best to grant her wishes. As her affection for her was fully conveyed through his current appearance, the corners of her child Del’s eyes suddenly became moist.

– This is the way to do it, right?

Caeron, who had barely embroidered a single stitch on her, proudly displayed her embroidery frame towards her. It looked like a student who wanted to be praised, and Idel hid the laughter that was about to burst out again. It was a strange feeling, as if I could smile and cry at the same time.

– Hmm! that’s right. Well done.

Eidel gave him a compliment while slightly clearing her throat. Until he completed the embroidery thanks to her encouragement, her eyes, sparkling with life, never left his.

.
.
.

Now it was time to present the embroidery that had been completed with Caeron to Lillian.

“His Royal Highness has arrived.”

Idel, who was lost in her thoughts, heard the maid’s words that Lillian had arrived. Lillian had also just arrived here to try on her baptismal gown.

“Umm, kya!”

Lillian, who was quietly being held in Marlene’s arms, smiled brightly when she saw Eidel. Then she stretched out her body in front of her and vigorously waved both her chubby hands in the air.

“Oh my, Your Majesty the Prince!”

Due to Lillian’s sudden behavior, Marlene was taken aback and quickly grabbed hold of the prince’s body as he leaned forward.

“Lillian!”

Idel, who was surprised, also ran to the prince’s side a month later. Idel took Lillian from Marlene and held her in her arms.

“Kyaaa!”

Lillian smiled brightly, shaking her body up and down, as if she was happy to finally be held in the arms of her long-awaited mother. A benevolent smile spread across Eidel’s lips as she looked at Lillian.

“oh my god… … !”

Meanwhile, those who were seeing the prince for the first time were busy holding their breath. In particular, Madame Pont-Feuigne, whose face was so flushed, was on the verge of shedding tears.

“You can’t be this adorable!”

A shiver as great as the one she had felt when she first saw her in the dressing-room of her grand duchess, when the empress was still her archduchess, passed through her lady-possessed body. Following Idel, a new muse seemed to have appeared before my eyes.

Originally, she was Madame Pont-Feuigne, a women’s clothing designer, but her mind was busy conjuring up designs for children’s clothing to be worn by the prince.

“Shall we dress the prince in a baptismal gown?”

“ah… … ! “That’s right!”

The baptismal gown for infants handed down from generation to generation of the Jupiter Imperial Family was of a single size, but it was necessary to try it on in advance to see if it would be uncomfortable when worn.

The meek and gentle Lillian quietly surrendered herself to her hands as she changed her clothes.

“How… … !”

When the prince put on his baptismal clothes, it was as if he was seeing a baby angel from the Bible. Everyone watching was busy exhaling admiration at Lillian.

“Kyaar!”

As the princess smiled brightly at those who could not take their eyes off her, everyone in her room took another breath and fell into wonder and ecstasy.

“… … “After the christening, we will prepare a costume for His Royal Highness and visit you again.”

Madame Pont-Feuigne spoke in a voice full of her firm determination. It was a declaration that led to the launch of Charlotte Costume’s first children’s clothing line.

* * *

The prince’s baptism was held in the main chapel of the imperial palace with the archbishop’s blessing.

The baptism ceremony, which was solemnly held with a limited number of people, ended successfully and the doors to the main chapel were finally opened.

At the edge of the high stairs leading to the main chapel, horsemen and guards holding red flagpoles stood with their backs straight.

‘I guess the christening is over!’

‘I can finally see His Royal Highness the Prince!’

The people of the empire waiting outside craned their necks here and there to watch the prince’s appearance.

“Your Majesty the Prince!”

As soon as someone shouted at the top of their voice, the prince appeared in front of the crowd for the first time. The sight of the emperor and empress, walking side by side, and the prince in the empress’s arms, came into the crowd’s view.

The prince’s fluffy black hair swayed in the cool wind. His deep blue eyes looked at the tens of thousands of people who looked up to him with curiosity.

‘You really look just like His Majesty the Emperor!’

‘It’s just like His Majesty’s childhood portrait!’

Those who owned commemorative portraits and stamps made at the time of Caeron’s birth could not hide their surprise when they saw the prince look exactly like the emperor.

But soon their surprise turned into another emotion.

“Kyaha!”

Lillian responded with her signature smile and waved her hand to those who were looking at the empire’s new future with faces full of hope and anticipation.

‘His Royal Highness is smiling just now, right?’

‘I can’t believe you’re smiling so brightly!’

‘Aren’t you dignified yet truly lovely!’

As Pierre had previously assured, everyone, regardless of age or gender, instantly fell in love with the prince’s charm. Everyone began to cheer loudly, showing respect to the prince.

“Long live His Royal Highness!”

“Long live the Empire of Jupiter!”

The noon sun filled the plaza of the main chapel, and twelve bells rang clearly as if celebrating the prince’s birth.

“It seems like the prince’s popularity will surpass yours. Is that okay?”

Eidel whispered to Caeron in a voice full of laughter. I could vividly feel the warm affection of the people of the empire toward the prince, like the sunlight shining on them.

“doesn’t care.”

“It doesn’t matter. “How important is the support of the people of the empire when looking at national affairs.”

“For me, the support and affection of just one person is enough.”

Only one person’s face was clearly reflected in Caeron’s blue retina. Idel’s cheeks turned bright red as she saw herself reflected in his eyes.

The happiness that could not be hidden was overflowing from the eyes they looked at each other. Perhaps feeling the same emotions that Caeron and Idel shared, Lillian also burst into laughter, exclaiming with excitement.

As soon as the baptism ceremony was over, newspapers containing the moment of the day were spread throughout the Jupiter Empire by quick-witted reporters.

In particular, the newspaper, which featured a photo of the emperor and empress looking at each other serenely, and the prince smiling brightly between them, with the headline “Baptism of the Century,” recorded the highest sales volume since its inception.