A Stranger Wearing the Name of Your Wife - Chapter 4

“To His Majesty Ludwig, the 21st Emperor of the Great Sun, the Richter Empire, I, Victoria of House Liechtenstein, offer my greetings.”

With help from Brother Fort, I stepped down from the carriage and greeted my eldest brother, Brother Rui, who stood with a group of nobles and knights behind him. Since I returned unmarried, I used my original family name. I handed Ingrid over to Anna, gathered my skirt with both hands, and gave a deep curtsy—an official kneeling bow.

This kind of bow, performed only before the emperor, was a formal gesture where one knelt so deeply that the knees touched the ground. As I carried out the correct form, Brother Rui, who had been about to run over to me, took a deep breath. This was a public ceremony. I had to do it properly.

“I welcome back the flower of the moon who rules the night—our beautiful Princess Victoria of the Richter Empire. Take my hand.”

“Thank you very much.”

Smiling gently, I took my eldest brother’s hand. It’s exhausting to stand up from that posture on your own—I’m grateful for the help.

“It’s been a while, Brother Rui. Let me introduce Ingrid too.”

“Of course.”

I took my daughter from Anna and showed her to Brother Rui. Having just woken up from being passed between arms, Ingrid blinked her big eyes. Her deep blue eyes, inherited from the Liechtenstein royal line, reflected both my and my brother’s faces.

“Her features and her coloring—without a doubt, she carries the bl00d of Liechtenstein. I will adopt my niece Ingrid and treat her as a princess. Record it as such and handle it accordingly.”

With a voice used to giving orders, he affirmed Ingrid’s place. I felt relieved. Now there was no worry of her being taken from me. Was I t Brother Eck who anticipated my concern?

I smiled and nodded to the nobles who greeted me politely. Of course, there were some who resented my safe return. But no noble would be foolish enough to openly defy the emperor. The Imperial Knights, resting their hands on the hilts of their swords, greeted me with a deep bow.

These were people who existed only to protect the royal family and were ready to sacrifice even their own kin if ordered. Seeing familiar, nostalgic faces made me smile softly.

“I look forward to working with you again.”

“““Welcome home, Princess.”””

Surrounded by my former guards and maids, I finally felt that I was truly home. Leaving the gazes of the nobles behind, I moved deeper into the palace. Once we entered the living area, everyone’s expressions softened.

“Brother Rui, I will explain everything.”

“Alright. Let’s have some tea while we wait for Eck.”

Formally, he is Emperor Ludwig, but we call him Brother Rui as a nickname. Hearing me call him the same way I used to before marriage made his expression soften. The room we entered was large—a place for family to relax together. All three of my brothers and I have different mothers, but we’ve been close since childhood.

This room was made when our mothers moved into the detached palaces after a change in succession. The furniture was high-quality but not flashy, and the curtains and carpets were mainly calm shades of green. The soft ivory-colored walls were decorated with landscape paintings, giving a gentle, elegant atmosphere.

“It hasn’t changed.”

“Tria’s the one who always rearranges things.”

“If it weren’t for Tria, no one would touch it.”

Brother Fort shrugged and flopped onto the sofa. Brother Rui sat gracefully on a separate couch and neatly adjusted the cape behind him. He brushed back his beautiful blond hair. As always, he was dazzlingly handsome.

“Brother Rui, I’ll let Ingrid rest now.”

“Eck will be disappointed, but she already looks sleepy.”

With Brother Rui’s permission, Anna gently picked up Ingrid. Surrounded by knights, she was led away. From the hallway, we heard a child’s cry—right as Brother Eck entered the room, moving at his usual relaxed pace.