Chapter 62
The Imperial Banquet
Time passed quickly, and the day of the Imperial banquet finally arrived.
Riena woke up early in the morning and was immediately swept away by Amy and the other maids to begin her preparations.
She bathed in hot water infused with rose oil, received a full-body massage with oils, and had her hair carefully treated.
Once those first steps were done, Madame Lachapelle joined in to handle her hair and makeup.
As planned, her hair was braided into a single elegant style, pearl powder was dusted on to give a graceful glow, and once she changed into her gown, everything was complete.
Madame Lachapelle and Amy showered her with compliments, insisting she looked beautiful, but Riena couldn’t hear a word of it. She was far too nervous.
A little later, she saw Cassel, who had slicked back his hair with pomade and was dressed impeccably. But unlike last time, she couldn’t react at all.
That was because she was just as nervous.
Even on the way to the Imperial Palace in the carriage, Riena couldn’t hide her anxiety.
She had attended a few parties at noble houses when she came to the capital with her father.
But now, the circumstances were entirely different.
First of all, the words Imperial Ball carried their own heavy weight. This would be larger in scale than any gathering Riena had ever attended, and any rumor from such an event would spread far.
On top of that, members of the Imperial family would attend. With luck—or perhaps misfortune—they might even see the Emperor himself.
No, in truth, given the influence of the Duke of Winkler and the personal letters from the Emperor and Empress, it was almost certain that they would be presented to the Imperial family.
Because of this, for the past week Riena had been practicing formal greetings to royalty with Noah’s tutor, even though she had never expected she’d need them.
Secondly, Riena’s position within noble society had changed.
Once, she was just one among countless noble ladies. Some remembered the prestige of her late father, the Frontier Count, and paid her a little attention, but that was all.
Riena herself had never tried to mingle much, and others never went out of their way to approach her either.
But now, she was publicly known as Cassel Winkler’s fiancée.
When news of the engagement to the cold-blooded, steel-hearted Duke was announced, nobles across the capital grew curious—what kind of woman could capture him?
From the moment Cassel replied that he would attend the Imperial ball, people had been restless with anticipation to finally see the mysterious fiancée whose name and face no one knew.
When Riena unconsciously sighed, clasping her gloved hands together, Cassel spoke from across the carriage.
“Are you nervous?”
“A little. No… honestly, a lot.”
Seeing how pale she had become, Cassel moved to sit beside her. He carefully removed her white lace glove and firmly took her cold hand in his.
His hand was warm.
“There’s no need to be nervous. If it becomes too much for you, we can leave at any time. Or we can even turn the carriage around right now.”
“That’s impossible. Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, sent us letters personally, and we already replied that we’d attend. If we refuse now, what will they think of us? His Majesty would surely look on us unfavorably.”
“I’ll handle everything. You don’t need to worry. What matters most is your opinion, Ria.”
“And how would you handle it?”
“I could simply say I fell ill and couldn’t attend. It won’t affect you in the slightest. And no matter what, not even the Imperial family could openly oppose or alienate Winkler.”
Looking down at their joined hands, Riena suddenly burst out laughing.
You, sick? Who would believe that?
“No matter how you put it, everyone would assume the problem was with me.”
“Would they now?”
“Of course.”
Cassel hadn’t been joking, but somehow his seriousness eased her tension.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry. We’ll go, show our faces, and if it becomes unbearable, I’ll say so and we can leave.”
“Promise me you’ll tell me, whenever that is.”
“I will.”
“And stay by my side as much as possible.”
“Yes. Thank you… for caring.”
Just knowing Cassel would be by her side made her heart lighter. Thanks to that, by the time their grand carriage bearing the ducal crest reached the Imperial Palace, Riena had regained some composure.
“Are you truly all right?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine.”
Riena entered the ballroom on Cassel’s arm.
“The Duke of Winkler and Lady Dyke have arrived!”
The herald’s announcement silenced the once-boisterous hall in an instant, and countless gazes turned toward them.
Riena flinched, but Cassel squeezed her hand reassuringly, steadying her nerves.
As the pair walked forward, people stepped aside to clear a path, allowing them to proceed straight to the center of the hall.
Only then did nobles begin to approach them with interest.
“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Your Grace, and Lady Dyke. To share the same hall as you both is a blessing for our house.”
“Your Grace, do you recall meeting me some time ago?”
But Cassel skillfully dismissed them all and led Riena to a quieter corner.
Thankfully, no one pressed further.
She overheard whispers behind them—“I thought he’d changed since taking a fiancée, but he’s still the same. Best not provoke him unless you want to bleed.” Clearly, Cassel’s reputation still held strong.
“Shall I bring you a drink?”
“No, I’m fine. Just stay here with me.”
“As you wish.”
Cassel moved a little closer and took her hand again. Even through their gloves, the warmth between them was undeniable.
How long they sat like that, Riena wasn’t sure. But soon the herald announced in a booming voice the arrival of the Emperor, the Empress, and the First Princess.
Everyone bowed deeply.
“Thank you all for attending. That we pass this year in safety is proof that Karwin watches over our Empire.”
The crowd bent even lower in agreement.
“Tonight, set aside your worries and enjoy yourselves freely.”
With that, the Emperor took his seat on the dais, the Empress and Princess settling gracefully on either side.
Cassel released Riena’s hand after gently rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.
“I’ll go and pay my respects to Their Majesties and Her Highness.”
Riena quickly caught his arm before he could leave.
“Let’s go together. I should greet them too.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“No, I came as your partner. And since Her Majesty the Empress sent me a letter personally, it would only be proper etiquette.”
Cassel hesitated, then nodded.
“Very well. Let’s go.”
Again, people stepped aside, and the two walked across the hall to where the Emperor awaited.
The Emperor rose with a smile when he saw Cassel.
“Oh, Duke Winkler. At last, we meet again.”
Cassel bowed properly, kneeling on one knee and pressing his lips lightly to the Emperor’s ring.
“It has been too long, Your Majesty. How have you been? Even in the far north, word of your praise reaches us.”
“Haha, I’ve lived as always. But tell me, Duke—why not spend more time here in the capital? Many here would benefit from your presence.”
“I will do my best.”
It wasn’t an enthusiastic promise, but the Emperor seemed satisfied enough and smiled. Then he turned to Riena, extending his hand.
“So, you must be the Duke’s fiancée, said to be the most talked-about young lady in the capital these days.”
Riena bent one knee gracefully and kissed his ring.
“I am Riena Dyke, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, Dyke—I know the name well. I met your father, the Count, several times. He was a most impressive knight, and I still remember him clearly. You have his eyes—just as firm and resolute as his gaze.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty.”
She rose, bowing her head slightly.
The Emperor continued.
“Count Dyke was a man of honor and great ability. A rare knight indeed. I was deeply grieved to lose him so early. May his soul rest in peace—I’m sure such a good man rests now beside Karwin.”
“I believe my late father would be deeply moved by Your Majesty’s generous words.”
“I look forward to seeing how you, Lady Dyke, will carry on his legacy.”
“I will do my utmost.”
