Chapter 45
“On the Crown Prince’s birthday, I had to prepare a gift in a hurry, so I went out for a bit and happened to meet Lord Tyros.”
At the mention of the Empress, the surrounding crowd stirred. I slightly bowed in greeting, as I had been taught, and Leon also respectfully acknowledged her.
“Ah, Duke. It’s been a while.”
“Your Majesty, the Empress. I hope you have been well.”
“As you can see. And you, what brings you here?”
“I had prepared a play as a gift for His Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday, but I was unable to enter.”
“Oh my, that sounds exciting. Everyone enjoys a play.”
The Empress stood by the door. The doormen reluctantly opened it, and Leon bowed to the elderly man.
“Thank you.”
“I did nothing at all,” the old man said slyly, following behind the Empress. Leon, I, and the troupe members followed after them.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I’ll explain later,” came the reply.
It seemed the old man knew Leon. Then, the Empress turned and looked at Leon.
“Duke.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I trust you.”
With that, she turned and walked away. The two tall, broad-striding figures quickly disappeared from view. She seemed more like a warrior than an Empress.
When we reached the banquet hall, many people had already gathered. It seemed we were not the only ones preparing a performance. Dancers, musicians, and others brought by other nobles were assembled in one corner of the hall.
“What, we were the only ones forced into this?”
“Exactly. We expected as much. But who was that earlier? Seemed like they knew the Duke.”
“I don’t know. They didn’t say…”
I naturally stayed with the troupe, slightly apart from Leon, but he soon glanced around and walked over to me.
“What are you doing here? Come with me.”
“I was going anyway, you know.”
Leon extended his hand. He looked directly at me, urging me to take it. Flustered, I placed my hand on top of his.
“Oh my.”
I turned to see Anna and Leuke smiling, looking intrigued.
“Go ahead, miss.”
“Have fun, Melias.”
I was almost dragged to the center of the banquet hall. I saw Katia and the Crown Prince together. The Duke whispered to me quietly.
“Time to work.”
“Yes, yes. Let’s win this.”
But first, we had to greet the Emperor and Empress. A red carpet ran through the center of the hall, and on the elevated chairs sat the Empress and Emperor I had seen earlier. Unlike the Empress, the Emperor didn’t radiate a strong aura. He seemed like a grandpa in fancy clothes. The Crown Prince resembled his mother quite a bit.
“Go.”
Meeting someone of such high status for the first time made my heart pound. In my previous life, I had seen chairpersons of various organizations, but this felt on a completely different level.
“What should I say?”
“Say nothing.”
Holding my hand over Leon’s, I followed his pace. I glanced at him and mirrored his bow when he bent. Amidst the silence, I felt the Empress’s gaze and awkwardly smiled while slightly lifting my head. She studied me with sharp, unblinking eyes.
“Which family is this young lady from?”
“From the Warren family, Your Majesty.”
“A cute young lady.”
I bent my knees once more to show proper respect.
“Enjoy your time.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Imperial Majesty.”
Leon guided my hand and moved me to the side. He whispered softly in my ear.
“Not bad.”
“Are there really bad cases?”
“Of course.”
He didn’t elaborate, and before I could ask, Katia and the Crown Prince approached us.
“Thank you for coming.”
Katia smiled gracefully. Leon ignored her gaze and looked at the Crown Prince, who, unlike his usual sullen, proud expression, smiled confidently.
“Happy birthday, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you enjoy the gift from the North?”
“Oh, the fruit? My tongue tingled from it.”
If it was the fruit Leon had given before, it was smooth, sweet, and aromatic—hardly tingling. The tingling must have been caused by the fact Leon came all the way here. And that wasn’t all he had brought.
“You didn’t chew the sapphires, did you?”
Nobles from different regions customarily send regional specialties, silks, livestock, jewels, or leather as tributes.
“You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you. Ha ha ha!”
The Crown Prince laughed, though it didn’t look genuinely happy. Compared to him, Leon’s enjoyment seemed almost unfamiliar.
“I have a special performance prepared for His Highness. I hope you enjoy it.”
“Oh, I’ll try not to fall asleep,” the Crown Prince said, almost openly expressing dislike. The more he acted that way, the happier Leon seemed.
“You look well. You’ve been comfortable, I presume.”
This time Katia turned her attention to me.
“Yes, I’ve been eating well and preparing diligently for the banquet!”
I no longer cared about petty power struggles. Staging the play itself was our victory. Besides, Leuke was with Katia, so there was no need to provoke unnecessarily.
“That’s good. Are all the troupe members well?”
Recalling the tense atmosphere on the way here, Leon’s blood-stained clothes, and the sounds in the carriage, I smiled brightly.
“Yes, of course!”
“Well done.”
Katia smiled mockingly, linking arms with the Crown Prince and turning away. I sighed lightly. Noticing people glancing at me, whispering behind fans, I realized the conversation wasn’t favorable. Leon, however, remained indifferent.
“What do we do now?”
“Greetings.”
Before I could finish, strangers approached—a plump middle-aged couple. Though polite, they seemed awkward. The couple knew about the Crown Prince’s strained relations and the Duke’s position wasn’t enviable. Yet they could not ignore the Northern Duke’s presence.
“Duke, how have you been?”
“Thank you. You look well.”
A few formal exchanges later, the couple seemed relieved. Leon graciously received greetings from several people, though he seemed more relaxed when speaking with the Crown Prince earlier.
“Will we keep greeting like this?”
“When a dance song comes on, people will dance.”
“And us?”
“Of course.”
“Better than greetings, right?”
“Ha, indeed.”
I wanted the play to start quickly, but the royal banquet proceeded in order. People first exchanged greetings, then danced, watched performances, and danced again. The performance order was drawn by lot, with later slots less favorable since guests often wandered off to tea rooms or gardens.
“Looks like Miss Schacht will soon be engaged, huh?”
“If nothing unexpected happens, yes.”
Music shifted, and whispers spread. Katia and the Crown Prince began the first dance. Though seemingly well-matched, they looked more like a business pairing than a romantic one, though others might perceive them differently.
“How nice it must be, trusting each other so deeply.”
“Remember Miss Schacht’s birthday? The Crown Prince presented her with a diamond necklace publicly. What do you think that signifies?”
Though they seemed focused on each other, to me it was just a couple-themed performance. Still, as an image, they were undeniably a striking pair. It felt like the space itself existed for them, revealing their talent as performers—likely why they were famous in social circles.
“Let’s dance a song too.”
“I’m not good at dancing.”
“It’s fine.”
I had no idea what to do. I lagged half a beat behind each move, while Leon nearly carried me through the steps. Conversing while dancing, like in movies or novels, was impossible for me, and I was exhausted after one song.
“You really can’t move well.”
“Your Highness dances so well.”
Leon led me to the balcony. I wanted to rest but needed fresh air.
“My stamina is terrible.”
“I’m just unfamiliar with dancing.”
“Why isn’t this working?”
Leon demonstrated simple steps. Even I, unfamiliar with social dances, could see he had innate skill.
“Try moving forward and back while stepping. Start left.”
“Like this?”
I tried, but my movements were stiff.
“Don’t hop around.”
Leon moved fluidly. I looked like a bouncing fool.
“Bend your knees. Keep heels down. Match this posture.”
He bent one knee, extended the other foot.
“Done.”
Even just bending my knee made my thighs tremble.
“Now straighten the bent knee while pulling the other foot. Stand on tiptoe. Keep your waist straight.”
Though confusing, Leon’s slow demonstration allowed me to follow one step. He watched me with curious eyes.
“Strange?”
“Try alone.”
I followed the step. Glancing at him, his expression was stern.
“Social dancing is tough.”
“Hahaha!”
He burst into laughter. Though amusing, I hadn’t hoped to see this.
“Haha, sorry. But really, ah, haha.”
“So you can laugh too.”
“Yes, but anyone seeing this would laugh. Ahaha, hahaha…”
After laughing, he suddenly stiffened.
“Why isn’t there a dance instructor?”
Partly because I’m a modern person, and my aunt had never provided lessons. I shrugged.
“Ah, my apologies. I’m sorry.”
“No, it was nice seeing you laugh.”
Usually stern, he looked bright and cheerful while laughing. His low laugh was pleasant.
“You’re more handsome when smiling.”
“Is that so? Anyway, let’s go inside. We should keep observing the situation.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Inside, nobles appeared tired, sitting here and there. Katia and the Crown Prince sat together in one spot.
“Starting soon,” Leon murmured, observing the performers gathered at one side. Servants handed them boxes, likely to draw performance order. Applause drew attention.
“While you rest, enjoy performances sponsored by our guests. First up, the Forest Troupe, sponsored by His Grace the Duke!”
Sponsored? I looked at Leon in surprise.
“You’ll see this through to the end. Give plenty of support too.”
“Of course.”
Others looked surprised. Apparently, it was unexpected for the Duke to sponsor a troupe.
“The Duke sponsors a troupe?”
“Hmm, makes sense, given their theatrical popularity.”
“Never seen the Forest Troupe’s plays? They’re amazing. While everyone clings to heroic tales, they pioneered new approaches.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Did you hear? While everyone was obsessed with heroes, the Forest Troupe tried something new first.”
I nudged Leon.
“That’s because someone threatened them with death if they didn’t comply.”
“Focus on the play.”
“They’re still building the stage.”
The servants connected low wooden pallets to make the stage. Once finished, it stood in the center, surrounded by seats. I caught Leuke’s eye and waved, mouthing:
‘Do your best! Show them!’
