~Chapter 5~
By the time the applause that felt loud enough to burst her ears finally faded, Ian quietly approached Elena and said,
“The Emperor has summoned me for a private audience. I’ll be back.”
“…Yes, please go.”
She was scared to stay in the banquet hall without him, but if the Emperor called, she couldn’t stop him. Without Ian, she felt like all these nobles would turn into hyenas and tear her apart. After Ian walked away with his long strides, Elena stood quietly at the edge of the hall.
Soft music continued, then shifted into a sweet, gentle melody that filled the room. Elena took a light wine from a passing servant’s tray and quietly watched the nobles dancing. She didn’t know how long she stood there like that.
“Oh my, for a mere tribute, her dress is ridiculously fancy.”
“Exactly. Isn’t Wales full of starving commoners right now?”
“If your father is useless, you should at least have the sense to behave humbly, but look at her—dressed up like that…”
“She’s a vulgar bastard child. No wonder she likes flashy things. It’s in her blood.”
“Poor Lady Helena. She must’ve been waiting for His Grace to return from the war.”
“Helena’s not the only one. I heard the Grand Duke’s household was getting ready for a wedding the moment he returned. And that princess stole it all away.”
“I can’t believe we have to watch a bastard parade around pretending to be the Grand Duchess. It’s disgusting.”
“Ugh, enough. She’ll hear you. Let’s move. It smells filthy around here.”
She had already heard everything… No, she was sure they wanted her to hear it. Even hearing them insult her as the Grand Duchess, Elena couldn’t make a single response. They all knew the truth anyway—that she was a hollow title, a tribute offered to the Empire. A pathetic Grand Duchess who wasn’t even a match for the Grand Duke’s mistress.
Her feet hurt, maybe because of the high heels. Her chest felt tight. Still holding the untouched wine, Elena stepped out onto the terrace. Even though it was midsummer, the cool breeze soothed her and loosened the tightness in her chest.
The bright moon lit up the gorgeous garden. Compared to the simple, humble palace of her homeland, this place overwhelmed her completely.
“Aaah, tasty.”
She sipped her wine. Its sweetness coated her tongue, washing away the harsh words she’d heard inside.
“Huu…”
But the sweetness faded, replaced by bitterness. And with that bitterness came their voices again.
[Vulgar bastard.]
[Tribute.]
[Helena.]
“I must be crazy…”
Then tears spilled from Elena’s eyes. She hadn’t wanted to cry—if she cried, the makeup Faye worked so hard on would be ruined.
“Hic…”
It was so unfair. None of this was what she wanted. So why did they blame her? She never wanted to be offered as tribute. She never wanted to be born a bastard. None of it was her choice—so why hate her for it? Tears kept falling. The more she tried to stop, the more they came.
“Your Grace?”
A sudden voice from behind made Elena freeze. She turned around without even wiping her tears.
“Wh–who… are you…?”
“Please take this.”
Ignoring her question, the man simply offered her a handkerchief. Embarrassed that she’d been caught crying, Elena took it and wiped her tears. The warmth of the cloth felt oddly comforting.
“Thank you.”
“I’m Kyle Braden, Count Braden, Your Grace.”
“Ah… Count Braden. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to speak so formally.”
“No, it’s fine. Thank you for the handkerchief. I dirtied it, so I’ll wash it and return it.”
“Yes, I’d appreciate that. It’s a very important handkerchief to me.”
After wiping her eyes, Elena finally got a proper look at him. Snow-white silver hair, sparkling green eyes, tall and broad-shouldered—almost as striking as Ian.
“Then… I should go—”
She tried to leave out of embarrassment, but the man gently held her wrist.
“Your Grace, may I ask why you were crying?”
“What? Oh, that’s…”
“…Did the nobles say something to you?”
“No, nothing like that. These new shoes just hurt…”
He looked shocked by her clumsy excuse. Then he released her wrist and knelt in front of her, looking up with warm, honey-like gentleness that stunned her.
“If your feet hurt, may I take a quick look? I’m not very skilled, but I have some basic medical knowledge…”
“N–no, it’s okay!”
“Then… please ask your maid to apply a hot compress once you return home. It’ll relax the tense muscles.”
“Yes… thank you.”
He stood up and gave her a soft smile. Without thinking, Elena smiled back.
“Wife.”
A voice came from behind. Elena froze mid-smile. She kept her back turned as the footsteps came closer.
“I greet the Grand Duke of Leonid.”
“Count Braden.”
“I’ll take my leave then, Your Grace. I hope to see you again.”
The count smiled at Elena, then left the terrace. As soon as the door closed, Ian spoke.
“What were you two talking about?”
“…Nothing special.”
“And what exactly is that ‘nothing special’?”
“My feet hurt, so he helped me for a moment.”
Ian didn’t respond. He just stepped forward and snatched the handkerchief from her hand.
“Then whose handkerchief is this?”
“…”
“Wife.”
His tone was the way one scolds a child, and Elena’s body stiffened. His voice wasn’t angry—just cold enough to make her shake.
“C–Count Braden’s…”
“And why did you accept it?”
“I… I was crying… and he noticed and lent it to me…”
Something in his silent stare made Elena lift her head. What she saw made her breath stop.
“…”
“…!”
Ian’s eyes were ice—colder than she’d ever seen. She quickly looked away. After a long silence, Ian leaned in close and whispered.
“I will return this handkerchief to Count Braden. Is that alright?”
“Y–yes…”
She knew it wasn’t proper etiquette, but she didn’t dare say it. She didn’t want to see those cold eyes again. Even fake warmth would be better.
“Wife, it’s time to return.”
Ian held out his large hand and took hers.
“How’s married life? Enjoying it?”
“Yes, it’s an honor that you ask, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor joked lightly, but Ian didn’t fall for it. He calmly answered with a blank expression, as always.
“What do you mean? As if I have the right to worry about anyone.”
“You absolutely do, Your Majesty.”
“Oh? Then let me worry about your Grand Duchess.”
“…”
At the sudden mention of Elena, Ian’s eyes narrowed. The Emperor laughed and raised both hands in surrender.
“Alright, alright. Can’t I make a joke?”
“Your Majesty.”
“I said I understand. I haven’t forgotten the promise between us. But really, you won’t tell her about that?”
“No. Never in my life.”
The Emperor chuckled and spoke in a teasing tone that pierced Ian like a knife.
“Because if she finds out, she’ll hate you for it?”
“…”
“If she learns later, she’ll probably despise you.”
“That’s a burden I must bear alone.”
The Emperor, amused at first, suddenly grew serious.
“It’s because of you that I could rise to this position. Don’t forget the oath you swore to me.”
“I have never forgotten—not even for a moment. You’ve kept your promises. I trust you’ll keep the rest as well.”
“…”
“If you do, Your Majesty… I will be your loyal subject forever.”
Following Ian’s lead, they left the banquet hall and walked down the steps of the Moon Palace. Their carriage was already waiting. Elena climbed in with Ian’s escort, and he followed. The carriage started moving, but neither spoke.
She didn’t know how long the suffocating silence lasted. Then Ian finally spoke.
“Elena.”
“…Yes?”
“Do not get close to Count Braden.”
Elena lifted her head. Ian’s face was smiling softly—but his eyes were not. His eyes were like a freezing storm, staring straight at her.
“Is… there a reason?” she asked, forcing courage she didn’t have.
Ian didn’t reply at first. He simply looked at her with those icy eyes and that picture-perfect smile.
“…He has a bad reputation with women. So I’d prefer you not get close to him.”
Hearing that, Elena remembered how easily the count approached her. Maybe it really was because he was used to being around many women. She nodded, convinced by the explanation.
“I’ll be careful.”
“And I’ll return the handkerchief to him.”
“Yes, please. I told him I’d wash it and give it back, so… thank you.”
Ian nodded. Silence fell again. Elena looked out the window. The full moon lit the road vividly. The sound of the horses, the beautiful night scenery, and the beautiful yet cold man beside her—
It was all mixed together in a night that was heartbreakingly beautiful.
