~Chapter 44~
But all of this was exactly as expected. I furrowed my brows pitifully.
“I apologize for failing to satisfy Your Majesty’s exquisite taste. I thought the precious jewel would surely please you…”
“Precious? That’s not possible. Didn’t you just pick it up by the river? I’ve seen all sorts of jewels, but I’ve never seen one like this…”
The Empress trailed off in her words.
Oh my, you just realized now? Do you even know what that is?
That was a jewel that Vessus was planning to import from Bastitas, a desert country in the south. In other words, it’s the product he’s been putting so much effort into recently.
The reason Vessus kept entering Étienne’s territory was that he had to pass through there to get to Bastitas.
“I truly apologize. I’ll make sure to tell His Highness Vessus that importing such things is a waste of national resources.”
The Empress’s expression darkened.
I had effectively belittled the work of her beloved son.
“Oh, no. My eyes must be playing tricks today. Looking again, it’s truly beautiful!”
I clasped my hands together in a purely innocent expression.
“Is that really so? Earlier, you said it looked like a green frog.”
“I meant that I was amazed at how nature’s colors were captured in a jewel.”
“Oh, so that’s what you meant. I almost misunderstood because of my ignorance.”
“Thank you. I like it.”
The Empress spoke with a sigh.
“I’m glad you say that. Ah, and there’s one more thing I’d like to give you.”
A new box was placed before her. The Empress looked at it suspiciously. Reluctantly, she opened the box, and something pale appeared.
“This, too, is said to be a new snack popular among the nobles of Bastitas. Please try some.”
Bastitas was a southern desert nation with little trade with the Ledona Empire. So, it was a convenient excuse.
Before the Empress, the Emperor quickly popped some into his mouth.
“Oh, at first it’s hard and sweet, then it gradually softens. What a fascinating flavor.”
Encouraged by the Emperor’s positive reaction, the Empress cautiously tasted it as well.
“This is enjoyable. It’s fun to chew. What is this called?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, this is yeot. Yeot.”
I had worked hard to make it.
“Yeot?”
“Yes. Offering yeot is said to mean respect and love. If you add heartfelt gestures along with it, it’s even better.”
I placed one hand politely on my elbow and extended my middle finger of the other hand upright.
Confidently, I presented it to the Empress.
“Please, have some yeot, Your Majesty.”
Before I knew it, the music grew louder, and people began gathering in groups, chatting again.
The Emperor and Empress danced to signal the start, and other nobles joined in, twirling around.
I took a moment to relax and looked around the banquet hall with a more composed feeling than yesterday.
Vessus and Sophienne had not yet appeared. The protagonists usually make a dramatic entrance during the middle of a banquet, drawing attention.
Perhaps because of that, the gaze of the guests was increasingly focused on Étienne and me.
Could it be because I’m pretty?
That thought was fleeting, as I realized it wasn’t the only reason.
After creating such a dramatic scene yesterday and rushing out, it was only natural to attract attention.
“Drink slowly. Unless you want to get drunk and dance weirdly again.”
Étienne’s teasing—not really teasing—made me frown sharply.
“I was just holding it for show, okay?”
I said that while quickly trying to recall the memory.
Drunk? Dancing? I didn’t remember dancing. Was it real? Or a lie?
Étienne’s face remained shiny and smooth.
Yeah, it was more likely that I had danced without realizing it than that Étienne was lying.
Accepting this new embarrassment, I gently set my wine glass down and instead picked up a small finger food and popped it into my mouth.
Étienne stared at me, then glanced down at his own wine glass and rubbed it lightly.
“When did you prepare all this?”
“I didn’t want to, like you said, but it would’ve been rude not to put in effort. There’s so much delicious food to enjoy, after all.”
Étienne chuckled softly.
“And about that hand gesture.”
“What?”
“The middle finger. You always do it secretly behind my back, but it had a good meaning? I thought it meant something unpleasant, making me feel weird.”
His expression looked strangely amused as he said that.
I quickly looked away.
He saw that too…? I thought he didn’t notice…
When I didn’t respond, he seemed to assume I didn’t understand, and he opened his hand.
“This gesture.”
“Oh, no!”
Of course, my fingers were long and straight, making it feel even more provocative than my own middle finger.
Feeling like I was corrupting someone I shouldn’t, I hastily grabbed his hand, curling his middle finger into a fist.
“Étienne, don’t do this.”
“Why not?”
I held both of his hands tightly, preventing him from spreading his fingers again.
“Just… just don’t… I was wrong.”
Étienne’s lips curved into a beautiful, amused smile.
“Okay.”
Normally, I would have argued further, but his gentle compliance felt unfamiliar.
What is this? Is he in a particularly good mood today? Or was it that he liked the gift I prepared for the Empress so much?
Either way… good is good.
While exchanging this trivial banter with Étienne, a servant approached. The Emperor requested Étienne’s presence.
I glanced at the Emperor seated far away on the throne. He didn’t look particularly pleased.
He seemed fine when tasting the yeot earlier. What could have happened?
Étienne looked at the Emperor once, then turned back to me, raising his eyebrows.
“I should go. Will you be okay alone? If it’s too much, you can stay in the room.”
“We’re here at the banquet, after all. Don’t worry. I won’t cause trouble. I even had etiquette training for today.”
“Alright. Don’t drink the wine.”
“I’ll just take three sips.”
“You didn’t dance with me first, so no other man can ask you to dance.”
“That’s a shame.”
Étienne glared at me, and I pretended not to notice.
“Don’t follow strangers.”
“You think I’m some child? Look, ten fingers, no tail.”
I spread my hands wide in active defense. Yet Étienne still seemed like he had more to say and lingered.
“Go quickly, the Emperor is waiting.”
“…Alright.”
He turned away. Just as he started to leave, he spun back in front of me, bent slightly, and whispered into my ear.
“I’ll say it one more time. Don’t even look at other men.”
With that, he disappeared as quickly as the wind.
Oh… what was that?
Blushing, I gulped down some wine.
With him gone, I had nothing to do and fidgeted with my dress.
Then, a young lady in a bright yellow dress approached and bowed her head.
“Madame Demerov, I’m Amila Andres.”
“Lady Andres.”
I smiled lightly and called her by name, making her stiff expression melt into a wide smile. She asked to be called Amila comfortably.
“You look so beautiful today. When the doors opened, it truly looked like a couple descended from heaven. I wondered who could marry someone as beautiful as Prince Étienne, and indeed! You two are perfect together! Oh, I’m sorry for speaking out of turn.”
“It’s alright. That’s kind of you to say.”
I meant it sincerely. Just yesterday, I had felt like a rag hanging on the prince’s sleeve. But today was different. And her words were directed at the new me, not the old Dalia.
Seeing her converse easily with me, other young ladies gradually gathered around.
Their words were all similar—saying I was beautiful, Étienne was beautiful, and I was equally beautiful compared to him, and so on.
Did I get tired of hearing the same thing repeatedly? Absolutely not.
Hearing I was beautiful over and over was exhilarating! Compliments were the best!
Moreover, I had a cunning plan of my own.
“Oh ho ho, I was naturally gifted, but this dress helps too.”
“Indeed. Look at this lovely color and the delicate jewel embellishments. Such elegance I’ve never seen before.”
“Here. If you’re interested, take one.”
I fished a small piece of paper from my sleeve.
“What is this? Designer Natan?”
The young ladies’ heads crowded toward the small paper I offered.
“It’s a business card. It contains essential information in a small, portable format. If you need a dress, you can come to the address and mention this name.”
Apparently, business cards were unfamiliar in this world, but so what? As long as they come and spend money, it’s all good!
“Oh my, how cute! Could I have one too?”
Fortunately, they liked the cards. Each one eagerly took one, showing off their connection with me. The cards quickly ran out.
“But… is Étienne always this kind to you, Madame?”
A young lady with a pink ribbon held my hand tightly and asked. Her eyes sparkled.
“Huh? Kind?”
The young ladies giggled. I wasn’t joking.
“Oh my, how interesting. You say he’s kind?”
I recalled all his past actions and words.
Go away, disappear, divorce, stupid… which part of that counts as kind?
