Chapter 24:
Beware of That Man
The dreams of the many men who harbored grand ambitions of making Celia their wife were shattered in an instant—all by a single word from Jeremy.
All around the banquet hall, there was a sharp clatter of glass breaking. The wine glasses in the hands of the men slipped and shattered on the floor, staining the surface a dark red.
“Now then, I hope you’ll all be sure to attend my coronation as Emperor in two weeks!”
Jeremy observed the stunned crowd with a satisfied smile. As he lifted one corner of his mouth, he wrapped an arm around Celia’s waist—an unmistakable display that she was his woman.
Leaving the shocked gazes behind, Jeremy downed his wine in one gulp. A wave of murmurs spread among the crowd.
The Crown Prince himself had just publicly called Celia his consort. The men who had been eyeing her were now left like dogs who had chased a chicken only to lose it completely.
This was a clear declaration: he had no intention of letting Celia leave the imperial palace.
Among everyone in the banquet hall, only Celia herself remained perfectly composed.
Earlier, Crown Prince Jeremy had stood in front of Dietrich’s estate, ready to escort Celia.
—Dietrich, don’t come to the banquet. If you’re caught, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.
She’d had a feeling something like this would happen when Jeremy had grabbed her wrist to keep Dietrich in check.
He had repeatedly licked his lips while admiring her in the white mermaid-style dress. Just before entering the hall, he had whispered:
“To celebrate my birthday, I will give you a most magnificent gift.”
And this—this—was the result.
A gift she never asked for, one she wouldn’t take even if forced upon her.
Not an official position, just the ambiguous status of a concubine who could be tossed aside whenever he grew bored.
What a farce.
The Crown Prince had lost nothing and gained everything—namely, Celia, the object of all the men’s envy.
One after another, the men at the banquet drowned their frustration with wine.
She was taken first by the Emperor, and now by the Crown Prince.
Even though imperial power had weakened, they were still of the royal family. Who dared to oppose them?
They all wanted Celia for themselves, but none dared to risk their necks to claim her.
Gabriel, meanwhile, watched the scene unfold with amusement.
“Mother, look at that. That sly fox has already managed to seduce His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“A concubine, not even an empress. So, he gets the pleasure without giving up a shred of power.”
“She may look fine, but I bet Celia is furious on the inside. Just when she thought she was free of the Emperor, she’s now fallen into the hands of the Crown Prince.”
In the midst of the noise, Gabriel giggled while chatting with Hariel.
Then, amid the crowd’s murmuring, a cold voice cut through the air.
“Your Highness.”
It was Eleon.
As Eleon stepped forward, people instinctively made way. Behind him, Balt followed, his heavy steps echoing ominously.
Eleon walked through the crowd and stopped in front of the platform.
Though he stood below, his tall stature put him almost at eye level with Jeremy on the raised stage.
Jeremy’s smile briefly cracked at the sudden interruption.
In contrast, Eleon greeted him with a beaming smile and a congratulatory message.
“Happy birthday, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Eleon.”
“However…”
Eleon trailed off and slowly surveyed the room, as if admiring the chaos and confusion on everyone’s faces. His gaze settled on Celia.
In his enigmatic blue eyes, a strange glint flickered. Celia suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
Sensing the intense gaze, she turned to meet Eleon’s eyes.
Eleon smiled gently and introduced himself to her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Celia. I am Eleon Gredrick of the Duke Gredrick household.”
The whispers among the crowd grew louder. Eleon was well-known for his chivalry toward women.
But now, despite the Crown Prince publicly claiming Celia as his consort, Eleon was clearly showing interest in her.
Jeremy wanted to shut Eleon down, but he couldn’t say a word.
Eleon was one of the three most powerful dukes in the empire. And he had done nothing more than introduce himself to Celia.
Still, Jeremy felt a creeping unease he couldn’t explain. He wanted to end the situation quickly and opened his mouth.
“Eleon, are you done introducing yourself?”
“Your Highness,” Eleon said with his usual smile. “Would it be possible for me to speak with Lady Celia alone?”
“…”
“It won’t take long.”
Jeremy glanced at Balt standing behind Eleon. Even though their eyes met, Balt didn’t offer any greeting.
Unlike Eleon, Balt wasn’t someone you could reason with. The fact that he’d come to a banquet wearing a sword said it all—he wasn’t in his right mind.
They had sent invitations out of formality, not expecting them to actually come. Even the funeral of the Emperor hadn’t brought the three dukes out.
Yet now, two of them were here. And that alone had restored some of the imperial family’s lost dignity.
This made them all the more dangerous to offend.
If he refused something as small as a conversation, the public would condemn him.
He wasn’t afraid of ridicule—but he was afraid of the dukes turning against him.
In any case, Celia was already declared his consort. A mere conversation with Eleon wouldn’t change that.
Reluctantly, Jeremy released his arm from Celia’s waist.
“Well, if the Duke insists, so be it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
With Jeremy’s permission, Eleon bowed and extended his hand to Celia.
“Lady Celia.”
She took his hand. Despite his warm smile, his hand was freezing cold.
Together, they left the banquet hall.
Balt watched Jeremy, who couldn’t take his eyes off Celia’s retreating figure, and chuckled dryly.
“Your Highness, I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Outside the banquet hall, Eleon led Celia straight into the hedge maze. The night sky had grown dark as the banquet wore on.
Eleon seemed to know the palace grounds well. He walked deeper into the garden, guided only by moonlight.
“Lady Celia.”
Only after they reached the innermost part of the maze did Eleon release her hand.
His long silver hair, tinted with darker hues, shimmered under the moonlight. He placed a hand over his heart and spoke politely.
“It must’ve been sudden for you. I thought the situation seemed… troubling.”
“…”
“To become the Crown Prince’s consort not long after being accused of assassinating the Emperor—was that truly your decision?”
Celia remembered Dietrich’s warning word for word. Was this man in front of her—the real enemy?
Was killing the Emperor truly a mistake?
Would it be wise to use her powers now, while no one was watching?
When Celia said nothing, Eleon smiled with narrowed eyes.
“You don’t need to be so guarded. I merely wanted to help you.”
“Why would you want to help me?”
At her question, Eleon chuckled, raising a sleeve to his mouth.
“Let’s say it’s out of pity and sympathy.”
“I can’t understand someone who would show me kindness for such reasons.”
Celia scoffed, looking up at him with a cynical expression.
“Do you, too, only see me as something you want to claim?”
“Ahahaha!”
Eleon burst into laughter—so loud and unrestrained that even Celia, who had asked the question, felt awkward.
Wiping tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, Eleon finally replied.
“I admire your confidence, Lady Celia.”
“Then why do you want to help me? I see no reason why you would.”
“I’m very generous with the things I find interesting.”
“What about me piqued your interest?”
His gaze, thick and sticky like a swamp, settled on her.
But unlike the lustful gazes of other men, his was closer to that of a curious observer who had discovered something fascinating.
“Lady Celia.”
Just hearing him say her name sent chills down her spine.
He may have looked gentle on the outside, but Celia was certain—he was anything but gentle.
“I know you’re the one who killed the Emperor. You entered his chambers and slit his throat with a dagger, didn’t you?”
Eleon spoke with certainty, his eyes lingering obsessively on her red lips.
“It’s alright. I’m not here to scold you.”
Celia tried to read his intentions, but he was too skilled at concealing them—there was no opening.
“Are you saying this just to hold something over me?”
“Of course not. What would I gain by having leverage over you?”
“Then why say such things?”
“Lady Celia,” Eleon whispered into her ear.
“Did that man—Dietrich—tell you to be wary of me?”
Even Celia, who hadn’t flinched until now, couldn’t help but react. Her eyes widened in shock, which made Eleon smile even more.
“I thought so.”
“…What are you?”
“Beware of that man. That’s the message I came to give you.”
Eleon gently raised her hand and kissed the back of it. Then, looking up, he said:
“If you let your guard down—he’ll devour you, leaving not a single piece of flesh behind.”
