Chapter 15
The Emperor was dressed in a deep navy suit, with a red sash trimmed in gold draped over his left shoulder. The beard befitting his imperial dignity suited him quite well, but perhaps because he was holding his shoulders so stiffly, his walk looked rather uncomfortable.
In contrast, the Empress, wearing a dark green satin dress, walked forward with her chin lifted, staring straight ahead. Each step she took carried authority, and she even occasionally greeted the nobles with a subtle nod. Those who received her acknowledgment responded with bright smiles and bowed their heads respectfully.
After stepping onto the platform, the Empress slowly turned her body and looked down. Her lowered gaze paused briefly as if searching for someone, but once the Emperor took his seat, she sat beside him.
All attention focused on when the audience would begin.
“Resume the music.”
A quiet sigh spread among the nobles who had received the Empress’s glance. They had hoped that such an honor might come to them again, but the Emperor’s command made it clear—do not disrupt the mood.
The music began again, and the once-quiet banquet hall filled once more with lively noise. However, the central hall remained empty as everyone hesitated, waiting to see who would begin dancing first.
Everyone had the same thought: they wished the Duke—who held the highest rank after the Emperor—would step forward and break the silence.
Their eyes were still filled with curiosity about whether the rumors from the plaza were true. However, after witnessing Rian’s outrageous behavior, no one dared approach him.
If only he were someone they could reason with, or at least of lower status.
Or better yet, he should have taken Iliana’s hand earlier.
But after briefly rising when the imperial couple entered, Rian had already returned to his seat, now sitting with his legs crossed. Leisurely observing the crowd, he embodied the elegance of a noble. When others glanced at him, he curved his eyes into a crescent and smiled.
Don’t you dare look this way.
That was exactly what his gaze conveyed. Any noble who accidentally made eye contact quickly turned their attention back to the Emperor and Empress. Still, no one stepped into the wide central hall.
At that moment, the Empress smiled faintly and extended her hand to the Emperor.
“Shall we have a dance, Your Majesty?”
“Let’s.”
The Emperor accepted her hand without hesitation. Holding up her dress slightly, the Empress slowly descended the steps. The hem of her gown brushed against the floor with a soft rustling sound. When the imperial couple faced each other in the center of the hall, a lively melody began to play.
The Emperor wrapped one arm around her waist and took her other hand, stepping gracefully side to side. Beneath her slender waist, the Empress’s voluminous skirt spread out like a bell.
Only then did a few hesitant nobles cautiously step onto the floor. Even so, they pretended to admire the Emperor and Empress’s dance while still clinging to their lingering hopes. Some even boldly seated themselves at tables closest to Iliana.
For them, it was unfortunate that they caught Rian’s attention as he gazed at the hall with a bored expression. For Iliana—who had been looking straight ahead and hadn’t noticed—it was a stroke of luck.
Suddenly, Rian pushed the glass he was holding aside. Resting his arm carelessly on the table, he tilted his head. The distance between them, which had widened after the earlier commotion—when he grabbed her hand—closed instantly.
“The dance will end soon. Then all that pathetic whispering will stop too.”
His tone was ambiguous—was it comfort or mockery?
Perhaps the banquet truly bored him, as he let out a small yawn. Iliana began to wonder whether he could even endure until the audience. Still, it was a relief that he had somehow remained by her side until now.
At least she wasn’t left alone in this scandal.
Using the brief silence as an excuse, she voiced the question that had been on her mind the entire time.
“Do you really intend to attend the audience? With me?”
“You’re thinking of backing out now?”
“The Emperor already knows that you and I arrived together. But if we go any further…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence. Rian suddenly stood up, startling her. As she looked up at him, he silently grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.
‘Maybe I let it slide once, but not this time.’
How many times had this already happened at the banquet alone? It seemed he had learned absolutely nothing from before—or perhaps one time hadn’t been enough for him to learn.
At that moment, she realized how mistaken she had been to feel even a hint of gratitude toward him. This time, she resolved to correct his behavior.
This was clearly harassment.
Just as she was about to speak, a gentle night breeze flowed in through the open terrace window. The soft wind instantly changed the heavy atmosphere—and captured Iliana’s attention. A single strand of Rian’s neatly combed hair had fallen loose.
A slight imperfection in an otherwise perfect appearance. It was nothing, yet her eyes kept returning to it.
Just moments ago, she had felt like she might die from the situation, and now she was distracted by something as trivial as a strand of hair. Even she found it absurd.
“Critia must always be perfect. The moment even the smallest flaw appears, it’s death. Remember that.”
Her father’s words suddenly came to mind. He had always emphasized that Iliana must be poised and dignified. Even during family meals, he would not tolerate slouching or making noise.
Perhaps that obsession with perfection had created this ridiculous compulsion.
Trying to stop her hand from reaching up, she forced herself to remember the reason she had come today. At least it helped her momentarily forget the earlier distress.
A sudden gust of wind made her shrink slightly. It seemed as though it might rain; the wind had grown stronger. Her thin dress quickly let the chill seep in.
Perhaps because of that, a rough yet warm sensation traveled through her hand.
Like a soft new sprout inside coarse wood—gentle and ticklish.
Her lowered gaze trembled slightly. Rian was silently holding her hand. When she looked up at him, he was still staring straight ahead.
“Do you like my face that much?”
Just as she was about to look away, his calm voice brushed against her ear. It was a neat, composed question—just like his posture.
“What?”
“You’re staring rather openly.”
“Ah.”
Her cheeks, which had cooled from the wind, began to burn again. Thankfully, the soft yellow lighting and scattered candlelight hid it well. Even then, Rian still hadn’t let go of her hand.
Because of that, her fingers began to tingle, and sweat started to gather. As soon as she twisted her wrist slightly, he noticed immediately. But instead of letting go, he pulled her closer.
As if binding her so she couldn’t escape.
The fleeting sense of gratitude disappeared instantly.
Right. This is just a transaction.
She was reminded of that fact again when she saw the Emperor and Empress approaching after finishing their dance.
