IMNTI CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 42

The person who had disliked the engagement so much and even tried to annul it later… to think he’d say something like that now. You really never know how people will turn out.

“I didn’t mean to hide it. I just didn’t think it was worth showing off since I wasn’t that skilled.”

“…Is that so.”

The slightly delayed response left a strange sense of unease.

“Well, if you ever need anything, just let me know. I’ll help you.”

“…Why?”

You didn’t like me. Why are you acting like a completely different person these days?

Luisa frowned and asked again. Raphael, who had been holding her gaze without blinking, soon turned his head and muttered quietly.

“Let’s just say… it’s because we’re engaged.”

The banquet hall was packed. She had told them not to call her name because she didn’t want to draw attention, but all eyes were still on her.

Luisa scanned the area once, then looked for Demian.

“Shouldn’t Your Highness be up there?”

“Up where?”

“Up front, I mean…”

“I’m here today as a member of the Holy Knights, so I don’t need to go up.”

So thorough. She expected him to at least stand in front as a royal, but he was clearly trying to act like a stranger. Luisa found Raphael a bit absurd.

After giving Raphael a glance, she looked around again and saw Demian trapped at a table surrounded by people.

Hmm, if I’m with Demian, it might attract even more attention. It’s probably better to act separately like this.

Luisa turned her head, pretending not to see him. She could feel sharp gazes piercing at her skin, along with the murmurs around her.

But those same people wouldn’t dare say a word to her directly, so there was no point in paying them any mind. She stayed aloof, as usual, and waited for the banquet to start.

“…When will it begin?”

“Probably within five minutes. Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, it’s just… I’m hungry…”

With all the dress fittings and preparations, all she had eaten were a few slices of fruit and some bread that Mary had brought her.

She thought there would be plenty of good food at the banquet, so she hadn’t bothered to eat much beforehand. But now she was hungrier than she expected.

Pfft. A small chuckle escaped from Raphael.

Luisa didn’t hear it as she was listening to her stomach growl, but his slightly upturned lips quickly drew attention from nearby women. His rare smile naturally became a focal point.

“What about going over there?”

“To the food table? Smelling the food in this state might make it worse…”

“You can eat if you want, but if that’s uncomfortable, just stand behind me and eat. No one will notice.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Luisa looked at Raphael, who wore an utterly serious expression as if there was nothing strange about what he had just suggested.

This man really is unpredictable. He said that with such sincerity… Is he the type who can’t stand being hungry? I’m not that bad…

Luisa scratched her cheek and gave a sheepish laugh.

“Well, it should start soon. Ah! They’re coming out now.”

“Indeed. That’s a relief.”

Soon, the Emperor, Empress, and Seinf appeared and took their places at the head of the hall. A heavy silence fell over the room as if no one dared breathe.

Luisa stared at the Emperor with renewed interest. She had been too sleepy to notice during the engagement ceremony, but now that she looked again, the Emperor and his sons didn’t resemble each other at all.

Both Raphael and Seinf seemed to take after their maternal families. The only similarities were hair and eye color—but even that was questionable, as Seinf had the Empress’s silver hair, making him look even more unrelated.

The Empress and Seinf look exactly alike. A beauty gave birth to another beauty… Seems to be the case for Raphael, too…

Looking at the Emperor’s stern face, Luisa concluded coldly that he probably hadn’t been very attractive in his youth either.

Usually, protagonists’ parents are good-looking, but the Emperor must’ve been a rare exception—having everything except looks.

As Luisa halfheartedly listened to the Emperor begin his long-winded speech, she spotted a woman cautiously moving in the corner.

In a setting like this where everyone’s focus should be on the Emperor, the only person allowed to move was likely the soon-to-be praised female lead.

“Today, I’ve gathered you all to introduce someone important. Normally, such matters are announced officially through the temple, but bureaucracy takes too long. I feared I might pass away before that, so I decided to step in myself. I hope you will all welcome her with joy.”

He says that, but any noble could see through the real motive. The greedy Emperor was simply trying to beat the temple to the punch and maintain power.

Still, everyone pretended not to know and clapped as if they were genuinely moved.

A woman in a pristine white dress slowly walked toward the tier below where the Emperor stood. Her half-tied sky-blue hair fluttered with each step.

“I greet the sun of the Empire.”

“Your name is Bella, correct?”

“Yes, it’s an honor.”

Ah, so her name is Bella. Luisa blinked and coldly glanced at the Emperor, who was now smiling in deep satisfaction.

That old fox always wears that face when he’s scheming something…

It was the same face he had when pressuring Luisa to win over the Blake family if she wanted to marry Raphael.

“I’m glad to finally meet the one who will dispel the Empire’s shadows.”

The Emperor gave an uncharacteristically kind smile and gestured to a servant standing nearby.

“So, I’d like to experience that joy firsthand—do you mind?”

The servant handed Bella a small iron box.

That box… gives me a bad feeling. Luisa instinctively braced herself and kept her legs steady.

“It’s a great honor to be seen by Your Majesty.”

“Haha, feel free to show everyone behind you as well. I can see just fine from here.”

“Understood.”

Bella turned slowly at the Emperor’s gesture.

A stunning woman with delicate features blinked softly. It was the same woman who had been with Raphael the other day.

Luisa felt strange. She had suspected Bella was the original female lead, but seeing her now, in the heart of the palace, it felt like the real story was finally beginning.

Bella nervously scanned the crowd. Her clear green eyes trembled slightly, but she soon took a deep breath and steeled herself.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her hands. When will she open it? What’s inside? The curiosity was palpable.

Finally—click. The box opened.

Oh, damn…

Inside was a sacred flower tainted by demonic energy. Luisa shut her eyes tightly and quickly summoned her divine power.

Though it was far away and not physically touching her, if she were to suddenly cough up blood in front of this crowd, it would be a disaster.

This should be handled in a temple with priests present. Even if it’s just a flower, has he lost his mind?

Luisa clicked her tongue internally and kept her gaze fixed on Bella.

The petals were blackened, as if burnt. They looked so fragile they might crumble at the slightest touch. People gasped at the sight.

Few had actually seen a tainted sacred flower in person before.

If Bella hadn’t revealed it now, the palace would’ve kept hiding it. That much was obvious. Luisa clenched her jaw and wrapped herself in divine power to keep the demonic energy at bay.

Bella tightly gripped the stem in both hands and closed her eyes. Soon, her brows furrowed as the blackness began to retreat from the innermost part of the flower.

Sounds of awe echoed from all sides. Even without looking, Luisa could tell everyone was gazing at Bella with reverence.

Luisa suddenly became curious about Raphael’s reaction. She glanced up at him—only to freeze.

…Huh?

Her mouth parted slightly. She had expected him to be watching Bella, but instead, he was staring intently at her, his eyes deep with unreadable emotion.

He didn’t seem like he was going to look away anytime soon. Startled, Luisa was the first to avert her gaze. She had only wanted to check his reaction, but now it felt oddly uncomfortable.

Just then, loud applause filled the hall. Bella had completely purified the sacred flower.

Luisa looked briefly at the now-pure white petals, then shifted her gaze to Bella.

Bella smiled sweetly, like the flower she held in her hands—utterly lovely.

The Emperor left the hall with several key figures, telling everyone to enjoy the banquet. Naturally, the Duke of Blake and Raphael were among them.

Well, since they’ve seen signs of corruption even in the north, they probably need an emergency meeting.

If demonic energy had reached even the capital, it was no longer something they could ignore.

Bella really showed up at just the right time.