Chapter 36
Four days had passed. During that time, the second trial was held, and several figures were revealed to be involved in the insect outbreak and executed. And today, the day of the imperial party, Arin was having a very busy day.
Today’s outfit was a tube top dress with a V-cut that showed off her cleavage. Arin looked at herself in the mirror with satisfaction, smiling in approval.
While she was debating with the maids about which necklace to wear, a knock soon came.
“It’s me.”
As always, Arin greeted Deneb with a confident smile as he appeared.
“Come in!”
His right eyebrow twitched at the sight of Arin’s exposed skin. Unaware of Deneb’s feelings, she excitedly held up two flashy necklaces.
“Which one do you think looks better?”
Without a word, he picked up a bright, clear yellow topaz necklace and stood behind Arin. His hand gently wrapped around her neck as he fastened it.
For a man to personally put a necklace on a woman meant, “I have feelings for you.” The old butler nearby swallowed hard, and the maids slapped each other’s arms repeatedly, unable to hold back their giddy exclamations.
Only Arin, who didn’t know about such noble customs, looked around in confusion. Even after spending three years on the continent, there were still many cultures she didn’t understand.
“This suits you best.”
She looked into the mirror in front of her. The eyes of the man standing behind her looked as sweet as the topaz itself. Her heart fluttered pleasantly, perhaps because his handsome face was so close.
Deneb smiled quietly as he looked at the necklace that resembled himself. Outsiders might not notice, but those who had served the Altair family for a long time, standing in line behind them, noticed that he was smiling. The sound of the maids slapping each other’s arms grew even louder.
Deneb then naturally picked up a shawl and draped it around her shoulders.
The soft silk of the shawl tickled her nape, making Arin shrink her neck like a turtle. She looked into the mirror again, and her brows furrowed. Her face was red as she tightly wrapped the shawl around her chest…
“I look like a fashion terrorist.”
“What…?”
“The shawl ruins the look. I’m not wearing it.”
“It will get cold at night.”
Deneb tried to cover her up with the shawl to reduce her exposure, but Arin was firm.
“Nope.”
She threw off the shawl and confidently walked out of the room.
His lips twitched subtly. It wasn’t that Arin looked strange in her attire. He simply didn’t like the idea of others seeing her like this.
Naturally, he picked up the shawl and followed her out.
* * *
Inside the carriage on the way to the palace, Arin’s face was filled with worry.
It was because she had left Ad at the mansion, who had looked up at her with a pitiful expression, begging to be taken along. Arin could still hear Ad’s sniffling voice as he followed her quickly to the carriage.
“Arin, take me too.”
“Ad, only invited people can go to this, so you can’t come, okay?”
“Take me… I want to see Lespan too. Please?”
Ad wasn’t usually one to throw tantrums, but today he had cried and clung to her, leaving her flustered. In the end, as time grew short, she had to leave quickly while Ad was held back by the old butler.
The carriage rattled and came to a stop.
Deneb, indicating they had arrived, tapped the back of Arin’s hand, and got out first. As she rose to follow, Deneb’s hand suddenly reached out in front of her.
“What are you doing? Take it.”
Worried that someone might hear, Arin placed her hand in his palm and whispered,
“It’s just… isn’t it a bit embarrassing to have you escort me, considering our relationship?”
Standing on the carriage steps, she was looking down at Deneb. From above, his face still looked like a finely sculpted statue. Embarrassed by his dangerously handsome features, her cheeks heated up, and she cleared her throat awkwardly.
“Hm, hm. It’s a bit embarrassing, but shall I accept Sir Deneb’s escort?”
At her playful tone, Deneb’s lips curved gracefully.
“Allow me to guide you.”
As they entered the imperial party hall, the two of them looked like a prince and princess out of a fairytale, radiating beauty.
* * *
They had arrived nearly last, but since the Emperor had yet to enter, the party had not started, and they still had to wait.
As Arin was taking in the surroundings, her eyes caught a girl with an anxious look, and her gaze sharpened. Hair the color of red wine, eyes like the glow of a sunset—this striking girl was the original heroine of the story, Melodian Rigel.
The original story began with Melodian falling unconscious after being pushed into a lake by her half-sister.
Though Melodian had a timid personality, the person who possessed her body was a cheerful and lively woman. Before attending the palace party, she grew bored and snuck into the market, where she found an item she wanted. As she reached for it, another hand reached for it at the same time. That hand belonged to Lespan.
After that cliché first meeting straight out of a romance fantasy, the two of them, after many twists and turns, defeated Deneb and realized their love.
Today, the very beginning of the original story, Arin was watching carefully, ready to take advantage of any differences from her memories. Her brown eyes darkened so much they almost appeared black as she stared.
Following her gaze, Deneb’s eyes also fell on Melodian. He found it curious since Arin, who had shown no interest in anything in the grand party hall, was suddenly focused on this girl.
The only daughter of Count Rigel, who was known for his neutral stance, Melodian did not seem to have anything special enough to capture Arin’s attention.
Bubung—bubung—. The grand trumpet sounded, and the attendant announced the arrival of the royal family. All the nobles stood up to show their respect, and the Emperor began his speech.
“I am glad that our struggle with the insects has come to an end. I believe that the remaining pests will be dealt with in due time.”
As he spoke, the Emperor’s gaze landed on Arin.
“Before we open the festivities, I would like to bestow a title upon Arin Yan, who contributed greatly during this pest crisis. I believe there is no one who would question her merit.”
‘Here it comes.’
As Arin stepped forward, countless eyes turned toward her, sharp enough to sting. Kneeling with her left knee like a knight, she bowed as the head attendant brought out the sword passed down through the royal family. The Emperor drew the sword with a smooth shiiing.
“For developing insecticide and pesticide and contributing greatly to the Empire, I commend you. I hereby grant you the title of Baroness and a reward of one thousand gold.”
The gold sword, representing the royal family, gently touched both of her shoulders and her head.
“I am honored.”
As she stood up, the Emperor’s face bloomed into a wide smile. His open, toothy grin looked just like Lespan’s.
“It is only a pity that we recognized such talent in the Empire so late. The royal family’s doors are always open to you.”
It was an indirect invitation to join the royal family, but Arin lowered her head slightly and declined.
“Your Majesty, I wish to continue devoting my strength where I am now.”
“Haha, a pity, but if that is your will, I hope you achieve your goals.”
Their conversation was quiet enough that others couldn’t hear, but there were exceptions. The exceptional knights, with their keen senses, faintly picked up the contents of their conversation.
Among them, Deneb, who was considered an exceptional knight, felt unease as he saw Arin being courted by the Emperor. Only when she tactfully refused did his rapidly beating heart return to its normal pace.
“Well then, it is time to end this boring speech. Let the party begin!”
The Emperor’s declaration and exit happened simultaneously.
With the Emperor gone, the only remaining royal present, Lespan, had to lead the party, as was his duty.
According to the original story, he immediately recognized Melodian, whom he had encountered in the marketplace. Lespan, as a petty act of revenge, asked her to dance, leading to Melodian becoming a public enemy among the noble ladies.
Wearing a deep wine-colored jacket and navy trousers, Lespan looked more elegant and dazzling than usual. He slowly extended his hand.
“May I have this first dance?”
His emerald ocean eyes were fixed on Arin.
‘This bastard… don’t tell me he’s trying to mess with me.’
Arin’s pupils shook slightly. Thinking quickly, she grabbed Deneb’s long, outstretched fingers beside her.
“Your Highness, unfortunately, I already have a prior engagement.”
At her words, Deneb’s cheek twitched. Sensing this, Lespan’s eyes also twitched with irritation.
Deneb, whose hand Arin was holding, boldly pulled her closer, intertwining their fingers tightly. Lespan’s eyes twitched even more violently in response to his provocation.
“That’s unfortunate. I had hoped to have the first dance with Sir Arin.”
Lespan abruptly grabbed Arin’s hand, breaking the connection with Deneb, whose eyes darkened with a murderous glint.
Lespan softly kissed the back of Arin’s hand and smiled brightly.
“Then, let us look forward to the next opportunity.”
With a mocking smile at Deneb, Lespan turned and disappeared toward Melodian.
Though the sight of a handsome man acting like a playful fox was charming, the many watching eyes and the future implications made the situation nothing but complicated. Setting aside the tangled circumstances, Arin awkwardly smiled at Deneb, who was glaring after Lespan with eyes blazing from the provocation.
