Chapter 03
Irein only then realized that the fan wasn’t the only reason she stood out.
Noel—though she hated to admit it—was handsome, and the future Duke of Macmillan.
Recently, he had even been promoted to commander of the imperial knights, Sharon, drawing the attention of noblewomen everywhere.
Even Emperor Killian was popular despite his cruelty, but Noel, who matched him in looks and had a far better personality, was the most popular man in the empire.
So of course attention would gather on whoever was sitting right beside him.
Still… it’s a good thing I came with him.
Though the attention on Noel was now making her a topic of conversation as well.
“When is this damn engagement ceremony starting?”
“It’s almost seven, so it should begin soon. Though… we’re getting a lot of looks.”
Noel was well aware of the gazes and whispers directed at them.
He listened carefully in case anyone said anything unpleasant about Irein—but thankfully, it was only curiosity about who she was.
No matter how kind he usually was, he wouldn’t tolerate anyone speaking badly about her.
“Come to think of it, you’re the commander of Sharon. Shouldn’t you be on guard duty?”
Irein asked, half considering sending him away to avoid attention.
“The imperial guard is handling it today. Sharon will take over at the wedding. Oh—it’s starting.”
At the appointed time, priests and judges entered the hall in a line.
The once noisy hall turned solemn as the engagement ceremony began.
Starting with the high priest’s prayer, the ceremony was complicated and full of formalities.
Perhaps because it was the emperor’s engagement, it was filled with unnecessary rituals.
Only after the chief justice recited imperial law regarding engagement were Killian and Sierra able to stand at the center.
“Why are they reciting imperial law for an engagement?”
“There are a lot of pointless steps. Still, everyone will try to keep it short while watching His Majesty.”
At Noel’s words, Irein shifted her gaze to Killian.
She could only see his back, but his red hair and broad shoulders stood out.
Did he get taller compared to four years ago?
Sierra was tall too, but Killian still towered over her.
He felt different from a few years ago—it was a strange, nostalgic feeling.
While she had been living in her territory as Marchioness Chaent, it hadn’t felt real.
But being here now made it all sink in.
And seeing the emperor again like this felt… odd.
Four years ago, the only time she and Killian would meet in such grandeur was at the victory party.
“Your brother’s a priest, right? Where is he?”
Shaking off her thoughts, Irein asked about Noel’s younger brother, Mikael.
She only remembered that he had been very handsome when he entered the temple at a young age.
“Mikael is a high-ranking priest, so he’s probably near Duke Lusher.”
“Really?”
“I’ll introduce you during the reception later.”
Ah… the reception.
This was why staying quietly in her estate pretending to be sick had been easier.
After the ceremony, a reception would be held from nine o’clock.
The engagement itself at seven was practically just a prelude to the reception and ball.
Even if she endured the ceremony, thinking about surviving the reception made her irritated.
Compared to that, the tedious ceremony felt preferable—and before she knew it, it was over.
At the final step, Killian and Sierra exchanged engagement rings.
Everyone in the hall stood and applauded.
“I’ll head out first. Actually, I’ll come back when the reception starts. Meet me at the west corridor ten minutes before nine.”
Taking advantage of the commotion, Irein turned to leave.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No. You should go greet your parents. I don’t want more attention.”
“Alright. I’ll come get you later.”
Noel backed off, noticing her irritation.
Irein gave a small gesture in reply and slipped through the crowd.
“…Ren! Irein…!”
Who…?
“Irein! Are you here?”
Realizing the voice wasn’t part of a dream, Irein opened her eyes wide and sat up—on top of a tree.
Below the tree, Noel was looking around, calling for her.
Checking his pocket watch, it was already past 9:30.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
Still half-asleep, Irein frowned and jumped down.
Noel let out a disbelieving laugh.
“We said to meet ten minutes before nine. I’ve been looking for you for over twenty minutes!”
“I didn’t sleep last night, so I accidentally passed out.”
She brushed leaves off her clothes and hair.
“How did you even guess I’d be here?”
“You used to fall asleep in trees at your estate too. Isn’t it uncomfortable?”
“I did this a lot during guild work, so it doesn’t bother me. Honestly… I felt more at ease on the battlefield. I suddenly miss the boss.”
Irein thought of the man she had sought out seven years ago to avenge her family.
He had been the head of an assassination intelligence guild on a distant continent.
With just a few moves, he had easily subdued her.
Even though she had inherited her mother Vanessa’s talent and mastered swordsmanship under her mentor, she stood no chance against his unfamiliar dual-dagger style.
Whenever she remembered looking up at his golden eyes while lying battered on the ground, even she—usually calm—felt a faint tremor of fear.
“…No. I must be crazy. I don’t miss him at all.”
She shook her head, forcing the memory away.
But Noel’s expression darkened.
“What’s with that look?”
“…Nothing. Let’s go. We’re late.”
Walking slightly ahead, Noel spoke quietly.
Whenever Irein talked about the guild, he was reminded of the countless scars covering her body.
If only he hadn’t told her about that assassination guild seven years ago…
If only he had knelt before Killian and taken revenge himself…
Meaningless regrets tormented him.
“…Ah.”
After walking in silence, Irein suddenly stopped at the entrance of the banquet hall.
She checked all her pockets and muttered a quiet curse.
“What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”
“My fan. It must’ve fallen out earlier.”
In truth, the emperor had skipped personal greetings at the reception, so she wouldn’t have to face him directly.
Still, it felt like she had lost a shield.
She adjusted her slightly wavy bangs to cover her eyes.
Without the fan, she felt oddly exposed.
It might seem like an overreaction—but Irein had sharp instincts.
Even before joining the assassination guild “The Secret,” her intuition had been exceptional.
Now, it was almost like foresight.
And she couldn’t ignore the ominous feeling creeping in.
“Stay in front of me. At least be useful at times like this.”
Standing behind Noel, she tapped his back.
With her average height hidden behind his tall frame, she was completely concealed.
If she could just endure until midnight, she’d be free afterward.
Determined to stay hidden behind him, she entered the hall, trying to ignore her unease.
Nobles gathered in groups, holding drinks, dressed in dazzling outfits and jewelry—like decorations themselves.
“Where have you been, arriving only now?”
