Chapter 8

“The dress you’ll wear to the Imperial Palace banquet.”

“…What banquet?”

“The Crown Prince’s birthday is coming up. The Imperial Palace is holding a celebration.”

“Here’s your invitation.”

Smiling warmly, Father handed me an invitation covered in elaborate gold decorations.

The moment I saw the imperial seal stamped on it, my mood sank even further.

“…I have to go too?”

“What are you saying, sweetheart? His Majesty personally sent us an invitation. Of course we have to attend.”

I don’t want to go to the Imperial Palace…

If I went, the Crown Prince would be there.

And who was the Crown Prince?

The male lead of this novel.

The very man who would eventually sentence Veroni to death under the charge of “bringing disgrace upon the nobility.”

Not to mention Derek Zahar would be there too…

—the one who would personally cut off my head.

I absolutely, absolutely don’t want to go!

I’d planned to stay as far away from the palace as possible.

And then this invitation arrived out of nowhere.

The Crown Prince’s birthday…

Why should I celebrate that jerk’s birthday?

Ugh…

Seeing my obvious displeasure, Father spoke with concern.

“Veroni, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look well at all. I’ll send for the physician immediately—”

“No, Father!”

I hurriedly stopped him before he could actually summon one.

I’m not sick.

It’s just that…

If I went to the palace, I’d definitely run into the Crown Prince.

…Or would I?

As long as I didn’t try to flirt with him…

There wouldn’t be any reason for us to interact.

The thought eased my anxiety a little.

“Did you choose this dress yourself, Father?”

“Of course.”

“My precious daughter deserves the very best.”

“I commissioned it from the most famous designer in the Empire.”

“Do you like it?”

His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

He was clearly hoping I’d shower him with compliments.

“It’s beautiful!”

“Really, really beautiful!”

I forced a smile and even clapped my hands.

It really was gorgeous.

That was exactly the problem.

It looked like the sort of dress that would make me the star of the entire party.

It was so extravagant it almost seemed as if every gemstone in the Empire had been sewn into it.

Even the color was eye-catching.

“It’s gorgeous…”

“But isn’t it a little… too much?”

Ah… I knew this would happen.

Father’s face immediately fell.

“Veroni…”

“You don’t like it?”

I didn’t even need to ask to know how worried he’d been that I might dislike the dress he’d picked.

Count Aios was the very definition of a doting father.

“Father, no!”

“I love it!”

“It’s just…”

“It’s a little flashy, haha…”

The dress was entirely white, almost like a wedding gown.

It was covered in layers upon layers of frills.

Diamonds glittered between every fold.

If I took even a single step, every eye in the ballroom would turn toward me.

“Veroni.”

“What are you saying?”

“…”

“This is the only dress worthy of my beautiful daughter.”

Beaming proudly, Father held the dress against me from every angle.

“I also bought matching jewelry.”

“Would you like to see it?”

“…Yes, Father.”

And so…

I spent the next hour admiring countless pieces of jewelry alongside my hopelessly doting father.

* * *

“Wow…”

So this was the Imperial Palace.

The first time I’d visited it since transmigrating into the novel.

It was so magnificent that my extravagant dress suddenly looked ordinary.

Did they just coat everything in gold?

Is all of this marble?

People said the Epona Empire was the richest and most powerful nation on the continent.

One look at the dazzling palace made me believe it.

Even the line of carriages stretching before the entrance was breathtaking.

Turns out my dress isn’t even that flashy.

There were countless noblewomen dressed even more extravagantly than I was.

For some reason…

Every single one of them had clearly gone all out.

“Veroni.”

“Watch where you’re walking.”

“What if you tripped?”

I had been so distracted by sightseeing that I failed to notice the stairs.

Father caught me just before I stumbled.

“Ah…”

“I got distracted looking at everyone’s dresses.”

“They’re all incredibly dressed up today.”

“Well, naturally.”

“But no matter what…”

“Our Veroni is still the prettiest.”

Honestly…

What was I supposed to do with this hopeless daughter-loving father?

But what did he mean by ‘naturally’?

I wanted to ask.

Unfortunately, we’d already reached the ballroom.

Despite being an imperial banquet…

It wasn’t much different from the noble parties I’d attended before.

This is boring…

Everyone except me looked like they were having the time of their lives.

Whether they were genuinely enjoying themselves was another matter.

Just as I was about to yawn—

“His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!”

The Crown Prince—

known throughout the Empire as its Little Sun—

made his entrance.

Myers Hartion.

The male lead of the novel.

And the man who would eventually kill me.

The noisy ballroom instantly fell silent.

“You can never get tired of looking at that handsome face.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“I wonder which young lady His Highness will choose today…”

“If only I were five years younger…”

“Oh, honestly!”

I could hear the noblewomen whispering behind me.

Choose?

Choose what?

I wished I remembered the novel more clearly.

I’d read it years ago.

And after consuming countless fantasy romances since then…

Everything had blurred together.

Did something happen at the Crown Prince’s birthday party?

The Crown Prince strolled leisurely through the ballroom.

Every noble he passed let out quiet sighs of admiration.

Fantasy novels really do make every man ridiculously handsome.

Especially the male lead.

Unlike my own reddish-orange hair…

His was a deep crimson, like polished garnets.

It almost looks like blood…

Whenever he moved, his crimson hair shimmered like dark red wine swirling inside a crystal glass.

His clear green eyes slowly swept across the assembled guests.

The moment he looked their way…

Everyone fell silent.

No—

It was more accurate to say they were too captivated to speak.

He’s unfairly handsome.

Even I found myself staring open-mouthed as he walked past.

“I hope everyone enjoys tonight’s celebration.”

His crimson lips curved into a smile.

As he raised his wine glass…

Every noble unconsciously did the same.

“To the glorious future of the Epona Empire.”

Keeping my eyes on him, I took a sip of wine.

No wonder he’s the male lead.

Now… how did he first meet the heroine again?

I searched my memory.

The heroine came to the Imperial Palace for the first time on the Crown Prince’s birthday.

Today.

Then…

Unable to adapt to high society, she slipped away for a quiet walk in the palace gardens.

There—

She met the Crown Prince by fate.

Wait…

Now I remembered.

The birthday party held the year after the Crown Prince’s debut into society.

That was when candidates for the future Crown Princess were informally evaluated.

That’s why every noblewoman is dressed to kill today.

Too bad for them.

The Crown Prince was destined to end up with the heroine anyway.

Watching the excited young ladies suddenly felt almost adorable.

As for me…

All I had to do was avoid getting involved with him.

Veroni only caught his attention because she kept throwing herself at him.

If I quietly enjoyed the party and went home…

Everything would be fine.

I wish Father would say it’s time to leave.

Looking around the ballroom, I found him deeply engrossed in conversation with other nobles.

Maybe…

I’ll go watch the male and female leads meet.

When would I ever get another chance?

To witness the very first meeting of the novel’s protagonists.

Slipping out of the noisy ballroom, I headed toward the palace gardens.

It was so quiet there that the orchestra’s music could barely be heard.

Perfect place for a secret romantic encounter.

They should meet somewhere around here…

To avoid being seen, I hid behind a large tree.

And waited.

…

And waited.

…

“Why isn’t anyone coming?”

There wasn’t even an ant in sight—

let alone the male or female lead.

Did I remember wrong?

Was it a different birthday?

I cautiously peeked out from behind the tree.

Still…

No one.

“What the…”

“Where did they go?”

“What exactly are you looking for?”

“Ahhh!”

The sudden voice behind me made me scream.

“What could possibly be here…”

“…that has you waiting so eagerly?”

The owner of the voice spoke teasingly.

His smiling eyes narrowed slightly, revealing sparkling emerald-green irises.

Even beneath the darkening evening sky…

His crimson hair was dazzling.

“Y-Your Imperial Highness…”

“I greet the Little Sun of the Empire.”

“You’re still so formal.”

I’m screwed.

Why was the Crown Prince here?

Wasn’t he supposed to be meeting the heroine?

Then again…

If I hadn’t come here out of curiosity…

“I asked what you were waiting for.”

“And all I get is a formal greeting?”

“W-Well…”

“I…”

I couldn’t exactly tell him—

“I came to watch you fall in love with the heroine at first sight.”

Unable to think of an excuse, my eyes darted nervously around.

“Everyone has their secrets.”

“I suppose I’ll let this one slide.”

The Crown Prince smiled much more often than I’d expected.

Shouldn’t I run?

Nothing good would come from getting involved with him.

“Then…”

“I’ll be going now…”

I tried to leave.

But—

“On second thought…”

“I take that back.”

“I’ll wait with you.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’m curious now.”

“…About what?”

“The person you’re waiting for.”

He grinned mischievously.

Just moments ago he’d said everyone was entitled to their secrets.

So why was he changing his mind now?!

“I’m not waiting for anyone.”

“I was just taking a walk.”

“I don’t think so.”

“You looked more like someone hiding here to spy on someone.”

This is exactly why I hate observant people.

“Haha…”

“I had a little too much wine.”

“I was feeling dizzy.”

“So I came out for some fresh air.”

I deliberately emphasized the word walk.

“I’m feeling a little tipsy.”

I quickly added, hoping my lie would sound more convincing.

“Is that person the one you’ve been waiting for?”

Completely ignoring my explanation…

The Crown Prince fixed his gaze on someone in the distance.

Who is he talking about?

I cautiously peeked past the tree.

And there…

Standing exactly where the Crown Prince should have been…

Was the heroine of the novel.