CHAPTER 44
“The banquet will be held at the Imperial Palace’s Emerald Hall.”
“…”
“Many nobles will gather to celebrate your achievements, which means just as many unsavory types will try to latch onto you.”
“…”
“Keep leeches at a distance, and do whatever it takes to keep those who will benefit you close.”
“…Thank you for the advice.”
That was what the Emperor told me before I entered alone.
It was the first time.
The first time he had given me advice like that, the first time he had brought me here himself, and the first time he’d been my partner—it made me a bit nervous.
The Imperial Knights standing at the door tried to announce our arrival, and I quickly stopped them.
“Wa-wait a moment…”
“Yes?”
“Well, I mean…”
I glanced at the Emperor, expecting him to be looking straight ahead, but instead, he was looking directly at me. Surprised, I shrank back a little.
“I’m just… nervous…”
“…”
“I’ve never done this before… I acted like a child. I’ll tell the knights to announce our arrival again—”
“Wait.”
The Emperor cut me off and gave an order to the knight.
The knight looked confused but soon nodded and removed his hand from the door handle. I looked at the Emperor with a flustered expression.
‘Is he angry…? Maybe I was too slow, and he’s canceling the banquet…’
My old habits came out before I realized it.
‘But I couldn’t help it.’
The fabric of the dress clearly tailored for me, the accessories crafted with a master’s sweat and skill—they were beautiful, yet felt like sharp knives pointed at my throat.
This was all unfamiliar to me. I didn’t know how best to act in such a situation.
‘I should’ve acted more maturely. If this banquet is canceled, all the effort I’ve put in will be for nothing.’
That couldn’t happen.
The Emperor still scared me a little, but now was the time I had to get used to voicing my own thoughts.
While he finished talking to the gatekeeper, I took the chance to speak to him directly.
“Since we’re entering five minutes later, I’ll use the time to calm down—”
“I apologize for acting childishly.”
“…What?”
“As someone with a position only second to Their Majesties, I should behave accordingly. I must’ve disappointed you, showing fear like that.”
“…”
“From now on, I’ll act in a way befitting Your Majesty and the Empire’s expectations. Please give me another chance—”
“Enough.”
“Your Majesty?”
Sigh… “What am I supposed to do with you…”
The Emperor furrowed his brow deeply and let out a heavy sigh.
I was about to shrink again in confusion when he suddenly knelt on one knee and met my gaze.
Suppressing what sounded like an explosion of emotion, he asked,
“Who told you that?”
“…Pardon?”
“Let’s set aside the details. Like you said, those with much must behave accordingly. But how old are you again?”
“…Eighteen—”
I flinched and corrected myself.
“Ten years old.”
“Right. You’re ten. Do you know what normal ten-year-olds are like?”
I slowly shook my head. The Emperor frowned and placed a hand on my head.
“They whine.”
“…Huh?”
“They throw tantrums when they’re scared or don’t want to do something.”
“That’s just a troublesome child—”
“First Princess. Emotional expression is important for humans. Even more so at your age. While people in our position must restrain ourselves in this hall, you, as a child, are an exception.”
“I…”
“Enjoy your youth while you can. As you grow older, your position will solidify, and emotions will be harder to express. Now, let me ask again, Princess.”
“…Yes?”
“Are you nervous?”
“…A little.”
When I nodded slightly, the Emperor finally gave a faint smile and gently patted my head again.
“If you’re scared, you can hold on to—”
But he stopped mid-sentence.
He suddenly withdrew the hand he’d reached out and, with his usual cold demeanor, averted his gaze.
He was definitely about to hug me just now…
Or so I thought, but I chuckled inwardly and shook my head.
‘No way.’
And then, the door opened.
“His Imperial Majesty, Rius Epsilon Kaliburg, enters!”
“The star of today’s celebration, Her Highness Princess Lirien Sha Kaliburg, enters!”
The Emperor’s voice was drowned out by the herald’s loud announcement.
“You’re the star today, so don’t shrink back.”
Too distracted by the splendidly decorated hall, I missed his comforting words.
And thus began the banquet.
* * *
The banquet began with a soft orchestral performance.
Nobles licked their lips as they eyed me walking down the stairs, holding the Emperor’s hand.
“The First Princess’s worth has skyrocketed. The Emperor’s escort is usually reserved for the Empress or Princess Evgeni.”
“Never thought I’d live to see the once-neglected First Princess rise like this.”
“Didn’t Princess Evgeni’s health decline rapidly? Could this be related?”
“Are you implying His Majesty chose the First Princess as a substitute out of sympathy?”
I heard everything.
I glared at the group of nobles. The ladies and family heads cleared their throats awkwardly.
‘They must really hate that I discovered Orichalcum.’
They had all invested in Princess Evgeni, not me.
Their sneers were only natural—because it was me.
The Emperor’s eyes darkened.
“Insulting a royal is punishable. Who displeased you, First Princess?”
The nobles who had been whispering froze.
‘As much as I’d like to drag them all out and punish them…’
I didn’t want the banquet held in my honor to become a bloodbath.
I gave them a cold look, then shook my head and replied.
“Today is a happy day, so I’ll let it go.”
“Phew…”
“But not twice. If something like this happens again, someone will end up sightseeing from the city walls.”
In other words, if they gossiped about me again, they wouldn’t survive it.
The whispers died instantly.
The Emperor released my hand and gestured toward a group of young nobles. Since I was too young to dance with him, this was his way of being considerate.
Naturally, the Evgeni faction moved toward the Emperor. While he dealt with them, I searched for allies of my own.
As I scanned the hall—
“Lirien.”
Suddenly, Dmitri appeared beside me, looking very well-dressed. Isabel stood awkwardly beside him.
‘So that’s why the Emperor let Isabel out—he stuck her with Dmitri as a watchdog.’
I ignored Isabel completely and smiled at Dmitri.
“You look splendid, First Prince. It’s an honor to have you at the banquet.”
“You’re quite lovely yourself.”
I smiled at his polite compliment.
Just then—
Isabel, her face red with fury, glared at me and muttered under her breath.
“Are your eyes just decoration? Why didn’t you greet me?”
I replied coolly.
“Did you forget, Second Prince? After that day, I vowed never to associate with you again.”
“What?”
“Should I be gracious to someone who insulted me and my mother in unspeakable ways?”
“Who do you think you are to talk about being gracious to me—!”
“Enough. What are you two doing, arguing on a joyous day?”
Dmitri frowned deeply and scolded us. Both Isabel and I fell silent.
He sighed toward Isabel and gave me a small bow.
“I’ll take my leave. If you need anything, come to the lounge. Isabel, you’re coming with me.”
“What? But I haven’t even made her apologize—”
“Keep acting out, and your punishment will be extended.”
“…Damn it…”
Isabel swore and followed Dmitri.
She shot one last deadly glare at me before disappearing, and I stuck out my tongue at her before returning to scan the hall.
Nearby, a group of noble girls were hesitating, clearly wanting to approach me. Leading them was Lady Emily Grisela.
She walked up and linked her arm through mine.
“I thought it’d be a simple tea party, but this banquet is beyond grand! And to think the Emperor himself hosted it for your accomplishments!”
I nodded, and the other girls’ faces lit up.
“How touching! His Majesty, who’s usually so stern, did this for you!”
“This is the grandest party I’ve ever seen! Did you see the garden fountain? It’s filled with sweet apple juice!”
“I saw a flower swing decorated with the same blush-pink blossoms as your dress!”
I was internally shocked as I glanced at the Emperor still mingling in the distance.
‘Apple juice fountain…? Flower swing…? What on earth…?’
I was certain my budget didn’t allow for this level of extravagance.
I recalled reviewing the final numbers with Evgeni—the amount the Emperor later authorized had clearly grown.
‘Was this really necessary? Sure, we’ve resolved issues with Aetisra and secured trade over the Orichalcum, but still…’
“This feels excessive…”
“What do you mean, Princess!”
Emily scolded me in disbelief.
“If anything, His Majesty held back! Orichalcum isn’t some lowly ore! It can slice diamonds and works wonders with aura masters!”
“Still, I had intended something more modest…”
Emily frowned deeply.
She sighed, placed a hand on my shoulder, and gave me advice like a compassionate older sister.
“As your prestige rises, your parties should be even more glamorous! That’s how you leave an impression!”
“Ah… I see.”
“‘Ah, I see’? No! If there’s ever another banquet in your honor, you must demand the treasury be opened to fund it!”
Absolutely not.
‘Do I want to be called the “Princess of Extravagance”?’
My lukewarm response made Emily awkwardly scratch her head.
‘Looks like this group revolves around Emily.’
The girls were gentle and kind, much like her.
They smiled warmly at me, shared stories about the apple juice fountain, and pulled me outside to show me.
And I was utterly shocked.
The apple juice fountain was four meters tall, overflowing like a waterfall.
Magical artifacts had made the garden’s flowers bloom with radiant light, and desserts were laid out all over the grounds.
One of the girls handed me a plate with a sweet treat and said shyly,
“This might be the best banquet I’ve ever been to, Princess.”
Even I, who had secretly enjoyed many parties like a little mouse, agreed.
Not even Evgeni had hosted anything this grand.
I should be happy…
‘So why am I so uneasy?’
Maybe because I never expected the Emperor or Dmitri to put this much effort into my banquet.
And the Empress? She was probably at Evgeni’s side due to her illness, but the Evgeni faction surely told her—
That this was by far the most spectacular banquet ever held for a princess.
‘…I need to meet him.’
My maternal grandfather.
If anyone could help me now, it’d be him.
He may have once ignored me and Mother, but if he saw I had value, he’d help.
I swallowed hard and turned to the girls.
“I just remembered—there’s someone I need to meet. May I excuse myself?”
“Oh, of course!”
“Please invite us again if another party like this happens!”
“Of course.”
As I nodded, they laughed and curtsied. Emily leaned in.
“Who are you going to meet?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Even from me?”
“I might not find him. I’ll tell you later—look forward to it, Lady Emily.”
“Well, if you say so.”
Emily shrugged and bowed slightly.
I hurried into the hall, weaving through the crowd to find my grandfather.
But the hall was larger than I expected, and I kept getting interrupted by nobles wanting to speak.
Then—
“Well, well. Isn’t this the First Princess who supposedly discovered Orichalcum.”
“…Greetings, Count Lockton.”
One of the nobles who’d mocked me earlier.
His face was as shameless as ever, and he chuckled as he greeted me.
“I hear you’ve achieved something great. How exactly did you find the Orichalcum?”
“…”
“Rumor has it you begged a certain traitor for help.”
The hall grew tense at his words. Count Lockton smiled nastily at me.
“Surely, Princess, you didn’t seek aid from the leader of a rebellion, did you?”
