CHAPTER 97……………..
“I greet Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Dolores del Kaliburg, and Her Highness the Second Princess. May the blessing of the goddess Eiridium be upon you. I am Kaena Hiris.”
“I greet Her Imperial Majesty and the Second Princess. I am Aileen Millie.”
The noble ladies began to offer their greetings one by one.
Naturally, after making the rounds, it was my mother’s and my turn.
The Empress glanced at us and gave a slight nod.
What are we doing, not greeting her?
I slowly let go of Mother’s hand and held my skirt hem.
“Lirien Sha Kaliburg greets Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Dolores del Kaliburg, and Her Highness the Second Princess. May the blessing of the goddess Eiridium be upon you.”
“Aila Shaf Kaliburg greets Her Imperial Majesty and the Second Princess.”
When our greeting ended, the Empress and Yevgenia smiled in satisfaction.
It would have been nice if it ended there—but as always, the Empress acted beyond our expectations.
She squeezed herself in among the noble ladies alongside Yevgenia, as though intent on taking part in the conversation.
I secretly frowned at her.
Even the moderate noble ladies seemed uncomfortable with this, pursing their lips and nervously glancing around.
“Wasn’t there talk of the First Princess’s betrothal just now?”
“Ah, y-yes. That is correct.”
When Kaena nodded, the Empress let out a thin hum.
“I had planned to summon the First Princess to discuss this matter later, but it seems things are moving earlier than expected.”
“Earlier…?”
Mother’s pupils trembled as she echoed the word.
She glanced between me and the Empress, then quietly moved me behind her.
It was a subtle gesture, but the Empress immediately noticed.
She curled her lips slightly so only Mother could see, then spoke further.
“Indeed. There happens to be a suitable young nobleman, and he himself is eager. The Princess knows of him as well. Isn’t that right? You just met him.”
“Are you speaking of Lord Paul Ellot?”
“Oh my, yes. You recognized right away.”
The Empress clapped her hands with a laugh. Even Mother, who had memorized the entire noble registry, knew of Paul Ellot.
That family, after all, had aided the Empress’s own clan, the Duke of Alpe, in tax evasion.
Mother’s face visibly stiffened as she looked at the Empress.
She had always found the Empress difficult to face, but since I was involved, things were different now.
“Shouldn’t it be I, the First Princess’s mother, who oversees her marriage negotiations? Especially since the First Prince will be formally declared Crown Prince at this banquet, you will surely be occupied. I appreciate the recommendation, but may I take time to consider it?”
“Then, does the First Consort already have someone else in mind for the First Princess?”
“That is…”
Mother trailed off. Yevgenia quickly jumped in, pressing her advantage.
“I had a brief chat with Lord Ellot before. He was such a kind man. I’m sure he’ll get along wonderfully with Sister Liri! Truly such a gentle soul!”
“Hahaha, indeed. Lord Ellot is a benevolent man.”
“That’s right.”
The noble ladies reluctantly agreed, giving Yevgenia even more confidence.
If I backed down here, my fiancé would naturally become Paul Ellot.
I have no position to openly object to the Empress.
Yevgenia’s twitching smile made it clear she was intent on sealing this by showering Ellot with praise.
I blinked and fidgeted with my fingers.
How should I respond?
Just as I squeezed my eyes shut to think—suddenly, a sharp whistle rang out.
“Attention, everyone.”
The Emperor’s voice cut through the hall. All eyes, including mine, turned to him.
I let out a breath of relief and focused on his words.
The only ones unable to hide their displeasure were the Empress and Yevgenia, who turned to look at the Emperor on the central stairs.
And then, the Emperor spoke.
“As you all know without my saying, my firstborn son, the First Prince, has achieved great merit.”
The nobles kept silent but nodded in unison.
There had been minor injuries and 148 total casualties—but considering the size of the army, that was remarkably few.
It proved both Dmitri’s skill as a commander and the caliber of the Imperial Knights.
Thus, the Emperor intended today to change Dmitri’s title from Prince to Crown Prince.
The nobles glanced hungrily at Dmitri, standing before the Emperor.
Like hyenas eyeing prey, they stayed silent, awaiting the Emperor’s next words.
Turning his back to them, the Emperor walked to the dais. The golden throne gleamed, awaiting him.
He sat heavily on it.
Then, with a flick of his hand, Reynald appeared, carrying a crown.
It was the temporary coronet used for appointing the Crown Prince, its center adorned with an enormous golden gem.
Reynald handed it carefully to the Emperor, who then looked to Dmitri standing at the center of the hall.
In an indifferent tone, he said:
“First Prince, step forward and kneel.”
“As you command.”
Dmitri bowed sharply and advanced.
Each step he took made the nobles’ eyes gleam greedier still.
The Empress’s faction already looked as if they had personally triumphed.
And as for the Empress herself—
“How beautiful my son is.”
Her eyes glittered with greed even greater than the nobles’.
“What do you think, Sister Liri?”
Yevgenia suddenly spoke to me. I met her gaze.
She whispered so only I could hear:
“That man is our brother, Sister.”
“Yes.”
“Now, who will side with you? Our brother has already claimed the qualities of a Crown Prince for himself.”
Then she snickered softly, adding:
“Ah, I suppose only Emin is left, isn’t he?”
It was a petty provocation. I smiled coldly and looked forward again.
By then, Dmitri had already knelt before the Emperor, bowing his head.
The Emperor rose slowly.
He lifted the golden coronet high, as though seeking its rightful owner—
—and placed it upon Dmitri’s head.
There could be no objection. No dispute.
Dmitri Epsilon Kaliburg was now the Crown Prince.
…Now is the moment.
“Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
I clapped cheerfully, smiling at Dmitri.
People seemed startled by my sudden action, but one by one, others followed, until applause and praises filled the hall.
I could almost hear the Empress’s pride soaring.
I glanced at her.
Her triumphant smile radiated smug composure, as if there was nowhere higher to climb.
I chuckled inwardly.
Let me raise that nose of yours even higher.
With that thought, I stepped forward.
Focused entirely on Dmitri, the crowd didn’t notice me until I reached the center of the hall.
Only the Emperor, Dmitri, and Mother were watching closely.
At last, all eyes turned to me.
I looked straight at the Emperor.
Did they think my presence dimmed after Dmitri appeared at my debutante?
No. Impossible.
How could I, who had carved out my place with bloodshot eyes, allow everything I achieved to be erased in an instant?
I thought carefully—
How could I assert harmlessness, while searing my presence into these hyenas’ minds?
And then, it came to me.
I knelt on one knee before Dmitri, smiling slyly. The Empress and Yevgenia both frowned in distaste.
Attention secured.
Irritation of that wretched mother and daughter, secured.
And now—
“I wish to present a gift to His Highness the Crown Prince. Will you accept it?”
“A gift…?”
“Wasn’t the Princess’s gift already the cost of preparing this banquet? I heard it was quite the sum.”
“So she prepared something more, after all.”
“My gift is…”
All eyes fixed on my lips.
I gestured, and Cecil appeared at my side, carrying documents. I handed them to Reynald.
He hurried down the stairs to me, and upon receiving them, his eyes widened.
“Y-Your Highness…?”
His voice trembled.
Now the others were curious—what could shake Reynald Bishop so?
I urged him silently to deliver the papers to Dmitri.
With stiff steps, Reynald carried them forward.
The documents passed from Cecil’s hands to mine, then finally to Dmitri.
When he read the contents, his body froze.
Smiling, I declared:
“I hereby grant the full rights and authority over the Orichalcum trade to His Highness the Crown Prince. That is my gift.”
All of it.
“T-this is absurd…!”
“Orichalcum…!”
The crowd gasped, mouths agape.
Clatter!
Even the Empress dropped her fan, staring at me. Her eyes shone with a terrible, ecstatic gleam.
Joy. Triumph.
The pleasure of believing she had utterly crushed me.
She trembled all over.
The nobles surged toward Dmitri, shouting eagerly:
“Your Highness the Crown Prince! Please accept my gift as well—I have secured a trade fleet from the Kingdom of Aretin!”
“Mine will please you most, Your Highness—I have obtained rare magic stones!”
“Your Highness, I—!”
Dmitri tried to call out to me, but was drowned out by the nobles desperate to curry his favor.
I watched them swarm him and laughed inwardly.
Chaos—achieved.
Dmitri had the greatest qualities of a future Emperor.
But his honesty will be his downfall.
Do you know how they now refer to me, once dismissed as the “hollow First Princess”?
As “the greedy Princess who monopolized Orichalcum and distributed it without relying on anyone.”
I held no personal grudge against Dmitri.
But for me to survive, I had to use him.
Every political stage needs at least one royal target for attack.
All I did was shift that target from myself onto Dmitri.
And I could always reclaim it later.
Smirking, I turned away. With this, both Dmitri and I had debuted perfectly into high society.
The banquet carried on with lively music, still stirred by what had just happened.
Gathered with the young ladies, I enjoyed tea and sweets as they gossiped about my actions, astonished.
Other groups were the same—everywhere, people whispered about me and Dmitri.
“She gave up Orichalcum… Should we shift our attention to the First Princess now?”
“Why would she do that? I only just decided to support her over the Second Princess!”
“Perhaps Her Highness is deeply fond of the Crown Prince—to give such a bold gift!”
“I knew siding with the Crown Prince was the right move!”
Half insulted me, half praised me.
Ignoring it all, I calmly ate the desserts Emily, Lara Mirsova, and Biante Rolovian offered.
Biante glanced at those slandering me, then sighed, shoulders drooping.
“It would have been better if you hadn’t given them a chance to talk…”
She clenched her fists, disliking how I became a subject of rising and falling opinions.
Lara Mirsova grit her teeth, glaring especially at Yevgenia’s circle.
“Look at that Lady Anis Welber laughing. So irritating!”
“Now, now, calm yourselves.”
Only Emily, who knew the full picture, soothed them and looked at me.
“Please reclaim what is yours, and put them in their place.”
“Of course.”
I replied brightly and reached for another cookie—when a flustered voice called out.
“Young Duke!”
It was Yevgenia, her voice ringing through the hall.
I instinctively drew back my hand and turned.
“Young Duke, where were you headed? Ah, but here’s a seat. Please, sit!”
“Ah, Second Princess, it’s all right.”
“Don’t say that! Lady Welber, would you kindly make room?”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
“Truly, I’m fine—”
“It is Her Highness’s command.”
Nakari spoke to Richard with a flat smile, pressing him firmly.
Richard raised a brow at Nakari, but since he had already declined once, refusing again would insult the princess.
So, reluctantly, Richard sat beside Yevgenia.
She blushed furiously, squirming beside him.
“First Princess, your face looks frightening.”
“…Ah.”
Emily tapped my shoulder lightly, snapping me out of my glare. I almost scowled murderously at Yevgenia.
I shook my head vigorously.
What is wrong with me?
My heart was pounding erratically, leaving me distracted. I sneaked another glance at Richard.
Unlike when he spoke with me, his eyes now looked unfocused.
I rose slightly and said:
“I’ll step out for a moment.”
“Please do come back victorious.”
“…I shall.”
“Good luck, Your Highness.”
Bolstered by Emily’s encouragement, I walked toward Yevgenia’s group.
