Chapter 124
“You’re here, Your Highness.”
“I was still getting ready, so I’m a little late.”
Striding forward, Riana exchanged a brief greeting with Count Chadwick before taking the seat of honor.
“I was worried I might have troubled you by sending word.”
“Well… it wasn’t exactly welcome, but I can’t say I don’t understand your position, Count. Don’t think too much of it.”
“Haha, I’m simply grateful.”
After a few more words with Chadwick, Riana slowly turned her gaze.
To her left sat Raindel, whose face betrayed the discomfort he couldn’t quite hide.
He had been completely excluded from the earlier exchange.
Raindel’s self-esteem was fragile, his inferiority complex deep. That made his pride all the stronger.
He hated being ignored more than anything.
But for all his pride, Raindel lacked the courage to back it up. His anger could only ever be unleashed within his own quarters of the Roan palace.
If she hadn’t sneaked into his palace in their younger days, Riana would never have known that.
“…It’s been a while, Riana.”
His smile was a little stiff, but not intolerable.
Riana simply nodded.
“Not that long, really. But emotionally, it does feel like it.”
“Haha… Have you been well in the Empire? Father and Mother worry about you a great deal.”
Worry? What nonsense.
Riana tilted her head lazily, the gesture matching her elegant yet vaguely domineering attire.
“I’ve been wonderful. I think I fit the Empire far better than Roan.”
She smiled lightly as she spoke.
Raindel’s expression twisted for a moment before returning to normal. His voice trembled slightly as he forced it out.
“…I’m glad you’re well. Still, it would be nice if you wrote sometimes. Everyone wonders how you’re doing—”
“Raindel.”
Riana cut him off mid-sentence.
Utter rubbish. I can’t stand listening to it.
“Do you have a bad memory? Or did you hit your head recently?”
Her tone made it clear how absurd she found him.
Raindel froze, while Chadwick, seated to her right, paused mid-sip of his tea.
The first to recover was the count, who quickly composed himself and set his cup down as though nothing had happened.
“…What did you say?”
Raindel’s face contorted as he finally managed to speak.
“I asked if you hit your head.”
Riana’s repetition was smooth, almost kind.
Her reason for coming here was simple: to make Raindel face his own rudeness in Chadwick’s presence.
And beyond that—
To remind the Roan royal family that I am no longer one of them.
Riana still loved Roan.
It was her homeland, the country she had once risked her life to defend.
And it was the kindness of Roan’s common people that had given her the strength to fight on the frontier.
But that love was for the people alone.
Roan’s royals and nobles no longer counted among those she cherished.
“I told you before I left, didn’t I?”
“…Told me what?”
Feigning ignorance?
Riana leaned in slightly, her voice soft but biting.
“That you should never expect anything from me again, Raindel.”
Her words were elegant in tone, but sharp as a blade.
“…You—”
“You used my name to your advantage. Fine, enjoy it while it lasts. But don’t overstep. Or what—are you so desperate now that I’ll become Empress?”
“Riana!”
“What?”
“…Don’t you think that’s too harsh? This isn’t just between us. You should watch your words when others are present.”
Raindel’s voice faltered as he glanced at Count Chadwick, clearly ashamed to be scolded so openly.
And so you should be.
That was exactly why Riana had chosen this setting.
She leaned back casually in her chair, watching him struggle to contain his temper.
“Don’t worry. The count already knows.”
“…Knows what?”
“That I have no fondness for the Roan royal family. Everyone knows it, really. You made sure of that yourselves—banishing me so openly.”
Raindel fell silent, fists trembling.
At last, it seemed to sink in: Riana had no intention of reconciling with them.
If only he had understood that the first time she said it.
It would have saved them both the trouble.
Looking at his pitiful face, Riana decided it was time to end this for good.
Her voice was calm, almost gentle, but it left no room for argument.
“You understand now, don’t you? From now on, don’t speak to me as if we’re close. You can only do that while I still carry the title of princess.”
“…”
“Once I’m Empress, don’t expect any special treatment just because I was born in Roan.”
“Riana…”
“Don’t think I’ll humor you for appearance’s sake. You know me—I’ve never cared about keeping up pretenses.”
Her steady tone carried more finality than any insult could.
Even Raindel felt it—Riana had truly let go of Roan’s royal family.
Anger, mockery, bitterness—those all required some form of attachment.
Now, she had none.
“Show proper respect between nations. Schedules exist for a reason, not to be twisted however you please.”
“…”
“If Roan suffers for your carelessness, that burden will be yours to bear.”
With that, Riana rose from her seat.
Chadwick, who had been quietly sipping tea, followed her lead.
“I’ve shown the count an unseemly sight.”
Riana smiled faintly, but both men knew the truth: she would not hesitate to repeat these words even in the heart of the imperial palace.
“Haha, nonsense. I saw nothing more than a pleasant teatime.”
Chadwick chuckled, shoulders shrugging lightly.
His smooth manner drew a small smile from Riana.
“I’m sorry to trouble you, but I’ll leave the rest in your hands, Count.”
“Of course. This is what I’m here for.”
She was about to leave when—
“…Riana.”
Raindel’s voice called after her, pale and strained.
She turned her head slightly.
“Speak.”
He hesitated, then blurted out:
“…Does His Majesty know how deeply you involve yourself in foreign affairs?”
“…”
“And what of Roan’s people? The blood in your veins is that of Roan’s royal family. You have a duty to them.”
Ah. So that’s what this is.
Riana smirked coldly, tilting her head.
“What pointless worry.”
“Pointless?—”
“You wouldn’t understand. You’ve never known what it is to love. If His Majesty were here, he’d be worrying about the succession, not me.”
Her icy words made his eyes shake.
“And let me remind you—I’ve risked my life to protect Roan. Unlike you, sitting in the palace scheming how to take more for yourself.”
“…”
“So don’t try to hold me with such empty words. The Roan I love… doesn’t include you.”
Without another glance, Riana swept from the room.
The gems on her dress chimed softly as they brushed against each other, her confident footsteps echoing until they faded into silence.
Left behind were a defeated Raindel and a deeply relieved Count Chadwick, grateful that such a formidable woman stood at his liege’s side.
After her meeting with Raindel, Riana busied herself with the days ahead.
The Founding Festival was barely a week away, and she oversaw the final preparations.
She accepted an invitation from scholars researching monsters and visited the Huaheon Hall to exchange insights.
That evening, she dined alone before replying to the letters she had received from noble ladies she had once invited to a tea party.
Two of them had recently recovered from the shock of encountering monsters. Riana wrote back, relieved at the news.
Others expressed eagerness to meet her at the Founding Festival, and she responded in kind: I look forward to it as well.
Through it all, Riana wore the gown Ianheart had given her as a gift.
