Chapter – 09
The nobles watching them were so surprised that Rafine, who had always followed Cedric in the past, seemed completely different now. They even wondered if she was the same person.
“What? Spread the news?”
“Yes. Since we will soon break the engagement, everyone should know. That’s why I came today.”
“……”
Her father, the Marquis, was left speechless. But Rafine continued confidently.
“It’s even better if I tell them the reason for the breakup.”
“What on earth… What are you talking about?”
The Marquis looked resigned.
“Oh, Father, did you not know? Cedric ignored me, perfectly fine, and instead escorted my younger sister. What woman would want to marry a man like that? Right, Miss Dvorak?”
Rafine made sure to seek agreement from Helen, who was watching.
Helen, suddenly called out, nodded in surprise.
“That… yes. If my fiancé acted like that, I would dislike it—”
Helen stopped mid-sentence when she saw the Marquis’s angry expression.
“Did you hear that, Father? Even Miss Dvorak wouldn’t marry a man like that. I think every noblewoman here would feel the same.”
The Marquis, at a loss for words, suddenly snapped.
“Where did you get the nerve to decide our family matters on your own!”
“No, Father. I wasn’t trying to decide alone.”
Rafine quickly answered the Marquis’s outburst.
“Do you really think I could make such a serious decision all by myself?”
“What?”
The Marquis sounded even more bewildered.
Rafine quietly held her dress and took a deep breath.
“I’m going to ask His Majesty for permission.”
“What nonsense is that…!”
At that, everyone, including the Marquis, looked at her as if she were speaking madness.
The Emperor usually left immediately after council meetings. Why would he intervene over a mere noblewoman’s engagement?
“You must be completely crazy.”
“Since you won’t give permission, Father, I will personally tell His Majesty about the breakup and get his approval.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. His Majesty isn’t that free!”
The nobles nodded in agreement. It was rumored that the Emperor hated two things most: crowded places and anyone touching him. He certainly wouldn’t appear at this event. They thought Rafine’s plan was a foolish hope to meet the Emperor.
The Marquis decided he could no longer leave Rafine unchecked and grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t think of leaving your room for a while.”
He held her tightly. Rafine tried stubbornly to resist.
“Don’t!”
“You’re bringing shame to the family!”
The Marquis tugged her roughly, and Rafine almost fell forward. Resisting a grown man’s strength was impossible.
Then, suddenly, a voice rang out.
“The sun of the empire, His Majesty the Great Emperor, has arrived!”
Everyone froze in disbelief.
The garden erupted in chaos.
“What… what did you just say?”
“The Emperor is here?”
All the nobles were stunned. The Emperor only appeared at major state events. Why would he attend a simple tea party hosted by a noblewoman? Even those well-informed had not heard a word of this.
“Oh, what day is this?”
Even Rafine, who had prepared expecting the Emperor’s influence through her friend Bayern, was shocked. Half expecting it, half doubting, she froze when the Emperor truly appeared.
“I-Is he really coming this way?”
“It really is His Majesty!”
Some noblewomen whispered in awe. Rafine slowly turned toward the Emperor.
As usual at large events, he wore a mask covering half his face. Rumors that he liked to dye his hair seemed true; it was a different color than before. Even masked, he was striking, his strong build and straight nose clearly showing his beauty.
“My goodness, His Majesty is going straight to Miss Robru?”
The nobles were stunned by his direct approach.
Rafine, momentarily dazed, quickly bent to show respect. But the Marquis stepped in front of her, surprised by the Emperor’s arrival.
“Sir Robru, I am honored to see His Majesty.”
Unlike his previous scolding tone, he was now extremely polite. The Emperor usually left after brief greetings, so he couldn’t miss this chance to make an impression.
The Emperor barely acknowledged the greeting and spoke.
“I heard a commotion and came over. I saw what was happening between you and your daughter.”
The Marquis blushed in embarrassment. How could he fight with his daughter in front of the Emperor? He carefully chose his words.
“It is my fault for not properly teaching my daughter. I was giving her a stern warning. I apologize for the disturbance.”
“It didn’t seem like a simple warning,” the Emperor said, subtly siding with Rafine.
The Marquis wanted to appear as a caring father concerned for his daughter’s future.
“But Your Majesty… I cannot just watch my daughter make a lifelong mistake…”
“A lifelong mistake?”
The Emperor’s interest made the Marquis sigh with slight relief.
“Yes. My daughter is soon to be married, and she is rashly trying to cancel the marriage. How foolish is that?”
“Is that so?”
The Emperor’s remark encouraged the Marquis to continue.
“Therefore—”
“No, Marquis. I want to hear it from the person herself.”
The Marquis looked clearly embarrassed but could not argue with the Emperor.
“Are you the Marquis’s daughter?”
The Emperor naturally turned to Rafine. She stepped forward promptly and replied.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Rafine, eldest daughter of the Robru family. It is my infinite honor to meet Your Majesty here.”
“Enough with the greetings. I want to hear your story directly. Where is Miss Rafine’s fiancé?”
The nobles murmured. Cedric had left his fiancée to attend the tea party with Rafine’s sister, which was morally questionable.
Rafine quickly spoke. The Marquis tried to stop her, but the Emperor’s cold gaze prevented him.
“I will bring my fiancé here.”
“Good. I will wait.”
The Emperor’s willingness to wait caused the nobles to react even more.
Rafine quickly moved toward the tower, where Cedric and Elizabeth had gone. She could not keep the Emperor waiting.
Today, with the Emperor personally involved, Rafine was determined to finalize the engagement breakup.
The Emperor’s unexpectedly favorable attitude reminded her of Bayern.
‘I must thank him when I meet him.’
She climbed the tower quickly, her steps light and swift.
