Chapter 27……………………………………..
I glanced sideways and looked at Elian, who was staring outside with a bright smile. Hm.
“Elian.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“What? Go ahead.”
I wanted her to answer me, but she turned her attention to the charity event happening around us, as if I didn’t exist. I felt like giving her a sharp tap on the back of the head. Seriously, why did she even come along?
We had a huge argument not long ago, yet now she clings to me as if nothing happened. Her audacity made me give up on scolding her. Does she not know where the line is? Or is she just ignoring me? But since Ban and I already have a good relationship, whatever Elian does doesn’t really matter, so I let it slide.
The invitation to the charity event was for the Astria Trade Guild, and only one representative needed to attend. I had tried to stop Elian from joining, but in the end, we attended together. I couldn’t help feeling uneasy about sending her alone; she might mess things up.
Suppressing the urge to hit her, I asked her over the back of her head:
“What do you think the position of Empress is?”
“Empress?”
She finally took her eyes off the outside and looked at me. Is it really that enticing a word?
“You said ‘Empress’?”
“Yeah. Empress.”
“Empress, huh…”
Elian unusually looked very thoughtful, lips moving as she considered my question. Then, after a long pause, she nodded decisively.
“It’s the highest position. The topmost position, above everyone else.”
I listened quietly—she wasn’t wrong.
“Isn’t it the position every woman dreams of? A position above everyone except His Majesty the Emperor. A place where you don’t have to bow to anyone, and everyone bows to you. Everyone wants it, everyone dreams of becoming it.”
“Do you want to be Empress too, Elian?”
“Of course.”
I gazed at her smiling face and nodded.
“But why are you asking this?”
“Just… just asking.”
I avoided her gaze and looked out the window, even though I felt her eyes on me.
A crowd had gathered outside, each person clearly interested in today’s charity event. From luxurious carriages to leaders of large entourages, everyone moved with pride. I turned my head to observe them.
“Elian.”
“Hm?”
“Just so you know…”
I tilted my chin at her.
“If you spend recklessly, I’ll bill it to your family, alright?”
She made a pouty face, clearly planning to do exactly that. My head throbbed.
As expected of a royal event, there were many people, both in quantity and in status. Several heads of influential families were present, along with competitors from other guilds, bringing their subordinates.
From this perspective, the Astria Trade Guild didn’t seem very impressive. So why did they invite us? Could it… be because they wanted to see me?
“…Crazy.”
“Hm? What do you mean, Ludia?”
“Nothing. Anyway, where should we go?”
“I explained earlier… somewhere around here… ah, there it is.”
We moved toward the area marked with the Astria Trade Guild flag, laid down our luggage, and surveyed the surroundings. In the packed plaza, everyone moved strategically to secure their position—some hunting opportunities, some using others to get ahead, merchants flaunting their wealth, nobles plotting to take it.
It was satisfying to watch everyone flaunt their talents so openly. That’s how you deal with people—if they hide too much, it’s no fun.
“By the way, Ludia, are we participating in the auction?”
“Of course. If we’re invited and buy nothing, it would be embarrassing. And it’d be awkward for the host as well.”
“Oh! Speaking of which, I’m curious. Whose name was the invitation sent under?”
I took the invitation out of my pocket, double-checked it, and handed it to her.
“Hacklryd. A man named Hacklryd Ben.”
“Oh, that guy.”
“You know him?”
“He’s famous. Don’t you know him, Ludia?”
I shook my head; it was the first time I’d heard the name. Elian raised an eyebrow, grinned mischievously, and covered her mouth. Was she mocking me? I raised my brow; she puffed out her chest and spoke proudly.
“Hmm, Ludia is so naïve in these matters. Maybe because you rarely meet influential people? How can you not know someone famous?”
I wasn’t close enough to her to joke around, so I waved my hand lightly.
“Just tell me quickly. What’s the deal?”
“Eh, you’re so stingy. Fine, it’s important info, so I’ll tell you.”
Elian examined the invitation while explaining.
“Hacklryd Ben. His family name is Terband. He’s the eldest son of a marquis family and the heir of the Terband clan. But at a young age, he was chosen by the Crown Prince to serve as his aide. That’s it.”
He seemed important… but not that impressive.
“But what’s more interesting than his status is his family.”
“Why?”
“The Terband family is a leading noble house, while the current Crown Prince is at the pinnacle of the emperor’s faction. Normally, they wouldn’t even be close. It’s surprising that the Crown Prince took him as an aide, but it’s equally impressive that Hacklryd fully obeys him. Naturally, people talk.”
“What kind of talk?”
Elian smiled faintly.
“Who’s deceiving whom—everyone’s debating the truth.”
Ah, I see. Rumors would say the man is using Ban for information, while Ban is using him to control the noble faction. That made sense.
“You don’t know the exact details?”
“Only they know the truth.”
I see… interesting.
“Elian, how do you know all this?”
“Info is power in noble society. That’s basic.”
I sighed as I watched her stretch her shoulders and smile. Probably just enjoying gossip. I licked my lips. Elian, still grinning proudly, tilted her head.
“But why did he invite us? Our guild doesn’t even overlap with his business.”
“Who knows?”
I’d find out if I asked. I turned my head to survey the crowd, noticing clusters of people intently observing something. I pushed through to see what they were looking at.
A large paper posted on a board listed the artists participating in the event and the royal models assigned to them, along with details about the type of art they created.
Nobles were eager to purchase works featuring the royals they supported.
“Hm…”
So Ban would be…
I scanned the list and spotted the name “Crown Prince Bertasylin.” Since I usually called him by his nickname, reading the full name felt strange.
Let’s see.
“Crown Prince Bertasylin will have one artist assigned, and the artwork will be…”
I froze as I read the title.
“…a half-nude portrait?”
From behind, I heard Elian scream in disbelief.
“Crazy.”
Whoever planned this deserved some kind of recognition.
Two days before the charity event, Ban had loudly protested to Liana.
“Why do I have to model half-nude?!”
Ban sharply argued, wrapping his cloak around himself. Caves, observing, subtly moved his chin to glance at Liana.
Liana lightly moved her hand to her chin, thinking for a moment, then spoke:
“What’s the problem? It’s not for public display—it’ll only be sold as a painting, so it’s fine.”
“Fine, my foot…! Who in my family would agree to be a half-nude model? Never happened before, won’t happen again.”
“But that’s what makes it exciting.”
“Why suddenly care about excitement?”
She tilted her chin. A brown-haired man nearby approached, handing over a list of invitation recipients, including the Astria Trade Guild. Ban frowned.
Liana’s advice had been to create a situation to ease awkwardness between Ludia and Ban.
But following her guidance, he somehow ended up as a nude model—everything happened in an instant.
Ban tried to look as wronged as possible. He was the Crown Prince, next in line for the throne, top of the imperial hierarchy—yet he had to take his shirt off. He could hardly accept it.
Liana spent the morning trying to calm him, but nothing worked. She tried persuasion and even threats, but Ban refused stubbornly, citing his dignity as Crown Prince.
In the end, Liana played her final card. She waved off Caves and Hacklryd, leaving Ban alone with her, staring him down.
“Ban.”
“No matter how serious you sound, this is too much. How does this concern my relationship with Ludia?”
“Don’t you understand?”
“I don’t.”
Ban narrowed his eyes, replying curtly. Liana pressed further.
“You don’t want to marry Ludia?”
“W-What do you mean? Out of nowhere…”
“I’m serious. Have you thought about it?”
“You’re rushing. We haven’t even discussed marriage with Ludia yet…”
“Now’s urgent.”
