Chapter 32
. Why Am I So Worried?
The royal palace banquet hall.
She had come thinking it was a small-scale banquet, yet the venue was the same hall where Lydia and she had first met.
“You said it was small-scale, Your Highness,”
Chanellica used an honorific toward Lydia, mindful of the many eyes around them.
“There are no foreign envoys, so there are far fewer people than last time.”
Looking around after hearing that, it did seem so. Unlike before, when the hall had been packed with people, now there was some space. But that didn’t mean it was a sparsely attended banquet—nobles, adorned from head to toe, occupied various spots throughout the hall.
“By the way, Chanel… you look amazing! Honestly, you might be the prettiest one here, even prettier than me!”
Lydia was delighted at how perfectly Chanellica had carried the light purple dress. Chanellica also liked the airy, spring-like feel of her dress.
Moreover, she was pleased with the makeup the princess’s maids had done. Her already long eyelashes seemed fuller, her eyes sharper, and her nose appeared higher.
After finishing her grooming, she lingered in front of the mirror for a while. She admitted to herself the words of the dancer at Laila Tavern: if properly dressed up, her face could cause quite a stir.
Still, it was only natural that her polymorphed human form was beautiful. Clothes and makeup enhanced her looks, but they didn’t excite her greatly.
“Is it really okay for me to come dressed like this?”
“Today, you’re not a translator, you’re my friend. You can think of yourself as equal to me.”
Lydia was genuinely excited. Chanellica glanced at Derwin, who was waiting by Lydia’s side. He maintained his usual expressionless demeanor, as if on duty.
He probably hasn’t seen me dressed up before.
Strangely, more than anyone else, Chanellica wanted to know his thoughts. Perhaps it was because, at his core, he was her partner. She found herself increasingly curious about what Derwin thought and felt.
“Your Highness,”
A maid came up to Lydia, who was chatting while waiting near the front of the banquet hall.
“Hm. Chanel, your brother will be a little late. You can look around for a bit. When he arrives, we’ll come back.”
Though Lydia had claimed she had no friends, she was far from unpopular. As a princess, she was admired by young noblewomen, who eagerly sought any chance to converse with her. The gazes of these young ladies, who seemed to want to approach Lydia from afar, made Chanellica’s cheeks flush.
“Then I’ll look around for a while. Your Highness, you should talk with the others too.”
“Mm. See you later, Chanel.”
Chanellica left the front of the hall with Bain. As soon as she stepped aside, the young noblewomen quickly moved toward Lydia.
“Sir Bain.”
“Yes?”
“Am I imagining it, or does it feel like everyone’s staring at me?”
Everywhere she walked, Chanellica could feel people’s gazes—not hostile, but not friendly either. She couldn’t understand why.
“Hm… I think it’s because Miss Chanel is beautiful.”
“You’re optimistic.”
Chanellica didn’t agree. She considered several possibilities: perhaps they wanted to speak with Lydia and were annoyed she hadn’t stepped aside quickly, or they were curious—or jealous—because of rumors involving Stern.
“Truly. I always knew you were beautiful, but I didn’t expect this radiance…”
“I don’t think it’s quite like that. But Bain, have you always thought that way about me? I just realized. You always seemed like a stone on the roadside to me before.”
“….”
“Anyway, thank you for saying I look pretty.”
Bain mentally scolded himself for letting his true feelings slip.
He had always thought Chanellica was beautiful, given how often he monitored her. But today was different. Usually, she wore simple uniforms with no makeup. Today, no matter how he tried, his eyes kept gravitating toward her. He almost didn’t want to look away.
Focus.
Chanellica was the fiancée of the commander he reported to. Ever since she entered the Knight Order building, everyone had treated her as the commander’s prospective wife.
From the very beginning, signs of her being the commander’s fiancée were apparent. The normally stern commander greeted her daily with a smile, brought her snacks, and went out of his way to have lunch with her. The members thought Stern had changed completely since she arrived—but only regarding Chanellica.
She’s the commander’s woman. She is the commander’s woman.
Bain repeated it to himself like a mantra. If Stern were present at this banquet, Chanellica would have already been in trouble several times.
Feeling pleased at Bain’s compliment, Chanellica looked around the hall. Her gaze eventually landed on Lydia—and specifically on Derwin beside her.
Huh? They’re close.
Chanellica couldn’t believe her eyes, but it was true. Lydia, while conversing with other young noblewomen, was pressed right up against Derwin. Her hand even rested on his arm.
She’s bold.
While she didn’t know the details, it was clear Lydia was trying to get closer to Derwin. This incident must have changed her feelings.
But… why am I so worried? How long has it been since I decided not to interfere with them?
Chanellica pondered, reflecting on her own feelings. Was she secretly relieved that Lydia’s feelings weren’t clearly communicated?
“Bain, I’ll be stepping out for a moment.”
“As you wish.”
Bain didn’t ask where she was going. Though he was still her watcher, there wasn’t much time left, and Chanellica didn’t seem the type to cause trouble.
Free for the moment, Chanellica went outside for some air.
Seeing the pair together closely made her stomach churn. She smacked her cheeks.
Don’t worry. Even if his core is a Lord, right now he’s just human.
Still, she couldn’t shake the odd feeling, blaming her youth.
I’m still a hatchling. My mind isn’t fully grown, so I can’t distinguish between fun and seriousness.
Chanellica took a deep breath and got up resolutely, determined to enter without a hint of hesitation.
Then, she saw a familiar face near the entrance of the hall.
“Oh? Administrator!”
A cheerful greeting. She approached a man she recognized.
It was none other than the king of this country, Eleusis.
Startled by her sudden call, he quickly signaled his attendants. The guards, including Glin, disappeared in an instant. Eleusis swiftly draped his cape forward to conceal his attire. Though shadowed, only one person in the kingdom could dare call him “temple administrator.”
“We meet again, young lady,”
Eleusis greeted calmly. Perhaps because it was darker outside, Chanellica still seemed to perceive him as the temple administrator.
“Yes, nice to see you! What brings you here? Are you attending the banquet?”
Seeing Chanellica approach, Eleusis inhaled sharply.
Beautiful.
That was all that came to mind. He even held his breath for a moment.
“Administrator?”
“…Ah, pardon?”
“I asked if you were here for the banquet! Since we’re in front of the hall.”
Chanellica said brightly.
He had known from their first meeting that she was a beautiful woman, but today was different. Her elegant light purple dress and light makeup emphasized her features more than usual, shaking Eleusis’s heart.
“The banquet… not really. I came to check something briefly.”
Eleusis recovered his composure, telling a small lie. In front of Chanellica, he felt comfortable hiding his identity.
He had been looking forward to this banquet. Since meeting her in Brunhill Forest, Eleusis had tasked her with investigation. There was only one foreign translator, so she was easy to find. Surprisingly, she seemed to have become friends with his younger sister, Lydia, who usually kept others at a distance. Lydia even proposed the friendship herself, which amazed Eleusis.
That was why he had her attend with Lydia today. He wondered how her expression would change if she learned he was the king. But meeting her now, Eleusis wished to remain just a common temple administrator with her for a little longer.
“I see… It would’ve been nice to enjoy the banquet together… Ah, but are you cold? It’s warm, yet you’re wrapped tightly in a cape.”
Chanellica’s sharp observation made him sweat slightly. Summer was approaching. But under the cape, he wore attire that unmistakably marked him as the emperor, so he couldn’t easily remove it.
“And you, young lady—are you here for the banquet?”
Eleusis diverted the question.
“Yes.”
“Then why are you outside?”
“I came out for some fresh air. I felt a bit… odd inside.”
“I see.”
He felt no guilt for deceiving her. If she knew he was king, her demeanor would immediately change. Being able to stay as a regular man, even briefly, pleased him greatly.
“Administrator, are you… married?”
A sudden question interrupted Eleusis’s thoughts.
