Chapter 56
The Banquet Has Only Just Begun
Although the sun had set and night had arrived, bright light spilled from one mansion as though it were still day. A long line of carriages stood before it.
Well-dressed guests alighted one after another, heading toward the wide banquet hall where many had already gathered and were conversing.
The one who stood out the most was, of course, the host of tonight’s banquet—Chaelen.
With his hair neatly brushed back and dressed far more splendidly than usual, he greeted each guest as they entered the hall.
Those present were busy getting their first look at the man they had only heard of through rumors.
“So that is the infamous Duke Kaiser.”
“He’s completely different from that Faizen fellow, isn’t he?”
Naturally, each had their own intentions.
“This is our chance. We must build at least some connection with him.”
“Of course. The head of the household has already changed.”
Amid the bustle, Arun, who had been directing the household staff, found a brief moment to approach Chaelen. Speaking low enough for only him to hear, he said:
“Please relax your expression a little, Duke Chaelen. There are still important guests to come.”
“I’m already exhausted. Can’t I just close the doors now?”
Though Chaelen forced himself to smile before the guests, it was not something he was accustomed to, and the corners of his lips twitched as if they might cramp.
“That won’t do. The most important guest of all is just now arriving.”
At Arun’s words, Chaelen turned—and immediately spotted the newcomer. His gaze sharpened in an instant.
“You’re right. I suppose I’ll endure a little longer.”
The man who had entered approached warmly.
“It feels refreshing to see you like this, Duke Chaelen.”
“Thank you for attending, Duke Hisven.”
The two men shook hands, smiling politely, though their true feelings were hidden deep within their eyes. With the banquet yet to begin, they exchanged only brief pleasantries and parted.
“Not an easy opponent,” Arun muttered.
“Well, doesn’t that make things more interesting?” Chaelen replied lightly.
Arun shook his head at his master’s reaction, then noticed another guest entering.
‘Who is that?’
Since he himself had compiled the invitation list, Arun knew nearly every guest—but the woman approaching was not one of them.
“Who is she?” Arun asked.
Chaelen, however, did not answer. He simply stared, dumbstruck.
“My lord?”
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”
The woman soon reached them. Chaelen, coming back to his senses, quickly bowed politely.
“Thank you for joining us tonight.”
“Not at all. I should be the one thanking you for inviting me.”
Their exchange began as politely as with any other guest, but soon the atmosphere between them shifted noticeably—so much so that even Arun was taken aback.
“Why were you staring at me like that earlier?” she asked.
“You looked so different from usual,” Chaelen admitted.
“That’s true. I never wear dresses like this. Too bothersome.”
Chaelen could hardly admit that she had looked so beautiful that he had been struck speechless.
The woman turned her gaze toward Arun, and Chaelen quickly made the introductions.
“This is Arun, the one I trust above all others.”
“Ah, I see. Pleased to meet you. I’m Elrea Jebenica.”
‘So she’s Elrea Jebenica.’
Now recognizing her, Arun bowed respectfully.
“I am Arun. I oversee the duke’s household and assist him personally.”
“That’s impressive. Doing both at once must be difficult. Chaelen, are you dumping all your work onto him?”
“Now, that’s unfair. I have plenty of duties myself, you know.”
The contrast in how she addressed them—formally with him, casually with Chaelen—left Arun baffled.
Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked carefully:
“Forgive my intrusion, but may I ask what the two of you are…?”
“We simply grew closer after meeting here. As you can see,” Chaelen answered vaguely.
“Since I came at Chaelen’s invitation, think nothing of it,” Elrea added with a smile. “By the way, this hall is splendid.”
Arun now realized that Elrea was the “first guest” Chaelen had insisted on inviting personally.
Though it felt awkward, what truly unsettled him was Chaelen’s demeanor. Never before had he seen his master speaking so comfortably with someone at his side.
Yes—Chaelen’s usual stiff politeness with others was the mask. What he showed Elrea now was his true self.
Their conversation was interrupted when a knight hurried up to them.
“Duke Chaelen, urgent news!”
“What is it?” Arun asked, sensing the man’s agitation.
“The Emperor has arrived!”
“The Emperor?”
Neither Chaelen nor Arun had heard anything about Emperor Terban attending, and Elrea too looked surprised. The Emperor rarely graced such gatherings.
Moments later, the hall stirred with excitement. Chaelen and Elrea looked toward the entrance—where Terban entered, arm-in-arm with Senil.
Chaelen recovered from his surprise quickly and stepped forward to greet them. Elrea lingered behind, watching.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
Despite Chaelen’s visible unease, Terban remained perfectly composed.
“I thought it fitting to attend personally tonight. May you continue to serve the Empire well, Duke Chaelen.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Your presence makes this gathering all the more meaningful.”
Bowing, Chaelen’s eyes drifted to the woman at Terban’s side. He knew her face well.
‘That woman is—’
“I’m Senil Raymil. Thank you for inviting me,” she said sweetly.
“And I thank you for gracing this hall. It cannot compare to the splendor of the imperial palace, but I have done my utmost in preparation.”
Following Chaelen’s lead, the Emperor and Senil entered further. Naturally, all eyes in the room followed them.
Senil basked in the envy and admiration she saw in those gazes. Soon, she noticed someone—and led Terban toward her.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
“You are here as well, Princess,” Elrea said calmly.
“Yes. It’s been a while since that day, hasn’t it?”
Elrea showed no fluster as Senil brought up their last encounter.
“I wanted to apologize properly for that incident. I told Terban as well—it was my mistake. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s right,” Terban confirmed.
Elrea deliberately avoided looking at him, and so did not realize his gaze lingered on her.
After exchanging a few words, the pair moved on to mingle with others.
‘Senil I expected. But the Emperor himself… perhaps I shouldn’t have come.’
Just then, a familiar voice greeted her.
“You look as though you regret being here, Elrea.”
“You read me well, Harris. That’s exactly what I was thinking just now.”
Harris chuckled, then glanced toward Senil at Terban’s side.
“To approach you first, after what happened—that’s bold, in its way.”
Her face, however, showed only displeasure. How could Senil smile as though nothing had happened?
“Agreed. It would have been better if she had simply ignored me,” Elrea replied.
“She won’t. She’ll only do the things you dislike.”
Elrea nodded.
Their conversation was interrupted by Chaelen’s voice echoing across the hall, signaling the banquet’s official beginning.
“Thank you all for coming tonight. I am Chaelen Kaiser. I am truly honored that you are here to celebrate with me. From this day forth, House Kaiser will prosper all the more. So please—enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”
Applause followed his words, and music filled the hall as the banquet commenced in earnest.
Guests conversed, danced with partners, and the evening flowed smoothly.
Elrea felt relieved that, perhaps because of past incidents, no young ladies were approaching her.
She chatted with Harris at ease—until Terban and Senil took to the floor. At once, all eyes were drawn to them.
“I dislike Lady Senil, but I can’t deny—they look perfect together,” Harris muttered.
“You’re right,” Elrea admitted quietly. She had often thought the same herself.
Then Harris’s gaze shifted.
“Looks like someone else is busy too.”
“Hm?”
“There.”
She pointed toward Chaelen—now surrounded by a crowd of young noblewomen.
“What about it?”
“Since the Emperor already has someone by his side, their eyes turn elsewhere. A duke, unmarried, and handsome besides? Of course he’s the target of interest.”
“Is that so?”
Elrea had never considered such a thing, but Harris explained eagerly:
“Of course. By tomorrow, Duke Chaelen will be flooded with letters—fathers trying to wed their daughters to him.”
The more she spoke, the more sense it made.
‘No matter how unusual he may seem to me, the fact remains—he is a duke.’
“If anyone here is seen close to him, it’ll be war. She’ll become the center of attention. Ugh, just imagining it makes me sick.”
Harris shook her head as though the thought disgusted her.
Elrea too wished to avoid such nuisances. She resolved firmly to keep her relationship with Chaelen hidden.
But her resolve did not last long.
Pushing through the young ladies without hesitation, Chaelen came straight toward her.
Elrea’s eyes asked, What are you doing?
He ignored her silent plea, extending his hand with formal courtesy.
‘No… surely not.’
She shook her head slightly in warning, but he only smiled. Clearly, this had been his intention from the start.
“Would you grant me the honor of a dance, Princess?”
Of all things, this was what I feared most.
Her prediction had come true. Harris, and countless other gazes, now bore into them.
Only two choices remained: take his hand, or refuse.
She wanted desperately to refuse. But either way, rumors would spread.
So Elrea reluctantly placed her hand in his.
“Of course. The honor is mine.”
Amidst the other couples, the two began to dance gracefully.
And from within the crowd, three pairs of eyes in particular fixed sharply upon them.
