Chapter 39
Saeyd couldn’t hide his sorrow when Ciela finally disappeared.
Seeing him like that, the chamberlain asked,
“Who was that person, Your Highness?”
“Why did you have to come now, of all times!”
Instead, Saeyd burst out angrily, but the chamberlain calmly replied,
“His Majesty is looking for you, Your Highness. The banquet is about to begin, and he commands that you return.”
At the chamberlain’s words that the emperor was seeking him, Saeyd pressed his lips tightly shut.
The chamberlain had expected him to make a gloomy face upon hearing that the emperor wanted him. It had happened many times before: while Saeyd was in debate with distinguished scholars, the emperor had struck him with cruel words simply because he was at a loss for an answer.
It was not unusual. Though Saeyd was an exceptionally gifted prodigy for his age, the emperor demanded not a prodigy, but a genius beyond compare, and he was never satisfied with his son.
He replaced affection with harsh words and, at times, violence. And whenever that happened, Saeyd would hide away somewhere and cry alone.
The chamberlain knew exactly where he went to cry, which was why he could find him so easily today as well.
But today, Saeyd hadn’t been alone.
Who was that…?
Golden-red hair, gleaming like sunlight. A familiar figure somehow.
“Hey, Chamberlain.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The chamberlain, lost in thought, naturally smiled at Saeyd’s voice calling to him.
Hesitant, Saeyd mustered up the courage to ask,
“Am I… important to you?”
“Of course, Your Highness. You are the one who will someday succeed His Majesty and lead the Empire.”
“…Even if I weren’t the crown prince, would I still be important to you?”
“….”
At such an uncharacteristic question, the chamberlain fell silent. Saeyd looked up at him with half-expectation, half-fear.
After a pause, the chamberlain replied,
“Yes, even if Your Highness were not the prince, you would still be precious to me.”
His tone was stiff, but Saeyd’s face brightened like a flower in bloom.
“Then, will you grant me one request? You mustn’t tell Father—promise you’ll keep it a secret!”
“Of course. Please command me.”
“Find someone for me. The girl I was just talking to. You must keep it a secret from Father!”
The unexpected request made the chamberlain falter, but soon he bowed deeply and answered,
“Yes, I will find out who she is and report back to you.”
“Really? Thanks! Hehe.”
Saeyd was genuinely delighted, his face full of anticipation.
Will I be able to see her again?
Next time, could I speak with her a little longer?
Drenched in expectation, Saeyd didn’t realize—
what kind of face the ever-kind chamberlain was wearing behind his back.
“Haa… I thought I was caught.”
Barely making it back to my room, I caught my breath. I hadn’t expected the emperor’s man to suddenly appear there.
Not that I’ve done anything wrong, so even if I were discovered, it wouldn’t matter.
Still, I’d rather avoid drawing the emperor’s attention.
Anyway, it’s already this late.
By the time I tidied up my disheveled hair and dress, evening had already fallen.
The palace gates were swarming with carriages pressing to get in. The banquet seemed to have already begun.
I wonder if Duke Creyman has already entered.
I should head out too.
After checking the luggage under my bed, I left my quarters and made for the banquet hall.
It wasn’t hard to find. The brightly lit place where people were gathered was unmistakably the hall.
I identified myself and was able to enter without issue. Though I gave my name at the entrance, no one paid me any attention.
At best, I overheard a faint murmur: “Baroness Feirunte? Was there such a noble?”
Which suited me just fine—I didn’t want to stand out anyway.
I thought I had arrived fairly early, but the hall was already half full. It seemed all but the central nobles and the imperial family had entered.
Ah, cake.
While glancing around, I spotted a table piled with desserts and headed straight for it.
Perfect, I was hungry.
I hadn’t eaten all day. With nothing else to do, at least I could sate my hunger.
A proper meal would’ve been better, but unfortunately, the hall offered only wine and desserts. Still, that was better than nothing.
I placed a slice of strawberry cake piled high with cream on my plate and moved toward a less-crowded pillar.
Spearing a strawberry with a dainty fork, I bit into it. The tangy juice spread across my tongue.
By then, the central nobles had entered, and the doors to the hall were shut.
I lingered near the entrance, watching the arrivals, but Duke Creyman was nowhere to be seen.
Could he be skipping the banquet?
Given his poor relationship with the emperor, it was possible.
As I pondered this, the imperial family entered.
They didn’t come through the main entrance but through a side door leading to the dais.
Standing at a high place overlooking the hall, the emperor began his speech.
Perhaps using magic, his voice boomed throughout the chamber.
Soon his words ended, and the orchestra struck up. Nobles paired off, men and women, and filled the center floor with dance.
The sight of them greeting each other and moving in unison was dazzling, almost blinding with their graceful motions and glittering jewels.
Some danced, while others gathered in groups to discuss business.
Belonging to neither, I stood at a distance, watching quietly.
I’ll stay a while, then leave.
With the emperor’s entrance, I was free to go whenever I liked. But leaving too quickly would draw attention, and I had to stick to my plan, so I decided to bide my time.
This cake is really good, though.
I looked at my half-eaten strawberry cake. As expected of the imperial kitchens, it was nothing like the cakes sold at market.
I wish I could share this with the children.
Were the kids doing well? I had locked everything tightly, so no intruder should be able to get in, but still—I worried.
What if they got hurt while I was away? What if someone fell ill?
I really do need a servant.
Not someone like Romanda, who shirked her duties and bossed the children around, but someone who could truly watch over them.
Tonight’s plan was important for that very reason.
When I get back, I’ll make them a cake.
I was fairly skilled at cooking and baking.
As I set my plan in mind and took another bite of cake, I noticed a sudden commotion nearby. The source seemed to be near the entrance.
“It’s Lord Creyman!”
“My, what a rare honor to see him here.”
“To think such a beautiful man carries such hideous rumors of being a monster—it’s hard to believe.”
I turned my gaze. A crowd had gathered around him. Standing tall, brimming with presence, he was impossible to miss.
So he did come.
I felt a little relieved to see a familiar face.
He seemed to be searching for someone, scanning the crowd, though the nobles surrounding him made it difficult.
If I had always thought him handsome, now under the brilliant lights of the banquet hall he seemed to shine even more. Having only seen him in casual disarray before, his polished appearance struck me all the more.
And then, suddenly, someone spoke to me.
“Duke Creyman is as popular as ever.”
I turned my head. A man had approached without my noticing, smiling at me.
“Though, of course, you are far more beautiful, my lady.”
…What on earth.
Though startled, I kept my composure and replied,
“Thank you for the compliment.”
The man looked amused by my polite response. He stepped closer.
“You must be Lady Ciela Feirunte, correct?”
I had been looking for an escape, but at the sound of my name from his lips, I looked up in shock.
“How do you know my name…?”
“But of course. I’ve had an interest in you for quite some time.”
“Pardon?”
At my genuine surprise, he chuckled softly.
“I mean the Ciela Orphanage. I looked into it for the purpose of providing support.”
“Ah… I see.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“No, not at all.”
But truthfully, I felt irritated, as though he were toying with me.
I bowed quickly, intending to leave him behind.
“Then, please excuse me.”
“Wait—did I not say I wished to provide support?”
Wielding “support” like a tool of power, he seized my wrist. His grip was so tight it hurt, and I frowned.
“I’m sorry, but we’re no longer accepting new sponsors.”
“Because Duke Creyman’s household is already sponsoring you, isn’t that right?”
“….”
Hearing that name from his lips again, I fell silent. He leaned closer with a meaningful smile.
So close my nose brushed his chest. I wanted to pull away, but his grip on my wrist kept me bound.
I glanced around, hoping for help, but the angle was poor, and everyone else’s attention was fixed on Duke Creyman. No one seemed to notice what was happening.
“Strange, isn’t it? You accept only Duke Creyman’s support, and none from others?”
“Let go of me.”
My voice dropped lower, but the man still did not release me. He pressed further with his questioning.
“Do you perhaps have some special relationship with Duke Creyman?”
At that, I glared at him, my expression hard. His lips still wore a smile, but his eyes were sharp, probing—determined to drag an answer from me.
I let out a short laugh, as though I had just heard something ridiculous.
“You’re delusional. I wonder—are you still able to function in daily life like that?”
