Chapter 62
The first to appear was the Emperor.
Lucillea unconsciously held her breath.
Even the ornate imperial robes couldn’t hide his broad shoulders and solid build, nor the calloused joints of his hands, hardened by years of wielding a sword.
Unlike the “strategist” image she had imagined while reading the original story, the Emperor carried an aura more suited to the battlefield than the palace.
His golden eyes looked languid, but hidden beneath was a sharp instinct, like the piercing gaze of a predator that sees through everything.
Yes, a beast.
Lucillea thought so without realizing it.
Relaxed in appearance, but a king of beasts who would never allow his territory to be encroached upon.
She now faintly understood how the Emperor had managed to protect the throne amid countless schemes in the original work.
Wow. His Majesty the Emperor is really handsome.
She could now see where Serdian, the male lead, had inherited his good looks from.
Cookie, who had been following her gaze toward the Emperor, spoke.
[Lucy! That man looks super strong! He’d look way better in armor than in that flashy outfit!]
Lucillea quietly nodded in agreement. She thought the same.
Still, Cookie, you can’t go calling His Majesty “that man.”
[Eh! Nobody else can hear me anyway!]
I’m worried you’ll blurt it out by accident one day!
She reminded him of the time he had called Master Noah “an idiot.” Cookie let out a short groan.
So, promise to be careful, Cookie?
[Got it!]
Good. She patted Cookie’s round head and shifted her gaze to the Emperor’s side.
Next to him stood the Empress, the star of today’s birthday celebration, her arm linked with his.
She was beautiful. And cold.
She appeared to be in her mid-thirties, noticeably younger than the Emperor, who looked to be in his forties.
Her abundant, glossy brown hair was elegantly pinned up beneath ornate jeweled ornaments, and her fair skin glowed flawlessly even with minimal makeup.
Though young and alluring to be called “the mother of the Empire,” her gentle smile and graceful movements radiated an authority no one could defy.
As Lucillea observed the two highest figures of the Empire, the imperial couple ascended the dais.
At that moment, the Emperor’s gaze briefly lingered on Elbadin and Serdian standing in the middle of the hall.
It was only a passing glance, yet Lucillea somehow felt it was chilling. He did not even know his own child was standing right there.
After the Emperor’s short but dignified address, the nobles began lining up to offer their congratulations to the Empress.
“Your Majesty the Empress, congratulations on your birthday. Your beauty and benevolence will be recorded in our sacred history. You are the one and only jewel of the Empire.”
The Empress smiled serenely.
“Marques Marquis, your compliments are always pleasant to hear.”
Another noble stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, this is a gift prepared by our count’s family. Though it cannot compare to your beauty, please accept it as a token of our sincerity.”
“Thank you, Count Wilton. I won’t forget your thoughtfulness.”
The count retreated with a face full of joy, and Baron Briang, once a merchant, stepped forward next.
“Your Majesty! This is the finest silk from the far eastern continent across the sea! It is an honor to present it to you!”
He ostentatiously opened a box full of silks, showing off his gift.
One by one, nobles followed, some pushing their young daughters forward in hopes of forging ties with the imperial family, others subtly flaunting their wealth, military strength, or intelligence networks.
Flattery and display abounded. Lucillea felt like she was peeking into the adult world for the first time.
Seems like social life in this world isn’t easy either.
She sighed inwardly and turned her head.
Finally, at the end of the long procession, it was the turn of the Grand Duchy of Descartes.
Elbadin led the children forward to the Emperor and Empress.
As he moved, a strange silence fell over the noisy banquet hall.
Standing before the Empress, Elbadin looked at her with a dry gaze.
“Congratulations on Your Majesty’s birthday.”
“……”
A short, plain greeting.
One of the Empress’s eyebrows arched slightly.
Reactions among the nobles varied—some whispered, That’s all?, while others muttered, As expected of the Grand Duke.
Yet no one could criticize it.
It was brief and blunt, but undeniably proper.
Then—
“Grand Duke.”
The Empress called to Elbadin with a gentle smile.
He gave a shallow bow and replied.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
His eyes seemed to ask, What more could we possibly have to say to each other?
The Empress kept her smile.
“How many years has it been, Grand Duke? The northern winter winds must have been so harsh they made you forget the spring greetings of the capital.”
Her kindly gaze crinkled.
But hidden in her words was a sharp thorn aimed at Elbadin, who had ignored her invitations all these years.
Huh?
Even Lucillea noticed the barb.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Lucillea stole a glance at the back of Elbadin’s head.
He calmly replied, face unreadable:
“Guarding the Empire’s winter leaves no leisure to covet a fleeting spring.”
At his retort, the Empress’s smile wavered ever so slightly before she quickly regained composure.
Oh…! Lucillea watched them in awe.
So he doesn’t yield even to the Empress.
As expected of the Grand Duke.
Judging by that short exchange alone, the victory clearly went to Elbadin.
Lucillea glanced at the Empress again.
For a split second, the corner of her lips had faltered.
Then suddenly, the Empress’s eyes met hers directly.
Uh…?
Startled, Lucillea widened her eyes before quickly bowing her head in panic.
The Empress spoke again with a warm smile.
“May I ask the age of that child?”
Elbadin replied curtly.
“She is seven.”
The Empress’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Oh… Then the timing doesn’t match, does it?”
Elbadin responded evenly.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
The Empress chuckled softly.
“Nothing. I must have misunderstood.”
Then, the Emperor spoke for the first time since the greetings began.
“Misunderstood?”
The Empress slowly shook her head.
“It’s nothing, Your Majesty. It’s just…”
She paused deliberately, then continued.
“It’s curious that the Grand Duke has come to the banquet after so long, and that he brought children with him as well.”
Her gaze returned to Lucillea.
“Seeing that child, I thought perhaps the Grand Duke had finally found the child he lost eight years ago.”
“……”
“……”
She covered her lips with her hand and laughed lightly.
“I see it was merely my mistake.”
A chill swept over the hall.
No one dared breathe as all eyes flicked between the Empress and Elbadin.
It had not been a forbidden topic at first, but over time it had become one.
Eight years ago, when the Grand Duchess was found dead, the unborn child had disappeared with her—now the Empress had brought it up.
The nobles weren’t the only ones shocked.
Among them was the very subject of that story: Lucillea.
W–what the heck is this Empress woman talking about?!
Lucillea clenched her fists in horror.
She had never imagined hearing her own past dragged out in a place like this.
She glared at the Empress with wide, trembling eyes, then sneaked a glance at Elbadin.
From behind him, she couldn’t see his face or expression.
Which made it impossible to know.
What could Elbadin be feeling right now?
At that moment, the Emperor opened his mouth.
