Chapter 22
“Your hand.”
The Emperor extended his hand. I paused for a moment, studying him, before extending mine as well. Through the thin silk, I could feel the hard, rough calluses of his palm.
‘Twice the size of my hand, at least.’
If he clasped my hand fully, mine would probably disappear in his grip. I let out a light, nervous laugh and lifted my head.
“Please take care of me, Your Majesty.”
Silently praying that the Emperor wouldn’t act impulsively, I gave a little strength and held his hand. Even this small gesture caused his arm to twitch slightly.
“…Good. Let’s go.”
As we stepped forward, the lively atmosphere of the hall became more vivid. Whether it was from tension or excitement, my chest trembled.
As the thick drapes were drawn back, a grand chandelier illuminated the banquet hall. I lowered my gaze toward the hall.
Nobles, adorned with all their finery, bowed deeply to the Emperor. A sigh, almost like a groan, escaped me.
Is this all I’ve been hoping for?
“What are you thinking?”
The Emperor’s low voice whispered quietly.
“It’s… not as glorious as I imagined.”
The thought slipped out of my mouth without filter, and I instantly felt embarrassed.
I quickly turned to look at the Emperor. Surprisingly, his expression was indifferent.
“Right. It’s nothing. All you see here is their greed.”
“…Is that so?”
I simply nodded and smiled faintly. The greediest one is right next to you.
But I couldn’t let him see my true thoughts, so I smiled only lightly.
The Emperor glanced at me briefly and then stepped forward. I stayed slightly behind, watching him.
“Enjoy the banquet.”
It was an opening statement without any flourish, almost ridiculously plain. Was it plain, or just careless? Typical Emperor behavior, I supposed.
‘No greetings for the Toblon delegation either.’
I turned my gaze toward Prince Dakal. He was bowing toward the Emperor at the center of the hall.
“Issanna.”
I felt the rough palm I had been holding earlier. He was requesting a dance.
“Gladly.”
Finally, I would keep my first dance with the Emperor. Kept? The thought made me want to laugh.
Not yet. Not yet.
I pressed my lips into a firm line and drew a perfect smile.
As the Emperor and I moved to the center of the hall, the nobles spread out around us in a circle. A murmur ran through the crowd.
Of course, they’d be surprised. That Emperor was beginning the first dance with his fiancée, Issanna Delorvant. Even passing dogs might laugh.
The music marking the start of the banquet began.
I moved in sync with the Emperor, just like that day. Damn him, he really did dance well.
And now, it didn’t even irritate me.
“Not enjoying yourself?”
“…No. Quite the opposite. It’s overwhelming.”
It wasn’t a lie. It was overwhelming indeed. Considering the migraines and struggles I’d endured just for this moment, I felt close to tears.
All of this… just for this…
“Shall we dance another?”
The music reached its climax.
I hesitated at his question. Did he really intend to dance again?
“If you dislike it, we’ll stop.”
Fortunately, it seemed this would be the last dance. I put on a wistful expression and said:
“I would love to enjoy this moment with Your Majesty longer… but I’m tired today.”
At my words, the Emperor furrowed his brows slightly and clicked his tongue.
“That’s why I told you not to come to the palace this morning.”
“…Today is a special day.”
“I thought I’d be disappointed.”
He muttered it under his breath, yet I, standing close, could hear it clearly.
Disappointed…? In this situation, the only disappointment for Issanna would be the absence of the Grand Duke.
“Well… I have no regrets.”
I met the Emperor’s gaze and said this. He made a peculiar expression—at least not one of agreement.
But there was none of the suspicion I’d felt before.
“Jealous, perhaps?”
I teased, though there was some truth in my words, expecting him to deny it immediately.
“….”
Surprisingly, no denial came. There was not even a trace of displeasure.
Only his ears, slightly red, peeked out from his otherwise blank face.
I widened my eyes in surprise. Could it be… that Emperor?
“Ha… Your Majesty, right now…”
“Enough.”
Calisus turned his head sharply, avoiding my eyes. I quietly covered my twisting lips and said:
“…I see. I must have misunderstood.”
After a brief silence, the Emperor spoke heavily:
“Remember this, above all else.”
His low voice alone was enough to make me tense, my lips drying instinctively.
“You won’t escape so easily.”
Yes. This is exactly Calisus Karvandeka. I let out a bitter laugh and averted my gaze.
The lukewarm air that had lingered between us was instantly replaced with a chill.
The music had long since ended. All eyes of the nobles were on the Emperor and me, standing in the center of the hall.
I exhaled lightly and stepped back from him. He followed my movement with his gaze.
Had he not noticed the music had ended?
“….”
“If we’re not dancing another, you should step aside.”
Only then did the Emperor glance at the orchestra, gauging whether they were ready for the next piece.
“…Very well.”
I turned my back on the Emperor and headed for the balcony. My chest felt tight from tension.
Though summer was approaching, the evening air was still chilly.
‘Next…’
A cold spring breeze swept through. I couldn’t stay away for long, so I needed to move.
As I turned to leave the balcony, voices of a man and woman grew near.
“Lance! I told you not to come here!”
“Lily. Wait. Just listen to me for a moment.”
Are they arguing? The woman’s voice sounds familiar…
That thin, high voice was one I had heard often. Lance and Lily. Unknown names. Perhaps nicknames.
Click—
The two stepped onto the adjacent balcony. I quickly hid myself.
Why…? Hah… if I leave now, I’ll only arouse suspicion.
I had become the spy. I sighed quietly and let the fluttering curtain hide me.
“Lily, why are you so angry?”
“You broke the promise, Dolorance.”
At the mention of the man’s name, I widened my eyes. Dolorance Keivo—the vice president of Keivo Ilbo.
Only then did I realize who the high-pitched voice belonged to—Madame Montes.
I can’t believe I forgot that voice.
I berated myself for my carelessness and eavesdropped on their secret rendezvous. The words of Count Koora hadn’t been lies.
“I had no choice. You know well that we couldn’t openly oppose Delorvant and the Imperial family.”
Delorvant’s name appeared. I smirked bitterly as I peered through the curtain.
“…They said our affair would spread across the Empire.”
“We were too careless.”
“I don’t care. That woman will laugh at me now! Didn’t you see? Today she…”
Dolorance Keivo pulled Madame Montes toward him. Their faces pressed together.
The wet sounds carried to my ears. How tedious. This was not what I wanted.
“Hmm… enough!”
“Lilyana.”
“Our deal is effectively over.”
Are they breaking up?
Madame Montes’s words caused Dolorance Keivo’s face to contort. He urgently turned her toward him.
“I have a good idea.”
“…What is it?”
“Whisper in my ear…”
He leaned close and whispered into her ear, as if no one else could hear.
Thanks to that, his words did not carry to me. A good idea… to trick me, perhaps?
“…Really? Is it true?”
“Of course. I heard it directly from the Hemming heiress.”
Laughter from Lilyana Montes carried across the balcony.
“As expected, Lance, there’s no one like you!”
Lilyana fell onto Dolorance Keivo. The sounds of their passion carried through the night.
I turned my head to the sky to protect my eyes. The sounds, unfortunately, could not be muted.
Estra Hemming… is this how you repay humiliation?
I snorted quietly, letting out a silent laugh.
º º º
Stepping back into the banquet hall from the balcony, I was met with a cacophony of music and conversation.
I exhaled and moved toward the Emperor. His gaze, fixed on me since earlier, still made me nervous.
“You’re late.”
Only after the young couple’s tryst ended could I leave the balcony. My body was chilled.
“I could not dare disturb young love.”
The Emperor would understand my meaning immediately.
“Ah… you’ve had a hard time.”
As expected, he shook his head and furrowed his brows. I smiled lightly and approached him.
A warm cloth brushed my shoulder—his garment.
“…Your Majesty?”
“Wear it.”
I refrained from objecting, feeling the eyes of the nobles upon me. Better to keep it as is.
Honestly, rather than warmth, the decorations on the garment gradually added weight to my shoulder over time.
Keep up the expression…
I restored a fresh smile to my face.
At that moment, Madame Montes and Dolorance Keivo caught my eye. So close. How had I not noticed their relationship until now? They were so obvious.
Perhaps I had subconsciously averted my gaze to avoid the humiliation I felt.
The more I looked at her, the stronger that feeling of shame surfaced.
“Your Majesty, may I step away for a moment?”
“Do as you wish. I’ll step away briefly as well.”
The banquet was likely dull for him. Considering his personality, staying this long was already significant.
The Emperor would probably return only near the end of the event.
“My lady.”
“You matched your dress with His Majesty today.”
“Absolutely beautiful.”
“May I…?”
As I descended alone, nobles who had been wary began to inch closer.
I gave them a gentle smile, taking in each face.
These were the same people who had avoided me or mocked me at the last banquet.
Truly… so utterly foolish.
