chapter 5
The first trial of Devaltin Bacalar in the novel’s story was about to unfold.
And it would happen at this birthday celebration banquet.
Devaltin was born as the crown prince, marked to be the next emperor. But there was a secret so shocking that, if the emperor found out, he would collapse instantly.
A classic trope in romantic fantasy novels: a secret birth.
Devaltin’s biological mother, Empress Hela, was actually the princess of the declining empire of Asteca.
Internally, rebellious nobles resented the incapable emperor, while externally, invasions came almost daily. Wanting to protect Asteca at all costs, Hela sought help from Yeshua, the most powerful neighboring nation.
That was her first mistake.
The emperor fell in love with Hela at first sight. Instead of just helping Asteca, he demanded a condition: she must become his empress.
Hela hesitated for obvious reasons. Officially, the position of Yeshua’s empress was vacant, but the emperor, a notorious womanizer, had already fathered three children with other women.
With no alternative, Hela reluctantly accepted the emperor’s proposal and became his empress in Yeshua.
Had she known that a man’s heart is like a reed swaying in the wind, she might have avoided that fateful choice.
The emperor, having obtained the beautiful Hela, immediately betrayed the promise and devastated Asteca with his own hands.
He killed Hela’s father—his father-in-law—and exterminated her family.
The only consolation was that Hela maintained her position as empress. The emperor’s former consorts became secondary wives, and their children were only minor princes.
But Hela’s anger at the emperor never faded.
Still, she had a trump card: the child she conceived with her beloved before marrying Yeshua’s emperor.
That child was Devaltin.
Unaware of this, the emperor appointed Devaltin as crown prince, and Hela began sharpening her sword of revenge.
Asteca’s blood, killed by Yeshua’s bloodline, would one day claim and devour Yeshua itself.
“Everything depends on you, Devaltin.”
This was Hela’s most repeated phrase in the novel.
“I’ve come this far. If you fail, I will personally behead you without hesitation.”
Her second most repeated phrase.
“You are not my son, but the seed of my vengeance. Never forget that. A seed that fails to sprout is worthless!”
Her third.
Yes, the Yeshua royal family was a breeding ground of abuse for children.
Anyway, it was Devaltin’s twentieth birthday.
An extra, the second prince, having discovered Devaltin’s bloodline, planned to ruin him at the birthday banquet.
Honestly, the plan was crude: expose him in front of everyone.
But Hela, politically astute, quickly intervened. She stopped the second prince and ordered Devaltin to eliminate him.
Devaltin killed a person for the first time, stunned by the experience. Asha, as always, comforted him, and their relationship grew closer.
“I can’t possibly get involved here…”
If Celestine acted recklessly, it wouldn’t be Devaltin she’d face—but Hela’s blade. Plus, the entire royal family was present; making a move without proper justification would be catastrophic.
“Ugh…”
Unfortunately, Celestine had no choice. She had already arrived at the crown prince’s palace, where the banquet preparations were underway.
“Why did he have to summon me when my head already hurts?”
Greg had brought the invitation excitedly, with a small note attached:
“The banquet starts at 7 p.m., but you are requested to arrive at the crown prince’s palace by 4 p.m. for personal matters.”
“Ugh… nothing’s happened yet… can’t I just run away…?”
As she muttered to herself, the cursed comment section appeared before her eyes:
─“Celestine looks like she’s going to do something.”
─“She went to the banquet and does nothing? She’s not a villain, just an extra.”
─“She acted tough in front of minor ladies, but stands still before royalty? Pathetic…”
─“The story drags with explanations. The author makes money easily.”
“Ha….”
─“She’ll do something eventually, right? Otherwise, she’s out.”
《Warning: Readers are worried the story is boring and are nitpicking.》
“….”
《If this continues, readers will leave, and Celestine Winsel…》
“Alright! I’ll do something! I wasn’t doing nothing!” Celestine shouted into the void.
“And when did I ever do nothing? I was just cautious! Humans have no patience. Why even read a novel if everything must be exciting? Calm chapters exist too!”
After screaming like a madwoman, she finally realized: Devaltin Bacalar was watching her with the expression of a man observing a lunatic.
…Wow.
She had to figure out a way to probe Devaltin, but she’d already lost her best chance. Strikeout with bases loaded.
“Lord…”
Celestine, a devout Catholic, muttered instinctively. She thought that if, when she opened her eyes, Asha and Devaltin had naturally paired and the story had resolved itself, she might even convert to Buddhism.
She stared at Devaltin with a despondent expression.
“Something bad must be happening.”
Devaltin frowned openly.
“I don’t know what nonsense you were quacking about, but since you arrived on time, I won’t ask further.”
“….”
“Follow me. I have urgent matters to discuss.”
Celestine had no choice. She trudged behind Devaltin, pretending not to notice the whispering maids.
He led her to the crown prince’s reception room.
Surprisingly, Devaltin offered tea politely, like a true gentleman.
Of course, he had summoned her himself, but Celestine couldn’t help thinking: the original Devaltin Bacalar in the novel wouldn’t have even done this.
“….”
“….”
He sat silently, his violet eyes unnervingly intense.
Celestine avoided his gaze while thinking about how she could stir trouble at the banquet without risking her life.
“I can’t cause a major incident here. Hela would kill me.”
If she harassed Asha, readers might stay engaged, but she’d be closer to Devaltin’s sword.
“Maybe I can give him information about the second prince?”
That way, her intervention could prevent the disaster, and readers would acknowledge her contribution.
But how could she deliver that information?
Celestine wracked her brain.
“I have a proposal for you, Celestine Winsel.”
Devaltin, who had been drinking tea as if possessed, finally spoke in a low voice.
“A… proposal? What proposal?”
“There is a certain noble I know.”
Devaltin spoke slowly:
“A foolish noble, ignorant of their place, coveting the royal seat, desperately seeking power but lacking the ability.”
“Ah, I see.”
Celestine played along, unsure why he said that.
“A foolish noble indeed. As the saying goes, those who live beyond their means shorten their lives.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course. And coveting the royal seat… they wish to marry their daughter to you, Crown Prince Devaltin, someday emperor.”
Hm… this sounded familiar.
Celestine didn’t have time to recall where she’d heard it, so she continued quickly:
“Isn’t that excessive ambition? And they lack ability? A foolish, shameless noble.”
“Celestine.”
“Yes?”
“I’m talking about your father.”
…Ah!
Celestine froze, her expression as if she’d been slapped in the back of the head.
“….”
Devaltin sighed briefly, glanced around to see if anyone was listening, then turned his gaze back to her.
And then, as Celestine expected—and unlike the novel—he said something entirely unexpected.
