~CHAPTER 18~
‘Awkwardness’ was a very unfamiliar feeling to Rision.
Feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious had always been someone else’s burden.
No matter where he was or who he was with, he was always the most rightful and superior presence there.
And now, for the first time in a long while, he felt awkward.
“You look beautiful today.”
He spoke to break the silence, but Elpenlira ignored him.
Even though they sat only a few steps apart, an immense distance hung between them.
Rision sighed quietly and leaned back in his chair.
At every imperial event, it was customary for the royal family to appear last.
While the guests entered, the siblings were guided to a separate waiting room.
It was fortunate that Countess Ornin had joined them; without her, the cold air in the room would have been unbearable.
The ceremonial uniform he wore after a long time felt uncomfortable.
The chestful of medals and the sash draped over one shoulder were cumbersome.
If that was bothersome to him, it was even worse for Elpenlira.
Rision’s sister, who had always disliked formal attire and dressing up, was half-buried in the wide folds of her skirt.
Each time she moved, Countess Ornin had to hurry over to smooth out the fabric.
Rision spoke sincerely.
“We should make more practical silhouettes fashionable.”
In Elpenlira’s place, Countess Ornin answered.
“If it were Grand Duchess Erbinjel, perhaps she could make it happen.”
“I’ll make a suggestion then. Isn’t this too much of a waste of fabric?”
“It’s thanks to His Majesty’s benevolence that the women of the Empire can enjoy such luxury.”
It was common for lavish fashion to trend during peaceful times.
But Rision couldn’t understand seeking beauty at the cost of mobility.
After all, the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen dressed with utmost simplicity.
Recalling his memories from the Erbinjel Grand Duchy’s patronage, Rision smiled faintly without realizing it.
Noticing his expression, Countess Ornin spoke in a passing tone.
“Of course, it’s only proper that the Empress should lead social trends.”
At that, Rision was guilty as charged.
Even Elpenlira, who had been ignoring him until now, glanced at him.
With nothing to say, Rision chose silence.
‘Will she be all right today…?’
His mind buzzed with noise.
For Elpenlira to show up at the banquet at all was already a major victory.
But that alone wasn’t enough.
Among the nobles ready to gossip about her, the Arasas Ambassador Nixandor would also attend.
He was not a man of Labelan, but of the Arasas Emperor.
The Emperor had only reluctantly allowed the marriage between Elpenlira and his beloved son after endless persuasion.
But a ruler’s mind could change at any time.
Tonight, Elpenlira had to be the perfect princess—beyond reproach.
Not a hint of her true feelings could reach Nixandor’s report to the Emperor.
Though Rision had promised not to mention the political marriage again, he hadn’t abandoned his grand plan with Labelan.
Countess Ornin would stay close to Elpenlira, and Dianu would keep watch until she left.
But if Elpenlira decided to ruin everything, not even a dozen strong men could stop her.
Reluctantly, Rision spoke.
“Lira. Please, don’t cause any trouble.”
Elpenlira glanced at him.
“Is that an order?”
Rision rubbed his temple.
“Does it have to be one?”
“That’s for His Majesty to decide.”
It was a biting remark.
Rision had never once given Elpenlira an order.
To her, he had always been a brother before an emperor.
“…Then consider it a request.”
Elpenlira turned away without answering, looking bored.
Even before the incident with Sir Edric Loisen, she had always preferred hunting or tournaments to banquets.
At least she enjoyed dancing—that was one saving grace.
Countess Ornin broke the silence.
“Your Majesty, how do you plan to handle the dance order tonight?”
Rision had always disliked dancing at banquets.
Who he danced with drew everyone’s attention, and ridiculous meaning was attached to each partner.
Still, this was the Founding Day banquet.
He would need to dance at least five times—more, if possible.
It was etiquette even an emperor couldn’t escape.
“…Naturally, I’ll dance first with Lira.”
Elpenlira didn’t reply, but Rision didn’t think she would refuse and make history with such a scandal.
“Then with Aunt Ellaris, Lady of Velua, and the Arasas Ambassador’s wife.”
“You’ll need one or two more partners, Your Majesty.”
“I was planning to ask you, Countess.”
“That would be a great honor, of course…”
Both Rision and Countess Ornin turned to Elpenlira at the same time.
The same thought crossed both their minds.
‘Who knows what the Princess might do while we’re dancing.’
Elpenlira only stared back at them, her face filled with boredom and irritation.
Rision and Countess Ornin exchanged meaningful looks.
Rision finally nodded.
“I’ll count on you, Countess.”
But Elpenlira was quicker.
As if the discussion had nothing to do with her, she snapped her head and said coldly,
“Why don’t you just dance with that woman?”
Rision frowned.
“That woman?”
“The one you planted in Oak Palace as my tutor.”
There were several issues with that statement.
Rision decided to correct the most important first.
“That’s an unacceptably rude way to refer to a lady, Lira.”
Elpenlira didn’t bother hiding her disbelief.
Rision tried to keep his patience.
“And why, exactly, would I dance with Lady Ortensa at the Founding Day banquet?”
Elpenlira’s reply was blunt and clear.
“Because you like her.”
Rision was speechless.
Countess Ornin’s eyebrows shot upward.
A headache was turning into dizziness.
Rision shook his head.
“What nonsense is that?”
“Why deny it? You’re allowed to like someone. She’s pretty enough.”
“Once again, your tone is disrespectful.”
Elpenlira snorted.
“If you didn’t like her, would you be so defensive?”
Rision realized she was deliberately provoking him.
He gave up trying to respond and fell silent.
But Elpenlira didn’t seem ready to drop the topic.
Her green eyes, so like his own, gleamed mischievously as she said,
“Of course, His Majesty is far too rational to be swayed by feelings or affection, right?”
“……”
“An emperor and a tutor—it’s far too mismatched. After all, you’re the one who said it was ridiculous for a princess to love a knight.”
After finishing her point, Elpenlira went silent again, staring into space.
Rision looked at her wearyly.
He hadn’t expected things to return to how they were before.
Just having her attend official events was already progress.
But seeing her this hostile still hurt.
Suppressing his frustration and sadness, he leaned deeper into his chair.
‘It’s not like I have any intention of pursuing Lady Ortensa.’
‘It’s absurd anyway.’
Only one thing bothered him.
Countess Ornin, who had been watching their tense exchange, was now quietly studying him.
Before Rision could speak, she quickly looked away.
Uneasy, Rision closed his eyes.
***
“His Imperial Majesty Rision Catalos e Catalos, Sun of the Great Catalos Empire, and Her Imperial Highness Princess Elpenlira Catalos e Catalos are entering!”
At the herald’s loud proclamation, the doors to the grand hall of Spruce Palace opened.
Rision extended his arm to Elpenlira.
She placed hers over his half-heartedly.
Even through her gloves, he could feel how cold her hand was.
Every noble in the hall was kneeling.
A solemn silence filled the vast space.
Elpenlira gathered her skirt in one hand and began to walk.
Her pace was faster than necessary, but Rision silently matched her stride.
No one dared raise their head until they reached the seats of honor.
After confirming that Elpenlira was seated, Rision spoke.
“Rise.”
At the Emperor’s command, a stir swept through the room.
The women struggled to rise in their cumbersome dresses, relying on their partners for help.
In that moment, Rision easily spotted Dianu Ortensa.
His first impression upon seeing her in the gown chosen by Lady Adelaisa was that she looked uncomfortable.
Part of it was the outfit.
Dianu wrestled with the heavy skirt like any other woman, and Sir Marek Loisen had to help her stand.
Lady Adelaisa had chosen the most extravagant design among the sketches shown by Elpenlira’s seamstress.
Rision had preferred a simpler silhouette, but when told it wasn’t fashionable, he let it go.
At least the jewelry he’d personally picked for Dianu had passed Adelaisa’s strict standards.
‘Still, I think the dress I chose would’ve been better.’
But her discomfort wasn’t just about the clothes.
From her stiff posture to her tense face, Dianu didn’t seem like the lively, confident woman he remembered.
She was undeniably beautiful, adorned from head to toe.
Yet Rision found himself thinking that the woman he once saw walking lightly through the Erbinjel estate in modest attire had been far more beautiful.
‘But why is she standing so close to him?’
He narrowed his eyes.
When Aunt Ellaris mentioned she needed a proper escort for Dianu, Rision had chosen Marek Loisen without much thought.
But seeing Dianu clutching Marek’s arm like a lifeline made him oddly uncomfortable.
‘Aren’t they standing too close? They’re unmarried.’
Dianu, who had once hesitated to even take a walk with him, now stood that close to another man in public.
Rumors could easily spread.
As he pondered how to warn them discreetly, Elpenlira beside him let out a mocking laugh.
“You can’t take your eyes off her, can you?”
Rision didn’t bother denying it.
It wasn’t for the reason she thought, but he had indeed been watching Dianu for quite a while.
The orchestra began to play softly.
Guests stepped back to make room for the dancers.
Rision offered his hand to Elpenlira.
“Shall we, Lira?”
But even as he took her hand and stepped down from the platform, his gaze kept drifting toward the woman in the blue dress across the hall.
