~CHAPTER 19~
The first dance of the banquet, of course, belonged to the Emperor and the Princess.
The Emperor wore that familiar “reception” face Dianu had seen countless times, and the Princess had on a blank mask that betrayed no emotion.
Dianu could tell neither sibling was enjoying the moment.
Well, maybe not His Majesty, but Her Highness must have been forced to come here, so it makes sense.
With that thought, she began to notice things others probably wouldn’t: the Princess’s tense shoulders, the Emperor’s fixed smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
And yet, despite it all, the two of them were dazzling.
As the Emperor and the Princess bowed to each other before beginning, Dianu couldn’t help but be impressed.
“You both look truly beautiful.”
Sir Roysen, who had offered her his arm as they watched, nodded calmly.
“They take after the late Empress.”
Empress Lision Catalos, who had died not long after the coronation, had been one of the most celebrated beauties in the Empire’s high society.
If not for that beauty, it would have been difficult for the third daughter of a count to become empress.
The late Emperor had gained no political advantage from marrying her.
It had been one of the rare marriages in imperial history born purely from love.
Of course, that didn’t mean the Emperor had been faithful.
The beautiful and gentle Empress had been adored by many.
Until she fell ill, collecting postcards bearing her portrait had been a popular pastime among young ladies.
Thinking back, it was strange that Dianu hadn’t recognized the Emperor the first time she met him.
Well, I never imagined I’d ever run into him by chance.
And now here she was, Dianu Ortensa, standing only a few steps away, watching the Emperor dance.
Life was unpredictable indeed.
Lost in thought as she watched the siblings dance, she heard quiet whispers nearby.
Two noblewomen, half-hiding their mouths behind fans, were gossiping.
“It feels like it’s been ages since we last saw Her Highness. At least half a year, no?”
“I heard she was unwell, but she looks healthy enough.”
The two exchanged meaningful glances.
Dianu easily guessed what they had left unsaid.
So the rumors really did spread.
A bitter feeling rose in her chest.
Few would dare to speak openly of the Princess’s absence, but whispers and reputation were another matter.
Society never forgets.
The Princess, and by extension the Emperor who was her guardian, would surely pay a price for it somehow.
The music ended.
The Emperor and Princess withdrew, expressionless, as polite applause followed.
Since the Emperor didn’t immediately ask another lady to dance—and no one dared approach the cold-faced Princess—the floor was now open for others.
The Grand Duchess of Erbinjel and her husband were the first to step forward.
Soon, others began pairing up.
Dianu held tightly onto Sir Roysen’s arm.
“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to dance tonight.”
And as long as the serious-looking Sir Roysen stood by her side, no young man would dare to ask her for a dance.
So long as he kept his word, she wouldn’t draw any unnecessary attention.
Dianu tugged lightly at his arm.
“Let’s move somewhere we can see Her Highness better.”
It was at Countess Ornin’s request—she had asked Dianu to keep an eye on the Princess until she left.
With the Emperor and the lady-in-waiting beside her, nothing was likely to happen, but Dianu intended to follow the order faithfully.
She led Sir Roysen to a spot with a clear view of the high table.
The shadow of a tall column offered good cover.
Half-hidden, Dianu peeked around it toward the Princess.
The Princess still wore that cool, distant expression.
Countess Ornin whispered something beside her, but the Princess only shook her head.
The Emperor, seated on the throne, watched the dancers with a straight back and composed posture.
For a moment, Dianu found her eyes drawn to him in his formal attire.
He really is handsome…
Yes.
There wasn’t a lady alive who wouldn’t, even for a moment, mistake gifts and kind words from such a man for affection.
The problem was the Emperor himself—too charming, too gracious.
No doubt, wherever he went, naive young ladies shed tears over him.
If Dianu didn’t want to add hers to that river, she had to keep her head clear.
Annoyed at herself, she rolled her eyes toward him—only for the Emperor to glance directly at her.
Startled, Dianu ducked behind the pillar.
Sir Roysen frowned in confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
Dianu pressed a hand to her racing heart.
Even she didn’t know why she had hidden.
There was no way he could read her thoughts, and yet she felt as though she’d just been caught doing something she shouldn’t.
She pressed her palm to her flushed cheek.
“…It’s nothing.”
“Are you warm? Your face is red.”
He looked about ready to fetch a drink again, so Dianu grabbed his arm in panic.
“I’m fine! Please don’t go anywhere!”
But her plan to use Sir Roysen as a shield quickly fell apart.
Appearing before them was Lady Milena Roysen, his sister-in-law—the same woman they’d met earlier at Spruce Palace.
Beside her stood a shy young lady.
Sir Roysen realized what was coming first.
He spoke under his breath.
“I’m sorry, Miss Ortensa. I don’t think I can keep my promise.”
Dianu didn’t have time to reply.
Lady Roysen had already stopped in front of them, her cheerful face showing no trace of their earlier quarrel.
She didn’t even glance at Dianu.
“There you are, Marek. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
She gestured to the young lady beside her.
Reluctantly, Sir Roysen bowed and kissed the lady’s hand.
“A pleasure to meet you. Marek Roysen.”
The lady blushed and introduced herself as the daughter of a count.
Lady Roysen beamed.
“This lovely young lady hasn’t found a dance partner yet.”
Dianu squeezed her eyes shut.
Sir Roysen glanced at her apologetically but had no choice—he extended his hand toward the lady.
It was what a gentleman should do, and Marek Roysen was a gentleman.
“…May I have this dance?”
The two disappeared into the crowd of dancers.
Dianu stood there, stunned, her reliable shield suddenly gone.
As she watched his retreating back, still unwilling to give up, Lady Roysen spoke in a low voice.
“Clinging to a tree you can never climb isn’t a very ladylike thing to do.”
Dianu realized then that when someone was too absurd, it could actually leave you speechless.
Lady Roysen walked off with a self-satisfied smile.
Left alone, Dianu immediately caught the eyes of at least three young men eager to approach.
She hurried away.
Somewhere safe. Somewhere no one will ask me to dance!
With hopeful suitors in tow, Dianu crossed the grand hall.
Outside the ballroom, there were always small parlors and rest areas for guests to rest or converse privately.
And no gentleman of honor would follow a lady who left the public hall.
Once in the corridor, Dianu glanced back.
As expected, the young men had stopped, their disappointment clear, but they didn’t follow.
She let out a breath of relief.
Gathering her skirt, she began walking slowly down the empty hall.
The banquet had only just begun, so no one else was around.
This corridor led to the inner courtyard of Spruce Palace.
She planned to wait there until the men lost interest, then quietly return.
Just then, she heard a low voice from the courtyard end.
It was in Arasasian.
Dianu froze.
The southern corridor—that meant this one.
Before she could decide what to do, footsteps approached.
People speaking Arasasian secretly inside the Catalos Imperial Palace—whoever they were, it was best not to be seen.
But it was too late to hide.
Dianu came face to face with the man who had said he would check the southern corridor.
He looked to be in his thirties, dressed in an unremarkable formal suit.
His face stiffened in surprise as he scanned her from head to toe.
Thinking quickly, Dianu smiled brightly.
The man’s guarded expression eased just slightly.
<숙녀께서 혼자 이런 곳에는 왜 나오셨습니까?>
It was unlikely that a Catalosian noblewoman like Dianu would speak Arasasian fluently.
He was testing her—to see if she’d overheard.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re saying…”
“…”
“Could you please speak in Catalosian?”
Fortunately, her clumsy act worked.
The stiffness left his face entirely.
Young and pretty women were often underestimated—and sometimes that helped.
“My apologies. You shouldn’t head toward the courtyard right now.”
“Oh? I was just thinking of taking a walk.”
“A tree fell, and the gardeners are working on it. It wouldn’t be safe for a lady. Allow me to escort you back.”
He lied smoothly.
Dianu pretended to buy it completely, nodding eagerly.
“Thank you. But I think I’ll return on my own.”
“Ah, but—”
“If I walk back beside another gentleman, my fiancé might be upset. My family’s watching too…”
The man looked troubled.
He clearly wanted to keep an eye on her, but Dianu had no intention of letting him.
Still smiling, she insisted politely.
“I’ll go ahead to the ballroom. Please follow after a short while. I’d rather avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.”
It was a reasonable request for a young unmarried lady.
Ignoring it would mark him as ill-bred.
Though dissatisfied, the man finally nodded.
Dianu said a polite farewell and stepped back into the corridor—then ran.
Luckily, several rest areas lined the hall.
She slipped into one at random and pressed herself behind the curtain, listening for footsteps.
Only then did the thought hit her.
What on earth am I doing?
A secret conversation in Arasasian, during the founding celebration inside the Imperial Palace…
He called the other one “Your Excellency,” didn’t he?
She was certain now—the man giving the orders had been Nixandor, the Arasas Ambassador.
Footsteps echoed again.
The man must have been returning to the ballroom, pausing here and there to check the curtained alcoves.
Fortunately, he seemed satisfied to find some of them empty and moved on.
Dianu waited until the sound faded completely before slipping out.
Standing alone in the empty corridor, she hesitated.
It could be nothing.
A secret meeting was hardly unusual for someone of the Arasas Ambassador’s rank.
Still… to hold it in the middle of the palace during the founding celebration was suspicious.
Dianu shut her eyes tightly.
I was supposed to keep my head down…
And yet, she turned away from the ballroom and began walking toward the courtyard.
