Chapter 100
The invited royals arrived by various means—some through the inland routes, others by ship via the sea. Amelia’s subordinates scattered in multiple directions, taking on the role of guides.
“Welcome. I am a messenger sent to escort guests by the summons of His Majesty, the Supreme Emperor of the Grand Empire of Prares. We will guide you so that you do not lose your way.”
“Oh. To think Emperor Kyle would show such consideration… I am at a loss for words.”
“Please, follow me.”
The subordinates, having performed their roles flawlessly, led the royals to the banquet hall that had been prepared in advance. Since Catria was a poor region, Raymond provided all the funds for decorating the hall. Previously, he had looted the emperor’s warehouse and used the overflowing wealth to cover the expenses.
The banquet hall, lavishly funded, was incredibly luxurious. It served both to uphold the dignity of the Grand Empire’s emperor and to accommodate the royals without lack.
“Your Majesty. Have you been keeping well?”
“It’s been a long time.”
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration, we were able to arrive comfortably.”
At this masquerade, the meaning of the masks was to prevent the guests from recognizing one another. Kyle’s intention was to reduce the political and psychological burden regarding the troop dispatch.
According to Nian, the emperor himself also wore a mask at the real banquet. Sitting on the seat of honor at the throne, he revealed his identity, probably in accordance with the meaning of the banquet.
The royals who attended were fundamentally those interested in Kyle or the rewards of the troop dispatch. Our operation was to mislead them about the true dispatch location.
“For security reasons, even if we mention a different location later, please come to the place provided today.”
“Oh, understood.”
Raymond, who knew Kyle well, performed his act convincingly. Perhaps because of this, no one even imagined that he might not be the emperor. Especially with the golden hair that Nian had transformed him with—it looked perfectly natural.
Of course—who else transformed him? The next Magus Tower Master himself!
Somehow, I even began to feel brainwashed by the authority that came with the title of next Magus Tower Master.
I, along with Melas and Evan, who were deployed as atmosphere makers, roamed the hall eating, drinking, and chatting. Though it was a modest party with only a few invitees, we moved around energetically to prevent it from being too quiet.
“The food here is really delicious.”
“Yes, it’s very refined. You can tell the emperor has taken care.”
We deliberately made such flattering remarks to instill trust in the emperor. The royals, lured by our reactions, discreetly followed and tasted the same food.
I secretly took the invitation cards given to the royals. With these, we planned to infiltrate the emperor’s banquet hall.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Feigning a trip to the restroom, I left my seat. With a new royal arriving and Raymond looking busy, it was the perfect opportunity. The guests had mostly filled the hall, and with Melas and Evan working hard, I could leave without worry.
Sneaking out of the hall, I met Amelia and headed toward our destination. Nian knew the location of the emperor’s banquet hall, so he transported us there again.
“Thank you, Nian.”
“No problem. It’s nothing.”
Even at my casual greeting, Nian blushed and seemed shy. He looked genuinely pleased to receive acknowledgment from me.
Had I been stingy with praise before? I should compliment him more often from now on.
With such thoughts, we approached the doors of the banquet hall. The doorman, spotting us, bowed politely and extended both hands respectfully.
“Please show your invitation.”
“Here it is.”
The doorman checked the invitation and the list, then opened the door.
“Please, enter.”
As we stepped inside, about a third of the royals we had not intercepted were already seated. A third had joined our side, while the remaining third appeared unwilling to attend at all.
This alone was fortunate.
I felt relieved, thinking the number of troops to dispatch had been effectively reduced.
Amelia and I approached the throne to pay our respects to Kyle. Though we only had to walk straight ahead, taking steps toward him was nerve-wracking. Memories of past threats made me swallow nervously.
“Your Majesty. We apologize for our delay.”
“Welcome. You’ve traveled far.”
I tried to remain calm, but my hands trembled. Though our previous visit to the hunting ground had brought us near Kyle, the circumstances were entirely different now. The thought of his gaze upon me was terrifying. Thanks to the mask, I could at least keep my composure; without it, I wouldn’t have dared to lift my face.
The emperor responded briefly, seemingly indifferent. Precisely, he appeared uninterested. I felt relief inwardly and quickly stepped back from his presence.
However, the real work was just beginning. Amelia’s operation had commenced.
As the emperor made a round through the hall, greeting the invited royals, she slowly approached Kyle.
“Your Majesty. I have something to present.”
With the grace of a swan, Amelia lifted the ends of her dress.
She was cooperating well with my instructions. Perhaps she felt guilty for not having discovered the emperor’s weakness at the hunting ground and was now doing her utmost.
Kyle hesitated briefly but then gave permission for Amelia to follow. Since the guards were withdrawn, it was clear he was drawn to her as the male lead in the original story. The three of us moved to a quiet terrace and closed the doors behind us.
Should I have prepared an assassination, knowing he would lower his guard so much?
The thought briefly crossed my mind, but I patiently waited for Amelia to speak.
“What is it that you wish to show me?”
“I have a gift prepared for Your Majesty.”
Right. There was a gift. And that gift was Amelia herself.
I deeply agreed with this in my mind and nodded several times.
“Gifts can be given directly to the attendants, can’t they?”
“I wished to personally deliver it to Your Majesty.”
Saying this, Amelia produced a small box from her bosom. As the red velvet jewelry box clicked open, inside was a blue gem, about the size of a thumbnail.
“A gem?”
“It is an emerald, resembling Your Majesty’s eyes. Please accept it.”
“My eyes are blue, not green.”
“To me, they appear emerald-like.”
“I see… is that so?”
Even without a set dialogue, Amelia continued smoothly. Kyle received the box and listened attentively. Watching the warm atmosphere, I seized a fleeting opportunity to intervene.
“Yes. There’s a bug. I’ll remove it for you.”
I deliberately raised my voice in a high tone to avoid detection by the emperor. Pretending to remove the nonexistent insect, I lightly tapped Amelia’s eye mask.
“Why won’t it come off?”
Of course, it was an intentional act. Using the bug as an excuse, I forcefully pushed down the mask. The well-fixed eye mask flew off and landed on the floor. Amelia, startled, stared at it in shock.
Her amber eyes were now fully revealed in the bright light. Her flawless skin, delicate features, and mischievous eyes were breathtaking.
Satisfied that the heroine’s beauty was exposed, I glanced at the male lead’s reaction.
The emperor, watching Amelia’s embarrassment, immediately removed his own mask. He shook his head to tidy his disheveled hair, which reflected the sunlight in waves of golden brilliance.
“You must be quite surprised to have your face revealed. If only you are exposed, it might be embarrassing, so I should reveal my face too.”
Kyle smiled elegantly, a gentlemanly courtesy toward the lady.
Amelia’s cheeks blushed peachy. A shy expression rarely seen on her proud and noble demeanor.
Oh! This is it. It seems the two main leads have finally fallen for each other!
In reader mode, I let out an inner cheer.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Amelia, barely parting her lips, offered a small bow.
Kyle briefly observed her, then replaced his mask and abruptly turned toward the door.
“Then enjoy your time.”
He opened the terrace door and suddenly returned to the hall.
Huh? He’s leaving just like that?
Typically, an emperor would cling to a woman once smitten, wouldn’t he?
Something felt off. In the original novel, Kyle never left Amelia’s side once he had feelings for her. So why this cool reaction?
What’s this strange feeling?
Full of question marks in my mind, I watched Amelia bend to pick up her eye mask. She apologized as she put it back on.
“Sorry. I made a mistake.”
“It’s fine.”
Though she responded calmly, she somehow looked dazed.
We eventually exited the emperor’s banquet hall safely and returned to the fake banquet. By then, the guests were dancing in pairs.
Noticing my brief absence, Raymond approached me immediately. Amelia stepped closer and extended her hand toward him, palm up, requesting an escort.
“Would you dance with me, Your Majesty?”
“….”
Raymond stiffened briefly, then glanced at me. He was checking the situation. Since he was acting as the emperor, I could only subtly raise my shoulder to signal him.
“Very well.”
With a voice that sounded anything but confident, Raymond finally took Amelia’s hand. I had no idea what our heroine was planning with this
