Chapter 64
A few weeks later, the Founding Festival was held in the Prales Empire. It was one of the most important national events, so not only nobles from the capital but also many from the provinces attended.
Since I hadn’t seen Raymond for a long time, I waited desperately for this festival—because as a royal, he was sure to show up.
I had tried calling Okhee several times to contact Raymond, but she never responded. Even Coa didn’t know where she was, which only made me more worried. Still, there was no way I could go flying around the sky looking for her, so I assumed she had gone back with Raymond to his territory.
To attend the festival, I wore a deep navy-blue dress—the color reminded me of Raymond’s eyes, and I had picked it out with him in mind. The skirt was full and layered, flowing like ocean waves.
“Eilene, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I got into the carriage with my parents and we headed to the Imperial Palace.
As we approached, the crowds grew larger and larger.
Because I was the Emperor’s official fiancée, I didn’t need to wait in line. We passed straight through the gates. Nobles from the provinces looked at me with envy, but… I didn’t feel happy at all.
“Oh my, isn’t that Lady Cowett?”
“She’s stunning!”
As I entered the grand hall, people gathered and greeted me.
I replied with polite smiles and formal responses, but inside, I felt nothing—just empty.
“Eilene, would you like to come with us?”
“No, I’ll stay here. Please go ahead.”
“Alright. Get some rest.”
My parents headed toward the center of the ballroom for socializing—and probably dancing too. They were partners for the evening, so they left their daughter behind without a second thought.
I sat down and saw the Imperial Throne, surprisingly still empty. The Emperor hadn’t shown up yet.
Feeling like nothing mattered, I began munching on cookies, when suddenly—cheers erupted at the entrance.
It was the typical reaction when someone important arrived.
I turned my head, half-curious—and my eyes widened in shock.
Raymond had entered the hall, dressed head to toe in a flawless ceremonial uniform.
It had been so long since I last saw him—and he looked so dazzling, so radiant, that tears welled up in my eyes.
He stood like the main character, surrounded by people, so of course he didn’t see me.
But just seeing him made my heart tremble.
I came here to see him… but I can’t even talk to him.
The man I had seen almost every day now felt so far away, so unreachable.
My chest felt tight, and I couldn’t breathe properly. I needed air.
I quietly left the crowd and stepped onto the terrace.
As I opened the door, the cool night air rushed into my lungs. The breeze was a relief, easing the pressure in my chest. Just getting away from all those stares helped me breathe easier.
“Whew… finally, I can breathe.”
Tall trees seemed close enough to touch, and the sky above was a clear, deep blue—like the sea.
The color reminded me of Raymond’s eyes again, and I missed him all over.
Then—suddenly—I felt a presence.
Something touched my shoulder, and I quickly turned my head.
Standing there, in his perfect uniform, was Raymond.
“Ray—!”
I almost shouted his name, but quickly slapped my hand over my mouth to lower my voice. Even though no one else was around, we still had to be careful about being seen.
Raymond smiled, his face still breathtaking.
“Raymond,” I whispered softly this time.
A wide smile appeared on my face, like the rising sun.
“Hmm… not bad for someone who said we shouldn’t meet for a while.”
He crossed his arms, teasing me. It was slightly sarcastic—but I could tell he was happy too.
“How did you get in? Weren’t there a lot of eyes on you?”
“No problem. My men created a ‘human wall’ to block the view.”
“Oh…”
Just imagining the scene made me laugh. I missed his men, too—we’d grown close over time.
“Are you here just for the ceremony?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you’ll go back to your territory afterward?”
Thinking about parting ways again made my heart ache. Every moment with him was so precious—I hated how fast time passed when we were together.
But instead of the “Yeah” I expected, he surprised me with something else.
“No. I’ve officially moved into the capital—into my estate here. I plan to stay.”
“What? You didn’t go back?”
“I planned this from the start. You just never asked.”
“What the…!”
He grinned slyly.
I felt tricked, but… I really had no right to complain.
I had been the one to shut down our conversation before.
So I stayed quiet, and tears welled up in my eyes as guilt bubbled in my chest.
Seeing my eyes turn red, Raymond’s expression shifted.
“E… Eilene.”
“I’m sorry… sniff sniff.”
He looked completely shaken by my tears. His beautiful blue eyes filled with sadness.
“So I was right…”
“I missed you so much, Raymond. sniff sniff.”
“…What?”
At that, he stood stunned for a moment… and then burst out laughing.
“Pfft—HAHAHAHA!”
“……Why are you laughing?!”
Now it was my turn to be flustered. I was crying my eyes out, and here he was, laughing so hard he threw his head back. How annoying.
I puffed out my cheeks in frustration, but then he stepped closer, still smiling.
“You’re just… so adorable, Eilene.”
As he said that, he gently brushed my hair from top to bottom. The slow movement tickled like he was stroking my arm.
“So, can I take that as a ‘yes’ to my question?”
His words made my face turn even redder.
His previous “command” echoed in my mind—“Be my lover.”
I was too shy to say it out loud, so instead of answering, I just looked up at him and nodded silently.
He saw it—and slipped his hand into his pocket.
“I want to hug you right now, but we’re in enemy territory… so I’ll give you this instead.”
Raymond pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me.
Looks like handkerchiefs were still a thing in this world.
I quickly took it and wiped my tear-streaked face.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He smiled widely at my thanks.
After calming down, we quietly left the terrace—Raymond first, then me after a short delay.
Back inside the ballroom, I spotted Melas standing in a corner.
When our eyes met, I greeted him.
“Hello, Melas.”
“Lady Eilene. I hope you’ve been well.”
He bowed politely, then asked with a curious look:
“I heard laughter just now… was that His Grace?”
“Ah, yes.”
I remembered Raymond laughing and pouted slightly at the memory.
Melas seemed surprised at first but quickly returned to his usual composed expression.
“I see. Well then, I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. Take care.”
Being too friendly with a Grand Duke’s subordinate could raise eyebrows, so we kept it short and went our separate ways.
I looked around the hall for my parents, but then something caught my eye.
In the distance, a girl in a deep pink dress was approaching Raymond.
That familiar face was Helena Kitten.
Why is Lady Kitten going up to Raymond?
I strained to hear, even though I was far away.
“Greetings, Your Grace. It’s so good to see you again.”
She curtsied gracefully, like a swan. As always, she wore her signature pink.
“And you are…?”
“I’m Helena Kitten, daughter of Count Kitten. My parents admire your strength, Your Grace. You look stunning in uniform.”
She giggled shyly behind her hand.
But Raymond’s expression didn’t change—still cold and indifferent.
“I see. Goodbye.”
“Ah, wait!”
As he tried to walk past her, she hurriedly called out.
Raymond’s brows furrowed in annoyance.
He let his inner villain show just a bit—the pressure of his glare was intense.
Helena flinched, clearly intimidated. She looked like a timid animal caught in a predator’s gaze.
“Don’t you dance, Your Grace?”
“Hah. A noble lady asking a man to dance first? That’s unusual.”
Raymond chuckled bitterly at her boldness.
“I don’t dance. I decline.”
He rejected her coldly and walked away.
It was probably embarrassing with all the attention on them, but Helena didn’t shrink. Instead, she clenched her fists—like she had made up her mind about something.
What did Lady Kitten just decide…?
I didn’t know. But seeing her standing next to Raymond really bothered me.
My chest burned with jealousy. It felt like a fire that could burn everything down.
Why am I more embarrassed than the person who got rejected?
I bit my lower lip, confused and flustered.
