DYBAR - Chapter 80 < Name Not Permitted >

DYBAR - Chapter 80 < Name Not Permitted >

Do Your Best And Regret

The imperial palace on a dark evening. The carriage stopped in front of the banquet hall. 

I took in my breath, held it, and exhaled quietly. When I arrived on the island, I was strangely nervous, but I wasn't this upset.

"Are you very nervous?"

I wanted to keep it as obvious as possible. Edwin's eyes met mine as I tried to deny my tender concern. As was my habit, I stopped saying no. The eyes looking at me as if waiting. 

He was dressed in a bright uniform today. The hair pulled to one side is gorgeous and my heart flutters with excitement. I was blankly unable to let go of my continued gaze. At that time, I heard a rattle from somewhere. It felt like a bell had rang. I suddenly came to my senses and laughed, removing my hands.

"I think it would be a lie to say I'm not nervous at all."

Edwin, who was quietly looking at me, let out a low hum. Edwin stroked his jawline with his index finger and cast an indifferent glance toward the banquet hall. 

Then he looked at me and playfully suggested to me.

"Anyway, I heard that the Heferti delegation will also attend the banquet starting tomorrow. How is it? Why don't you go on a date somewhere else with me right now?" 

It was a sweet invitation. So much so that it's just a little bit annoying.

"Hmm... I'm quite attracted to it, but I can't do it."

But alas, I saw my reflection in the mirror.

"As you can see, I put a lot of effort into decorating today to attend this banquet."

My image was reflected on the clean window. Although he seemed proud, Edwin nodded his head in agreement with his serious face. Although it was a little embarrassing, I did not hold back from my words.

"Miss. You really look like a fairy. No, the Queen of the fairies."

Hannah's admiration suddenly came to mind. I was the pride of those who had done their best to decorate me since yesterday, or rather, from the moment I arrived in the capital from Vikander. Therefore, it was forbidden to say anything that denied oneself.

"And Edwin must attend the banquet. Even if the delegation starts tomorrow, it would be better to get to know the nobles who will be meeting at the noble meeting."

Of course, I quickly changed my mind because I was a little embarrassed. Edwin, who noticed my expression, spoke mischievously.

"Then maybe we should stay away for a while?"

"Just a moment, you know."

He speaks clearly. Edwin, who was looking at Olivia smiling with her round eyes, gritted his teeth. Every time she looked at him with eyes full of faith like that, Edwin was grateful for that trust, but it also felt scary, as if a fire had burned inside his chest. He didn't know if it was because of the people in this banquet hall, or because of the previous story that he hadn't revealed to Olivia yet.

It's just as Olivia said. 

"You will be away only for a little while."

Edwin grinned and leaned towards Olivia. 

Rattle. 

The sound of bells rang faintly.

"After that moment, wherever I am, I will soon be back by Olivia's side."

The alluring voice was like a spell. I nodded my head. My heart, which had been beating irregularly due to my nervousness, began to speed up due to a different reason. 

O approached the door of the banquet hall, escorted by Edwin. The servant with a very nervous face looked at me and Edwin and greeted us hurriedly.

"I meet the war hero Grand Duke Vikander and Princess Madeleine."

Princess Madeleine. While the attendant bent his back deeply, I took a moment to think about the title given to me. Maybe it's because I didn't hear it while I was in Vikander Territory. Words I had heard for fourteen years felt unfamiliar as if I was hearing them for the first time. As if referring to someone other than me. 

Only then did I realize what I felt was strange. Meanwhile, the servant straightened his body and spoke quickly.

"I'll announce your present when you enter."

"Not Princess Madeleine."

An elegant voice came out powerfully. The servant who was in a hurry stopped on the spot. Overwhelmed by the intimidating feeling underlying his beautiful voice, he turned around and tried to confirm what he had heard. 

Olivia Madeleine. 

I who was referred to as Princess Madeleine, raised the corners of my mouth and confirmed.

"To 'Olivia. That's how I tell you."

Without any hesitation. The Madeleine family name is being removed at this official event. The servant blinked for a moment as this was his first time. 

But soon, the attendant shouted towards the open door, as if guided by the strange energy in his green eyes. It was only after he shouted their names that he remembered, that the red smile on the Grand Duke's mouth was so deep.

"His Royal Highness Grand Duke Edwin Lowell Vikander, war hero, and Olivia Madel, no, Miss Olivia, are entering!"

Everyone's eyes turned to the door of the banquet hall as the servant's loud voice rang out. Inside the banquet hall, the noisy voices of people suddenly disappeared. The musicians who were immersed in the music and playing also looked around one by one at the strangely changed atmosphere. The rich melody faded away one by one, and soon the banquet hall became quiet. In a place where the sound of shoe heels clicking is all that is heard.

The nobles looked at the people walking into the banquet hall with disbelief. The man with the clear contrast between his beautiful white face, jet-black hair, and red eyes overwhelmed everyone's attention just by looking at him. But right next to him was a woman who was never overwhelmed by the intimidation of a war hero. 

On the last day of the victory banquet, Olivia Madeleine captured everyone's attention. Those who belittled her admiration for the  Princess by saying that her beauty at that time must have been an accident were speechless as if they had glued their lips.

The Princess standing next to the Grand Duke was breathtakingly beautiful. Unlike last time, where she was aloof and had a neatness that seemed as if she would disappear, the Princess who stood before their eyes was overflowing with vitality. 

The slender nape of her neck was exposed white beneath her thick braided hair. Her silver hair cascaded loosely over the line of her face, caressing it near her collarbone. The sparkling white crystal necklace and neat jewelry around her neck created an atmosphere like an alluring Queen of fairies. Mysterious green eyes blinked in her gorgeous and elegant face. 

Only then did the nobles exhale their forgotten breath and look at the Princess. The appearance of the Princess, who took control of the banquet hall in an instant, imprinted in the minds of the nobles who the true host of the banquet was. No one says it out loud, but everyone notices. The host of the banquet...

I glanced around the banquet hall while receiving everyone's attention. 

Among the nobles who were staring blankly at me, there were some faces that were particularly clear. The Duke of Madeleine and Conrad near the terrace. Jade is a little distance away. And Maria Ethel and the Crown Prince staring at me as if in shock.

The emotions that had been congealed came up like a lingering fire. I turned my head. It didn't bother me as much as it did me earlier in the carriage. Because I was a stranger now. 

Instead, I  felt the attention focused on me in this quiet banquet hall. Unlike before, when they were filled with hostility, their gazes were somewhat strange. 

I whispered so softly that only Edwin could hear me.

"I think everyone was surprised that I was introduced as 'Olivia."

Where did the confidence I talked about in the carriage go? 

However, Edwin did not bother to correct me and passed his words off in a casual tone.

"Since it is an official event, you may be surprised. Are you okay? Everyone will try to call Olivia by your first name."

Of course, I have no intention of letting that happen. Edwin asked, hiding his true feelings. 

I smiled and cast my gaze toward the banquet hall. My face, which had been bright just a moment ago, smiled sharply.

"I have no intention of allowing my name to be used by anyone watching this banquet hall today."

Because there was no one here friendly enough to call me by my name. I looked at Edwin again.

"So, if I have to do any social activities on behalf of Vikander, it will be in a year."

My lips, perfectly coated with lipstick, felt soft for a moment.

"After I get married, I will become the Grand Duchess."

At that time, Grand Duchess Vikander. Or, the title Grand Duchess will replace me. 

I muttered the three words Grand Duchess in my mouth. Although it was still unfamiliar, it was a word that I strangely wanted to reach.

"You know that, right?"

"What?"

The face that blinked as if it didn't know anything and then avoided eye contact was crazy pretty. She was so pretty that she couldn't be prettier. Now Edwin feels dizzy, like he can't come to his senses. 

Edwin swallowed a sigh and made a groaning sound.

"I want to go back to Vikander territory right now."

He wanted to exist alone in his own space where no one could see. 

I laughed a little, as if his words, pouring out his true feelings, sounded like he was joking. Anyway, Edwin couldn't win Olivia at every moment. All he could do now was give her a good escort. 

A faint jingling sound was heard every time the Grand Duke and Olivia walked. However, it was soon buried under the melody created by the musicians who suddenly came to their senses and started playing anew. 

And among the people moving towards Olivia one by one, like spring that froze and then budded, a person who was walking as if running at full speed stood out. The moment when my eyes met a familiar yet unfamiliar handsome face.

“Olivia, Liv!”

My expression became cold. The name that no one in the banquet room could call without permission was uttered loudly by the person who most wanted to be called... 

When his eyes met Olivia, who looked as beautiful as a fairy, Leopold felt a rush of joy pass through his body. Her gaze was so sweet that it was a pity to take his eyes off her, and he felt both regretful and satisfied at the same time. He wishes she had done that a long time ago. 

Olivia's presence at this banquet meant that she wanted to see him again. Leopold was annoyed because of the communication he hadn't received in a while, but when he saw her today, he felt like he was willing to forgive her.

"Leo,"

For a moment, Leopold felt a hand grabbing his arm, but Leopold shook off Maria Ethel Etel without any emotion. He could feel her hurt gaze on the back of his head, but Maria could comfort him later with her sweet words. 

At the same time that everything seemed to be resolved easily, Leopold called Olivia before anyone else in the banquet hall.

"Olivia, Liv!"

Calling her name was the right given only to him. Because Olivia loves him. But, the moment the small face looked at Leopold, his sensitive instincts strangely touched his nerves.

"I see you, the little Sun of the Empire."

Leopold blinked for a moment at the flawless and elegant greeting. Olivia's face, which used to smile like a puppy receiving a treat every time he called her name, was still stiff. It was impossible for her. No matter how strange her last greeting was, it was not the attitude she would have shown to her fiancé, whom she had not seen in a long time. 

Leopold couldn't tell whether this strange feeling was due to Olivia, who greeted him. as if keeping a distance from him, or to the Grand Duke, who flaunted his presence right next to her as if he was protecting her. 

The thought that something was wrong with her flashed through Leopold's mind. His heart was beating unsteadily. 

At that moment, Olivia spoke calmly.

"I'm sorry, but I hope you don't use nicknames when you call me from now on."

The corner of Leopold's mouth stiffened. Because he couldn't believe the situation before his eyes.

Leopold quietly looked at Olivia. But the straight gaze towards him made him realize that this situation was real. A huge shimmer passed over the bright blue eyes of the face that was distorted as if in disbelief.

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