DYBAR - Chapter 71 < Back To The Imperial Palace >

DYBAR - Chapter 71 < Back To The Imperial Palace >

Do Your Best And Regret

Winster gritted his teeth. It was the first time he felt this nervous since he offered his knightly oath to His Highness the Grand Duke. After hearing from Bethany, whom he happened to meet on the way to the castle, that the knights were offering their oaths to the Lady today, he came running in a huff. 

Everyone may be equally loyal to the Young Lady, but he had to be the knight who offered the second oath. Because he thought he would be loyal to her from the Grand Duke's residence.

"If..."

When a low voice came out, Winster had been to hell for a moment. It was not a phrase accepting his oath.

"Is today my birthday?"

However, the words that followed soon returned Winster to heaven. The Young Lady said jokingly as she received the sword. He pretended to be calm, but his voice was still trembling, and Winster truly thought it was a good thing he ran quickly.

"... I can't believe I'm receiving such a big gift."

"And. I hope you didn't say that when I took my oath."

Edwin grumbled for a moment at that muttering. But he also had a smile on his face.

"Lady Olivia. As Grand Duchess-to-be, I gladly accept your honor. May my joy once again belong to your glory."

A trembling voice echoed through the banquet hall. As soon as the second oath was over, Howard and Dean came to their senses and bowed as if competing for their turn.

"Knight Howard Interfield, as a knight who has sworn allegiance to Vikander, I would like to be granted the honor of becoming the Lady's sword."

"Knight Dean Szellin, as a knight who has sworn allegiance to Vikander, I would like to be granted the honor of becoming the Lady's sword."

The knights knelt one after another and offered loud oaths. The cheers grew louder each time the knight swore his sincere oath. 

I didn't know how to react. And I swallowed my overflowing heart as if it were about to burst, and I accepted all their vows. At that moment, amidst the cheering, the sound of a pronunciation leaking as if he was drunk was heard.

"You are now completely Vikander's person! As expected, His Highness the Grand Duke won! Such a perfect blessing..."

The voice disappeared in an instant. I tilted my head, not hearing properly. However, Edwin looked at the place where the sound was heard with sharp eyes. Winster, Howard, and Deam, who were excited about saying their oaths, Bethany, who set off fireworks with magic, and many knights who were saying their oaths. But no one showed any signs of it.

"Please say a toast, Young Lady!"

There was not a single person who wanted to disturb my joy as my eyes sparkled with thunderous cheers. In the end, I stood on the stage again. Before I knew it, my previously empty glass was filled with golden fruit wine. As I raised my glass, the ballroom became quiet again. Numerous knights and vassals were looking at me as if they would not miss even a single syllable of my words. What was contained in that gaze was trust, loyalty, and affectionate affection. 

Even though the bridge of my nose was sore and my throat was scratchy, I knew exactly what I had to say. I raised my glass. At the same time, an elegant and dignified voice rang out over the banquet hall.

“For Vikander.”

"For Vikander!"

A loud chorus followed. The sound of the glasses clinking together spread like a musical melody.... 

Deep into the night after the banquet. In contrast to the cheerful atmosphere of the castle, the inside of the drawing room was as cold as ice. The Grand Duke looked at Brock Drowyn standing in front of the desk with cold eyes. The same was true for Winster, Dean, and even Howard.

"You are now completely Vikander's person! As expected, His Highness the Grand Duke won! Such a perfect blessing,"

The person who said those words was an apprentice knight of the 4th Knights. He couldn't ruin the atmosphere of the banquet, so Edwin barely held back and called Brock to ask him what happened, and the answer he gave me was shocking.

"... While she was out on the lookout, he heard that the Lady had come. We naturally judged that His Highness had perfectly taken revenge on the Emperor for the unfair imprisonment of Her Highness the previous Grand Duchess. I'm sorry, Your Highness."

When Howard heard those words, he felt like he had been hit on the head. Few young knights knew the story of Her Highness the previous Grand Duchess. He never thought one of them, Brock, would think like that. He was only worried that the knights would strongly object to the arrival of the Princess of the Madeleine family. Be had no idea that Edwin would think of his bringing the Young Lady as revenge against the imperial family by linking it to the story of Her Highness the previous Grand Duchess in that way. 

No wonder. He should have known from the moment he smiled and expressed his interest in the Young Lady as soon as he arrived. The suffocating situation continued to the point where he couldn't even raise my head.

Knock. Knock.

Bethany came in with a knock.

"The Young Lady was sound asleep."

Only at those words did Edwin's eyes open. Only when the pressure that was weighing on everyone's shoulders in the living room had subsided a little did a low voice come out.

"... Please make sure they are properly controlled."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Brock Darwin knew well that those words were not light at all. He know how difficult it is to clear up rumors that cannot be picked up like a blown feather, but Brock has only one option now. To control the knights so that rumors never get to the Young Lady. 

Brock left the living room with a stern expression on his face. It was an urgent matter. Only after the door was closed did the Grand Duke nod his head with a slow look on his face. When asked to report now, Winster handed over the invitation he brought and said.

"This is an invitation to the summer banquet."

"Anything related to the imperial family won't be able to enter this castle, right?"

"That is... They say they are inviting a Heferti delegation to the summer banquet."

"They used their brain quite a bit."

Edwin spoke quietly and threw the invitation onto the desk. Howard thought the same thing as he looked at the now complete invitation. 

Hefferti's delegation is being invited to the summer banquet. This was after the Grand Duke declared at a council of nobles that he would make 'the agreement with Hefferti' his first official business. Now that things were like this, if he didn't participate in the banquet, it was obvious that members of the imperial family would make a fuss about the Grand Duke's absence.

"What would you like to do?"

"I have to go."

The eyes of not only Howard but everyone in the parlor widened. Edwin answered willingly and burst into laughter.

"Why are you so surprised?"

The cool air that had been flowing through the living room disappeared. Winster stuttered in confusion.

"Well, of course, I thought you wouldn't go to the institutional side." 

"It's my first official job, so of course I have to go."

"Since when have you cared so much about public affairs, Your Highness?"

Bethany muttered in surprise. Edwin's eyes softened at those words.

"Well. It's because the mineral tax is a waste." 

Bethany and Dean tilted their heads. Winster was the only one who understood this. Edwin, ignoring the curious faces, pointed to what Winster was holding dearly. It was the document envelope he was holding earlier.

"However. What is that?"

"Ah, this is a letter from the Lady."

"To Olivia?"

"What is this? An invitation to the imperial palace's summer banquet"

Winster's mouth, which had been speaking softly, suddenly became glued together.

"What?"

The Grand Duke's question was answered, but

Winster said no more. There was no problem with the Duke's letters, but the letter from Liv Green was different. The secret that the Young Lady was 'Liv Green' should not have been revealed here. This was a special secret known only to His Highness the Grand Duke, Sobel, Howard, and him.

".... Really? Is she really 'Liv Green'?"

"Be quiet, Winster. His Highness the Grand Duke said it was a secret."

" I heard it somewhere."

The sight of Howard shaking his head in embarrassment at having found out the secret on his own was completely forgotten. Winster raised his head proudly and handed Bethany an envelope of documents.

"Bethenny. Please pass it on to the Lady."

Accepting the envelope, Bethany looked at the Grand Duke with slightly worried eyes.

"I don't know about anything else, but what if the Young Lady says she's going to the banquet too?"

Bethany wasn't ready to send her to that harsh island just yet. Her Princess, who went to the imperial palace, also never returned here. However, His Highness grinned without answering. Only then did Bethany realize that she was worried for no reason. 

Edwin Lowell Vikander. The Grand Duke in front of her was not the kind of person who would allow something to happen again, no matter what. 

What if they put more pressure on the imperial family?

 ***

On a bright morning, I walked down the hallway, clutching the hem of my dress. I always walked lightly, but my steps became faster and faster, making it look like I was running. I was surprised when Bethany, who was following me, shouted.

 "Miss!" 

My head was still dizzy from the alcohol, and my wrists were sore from holding over a hundred of the swords, but I  couldn't stop my steps. It was because of the letters I had seen as soon as I woke up a little while ago.

"A letter has arrived from the Duke of Madeleine's residence. Winster brought it yesterday."

An envelope of documents is said to have come from the Duke of Madeleine's residence. Inside was another document envelope, along with letters from Ethella and Sally and a luxurious invitation. 

What is that? 

Curiosity arose, but I started by reading Ethella and Sally's letters. The moment I saw the familiar handwriting, I was filled with strange joy and closed my mouth. My eyes widened when I saw the phrase written at the end of Sally's letter.

< I am glad to be able to send you the letter you have been waiting for. >

I opened the small envelope and checked the sender of the letter inside. I said and took a breath.

A letter from an 'unknown knight'. 

That's eight letters.

I, who was feeling overwhelmed and didn't know what to do, had just gone outside after reading a letter.

< If it's okay with you, I'd like to see you on Laheirn Street next Wednesday afternoon. >

I couldn't tell if this unknown knight was a knight of the Imperial Knights or a knight of Vikander. I was happy just to receive the letter.

I wanted to share this joy with someone. The only person that came to mind was Edwin. But when I found Edwin, I had to keep my mouth shut for a moment as Edwin poured out his words.

"Something came up where I had to go to the system. It's a summer banquet, and Heferti's delegation is also scheduled to come there."

Summer banquet. 

The moment I heard those words, I remembered an invitation to the imperial palace that I had not read. Come to think of it, the summer banquet I always prepared was around this time.

"I also received an invitation for Olivia. Of course, attending is Olivia's choice. What do you want to do?"

My Choice. I quietly pondered those words.

After I was granted my reprieve for a year, I had not the slightest intention of going to I institution during that year. I didn't want to see anyone in the imperial palace.

But,

"Me too."

I should think about it first. I have to consider practicality. When, along with a letter from an unknown knight, the thought of Edwin going to the islands alone filled his mind. I reached a conclusion without realizing it.

"I want to go too. To the imperial palace."

Edwin smiled and nodded at the resolute words. As if he knew it would happen. 

*** 

The garden of the Princess's palace, where all the bright roses have faded and new summer flowers are in full bloom. Under the shaded awning, a tea party was held every year under the name of 'preparation for the Princess's summer banquet'. 

However, even though it was a tea party, everyone sitting at the table was quietly looking at each other. It was the Princess who broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Princess, What did you just say?"

The princess forced her mouth shut and looked at Ethella Madeleine who was sitting on her right. Ethella widened her eyes and spoke innocently.

"What did I say?"

Then yes. No matter how tactless a little Princess of Madeleine may be, there is no way she would say something like that to her... 

The Princess's face, which had raised the corner of her mouth in faint excitement, slightly distorted at Ethella's next words.

"Ah. I'm sure you don't mind me saying that you think you've seen this banquet concept somewhere before, right?"

At that moment, the Princess's eyes flashed fiercely. Ethella smiled leisurely. 

Thanks to that, no one knew how deep the venom lurked beneath those calm, amethyst-colored eyes.

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