DYBAR - Chapter 82 < A Father And Son Who Are Slow To Hear Rumors >
Do Your Best And Regret
The Emperor smiled at the report that Princess Madeleine had appeared at the banquet hall. And with a relaxed mind, he headed to the banquet hall with the Empress. There was nothing to worry about.
After carefully checking Vikander's white crystal mine, the Princess was sure that this summer's banquet would end successfully, as always. Also, the Duke of Madeleine and Crown Prince will return the Princess to her rightful place as soon as possible. Everything was perfect.
That was until, as the Emperor entered the hallway leading to the banquet hall, he ran into the Princess coming out fuming with an angry look on her face. The Princess, who came out with a very angry look on her face, also looked at the Emperor and Empress as if she was surprised. And then she smiled brightly and politely. Loud greetings filled the hallway.
"I see you, Your Majesty. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet your two majesties at the banquet on a beautiful night."
But instead of receiving greetings, the Emperor glanced around. The banquet had begun, and the people standing in front of the banquet hall door visible from a distance were servants, not nobles. But the Emperor knew very well that rumors were not good.
The Emperor spoke in a friendly voice while maintaining a smiling face.
"You had a hard time preparing the banquet, Princess. But why is the host of the banquet away?"
At first glance, it seemed like he was concerned about the Princess's' social life. But she, the Princess, knew better than anyone else that the Emperor's eyes were not smiling.
A chill rushed to her back. The moment an Emperor with good eyesight enters the banquet hall, he will realize that the concept of the banquet is the same as the last time. Then, just thinking about the Emperor's wrath gave her goosebumps.
But instead of showing her expression, the Princess smiled.
"The two Supreme Majesties did not come, so I came out for a moment. Everyone was looking forward to the appearance of their two majesties as much as I, the host of the banquet, so my thoughts were short-lived as I only thought about their feelings."
The Emperor frowned for a moment at the smooth words. It was completely different from the angry look on his face a moment ago. A strange premonition crept into his head as he saw the difference in her actions and words. But soon the Empress next to him gently stroked the Emperor's arm.
"Your Majesty. The Princess is talking like that, we need to come in quickly. All the nobles are waiting for you, Your Majesty."
"Okay. I have to go in first."
The uncomfortable feeling did not go away, but the Emperor agreed with the Empress. But,
“Grand Duke!”
Even before the door to the banquet hall was opened, the Emperor had no choice but to shout at the fierce voice.
"What kind of fuss is this!"
In the middle of the banquet hall. The Crown Prince and Maria Ethel are surrounded by nobles forming a circle. And there was a Princess and a Grand Duke. Unlike the Prince's greatly distorted face, the Grand Duke was smiling as if nothing had happened. It couldn't be like this. The Prince lost his dignity and got angry at the Emperor's dog. And that too in front of his dog, who smiles leisurely.
As if cold water had been poured on them, the nobles awkwardly bowed their heads towards the Emperor and Empress. The servant, who had no idea what to do between them, informed the Emperor and Empress of their position.
"Your Majesty the Emperor and the Empress!"
"Hail to the Sun and Moon of the Empire. I see your Majesty the Emperor and the Empress."
Aristocrats could be seen bustling around here and there showing courtesy. The embarrassed voices and stiff movements seemed no different from ordinary people on the street. The good news was that Heferti and foreign delegations would be attending the banquet starting tomorrow.
The Emperor looked at the banquet hall in silence. In this place where everyone was flustered, there was only one person who was calm. Edwin Lowell Vikander. The dog that was the hero of war and that the Emperor was holding on to its leash looked at the Emperor calmly with a surprisingly beautiful face.
"That's right. What is this... At the banquet, I was invited to?..."
What happened to his dog?
The Emperor looked at the Grand Duke with his lips tightly pursed. The face of the Princess next to him also looked stern. In complete contrast to the Crown Prince with a sharp attitude standing right in front of him and Maria Ethel with a bright red face. The Emperor couldn't even guess what happened to the two during the dozens of days they were in Vikander Territory.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, as if he had finally come to his senses, showed respect to the Emperor.
"I meet Your Majesty the Emperor and the Empress. Opinions were divided for a while, causing an uproar. We will talk about this again later."
The words coming out of his mouth were harsh as if he had not been able to completely relieve his anger. But instead of pointing him out, the Emperor nodded his head.
"I'll come back after getting some fresh air."
As Leopold raised his head and headed toward the terrace, Maria Ethel, who had no idea what to do, hurriedly followed behind him.
Everything was a mess. The Prince, who was supposed to start the first dance at the banquet, was leaving. No one dared to understand this situation, so they just looked at each other.
Silence fell in the banquet hall, where even the elegant melody was cut off. So, will the person who starts the first dance at this banquet also be the Grand Duke?
There was doubt in the nobles' eyes. Only then did he have some justification as a war hero, but not now.
The nobles looked alternately at the Grand Duke and the Princess. At that gaze, the Princess also blinked her eyes as if she realized the situation she was in. Now that the Crown Prince was gone, it was the Princess who had to start the dance first.
However, the Princess, who was unmarried and the host of the banquet, came to the banquet without a fixed partner. The best picture in this situation would have been for the Princess to begin her first dance with the Grand Duke...!
The Princess, the hostess of the banquet, did not begin her first dance. May the Grand Duke be with her. It must have already been difficult to welcome the Princess's' visit this time.
"We have a strong bond from the past, so wouldn't it be possible to share the experience of a dance?"
The Emperor spoke majestically. Although there was some strange emotion in his voice, it was the most efficient way to resolve this situation. In the meantime, the Emperor secretly talked with the Grand Duke and the Princess. It was also a ploy to show that the royal family and the Grand Duke have always had a close relationship. But before the Princess could take her steps, the Grand Duke grinned.
"I'm sorry..."
It was a face and voice that showed no apology at all. He was already angry, but the Emperor clenched his fists when he heard the Grand Duke pouring oil on him. But the Grand Duke paid it no heed and continued speaking in an eloquent voice.
"According to His Majesty the Crown Prince, I am as cute as a cat wearing a bell. It won't do anything outside of its owner's eyes."
A cat with a bell and its owner. The Emperor immediately realized that the master the Grand Duke was referring to was a Princess. The Emperor's anger grew so much that he could not control his expression, and his mouth tightened.
How dare you, Grand Duke.
His dog claims that the Prince's fiancee is his owner. As long as the White Crystal Mine belonged to the Princess, Lord Vikander and the Grand Duke were nothing more than their own dogs.
If things continue like this, the Princess's' position will become ridiculous. Before the Emperor could express his displeasure, the Grand Duke grinned and said.
"Also. When are you saying that Her Highness the Princess visited Vikander Territory? Please tell me if I have misunderstood anything. The Vikander Territory currently prohibits the royal family and the Madeleine duchy from entering."
At the same time as the mysterious voice sounded, the Princess's' face turned pale. However, the Emperor, who was already full of anger at the ban on her entry, did not even notice the sign.
"Be careful what you say, Grand Duke! Is there anywhere in this empire that the royal family cannot go? Especially because the place the Princess visited is her own property!"
The Emperor, who was getting angry, suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck. The red eyes staring at him were loosely curved.
Aha. A pleasant-to-listen tone made a mark. As if he knew something the Emperor did not know.
Before the Emperor even pondered its meaning,
"Would you please allow me to have my first dance with the Little Duke of Madeleine, Your Majesty?"
The Princess bent down. Looking at the Princess's' contemplative face, the Emperor had a premonition that something was wrong with her. But,
"Let's do that."
It was impossible to dig in among these numerous nobles. With the Emperor's permission, the Princess quickly approached Conrad Madeleine. He was then dragged by force and they stood in the middle of the banquet hall. The dance song started one beat late. The nobles who could not start dancing properly continued to dance that did not match the melody. What a messy banquet this is.
In the meantime, there was only one person who smiled as if they were truly happy...
.....I guess the reason the rumor is slow is the same for both fathers and sons.
"Olivia."
Even though Edwin was smiling as if he was genuinely happy, I couldn't help but laugh along. My mind was dizzy from the sudden incident, and I was confused by the various information.
The fact that even the Emperor knows about the Princess's' white crystal mine, or the story that the Vikander spirit prohibits the royal family and the Duke of Madeleine from entering. But Edwin, who was relieved, looked at me and smiled.
"I never thought a banquet would be this fun. It would have been a shame if I hadn't come."
Seeing his childlike excitement, I shook away the thoughts that had been lingering in my head.
Okay. This was a banquet. No matter how much I thought about it, the problems I had to worry about alone could be solved by going to the mansion and asking about them. Edwin looked completely different from before, wanting to leave the banquet hall and go on a date alone. It was fun.
While I was laughing along with Edwin, his kind eyes widened and he spoke formally to Olivia.
"Can I ask for one song?"
I tilted my head for a moment at the outstretched hand. It was then that I felt a glimpse of mischievousness pass over my green eyes.
"Just one song?"
For a moment, Edwin blinked. It was a formal dance request, but it felt like I had been hit on the head by him. Suddenly, the words I had grumbled to Winster at the victory banquet came to mind.
"Why on earth is the waltz song set in time?"
"Because I have to change partners."
My words now subverted that formality. I am more faithful to etiquette than anyone else. Glancing at the dazed Edwin, I shook my head calmly.
"I am very disappointed in the way you asked me to dance. This is not like the person who told me to increase distribution."
As my eyes sparkled provocatively, Edwin's throat rang slowly.
"Then, in line with Olivia's distribution."
It felt like a drop of sweet temptation had fallen on top of my ever-suffocating thirst. The lowered voice made a sincere request.
"Can I ask you to dance to all the songs for this banquet in advance, Olivia?"
I looked at the outstretched hand again and smiled brightly.
"If that's the case. You are enough to be with me from my first song."
***
When Maria came out from the terrace, a beautiful melody rang throughout the hallway.
She couldn't believe it. The main focus in that banquet hall was supposed to be her and Leopold. She can't believe she missed the first dance song like this. But Maria couldn't go back inside the terrace and pester Leopold. The strong cigar smoke that had come from the terrace a little while ago dispersed. At the same time, the conversation with Leopold did not disappear and lingered in her messed-up
mind.
"Go back, Leopold. Are you going to let the Grand Duke occupy that banquet?"
"... Maria."
"Yes. Leopold."
"Does your head hurt? Would you like to go out? What's so big about dancing like that?"
Maria gritted her teeth as the conversation came to her mind clearly. If she went back alone now, all the ridicule at the banquet hall would be her. She was in a situation where she had to go into any living room and wait for the banquet to end. Maria was about to enter the living room in a miserable mood.
"Then what happened to Lady Ethel?"
"I recognized her from the time she acted like a peacock. His Majesty the Crown Prince is looking at the Princess, what is she doing?"
Maria unconsciously hid herself from the sound of voices echoing in the hallway. She feels like pouring hot tea on those who are talking carelessly right now. She had to endure it. She had no strength now. At least she had her officially announced fiancée. She should have attended her engagement ceremony today as well. Mariq should have solidified her position in front of everyone.
But no matter how much she regrets it, it is too late. It was difficult to complete the dress, so she decided to give herself plenty of time. She needs to push up her schedule now. The position of the Crown Prince's only fiancée. The fact that the position belonged to Maria Ethel had to be announced in front of everyone.
A dangerous look glimmered over her blue eyes. She was filled with greed that she could never let go of.
***
And at that time, a grand banquet hall. The Emperor looked at one place with sharp eyes. The Princess, who had always skillfully controlled the mood among the nobles, was unable to hide her untidy appearance today.
Beautiful sea-colored eyes were busy looking at the Emperor's eyes while looking at other places. The Emperor followed the Princess's' gaze. The thing at the end. Olivia Madeleine. Is there something interesting happening?
When he first saw the bright smiling face. Incredibly. The current Princess appearance was surprisingly similar to the Princess of Lowell, which he had longed for.
The surprised Emperor blinked.
Only then did she return to the Princess the Emperor knew, with the only resemblance to her being green eyes.
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