“It’s been a while. Especially since I haven’t seen your nose since the wedding, I almost forgot your face. Even if you’re newlyweds, you should show your face often.”
The King said this and tapped Randall on the shoulder. He was clearly smiling, but there was a twisted smile somewhere, and Sylvia frowned slightly.
'What?'
The King is certainly wary of Randall. But apart from that, he never seemed to be someone who would show his hostility so openly. For some reason, his eyes felt unfocused now. While Sylvia was lost in thought with a strange sense of foreboding, the King suddenly turned his head and stared at her.
“How have you been?”
“Thanks to your concern, I was able to rest in peace.”
Although a little surprised, Sylvia listened calmly without showing it. Then the King smiled meaningfully.
“That’s fortunate. Before you go back, let’s have a cup of tea alone. The last time you came to the palace, you just held a ceremony and left, so we didn’t even have time to talk.”
At those words, Randall and Sylvia's faces hardened at the same time. It was understandable because those words were tantamount to a declaration of war that the King would monitor the North through Sylvia.
'Why all of a sudden...'
Randall also felt the King standing strangely and furrowed his eyebrows. He had not contacted Sylvia much since their marriage, so why was he approaching her now? And what was he trying to do with her?
Although a little surprised, Sylvia listened calmly without showing it. Then the King smiled meaningfully.
“That’s fortunate. Before you go back, let’s have a cup of tea alone. The last time you came to the palace, you just held a ceremony and left, so we didn’t even have time to talk.”
At those words, Randall and Sylvia's faces hardened at the same time. It was understandable because those words were tantamount to a declaration of war that the King would monitor the North through Sylvia.
'Why all of a sudden...'
Randall also felt the King standing strangely and furrowed his eyebrows. He had not contacted Sylvia much since their marriage, so why was he approaching her now? And what was he trying to do with her?
He was full of questions, but he had an answer he could give right away. Sylvia glanced at Randall and bowed her head politely.
“...It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
With that conversation over with, Count and Countess Florette, Randall, and Sylvia withdrew from the King's presence. Randall and Sylvia went to the wall to speak to the Count and his wife, who were exchanging greetings with the people of the capital.
"Surely..."
“Isn’t it strange?”
“...It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
With that conversation over with, Count and Countess Florette, Randall, and Sylvia withdrew from the King's presence. Randall and Sylvia went to the wall to speak to the Count and his wife, who were exchanging greetings with the people of the capital.
"Surely..."
“Isn’t it strange?”
“Yes. He wasn’t like that originally. It’s separate from when he ordered me to get married.”
Randall muttered in confusion and then looked up at Sylvia. Sylvia smiled slightly when she saw that his green eyes were filled with worry. In this situation, Sylvia was not worried about what would happen if she handed over information from the North. She was purely worried that the King would harm her. That trust was touching.
Randall muttered in confusion and then looked up at Sylvia. Sylvia smiled slightly when she saw that his green eyes were filled with worry. In this situation, Sylvia was not worried about what would happen if she handed over information from the North. She was purely worried that the King would harm her. That trust was touching.
Sylvia was about to open her mouth to comfort Randall. The king, who had been greeting the nobles, blocked their approach and got up from his seat.
“I am so happy that everyone is celebrating my birthday in such good health.”
Without anyone having to speak, everyone shut their mouths. The noisy banquet hall was suddenly filled with a deathly silence. The King smiled faintly, pleased that everyone was listening to him, and continued speaking.
“I have good news to tell you on this fine day.”
Randall felt a chill down his spine at those words. The King paused for a moment and gestured toward the banquet hall door. Then, as if the servants had been waiting, the door opened. A young man appeared beyond the door.
“The Crown Prince who led the Southern War to victory has returned. He has only been here a few days, but he said he would like to announce his return on this happy day.”
The King was proud, perhaps touched by his only son’s filial piety. The people were astonished and murmured. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince walked along the long red carpet stretching down the middle of the banquet hall. As he passed by, people naturally bowed to show respect. Thanks to this, Randall and Sylvia, who were standing near the throne, were able to clearly see the Crown Prince’s figure through the crowd.
'That person...'
Sylvia had only heard the Crown Prince in passing from her father, Count Florette, so this was the first time she had seen him in person. The Crown Prince, David de Kelmar Lochlen. He was a handsome young man with dark reddish brown hair and deep purple eyes. As befitting a royal, he had a face as beautiful as Count Florette, who had once been called the Lily of the Realm. He looked even more so because he was wearing a neat white robe. However, despite his beautiful face, he had an inexplicable sense of discomfort.
'Poison.'
The words came to mind naturally. Sylvia narrowed her eyes without letting down her guard. At that moment, David approached Randall and Sylvia. He noticed Randall standing a head taller among the people and glanced at him. The moment their eyes met, a sharp sneer passed across his beautiful lips.
“...”
Randall, who witnessed this, clenched his fists with a hardened face and bowed quietly. David, who saw Randall not responding at all, muttered, “Unlucky bastard,” and then returned to his gentle smile. Finally, David arrived in front of the throne and bowed to the King, kneeling on one knee.
“Happy birthday, Your Majesty. I have returned victoriously, as you commanded.”
“Haha, don’t just stay like that. Get up. I told you to rest, but you must be tired from attending the banquet as soon as you get back.”
The King, with a satisfied expression, personally helped David up. David, who seemed helpless as he followed the touch, raised his body and curled the corners of his mouth like a picture.
“That’s not true. I’m glad that I can celebrate the slope of El Vares. On the contrary, it’s nice to be in a place where I don’t smell the smell of the sea for the first time in a long time.”
David's witty remark caused a few people to burst into laughter. He followed them and smiled faintly, then surreptitiously changed the subject.
“By the way, I heard that while I was away, a close friend of mine got married...”
“Oh, yes. He's over there. Say hello, Duke.”
The King noticed Randall standing with Sylvia and motioned to them. The two approached the Crown Prince warily and greeted him.
“Congratulations on your victory, Your Highness.”
Randall's voice remained flat the whole time. David stared down at him, his head bowed, and then turned away.
“Thank you for the congratulations. Is this your wife?”
Randall's face hardened at that question. Sylvia bowed her head to the Crown Prince expressionlessly.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I am Sylvia Florette Belfort. I congratulate you on your victory and safe return.”
“Yes. Belfort... Belfort, I know.”
David chewed on Sylvia’s greeting with a faint smile. How long did the strange silence last?
“I am so happy that everyone is celebrating my birthday in such good health.”
Without anyone having to speak, everyone shut their mouths. The noisy banquet hall was suddenly filled with a deathly silence. The King smiled faintly, pleased that everyone was listening to him, and continued speaking.
“I have good news to tell you on this fine day.”
Randall felt a chill down his spine at those words. The King paused for a moment and gestured toward the banquet hall door. Then, as if the servants had been waiting, the door opened. A young man appeared beyond the door.
“The Crown Prince who led the Southern War to victory has returned. He has only been here a few days, but he said he would like to announce his return on this happy day.”
The King was proud, perhaps touched by his only son’s filial piety. The people were astonished and murmured. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince walked along the long red carpet stretching down the middle of the banquet hall. As he passed by, people naturally bowed to show respect. Thanks to this, Randall and Sylvia, who were standing near the throne, were able to clearly see the Crown Prince’s figure through the crowd.
'That person...'
Sylvia had only heard the Crown Prince in passing from her father, Count Florette, so this was the first time she had seen him in person. The Crown Prince, David de Kelmar Lochlen. He was a handsome young man with dark reddish brown hair and deep purple eyes. As befitting a royal, he had a face as beautiful as Count Florette, who had once been called the Lily of the Realm. He looked even more so because he was wearing a neat white robe. However, despite his beautiful face, he had an inexplicable sense of discomfort.
'Poison.'
The words came to mind naturally. Sylvia narrowed her eyes without letting down her guard. At that moment, David approached Randall and Sylvia. He noticed Randall standing a head taller among the people and glanced at him. The moment their eyes met, a sharp sneer passed across his beautiful lips.
“...”
Randall, who witnessed this, clenched his fists with a hardened face and bowed quietly. David, who saw Randall not responding at all, muttered, “Unlucky bastard,” and then returned to his gentle smile. Finally, David arrived in front of the throne and bowed to the King, kneeling on one knee.
“Happy birthday, Your Majesty. I have returned victoriously, as you commanded.”
“Haha, don’t just stay like that. Get up. I told you to rest, but you must be tired from attending the banquet as soon as you get back.”
The King, with a satisfied expression, personally helped David up. David, who seemed helpless as he followed the touch, raised his body and curled the corners of his mouth like a picture.
“That’s not true. I’m glad that I can celebrate the slope of El Vares. On the contrary, it’s nice to be in a place where I don’t smell the smell of the sea for the first time in a long time.”
David's witty remark caused a few people to burst into laughter. He followed them and smiled faintly, then surreptitiously changed the subject.
“By the way, I heard that while I was away, a close friend of mine got married...”
“Oh, yes. He's over there. Say hello, Duke.”
The King noticed Randall standing with Sylvia and motioned to them. The two approached the Crown Prince warily and greeted him.
“Congratulations on your victory, Your Highness.”
Randall's voice remained flat the whole time. David stared down at him, his head bowed, and then turned away.
“Thank you for the congratulations. Is this your wife?”
Randall's face hardened at that question. Sylvia bowed her head to the Crown Prince expressionlessly.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I am Sylvia Florette Belfort. I congratulate you on your victory and safe return.”
“Yes. Belfort... Belfort, I know.”
David chewed on Sylvia’s greeting with a faint smile. How long did the strange silence last?
David pulled Sylvia’s hand and kissed it, her eyes widening.
“Greetings, Duchess of Belfort. May the blessings of El Vares be with you.”
It was clearly a simple kiss, but somehow it felt like a snake was wrapping around her hand, so Sylvia naturally pulled her hand away. David looked down at his hand, which had become empty in an instant. Randall, who sensed something was wrong, took a step forward and opened his mouth to say that he would step back. At that moment, David, who clenched his fist and then released it, raised his head.
“Now that I think about it since I’ve attended the banquet, I should probably dance to a song. Maybe it’s because I’ve been away from the capital for so long, but I feel awkward around other people. I wish you, my friend’s wife, could help me out a bit.”
David finished his speech with a pretended innocence. However, no one knew that it was an excuse. At least Randall and Sylvia did. Randall's face darkened as the situation he had expected but hoped to avoid unfolded exactly. Sylvia, who saw his stern face, was half worried and half annoyed by David and tried to refuse. However, the King laughed heartily and waved to the orchestra first.
“That’s a good idea. Let’s prepare for something exciting rather than something calm. The war is over, so we should quickly get used to living in the capital again.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
The King and David exchanged greetings and decided to dance with Sylvia in an instant. The atmosphere was like that, and it was not easy to refuse royalty in front of the nobles. Sylvia had no choice but to turn back to Randall and whisper softly.
“I’ll be right back.”
“...Have a nice trip.”
Randall clenched his fists behind his back and tried to smile calmly. He thought that if he showed any embarrassment or discomfort here, David would show more interest in Sylvia and try to approach her.
“Greetings, Duchess of Belfort. May the blessings of El Vares be with you.”
It was clearly a simple kiss, but somehow it felt like a snake was wrapping around her hand, so Sylvia naturally pulled her hand away. David looked down at his hand, which had become empty in an instant. Randall, who sensed something was wrong, took a step forward and opened his mouth to say that he would step back. At that moment, David, who clenched his fist and then released it, raised his head.
“Now that I think about it since I’ve attended the banquet, I should probably dance to a song. Maybe it’s because I’ve been away from the capital for so long, but I feel awkward around other people. I wish you, my friend’s wife, could help me out a bit.”
David finished his speech with a pretended innocence. However, no one knew that it was an excuse. At least Randall and Sylvia did. Randall's face darkened as the situation he had expected but hoped to avoid unfolded exactly. Sylvia, who saw his stern face, was half worried and half annoyed by David and tried to refuse. However, the King laughed heartily and waved to the orchestra first.
“That’s a good idea. Let’s prepare for something exciting rather than something calm. The war is over, so we should quickly get used to living in the capital again.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
The King and David exchanged greetings and decided to dance with Sylvia in an instant. The atmosphere was like that, and it was not easy to refuse royalty in front of the nobles. Sylvia had no choice but to turn back to Randall and whisper softly.
“I’ll be right back.”
“...Have a nice trip.”
Randall clenched his fists behind his back and tried to smile calmly. He thought that if he showed any embarrassment or discomfort here, David would show more interest in Sylvia and try to approach her.
However, Sylvia, who did not know this, felt strangely disappointed that Randall immediately sent her away. In the end, the couple turned away, holding on to their unspoken feelings.
“Duchess, this way.”
Sylvia took David's hand and headed to the center of the banquet hall. As the two took their places, other nobles joined them to dance. Then the music began to play, and Sylvia and David moved their feet to the music. Dancing with David felt different from dancing with Randall. While Randall danced to his partner, David felt like he was pulling his partner to follow him.
“Why, are you surprised that I don’t have the skills to step on your feet?”
David observed Sylvia's expression, then chuckled and said. Sylvia shook off her thoughts and responded with a look of composure.
“I have never seen anyone dance better than me.”
“That’s true. Considering you haven’t even attended a ball before your wedding, you’ve done a great job.”
David muttered in a flat voice and spun Sylvia around, which allowed her to hide the momentary stiffness in her expression.
'It's still uncomfortable.'
The hand touching her waist, the hand holding her. Even with the gloves and clothes between them, it was extremely uncomfortable. Up until now, Sylvia had only danced with her tutor when she was young, and with Randall. Maybe that was why she realized that touching someone's body was so uncomfortable. It was no wonder because she had never felt this way when dancing with Randall and holding hands.
At that moment, David suddenly grabbed Sylvia's hand. She reflexively held her breath as she met David's eyes right in front of her.
“Are you thinking of the Duke while dancing with me? This is a bit disappointing.”
A small whisper pierced her ear through the music. Sylvia asked with a hardened face.
“...What do you mean?”
“Are you thinking of the Duke while dancing with me? This is a bit disappointing.”
A small whisper pierced her ear through the music. Sylvia asked with a hardened face.
“...What do you mean?”
“I mean it literally.”
David arched the corners of his eyes as if he was trying to slyly flirt with her. Sylvia convinced that he was flirting with her, almost frowned without realizing it.
'Was he originally this type of person?'
Sylvia knew very little about David. She had heard from Thelma that Randall and he had briefly spent time together at the palace when they were young. She remembered hearing from her father, Count Florette, that he was a promising King. But now, what she saw before her was a ruffian flirting with a married woman.
Randall's attitude was cold, considering they had spent time together at the palace when they were young. Did he know that he had this kind of personality?
‘Then why are you treating me like this now...’
It was when Sylvia had deduced something close to the truth that she suddenly noticed a servant slowly making his way through the nobles, carrying a tray over David's shoulder. At first, she didn't realize what was happening. But she blinked once and the servant picked up the glass on the tray. She blinked again and the glass hit the tray and shattered.
‘Then why are you treating me like this now...’
It was when Sylvia had deduced something close to the truth that she suddenly noticed a servant slowly making his way through the nobles, carrying a tray over David's shoulder. At first, she didn't realize what was happening. But she blinked once and the servant picked up the glass on the tray. She blinked again and the glass hit the tray and shattered.
Clang!
A sharp cracking sound was heard throughout the banquet hall. And then...
“For our King, Baynas!”
“For Venice!”
The servants, screaming madly and wielding sharp shards of glass, rushed towards the nobles.
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