The atmosphere of the Atilchad Hall was bright, unlike midwinter. As if the eastern forest had been transplanted, green vine leaves were wrapped around the hall’s large pillars, and they hung down to fill the ceiling.
“I didn’t know the Crown Prince had such a great sense of aesthetics. It was also very considerate of him not to start the welcoming ceremony in the evening.”
In fact, the Empress and Doris were preparing for the Emperor’s grand birthday party, so if this welcoming ceremony was too extravagant, they might have to change their plans. After all, it was a party held in the same place, and the conservative imperial party structure was basically the same. However, this welcoming ceremony prepared by Bardenaldo was to be held before nightfall, and instead of drinking and talking, it was to be a refreshing one with snacks, light music, and brisk dancing.
“Yes, I am truly grateful that His Highness the Crown Prince allowed me to host such an honorable welcome ceremony. Those were sad days, but I was so busy that I didn’t have time to wallow in my sadness for a few days.”
"Yes?"
Noura asked back without realizing it and kept her mouth shut. Blie decorated this beautiful and fragrant party hall? Doris was also surprised, and the corners of her lips were clearly raised.
“Your Highness... Crown Prince?”
“Yes, didn’t you know? I’m embarrassed to say this, but this time I... will be accompanying Prince Victor and His Highness Prince Ephero.”
Blie said, winking at those who had just been talking. Noura quickly glanced at the protagonists of the day, who were talking to other nobles. She had no idea about this. Of course, Doris would be the same. In that brief moment, Noura saw tens of thousands of emotions flash through Doris’s green eyes. And her sharp gaze went to the Crown Prince who was far away, and then back again.
Unlike the ball that started at midnight, the welcoming ceremony that started before dinnertime had only the windows high up in the party hall wide open, allowing the sunset to pour down to the lower floors. The summer roses placed here and there looked fresh like real flowers, but they were actually artificial flowers made of the highest quality silk. Even those who had been careful to touch the party decorations were fooled by the scent of real flowers emanating from them and didn’t know they were artificial flowers until they plucked off a petal.
The most special place was the place of honor where the Emperor and Crown Prince and Crown Princess couple would sit, and where the main characters of the welcoming ceremony, Prince Ephero and Prince Victor of Elacon, sat for a while. This was because the red roses decorated on the armrests of the chairs there were particularly sparkling.
As soon as they entered the party hall, Empress Grace and Crown Princess Doris felt as if they were walking in a dream. They looked around here and there, and when they saw the sparkling rose, they let out a low groan.
“Oh my God, is this a rose made of ruby?”
“Yes, this time, I used the gift that Prince Victor gave to the Crown Prince in this way.”
“Oh my God, is this a rose made of ruby?”
“Yes, this time, I used the gift that Prince Victor gave to the Crown Prince in this way.”
“I didn’t know the Crown Prince had such a great sense of aesthetics. It was also very considerate of him not to start the welcoming ceremony in the evening.”
In fact, the Empress and Doris were preparing for the Emperor’s grand birthday party, so if this welcoming ceremony was too extravagant, they might have to change their plans. After all, it was a party held in the same place, and the conservative imperial party structure was basically the same. However, this welcoming ceremony prepared by Bardenaldo was to be held before nightfall, and instead of drinking and talking, it was to be a refreshing one with snacks, light music, and brisk dancing.
Still, since it was her son’s welcoming ceremony, she was nervous that it would be too simple, but Empress Grace, who had not expected the atmosphere to be this refreshing, clasped her hands together for a rare moment and enjoyed the scent of the grass.
“Prince Elacon also looked around here and couldn’t help but admire it. He is also Ephero’s closest friend, so I hoped that he would like the welcoming party as well. It was really well-organized. Don’t you think so, Doris?”
“That is true, Your Majesty the Empress. I can sense that His Highness the Crown Prince has been very considerate to both His Highness the Prince of Ephero and to Elacon.”
Doris was also surprised by the Crown Prince's skills, but she answered vaguely. There was one thing that was more annoying than this green banquet.
‘...Why is she here?’
An uninvited guest. Blie Acacia was having a friendly conversation with Prince Elacon.
“Prince Elacon also looked around here and couldn’t help but admire it. He is also Ephero’s closest friend, so I hoped that he would like the welcoming party as well. It was really well-organized. Don’t you think so, Doris?”
“That is true, Your Majesty the Empress. I can sense that His Highness the Crown Prince has been very considerate to both His Highness the Prince of Ephero and to Elacon.”
Doris was also surprised by the Crown Prince's skills, but she answered vaguely. There was one thing that was more annoying than this green banquet.
‘...Why is she here?’
An uninvited guest. Blie Acacia was having a friendly conversation with Prince Elacon.
***
Noura's gaze was fixed on the ruby rose adorning the top seat.
'If only we could sell that in our jewelry store...'
Her gaze quickly followed Doris and turned to Blie, who was standing in the corner of the party hall talking to Prince Elacon. Seeing the two of them talking nonstop, it was clear that Blie’s Elacon skills were much better than she had thought. Blie must have sensed her gaze because whenever their eyes met, she would smile and say hello, and every time she did, Noura’s heart swelled with hope.
'If only we could sell that in our jewelry store...'
Her gaze quickly followed Doris and turned to Blie, who was standing in the corner of the party hall talking to Prince Elacon. Seeing the two of them talking nonstop, it was clear that Blie’s Elacon skills were much better than she had thought. Blie must have sensed her gaze because whenever their eyes met, she would smile and say hello, and every time she did, Noura’s heart swelled with hope.
The jewelry store’s sales had increased noticeably in the past few months. It was because of the jewels embedded in the dress Blie was wearing right now. It was clear that she had worn that dress on purpose today. It was a good deal in exchange for telling her a little about Doris. Even though Blie had practically stepped down from her position as the Crown Princess’ maid, seeing her act like that was a sign that she would continue her relationship with Noura even if her relationship with Doris was cut off.
Noura, who had to take responsibility for the household in place of the sick Viscount, let out a sigh of relief. At that moment, Doris moved. Doris, who approached Blie lightly to the cheerful welcome music, raised her head and smiled leisurely.
“You look happy, Blie.”
“Ah, Your Highness!”
Blie smiled innocently and politely. Noura, who followed quietly behind, did not miss the fact that Doris had a smiling face but a cold gaze. That cold light shone even brighter when she confirmed that the person standing behind Blie was Rhodnes.
“I’m sorry, Blie. I thought Blie would be so sad that she wouldn’t want to attend a welcoming party like this, so I didn’t send you an invitation. I was worried.”
It was a worried voice, but the meaning contained within it was like a blade. Is this the kind of situation where you can laugh and chatter?
“You look happy, Blie.”
“Ah, Your Highness!”
Blie smiled innocently and politely. Noura, who followed quietly behind, did not miss the fact that Doris had a smiling face but a cold gaze. That cold light shone even brighter when she confirmed that the person standing behind Blie was Rhodnes.
“I’m sorry, Blie. I thought Blie would be so sad that she wouldn’t want to attend a welcoming party like this, so I didn’t send you an invitation. I was worried.”
It was a worried voice, but the meaning contained within it was like a blade. Is this the kind of situation where you can laugh and chatter?
But Blie, as always, just blinked and smiled beautifully without any clue.
“Ah! Such a profound meaning... But don’t worry, Your Highness. I wasn’t upset at all. In fact, I didn’t even have time to be upset!”
Please. Please don't talk, you tactless woman! Noura glared at Blie, worried that she might get in trouble.
'Thr Crown Princess' doesn't feel well. You shouldn't laugh like that in front of her. It's forbidden.'
“...I’m glad you weren’t upset.”
“Ah! Such a profound meaning... But don’t worry, Your Highness. I wasn’t upset at all. In fact, I didn’t even have time to be upset!”
Please. Please don't talk, you tactless woman! Noura glared at Blie, worried that she might get in trouble.
'Thr Crown Princess' doesn't feel well. You shouldn't laugh like that in front of her. It's forbidden.'
“...I’m glad you weren’t upset.”
“Yes, I am truly grateful that His Highness the Crown Prince allowed me to host such an honorable welcome ceremony. Those were sad days, but I was so busy that I didn’t have time to wallow in my sadness for a few days.”
"Yes?"
Noura asked back without realizing it and kept her mouth shut. Blie decorated this beautiful and fragrant party hall? Doris was also surprised, and the corners of her lips were clearly raised.
“Your Highness... Crown Prince?”
“Yes, didn’t you know? I’m embarrassed to say this, but this time I... will be accompanying Prince Victor and His Highness Prince Ephero.”
Blie said, winking at those who had just been talking. Noura quickly glanced at the protagonists of the day, who were talking to other nobles. She had no idea about this. Of course, Doris would be the same. In that brief moment, Noura saw tens of thousands of emotions flash through Doris’s green eyes. And her sharp gaze went to the Crown Prince who was far away, and then back again.
Ah, this damned Blie Acacia. If only you would shut your bright mouth!
The moment she decided to give Blie a piece of advice about the Crown Princess, Blie dropped an even more explosive remark.
“I will do my best as this is my first mission as His Highness the Crown Prince’s aide.”
At those words, Doris laughed as if the air had been knocked out of her lungs. But her eyes were shining so brightly that Noura, who was standing close by, felt a murderous intent that was so strong it could pierce her bones.
“Aide? How can Blie be the aide to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Why can't it be done?”
Blie, who had been smiling brightly with her white teeth, suddenly asked with a gentle smile. Noura slowly watched Blie’s fierce eyes gradually settle down. Her heart began to pound. Her lips, filled with affection, were clearly speaking in a warm voice as usual, but...
“I am not Countess Acacia now. I am Count Acacia's wife, Your Highness.”
Because only those eyes that were deeply sunken were shining clearly. That image, along with the words 'His Highness the Crown Prince's aide', pierced Noura's heart.
“I will do my best as this is my first mission as His Highness the Crown Prince’s aide.”
At those words, Doris laughed as if the air had been knocked out of her lungs. But her eyes were shining so brightly that Noura, who was standing close by, felt a murderous intent that was so strong it could pierce her bones.
“Aide? How can Blie be the aide to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Why can't it be done?”
Blie, who had been smiling brightly with her white teeth, suddenly asked with a gentle smile. Noura slowly watched Blie’s fierce eyes gradually settle down. Her heart began to pound. Her lips, filled with affection, were clearly speaking in a warm voice as usual, but...
“I am not Countess Acacia now. I am Count Acacia's wife, Your Highness.”
Because only those eyes that were deeply sunken were shining clearly. That image, along with the words 'His Highness the Crown Prince's aide', pierced Noura's heart.
***
I held my slightly trembling heart and just sipped champagne in the corner. The expression on Doris' face as if she had been hit in the back of the head, did not leave my mind.
'Then why did you abandon me?'
If you had kept me by your side, I would have pushed her with my own efforts. As I watched Doris, who had been standing with a complicated expression, return to her place, my eyes met with the Crown Prince’s. I smiled at his anxious face as if I was okay. It wasn’t something I should keep a secret from Doris, was it?
'Then why did you abandon me?'
If you had kept me by your side, I would have pushed her with my own efforts. As I watched Doris, who had been standing with a complicated expression, return to her place, my eyes met with the Crown Prince’s. I smiled at his anxious face as if I was okay. It wasn’t something I should keep a secret from Doris, was it?
The Crown Prince was the one in trouble, not me. At that moment, Noura, who was following Doris, turned her head slightly toward me. I gave her a smile similar to the one I had given the Crown Prince. Surprisingly, Noura responded with a smile that was more friendly than I could have ever imagined before. I had no choice but to prove my need in this way. It was a little provocative, but since my image was built up like a blind date, you could think of it as being impudent, but that’s all. I had to pay more attention to Noura, who was looking at me with a moved expression next to her.
While I was not by Doris’ side, she was the woman who would be my eyes, so I had to show her that I was not someone who would be abandoned by Doris. While Victor, who had been looking around the party hall in admiration, was called to the Emperor who had just arrived with Epero, I drank a whole bottle of champagne. The reason why I could make Blie, who couldn't drink well, drink this much was that I would drink a glass or two whenever my chest felt heavy to relieve my anger toward Noevian.
After I drank the last drop, my head felt dizzy, so I put my hand on the wall and felt a warm air under my hand.
"Ma'am."
"...Your Grace?"
What I touched was not the wall, but Rhodnes’s hand. We were both wearing gloves, but maybe because I was hot from drinking, the hand that touched me for a moment felt so hot that I was startled and pulled my hand away. Rhodnes’ eyes darkened in an instant. They seemed to be holding back something.
“Oh, I’m so surprised. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“...When that bear-like thing was sticking close to you earlier, it seemed like you were having a good time talking.”
"Yes?"
Did I do that? I was laughing so hard that I could show the Crown Prince who was watching us from afar... I chuckled because I thought my appearance was funny, but at the same time, Rhodnes’ face hardened even more.
“No. Not really... They were more like funny stories than fun stories.”
Most of the conversations Victor and I had were just the nonsense of a foreign language beginner.
'Jewel Rose. The best.'
'Do what I was told to do.'
'As expected. Beautiful women. Make. Beautiful things.'
"Ma'am."
"...Your Grace?"
What I touched was not the wall, but Rhodnes’s hand. We were both wearing gloves, but maybe because I was hot from drinking, the hand that touched me for a moment felt so hot that I was startled and pulled my hand away. Rhodnes’ eyes darkened in an instant. They seemed to be holding back something.
“Oh, I’m so surprised. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“...When that bear-like thing was sticking close to you earlier, it seemed like you were having a good time talking.”
"Yes?"
Did I do that? I was laughing so hard that I could show the Crown Prince who was watching us from afar... I chuckled because I thought my appearance was funny, but at the same time, Rhodnes’ face hardened even more.
“No. Not really... They were more like funny stories than fun stories.”
Most of the conversations Victor and I had were just the nonsense of a foreign language beginner.
'Jewel Rose. The best.'
'Do what I was told to do.'
'As expected. Beautiful women. Make. Beautiful things.'
'Thanks.'
'Woman. You. Are. Funny. What. You. Are. Talking.'
'It's fun. You're more. Oh, is this informal speech?'
Is that so? On purpose.'
'I don't know. What are you talking about?'
Somehow, I remembered playing with Rhodnes when I was young, learning Elacon, and drawing on paper like that, and my smile grew even wider. When I recalled Rhodnes from my childhood from Victor, I smiled faintly, but I felt an intense gaze.
I saw Rhodnes emptying the champagne glass he was holding out of courtesy, his face cold and cold. He was looking straight into my eyes.
'Woman. You. Are. Funny. What. You. Are. Talking.'
'It's fun. You're more. Oh, is this informal speech?'
Is that so? On purpose.'
'I don't know. What are you talking about?'
Somehow, I remembered playing with Rhodnes when I was young, learning Elacon, and drawing on paper like that, and my smile grew even wider. When I recalled Rhodnes from my childhood from Victor, I smiled faintly, but I felt an intense gaze.
I saw Rhodnes emptying the champagne glass he was holding out of courtesy, his face cold and cold. He was looking straight into my eyes.
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