“I opened the door prepared for it...”
“...”
“Your Highness always exceeds my thoughts and expectations.”
This time, I was the speechless one.
“...Is that a compliment?”
“Yes. You will be the most beautiful tonight.”
Laskan spoke with an indifferent expression, but to me, it was the highest compliment because I could see the tips of his ears turning red.
When I laughed, he raised his hand and washed his face dry. I was the first to debut in the social world, but I thought it was really cute that Laskan was shy like a boy debuting for the first time. Despite his large body and cold impression.
I may be the only one in the entire empire who finds this Duke cute.
As if he had sensed my thoughts, Laskan let out a small sigh. Then, with perfect, elegant etiquette, he extended his hand to me.
“Would you please grant me the honor of serving Your Highness?”
I smiled and took Laskan's outstretched hand.
“I'd be happy to.”
The banquet hall where the ball was held was the largest space in the main palace.
Irina explained to me that it was very beautiful and magnificent and that it had a history of 400 years. I don't remember exactly, except that the numerous pumpkins that decorated it were gifts from the weaker allies.
We arrived at the banquet hall at a time that was neither too late nor too early. I was surprised to see carriages lined up from the steps leading into the banquet hall to the distant entrance of the palace.
They said they sent invitations to even the small lords of the provinces. It seemed like a lot of people had gathered. Just seeing the carriages lined up with their lights on was quite a spectacle.
“Your Highness, this way.”
Fortunately, we didn't have to wait in line. Our carriage was taken to a separate area reserved for the convenience of the royal family.
As I got out of the carriage holding Laskan's hand, the nobles standing nearby all bowed their heads in greeting.
“Your Highness Anastasia.”
“Your Highness the Princess.”
I nodded my head slightly and greeted them. I could see the banquet hall through the large open door. The thin curtains were drawn, making it difficult to see the inside completely.
As I walked up the red-carpeted stairs, the attendant noticed me and called out loudly.
“Her Royal Highness Princess Anastasia Roxanne Alekseevna Sol Igrantia!”
It was a name I had heard several times, but it never felt like mine. Sasha. Those two simple letters were enough for me.
Soon the curtains were drawn back and a blinding light poured in. I had to make a desperate effort not to be momentarily overwhelmed by the dazzling brilliance of the banquet hall.
A chandelier that stands out with overwhelming splendor, a pumpkin room that is densely decorated with jewels and gold all the way to the ceiling. Who would have thought that the banquet hall that was known even among the commoners would be this large?
Laskan slowly led me to the highest seat on the dais. As I passed by, the splendidly grown nobles sporadically paid their respects.
I tried not to show that I was nervous, so I put a little more force into the hand I had on his arm.
“Laskan. Will you be near me today?”
I whispered softly without even looking at his face, concentrating on holding ny head and waist gracefully.
He answered straight away.
“Yes. I won’t fall.”
It was nothing new. Rather than leaving me alone and making all sorts of mistakes at my debut party, it would be better to stick by my side and keep an eye on me.
I nodded roughly but then stopped when I heard Laskan's next words.
“If so, will Your Highness also stay by my side?”
I looked at him in surprise. His eyes, longing and wishing for me. Looking at me with those eyes, asking my opinion first...
It was really foul play. I've heard a lot about the possessiveness of men. Men who hit women, are obsessed with them and are bossy. And men who whisper that their violence is love.
But Laskan was completely different from the 'loving' men I'd met. He always respected me, even when I was just a woman he'd picked up in an alley.
The person who uses me the most actively, but also cares for me the most purely. Was my explanation appropriate?
If you tell this to the older sisters you knew during your commoner days, they'll probably applaud you and say, "You've found a good man." Some will jeer and say, "That kind of man only appears in stories."
He was a good man. I admit it time and time again. I admit it, but... I tried hard to avoid Laskan’s gaze.
“Wouldn’t it be difficult to continue being together?”
I added as if making an excuse.
“As I told you last time, I decided to go for a second dance with Prince Batistan.”
Yes, let's admit it. Honestly, he was my best. But I wasn't his best. I was a woman who would soon be accused of being a fraud.
Laskan would have thought to shoulder it together, but I had no such intention. I was determined to turn all that shame around as a woman who had deceived the Duke and even the Emperor.
In return for the sweet dreams I once had. In return for Laskan's love and trust in me. If I'm lucky, I might even get my name written prominently in the history books.
It was a completely different story from what I had told the Emperor to do to get rid of Ashkabad... It didn’t really matter since we didn’t trust each other that much from the start. We probably didn’t expect much from each other anyway.
So, even if I get hit in the back of the head, there's nothing I can do about it. It would be the same even if His Majesty had hit me in the back of the head. I would have cursed him inwardly, though.
“Anyway, if you’re around today and make any mistakes, let me know.”
I spoke firmly as if chasing away my absent-minded thoughts. The moment I grabbed Laskan’s hand and stepped onto the platform, the sound of three strikes on the floor rang out. It was the signal for the Emperor’s procession.
As the chief chamberlain announced the Emperor's steps in a loud voice, all the nobles stopped their actions, stepped back from the carpet, and knelt down in unison.
I looked at the Emperor who was slowly approaching. At the villa, he always wore simple, even dreary clothes, so I wondered if he didn’t have any nice clothes. When he wore the Emperor’s uniform, his vision seemed brighter. It would be nice if he brightened his expression a little.
The Emperor passed me by indifferently and sat down on the highest seat of the dais, the Emperor's seat. He looked down at everyone and said:
“Get up and stand.”
It sounded like a half-grumble, at least to me.
He said he would call me twice a week, but now I've been called almost four times a week, so I've come to guess a little bit about His Majesty's intentions. There must be something that he's deeply dissatisfied with, and he's upset.
I secretly glanced at him. Since he behaves like this even at official functions, people say that the Emperor neglects his duties.
“Let’s start the entremete.”
As soon as those words left the Emperor's mouth, a round of champagne was poured.
The servant brought me a glass filled with golden wine. Everyone held their glasses and waited for the Emperor's congratulatory speech.
The Emperor's New Year's address has traditionally had important significance, especially in that it provides a glimpse into the political direction of the future.
This year, I was there too. Seeing the reporters from several media outlets with passes staring at me, I thought that tomorrow, all sorts of artists would be showing off their skills and painting on the walls and in the newspapers.
Since the Emperor lost his family, the Entremette has been held in a simplified manner every year. However, this year, the scale is overwhelming, and the people will be even more eager to hear the Emperor’s precious words of recognition for the Princess.
But the Emperor's congratulatory speech was extremely simple.
“May God look down on the empire.”
A somewhat nervous gaze passed between me and the Emperor. I tried to maintain an elegant smile.
It's not that I hadn't thought about such a case... but if the Emperor didn't even mention me at the Princess's official debut ceremony, people's suspicions would deepen a little more.
If the Emperor tolerates fakes for some reason, then all the plans will go awry.
The thought that I had just had hit me hard in the lungs. A stab in the back of the head. We didn't expect anything from each other, so we could betray each other at any time...
It was then that the Emperor spoke in a careless and languid voice as if cutting off his busy thoughts.
“And welcome back, my granddaughter.”
As it turned out, my first dance at my debut ball was neither Laskan's nor Dmitry's.
Traditionally, when a noble girl made her debut, one of her family members would perform the first dance.
But my only official surviving family member is His Majesty the Emperor, and there's no way that little guy would dance with me, so I asked Laskan for my first dance...
As I was led by the Emperor's hand into the middle of the banquet hall, I wondered what on earth was going on.
As the Emperor placed his hand on my back, the orchestra began to play a dance song with a slow tempo.
The waltz has long been chosen as the traditional first dance for New Year's Day, and it was also the first dance I learned.
“Where on earth did you find that dress?”
As soon as the waltz began, the Emperor grumbled softly. For some reason, I thought he had a sour expression from the beginning, but it seemed that he didn't like my dress.
No matter what, I wore it anyway... This was made from fabric supplied to the royal family.
“Is it weird?”
“Whether it’s jewelry or something else, it’s just plain. I never knew that the skills of the capital’s dress artisans were this poor.”
“It’s just pretty in my eyes, you know.”
I answered, stiffly trying not to step on His Majesty the Emperor's feet.
The hand movements were becoming more and more complex, and even my breathing was getting worse. There was a world of difference between dancing in casual clothes and dancing in full-grown attire. I spoke, panting.
“Oh, it’s not like I’m the only one wearing something like this.”
The outline of my dress was revealed a week ago, and luckily several young ladies have chosen similar designs.
Although I attracted considerable attention, I still did not appear to be completely alone. Cesare was sure to cheer.
Probably every newspaper would be plastered with headlines like, 'The simple fashion the Princess brought to society.'
“...”
“Your Highness always exceeds my thoughts and expectations.”
This time, I was the speechless one.
“...Is that a compliment?”
“Yes. You will be the most beautiful tonight.”
Laskan spoke with an indifferent expression, but to me, it was the highest compliment because I could see the tips of his ears turning red.
When I laughed, he raised his hand and washed his face dry. I was the first to debut in the social world, but I thought it was really cute that Laskan was shy like a boy debuting for the first time. Despite his large body and cold impression.
I may be the only one in the entire empire who finds this Duke cute.
As if he had sensed my thoughts, Laskan let out a small sigh. Then, with perfect, elegant etiquette, he extended his hand to me.
“Would you please grant me the honor of serving Your Highness?”
I smiled and took Laskan's outstretched hand.
“I'd be happy to.”
***
The banquet hall where the ball was held was the largest space in the main palace.
Irina explained to me that it was very beautiful and magnificent and that it had a history of 400 years. I don't remember exactly, except that the numerous pumpkins that decorated it were gifts from the weaker allies.
We arrived at the banquet hall at a time that was neither too late nor too early. I was surprised to see carriages lined up from the steps leading into the banquet hall to the distant entrance of the palace.
They said they sent invitations to even the small lords of the provinces. It seemed like a lot of people had gathered. Just seeing the carriages lined up with their lights on was quite a spectacle.
“Your Highness, this way.”
Fortunately, we didn't have to wait in line. Our carriage was taken to a separate area reserved for the convenience of the royal family.
As I got out of the carriage holding Laskan's hand, the nobles standing nearby all bowed their heads in greeting.
“Your Highness Anastasia.”
“Your Highness the Princess.”
I nodded my head slightly and greeted them. I could see the banquet hall through the large open door. The thin curtains were drawn, making it difficult to see the inside completely.
As I walked up the red-carpeted stairs, the attendant noticed me and called out loudly.
“Her Royal Highness Princess Anastasia Roxanne Alekseevna Sol Igrantia!”
It was a name I had heard several times, but it never felt like mine. Sasha. Those two simple letters were enough for me.
Soon the curtains were drawn back and a blinding light poured in. I had to make a desperate effort not to be momentarily overwhelmed by the dazzling brilliance of the banquet hall.
A chandelier that stands out with overwhelming splendor, a pumpkin room that is densely decorated with jewels and gold all the way to the ceiling. Who would have thought that the banquet hall that was known even among the commoners would be this large?
Laskan slowly led me to the highest seat on the dais. As I passed by, the splendidly grown nobles sporadically paid their respects.
I tried not to show that I was nervous, so I put a little more force into the hand I had on his arm.
“Laskan. Will you be near me today?”
I whispered softly without even looking at his face, concentrating on holding ny head and waist gracefully.
He answered straight away.
“Yes. I won’t fall.”
It was nothing new. Rather than leaving me alone and making all sorts of mistakes at my debut party, it would be better to stick by my side and keep an eye on me.
I nodded roughly but then stopped when I heard Laskan's next words.
“If so, will Your Highness also stay by my side?”
I looked at him in surprise. His eyes, longing and wishing for me. Looking at me with those eyes, asking my opinion first...
It was really foul play. I've heard a lot about the possessiveness of men. Men who hit women, are obsessed with them and are bossy. And men who whisper that their violence is love.
But Laskan was completely different from the 'loving' men I'd met. He always respected me, even when I was just a woman he'd picked up in an alley.
The person who uses me the most actively, but also cares for me the most purely. Was my explanation appropriate?
If you tell this to the older sisters you knew during your commoner days, they'll probably applaud you and say, "You've found a good man." Some will jeer and say, "That kind of man only appears in stories."
He was a good man. I admit it time and time again. I admit it, but... I tried hard to avoid Laskan’s gaze.
“Wouldn’t it be difficult to continue being together?”
I added as if making an excuse.
“As I told you last time, I decided to go for a second dance with Prince Batistan.”
Yes, let's admit it. Honestly, he was my best. But I wasn't his best. I was a woman who would soon be accused of being a fraud.
Laskan would have thought to shoulder it together, but I had no such intention. I was determined to turn all that shame around as a woman who had deceived the Duke and even the Emperor.
In return for the sweet dreams I once had. In return for Laskan's love and trust in me. If I'm lucky, I might even get my name written prominently in the history books.
It was a completely different story from what I had told the Emperor to do to get rid of Ashkabad... It didn’t really matter since we didn’t trust each other that much from the start. We probably didn’t expect much from each other anyway.
So, even if I get hit in the back of the head, there's nothing I can do about it. It would be the same even if His Majesty had hit me in the back of the head. I would have cursed him inwardly, though.
“Anyway, if you’re around today and make any mistakes, let me know.”
I spoke firmly as if chasing away my absent-minded thoughts. The moment I grabbed Laskan’s hand and stepped onto the platform, the sound of three strikes on the floor rang out. It was the signal for the Emperor’s procession.
As the chief chamberlain announced the Emperor's steps in a loud voice, all the nobles stopped their actions, stepped back from the carpet, and knelt down in unison.
I looked at the Emperor who was slowly approaching. At the villa, he always wore simple, even dreary clothes, so I wondered if he didn’t have any nice clothes. When he wore the Emperor’s uniform, his vision seemed brighter. It would be nice if he brightened his expression a little.
The Emperor passed me by indifferently and sat down on the highest seat of the dais, the Emperor's seat. He looked down at everyone and said:
“Get up and stand.”
It sounded like a half-grumble, at least to me.
He said he would call me twice a week, but now I've been called almost four times a week, so I've come to guess a little bit about His Majesty's intentions. There must be something that he's deeply dissatisfied with, and he's upset.
I secretly glanced at him. Since he behaves like this even at official functions, people say that the Emperor neglects his duties.
“Let’s start the entremete.”
As soon as those words left the Emperor's mouth, a round of champagne was poured.
The servant brought me a glass filled with golden wine. Everyone held their glasses and waited for the Emperor's congratulatory speech.
The Emperor's New Year's address has traditionally had important significance, especially in that it provides a glimpse into the political direction of the future.
This year, I was there too. Seeing the reporters from several media outlets with passes staring at me, I thought that tomorrow, all sorts of artists would be showing off their skills and painting on the walls and in the newspapers.
Since the Emperor lost his family, the Entremette has been held in a simplified manner every year. However, this year, the scale is overwhelming, and the people will be even more eager to hear the Emperor’s precious words of recognition for the Princess.
But the Emperor's congratulatory speech was extremely simple.
“May God look down on the empire.”
A somewhat nervous gaze passed between me and the Emperor. I tried to maintain an elegant smile.
It's not that I hadn't thought about such a case... but if the Emperor didn't even mention me at the Princess's official debut ceremony, people's suspicions would deepen a little more.
If the Emperor tolerates fakes for some reason, then all the plans will go awry.
The thought that I had just had hit me hard in the lungs. A stab in the back of the head. We didn't expect anything from each other, so we could betray each other at any time...
It was then that the Emperor spoke in a careless and languid voice as if cutting off his busy thoughts.
“And welcome back, my granddaughter.”
***
As it turned out, my first dance at my debut ball was neither Laskan's nor Dmitry's.
Traditionally, when a noble girl made her debut, one of her family members would perform the first dance.
But my only official surviving family member is His Majesty the Emperor, and there's no way that little guy would dance with me, so I asked Laskan for my first dance...
As I was led by the Emperor's hand into the middle of the banquet hall, I wondered what on earth was going on.
As the Emperor placed his hand on my back, the orchestra began to play a dance song with a slow tempo.
The waltz has long been chosen as the traditional first dance for New Year's Day, and it was also the first dance I learned.
“Where on earth did you find that dress?”
As soon as the waltz began, the Emperor grumbled softly. For some reason, I thought he had a sour expression from the beginning, but it seemed that he didn't like my dress.
No matter what, I wore it anyway... This was made from fabric supplied to the royal family.
“Is it weird?”
“Whether it’s jewelry or something else, it’s just plain. I never knew that the skills of the capital’s dress artisans were this poor.”
“It’s just pretty in my eyes, you know.”
I answered, stiffly trying not to step on His Majesty the Emperor's feet.
The hand movements were becoming more and more complex, and even my breathing was getting worse. There was a world of difference between dancing in casual clothes and dancing in full-grown attire. I spoke, panting.
“Oh, it’s not like I’m the only one wearing something like this.”
The outline of my dress was revealed a week ago, and luckily several young ladies have chosen similar designs.
Although I attracted considerable attention, I still did not appear to be completely alone. Cesare was sure to cheer.
Probably every newspaper would be plastered with headlines like, 'The simple fashion the Princess brought to society.'
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