As someone who hates to attract more attention than necessary, he raised a hand to stop his servant's attempt to call his name, and then descended the stairs in an elegant, upright posture.
However, despite his efforts, everyone took notice of Barcas. Even the presence of the next Emperor seemed to fade with his appearance.
I greedily looked at him from head to toe.
He was dressed as scrupulously in the robes of the Imperial Guard, as usual. One thing that was different from the usual was that he was wearing a black breastplate with the Black Devil's crest instead of the gold armor that the Order of Roem symbolized under the fancy coat provided by the Order.
That meant he was at the banquet as the heir to Grand Duke Sheerkhan and Ayla's fiancée.
As I expected, Barcas went straight to the center of the hall where Gareth and Ayla were located.
"I see Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince."
He gave Gareth a level of courtesy that was neither too little nor too much, and then turned to Ayla, who was smiling shyly.
My fingertips trembled. I clutched the glass so loudly that my bones turned white.
Barcas extended a hand to the "Orthodox Princess," and Ayla grabbed his back somewhat. Suddenly, a pain came over me as if my internal organs were twisting.
Don't touch him.
I wanted to shout that without any qualifications. I had to bite my lip to avoid showing my horrible ugliness.
"Wouldn't it be better to leave the banquet hall like this?"
The man who was examining my face carefully invited me. The person who seemed to genuinely enjoy the disturbance said that, and I came to my senses. I did not come here to leave the hall miserably and shabbily.
I swallowed my expression that had collapsed for a moment and walked gracefully across the hall. The Crown Prince, the First Princess, and those who surrounded them naturally opened the way.
They must have been expecting an exciting event in their hearts. I was going to meet their expectations perfectly.
"Hello. Respected brother, and... Lovely older sister."
Ignoring Barcas presence, I greeted only the two of them slowly. If I were to see him face to face, I would completely let go of the strings of reason that I had managed to hold onto.
I turned my back on Barcas and fixed my gaze on Ayla's face. Then I said in a mocking voice.
"I'm glad that I recovered safely. Before... You didn't show a very good side."
"Thank you for your concern."
Ayla said with a gentle smile on her lips that didn't let me feel a single shade.
I got goosebumps all over my body.
She would never know that it was her half-sister who drugged her drink. Nevertheless, there was not even a speck of anger in her gaze. It was as if she were looking at something that was missing from common things everywhere.
Glasses, plates, or candlesticks in the hall.. How could people be angry about such things?
Her attitude, which was not only peaceful but also grave, was filled with deep regret.
I should have given her poison instead of an antiemetic. Even if I am punished with a terrible punishment... Even if I am burned in the fire of hell for eternity.
Compared to this woman, my raw anger seemed human.
"Where do you dare to come here?"
Gareth leaned toward me, gnashing his teeth. His glistening eyes ran up and down with a deep disgust.
"That's so vulgar! Did your mother act as a prostitute and instruct you to appease my loyalists?"
"You are saying that I am vulgar."
I spread my skirt wide as if I were proud.
"This dress was worn by my mother on the day she first saw His Majesty the Emperor. It's a very meaningful dress."
Silence fell in the hall for a moment.
The Prince's eyes lit up with anger. Sadly, I loved to play with fire.
"My father must have loved this dress. Don't you think so?"
The Crown Prince's shoulders soared upwards. He seemed to be in a hurry and wanted to put his hand on his face.
But his clever sister couldn't allow that to happen. At the perfect time, Ayla put her hand on Gareth's forearm to stop him, and she turned to her half-sister and smiled brightly.
"Yes. It suits you so well."
Surprisingly, there was no malice in her voice. As if she were just talking about the facts she could see, her tone was full of medicine. Perhaps she thinks that reacting to the provocations of the petty illegitimate child is itself demeaning to her.
Ayla, who had given her twin brother a calm look, stepped over to her fiancé's side. She leaned gently on his side and said with a very happy face.
"Anyway, thank you for coming here. Today is upon us... It's a very meaningful day, especially for me. I wanted to be congratulated by even one more person."
Ayla's delicate hand gently landed on the forearm of the man who stood as still as a shadow.
I looked down as if I wanted to tear her hand to shreds. I couldn't lift my gaze. If I ever saw him smiling at Ayla, I wouldn't be able to keep my sanity.
Ayla spoke in a voice as soft as a feather.
"Finally, we have an official wedding date. On the day the Season of the Winds begins. I will be traveling east to become a member of House Searcan. Of course, before that, we must first go on a pilgrimage to receive the blessings of the Saints. I'll have to hurry out before the day gets hot, so today might be the last time I see you."
She disguised her expression of regret well.
"I'm glad I was able to meet you like this before I left the Imperial Palace. I wanted to at least say goodbye to you."
Then, as if she wanted to end the conversation, she leaned on Barcas' shoulder and added gently.
"Please, enjoy the banquet to the fullest."
With a generous smile on her lips, Ayla turned around gently. I, who had been staring at her, suddenly spoke.
"Today is the last day. I want to bless your future."
As I stepped toward Ayla, the man who had been silently watching the silent battle between the two women reacted immediately. His eyes lit up as he stretched out his arms in front of her as if to protect his fiancée.
I quickly poured wine over Ayla's chest before Barcas could completely block me.
The dark wine stained the top of the white dress with pearls, red, and dripped down to the hem of the skirt. It looked as if it had been stabbed in the heart and was bleeding.
"I will pray every day that she will be like this soon.
The horrible curse made everyone take a heavy breath.
Ayla's face, which had been detached the whole time, also turned blue. Her genuinely frightened expression was so ridiculous that I almost burst out laughing out loud.
However, the joy was short-lived. A strong hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me away. As a result, I had no choice but to face the man I had ignored so much.
A pair of pale blue eyes was glaring at me with fierce anger.
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