“It looks like you’ve prepared well.”
Aaron spoke in a whisper. Unless he was right next to her, no one would have noticed. Amelia assumed that Duke Russell and Harry, standing a few steps behind, probably hadn't heard either.
“It ended well.”
But she was already so accustomed to that style of conversation, especially Aaron's low voice. So Amelia could hear every word he said without missing a beat.
“I didn’t know you would even ask for a pledge.”
“I asked you a few days ago if you were coming back. I thought you and he might change your minds.”
Besides, Amelia had a similar ability to communicate. She shot Aaron a look with a faint smile.
“I’m sure you can make it a success.”
"Of course."
Amelia answered confidently, showing no fear or worry.
"I won't see you talking nonsense so late. Just give Ian and me freedom, as we promised."
Aaron glanced down at Amelia quietly. Sensing his gaze, Amelia looked back at him.
“...It will be as you wish.”
It's something he's noticed for some time now, but Amelia's expressions are now difficult to read. It seems like only yesterday that even meeting his gaze made her feel uneasy. It's as if it were a dream that he could roughly guess what she was thinking just by looking at her eyes.
“You asked me to bring you some Mandarake, but it seems you couldn’t sleep well even after taking the medicine.”
All Aaron could tell was that the bags under Amelia's eyes looked somewhat dark.
“Oh, that...”
Amelia paused and blinked at Aaron's comment. It was clearly only for a moment, but she seemed to be thinking about something.
“It didn’t really work.”
Amelia replied, her eyes scanning the relief patterns on the banquet hall door. She seemed disinterested in the gratuitous talk. No, more than that...
“...”
Aaron's eyes narrowed as he watched the scene.
“The Priestess and the high priest are entering!”
At the same time, the door to the banquet hall opened. Aaron's concentration was interrupted just in time.
As soon as Amelia entered, all eyes scattered throughout the banquet hall suddenly turned to her. Those who had only heard of Amelia's presence in the palace were astonished by her true presence, and later, they were struck by the beauty of the woman in the white dress.
“They said she was a beautiful woman with a strange appearance, and yet she looked like that in that shabby dress...”
If she were an ordinary woman with that appearance.
Even without careful consideration, it wasn't hard to guess their thoughts. Had they not been confined within the temple, there would have been quite a few who would have flirted with Amelia.
“You are quite remarkable. It seems that even the Emperor has been captivated by your looks.”
"Well, it's a bit strange that he would acknowledge someone who isn't even his own son as the true Crown Prince. The current Emperor doesn't seem to like temples very much, after all."
So they naturally assumed Ivan thought on the same level as them. They regarded Ivan as nothing more than an ordinary man.
But Ivan preferred the life of a ruler to that of an ordinary man. His approach to Amelia wasn't simply because he liked her looks, but rather because he had a purpose.
They're like a bunch of idiots who have lost their minds.
Amelia swallowed the words she couldn't bring herself to say and smiled softly. She looked like a beautiful, gentle Priestess, one of a kind. Then, her gaze began to drift away. Amelia quietly scanned her surroundings. Knights with familiar faces lined the edge of the hall.
“Louis, what about wine?”
“I handed it over to my servant. I told him I would present it to the Emperor, so he’ll bring it out when the ceremony begins.”
Louis whispered quietly. Amelia nodded and glanced at Aaron, who was standing nearby. Despite Harry's presence, Aaron clung to her side, as if he were her bodyguard.
“Mrs. Howard.”
It was Mrs. Howard who saved Amelia. She hadn't been able to hold Ian in her arms today, having moved away from Mrs. Howard is to have a more comfortable conversation with the Duke of Russell and Aaron. As if aware of her longing, Mrs. Howard came over, carrying Ian in her arms.
“You’re wearing pretty clothes.”
“Yes, these are the clothes His Majesty the Emperor personally sent for today.”
Perhaps resembling his father, Ian had a cute and charming appearance, and he looked good in any color. Amelia, feeling as if she couldn't sell him, accepted Ian from Mrs. Howard. Ian laughed, seeming delighted to be held in his mother's arms.
“It’s cute, too.”
Amelia whispered and kissed Ian's forehead. The gentle gesture drew everyone in the room back to her.
“You really care for him like your own child.”
“Normally, even if you give birth to your own baby, it doesn’t stay like that. It’s quite surprising.”
Amelia seemed to find it fascinating how Ian was being carried around like her own baby.
“As if she were my biological mother...”
A faint murmur reached Amelia's ears. Aaron, still smiling, glanced at the man who had spoken. Perhaps embarrassed by the thought of daring to mention his biological mother to a Priestess, the man quickly averted his gaze and hid in the crowd.
“...”
Amelia felt a renewed sense of relief that Ivan had taken Ian. Even if he had somehow managed to survive, the moment she discovered Ian was a boy, he would have died at Aaron's hands before long.
Amelia couldn't have hidden her affection for Ian, a common street orphan, and people would have found it suspicious. Furthermore, the fact that Ian's eyes resembled Amelia's was another unsettling factor.
“His Majesty the Emperor of Escliffe comes!”
The door opened with a loud bang, and Ivan, now grown, appeared. Dressed in navy blue, his hair brushed back, he exuded a mixture of sensitivity and masculinity.
Amelia bowed her head toward Ivan, who strode briskly down the central aisle of the hall, thinking.
Despite all the talk, Ivan wasn't the worst father to Ian. He'd say he'd kill Ian, but he couldn't even lay a hand on his child. He was a perfectionist, but he jumped into filthy mud to save Ian's life, oblivious to the fact that his own shirt was soaked with spit.
Of course, Ivan never once whispered to Ian that he loved him. But she could tell that Ivan was showing his affection for Ian in some way.
"I'm not interested in Jane Clarke. She became my fiancée only because she could accept Ian with all her heart."
He simply doesn't associate with anything he doesn't care about. As his fiancée, Jane Clarke had every reason to attend and sit beside him, but she couldn't enter with him; instead, she stayed with her father and brother.
“I am so grateful that so many people came to the event on such a special day.”
Perhaps it was because Amelia's own feelings were taken into consideration. At least in that respect, Ivan can be trusted.
Amelia thought as she raised her head and gazed at Ivan, who was standing a few steps above her. The man, with his long legs, had already climbed the stairs, and before sitting on the throne, he was arrogantly looking down on everyone present at the banquet.
“I’m grateful.”
Everyone lowered their heads in shock at Ivan's words. Amelia was the sole exception. Her natural outburst made her meet Ivan's gaze.
“...”
Ivan smiled leisurely, as if he had no doubt that Amelia would do well. Even though she had betrayed him before. Of course, things were certainly different now.
“Let’s start the investiture ceremony.”
Ivan declared. Everyone who had been bowing their heads raised their heads and waited for the ceremony to begin.
“We will begin the investiture ceremony.”
Then, Rodan took a step forward like the main character and unfolded the paper he was holding.
“Ivan Wade Escliffe is the 15th Emperor of Escliffe, and the rightful successor to the late Emperor...”
The story written on the rolled-up paper seemed to be Ivan's life story. It was a tedious tale, but everyone, including Amelia, pretended to listen attentively.
“He visited the temple to offer his support, and upon encountering a newborn baby named Ian, he took pity on him and returned to the palace.”
Ivan's pursuit of values, his efforts to achieve a strong imperial power, naturally led to social harmony and ultimately stopped at the point of integration with the temple.
“And the Priestess of Escliff, the representative of the gods, gave an oracle that the child was another representative of the gods and should be taken in and made a member of the royal family.”
A glance turned to Amelia. Amelia blinked calmly and stared straight ahead.
“As the master of Escliff, and as a servant of God, His Majesty the Emperor has declared that he will not only accept the child as a member of the royal family, but also acknowledge him as the Crown Prince.”
"...”
“So, today, this place has been prepared to crown Ian as Crown Prince.”
Rodan, who had been fixated on the paper the whole time, turned his gaze in the direction where Amelia was.
“My Lady, come here so that His Majesty the Emperor may bestow glory upon Ian.”
And he ordered Amelia up the stairs. Amelia took a step forward, hiding her trembling hands by holding Ian.
Aaron spoke in a whisper. Unless he was right next to her, no one would have noticed. Amelia assumed that Duke Russell and Harry, standing a few steps behind, probably hadn't heard either.
“It ended well.”
But she was already so accustomed to that style of conversation, especially Aaron's low voice. So Amelia could hear every word he said without missing a beat.
“I didn’t know you would even ask for a pledge.”
“I asked you a few days ago if you were coming back. I thought you and he might change your minds.”
Besides, Amelia had a similar ability to communicate. She shot Aaron a look with a faint smile.
“I’m sure you can make it a success.”
"Of course."
Amelia answered confidently, showing no fear or worry.
"I won't see you talking nonsense so late. Just give Ian and me freedom, as we promised."
Aaron glanced down at Amelia quietly. Sensing his gaze, Amelia looked back at him.
“...It will be as you wish.”
It's something he's noticed for some time now, but Amelia's expressions are now difficult to read. It seems like only yesterday that even meeting his gaze made her feel uneasy. It's as if it were a dream that he could roughly guess what she was thinking just by looking at her eyes.
“You asked me to bring you some Mandarake, but it seems you couldn’t sleep well even after taking the medicine.”
All Aaron could tell was that the bags under Amelia's eyes looked somewhat dark.
“Oh, that...”
Amelia paused and blinked at Aaron's comment. It was clearly only for a moment, but she seemed to be thinking about something.
“It didn’t really work.”
Amelia replied, her eyes scanning the relief patterns on the banquet hall door. She seemed disinterested in the gratuitous talk. No, more than that...
“...”
Aaron's eyes narrowed as he watched the scene.
“The Priestess and the high priest are entering!”
At the same time, the door to the banquet hall opened. Aaron's concentration was interrupted just in time.
***
As soon as Amelia entered, all eyes scattered throughout the banquet hall suddenly turned to her. Those who had only heard of Amelia's presence in the palace were astonished by her true presence, and later, they were struck by the beauty of the woman in the white dress.
“They said she was a beautiful woman with a strange appearance, and yet she looked like that in that shabby dress...”
If she were an ordinary woman with that appearance.
Even without careful consideration, it wasn't hard to guess their thoughts. Had they not been confined within the temple, there would have been quite a few who would have flirted with Amelia.
“You are quite remarkable. It seems that even the Emperor has been captivated by your looks.”
"Well, it's a bit strange that he would acknowledge someone who isn't even his own son as the true Crown Prince. The current Emperor doesn't seem to like temples very much, after all."
So they naturally assumed Ivan thought on the same level as them. They regarded Ivan as nothing more than an ordinary man.
But Ivan preferred the life of a ruler to that of an ordinary man. His approach to Amelia wasn't simply because he liked her looks, but rather because he had a purpose.
They're like a bunch of idiots who have lost their minds.
Amelia swallowed the words she couldn't bring herself to say and smiled softly. She looked like a beautiful, gentle Priestess, one of a kind. Then, her gaze began to drift away. Amelia quietly scanned her surroundings. Knights with familiar faces lined the edge of the hall.
“Louis, what about wine?”
“I handed it over to my servant. I told him I would present it to the Emperor, so he’ll bring it out when the ceremony begins.”
Louis whispered quietly. Amelia nodded and glanced at Aaron, who was standing nearby. Despite Harry's presence, Aaron clung to her side, as if he were her bodyguard.
“Mrs. Howard.”
It was Mrs. Howard who saved Amelia. She hadn't been able to hold Ian in her arms today, having moved away from Mrs. Howard is to have a more comfortable conversation with the Duke of Russell and Aaron. As if aware of her longing, Mrs. Howard came over, carrying Ian in her arms.
“You’re wearing pretty clothes.”
“Yes, these are the clothes His Majesty the Emperor personally sent for today.”
Perhaps resembling his father, Ian had a cute and charming appearance, and he looked good in any color. Amelia, feeling as if she couldn't sell him, accepted Ian from Mrs. Howard. Ian laughed, seeming delighted to be held in his mother's arms.
“It’s cute, too.”
Amelia whispered and kissed Ian's forehead. The gentle gesture drew everyone in the room back to her.
“You really care for him like your own child.”
“Normally, even if you give birth to your own baby, it doesn’t stay like that. It’s quite surprising.”
Amelia seemed to find it fascinating how Ian was being carried around like her own baby.
“As if she were my biological mother...”
A faint murmur reached Amelia's ears. Aaron, still smiling, glanced at the man who had spoken. Perhaps embarrassed by the thought of daring to mention his biological mother to a Priestess, the man quickly averted his gaze and hid in the crowd.
“...”
Amelia felt a renewed sense of relief that Ivan had taken Ian. Even if he had somehow managed to survive, the moment she discovered Ian was a boy, he would have died at Aaron's hands before long.
Amelia couldn't have hidden her affection for Ian, a common street orphan, and people would have found it suspicious. Furthermore, the fact that Ian's eyes resembled Amelia's was another unsettling factor.
“His Majesty the Emperor of Escliffe comes!”
The door opened with a loud bang, and Ivan, now grown, appeared. Dressed in navy blue, his hair brushed back, he exuded a mixture of sensitivity and masculinity.
Amelia bowed her head toward Ivan, who strode briskly down the central aisle of the hall, thinking.
Despite all the talk, Ivan wasn't the worst father to Ian. He'd say he'd kill Ian, but he couldn't even lay a hand on his child. He was a perfectionist, but he jumped into filthy mud to save Ian's life, oblivious to the fact that his own shirt was soaked with spit.
Of course, Ivan never once whispered to Ian that he loved him. But she could tell that Ivan was showing his affection for Ian in some way.
"I'm not interested in Jane Clarke. She became my fiancée only because she could accept Ian with all her heart."
He simply doesn't associate with anything he doesn't care about. As his fiancée, Jane Clarke had every reason to attend and sit beside him, but she couldn't enter with him; instead, she stayed with her father and brother.
“I am so grateful that so many people came to the event on such a special day.”
Perhaps it was because Amelia's own feelings were taken into consideration. At least in that respect, Ivan can be trusted.
Amelia thought as she raised her head and gazed at Ivan, who was standing a few steps above her. The man, with his long legs, had already climbed the stairs, and before sitting on the throne, he was arrogantly looking down on everyone present at the banquet.
“I’m grateful.”
Everyone lowered their heads in shock at Ivan's words. Amelia was the sole exception. Her natural outburst made her meet Ivan's gaze.
“...”
Ivan smiled leisurely, as if he had no doubt that Amelia would do well. Even though she had betrayed him before. Of course, things were certainly different now.
“Let’s start the investiture ceremony.”
Ivan declared. Everyone who had been bowing their heads raised their heads and waited for the ceremony to begin.
“We will begin the investiture ceremony.”
Then, Rodan took a step forward like the main character and unfolded the paper he was holding.
“Ivan Wade Escliffe is the 15th Emperor of Escliffe, and the rightful successor to the late Emperor...”
The story written on the rolled-up paper seemed to be Ivan's life story. It was a tedious tale, but everyone, including Amelia, pretended to listen attentively.
“He visited the temple to offer his support, and upon encountering a newborn baby named Ian, he took pity on him and returned to the palace.”
Ivan's pursuit of values, his efforts to achieve a strong imperial power, naturally led to social harmony and ultimately stopped at the point of integration with the temple.
“And the Priestess of Escliff, the representative of the gods, gave an oracle that the child was another representative of the gods and should be taken in and made a member of the royal family.”
A glance turned to Amelia. Amelia blinked calmly and stared straight ahead.
“As the master of Escliff, and as a servant of God, His Majesty the Emperor has declared that he will not only accept the child as a member of the royal family, but also acknowledge him as the Crown Prince.”
"...”
“So, today, this place has been prepared to crown Ian as Crown Prince.”
Rodan, who had been fixated on the paper the whole time, turned his gaze in the direction where Amelia was.
“My Lady, come here so that His Majesty the Emperor may bestow glory upon Ian.”
And he ordered Amelia up the stairs. Amelia took a step forward, hiding her trembling hands by holding Ian.
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