The nobles who had received Ivan's invitation began to cross the threshold of the palace one by one. Ivan proposed dinner, but they dared not arrive later than the Emperor, so they all arrived at the palace an hour before the appointed time.
“How long has it been since His Majesty the Emperor invited me?”
They gathered with their close friends and pondered the significance of Ivan's invitation. Contrary to the pride he felt in his lineage and status, Ivan didn't enjoy being treated with flair. Naturally, he didn't enjoy being close to nobles and receiving flattery, even less so. Of course, this was likely due to the presence of some prominent noble families who were considered anti-imperial.
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“It won’t be a big deal. Things are pretty peaceful now, aren’t they?”
The noisy meeting passed more easily than expected, so they guessed that he was gathering those in the capital for a quick meal.
“The Priestess is entering!”
At that moment, the door opened and Amelia appeared. Among all the blondes, her hair and eyes, pitch-black as the night sky, stood out like a black dog thrown into a snowy field. A sly glint lingered in the eyes of the noblemen who spotted Amelia. Knowing she was something they could never possess made them even more repulsed.
“Ahem.”
But no one was foolish enough to reveal such sentiments, even after seeing the Duke of Russell sitting right next to them. While they naturally exchanged glances, Amelia quietly took her assigned seat.
"The Priestess is also present. I heard you recently visited the cursed land and became very ill."
“Because His Majesty personally invited me. It’s okay now.”
The attendees added a few words of relief to Amelia's response. Their faces clearly showed a keen eye on the Duke of Russell, a ruler as powerful as the Emperor.
“His Majesty the Emperor is entering.”
An awkward silence fell over the table for several minutes, as Amelia and the Duke of Russell watched each other closely. Ivan appeared as if to save them. Everyone rose to greet him. Amelia was no exception.
“Are they all here?”
Ivan walked toward the table of honor and asked Rodan. Rodan counted the number of people with his eyes and replied that everyone he had invited was present.
“Some people might be surprised by the sudden invitation, but I have no other intentions.”
Before Ivan sat down, he glanced at Amelia briefly, but that was all. However, those who had been invited seemed to realize from that brief glance that Amelia was the reason. Indeed, if he hadn't been so observant in the first place, he would have collapsed and died long ago.
“I prepared this because I think there hasn’t been an event like this before, so everyone can come and enjoy themselves.”
Ivan, sitting at the head table, gestured with a half-hearted explanation. As if awaiting his command, the servants began carrying the plates.
“Your Majesty, by the way, Jane asked me to convey her thanks.”
After the main course was served, conversation continued in a quiet atmosphere, with a glass of wine. Leo Clark, the eldest son of Count Clark, who was attending on behalf of the Margrave Clark, suddenly offered his thanks to Ivan.
“Miss Clark?”
Ivan's hand, which had been tilting the wine glass to his lips, stopped. He quickly placed it back on the table. "Miss Clark." Amelia's gaze naturally drifted to Ivan at the familiar name.
“Oh, it was sent as a birthday present.”
“Yes. She was very happy to receive the gift.”
“I’m glad she liked it.”
Leo added that his sister had repeatedly emphasized that she wanted to convey her thanks.
“...”
Amelia watched him, stuffing a small piece of meat into her mouth and chewing it over and over. She now understood why he'd suddenly asked about her birthday last night. He'd probably wanted to give the woman who would become her concubine a birthday present while also celebrating her wife's birthday, which she knew would be someday.
It was hard to decide whether she should be grateful or feel sorry for the woman who would become his wife. Of course, neither of those things felt good. Ultimately, it felt like she was always holding onto his shell.
But there was no need to show such feelings here. She knew Ivan would take another woman as Empress, didn't she? Amelia quickly feigned indifference.
“Come to think of it.”
It wasn't intended to be seen by the Duke of Russell. But the Duke, who had been observing Amelia, seemed to have read the subtle displeasure on her face.
“How is your baby?”
The Duke of Russell brought up Ian with a smile. He seemed genuinely pleased. The mere fact that Amelia truly liked Ivan and was jealous of his relationship with the woman he was about to marry was enough to solidify his conviction.
“Are you suddenly looking for someone who isn’t even here?”
Leo's eyebrows quirked, as if he was uncomfortable with the change in topic to Ian. It seemed his father's seasoned poker face was still being learned. But his discomfort was natural. For the Margrave Clark family, Ian's presence was something they had to accept, and in a way, he was a political enemy.
“The day he becomes Crown Prince is not far away.”
Duke Russell sneered at Leo, seemingly without any particular intention. Ivan simply watched the scene as if it were a scene from a painting, as if to emphasize that this arrangement wasn't his intention.
“Ian is healthy. God is watching over Ian.”
So, the person who had to suddenly come out and strike was Amelia.
“Besides, thanks to Your Majesty’s meticulous attention to detail.”
Amelia interrupted, emphasizing the point. As if to let everyone know that Ivan wasn't caring for Ian out of good intentions.
“I hope he continues to grow up healthy and well.”
And then, looking straight at Ivan, he smiled as if giving him medicine.
“I don’t think I did much for him, but I’m so grateful that you said that.”
Ivan responded calmly. It was hard to detect any displeasure in his usual, unchanging face. However, it wasn't hard to guess that his expression actually symbolized displeasure.
“I will not be treated as an unbeliever any longer.”
“Your Majesty is an unbeliever? That is absurd.”
Amelia laughed as if she had heard a funny joke.
“I am grateful that Your Majesty has taken such good care of Ian as if he were your own son, and invited me here, and I have even brought you a gift.”
And she told him she had brought him a gift to repay his kindness. Naturally, all eyes turned to Amelia.
“I didn’t mean to brag about it like this, but if you don’t mind, can I have it as dessert after the meal?”
As if to draw attention to herself and prevent Ivan from leaving the place, she was aiming for.
“Do that.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Ivan gave his consent indifferently. Amelia called one of the servants closer and whispered in his ear. The servant quietly stepped out of the dining room like a shadow.
The servant returned just as everyone had gathered their cutlery to the right of their plates, signaling the end of the main meal. Several of the servants, including him, held plates of beautifully cut fruit.
“All the fruits are of high quality, as they were meant to be offered to Your Majesty, but I would especially like to recommend the exotic fruits found on the edge.”
A plate of fruit was placed on the table. Ivan's eyebrows furrowed briefly as he spotted the strange fruit Amelia had recommended.
“It has short hair on its skin and is rather ugly, but when cooked well, it is very sweet and soft.”
As Amelia spoke, she turned to Ivan. His face was clear, as if she had no doubt that he would gladly accept her gift.
"Your Majesty."
Rodan cautiously called out to Ivan. Ivan raised a hand to stop him, poked at the flesh with his fork, and, without hesitation, he stuffed a piece into his mouth. His boldness was so bold that it made Duke Russell flinch.
“It’s too sweet for my taste.”
Ivan's throat twitched violently as he chewed a few times, his jaw moving. Ivan's assessment was simple: he didn't like it. Rodan, who had been observing, quietly summoned his servant and gave him some orders.
“Oh, I’m sorry...”
“It’s not your fault, so there’s nothing to apologize for. Everyone, listen up.”
At Ivan's words, the guests glanced around and picked up their forks. While they enjoyed their desserts, Ivan coughed softly and set his glass down on the table. It was a rough, almost thud-like movement, something quite unusual for Ivan.
“I think I’m getting drunk, so I should get up first.”
Ivan was born, raised, and educated as a member of the royal family his entire life. His every movement was a textbook example of etiquette. So, when his sudden sway was glossed over as drunkenness, no one thought it strange. They simply assumed he was in poor health.
"...Your Majesty!"
Rodan rose from his seat and hurriedly followed Ivan. Through the still-closed door, he could hear Ivan calling out urgently, then cut off. He also heard a dull thud.
“...”
Did he fall? Or maybe the fruit she handed him didn't fit?
Ivan had never told Amelia that he had a genuine aversion to the fruit. So, expecting him to act, she handed him the fruit without hesitation. But then, hearing a serious noise outside the door, she suddenly began to feel uneasy.
“What happened outside?”
Duke Russell tilted his head as if he'd heard something strange and asked a question. A junior nobleman sitting at the far end, closest to the entrance, stood up. He said he'd look into it.
"His Majesty, it seems, has suddenly become quite drunk. Be are being assisted by Lord Rodan."
Amelia feigned indifference as she followed the Duke of Russell out the open door. The man who had been looking outside returned with a casual demeanor, claiming nothing unusual had happened.
The Duke of Russell smiled quietly, as if satisfied with the answer. Amelia felt her heart sink.
“How long has it been since His Majesty the Emperor invited me?”
They gathered with their close friends and pondered the significance of Ivan's invitation. Contrary to the pride he felt in his lineage and status, Ivan didn't enjoy being treated with flair. Naturally, he didn't enjoy being close to nobles and receiving flattery, even less so. Of course, this was likely due to the presence of some prominent noble families who were considered anti-imperial.
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“It won’t be a big deal. Things are pretty peaceful now, aren’t they?”
The noisy meeting passed more easily than expected, so they guessed that he was gathering those in the capital for a quick meal.
“The Priestess is entering!”
At that moment, the door opened and Amelia appeared. Among all the blondes, her hair and eyes, pitch-black as the night sky, stood out like a black dog thrown into a snowy field. A sly glint lingered in the eyes of the noblemen who spotted Amelia. Knowing she was something they could never possess made them even more repulsed.
“Ahem.”
But no one was foolish enough to reveal such sentiments, even after seeing the Duke of Russell sitting right next to them. While they naturally exchanged glances, Amelia quietly took her assigned seat.
"The Priestess is also present. I heard you recently visited the cursed land and became very ill."
“Because His Majesty personally invited me. It’s okay now.”
The attendees added a few words of relief to Amelia's response. Their faces clearly showed a keen eye on the Duke of Russell, a ruler as powerful as the Emperor.
“His Majesty the Emperor is entering.”
An awkward silence fell over the table for several minutes, as Amelia and the Duke of Russell watched each other closely. Ivan appeared as if to save them. Everyone rose to greet him. Amelia was no exception.
“Are they all here?”
Ivan walked toward the table of honor and asked Rodan. Rodan counted the number of people with his eyes and replied that everyone he had invited was present.
“Some people might be surprised by the sudden invitation, but I have no other intentions.”
Before Ivan sat down, he glanced at Amelia briefly, but that was all. However, those who had been invited seemed to realize from that brief glance that Amelia was the reason. Indeed, if he hadn't been so observant in the first place, he would have collapsed and died long ago.
“I prepared this because I think there hasn’t been an event like this before, so everyone can come and enjoy themselves.”
Ivan, sitting at the head table, gestured with a half-hearted explanation. As if awaiting his command, the servants began carrying the plates.
“Your Majesty, by the way, Jane asked me to convey her thanks.”
After the main course was served, conversation continued in a quiet atmosphere, with a glass of wine. Leo Clark, the eldest son of Count Clark, who was attending on behalf of the Margrave Clark, suddenly offered his thanks to Ivan.
“Miss Clark?”
Ivan's hand, which had been tilting the wine glass to his lips, stopped. He quickly placed it back on the table. "Miss Clark." Amelia's gaze naturally drifted to Ivan at the familiar name.
“Oh, it was sent as a birthday present.”
“Yes. She was very happy to receive the gift.”
“I’m glad she liked it.”
Leo added that his sister had repeatedly emphasized that she wanted to convey her thanks.
“...”
Amelia watched him, stuffing a small piece of meat into her mouth and chewing it over and over. She now understood why he'd suddenly asked about her birthday last night. He'd probably wanted to give the woman who would become her concubine a birthday present while also celebrating her wife's birthday, which she knew would be someday.
It was hard to decide whether she should be grateful or feel sorry for the woman who would become his wife. Of course, neither of those things felt good. Ultimately, it felt like she was always holding onto his shell.
But there was no need to show such feelings here. She knew Ivan would take another woman as Empress, didn't she? Amelia quickly feigned indifference.
“Come to think of it.”
It wasn't intended to be seen by the Duke of Russell. But the Duke, who had been observing Amelia, seemed to have read the subtle displeasure on her face.
“How is your baby?”
The Duke of Russell brought up Ian with a smile. He seemed genuinely pleased. The mere fact that Amelia truly liked Ivan and was jealous of his relationship with the woman he was about to marry was enough to solidify his conviction.
“Are you suddenly looking for someone who isn’t even here?”
Leo's eyebrows quirked, as if he was uncomfortable with the change in topic to Ian. It seemed his father's seasoned poker face was still being learned. But his discomfort was natural. For the Margrave Clark family, Ian's presence was something they had to accept, and in a way, he was a political enemy.
“The day he becomes Crown Prince is not far away.”
Duke Russell sneered at Leo, seemingly without any particular intention. Ivan simply watched the scene as if it were a scene from a painting, as if to emphasize that this arrangement wasn't his intention.
“Ian is healthy. God is watching over Ian.”
So, the person who had to suddenly come out and strike was Amelia.
“Besides, thanks to Your Majesty’s meticulous attention to detail.”
Amelia interrupted, emphasizing the point. As if to let everyone know that Ivan wasn't caring for Ian out of good intentions.
“I hope he continues to grow up healthy and well.”
And then, looking straight at Ivan, he smiled as if giving him medicine.
“I don’t think I did much for him, but I’m so grateful that you said that.”
Ivan responded calmly. It was hard to detect any displeasure in his usual, unchanging face. However, it wasn't hard to guess that his expression actually symbolized displeasure.
“I will not be treated as an unbeliever any longer.”
“Your Majesty is an unbeliever? That is absurd.”
Amelia laughed as if she had heard a funny joke.
“I am grateful that Your Majesty has taken such good care of Ian as if he were your own son, and invited me here, and I have even brought you a gift.”
And she told him she had brought him a gift to repay his kindness. Naturally, all eyes turned to Amelia.
“I didn’t mean to brag about it like this, but if you don’t mind, can I have it as dessert after the meal?”
As if to draw attention to herself and prevent Ivan from leaving the place, she was aiming for.
“Do that.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Ivan gave his consent indifferently. Amelia called one of the servants closer and whispered in his ear. The servant quietly stepped out of the dining room like a shadow.
The servant returned just as everyone had gathered their cutlery to the right of their plates, signaling the end of the main meal. Several of the servants, including him, held plates of beautifully cut fruit.
“All the fruits are of high quality, as they were meant to be offered to Your Majesty, but I would especially like to recommend the exotic fruits found on the edge.”
A plate of fruit was placed on the table. Ivan's eyebrows furrowed briefly as he spotted the strange fruit Amelia had recommended.
“It has short hair on its skin and is rather ugly, but when cooked well, it is very sweet and soft.”
As Amelia spoke, she turned to Ivan. His face was clear, as if she had no doubt that he would gladly accept her gift.
"Your Majesty."
Rodan cautiously called out to Ivan. Ivan raised a hand to stop him, poked at the flesh with his fork, and, without hesitation, he stuffed a piece into his mouth. His boldness was so bold that it made Duke Russell flinch.
“It’s too sweet for my taste.”
Ivan's throat twitched violently as he chewed a few times, his jaw moving. Ivan's assessment was simple: he didn't like it. Rodan, who had been observing, quietly summoned his servant and gave him some orders.
“Oh, I’m sorry...”
“It’s not your fault, so there’s nothing to apologize for. Everyone, listen up.”
At Ivan's words, the guests glanced around and picked up their forks. While they enjoyed their desserts, Ivan coughed softly and set his glass down on the table. It was a rough, almost thud-like movement, something quite unusual for Ivan.
“I think I’m getting drunk, so I should get up first.”
Ivan was born, raised, and educated as a member of the royal family his entire life. His every movement was a textbook example of etiquette. So, when his sudden sway was glossed over as drunkenness, no one thought it strange. They simply assumed he was in poor health.
"...Your Majesty!"
Rodan rose from his seat and hurriedly followed Ivan. Through the still-closed door, he could hear Ivan calling out urgently, then cut off. He also heard a dull thud.
“...”
Did he fall? Or maybe the fruit she handed him didn't fit?
Ivan had never told Amelia that he had a genuine aversion to the fruit. So, expecting him to act, she handed him the fruit without hesitation. But then, hearing a serious noise outside the door, she suddenly began to feel uneasy.
“What happened outside?”
Duke Russell tilted his head as if he'd heard something strange and asked a question. A junior nobleman sitting at the far end, closest to the entrance, stood up. He said he'd look into it.
"His Majesty, it seems, has suddenly become quite drunk. Be are being assisted by Lord Rodan."
Amelia feigned indifference as she followed the Duke of Russell out the open door. The man who had been looking outside returned with a casual demeanor, claiming nothing unusual had happened.
The Duke of Russell smiled quietly, as if satisfied with the answer. Amelia felt her heart sink.
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