As soon as our eyes met, she gave an elegant smile.
“The dress suits you very well, Princess Yvonne.”
She was very affectionate, as people said, and called me by my first name naturally and correctly, not by my last name.
But if you think about it carefully, it was Empress Giselle who sent me a separate invitation, even though she already knew that I had rejected Adrian's request to be her partner.
A very overbearing, typical power broker.
'What about the detailed Empress?'
I deliberately bowed slightly to hide my sullen feelings as I answered.
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty. And... I apologize for not following your orders.”
“It’s okay. It was my fault.”
Rather, everyone looks at Empress Giselle, who cheerfully acknowledges it, with eyes full of respect.
She continued to speak.
"Thank you for coming, Princess. Enjoy the banquet with Prince Felix. Before you go, please stop by for a moment."
“Yes, I understand, Your Majesty.”
Empress Giselle's gaze lingered on Prince Felix for a moment, then turned straight to me.
I was blankly staring at her as she looked me up and down, when suddenly my head started hurting terribly.
'Huh? Huh!'
If someone hit my head with an axe, would it hurt this much?
I wanted to scream.
But then someone inside me quickly whispered.
You absolutely cannot collapse here. You cannot get caught now...!
The voice whispering inside me was so desperate that I could barely bear it without showing it on the outside.
Sweat formed on my clenched fists, which I had clenched to endure the pain.
It was a short time, but it felt like a hundred years to me.
Empress Giselle's mouth finally opened.
“Now, everyone, please come in. His Majesty the Emperor will be here soon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As she turned and entered the inner banquet hall first, the maids attending the Empress followed her in a line.
The nobles, seemingly completely forgetting the commotion from earlier, hurried inside following Empress Giselle's words.
"Shit."
Adrian also looked back and forth between me and Prince Felix, then, at a loss, muttered something nervously and left.
'Ugh....'
As Adrian disappeared from sight, all the pain I had been holding back came rushing back, and the tension eased, and the strength left my legs.
“Princess!”
'Uh?'
Of course, I expected me to collapse on the floor...
Someone quickly supported me by wrapping their arms around my waist and shoulders from behind and holding me tightly.
That person was not Prince Felix, who called me with a surprised voice right next to me...
'Rudd!'
I opened my eyes wide and called out to him happily.
“...Oh, Yvonne, I’m too late.”
But his handsome face was distorted with guilt.
What do you mean, you're late? You came just in time!
I smiled and said this without stopping the corners of my mouth from rising on their own.
“Thank you. Thanks to Rudd, I didn’t fall.”
“I’m not kidding... Your complexion is really bad.”
Rudnine carefully lifts me up while wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.
Even though I was standing properly on the ground, he leaned towards me and looked at me with worried eyes from a close distance, checking my complexion.
'Oh, I'm shaking.'
My heart trembled as I was completely absorbed in his clear black eyes.
But I didn't want him to look so anxious because of me.
“I’m fine now. I’m not even dizzy.”
"You suddenly collapsed. Yvonne, you need to go to the break room and rest immediately."
“I’m fine... I had a headache for a bit and felt dizzy, but now I feel as healthy as ever.”
It's true.
The terrible headache I suddenly felt after seeing Empress Giselle has completely disappeared.
Was I just dreaming for a moment?
But I still vividly remember the voice I heard inside me.
There was some 'incident' or 'relationship' between Empress Giselle, Yvonne, and me in the past.
'What the heck? I don't remember, so I don't know.'
“Are you serious? Are you really okay?”
He put his big hand on my forehead and checked if I had a fever.
I opened my eyes wide and smiled bashfully at him.
“Yes, I swear, Rudd.”
"...all right."
I smiled faintly as I watched Rudnine nod his chin briefly, as if he was reluctant.
I thought it would be awkward to meet Rudnine again at the palace today...
I remembered how I had practiced my expressions and actions in preparation for when I would face him last night.
'What.'
It was natural.
He was still affectionate and strangely sparkly.
'And, it's so good.'
Just the presence of this person here makes the stuffy air around me feel refreshed.
Has this person really become an indispensable part of my life?
I was looking at him in wonder, looking dry and not sweating even in the middle of summer, when I heard a cough from next to me.
“Ahem! So, you two were like that?”
Prince Felix's subtly teasing tone brought me to my senses.
'What, what did you say?'
I looked around in surprise, and now I understood the situation.
Duke Rudnine Iels, who had never properly appeared before the nobles, including at official palace events, appeared.
But then, he suddenly helped me up as I collapsed, and held me for a long time, showing concern for me!
'What should I do? I can't see anyone else but this person!'
I was crying, but Rudnine seemed more relaxed than I.
No, I feel like he's actually enjoying the attention from people right now... Am I misunderstanding?
As I squinted my eyes and observed Rudnine, the people surrounding us, watching, became more excited and continued to chatter.
“Oh my goodness! That’s Duke Iels!”
“He’s so tall!”
“The Duke of Oels and Princess Argenthoz, there’s something off about the two of you. Do you get along well...?”
"Rumor has it that you dated after your blind date! That wasn't a false rumor."
"Wow."
“I thought it was just a show to cover up Princess Argenthoz’s past, but oh...!”
The noise grew louder as the admiration of those who had seen Rudnine in person for the first time mixed with the chatter of those who had misunderstood us.
Even the nobles who had followed Empress Giselle into the inner banquet hall were coming out again to see us.
'This.'
I quickly fell down next to Rudnine to somehow sort out the situation.
And then I hurriedly stood calmly next to Prince Felix.
“Ahem.”
“...”
I felt a stinging, sharp gaze, so I turned my head, and Rudnine was standing there, staring blankly at me.
“...It seems like Duke Iels has something left to say to the Princess. Why don’t you go now?”
“Huh? Oh, no, not really...”
Prince Felix whispered to me and tried to persuade me, but I blushed in embarrassment.
Why are you doing this here?
At this moment, when everyone's eyes are fixed on Rudnine and they want to talk to him.
It was burdensome, embarrassing, and, ironically, happy that he only looked at me.
'What should I do?'
That was when.
"Funny. His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Third Prince, and even the great Duke of Iels? You seem to have a greater ability to charm men than I thought. I guess I should have become close to you and learned from you earlier."
From not far away, sarcastic remarks aimed squarely at me rang in my ears.
It's also a problem if a person's hearing is too good.
Ahhh... There are so many times when I want to live with my ears covered.
'Miss, I feel bad.'
I felt a wrinkle forming between my eyebrows.
Honestly, whenever I went out as Yvonne, there were usually two types of things I heard from people.
I'm afraid that I'll cause an accident, or that I'll suddenly start a fight and get involved in it because of my hot-blooded personality.
Yvonne has indeed been causing all sorts of incidents and accidents, so I've been putting up with it all this time...
This time, I felt really dirty and wronged!
I am speaking.
I was stuck at home working, and then I accidentally fell in love with a really, really good guy, and I just suffered from unrequited love!
If I could charm men, I would welcome it.
'Hey, who are you?'
The more I thought about it, the more aggrieved and irritated I became, so I craned my neck to see who the culprit was.
'You are Melovi Gratti of the Count Gratti family.'
She has long, light blond hair, is very short, has droopy eyes, thin lips, and I really don't like those eyes that stare at me.
Before coming here, it was worthwhile to diligently memorize the faces and names of the high-ranking nobles with Liana.
Anyway, whether you're Melodies or Melovi, I'll come to you separately after this banquet and give you a proper scolding.
I turned my head, gritting my teeth and vowing to take revenge later, and suddenly let out a sigh when I saw Rudnine's profile.
'The more I look at it, the more amazed I become.'
His declaration that he would come to the banquet hall dressed up nicely was not an empty promise.
Beautiful black hair, trimmed to reveal only one side of his straight forehead. From his strikingly high nose to his defined lips and sharp jawline, he was flawless.
The long, flowing robe, which gently wrapped around his broad, sturdy body, was a perfect combination of black and silver and looked very stylish.
Breathtakingly.
For a moment, I could forgive Melobi Gratti for saying such things out of jealousy because I caught that guy's eye.
He really is a person who softens people's hearts, hahaha.
Rudnine's good points were so numerous that I had momentarily forgotten about his radiant looks.
'This is crazy, really. Huh...?'
As I was thinking that, he suddenly walked towards the very same Young Lady Melovi Gratti who had been gossiping about me. I was so shocked that I froze.
“Young Lady Gratti.”
"Yes? Yes! Duke of Iels! This is Melovi Gratti."
Young Lady Melovi's eyes sparkle, and she smiles prettily when a wonderful bass voice calls her name.
Rudnine stood before her, looking down at Melovi's face with a blank expression, without saying a word.
Everyone's attention was focused.
Just seeing Rudnine and another woman together from afar made my heart ache and hurt.
'Is she pretty? Do you like her?'
I was about to scold him for being jealous and sulking inside, but Rudnine finally spoke again.
"This is the third time I've witnessed this. Does Lady Gratti hold a special grudge against Princess Argenthoz?"
“Huh? Grudge? What do you mean, Duke?”
"Just in case, I investigated whether Princess Argenthoz had ever harmed Young Lady Gratti, but there was no connection between you. Is that correct?"
His stiff, continuous words were extremely cold. Young Lady Melovi, who had dreamed of a sweet romance, turned pale.
“Yes. That, that’s right...”
"But why do you repeatedly speak so openly and rudely to Princess Argenthoz? Is there a particular reason?"
A cold accusation disguised as a question fell upon Melovi Gratti.
The room froze.
“The dress suits you very well, Princess Yvonne.”
She was very affectionate, as people said, and called me by my first name naturally and correctly, not by my last name.
But if you think about it carefully, it was Empress Giselle who sent me a separate invitation, even though she already knew that I had rejected Adrian's request to be her partner.
A very overbearing, typical power broker.
'What about the detailed Empress?'
I deliberately bowed slightly to hide my sullen feelings as I answered.
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty. And... I apologize for not following your orders.”
“It’s okay. It was my fault.”
Rather, everyone looks at Empress Giselle, who cheerfully acknowledges it, with eyes full of respect.
She continued to speak.
"Thank you for coming, Princess. Enjoy the banquet with Prince Felix. Before you go, please stop by for a moment."
“Yes, I understand, Your Majesty.”
Empress Giselle's gaze lingered on Prince Felix for a moment, then turned straight to me.
I was blankly staring at her as she looked me up and down, when suddenly my head started hurting terribly.
'Huh? Huh!'
If someone hit my head with an axe, would it hurt this much?
I wanted to scream.
But then someone inside me quickly whispered.
You absolutely cannot collapse here. You cannot get caught now...!
The voice whispering inside me was so desperate that I could barely bear it without showing it on the outside.
Sweat formed on my clenched fists, which I had clenched to endure the pain.
It was a short time, but it felt like a hundred years to me.
Empress Giselle's mouth finally opened.
“Now, everyone, please come in. His Majesty the Emperor will be here soon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As she turned and entered the inner banquet hall first, the maids attending the Empress followed her in a line.
The nobles, seemingly completely forgetting the commotion from earlier, hurried inside following Empress Giselle's words.
"Shit."
Adrian also looked back and forth between me and Prince Felix, then, at a loss, muttered something nervously and left.
'Ugh....'
As Adrian disappeared from sight, all the pain I had been holding back came rushing back, and the tension eased, and the strength left my legs.
“Princess!”
'Uh?'
Of course, I expected me to collapse on the floor...
Someone quickly supported me by wrapping their arms around my waist and shoulders from behind and holding me tightly.
That person was not Prince Felix, who called me with a surprised voice right next to me...
'Rudd!'
I opened my eyes wide and called out to him happily.
“...Oh, Yvonne, I’m too late.”
But his handsome face was distorted with guilt.
What do you mean, you're late? You came just in time!
I smiled and said this without stopping the corners of my mouth from rising on their own.
“Thank you. Thanks to Rudd, I didn’t fall.”
“I’m not kidding... Your complexion is really bad.”
Rudnine carefully lifts me up while wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.
Even though I was standing properly on the ground, he leaned towards me and looked at me with worried eyes from a close distance, checking my complexion.
'Oh, I'm shaking.'
My heart trembled as I was completely absorbed in his clear black eyes.
But I didn't want him to look so anxious because of me.
“I’m fine now. I’m not even dizzy.”
"You suddenly collapsed. Yvonne, you need to go to the break room and rest immediately."
“I’m fine... I had a headache for a bit and felt dizzy, but now I feel as healthy as ever.”
It's true.
The terrible headache I suddenly felt after seeing Empress Giselle has completely disappeared.
Was I just dreaming for a moment?
But I still vividly remember the voice I heard inside me.
There was some 'incident' or 'relationship' between Empress Giselle, Yvonne, and me in the past.
'What the heck? I don't remember, so I don't know.'
“Are you serious? Are you really okay?”
He put his big hand on my forehead and checked if I had a fever.
I opened my eyes wide and smiled bashfully at him.
“Yes, I swear, Rudd.”
"...all right."
I smiled faintly as I watched Rudnine nod his chin briefly, as if he was reluctant.
I thought it would be awkward to meet Rudnine again at the palace today...
I remembered how I had practiced my expressions and actions in preparation for when I would face him last night.
'What.'
It was natural.
He was still affectionate and strangely sparkly.
'And, it's so good.'
Just the presence of this person here makes the stuffy air around me feel refreshed.
Has this person really become an indispensable part of my life?
I was looking at him in wonder, looking dry and not sweating even in the middle of summer, when I heard a cough from next to me.
“Ahem! So, you two were like that?”
Prince Felix's subtly teasing tone brought me to my senses.
'What, what did you say?'
I looked around in surprise, and now I understood the situation.
Duke Rudnine Iels, who had never properly appeared before the nobles, including at official palace events, appeared.
But then, he suddenly helped me up as I collapsed, and held me for a long time, showing concern for me!
'What should I do? I can't see anyone else but this person!'
I was crying, but Rudnine seemed more relaxed than I.
No, I feel like he's actually enjoying the attention from people right now... Am I misunderstanding?
As I squinted my eyes and observed Rudnine, the people surrounding us, watching, became more excited and continued to chatter.
“Oh my goodness! That’s Duke Iels!”
“He’s so tall!”
“The Duke of Oels and Princess Argenthoz, there’s something off about the two of you. Do you get along well...?”
"Rumor has it that you dated after your blind date! That wasn't a false rumor."
"Wow."
“I thought it was just a show to cover up Princess Argenthoz’s past, but oh...!”
The noise grew louder as the admiration of those who had seen Rudnine in person for the first time mixed with the chatter of those who had misunderstood us.
Even the nobles who had followed Empress Giselle into the inner banquet hall were coming out again to see us.
'This.'
I quickly fell down next to Rudnine to somehow sort out the situation.
And then I hurriedly stood calmly next to Prince Felix.
“Ahem.”
“...”
I felt a stinging, sharp gaze, so I turned my head, and Rudnine was standing there, staring blankly at me.
“...It seems like Duke Iels has something left to say to the Princess. Why don’t you go now?”
“Huh? Oh, no, not really...”
Prince Felix whispered to me and tried to persuade me, but I blushed in embarrassment.
Why are you doing this here?
At this moment, when everyone's eyes are fixed on Rudnine and they want to talk to him.
It was burdensome, embarrassing, and, ironically, happy that he only looked at me.
'What should I do?'
That was when.
"Funny. His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Third Prince, and even the great Duke of Iels? You seem to have a greater ability to charm men than I thought. I guess I should have become close to you and learned from you earlier."
From not far away, sarcastic remarks aimed squarely at me rang in my ears.
It's also a problem if a person's hearing is too good.
Ahhh... There are so many times when I want to live with my ears covered.
'Miss, I feel bad.'
I felt a wrinkle forming between my eyebrows.
Honestly, whenever I went out as Yvonne, there were usually two types of things I heard from people.
I'm afraid that I'll cause an accident, or that I'll suddenly start a fight and get involved in it because of my hot-blooded personality.
Yvonne has indeed been causing all sorts of incidents and accidents, so I've been putting up with it all this time...
This time, I felt really dirty and wronged!
I am speaking.
I was stuck at home working, and then I accidentally fell in love with a really, really good guy, and I just suffered from unrequited love!
If I could charm men, I would welcome it.
'Hey, who are you?'
The more I thought about it, the more aggrieved and irritated I became, so I craned my neck to see who the culprit was.
'You are Melovi Gratti of the Count Gratti family.'
She has long, light blond hair, is very short, has droopy eyes, thin lips, and I really don't like those eyes that stare at me.
Before coming here, it was worthwhile to diligently memorize the faces and names of the high-ranking nobles with Liana.
Anyway, whether you're Melodies or Melovi, I'll come to you separately after this banquet and give you a proper scolding.
I turned my head, gritting my teeth and vowing to take revenge later, and suddenly let out a sigh when I saw Rudnine's profile.
'The more I look at it, the more amazed I become.'
His declaration that he would come to the banquet hall dressed up nicely was not an empty promise.
Beautiful black hair, trimmed to reveal only one side of his straight forehead. From his strikingly high nose to his defined lips and sharp jawline, he was flawless.
The long, flowing robe, which gently wrapped around his broad, sturdy body, was a perfect combination of black and silver and looked very stylish.
Breathtakingly.
For a moment, I could forgive Melobi Gratti for saying such things out of jealousy because I caught that guy's eye.
He really is a person who softens people's hearts, hahaha.
Rudnine's good points were so numerous that I had momentarily forgotten about his radiant looks.
'This is crazy, really. Huh...?'
As I was thinking that, he suddenly walked towards the very same Young Lady Melovi Gratti who had been gossiping about me. I was so shocked that I froze.
“Young Lady Gratti.”
"Yes? Yes! Duke of Iels! This is Melovi Gratti."
Young Lady Melovi's eyes sparkle, and she smiles prettily when a wonderful bass voice calls her name.
Rudnine stood before her, looking down at Melovi's face with a blank expression, without saying a word.
Everyone's attention was focused.
Just seeing Rudnine and another woman together from afar made my heart ache and hurt.
'Is she pretty? Do you like her?'
I was about to scold him for being jealous and sulking inside, but Rudnine finally spoke again.
"This is the third time I've witnessed this. Does Lady Gratti hold a special grudge against Princess Argenthoz?"
“Huh? Grudge? What do you mean, Duke?”
"Just in case, I investigated whether Princess Argenthoz had ever harmed Young Lady Gratti, but there was no connection between you. Is that correct?"
His stiff, continuous words were extremely cold. Young Lady Melovi, who had dreamed of a sweet romance, turned pale.
“Yes. That, that’s right...”
"But why do you repeatedly speak so openly and rudely to Princess Argenthoz? Is there a particular reason?"
A cold accusation disguised as a question fell upon Melovi Gratti.
The room froze.
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