The waltz of four beats colored the night air. The flute played a melody like a serenade, and joyful laughter decorated various parts of the Imperial palace in accord.
Carriages with various coats of arms arrived one after another.
The evening was filled with the magical lights of the Imperial Palace. Aventua's birthday ball has begun.
Even after the years, the beautiful Emperor's sister, Princess Aventua, smiled brightly while wearing a necklace made of diamonds. The necklace was a gift from the Emperor to commemorate his 50th birthday.
A necklace made of 60 diamonds to pray for health and prosperity sparkled. Since it was a gift from the Emperor, its value was indescribable.
The noble ladies surrounding her covered their faces with fans. They couldn't hide their envy.
The gifts given along with congratulations made Aventua happy.
"It's beautiful."
"I think you are doing that today."
Rosentine said to Lucen.
In the lavish light of the chandelier, they stood on one side of the gathering of the noble escort knights, out of the center of the party.
To be precise, it would be correct to say that Rosentine found Lucen and came here.
Hostang was a nobleman, but not Lucien. His presence here with his attendant, Rosentine, hinted at his status.
Lucen was wearing his usual stiff but luxurious clothes. Therefore, Rosentine, dressed in a maid's uniform, did not feel out of place at all, even when she was with Lucen. It seemed like he was asking her for something.
Lucen smiled with a gentle face. A young lady, who looked at Lucen's smile not far away, let out a light sigh.
An excellent, young, handsome man. Even if not as much as Shartus, he also attracted the attention of those around him. On the contrary, it should be said that he is attracting attention.
Perhaps in terms of making a woman's heart flutter for no reason, Lucen was ahead of Shartus.
"It's today."
"Today."
"Can you avoid it?"
There was a casual conversation.
Rosentine was looking at the dazzling chandelier. The hidden tension was embedded in the short conversation.
She thought of Ranon's words. Isn't there poison in both glasses?
Only then did Rosentine realize the meaning of Almert's letter.
The Crown Prince's condition was deepening. The Crown Prince, who cannot get up from his seat, will not appear at today's celebration.
The Count knew him. At the ball, where the Crown Prince was unable to appear due to a deep illness, Shartus was the only one who was endangered by the poisoned cup.
"We'll see."
And if that happens, of course, the suspicion will be bought by the Crown Prince's faction.
Since Shartus died today, Almert did not benefit.
Rosentine replied briefly. Lucen stared at Rosentine with anxious eyes.
The undefeated knight climbs to the gallows, and his lieutenant guards the knight's throne instead. The person they would rely on was none other than a shaman. At the irony it gives, Lucen let out a hearty laugh.
"You can't throw away the glass."
These were the words that Lucen said with a troubled face. Shartus nodded slowly beside him.
Rosentine also knew. What kind of reason is it that he spills his glass at Aventua's ball?
In the golden empire of Kartazen, objects made of gold mean divinity.
The imperial family, whose lifespans were particularly short, the Emperor sent blessings to them on their birthdays, which returned every ten years from generation to generation.
The Emperor recites a blessing on the glass, and the Prince swallows the wine in it. As a result, the blessed imperial family is blessed with health and prosperity.
Wine symbolized the imperial family and meant that they would forever be one body until the next generation.
So, what would happen if the Emperor poured out the only remaining alcohol of his sister, whom he cherished?
Again, the authority of the imperial family is divine. Interfering with the ritual of the golden cup in the cartage was blasphemy.
In a situation where he was suspected of having a feud with the Crown Prince, if Shartus dropped the glass, he would be severely punished by the Emperor, even if he lived.
They claimed to have been poisoned, but now all they had was a heart caused by witchcraft and a secret letter from Almert, so they could have been accused of being traitors and executed.
Undefeated knights are not mortally wounded by normal poisons. Therefore, the poison that was going to kill him would do its job in its own way.
If he was unlucky, he might not be able to prove that the poison had entered later.
'There.'
Rosentine spoke. Shartus's gaze turned to her.
"If we dodge just one poison cup, we won't gain anything."
Rosentine's eyes glowed blue as she rolled her head desperately. It was an eye-catching light.
Shartus slowly raised the corners of his mouth.
'You might die right away, but you see the future.'
'That's my job. Forgotten? My goal is to save Your Highness to the end.'
The absence of the Crown Prince. Shartus was not the only one to drink from the golden cup. The golden cup that originally bestows blessings is used by candidates for the throne from generation to generation. That was the reason why there were two glasses.
However, both of the cups contain poison, and naturally, the Crown Prince, who could not attend the ball, did not drink the poisoned cup.
The golden cup will only return to Shartus.
Shartus did not know that the Crown Prince would not be able to attend the ball.
It is a fact that only his close associates as Almert knows.
In other words, it was safe to say that the person behind it knew the Prince's condition very well.
Rosentine didn't like it. Those who know the news of this secret imperial palace very well.
***
'What are you going to do?'
'Aren't you going to save me?'
Lucen asked with a sunken face. Shartus still clenched his chin with a funny face. The languid silver hair tickled the back of his hand.
Thinking that even that figure was picturesque, Rosentine's outfit felt like it was about to burst. It was grumpy to entrust this difficult task to her.
He pulled out a dagger from his waistband. It was a dagger unique to Shartus with the seal of the imperial family. The silver decoration glowed coolly.
Shartus picked up the dagger and threw it at Rosentine's feet.
She was chilled by the smiling face as if testing herself. This man is a beast. Rosentine had such thoughts unconsciously.
'Find out, Roan. How.'
'What if I can't find it?'
'I'm going to die.'
'I'm going to die too.'
'You're quick to understand.'
It was a sign that he would drink while relying on a shaman, who was a vassal.
This was too risky to be called a test for her. It can only be a cohabitation.
Lucen was clenching his fist angrily next to her.
"You are reckless."
He said so, and Shartus picked up a glass of wine he had poured in his study.
'Wasn't that the contract in the first place? The contractor was woven into death. Until heaven does us part.'
Chartus smiled faintly. The face he was glancing at her with his chin resting on his hand was charming, no, magically powerful. The majesty radiating from his tall figure was also amazing. Could majesty be handsome in this world?
Rosentine, who witnessed the ridiculous scene, was shocked. If you say such words romantically at times like this, it is nothing more than a threat. Please don't let me appreciate your face in a crisis situation.
Pressing her fingertips tightly, Rosentine snapped.
'I haven't thought of the spirit of death yet.'
'Then I will be the same.'
He just smiled relaxedly.
'I'm going to drink. Until then, your time limit, Roan.'
That was the last order Rosentine received.
***
Time continued to pass. After a brief party, the Emperor's banquet will soon begin. It was the highlight of the day.
"Do you think you're going to die?"
"The possibilities are great."
"...Don't let that happen, be careful, Roan. I still don't know why His Highness believes in you."
"A person's senses on the verge of death are the sharpest."
"Who are you...!"
Lucen turned his head sharply to Rosentine. He looked angry. But the Rosentine he was looking at was constantly licking her dry lips with her tongue.
Rosentine's lips, which looked stiff, trembled with tension. Lucen, speechless, shut up again.
Rosentine, stiff with exertion, continued to fiddle with Shartus' dagger.
Everywhere he looks, it is a delicate arm. Lusen, who was hesitant and trying to reach out to Rosentine, stopped moving.
The ceremony began.
The magic light went out, and a man in a splendid gold crown shouted between them.
"Today! I don't know how happy I am to be able to participate in this meeting."
The graceful Emperor burst into laughter and shouted magnificently. Next to him was Aventua with a happy smile.
The waltz that echoed in the banquet hall subsided, and the fast-paced victory song began to play. The sound of the trumpet, which gradually elevated people, was like the joy of the Emperor.
As the music grew louder, the lights came back on in the banquet hall.
Everyone was paying attention to the Emperor. He raised a hand towards the ceiling.
"I will celebrate the birthday of my sister, Aventua, and perform a blessing ceremony. Bring your glass! Aventua, stand before me."
"Your Majesty, I am thrilled."
The attendant showed extreme respect and brought a colorful box with two glasses on it. It was a special cup used only for ceremonies.
The nobles attending the banquet began to chatter.
It was not a common sight, so they were all focused on blessing. Above all, it was an eye candy for Shartus to prepare for the ceremony next to the Emperor.
The Emperor raised the glass of wine high. Aventua stood in front of him and knelt down on one knee.
"This is the blessing bestowed by me, the Emperor of Kartazen. Golden offspring, by that name we shall forever preserve health and prosperity, never faltering. Princess Aventua, as Kartazen, may you add eternity upon eternity."
Shartus's dazzling white dress shone through.
Like the Emperor's, the gilded garments seemed to fit his body.
The majesty that spread from the whole body was directed towards the center of the ceremony. Shartus, who nodded at the Emperor's glance, approached Aventua.
Hands move slowly. Following the ritual, Shartus kissed the back of Aventua's hand and stood up and turned to the Emperor.
The Emperor handed him a golden glass.
Poisoned glasses.
A dark liquid shook in the glass.
Shartus took the glass and pressed his lips. After a couple of movements and a moment of silence, he muttered quietly.
"Let eternity add to eternity... O Gold."
At that moment, a short scream of breathlessness erupted.
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