“Those two only think about devouring the other. There’s no way they’d ever be satisfied with each other.”
“Is that so? But isn’t that kind of expected in marriages between powerful families?”
“True. But they don’t even have the concept of cooperation.”
“Most people try to give as little and take as much as possible, but are you saying neither of them is willing to give anything?”
“Exactly. They’re both the type who want to snatch everything out of someone else’s hands. It’s a doomed match.”
“Now that you mention it, didn’t Bella say yesterday that you cut off all dealings with the Krause family?”
“She did. That’s probably why she approached Schneider first. Honestly, she’s just being foolish.”
“Still, if those two join forces…”
“No need to worry. Schneider isn’t someone a sheltered girl like Bella can handle.”
Raynan smirked cynically. He almost seemed pleased about the two teaming up.
It looked like it could be a troublesome situation for him, but he actually seemed to be enjoying it.
“I didn’t think she had such poor judgment.”
“Are you really okay with all this?”
“Yeah. It’s a bit of a headache, sure, but nothing serious. In the end, she’ll just get used and lose whatever she has left.”
“You’re not talking about yourself, right?”
I wasn’t entirely sure, but I vaguely remembered how ruthless Schneider was described in the novel—more than once.
Just in case, I cautiously asked Raynan, and he chuckled, amused.
“That’s not something you need to worry about.”
And he was right. It wasn’t something I should be concerned about. Not like my worry would help him in any way.
“Still, the fact that you’re worried is rather touching. But if you’re going to worry, I’d prefer it be over something else.”
“Sorry, what?”
I blinked up at him, surprised by the unexpected comment. He didn’t seem to be joking either—he actually looked pleased that I was concerned.
“So then—”
Just as Raynan was about to continue,
“His Majesty the Emperor approaches.”
Everyone froze and bowed. Raynan and I were no exception.
The Emperor walked leisurely through the crowd—and he looked quite different from what I’d expected.
He seemed around the same age as Raynan. His soft expression and warm smile were surprisingly charming.
Since coming to the Imperial Palace, I’d been seeing a lot of people who didn’t match their image.
“Everyone, rise.”
His gentle voice, just like his appearance, filled the hall. But the moment he spoke, it was clear—
He was a powerful ruler no one could oppose.
Underneath that soft tone was an undeniable authority.
Judging people by their appearance alone really was a mistake.
“We are able to celebrate the Founding Festival safely again this year thanks to all of you—and most importantly, the people of the Empire.”
The Emperor’s voice alone filled the quiet hall.
He didn’t need to raise it. The weight of his words alone delivered his message clearly.
“The Founding Festival is a time for everyone in the Empire to come together and enjoy themselves. So set aside your burdens for today, and enjoy.”
As he lifted his glass and gave his final words, I thought I saw his gaze briefly meet mine.
Actually, it wasn’t just a glance—he might have even winked…
It didn’t seem like just my imagination. I flinched at his gaze, and at the same time, Raynan let out a small sigh.
“This just got troublesome.”
His quiet sigh confirmed that I hadn’t imagined it.
Once the speech was over, the banquet began to heat up properly.
Laughter and graceful chatter floated over the melodies of beautiful instruments, filling the space.
“Oh my, where did you find that necklace?”
“I heard the taxes in your estate went up this year…”
“Your daughter’s debuting in society soon, isn’t she? Everyone’s quite eager to see her.”
Every conversation sounded sweet and pleasant on the surface, but if you listened closely, it was full of subtle battles of pride and power.
Even just walking past and overhearing bits of it was enough to make me feel tired.
Then, the atmosphere shifted slightly. The Emperor was heading in our direction.
“I only see your face on days like this.”
“My apologies.”
The Emperor spoke to Raynan in a familiar tone. Raynan bowed his head slightly and responded calmly.
“You say it so well for someone who isn’t actually sorry.”
The Emperor laughed as he replied. Raynan simply looked up and met his gaze.
“Still, at least you showed up this year. I suppose I should be grateful for that.”
“Well, if I didn’t, who knows what would happen. Of course I had to attend.”
The Emperor burst into laughter, clearly entertained.
“To someone who didn’t know better, I must sound like an incredibly petty emperor. Say… like your fiancée standing next to you.”
“Petty? Not at all. His Majesty just has an exceptional memory, that’s all.”
Their smiling exchange was full of casually sharp remarks.
I found myself turning my head side to side, caught between listening and reacting. I couldn’t help it—it was tense.
Then the Emperor looked directly at me.
“So, you’re Raynan’s fiancée.”
“I’m Renee, Your Majesty.”
This wasn’t exactly a moment I wanted attention. But I couldn’t run either, so I bowed and introduced myself.
“Ah, I see. When I first heard the rumor that Raynan had fallen in love, I thought the world had gone mad…”
The Emperor trailed off and gave Raynan a meaningful look. Then he smiled and turned back to me.
“Renee, I should thank you.”
Thank me? That came out of nowhere. My eyes widened.
Thankfully, the Emperor seemed kind enough to explain without me having to ask.
“I never imagined I’d see this side of Raynan. I think I can understand now why he’s acting like this.”
Acting like this? What a huge misunderstanding.
Of course, I couldn’t say it out loud. I just screamed internally instead.
“Raynan’s always been hopeless with things like this.”
“Things like this?”
“Ah, forgive me. There hasn’t been anyone like you before, so I got ahead of myself.”
“That’s enough, Your Majesty.”
The conversation felt like it was heading somewhere strange, but oddly, I didn’t feel nervous anymore. Despite the content, their tone and the atmosphere were light and casual.
It seemed Raynan and the Emperor were quite close.
Come to think of it, wasn’t the villa we visited during the holidays one the Emperor let Raynan use?
Maybe they weren’t just close—they might be much more than that.
“So make sure to visit from time to time. If you don’t, I’ll end up trying to say everything I’ve been holding in when we finally do meet.”
“Understood.”
Raynan’s obedient reply seemed to bring the Emperor a strange sort of amusement.
With a slightly mischievous expression, the Emperor added one last comment.
“You’ve always had a soft spot for that kind of thing, haven’t you?”
“Your Majesty.”
“All right, all right.”
The Emperor’s teasing only stopped when Raynan called out in a tone more like a warning.
“More importantly, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Then I’ll excuse myself for a moment…”
It was clear enough this wasn’t a conversation I was meant to hear. Especially since the Emperor was staring straight at me as he said it.
I tried to excuse myself politely, but the one who stopped me was Raynan. He firmly held onto my hand as I tried to slip away.
“I’ll come to see you separately.”
The Emperor, who hadn’t missed Raynan’s action, let out a dry chuckle—like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“Fine. Do that.”
With only that brief reply, the Emperor turned and walked away.
Seeing him shake his head as he left, I couldn’t help but think that the next time we met, I’d probably hear even more outrageous jokes.
“Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, I lifted myself slightly onto my toes.
Sensing what I was doing, Raynan leaned down a little.
“You’re quite close… aren’t you?”
“Does it look that way?”
He replied and straightened his posture again, his eyes still following the Emperor.
The Emperor was walking leisurely, exchanging light greetings with the people around him as he made his way back to his place.
“It just seemed that way. You speak to His Majesty quite comfortably. I mean, I don’t really know what he’s like…”
“We used to play together often when we were young. It’s not exactly a secret or anything.”
After a moment of thought, Raynan leaned in again, bringing his face close and speaking in a quiet whisper.
“Back then, he and I were in similar circumstances. In the end, we both ended up like this.”
That definitely felt like something meant to be a secret. But Raynan spoke with calm detachment.
Still, there was a tinge of bitterness in his voice.
Similar circumstances—and now both of them “ended up like this.”
I couldn’t understand what he meant, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask either.
It wasn’t clear whether I even should ask. More than that, it sounded like it might be a painful part of his past.
And this wasn’t exactly the place for a conversation like that, either.
I couldn’t ask—but that didn’t mean my curiosity went away. As I mulled it over in silence, Raynan smiled and said,
“I’ll tell you someday, if the opportunity comes.”
“Would that really be okay?”
I asked in surprise, but Raynan answered like it was no big deal.
“Sure. It’s not such a dramatic story, really.”
Which only confirmed it further—it absolutely wasn’t the kind of story he could speak about so casually.
“It’s been a while, Duke Loerian.”
“Ah, I hope you’ve been well.”
An older man with a kindly grandfatherly air approached and greeted him. Raynan responded dryly, but I could still sense he was genuinely pleased.
“You haven’t changed a bit. Greeting people in that stiff tone—only you could get away with that, Your Grace.”
“I’m glad to see you’re looking healthy.”
It felt very different from when he talked about Schneider’s health.
The way the man spoke suggested he knew Raynan well—clearly, they were close.
“This is Marquess Tanavern, and this is my fiancée, Renee.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Marquess. I’m Renee.”
I greeted him as naturally as I could after Raynan’s introduction, but I couldn’t help feeling a little off-balance. Wasn’t this the same man who hadn’t even introduced me to the Emperor?
And Marquess? Based on the way Raynan spoke to him so respectfully, I’d assumed he had to be a duke at least. Clearly, I’d guessed wrong.
Raynan wasn’t someone who cared much about age or social pleasantries… so what kind of relationship did they have that he’d treat this man like that?
I couldn’t come up with a good explanation.
Fortunately, Raynan offered one before I had to ask.
