Chapter 167
‘He looks so nonchalant and smug, it is infuriating!’
For a moment, I honestly wondered if Lucio couldn’t feel the piercing stares from my family at all.
Just then, the emperor standing on the raised platform raised his glass in a toast. With a brief greeting welcoming everyone who had gathered for this significant occasion celebrating the founding of the empire, he emptied his glass. Everyone else followed suit.
As if on cue, the music began to play. Seeing people take their partners by the hand and head toward the center of the hall, I quickly let go of Lucio’s arm and walked toward my family.
“Grandfather!”
As I called out happily and ran over, my grandfather, who had a grim expression just moments ago, immediately softened his face and opened his arms wide.
“Oh, my dear girl. It’s even better seeing you here in person.”
“Me too. Was it hard getting here?”
“Not at all. If anything, I lost time arguing with Ivan.”
“With Uncle?”
“Yes. He insisted on coming to the capital, saying he had to see you since you’d come all the way to the empire. Tsk tsk. He’s supposed to be guarding the border as the new Marquis of Diapel.”
I suppressed a laugh at my grandfather clicking his tongue.
Unlike the countess, who was banned from entering the Duchy of Belus, my uncle couldn’t easily leave his territory since inheriting the marquis title, so I hadn’t seen him in a long time.
But we’d kept in touch through letters and always hoped to meet again someday.
“I’m disappointed too. I really wanted to see Uncle. Oh! Maybe I should visit the marquisate after the founding festival!”
I said excitedly, but my grandfather’s expression suddenly turned stern.
His already fierce features grew more intimidating, and I could feel the nearby nobles getting nervous.
But I knew. That face only meant he felt sad and a little left out.
“Grandfather?”
When I asked curiously, he answered sullenly.
“My girl, are you saying you’d rather your uncle came than this old man? Hmm. Well, I suppose it’s only natural to be tired of seeing me, since I’ve made the rough sea trip to the duchy so many times…”
“Oh, come on! That’s not what I meant at all. I’m so happy to see you, Grandfather.”
“Anyone can say that. I should’ve just stayed in the marquisate instead of dragging this old body all the way here…”
“Grandfather, if you keep this up, I’m going to sulk!”
He’d already cheered up from my first words.
I pouted playfully in response to his exaggerated complaint, and he quickly smiled, lightly pinching and shaking my cheek.
“Really? Well, I can’t have my lovely granddaughter getting upset.”
When I grumbled, asking if he still thought of me as a child, his hearty laughter grew even louder.
My pout didn’t last long. Eventually, I laughed with him, suddenly realizing how warm and affectionate his once-gruff tone had become.
Thinking back, I suppose it had been this way for quite a while.
But this side of my grandfather had always been something only we, his family, got to see…
“Oh my goodness. I’ve never seen the former Marquis of Diapel laugh before!”
“I knew he visited the duchy often after stepping down, but I had no idea he doted on his granddaughter this much.”
The nobles, who were well aware of Grandfather’s stubborn personality, all widened their eyes in shock.
The Duke of Ellard, in particular, looked as though he’d just seen something unbelievable.
Heh.
And I was honestly overjoyed by all this.
People had feared my grandfather because of his fierce appearance and his title as Marquis of Diapel, but now they were realizing just how warm and gentle he really was.
Of course, they probably still thought of him as ‘a grandfather who becomes soft only around his granddaughter.’ But even that was enough to make me happy.
“Still, my granddaughter is just too beautiful today, it’s worrying.”
Grandfather said, once again furrowing his brows fiercely.
“What if some scoundrel gets the wrong idea looking at you? No, if anyone dares to, I’ll just gouge out their eyes.”
“G-Grandfather…”
The once-warm atmosphere instantly turned cold.
‘He’s definitely saying that for someone specific to hear.’
Though he was talking like he was concerned about me, his sharp gaze was clearly fixed on Lucio, who had come to stand beside me.
It was obvious he was addressing him.
My father’s eyes toward Lucio weren’t kind either.
And then…
“Not the second son… but the eldest?”
A chill ran down my spine as I turned to see my mother glaring daggers at Duke Elard.
As I looked on in confusion, my father asked Lucio,
“You… are the same age as our Ascart, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
…He definitely didn’t ask because he didn’t know.
At Lucio’s calm reply, Father’s face turned red in an instant.
As he grasped the back of his neck, lost for words, my grandfather clicked his tongue and seemed about to step in…
“Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor wishes to see you. He requests your presence with your family.”
A servant appeared out of nowhere and bowed politely.
The emperor—what perfect timing.
***
“Oh, there you are! I waited so long for your greeting that I had to summon you myself!”
As always, the emperor jumped up from his seat the moment he saw us and gave us a rough, enthusiastic welcome.
The empress looked a bit embarrassed by his behavior, but I skillfully pretended not to notice and bowed politely.
The emperor immediately spoke to me.
“So! Are you enjoying the ball?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to you, I’m having a wonderful time.”
“Good, good! Now, go ahead and say your greetings. This is my son.”
With an eager smile, the emperor introduced Nicholas, and Serphin’s expression immediately stiffened.
“I wasn’t able to greet you properly at the previous welcoming banquet due to some business. It’s a bit late, but welcome to the Empire, Your Highness, the Grand Princess.”
Nicholas greeted me with his usual affable demeanor. I placed a hand over my chest and offered a polite nod in return. Since he wasn’t the Emperor or Empress, there was no need to kneel.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Your Highness, the Grand Princess.”
Barely a beat after Nicholas spoke, Serphin chimed in with a warm voice. It was hard to believe this was the same person who had been glaring at me so coldly just moments ago.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Your Highness.”
I responded with a bright smile, all the while thinking she was not someone to be taken lightly. Still, I couldn’t shake the discomfort stirring inside me.
Not just because of Lucio…
⟨The First Princess always gives me the creeps whenever I see her.⟩
It was Diana’s words that were bothering me.
Earlier today, perhaps having noticed me watching Serphin during the opening ceremony, Diana had quietly advised me to keep my distance from the First Princess.
While she no longer sees people’s souls as she did when she was younger, thanks to her training to control her holy power, she could still sense purity. And from Serphin, she said she only ever felt bad energy.
‘Now that I think about it, Diana was always scared of Serphin when we were kids…’1Just how ugly was he soul to scare a child 😂
I vaguely recalled Raizel mentioning once that when Diana encountered someone whose soul was too twisted, it appeared to her as a monstrous and terrifying form. It seemed Serphin was one of those cases.
As I imagined how scared Diana must have been facing that alone as a child, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her—and curious. What was so wrong with Serphin’s soul?
“Come to think of it, we haven’t designated anyone for the Honor Dance at this year’s Founding Festival ball.”
The Emperor said suddenly.
“The Honor Dance?”
I asked without thinking. The Emperor looked pleased and began to explain.
“Yes. It’s a gift from me to someone who has made significant contributions to the Empire over the past year. Once someone receives the Honor Dance, no one can turn down a request to dance from them.”
“…But isn’t that usually awarded to the winner of the swordsmanship tournament?”
“Oh! You know that? You must have studied a lot before visiting the Empire!”
The Emperor laughed heartily, clearly delighted, but my eyes had turned cold.
‘If you know that, then why are you bringing it up before the tournament’s even over?’ I wanted to demand.
The Emperor’s laughter faded, and he added,
“But that’s just the usual practice. Originally, it’s meant for someone who has significantly contributed to or brought honor to the Empire.”
‘Which means… Jack is supposed to win and bring honor to the Empire in a couple of days!’
I couldn’t understand why he was mentioning it now, casting a bad premonition over what should rightfully be Jack’s reward.
Of course, in the past, Jack won the tournament fair and square and earned the right to the Honor Dance, but turned it down because he wasn’t good at dancing.
Still, turning it down and having the honor taken away were two very different things.
Just as the bad feeling inside me intensified…
“This year, I’d like to choose Nicholas for the Honor Dance. You’ve worked very hard, Nicholas.”
The Emperor looked at Nicholas with a pleased smile.
‘Of all people, it had to be Nicholas—Jack’s rival!’
It was no doubt a delightful surprise for Nicholas, who was eyeing the throne, and for Lucio, who stood behind him.
But just like Serphin, whose lips were trembling and eyes widened in disbelief, I felt sick to my stomach.
Nicholas widened his eyes for a moment as if surprised, but quickly bowed and said,
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
‘He’s going to ask Diana to dance, isn’t he?’
It was disheartening to think of Aiden watching Diana be taken away right in front of him—and of Jack, who was still unaware and preparing for tomorrow’s preliminaries.
Then it happened.
I blinked slowly.
Even when a hand was suddenly extended toward me, I didn’t quite grasp the situation.
I stared blankly at him as Nicholas smiled brightly and said,
“Your Highness, may I have the honor of this dance?”
Thank you, dear Arwendolyn for the continuous bribes. They sure give me energy 😂
Now that I finally am somewhat free again. I will shower you with some chapters, so enjoy ~
انها افضل هدية شكرااا لك😭💞🌹
على الرحب يا فاطمة 🤍