EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 155

Chapter 155

 

“…I was a little surprised, but you don’t feel unfamiliar. However,”

“Hm?”

“Did you recognize me right away?”

His unexpected question made me laugh.

“Of course. How could I not recognize you?”

I wasn’t lying.

Even in the past, when we had been separated for a long time after leaving the orphanage, I had recognized Jack at a glance.

The handsome young man with gray hair, who had grown so tall that I had to crane my neck to look up at him, still had the same kind and steadfast gaze—one that seemed incapable of telling a lie.

‘Back then, too, he was wearing the Rexion Knights’ uniform just like now.’

As I smiled warmly at the thought, Jack fell silent for a moment, simply looking at me.

“But… where is Uncle Taze, I mean Deputy Commander?”

“Father went down to the duchy. He was really disappointed when he heard you’d arrived in the Empire.”

“Oh…”

Hearing that made me think of my grandfather back in the Diapel Marquisate, who was probably in an uproar upon hearing news of me.

The schedule had been quite rushed, and secrecy had been a priority, so I hadn’t been able to contact him sooner.

By the time I had sent word that I would soon be arriving in the capital, my grandfather had already left for the marquisate, annoyed at the prospect of the Founding Festival crowds.

There was a real chance he’d return to the capital once he heard the news, but unlike in the past, he was in good health, so I wasn’t too worried.

“Lia.”

Jack called my name.

I tilted my head at him, curious. Jack hesitated for a long moment, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something.

“You know… you…”

“…?”

Just then, I felt the barrier I had set up dissolve.

I turned my head, wondering who it was, and saw my father approaching, still as dazzlingly handsome as ever, despite his age.

“Adriana. May I have the honor of your first dance?”

I looked up at him in surprise and asked,

“What about Mother?”

My father, looking utterly unbothered, replied,

“She said she isn’t feeling well, so dancing would be too much for her.”

“She isn’t feeling well?”

She was perfectly fine just a moment ago.

Startled, I looked over to where my mother was seated on the dais—then, I realized what was happening.

‘…Could she be using that as an excuse in case the emperor asks her to dance?’

Of course, common sense dictated that the emperor wouldn’t invite my mother, leaving the empress behind… but—

Seeing the emperor eagerly calling for the court physicians while my mother scowled in irritation, I couldn’t be too sure.

Suppressing a small shake of my head, I took my father’s hand with a bright smile.

“Then, I’d be delighted.”

 

***

 

The Grand Princess of Belus gracefully stepped into the center of the hall, hand in hand with the Grand Duke.

The nobles, who had been eager to speak to the grand princess, fell silent, mesmerized by the sight.

“Now that I think about it, it’s been so long since we last saw His Grace dance,” one noblewoman murmured, watching as the grand duke skillfully led Lia.

In the past, there hadn’t been a single woman in the Empire who hadn’t, at least once, harbored feelings for either Duke Elard or Grand Duke Belus.

Of course, Duke Elard’s cold demeanor and his entanglement in a love triangle with Lady Diapel and the emperor had kept most admirers at a distance.

Meanwhile, Grand Duke Belus, known for his gentle nature and breathtaking looks, had far more devoted admirers.

“It was such a shock back then. Everyone thought he only cared about magic…”

The memory of that moment was still vivid…when, out of nowhere, the grand duke had appeared at a ball and danced with Lady Diapel.

“Who would’ve thought that Lady Diapel would marry His Grace instead of the emperor or the duke?”

And before that surprise had even faded, Duke Elard had gone and married a fallen noblewoman, one barely above commoner status.

So many young noblewomen had been heartbroken during that time.

But now, those very women had become dignified noble ladies, each with several children of their own.

As they reminisced about the innocent days of their youthful affections, they watched the grand duke and grand princess dance with warm smiles.

And it wasn’t just the older women.

“How is it that His Grace is the same age as my father, yet he looks so dashing?”

“Right? Honestly, I was hoping to see Lord Ascart today, but this is at least some consolation!”

“Oh my!”

Just then, the grand duke smiled radiantly, as if illuminating the entire hall, and effortlessly lifted the grand princess, spinning her in the air.

Lia let out a surprised laugh, and the grand duke’s face softened into a look of sheer happiness, as though he had the whole world in his arms.

It was a beautiful sight—the grand duke and his daughter, reunited after years apart, dancing together in perfect harmony.

Everyone watching wore gentle smiles.

But amid the warmth and admiration, there were also some darker, envious gazes.

Allen, his expression cold, scanned the hall, noting those who stared at Lia with a little too much interest.

The noble sons who had been watching Lia quickly averted their eyes.

Feeling satisfied, Allen let out a short breath and downed both glasses of chilled juice he had been holding.

And yet, his face still felt hot. His body, oddly warm.

“…”

Almost unconsciously, he glanced at Lia again.

At that very moment, she burst into bright laughter.

Allen inhaled sharply.

When he had first seen Lia enter the hall, she had felt like a stranger.

But now… not so much.

Except for the color of her hair and eyes, her slightly downturned round eyes, delicate jawline, and the way her smile sparkled…

‘She’s just the same as before.’

Admitting it felt somewhat embarrassing, but he could now understand why people always said Diana was so beautiful.

‘I always wondered… So this is what she looks like.’

As Diana had said, she bore no resemblance whatsoever to Lady Amber.

And though everyone claimed she looked just like the Grand Duchess, there were subtle differences.

The Grand Duchess was certainly a beauty, but Lia had a gentler, softer charm…

‘Wait…what am I thinking?!’

Realizing the embarrassing direction of his thoughts, Allen’s face flushed red.

He clenched his empty glass tightly, but even so, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Lia.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, the emperor, watching the Grand Duchess step down from the dais for some fresh air, shut his eyes tightly.

Even after all these years, she was still just as beautiful and it made his heart ache.

Then, the sound of a bright, clear laugh made him snap his eyes open.

“She really does look just like her.”

The emperor found himself murmuring unconsciously.

To his eyes, Lia looked just like his first love, Stella.

The only difference was that Stella had rarely ever smiled, so seeing Lia’s radiant expression left the emperor momentarily dazed.

‘I once thought that no jewel in the world, no matter how brilliant or beautiful, could surpass Stella. But as expected of Stella’s daughter…’

“Your Majesty, my apologies for being late.”

At that moment, someone interrupted the emperor’s sentimental musings.

It was Prince Nicholas.

The emperor had been about to frown in irritation, but his expression suddenly changed.

Seeing the look on his father’s face, Nicholas tilted his head in confusion and quickly added, almost as an excuse,

“I was dealing with matters regarding the Kingdom of Riven…”

“That’s enough. Sit down.”

At the mention of the Kingdom of Riven, the emperor waved a hand dismissively, unwilling to hear more. His expression clearly showed his displeasure.

Just last night, Serphin, whom he had sent as the leader of the diplomatic delegation to Riven, had abruptly returned alone.

‘She insisted that I entrust her with this task…’

He was deeply disappointed by the imperial princess’s lack of responsibility.

Fortunately, Nicholas had begun to show promise over the past few years.

The emperor turned his gaze toward Nicholas once more, his expression unreadable.

He had never thought of it before, not even once.

But today, for some reason, Nicholas—with his red hair—looked remarkably similar to himself.

 

***

 

While a grand banquet was in full swing at the imperial palace…

The air near the infamous Forbidden Black Forest, just outside the capital, shimmered eerily.

No one knew exactly when it had come to exist, but true to its name, the Black Forest seemed utterly devoid of life. Its soil, grass, and trees were all dyed an unnatural black, evoking a deep sense of unease and fear.

Merely approaching the area caused headaches and nausea, and in severe cases, hallucinations and auditory delusions. Mages, especially those highly attuned to mana, frequently lost consciousness near the forest.

For that reason, entry to the Black Forest was strictly prohibited, yet rumors and eerie legends about it never ceased. Like tales of a demon sealed within, or of a legendary monster lurking in its depths.

And astonishingly, one of those countless rumors was close to the truth.

The Black Forest was the only place in this world that connected to the Demon Realm.

Without ‘permission,’ no one could enter, nor could they wield any power within it.

And now—

The entrance to the Black Forest, which had seemed permanently sealed, had opened.

The ones who had received ‘permission’ entered, their bodies wrapped tightly in black cloth, each carrying an offering.

Moments later, the entrance to the Black Forest closed once again.

Above, the full moon hung in the sky.

 

***

 

“Your Highness!”

“Hic… Haa…”

“Grand Princess!”

A hand shook me awake, and I gasped, my breath coming ragged and uneven.

From the dim light filtering through the window, I could tell it was still early morning.

“Your Highness, did you have a nightmare?”

Jane gently wiped the cold sweat from my forehead as she asked.

I nodded weakly and murmured,

“…Yeah. Water.”

“Here.”

Jane immediately handed me a glass, her expression filled with concern.

“Your Highness, it seems like you’ve been having nightmares more frequently lately.”

“…”

I pretended not to hear her, focusing instead on quenching my parched throat.

Then, I stole a glance at Jane.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell the Grand Duke or the Grand Duchess,” she reassured me, correctly guessing my concern.

Then she asked,

“But… what exactly are you dreaming about that makes you suffer so much?”

“…I don’t remember.”

That was a lie.

The truth was, I remembered my dream vividly.

They were always the same—memories from my time in Terencium, when I trained and worked as an informant. And in every dream, my master appeared.

‘It’s strange… Since coming to the Empire, I’ve been dreaming more frequently.’

Several days had already passed since I arrived in the Empire. Tomorrow, the Founding Festival would finally begin.

Yet ever since setting foot here, my dreams had grown more frequent, and the once hazy, indistinct visions had become disturbingly real.

…As if, at any moment, the master from my dreams would step out, meet my eyes, and wrap his hands around my throat.