Episode 90. The Final Event (3)

I had expected the maid to hesitate a bit, but she immediately bowed her head and thanked me.

“Thank you!”

As soon as I saw her reaction, I realized my mistake.

‘That must have been an expensive necklace!’

I had randomly grabbed something and handed it over without thinking, and now I was sure I had given her something more valuable than the information I was trying to extract. But there was no turning back now. I pushed my regret aside and focused on the maid. She seemed eager to please as she began to speak in a surprisingly cheerful tone.

“Well, the talk of the town lately is…”

She started recounting various rumors, none of which were particularly interesting or relevant to me. Stories about who was having an affair with whom, who had been executed for giving Julius bad advice—it was all the usual gossip. I propped my chin on my hand and replied, unimpressed.

“Nothing too exciting, I see.”

“Well, the national mourning has only recently ended, so I suppose everyone is being extra cautious.”

“Boring.”

But the maid was right. With the former emperor’s death still fresh, people were likely holding back to avoid any risk of offending the new emperor. Yet, I couldn’t just let the maid leave after giving her such a valuable necklace.

I linked my arm with hers, causing her to stiffen slightly in surprise. I smiled sweetly and asked, “What about the rumors concerning me?”

“Pardon?”

Her eyes darted nervously, confirming what I had suspected—there were indeed unsavory rumors going around about me.

“Well…”

Her hesitance and the way she avoided my gaze made it clear that she was dying to tell me the gossip. There are always those types, aren’t there? People who pretend to be concerned for you while eagerly spreading bad news.

‘She must find my misfortunes quite amusing.’

Even though Julius had done his best to control the rumors and my reputation had improved somewhat in society, there were still people who held a grudge against me. It was part and parcel of playing the role of a villainess. Swallowing my bitterness, I kept up the appearance of being calm and asked her gently, “Go on. I know it’s not your opinion.”

The maid, who had been nervously glancing around like a mouse, finally lowered her head and spoke in a low voice.

“There are rumors that Your Highness and His Majesty share a bond that is… closer than what one would expect from siblings.”

“A bond,” I repeated with a cold smile. I had already suspected that such rumors might be circulating, especially after the scene with the Empress Dowager.

‘So, people think Julius and I are in love? I know that incest rumors existed even in the medieval era, but seriously, do they have nothing better to do than indulge in such filthy thoughts?’

The fact that Julius had brought me to the palace had already sparked these kinds of rumors, and with the Empress Dowager being sent away, it was frightening to imagine how much more these rumors had grown.

‘I hope Percy doesn’t pay attention to this nonsense.’

Maybe I should wear the dress Percy sent me, after all.

As I was pondering my decision, the maid, her eyes sparkling, said, “I think the red dress would suit you better. It complements your hair beautifully.”

“Do you think so?”

But despite the maid’s encouragement, I couldn’t completely dismiss the thought of Julius’s gift. I turned away, undecided.

“I’ll think about it later.”

There was no need to rush the decision, after all.

But then the system seemed to take over. Everywhere I went, people kept mentioning the red dress.

“This garnet necklace would look stunning with the red dress. We also have a pink sapphire option.”

“Wouldn’t a gold tiara go perfectly with that red dress?”

“Your Highness, your beauty is truly blossoming. You look like a magnificent red butterfly.”

Ah, I see.

‘There must be a reason I’m supposed to wear the red dress.’

I squinted in realization.

And then, the day of the banquet finally arrived.

* * *

“Today, I’ll wear the white dress.”

I declared on the day of the banquet. There was a reason I waited until the last minute to announce it.

‘If I had said it earlier, something would have definitely happened to ruin the dress.’

Whether someone spilled something on it or tore it out of spite, something would have gone wrong. My sudden decision left the maids visibly distressed.

“W-What? But everything, including your hairstyle and jewelry, has already been set to match the red dress!”

“The red dress is much prettier, Your Highness. And if you wear the dress His Majesty sent, who knows what rumors might start?”

Had following the system’s cues ever worked out well for me?

‘Not once.’

So, my resolve was firm. I shook my head.

“My choice is final. Go fetch the accessories for the white dress.”

The maids’ faces turned pale at my insistence.

* * *

The sudden change meant a frantic scramble to adjust the accessories and hairstyle to match the new dress. My entire palace was in an uproar, almost as if a war had broken out.

While it might seem like only the servants were busy, I was just as exhausted. Of course, I had to sit there, letting them fuss over my hair and face.

‘Ah, the exhausting life of maintaining appearances.’

This made me miss the Stewart estate even more, where all I had to do was sit quietly, like a puppy waiting to be groomed. There was no need to worry or be on guard.

But here, things were different. The palace staff didn’t know my style and weren’t particularly friendly toward me. Though they didn’t voice it, I could feel their resentment toward my sudden whim radiating through the air.

‘I’m so drained.’

By the time I finally finished preparing, I felt like a dried-up squid as I made my way to meet Julius, who was supposed to escort me. As soon as he saw me, he remarked, “What happened to your face, you dunce?”

“Whose fault do you think this is?”

I wasn’t sure if I should blame him or thank him.

‘If Julius hadn’t sent the white dress, I would have had no choice but to wear the red one.’

The system’s insistent nudges toward the red dress were a clear sign that something disastrous would happen if I wore it. But having another option had certainly made things more complicated, so perhaps it was his fault after all.

‘He could have just sent a black dress, something that wouldn’t show stains, instead of this white one that forced me to make a decision at the last minute.’

Since I couldn’t explain all this to Julius, I simply replied in a haughty tone.

“You should be grateful. I turned down the gift from my darling and chose to wear the one you sent instead.”

“Oh, I’m deeply honored.”

Julius responded with exaggerated sarcasm. His mockery annoyed me, so I elbowed him in the side and whispered in a low voice.

“What are you really thinking? You must know about the rumors circulating in the city. Why send me a dress like this?”

Julius chuckled and replied slyly.

“Why assume there’s a hidden agenda? Haven’t you considered that I might actually be in love with you?”

“Don’t lie. You’re not my type.”

“That’s unfortunate. I was being sincere.”

More nonsense. I swung my fist at him again, but he dodged it easily. I considered giving him a good whack, but with the advisors and guards around, I couldn’t afford to do anything more.

‘Ugh, what kind of emperor is he anyway?’

If only I could beat him up and grind him under my heel. Why couldn’t I be the one in charge instead of him?

‘I hate him so much.’

As I glared at Julius, he extended his hand to me in a formal gesture. I placed my hand in his, and he skillfully pulled my arm through his, linking them together. Standing side by side with Julius felt strange.

‘It feels like I should be kicking his shins under my skirt.’

Had our relationship ever been so cordial? Whether we were getting along or not, this didn’t seem right.

As I squirmed with discomfort, Julius spoke in a low voice, “So, you’ll become Sienna Zulatán from today. How does that sound?”

Like hell it does.

“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.”

I replied with a bitter expression. I expected Julius to mock me in return, but he just looked at me thoughtfully.

“What’s with that face?”

“I’m just impressed you can speak in such a formal manner. It shows that humans really can learn anything.”

“Hey.”

It seemed that Julius’s skill at getting under my skin had only improved since becoming emperor.

When my face flushed with embarrassment, Julius chuckled and tugged my arm.

“Let’s go in.”

At least I had only invited the people I wanted, so walking into the banquet hall didn’t feel as burdensome as it usually did. Julius escorted me into the grand hall, which had been beautifully decorated with flowers and drapes that I had chosen.

As we entered, our names were announced.

“His Majesty, the never-setting sun of this empire, and Princess Sienna Liata!”

The doors opened, and as we stepped inside, everyone bowed in respect. I held my head high and looked down at the assembled guests as I ascended to the dais. That’s when I spotted something unmistakable.

Blonde hair, as golden as the sun.

‘Beth.’

How on earth did she get here?