116. Blessing Ceremony

At Klaus’s cold remark, Asif furrowed his brow deeply and slapped Klaus’s hand away.

“What do you mean, ‘enough’?”

At Asif’s displeased voice, Klaus glanced at Roselia before continuing.

“Don’t go around touching other people’s arms so carelessly.”

The way Klaus spoke, as if accusing him of being some kind of pervert, made Asif’s expression twist in frustration.

“What’s wrong with touching another guy’s arm?”

“What matters is whether the other person is okay with it.”

At Klaus’s icy words, Asif finally turned his gaze toward Roselia.

She had lowered her eyes with an awkward expression, clearly uncomfortable.

Realizing this, Asif flinched and quickly let go of her.

“Oh, sorry. Antonio, were you uncomfortable? I was just worried about you…”

Then why is his face turning red…?

Roselia looked at him in confusion, and Asif suddenly began flailing as if he had committed some terrible crime.

“I-You know, right? Benuve is pretty open about romance, but I’m not into men. Not that I dislike you or anything! Of course not… I mean… a-as a friend!”

No one had even accused him of anything, yet he was adamantly emphasizing their friendship.

Roselia’s expression grew even more perplexed.

Meanwhile, Klaus’s expression became even darker with irritation.

Just then, Bellog returned from his short absence, unknowingly putting an end to the awkward scene.

“Well then, shall we wrap up the discussion before sunset? But… why does everyone look like that?”

Bellog looked puzzled as he glanced between Asif, who was bright red, and Klaus, who had his arms crossed in clear dissatisfaction.

Only Roselia sat there with a forced, awkward smile.

* * *

Over dinner with Johannes, Roselia was discussing the progress of the trading company business.

“That must have been quite the ordeal. Prince Asif and Duke Valtazar… I imagine Marquis Bellog had a rough time as well.”

Encouraged by Johannes’s sympathetic tone, Roselia felt even more emboldened to vent her frustrations.

“Exactly! I just don’t understand why grown men act like that.”

“At the next meeting, I’ll accompany you. It must be difficult for you or Marquis Bellog to mediate between them.”

Roselia’s eyes widened at Johannes’s unexpected offer.

“You will?”

Of course, to mediate between those two beasts, it made sense for someone with equal status and authority to step in.

But wouldn’t that be like throwing a tiger into a cage where a panther and a lion were already fighting…?

Why could she so clearly envision all three men glaring at each other in a tense standoff…?

Shaking her head, Roselia forced a smile.

“I-It’s fine. Since I’m representing House Euciliod, it’s my responsibility. Please leave it to me.”

Johannes looked slightly disappointed but nodded reluctantly.

“If that’s how you feel, I understand. But if you ever have any concerns or difficulties, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Of course! Now that I’ve vented a little, I feel much better.”

At Roselia’s bright smile, Johannes returned a small grin.

“Oh, right. Isn’t Prince Aaron’s crown prince enthronement ceremony coming up soon?”

She had been so focused on the trading company business that she had completely forgotten—there were now less than two weeks until the enthronement.

That was also why Johannes and the Empress’s faction were so busy.

“In three days, the Blessing Ceremony will take place in preparation for the enthronement. You should come with me.”

The Blessing Ceremony was a formal gathering where members of the imperial family, nobles, and foreign envoys came together to offer their well-wishes before the official enthronement.

Despite its name, it wasn’t just a ceremonial event. It was also the last opportunity for nobles and foreign representatives to voice their opinions before the new emperor or prince was officially crowned.

That was why both Johannes and the Empress’s faction were on edge.

Still, the ceremony was mostly a formality, and in most cases, it proceeded without incident before leading smoothly into the enthronement.

Roselia nodded without much thought at Johannes’s suggestion.

“Alright. Is there anything I need to prepare?”

“No, it’s just a customary event. You just need to observe.”

Johannes muttered something under his breath—“Normally, that is…”—but Roselia didn’t catch it.

As they continued their meal, something suddenly came to Roselia’s mind.

“Oh, by the way, did you find out anything about Nora?”

She was referring to the woman whom she suspected might be of noble blood.

At her question, Johannes gave a troubled smile.

“I did send someone to investigate… but it turns out she quit that tavern.”

Nora quit the tavern?

She had clearly told Roselia that she worked there in exchange for food and lodging.

Had she found another job already?

Well… Considering the way she had been treated at that place, maybe it was for the best.

As Roselia pondered this, Johannes hesitated before speaking again.

“With her whereabouts unknown, it’s difficult to send people to search for her recklessly. But since you gave her the address of the marquisate, the best we can do is wait and hope she comes to us on her own.”

It was a reasonable decision.

With the enthronement approaching, if House Euciliod started moving too conspicuously, they would draw unwanted attention from the concubine faction’s nobles.

Roselia nodded and smiled.

“I know you’re busy with the enthronement preparations, so thank you for taking the time to look into this.”

At that, Johannes gave a bitter smile.

“I wonder when I’ll stop hearing your thanks.”

He was doing all of this for her without a second thought, yet she kept thanking him, which seemed to leave him feeling a little disappointed.

Roselia, caught off guard by his reaction, hesitated for a moment before responding in a playfully gruff tone.

“If you keep spoiling me like this, I’ll end up getting too used to it.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did.”

Johannes spoke with unexpected seriousness, causing Roselia to break into laughter.

Seeing her laugh, Johannes smiled as well.

* * *

Roselia stepped out of the carriage with Johannes and entered the imperial palace, glancing around.

It seemed that all of Raphelios’s most distinguished nobles were in attendance.

Not only that, but there were quite a few high-ranking nobles from various nations, likely part of the delegations celebrating the enthronement.

“Viscount!”

Marquis Bellog, leading what appeared to be the delegation from the Kingdom of Mule, approached them with a warm greeting.

At Bellog’s cheerful welcome, Johannes responded with a slight smile and a nod.

“As expected of a Raphelios enthronement ceremony. It looks like all the prominent figures from every nation have gathered.”

As Bellog marveled at the grandeur, Roselia, who had been looking around, suddenly froze upon spotting a familiar figure.

It was Grand Duke Rubelio, participating as part of the Rugbeljet Empire’s delegation.

The Grand Duke, who was looking in their direction, smiled faintly and nodded.

Marquis Bellog gasped in surprise.

“Viscount, you know Grand Duke Rubelio as well? My goodness… just how far does your network reach?”

Leaving Bellog’s astonished remarks behind, Roselia sighed—only to be interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Antonio, so you’re here after all.”

It was Prince Asif, leading the delegation from Benuve.

He was looking around with an oddly excited expression.

“By the way, I heard the Zelos Continent’s delegation was supposed to arrive today, but I haven’t seen them anywhere.”

The Zelos Continent was a vast land beyond the Western Sea, separated by a massive vortex known as the Sea Hole, making travel nearly impossible.

Because of this natural barrier, exchanges with Zelos were almost nonexistent.

It was only on rare occasions, such as major imperial ceremonies, that Zelos would send a delegation.

Roselia was also curious about them, but for some reason, no one resembling the Zelos delegation was present.

Just then, murmurs spread through the crowd, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.

Following their gazes, Roselia instinctively looked toward the doorway—only for her eyes to meet Klaus’s as he entered with Claucet and Alejandro by his side.

Just that brief eye contact made her feel as though he could see straight through her, and she instinctively tensed.

But the moment passed quickly. Klaus simply averted his gaze and continued walking.

Beside him, Claucet waved warmly at Roselia.

“The Duke of Valtazar is here as well.”

Roselia waved back at Claucet before turning to Asif.

“Don’t start anything with the Duke here.”

“What do you take me for, a child?”

Asif grumbled, but before he could say anything else, Johannes smoothly stepped between them.

“The Blessing Ceremony is about to begin. Let’s take our seats.”

Asif looked slightly puzzled at Johannes’s protective stance but eventually turned away.

“See you later, Antonio.”

With a polite farewell, Bellog left with the delegation from Mule.

Roselia and Johannes proceeded to the central hall of the imperial palace, and Roselia swallowed hard at the overwhelming scale of the chamber.

At the front, the members of the imperial family were already seated.

Prince Aaron looked tense, while Prince Alphonse seemed completely composed, as if accustomed to such occasions.

Princess Tania, the Empress, and the three imperial consorts were also seated. Other than the Emperor himself, all key members of the imperial family were present.

The nobles took their seats on the long rows of benches arranged inside the hall.

The delegation leaders, who would be delivering their blessings, were seated at the very front.

Soon, the Emperor entered, and the previously noisy hall fell silent.

After the Emperor’s opening declaration, the representatives from each nation stepped forward to give their blessings.

“…The Kingdom of Mule joyfully celebrates the enthronement of Prince Aaron, the new rising sun, and we hope for an even stronger bond between our two nations.”

Following Marquis Bellog’s speech, the final blessing was left to Grand Duke Rubelio.

Rising from his seat, the Grand Duke bowed politely to the Emperor and slowly began to speak.

“For a long time, Rugbeljet and Raphelios have stood as the pillars guarding the east and west of the continent. As the representative of Rugbeljet and as a member of its imperial family, I find myself with a question.

Does everyone here truly believe that this young prince is fit to lead the Raphelios Empire?”

The sudden remark sent a shockwave through the hall.

Even the Emperor and the imperial family couldn’t hide their astonishment.

One of the nobles leading the ceremony on behalf of the Empress’s faction immediately erupted in anger.

“Grand Duke Rubelio! Do you realize where you are? Prince Aaron is the Emperor’s acknowledged successor and the rightful heir, supported by the noble bloodlines of Raphelios!”

“The noble bloodlines of Raphelios, you say…”

Rubelio’s lips curled slightly.

“What would happen if one of those very bloodline nobles were to declare support for Prince Alphonse instead?”

His words sent another wave of murmurs through the hall.

A noblewoman of imperial lineage siding with Alphonse?

Was Rubelio planning to reveal her identity here?

Even if that happened, Roselia knew she would never support Alphonse.

Yet, an uneasy premonition crawled up her spine.

She turned toward Johannes, who was clenching his fists tightly, his expression dark and tense.

And at that moment, Prince Alphonse—who had been silently observing—raised a hand.

At his signal, the hall’s doors swung open.

A woman entered, her lavish gown trailing behind her.

As the nobles turned their eyes toward the new arrival, Roselia’s face stiffened in shock and disbelief.

The woman walking forward, under the scrutiny of countless aristocrats, was none other than—

Nora.

 

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