83.
From the debutante party to the Diorlance Club, Dante had been acting as if he genuinely cared about me. The nobles, unable to openly defy Dante, kept their malice hidden, which was unsettling in its own way.
“Wow, it’s beautiful.”
I looked around and murmured in admiration.
Today’s cocktail party was held in the garden of the inner palace, personally supervised by the Empress. The large tent, the brightly glowing lanterns, and the lavish food and cocktails all showcased the effort put into the event.
“Do you like it?” Dante asked abruptly, his face still sullen.
“If you like this kind of outdoor party, I’ll host one in your name next time.”
He seemed deeply annoyed, and I soon realized why.
‘Of course, it’s the imperial palace.’
Dante loathed anything related to the imperial family. Although I could understand his sentiment.
“Um…”
I trailed off for a moment before shaking my head lightly.
“No, it’s alright.”
“Why?”
“Well, if you don’t like it, then I don’t either.”
The Empress hosts an outdoor cocktail party every year, and Dante dislikes anything that reminds him of the imperial family. While the original Elze would have enjoyed flaunting herself at such a grand party…
‘There’s no need to do something Dante dislikes.’
Especially considering he holds my life in his hands.
“…”
Dante looked down at me, seemingly surprised by my response, then smiled slightly.
“Really?”
“Of course. That’s why I’m really grateful to you, Marquis.”
“For what?”
“For attending this uncomfortable event for my sake.”
I habitually uttered sweet words.
Thankfully, my effort seemed to work, as Dante’s expression softened noticeably.
‘Good.’
I felt a bit relieved.
“Hah, it’s a good thing you’re here with me.”
Dante laughed briefly.
“I wouldn’t have been able to stand it otherwise. It’s so irritating.”
No, please don’t…
Don’t start anything…
I felt cold sweat trickling down my back.
“Would you like a cocktail? I can get one for you.”
As I was trying to soothe Dante, a sharp female voice called out to him.
“Well, if it isn’t Marquis Offenheir.”
An elegant elderly lady with streaks of white in her hair approached. She carried herself with a posture that showed she had never bowed to anyone, exuding the unique dignity of the upper echelon.
Dante’s lips twisted into a sarcastic smile as he recognized her.
“Your Majesty, the Empress.”
He placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly.
“Dante de Savie Offenheir, at your service.”
His movements were impeccable, straight out of an etiquette manual—except for the mocking undertone.
“Lady Elze Lepherian, at your service, Your Majesty.”
I followed Dante’s lead and greeted the Empress politely.
The Empress glanced at me briefly before addressing Dante slowly.
“I didn’t expect the Marquis to attend a party I host. You’ve ignored every invitation I’ve sent.”
“Is that so? What’s your point?”
Dante responded with a sly smile.
“Are you saying that it annoys you to see me here after ignoring your invitations all this time?”
“…”
The Empress’s face hardened ominously.
Meanwhile, I felt my stomach churn with stress.
Dear protagonist, I know you’re known for your sharp tongue, but could you at least choose the right time and place?
“At least you understand what I’m saying.”
The Empress continued in a stern tone.
“After the great insult you gave my son, you dare to attend my party with your head held high?”
It seemed the Empress still harbored a grudge over the Diorlance Club incident. She was known for being very protective of her sons.
However, if Dante were to act within the bounds of common sense and courtesy, he wouldn’t be Dante.
“Well, the second prince did quite a bit to insult my partner that day.”
Dante retorted without hesitation.
My eyes widened in shock.
‘Why drag me into this…?’
But Dante’s sharp tongue spared no one, not even the Empress.
“By the way, it seems esteemed royals have a habit of treating people like they’re invisible.”
“What?”
“I distinctly saw Elze greet Your Majesty, but it seems you didn’t notice.”
I looked at Dante, my face pale.
Oh, I wish I could faint right now…
At that moment.
“Ah, Marquis Offenheir.”
Someone intervened in the conversation.
A neatly dressed middle-aged man approached. He had the kind demeanor of the second prince, which was evident in his appearance.
“It’s a pleasure to see you. How have you been?”
“Yes, well…”
Dante responded to the crown prince with an expression that was far from pleased.
“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
I followed Dante’s lead and bowed respectfully.
The crown prince smiled warmly.
“Oh, no need to be so formal among family. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
“Family? Family, you say.”
The Empress scoffed loudly, making sure everyone could hear.
“Do you think Marquis Offenheir and I are family?”
Unlike Dante’s grandfather, the Emperor, the Empress had no blood relation to Dante. His mother, a princess, was the Emperor’s daughter born from an affair with a maid.
“Mother.”
The crown prince called softly, causing the Empress’s expression to contort.
The Emperor had stepped back due to his poor health, and the crown prince was effectively in power. Even the Empress couldn’t completely go against his wishes.
She bit her lip for a moment before speaking again.
“Fine.”
She turned away with a cold air.
“I must go meet other ladies now.”
With that, the Empress left without even a parting greeting.
The crown prince then turned his attention to me.
“And this must be Lady Lepherian?”
Hmm, it seemed he intended to use me as a conversational lubricant. But as the powerless daughter of a viscount family, I had no choice but to play along.
“I am honored that you remember me.”
I bowed my head demurely.
The crown prince seemed pleased with my reaction and smiled warmly.
“My, you are indeed as beautiful as the rumors say.”
Dante’s eyebrow twitched slightly, and he deliberately stepped between the crown prince and me.
“There’s no need for Your Highness to take an interest in my lover.”
“…”
The crown prince’s eyes glinted momentarily.
“Hmm.”
He looked back and forth between Dante and me before speaking again.
“Marquis, could we have a private conversation?”
“No, thank you.”
Dante refused outright.
I looked up at Dante in shock.
No matter how you look at it, can you really refuse a prince like that? Even if he’s your uncle, it’s still rude.
For the sake of Dante’s reputation, I gently tugged on his sleeve.
“Please go.”
“…”
Dante gave me a dissatisfied look.
‘Are you really telling me to go?’
His eyes seemed to say.
But I remained firm.
“Hurry up.”
I insisted.
Dante sighed and muttered under his breath.
“This is not how you should treat people, you know.”
“If you refuse the crown prince’s offer, I won’t be able to enjoy the party.”
I smiled sweetly.
“I’ll wait, so come back quickly. Then you can spend time with me, alright?”
“Hah.”
Dante let out a laugh, but it didn’t seem like he was upset.
“Don’t worry, Lady Lepherian. I won’t keep him long.”
The crown prince interjected quickly.
Dante, though still sulky, eventually followed the crown prince.
I smiled as I watched them walk away.
Finally, as they disappeared into the palace, I quickly turned around.
