I Taught You Carefully, So Why Are You Obsessed?

When we arrived at the Imperial Palace, the sun was slanting down just beyond the spires. I glanced at the line of carriages stretching from the entrance to the banquet hall as Ian helped me down.

Somehow, his hand seemed more tense than usual as he escorted me. I, too, was stiff with awkwardness.

The entrance to the banquet hall was illuminated by flickering lights that sparkled like constellations, painting the night sky.

I let out a small gasp of awe at the dazzling sight as we stepped inside.

As we reached the doors of the main hall, a page who had bowed upon seeing us shouted in a loud voice, “His Grace, Duke Ian Cloud, and Her Grace, Duchess Eloise Cloud!”

At his signal, the pages on either side pulled the doors open with great force, and a blinding light spilled forth.

After a brief moment of dazzling brightness, I let out a quiet exclamation at the spectacle that unfolded before me.

“Wow…”

The towering domed ceiling adorned with intricate frescoes, the massive chandelier studded with thousands of carefully crafted crystals, the decorations made of gold and marble, the geometric patterns carved into the luxurious floors, and the orchestral music that enveloped it all in harmony—it was a breathtaking scene.

I had thought the Duchess of Brilluze’s season party was extravagant enough, but it couldn’t compare to the grandeur of a royal banquet.

‘How much money did they pour into this?’

Still lost in pure admiration, I quickly snapped my mouth shut.

‘Don’t want to get teased for gawking again.’

Luckily, Ian seemed not to have noticed. He was too preoccupied with the sharp gazes that greeted us as soon as we entered, holding hands.

I could feel the eyes of the nobles, all dressed to the nines, whispering as they stole glances at us.

“See, I told you they’d enter together.”

“It’s the first time Her Grace has shown up dressed so splendidly.”

“You can tell she was once the belle of society.”

“Oh my, look at that back. Such a bold design.”

“Is that another creation from Zed’s atelier? She wore a unique dress like that at the season party too…”

“More than that, doesn’t it seem like the Duke is being extra careful as he escorts the Duchess?”

“You’re right. He seems more gentle than usual today.”

“Didn’t I hear they barely survived an attack while vacationing recently?”

“Yes, I heard about that too.”

Unlike before, their gazes were filled more with curiosity and admiration than hostility or resentment.

Yet, I could distinctly feel their eyes focusing on my bare back.

‘I knew this would happen.’

Maybe I should have insisted harder with Madame Zed.

Just as my mind began to spin from the murmurs that pierced through the orchestral music, Ian subtly slid his hand from mine to rest lightly on my waist, gently holding me.

“…Your Grace?”

“Let’s continue like this.”

His eyes were still fixed ahead, and his tone was firm.

I looked down at his hand on my waist, then around at the room, and pressed my lips together tightly.

‘Could he be… self-conscious about this?’

Feeling even more flustered, I quickly turned my head away, my cheeks growing hot.

Letting my gaze wander, I finally looked up to the highest platform in the banquet hall. Seeing it empty, it seemed the Emperor and Empress had not yet arrived.

And then—

“Your Grace, Your Grace!”

A familiar voice called out unexpectedly.

I turned my head to see the princess, surrounded by a group of young ladies and gentlemen, waving as she dashed over to us.

“Princess? Why are you here already?”

The Emperor and Empress had yet to arrive, so I had assumed the princess would make her entrance much later.

After all, the main star usually shows up last, right?

The princess simply raised an eyebrow and replied nonchalantly,

“I’ve been here since before the banquet started today. It’s my fifteenth birthday, after all!”

“Ah, that’s right. Today is your fifteenth birthday,”

“Exactly, and…”

The princess gestured for me to lean in closer. I bent down, and she rose on tiptoe to whisper conspiratorially in my ear.

“From today, I don’t have to be watched by the Duchess of Brilluze outside of lessons anymore.”

Ah…

“So that’s the real reason for your excitement?”

“Well, yeah,”

She said, winking mischievously.

According to imperial law, at age fifteen, one could participate in social events without the need for a chaperone.

The Duchess of Brilluze had been both the princess’s etiquette tutor and her de facto chaperone, but now that the princess had come of age, the Duchess was no longer required to accompany her at such gatherings.

That was the legal standing, anyway.

‘Though, knowing the Emperor, I doubt he’d let the princess attend social functions unsupervised…’

Even though it seemed like a reasonable assumption, I wasn’t about to ruin the princess’s mood on her special day, so I simply smiled softly.

The princess grinned back at me.

“More importantly, what do you think of this?”

With a snap of her fingers, the princess stepped back a few paces and twirled gracefully in place.

As she spun, the black lace layers hidden beneath her white silk gown were revealed, fluttering elegantly.

Most dresses had white lace underlays and a more striking outer skirt, but Madame Zed had done the exact opposite with this one.

And if I wasn’t mistaken, the black lace had been made by the lace artisan I had introduced to her.

“What do you think? Isn’t it beautiful?”

“You look stunning, Your Highness. Madame Zed’s craftsmanship perfectly complements your grace.”

The princess giggled gleefully, her cheeks lifting in a radiant smile at my compliment. Then she pointed to the mother-of-pearl ornament perched on her head.

“I’m wearing the hairpin you chose for me!”

“That’s an honor,”

I replied, smiling as I nudged Ian’s side with my elbow, silently urging him to say something instead of standing there with his mouth clamped shut like a clam.

Ian cast a bewildered glance at me before averting his eyes.

“…Yes, it suits you well.”

After squeezing out that one sentence, he pressed his lips tightly together again.

So, he’s been pretending to be a decent person this whole time. I gave him a disgruntled look, but then—

“The First Sun of the Empire, His Majesty Emperor Elisio Carlottus Helios Levant, and his companion, the Radiant Moon, Her Majesty Empress Lailie Heremias Gerion Levante, have arrived!”

At the booming announcement of the page, everyone in the banquet hall lowered their heads and bowed deeply.

The doors opened, and the Emperor and Empress entered, making their way to the highest platform in the hall.

Simultaneously, the princess trotted over to her designated seat and sat with perfect posture.

“Raise your heads.”

At the sound of the Emperor’s voice, the nobles slowly lifted their heads.

‘Now that he’s sitting there, he really looks like the Emperor.’

I had met him in more informal settings before, but seeing him dressed in full regalia, seated on the imperial throne, and surveying the hall from above—it all felt so new and grand.

“We are grateful to all the honored guests who have gathered here to celebrate the fifteenth birthday of the princess. Since today marks her official entry into the social scene, we’ve prepared with great care. I hope you all enjoy the festivities.”

The Emperor cast his gaze around the room, her lips curving into a graceful smile.

“I’ll keep this brief; there’s no point in a long-winded speech. During my time as crown prince, nothing bored me more than the lengthy speeches of the late Emperor.”

Several nobles chuckled at her words.

“So, I’ll stop here. Once again, congratulations to Princess Louisa on her birthday.”

The Emperor raised a glass beside the throne, and with that, the orchestra resumed its gentle melody.

As the party officially began, people started making their way onto the dance floor for the first dance with their partners, offering congratulations to the princess, or heading to the bar where drinks and finger foods were served.

Standing beside Ian, watching the various scenes unfold, I started to walk toward the opposite side of the hall.

‘I can’t get as drunk as I did at the season party.’

Even thinking about that made me shudder.

So, I planned to sit on a quiet sofa, sipping champagne while observing the banquet.

But before I could take even one step, I was stopped. Ian had lightly tightened his grip on my hand.

“Your Grace?”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m… going to rest on that sofa over there.”

Ian looked at the sofa I pointed to on the edge of the banquet hall with an unreadable expression.

“Isn’t this the princess’s birthday banquet you were so looking forward to?”

“I wouldn’t say I was looking forward to it….”

His gaze landed on me again. Why is he staring like that?

After what felt like an eternity of our eyes meeting in the air, Ian suddenly released the hand he had been holding for the escort.

Was he letting me go? I was about to seize the chance and quickly retreat to a corner, but I couldn’t act fast enough.

He clasped his hands behind his back with one arm and extended the other toward me, palm open in a courteous gesture. His hand, bare but still white and neat, seemed to beckon.

When I lifted my gaze, his deep azure eyes were looking straight at me, clear and unwavering.

“May I ask for this dance?”

…Huh?

♧♧♧

Support my translation for more and faster updates 🐳