The Empress Dowager, with her dark brown eyes and brown hair, looked to be middle-aged despite being over sixty, thanks to her lavish accessories drawing attention and makeup covering her wrinkled face.
After the Empress Dowager took her seat at the head, the attendees gradually gathered. Only a select few whose names were on a pre-prepared list could greet the Empress Dowager, while the rest quietly lingered around.
“Your Majesty, on such a fine day, why do you look so pale?”
Marquis Schwertiel was the first to approach and speak. The Empress Dowager leaned back in her ornate chair and frowned.
“Being cooped up in a cramped space like some old lady in the back room makes me feel stifled.”
“It seems the Crown Princess’s inexperience has led to insufficient attendance.”
He didn’t hide his concern as he looked at his daughter, who was standing quietly beside the Empress Dowager.
“I-I’m sorry. I should have at least kept you company last night…”
A sharp tap cut off her words.
“Hup.”
The Crown Princess quickly covered her mouth and averted her gaze. The Empress Dowager was gripping the armrest, sending a warning with her stern eyes. Marquis Schwertiel immediately understood what had happened.
‘She had another fit last night.’
This was a rumor that had spread quietly. The rumor that the Empress Dowager sees visions and has fits at night. It was said to be a condition that developed after the late Emperor passed away.
Though he had sent his daughter to comfort the depressed Empress Dowager, the timid and shy Crown Princess was completely terrified. Marquis Schwertiel approached more affectionately in place of his tactless daughter.
It was the Empress Dowager who had pushed the lady from the politically powerless Marquis family to become Crown Princess. Even though she was a toothless tiger now, she was still his most powerful patron.
“Please cheer up, Your Majesty. I have prepared a gift for you to enjoy the banquet after so long.”
At his signal, a servant following behind brought forward a box with classic carved reliefs.
“Oh, what is that?”
Color returned to the Empress Dowager’s face. The Crown Princess quickly stepped forward to take out the item from the box her father had opened. It was a brilliantly shining golden goblet.
“The interior is made of rare metal said to detect poison, and the body is decorated by the capital’s finest craftsman.”
“How beautiful. It should be in a display room rather than on the dining table.”
Satisfied, a smile appeared on the Empress Dowager’s face.
Gold was the color of the imperial family. Not because gold was precious, but because of the golden eyes inherited by direct descendants of the imperial family.
Eyes with a deep yellow gleam. There was a legend that in the founding myth, the first king’s eyes turned golden after receiving power from the gods. Historically, most kings who wielded strong power had golden eyes, so it held great significance.
However, at some point, golden-eyed children stopped being born. This led to rumors for a while that the imperial family had lost its authority and symbolism.
Although it was an uncomfortable topic for the imperial family to discuss, the Empress Dowager didn’t mind. It was an issue she had never cared about in her entire life.
“What else is in there?”
The golden goblet wasn’t the only thing in the box. The Crown Princess carefully reached in and took out a small ornament. It was a boutonnière made of intricately crafted metal in the shape of a flower.
Marquis Schwertiel confidently added his explanation again.
“Recently, a specialist gardener in the capital has developed a flower with a special color. This decoration was modeled after that flower.”
“Gasp!”
It was in an instant. The light from the chandelier reflected off the cold metal, piercing the Empress Dowager’s eyes sharply.
“Ahhh!”
The Empress Dowager violently struck away the boutonnière held out before her.
“Are you mocking me!”
At her piercing scream, the music in the banquet hall stopped. Not satisfied with just that, the Empress Dowager savagely crushed the fallen flower decoration with her foot.
The nobles were silently shocked. There was no imperial authority or dignity in the sight of the Emperor’s mother furiously stomping on something.
“I-I’m sorry, so sorry.”
The Crown Princess trembled without understanding why, and Marquis Schwertiel, who had brought the gift, turned pale. Two ladies-in-waiting who had been standing nearby rushed forward.
“Your Majesty, please calm down.”
“How dare you present such a thing to me!”
Despite the ladies-in-waiting’s attempts to restrain her, the Empress Dowager continued to fume with unconcealed agitation.
“Your Majesty, it’s still daylight.”
“The sun hasn’t even set. Look here.”
One of the ladies-in-waiting guided the Empress Dowager’s upper body to turn toward the bright lighting. The Empress Dowager jerked her head up and grimaced.
“You, you insolent ones!”
“Your Majesty, look. There’s nothing there.”
Though it was a whispered voice, the nobles nearby clearly heard it.
‘Huh. So the rumors were true.’
‘We should have noticed when she was first sent out of the palace.’
Though they had sent the Crown Princess for the banquet, the Crown Prince hadn’t attended. The Emperor’s intentions were clearly visible in this detail.
The two ladies-in-waiting carefully took hold of the Empress Dowager’s arms and headed toward the arched door they had entered through. Their gentle coaxing manner as they led her away seemed quite practiced.
After the Empress Dowager and Crown Princess disappeared from view, people let out long breaths. At someone’s signal, music began to flow through the hall again.
“It was nerve-wracking, and sure enough, something happened.”
“I thought things were going to get worse.”
“But why did she suddenly act like that?”
“How would I know? If anyone knows, it would be Marquis Schwertiel or those ladies-in-waiting.”
The boutonnière that the Empress Dowager had crushed had already been cleaned up, and the Marquis had disappeared outside with his servant’s guidance.
A bright and lively dance tune played to salvage the ruined atmosphere. However, unless the high nobles moved first, the rest could only watch and wait.
“People need to loosen up. You have the position of Duke after all.”
“Huh.”
Though Drushia made a sour face, he reluctantly moved toward the center of the hall, led by Shafri’s hand.
Despite their considerable difference in height and build, the two looked perfectly matched. Drushia with his neatly combed blonde hair and blue eyes, and his beautiful fiancée Shafri with blonde hair and blue-green eyes.
Drushia’s body was firm like a knight who had trained for many years.
With above-average height, broad shoulders, and well-balanced limbs, he gracefully led his partner. The thin shirt under his perfectly fitted tailcoat revealed subtle muscle movements with each step.
Ashika only managed to withdraw her gaze from Drushia when she felt a touch on her own hand. Without permission, Coral had taken hold of her hand.
“Last time, we couldn’t even dance once. You won’t refuse this time, will you?”
No matter how much she disliked it, he was currently her fiancé. Watching the harmonious Drushia couple, Ashika couldn’t find an excuse to refuse.
“Just one song.”
She relaxed her captured hand while suppressing her displeasure. She had to forcefully steady her breath to keep from sighing.
‘Just the basics. Just the basics.’
She planned to slip away when the situation allowed. After all, Coral wouldn’t be lonely without his fiancée. That’s what she was thinking as she was pulled along by Coral’s hand.
“Ah!”
She saw Coral’s body stumble ahead of her. Ridiculously, Coral had tripped on the flat floor without any stairs.
“Lord Oclein?”
Coral stopped his embarrassed steps and blocked Ashika’s view. However, Ashika quietly moved aside to step forward.
“Oh my, Lady Igraine. Hello.”
A woman’s voice with rich volume struck her ears.
“Lady Schwern?”
Surprisingly, the person approaching from the front was Glenoa.
Ashika was so surprised that she didn’t even notice that Glenoa’s partner was Drushia’s aide. The moment he met Ashika’s eyes, Kalf released Glenoa’s hand and quietly stepped back.
“I didn’t expect to see you here. I was feeling awkward without knowing anyone, but I’m so glad to meet you like this.”
“I also didn’t expect to meet Lady Schwern here.”
Though Glenoa greeted Ashika, her gaze was directed at Coral.
Coral’s face had turned completely pale. It was quite a sight to see the usually smooth man so flustered.
Glenoa naturally extended her greeting to Coral as well.
“Hello. I’m Glenoa Schwern. I met Lady Igraine a few days ago at Baroness Isna’s salon. She was so kind to me even though it was our first meeting.”
Ashika blinked quietly.
‘Me? When?’
Despite receiving an incredulous look, Glenoa remained brazenly composed.
A man who had an affair while having a fiancée and his mistress. Three people gathered in one place, yet she smiled without showing any sign of tension.
“It seems the lord doesn’t talk much. Not even returning a greeting…”
Her voice, mixed with aegyo, criticized with a tone of disappointment.
It was enough to make one laugh in disbelief. While Coral stood frozen, Ashika quietly slipped her hand free.
“Lord Oclein, too many people have gathered. It would be better for us to come out and dance a little later.”
“Wh… what?”
While Coral stood dumbfounded, Ashika quickly turned away.
‘Let them sort it out themselves, whether they fight or not.’
Ashika had no intention of getting involved between them. A love triangle drama in the middle of a banquet hall full of capital nobles.
‘By now, Coral must realize that woman isn’t to be taken lightly.’
She hoped they would handle whatever trouble arose themselves. Better yet, if that trouble exploded into something bigger.
Watching Ashika move away toward the balcony, Coral finally came to his senses. His pale face had returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
“It was nice meeting you, Lady Schwern. Have a pleasant evening.”
Contrary to Ashika’s hopes, Coral left his mistress behind and followed Ashika. He even stopped at a table along the way to down several glasses of wine in succession.
Hoping that someone would stop Coral, Ashika hurriedly went out to the balcony and closed the door. Sweat beaded on her forehead despite the cool night air.
‘A love triangle drama.’
Too afraid to reveal such scandal, she couldn’t ask anyone about it. But one thing seemed certain. The fact that it wouldn’t be easy for Coral to escape this situation.
‘Just a little push might do it.’
She was bold enough to show her face at the Empress Dowager’s banquet. If things didn’t go her way, wouldn’t she cause an even bigger disturbance?
While Ashika was lost in thought, the balcony door opened. Sure enough, Coral had followed her.
“Lord Oclein.”
“Why did you disappear so hastily?”
As Coral entered the balcony, he roughly pulled the curtains.
As the light flowing from the banquet hall was blocked, the balcony grew dark. The enclosed space feeling more intimate caused an uncomfortable feeling in Ashika’s chest.
“How long will you keep avoiding me?”
Coral took a big step forward. Ashika instinctively stepped back but soon hit the railing.
“Avoiding? I’m just being careful.”
“Ha. How long will you keep being careful? We’ve been engaged for 2 years already. Do you realize that?”
His tone was somewhat resentful. Ashika clenched her lowered hands. Just a few days ago she might have been swayed, but not now.
“My being shy isn’t something new.”
“I am your fiancé!”
Ashika’s shoulders flinched at his sudden outburst.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Ha, drinking. It’s a banquet, of course there would be drinking.”
Warning signals went off in Ashika’s head. Coral’s attitude was different from usual. He seemed both angry and anxious.
“It would be better to return early today. You look tired too. I…”
Ashika carefully tried to step sideways to avoid him. However, Coral closed the distance in an instant and caught her waist.
“Lord Oclein!”
Coral wrapped one arm around Ashika’s waist and pushed her against the railing.
