IFLDMHF | Chapter 135

Episode 135

Ever since we decided to go to the capital, I had been calm, so I thought it wouldn’t affect me.

But now that the time to face the Emperor was approaching, I guess I was getting anxious after all.

Feeling a bit sorry for the nervous Euclid, I grabbed his hand even though I knew the children and Melissa were watching.

Then I gave the surprised Euclid a bright smile, as if to say that I was right beside him and that he could just trust me.

Perhaps he read my feelings, as Euclid’s expression softened too.

A gentle pressure came into our clasped hands, then soon released.

“I will escort you.”

While Euclid stepped down from the carriage, my eyes met Melissa’s.

Judging by her slightly flushed cheeks, it seemed she felt a little embarrassed watching me and Euclid.

“Hehe.”

But Marianne and Dior, who were younger than Melissa, were beaming so brightly and contentedly that it was almost endearing.

Unfortunately, the warm and fuzzy atmosphere didn’t last long.

“Is that the Duke of Rudion?”

“Looks like it. He came with the Basilian young lady.”

“Oh my, the rumors were true…”

“He’s definitely beyond expectations.”

“More importantly, we should call her the Duchess now, not the young lady.”

“I’m curious to see how His Highness the Crown Prince will react.”

“Well, of course he’ll be pleased! There are rumors going around about the newly inducted Basilian young lady…”

The moment I stepped out of the carriage with Euclid escorting me, the nobles who spotted us started whispering from all directions, unable to hide their surprise and curiosity.

I had heard that even when Euclid inherited his title, he came up to the capital quietly, met the Emperor privately to confirm the succession, and then returned straight to the North.

So this was effectively his first appearance in front of the nobles of the capital.

The innocent young ladies couldn’t hide their expressions and stared blankly at Euclid.

Even the noblewomen who hurriedly tried to cover their faces with fans still had wide, startled eyes.

It seemed everyone was shocked by Euclid’s handsome face.

The reactions from the male nobles weren’t much different.

It would’ve been nice if the admiring and jealous gazes had continued a little longer…

I still don’t understand how they managed to recover so quickly after seeing Euclid’s absurdly good looks, but soon enough, the nobles’ interest shifted to me.

‘Well, I suppose there had been plenty of gossip since I got married.’

It was only natural for people to be curious about how the villainess, who appeared with her husband on the day the Crown Prince—who had once been madly obsessed with him—returned, would act and react.

But while I could tolerate the chatter about me and the Crown Prince, I couldn’t let it slide if they dragged the innocent Melissa into it.

Dressed in my most lavish villainess attire ever, I swept a cold gaze across the crowd.

As if I had cast a spell, an eerie silence instantly fell over them.

And that wasn’t all. The moment I began to walk, the crowd split apart as if the ground itself were cracking open.

Even without turning around, I could sense Euclid, Melissa, and the children following me in confusion.

‘Hmm, did I play the villainess role a little too well?’

Maybe I should’ve shown a more affectionate side, linking arms with Euclid or at least walking hand-in-hand with the children like usual to show a harmonious scene.

But the moment I felt I had to protect everyone from these unfamiliar gazes, my body moved on its own and led the way alone.

‘Should I turn back now and try to present a friendlier image…?’

Just as I was seriously considering it—

“Evgenia!”

A savior appeared from the front.

“Father. Brother.”

It was the Duke of Basilian and Sionel, who had already arrived.

The two, who had the same sharp eyes as mine, briefly showed a hint of warmth on their faces.

But that didn’t last long either.

“Evgenia, your clothes…”

“What about them?”

“No, never mind. They’re very pretty.”

Of course they were. I had put great effort into choosing the design and even adorned it with plenty of jewels.

Naturally, Euclid, Marianne, and Dior were also dressed accordingly… huh?

‘No way.’

The Duke of Basilian, who had smiled bitterly at me, subtly glanced at those behind me and made eye contact with Melissa.

Seeing the unspoken understanding between the two and Sionel quietly looking down at his black uniform, I realized the situation.

‘They’re acting like that because they’re upset I didn’t match their outfits, right?’

And to think I was worried Melissa might be troubled over Damien or the Crown Prince without even realizing this.

‘They’re such fools.’

It made sense for Melissa, who hadn’t been in noble society for long, but the Duke of Basilian and Sionel should already be well aware of the precarious relationship between the Imperial family and the House of Rudion, even without needing an explanation.

No matter how cherished I am as a daughter and sister, the moment my last name changed to Rudion, I was no longer a member of House Basilian. Drawing a line was necessary.

‘Of course, I had no intention of doing so, especially after I asked to stay at the Duke’s estate.’

On a day like today, when I would be facing the Emperor, I wanted to avoid being seen too closely aligned with the Duke of Basilian due to political implications.

And yet—

“Marianne, Dior. You both look very lovely.”

“Thank you, Duke!”

“Auntie bought them for us!”

“…Yes, you all look wonderful as a family.”

I didn’t think they’d be this disappointed after I went out of my way to be considerate.

Before I knew it, the Duke of Basilian, who had grown close enough to call the children by name, said the word “family” with a gaze full of quiet sorrow and envy.

Even Euclid was looking around awkwardly, unsure of what to do, and as absurd as it all was, I began to feel a slight pang of guilt as if I had done something wrong.

Just then, a grand trumpet sounded from nearby.

“His Majesty the Emperor approaches!”

‘Trumpets, really…?’

I was startled, thinking the Crown Prince had already arrived.

But as the massive palace gates opened, the one who appeared was a red-haired middle-aged man draped in a gold-embroidered cloak—the Emperor.

Not only the nobles waiting in front of the palace, but even the citizens awaiting the Crown Prince fell silent and bowed their heads.

“Everyone, raise your heads.”

How he had even managed to bring it all the way here, I had no idea.

The Emperor, seated in an ornate golden chair fit for a banquet hall, spoke with a dignified expression.

‘Seems like the boastful type.’

Should I be grateful he didn’t bring a whole stage with him?

Either way, since today’s spotlight was meant for someone else, the way he tried to steal it made me think the arrogant Crown Prince probably hadn’t grown up in a peaceful environment.

‘Well, in the original work, he did keep sending his son to the battlefield out of conquest mania.’

Despite meeting him only once, the Crown Prince had firmly left the impression of being an unpleasant and strange guy, so I felt no fondness for him whatsoever.

However, just as a speck of human sympathy was about to form in me—

“Evgenia.”

The Emperor, who had seemed to be quietly waiting for the Crown Prince, suddenly called my name.

Since he had forcibly dragged the House of Rudion from the North, I thought he would call for Euclid first if he were going to summon anyone.

I didn’t know whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, but having already prepared myself to face him, I stepped forward and gave a shallow curtsy.

“Evgenia of Rudion greets Your Majesty.”

“…Rudion, huh.”

From the way the Emperor said “Rudion,” a faint trace of hostility could be felt.

But as if nothing had happened, a gentle, soft voice soon followed from his lips.

“At our last meeting, you were still a Lady of Basilian, and now you’re the Duchess of Rudion. Yes. Evgenia, I heard about your marriage. It would’ve been nice if you had shown your face before leaving the capital. Do you know how disappointed I was when you left without a word?”

The Emperor spoke as if he were a friendly relative.

Not knowing how to respond, I awkwardly raised my head—and as expected from the Crown Prince’s father, I saw a mature face strikingly similar to Kaiden’s.

Objectively, even with age, he had a handsome appearance, but the moment I met his red eyes, a wave of instinctive revulsion and disgust surged up inside me.

Fearing my face might twist in reaction, I started to lower my head again, but the Emperor burst into hearty laughter and continued speaking.

“As you know, I’ve cherished you like a daughter-in-law since you were young.”

…Does he have no conscience? Even if the Crown Prince initiated it, without the Emperor’s permission, there wouldn’t have been a marriage proposal sent to Melissa in the Imperial name.

He sent a proposal to my own cousin and now talks about a daughter-in-law? And in front of my husband and his nephew and niece, no less?

Given my naturally cold expression, I wonder if he noticed how my face had soured.

“Ahem. Seeing you again after such a long time, I let my emotions get the better of me and lost my composure.”

Thankfully, it seemed he wasn’t entirely oblivious and was trying to explain himself…

“By the way, it must be a while since you’ve seen Kaiden as well. I heard he visited the Duke of Basilian’s estate before his deployment, but it’s probably been close to three months. How do you feel about seeing him again, Evgenia?”

…Or maybe not? This insane Emperor!