Episode 95

The interior of the secret passage was pitch-black, an endless void.

I stared into that darkness for a moment before closing the wall again.

The vague fear the darkness evoked and the specific dread born from experience wavered in me for only an instant, but Aiden didn’t miss the subtle change in my expression.

He extended his warm, steady hand toward me and asked, “Shall we return for now?”

“Yes, let’s go back,” I said, nodding as I took his hand.

There was no point in venturing further until Lian provided a map of the secret passage.

Having confirmed the entrance, we returned to the Empress’s quarters, where the imperial designer was waiting.

Today, we were choosing a dress for the Founding Festival.

The imperial designer was always brimming with enthusiasm, but this time, his energy was especially high.

It made sense—this Founding Festival would essentially be my debut in Brincia’s social circles.

While I had appeared at both my wedding and the emperor’s funeral, this would be my first banquet.

I had never been particularly interested in banquets, and the circumstances hadn’t allowed for one until now.

However, representing the Luminal imperial family meant I had to prepare properly this time.

Still, wasn’t this a bit too much?

By the time I was on my fifth dress, I was utterly drained.

“Do I really need five dresses? I feel like I’d rather rest on the last day.”

“But the final night’s banquet is the most important, Your Majesty! Even if you skip the others, you must attend that one.”

“The last banquet is the most important?”

“Absolutely, Your Majesty. It’s the most beautiful night in all of Belpator! Oh, have you decided on a partner yet? Matching your dress color with your partner’s would be lovely.”

“A partner? Is that necessary?”

“The last night of the Founding Festival is a night when all loves are forgiven~”

The designer’s voice turned singsong as she twirled on the spot, holding the most extravagant dress we’d seen so far.

It was a sleek, form-fitting gown in a shimmering periwinkle, with daringly bare shoulders.

Belpator’s Founding Festival fell on November 11.

It was already chilly after sunset, so the thought of wearing such a thin dress for a November banquet seemed absurd.

Unless I was deliberately planning to end the grueling five-day event with a case of the flu, it was out of the question.

“I’ll rest on the last night,” I said firmly.

“What? But everyone in Brincia is wondering who will be Your Majesty’s partner!”

“That just means I absolutely must rest.”

My resolute tone left no room for argument, and the designer reluctantly glanced down at the flu-inducing dress, her enthusiasm visibly deflated

It was clear the designer was disappointed at not being able to showcase her masterpiece, but what could she do if the Empress herself said she needed rest?

She quietly packed up her dresses, bowed, and said, “Then I’ll see you again for the fittings, Your Majesty.”

As she left, she glanced at Aiden with a look of pity before stepping out.

Puzzled by her gaze, I turned to Aiden. As always, he stood straight in his guardsman uniform, composed and unshaken.

Come to think of it, what would Aiden do during the Founding Festival?

The festival celebrated the achievements of the first emperor and his partnership with the three beasts. Many events revolved around the dog, eagle, and snake during the festival.

Did Aiden have a specific role in the festivities?

“Aiden, what did you do during the last Founding Festival?”

“I guarded His Majesty,” he replied.

“…All five days?”

“Yes.”

He answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

In a way, it was.

As the captain of the royal guard, his primary duty was to protect the emperor. During a festival with heightened public exposure, close protection would be essential.

But Aiden wasn’t just any guard—he was one of the Empire’s symbolic beasts, a central figure of the festival.

Moreover, he was one of the Empire’s two remaining dukes.

Wasn’t it strange for Aiden to be working the entire time while everyone else enjoyed the festival?

“This time, let someone else handle the guard duties and enjoy yourself,” I said.

“I will guard Your Majesty,” he insisted.

“Come on, enjoy the festival. You’re allowed to do that.”

“I enjoy myself the most when I’m by Your Majesty’s side.”

Aiden had a remarkable ability to render me speechless with a single, earnest statement.

Judging by his expression, he wasn’t going to budge on this.

Seeing no other option, I summoned a maid and asked her to bring the festival itinerary.

As expected of the Empire’s grandest celebration, the schedule was packed with events, attractions, and activities. Aiden likely hadn’t had the chance to enjoy any of it properly.

The same went for banquets—while others danced, drank, and celebrated, Aiden was likely standing like a statue along the wall.

I hadn’t been particularly interested in the festival or banquets before, but suddenly I felt motivated.

“Aiden, do you have clothes for the banquet?”

“The ones Your Majesty gifted me in the summer,” he replied.

“Those are for summer… No, never mind. Aiden, we need to go out.”

“I’ll prepare the carriage,” he said immediately.

I quickly stood, my skirts billowing around me as I moved.

I hauled Aiden into the carriage and headed to Madam Rosalyn’s boutique, the same place we had visited together last summer.

As Aiden and I entered the boutique, Madam Rosalyn came rushing out to greet us, nearly tripping over herself.

“Duke Tilender! Welcome! And Lady from the south, it’s an honor to have you return as well.”

She gave me a playful wink, clearly remembering our previous visit.

We were ushered into the same luxurious private room as before, and Rosalyn, with a twinkle in her eye, asked, “Shopping for more beautiful clothes today?”

To remember a conversation from months ago—Madam Rosalyn was a master merchant.

Aiden nodded, and I informed her that we needed four formal suits for the banquets.

Rosalyn quickly deduced whose wallet was footing the bill. She shooed Aiden away to take his measurements and then sat down beside me, ready to make her pitch.

“You’re looking for attire for the Founding Festival banquets, correct? Would you also be interested in a dress for yourself, Lady?”

“I have an imperial designer,” I replied.

“Ah, of course. But, Lady, if you gave me just one chance, I could prepare a dress that perfectly complements the Duke’s attire,” she offered, smiling persuasively.

“Perhaps another time,” I said, gently deflecting her suggestion.

“Do let me know whenever you need one, my Lady. Truthfully, I’m even more confident in designing dresses for women—wedding dresses, for instance.”

Rosalyn’s deep smile carried an unmistakable intent to win me over as a future client, imagining me as the mistress of the Duke’s household.

While her assumption ran as deep as her smile, I couldn’t fault her professionalism. Smiling faintly, I replied, “If I ever need one, I’ll come to you, Madam.”

“Oh, you truly mean that, don’t you? Since you’re here, would you like to browse my design book? Have you set a date, my Lady?”

“Ah, no… it’s nothing like that.”

“Actually, I’ve sketched some designs with you in mind. Sally, fetch my design book!”

Rosalyn was more earnest in her salesmanship than I expected.

However, when Sally hesitated, Rosalyn went to fetch the book herself. After speaking with the reluctant Sally, her expression turned grave.

Though I couldn’t hear everything, certain words stood out clearly: “Imperial Arena” and “Imperial Guard.”

It seemed Sally, who appeared to have a strong interest in combat sports, had attended the Imperial Guard’s tournament and had now put two and two together.

When Rosalyn turned to me, wide-eyed and alarmed, I gave her a soft smile, hoping to calm her.

But my reassurance backfired—she promptly dropped to the floor.

“Your Majesty, the Empress!!”

With Rosalyn leading the way, everyone else in the room also prostrated themselves.

So much for roaming freely outside the palace.

“Madam Rosalyn, rise. I did not come here as the Empress, so I would appreciate it if you pretended not to notice.”

Even as I made the request, I knew it wouldn’t truly be ignored, but Rosalyn did her best to oblige.

Although she avoided meeting my eyes now, her manner was even more respectful than before.

She brought out various fabrics for Aiden’s suits with a newfound formality.

When I told Aiden to choose one, the first fabric he picked up was a fresh, green-colored material.

I was about to comment that green might not be the best choice—recalling his attempt at a mint-colored jacket—but Rosalyn clapped her hands with enthusiasm.

“Oh my, the Duke of Tilender has such a keen eye!”

She held the fabric against Aiden, and to my surprise, it didn’t look bad at all.

“Mint looked awkward, but green works?”

“Mint, you say? If the Duke wore mint, only his face would stand out,” Rosalyn said.

“It did.”

Nodding at the memory, I noticed Rosalyn struggling to suppress a laugh, her expression twisting amusingly.

Rosalyn explained that individuals with strong natural coloring, like Aiden, didn’t suit colors with milky undertones. As I listened, Aiden brushed the fabric with his fingertips and murmured, “It’s the color of Your Majesty’s eyes.”

Was it appropriate to look at a piece of cloth with that kind of expression?

The faint smile blooming on Aiden’s lips left both me and Rosalyn momentarily speechless.

Snapping back to her senses first, Rosalyn gestured urgently to her staff.

“We have a brooch in the perfect shade for the Duke!”

Sally and the other assistants quickly brought out every emerald-encrusted accessory they had.

Aiden surveyed the green spectacle before him, then turned to meet my gaze with a steady, thoughtful look.

Finally, with careful deliberation, he selected a brooch with a large emerald stone.

Rosalyn swallowed nervously and looked at me, clearly seeking my approval. Almost unconsciously, I said, “That one—I’ll buy it.”