Since I was the only one in the Roha family who received an invitation to the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony, I was also the only one entering the Imperial Palace.
My parents came to see me off at the entrance with grim expressions, but when they saw how I was dressed, their concern seemed to vanish in shock.
“Vivi, you! That outfit—what is…?”
“What about it?”
They must’ve already been informed that there had been an issue with the ceremonial gift from Prince Zeta, but clearly hadn’t imagined I’d show up looking like this. They were too stunned to finish their sentences.
“What is that dress, and where did you even find that shawl?”
“I thought it had been thrown out since it hadn’t shown up for a while.”
“Why would I throw out something perfectly fine? And it suits me, doesn’t it?”
“Take it off right now! Did you even look in the mirror? You look like an upside-down tree in that thing and you’re going like that?!”
My mother trembled and practically screamed.
Wearing a thin green dress clearly unsuited for the cold, with a burgundy shawl thrown over it, it wasn’t unreasonable for her to react that way. Dealing with Royal entanglements might’ve been one headache, but becoming the laughingstock in public because of an odd outfit was apparently a different matter entirely.
“It’s too late to change now. Isn’t showing up late worse than looking a little strange?”
I quickly made my excuse and hurried outside. I knew she must’ve been upset, but I had to wear this dress.
Even if it was petty, I wanted to make a statement. I wanted to show, in front of everyone, that there had once been something between Armin and me.
The royal coachman looked slightly taken aback when he saw me. The icy wind cut through the shawl like blades, but I didn’t flinch.
The coachman opened the door and quickly stepped back. Whether he worked for the palace or had been sent specifically by the Prince, I couldn’t tell—but his respectful demeanor suggested he’d been given prior instructions.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, understood.”
The carriage began to move. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
The thought of having to see the wretched faces of those people again filled me with disgust. I hated that I had no choice but to go. I was angry that there was still no word from Sasha or Armin, and that even Andre had stopped sending letters. At this point, I felt like a time bomb ready to explode.
The investiture ceremony was held in the same banquet hall where I had once received a medal.
People recognized me and tried to greet me, but upon seeing my appearance, they fell silent and backed away like mutes with honey in their mouths. It was the perfect demonstration of that saying—“bad news travels fast.” Showing up in this pitiful state instead of wearing the ceremonial gift from the Prince had instantly made me prime gossip fodder.
That’s when I felt it—a gaze from far away, filled with pity.
It was the Duchess, who had grown noticeably gaunt from recent hardship.
She couldn’t bring herself to greet me directly, but when our eyes met from afar, I gave her a slight nod. The Duke, meanwhile, mingled with the nobles attending the investiture and made no move to look in my direction. I could sense his intention—not to put me in a difficult position—and I was grateful for it.
I held my head high and walked with confidence. Just like Mother had said, I was going to flaunt my upside-down-tree-like appearance to everyone here. This might have been the prince’s investiture ceremony, but it was also my audacious runway show.
“My Lady, are you really going to wear this?”
I could still hear Michelle’s voice in my head like a phantom echo, repeating that question as if the sky was falling. But this was exactly what I wanted.
They say the best things in the world always belong to someone else. Then what about me—someone who, in other people’s eyes, didn’t look good at all? If I became a person of no significance, would anyone still pay attention to me? If there were cameras in this world, I would’ve been crowned Worst Dressed and splashed across every newspaper’s front page.
No one dared approach me because of my outrageous dress. The more they avoided me, the more deliberately I strolled around.
“The Emperor is entering!”
The murmuring of the crowd ceased, and all eyes turned to the entrance. Through the open doors appeared the Emperor, hand in hand with the Empress, and behind them, Prince Zeta.
The prince glanced around the hall, as if looking for someone. Then, his eyes landed on me.
His gaze flickered for a moment—perhaps startled by what I was wearing. But that was it. He quickly smiled.
Not long ago, I used to think he was a genuinely good person. Now, the very sight of his face made my skin crawl. That fact alone filled me with a strange, useless sorrow.
* * *
The investiture ceremony was over in the blink of an eye.
He had always been the sole heir, so no matter what his standing was, the throne was destined to be his. There was no reason to drag things out, and certainly no one bold enough to oppose his appointment as Crown Prince.
“Should anyone oppose the Crown Prince’s investiture, speak now. Those who do not speak shall forever remain silent.”
At the Emperor’s solemn declaration, not a single noble dared to raise a hand—none had enough lives to risk one.
After official ceremonies, festivities always followed. And as expected, the one who approached me, standing alone in a corner, was none other than Crown Prince Zeta.
“Your outfit is… unique. Aren’t you cold?”
“Not even a little.”
“The dress I sent you would’ve looked lovely on you.”
“When I see gold—”
Achoo! I let out an exaggerated sneeze and wiped my nose casually.
“—I start sneezing. It’s a physical reaction.”
“…What?”
“I just really hate gold. Achoo!”
“Your words sound like you’re harboring resentment toward the Imperial family.”
The crown prince’s smiling face stiffened slightly. He must’ve only heard reports that I had given up and accepted marriage to him, so my attitude now would’ve caught him off guard.
“When did I say I resented anything? I said it makes me sneeze.”
He was truly a strange one, twisting words the way he did. I kept speaking as I looked straight at him.
“If sneezing meant resentment, then what about someone allergic to peaches? Do they resent peaches? Or people with pollen allergies—do they hold grudges against flowers? That doesn’t make any sense, does it?”
“…I heard you were deeply hurt, but you seem more spirited than expected.”
“Do I have any reason not to be? Your Highness—no, Your Imperial Highness—as long as you don’t say things that others could easily misunderstand, I’m more than confident I can live a long and happy life.”
The Crown Prince’s expression was something to behold. He looked as though he had no idea how to respond—he’d never seen this side of me.
Our first meeting, I was in tears. The second was a forced, awkward setup because of the Empress. During the third, I’d been overly righteous and meddlesome. And the fourth… I’d cried before him, pitiful and frightened.
So of course, it was only natural he was flustered now—he never imagined I could be this bold and unwavering in front of him.
Looking at him made me miss Armin all over again. My eyes welled up, and I quickly turned away. The thought of how Armin would’ve reacted to my words made my throat tighten.
“Oh? And who do we have here?”
The Emperor approached me.
To him, I was one of the most important guests present. Not only had I implemented a brilliant plan to eliminate illiteracy, I’d also helped solve his never-ending headache of a succession issue. It was no surprise he viewed me favorably.
“Lady Roha.”
“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”
“Oh my. Your manners have improved since last we met, haven’t they, Empress?”
“Indeed. And standing beside the crown prince like this—they make such a well-matched pair.”
That overly radiant smile of hers made me seethe.
The Emperor, looking at my outfit, asked with a serious tone,
“But on such a cold day, why is Lady Roha dressed so lightly?”
My contradictory attire—like wearing shorts over military thermal wear—must have looked especially bold in the Emperor’s eyes.
“I heard Zeta sent you a dress, but apparently a maid in the Viscount’s household ruined it by mistake,” he added.
“Even so, your clothing seems far too thin.”
To him, it must’ve sounded like I came from a household too poor to afford proper winter clothes for their only daughter. I shook my head.
“That’s not the case, Your Majesty.”
“Not the case?”
“Yes. This dress was originally made for this year’s Imperial ball, but due to some unfortunate events that day, I never had the chance to wear it.”
“I see. Still, it’s something you could’ve worn next year instead. I’m concerned you might catch a cold.”
The Emperor signaled to a servant with a glance.
“Take her to change into something more suitable. The palace always keeps spare garments on hand.”
I could feel the attention of the crowd gradually focusing on me. Surrounded by the Imperial trio, glowing in all their gilded splendor, I looked even more conspicuous—like an upside-down tree in the middle of a grand hall.
I swallowed hard. My throat had gone dry from nerves.
“That won’t be necessary, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm? What do you mean, not necessary?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I like this dress.”
“But it’s far too cold. Then at least let me have someone fetch a coat for you.”
“That won’t be necessary, either.”
Really. Couldn’t he take a hint? Forcing me to reject him a third time had clearly put the Emperor in a slightly offended mood this time.
