The next day, late afternoon.
In front of the Viscount Rohen’s estate, Felix anxiously checked his wristwatch over and over, while Tezette, dressed in formal attire with his hair neatly slicked back, waited calmly.
“I think the lady is running late. I’ll go inside and ask again—”
Felix, who had been fretting alone, was about to head into the mansion when he met Tezette’s cold gaze and immediately shrank back.
Even though they needed to leave immediately just to arrive at the imperial palace on time, Elsez was dawdling, and Tezette remained unhurried—leaving Felix on edge.
If we’re late, His Highness the Crown Prince will take offense…! I just want to live a long, peaceful life.
Just as Felix was desperately sending telepathic pleas toward Elsez inside the mansion, as if she had actually heard him, the door finally opened, and Elsez stepped out.
The moment Felix saw her, he briefly forgot his impatience.
Dressed in a gown she normally wouldn’t wear, her hair elegantly braided to one side, Elsez looked dazzlingly beautiful.
If you ignore everything else and just look at their faces, they really are a match made in heaven…
Snapping out of his daze, Felix quickly approached the coachman to get everything ready.
Elsez, hurrying toward Tezette, who was waiting by the carriage, apologized.
“Sorry for the wait. Have you been waiting long?”
Tezette simply stared at her, offering no response.
“We might be cutting it close. Let’s hurry.”
As Elsez hastily stepped onto the carriage footboard, she lost her balance, unable to handle the high heels she wasn’t used to.
At that moment, Tezette’s large hand firmly caught hers.
“Oh, thank you.”
With Tezette’s escort, Elsez climbed into the carriage, and Tezette followed after her.
Soon, the carriage departed.
As she adjusted her slightly disheveled outfit and the brooch imbued with Reti, Elsez sensed a gaze on her and looked up.
Her eyes met Tezette’s, who had been staring intently at her.
She waited, expecting him to say something, but he remained silent, simply watching her.
Eventually, Elsez spoke first.
“What?”
“You look beautiful.”
His blunt, unfiltered words made Elsez pause.
He really just comes straight at you like that.
His unwavering gaze spoke of sincerity.
If it had been someone else, she might have thought they were just trying to flatter her, but Tezette’s words were pure, devoid of any calculation.
That was precisely why his words sometimes hurt people—and at other times, made them fall for him.
Elsez smiled, pleased, and returned the compliment.
“You look handsome today as well.”
Then, she patted the seat beside her.
Tezette gave her a puzzled look.
“Tonight, we’re supposed to be an engaged couple, right? Couples don’t sit facing each other like this.”
She already had a good idea of why Tezette was bringing her to the imperial banquet.
Winking confidently, Elsez added,
“If we’re going to deceive them, let’s do it properly.”
There’s no way I’m letting that spoiled Crown Prince take away the precious person I raised with care.
As Elsez burned with determination, Tezette silently watched her before obediently rising and sitting beside her.
The warmth and weight of another person pressing against his arm felt oddly unfamiliar.
Until now, no one had ever come this close to him.
Before he became a Duke, people shunned him as a filthy illegitimate child. After he became a duke, they feared him as a ruthless, heartless monster.
Except for Ruel—and the woman sitting beside him now.
But that unfamiliar warmth… wasn’t unpleasant.
No, he didn’t want to move away.
As he gazed at the arm pressed against his and the strands of soft platinum hair brushing over it, he slowly lifted his eyes.
Reflected in his tranquil green gaze was Elsez, staring out the window, a picture framed by the passing scenery.
****
A short while later, the carriage carrying Elsez and Tezette arrived at the imperial palace.
6 o’clock sharp.
Since the banquet was about to begin, the entrance was empty except for the Rittenhouse Duchy’s carriage.
After passing the security check, the two of them entered the grand banquet hall.
‘Dazzling.’
Beneath the glow of chandeliers, countless nobles dressed in luxurious attire had gathered.
As soon as Tezette and Elsez stepped inside, every gaze turned to them.
The young Duke of Rittenhouse—a war hero, who had slain his own father and brother to inherit his title, now expanding his power.
And the Viscount’s daughter-turned-Cinderella, handpicked by his gaze.
This was only the second time they had appeared together at a public event since Viscount Rohan’s funeral, making them the center of attention.
Among those watching was Lady Brandy, who still bore a grudge against Elsez from the Lort banquet.
When their eyes met, Lady Brandy immediately turned away.
Yet, no one dared to approach them right away—Tezette’s dominant presence held them back.
Instead, the hall was filled with hushed whispers.
“The Duke of Rittenhouse has arrived. That must be… his fiancée?”
“Yes. I’ve seen her before.”
“This is their first time attending together, right?”
One noble, eager to gain Tezette’s favor, hesitantly stepped forward—
“His Highness the Crown Prince enters!”
A booming announcement interrupted them.
Descending from the grand staircase were the star of the night, Crown Prince Cedric, followed by his only sister, Princess Rinael.
‘The Emperor must be in poor health.’
When the Emperor failed to appear at such a major event, nobles would begin speculating about changes in the imperial power.
For him to skip the banquet entirely meant his condition was severe.
Stepping in for his father, Cedric began his opening address.
“Tonight, we celebrate the day our five great heroes saved the Empire and this world from the Demon God.
On this glorious occasion, in the name of His Majesty, I extend my deepest gratitude to all present.”
Elsez nearly scoffed.
A banquet honoring the heroes—yet only one had been invited.
It was nothing but hollow formalities.
No different from when the Emperor ruled, and no different now under Cedric’s name.
“Though the capital has been unsettled as of late, we are making every effort to restore order.
So tonight, I hope you may set aside your concerns and enjoy yourselves.”
Just then, Cedric’s gaze fell upon Elsez.
She did not avert her eyes.
Instead, she smiled sweetly and subtly tightened her grip on Tezette’s arm.
As soon as Cedric’s speech ended, a royal chamberlain approached them.
“His Highness requests an audience with the two of you.”
Elsez and Tezette followed the chamberlain to Cedric’s waiting area.
Standing before him, Elsez was taken aback.
His red eyes.
For a moment, she thought of the masked man from before.
‘It’s not just the color… there’s something similar about him.’
Shaking off the thought, she and Tezette offered their formal greetings.
“It is an honor to stand before the shining stars of the Empire.”
Elsez gracefully lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied.
Though she had never formally studied noble etiquette, living in this world had taught her enough.
Cedric watched her with interest.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Rohen. The Duke here has been keeping you hidden away, making me wonder just how stunning you must be. And now that I see you—ah, I understand. No wonder he wasn’t impressed by Rinael.”
Elsez’s brows twitched.
‘What’s wrong with this guy? Why is he evaluating my looks on our first meeting? How obnoxious.’
And worse—he insulted his own sister.
Elsez glanced at Rinael, who stood there looking small and hesitant.
Suppressing her irritation, she smiled pleasantly and responded.
“Your Highness, I’m at a loss for words. To receive such praise from the brother of the Empire’s most beautiful lady is an honor beyond measure.”
She had skillfully turned his insult into a compliment for Rinael.
Cedric’s expression grew curious.
Then, he extended his hand to her.
“I believe my sister could learn much from you. I look forward to it.”
Elsez stared at his outstretched hand.
A nobleman would kiss the hand of a lady to show respect—a common custom.
Though she disliked the idea, refusing a direct gesture from the Crown Prince would be unwise.
Just as she was about to place her hand over his—
Tezette’s hand closed over hers.
“The nobles are waiting to greet you, Your Highness.”
Indeed, a crowd of nobles had begun to gather, waiting for their turn to offer greetings.
“We’ll take our leave now,” Tezette stated, leading Elsez away.
As the nobles swarmed Cedric, he barely acknowledged them, his attention still fixed on Tezette and Elsez.
‘So his feelings for her aren’t just for show.’
Even as she spoke to others, Tezette’s gaze never wavered from her.
‘Now, what if that woman… died?’
Not just died.
What if she was killed—by his old comrade?
His lips curled upward.
“That would be entertaining.”
His crimson eyes gleamed as he took a slow sip of his wine.
‘So make sure you come, Rashiel Celeste.’
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