In the garden of the Imperial Palace, Alberto stood still at the entrance to the Star Palace.
With a gentle expression, Alberto, who had been watering a tree planted near the entrance, suddenly glanced to the side.
"Youre here."
Alberto seed to smile gently.
"Miss Serenade."
"..."
The space next to Alberto shimred transparently, and then, crumpling like clothing, soone revealed themselves by taking off a cloak.
It was Serenade.
What she had been wearing and had taken off was the [Invisibility Cloak]. It was an item that Ash had given her in advance for ergencies.
Wearing this cloak and hiding, Serenade had co to the Star Palace.
She was familiar with the way since she had often visited this place in her childhood, and above all, Ash had told her that an ally would be waiting for her here.
Looking up at the allys face, Serenade murmured with difficulty.
"Alberto..."
"Its been a long ti. Youve grown a lot."
Although they hadnt seen each other in several years, Alberto was lively. Serenade smiled without even realizing it.
"Alberto, youre the sa as ever."
But there was no ti for the two to ease the tension. The sound of soldiers footsteps began to echo around the Star Palace.
Alberto nodded with a stern face.
"I have already been inford by the Prince. I will escort you to the banquet hall."
Quickly scanning the surroundings, Alberto took Serenades hand and led her.
"This way."
"But, Alberto!"
Serenade blurted out in shock.
"If you get caught helping , it will have a bad effect on you too..."
"I have worked in this palace for 50 years now."
Alberto calmly shrugged his shoulders.
"Its about ti I retired."
"..."
"To be able to help a young countess whos like a granddaughter before retiring, isnt that rather a joyous thing?"
Alberto, who showed a broad smile, began to walk ahead.
"There is no one who knows the shortcuts and byways between the palaces better than . Co on, lets go. Ill guide you faster than anyone else."
Serenade, limping due to her injury, followed Alberto towards the banquet hall.
***
The evening sky over the Imperial Capital was red.
The crimson sunset had covered the entire Imperial Palace.
The banquet hall was no different, with both the large building and the surrounding garden glowing red.
The partys starting ti of 6 p.m. had long passed.
Since it was already late, all the nobles who were to enter were already inside.
Therefore, the entrance to the banquet hall was deserted. Alberto and Serenade had just arrived here through a shortcut.
"Youve had a long journey, Miss Serenade."
Pointing to the entrance of the banquet hall, Alberto grinned.
"Now, please enter. Prince Ash will be waiting for you."
"..."
Serenade suddenly looked down at her disheveled appearance.
She was already unsatisfied with her hair, makeup, and dress, and her condition had worsened due to the ambush on the way.
Blood had oozed from her forehead when the carriage was ramd.
The dresss hem was torn, her stockings were frayed, and her shoes heel was even broken, wobbling as she walked.
She was in no shape to attend a party.
She wanted to hide in a mouse hole rather than go to the banquet hall.
"To attend a party looking like this..."
Serenade tightly clenched the hem of her dress.
"People will laugh at ..."
"What does it matter if they laugh?"
Alberto uttered solemnly.
"Who has co to see you, Miss? Those foolish people who mock your appearance? Or Prince Ash, who awaits you?"
At the ntion of Ashs na, Serenades shoulders flinched.
The fact that he was waiting for her made her all the more unwilling to show herself in such a state.
"His Highness the Prince will... be ashad of too..."
"That is not the case."
Alberto assured her.
"Trust . His Highness Prince Ash will never regard Miss Serenade as sothing to be ashad of."
"..."
"Prince Ash told . He needs Miss Serenade today, so escort her to the grand banquet hall, no matter what."
"..."
"And the reason Prince Ash needs Miss Serenade is not because of your appearance, right?"
Serenade clenched her fists tightly.
Yes.
She had co here because Ash needed her.
Even if Ash were to feel ashad of Serenade, what did it matter?
She would endure that sha.
"...Thank you, Alberto."
With her determination set, Serenade entered the grand banquet hall with a resolute face.
Watching Serenades retreating figure, Alberto smiled for a mont before his face turned stern, and he turned around.
In the distance, he could see soldiers hurrying over.
"Dirty military boots at a party... They know nothing of basic etiquette."
Adjusting his tie, Alberto walked sternly towards the soldiers.
"Looks like youll need an old mans ticulous guidance."
Blocking the soldiers with his body, Serenade entered the grand banquet hall.
***
As soon as Serenade entered the grand banquet hall, sharp glances poured from every direction.
Ti had passed since the party had started.
Her arrival, staggering on a broken heel, was noticeable.
So covered their mouths with fans and snickered; so openly jeered with derisive whistles.
"Look at that ss, she must be a commoner rchant."
"Does the Silver Winter House have no mirrors?"
"If I were her, Id have turned back at the entrance, ashad of that appearance."
Struggling to endure all the humiliation, a barbed comnt stuck in Serenades ear as she made her way in.
"Prince Ash is already engaged to Princess Yun, what face does the forr fiance have to show up?"
"..."
Ashs engagent.
To another princess.
At those words, Serenades vision turned white.
With legs threatening to give out, she stumbled forward, forcing herself to maintain balance.
"Did she co to scatter ashes at the wedding?"
"Shes spent ten years ingratiating herself with the Imperial Family, yet she clings on till the end."
"Thats why commoners are..."
Her heart, which she had steeled, crumbled at once.
Serenade bit her lip hard, barely holding back her burning eyes.
Squeak-
At that mont, the doors to the innermost room of the grand banquet hall opened, and the emperor and three princes appeared.
They seed to have been in a eting.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The Emperor and the other two princes sat at their designated places on the platform with stern faces.
Ash, the last of the four royal mbers to appear, approached a girl waiting at the front of the room with ivory-colored hair and knelt on one knee.
Serenade recognized her at a glance. That lady.
That beautiful girl was Ashs real betrothed.
The prince, dressed in black formal attire, and the princess, in a pearl-colored dress, matched each other perfectly.
But what about himself?
I look like a crow, even the painstakingly painted blush worn off...
Serenade slowed to a stop.
He couldnt walk any further. He didnt have the courage to advance into that brilliant space.
How great it would be if he could vanish without a trace from this spot...
Thats when it happened. Ash, who had just engaged in affectionate conversation with the princess, stood up from his seat and looked straight at Serenade.
And then,
Step. Step.
He descended from the platform and began walking directly towards Serenade.
The surroundings buzzed loudly. The nobles participating in the party looked back and forth between Ash and Serenade, pouring out words to each other.
Serenades breath caught at the sight of Ash, unswervingly striding towards him.
He didnt know why Ash had summoned her here.
But if her usefulness was over, and she was to be divorced as the fiance, and if Ash was to form a new bond with that princess...
Perhaps this was the last chance she might have to see Ash.
"Huh."
Serenade inhaled deeply, straightened her back, and stood up tall. Then she opened her reddened silver eyes.
Yes, I will bear it.
Even if what you have left to give is only farewell and pain.
Even if all that awaits , a forsaken person, is a thorny path filled with humiliation, disgrace, and wounds.
If thats what youve given , I will willingly embrace it.
With that determination, her mind settled.
Ash approached right in front of Serenade. The once noisy party hall quieted for a mont.
"Serenade."
Ash was the first to smile warmly.
Lifting his trembling lips, Serenade smiled back.
"...Your Highness Prince Ash."
At Serenades greeting, Ash chuckled.
"You can call My Lord as usual."
"But..."
Serenade glanced sideways at the princess sitting on the platform, watching them.
"The new princess youve promised to marry is here."
"..."
Instead of words, Ash slowly looked down at Serenades feet.
"Youve had a tough ti coming all the way here for ."
Observing Serenades worn and broken shoes, Ash suddenly,
"Heave-ho."
Whoosh!
He took off his shoes and casually threw them aside.
At this unexpected action, not only the people around but also Serenades eyes widened in surprise.
And then Ash carefully knelt on one knee in front of Serenade, lifted Serenades foot, and... removed Serenades shoe.
The murmuring around them grew louder. The princess on the platform also appeared shocked, covering her mouth.
Serenades feet within the shoes were caked with mud and blood.
"Um... Prince Ash...?"
Watching Ash, who had removed both of the broken shoes and tossed them aside, Serenade stamred in a bewildered tone.
"What are you doing right now...?"
"If it goes like this, stepping on your foot again wont hurt, will it?"
"What?"
Ash looked at the orchestra next to him and swung his arm widely.
Upon this gesture, the sharp-witted conductor imdiately grabbed the baton and swung it.
As the prelude to a waltz filled the air, Ash gave a sly wink to Serenade.
"Theres only one thing a man and woman do at a party, right?"
"...?"
"Weve practiced together all this ti. So we should put it to use on the main stage."
Ash grabbed Serenades hand and skillfully pulled her close.
Assuming a posture as if embracing each other in the waltz.
Ash displayed a playful smile.
A smile that reminded them of their very young days. Dazzling.
"Shall we dance, Cinderella?"
The music began.
And amidst the astonished gazes of everyone, the two began to dance barefoot.
***
30 minutes before Serenades arrival.
In the innermost room of the grand banquet hall.
At the guardians eting urgently summoned by Ash.
"From now on, the Southern Front will refuse all support from the Imperial Family."
Ash said this outright to the Emperor and his two brothers.
"What?"
"What...?"
"...?"
Lark, Fernandez, and even the Emperor looked at the youngest one, who was spouting nonsense, with bewildered eyes.
"I proclaim it here and now."
Regardless of their reaction, Ash declared confidently.
"From this mont on, the monster front will follow a completely independent route, separate from the Empire."
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