Translator: Yonnee
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Chapter 43
“How co?”
Why’s he here? In the original, he stayed in the underworld until the end, but why was the trash booger king here at the Imperial Palace?
I can’t believe it. He’s even laughing while talking to the Emperor.
At this absurd scene, I was left speechless.
I couldn’t make any sound and my lips were agape. At that ti, the Emperor turned to address the nobles.
“The Imperial Family is pleased to celebrate the coming-of-age of those who had just beco adults. Apart from that, during this auspicious day, I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcent.”
All of the nobles turned to the seat of honor and listened to the Emperor’s words. Everyone must have noticed the booger king, who did not belong in the Imperial Family, now.
The physical traits of the Imperial Family of the Leonis Empire were rare.
Incomparably brilliant silver hair, which only the Imperial Family had, was proof enough that one was part of the bloodline.
However, Elliot, who wasn’t a nobleman, didn’t know of this fact. And I’m sure he wasn’t very interested.
I destroyed this part of the original work. I, and no one else, revealed the secret to the booger king’s birth.
I scread inwardly.
I didn’t an to cause this much trouble. I just wanted to run away—I never told him to go ahead and beco a prince!
My throat was tight.
In the midst of my crisis, the Emperor continued to speak.
“I do not know how you all will receive this news, but I would like to introduce my son. We were separated when he was still very young due to so unfortunate circumstances.”
The nobles listened to the Emperor.
“My son will be joining as a debutant today as well. I hope everyone welcos him.”
Everyone applauded after the Emperor finished speaking. None of the nobles dared refute his words.
The booger king—no, Elliot sol Leonis—stepped forward.
With a tone that was more profound that what I heard before, and a nice voice that definitely fit with the Imperial bloodline, Elliot spoke.
“It’s nice to et you all. I was able to return to my rightful place through the gracious generosity of Father and Brother. I’ve passed the age to participate as a debutant, but today will be a aningful day for nonetheless.”
As he spoke, he looked straight at . I could feel goosebumps all over my skin the mont he said ‘aningful’ while looking into my eyes.
This crazy punk. Just what are you scheming again?
That’s why the Duke couldn’t find him.
Does this even make sense?
When? Was it recent? Or right after I was kidnapped?
Then why was his existence shown only now?
It’s as if I had entered the eye of a storm.
I could feel it. Sothing’s about to happen.
I felt even more anxious because it was still peaceful.
So engrossed in my worries, I realized I’d been biting my lower lip only when a big hand pressed over it.
“Ray, what’s wrong?”
Lucian, who ca closer to without noticing him, looked at with concerned eyes.
He was being so cold to others earlier, but he was showing a sweet face only to .
It’s worrying that I might feel spoiled like this.
I have a pretty amiable relationship with him now, so I avoided the doom ending like in the original, but I still shouldn’t let my guard down.
Wasn’t the booger king’s presence here a testant to my carelessness?
Anyway, did the Duke have no idea about this?
Did he not know that the kidnapper he’d been looking for all this ti had entered the Imperial Palace?
Even after all this, I still needed to participate in the debutante celebration, yet I was still flustered.
I can’t forget what I learned.
While I was frozen with anxiety, not knowing what to do, Lucian stroked my cheek gently.
It’s like I was sothing fragile. Maybe it’s only because I was wearing makeup now, but he was caressing my cheek with an especially gentle touch.
“Brother. I’m just a bit nervous.”
During the debutante ball, people were required to greet the Emperor according to Imperial etiquette while listening to his words of blessing.
It didn’t sound like a big deal, but because we’re in front of the Emperor and so many nobles, it’s no surprise that the debutants would feel burdened to do well.
Lucian, of course, would think that this was the reason why I was thrown off.
Sure enough, he smiled affectionately as he continued to stroke my cheek.
“It’s fine even if you make a mistake. Just be yourself because you’re already shining on your own.”
Lu~ci~an~!
You’re being such a kind male lead!
Are you doing this to win over this Noona’s heart?
As expected of my bias.
I feel like the giant bean pod for Lucian got upgraded to tal.
Nothing will be able to break my bean pod!
{ t/n: ‘bean pod’ is the literal translation of it, but it’s idiomatic to ‘being blinded by love’. }
“Hehe, thanks to Brother, I’m not nervous anymore.”
This was true.
With Lucian by my side, it felt like that trash booger king would just turn into dust.
You fool.
Now that he was part of the Imperial Family, he must think that he’s soone amazing now.
But the higher a person was up on the social ladder, the more restrictions there were on their words and actions.
You made a huge mistake.
I raised my chin slightly, now feeling more self-assured, and smiled at the booger king.
Just try crossing my way, you stupid punk.
I silently pressured him, hoping that my eyes would convey my words.
At that ti, the booger king was staring at when he suddenly burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking as he covered his face.
What’s this, you’re laughing at ?
Hey, am I funny to you?!
Do you want to dip your eyeballs into so spicy sauce again?
Ah, what a sha. It would have been better if he went blind last ti.
At that ti, the chamberlain ca forward and spoke.
“From this point on, I shall be calling people one by one. If your na has been called, please step forward and give your greetings to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.”
Next to , Belissa whispered.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right next to you.”
She also fixed my hair slightly.
“Thanks.”
During the greetings, the booger king stepped away from the Emperor’s side and knelt down in front of him.
“Prince Elliot sol Leonis, you may rise.”
Elliot stood in front of the Emperor. His lean body and tall fra were enough to steal the hearts of the noble young ladies.
Even the wives began chattering amongst themselves, covering their lips with their hands or fans.
This was why I didn’t want to start socializing. It’s hard to get used to this kind of environnt.
First of all, after having lived in modern society before this, it’s uncomfortable to follow all these customs and etiquette.
No matter how long I stayed here, I still wasn’t used to it.
“Elliot, my precious son.”
The Emperor’s solemn and pleasant voice filled the banquet hall magnanimously.
“I want the future to be filled with many days that I could spend with you so that the ti we lost while we were separated would disappear. Since you’ve officially beco a prince, I should hurry and find you a companion as soon as possible.”
“I am grateful, Father.”
“From this day on, you shall also be called a Little Lion of the Empire, just as it is dictated by the tradition of the Leonis Empire. As an Imperial Prince, you must exude an exemplary visage to our people.”
“I, Elliot sol Leonis, shall heed Your Majesty’s command.”
The Emperor nodded with a proud expression. When Elliot’s turn was over, he went back to his seat.
“Ducal Princess Rachel of the Leon family. Please co forward.”
As soon as I was called, I walked gracefully towards the Emperor just as I was taught.
“So you’re Rachel, the flower of Leon.”
No, wait, I haven’t heard that before.
“The Duke boasted about you so much, but I now know why.”
Duke… you didn’t just do that at ho?
Feeling nauseous, I could feel cold sweat coming out. Having only stayed at the mansion or at the southern villa, I wasn’t aware of the rumors about .
Amber didn’t tell anything either.
“Congratulations on your coming-of-age. May you bloom as beautifully and gracefully even more in the future.”
“Thank you very much, Your Majesty. I shall heed your aningful words.”
“Hoho, what a clear voice.”
After completing the final curtsy mandated by Imperial etiquette, I returned and sighed quietly.
When I ca back, Lucian slipped his arm around my waist and pulled next to him.
I think he did this because it’s crowded around here.
I just smiled as I looked up. His sweet golden irises shone down on .
One by one, the young ladies and young lords who were debuting today were called.
Naturally, as ti passed, the space in the middle of the banquet hall was emptied.
As it was customary, the debutants will need to waltz.
I was the one with the highest status so I was supposed to co out first, but since the booger king was proclaid as a prince, I would be second this ti.
The Duke and the Duchess, without realizing it, were by my side now and congratulated for reaching adulthood.
As the four of us gathered with the Ducal couple, and Lucian, everyone’s eyes were on us again.
This family’s so popular.
Right, just look at how prominent this family was. With all the wealth and power that the Leon family had, how could it not be prominent?
That’s why they’re all curious.
“Ray.”
Lucian called suddenly. Sohow, his tone was filled with expectation, so I looked up at him in surprise.
He never had this tone of voice before.
Although we’ve been talking more now, he never asked for anything from .
Oh, but there’s one ti that he asked not to forget him right before I went to the south.
But why did he call my na with that almost nervous voice here at the banquet hall?
What is it, Lucian?
Go ahead.
This Noona will listen to everything.
Similarly, I waited for his next words with anticipation. It felt like it happened in slow motion, the way he slowly opened his lips while his eyes stayed focused on .
Just what are you trying to say? As tension and anticipation mixed together, a low but pleasant voice spoke out.
“Would you like to dance—”
“Princess Rachel.”
But right at that mont, another baritone voice intervened.
Elliot approached us before we knew it, then called my na with a detestable smile.
What the hell, trash booger king.
Our Lucian was saying sothing! No one’s allowed to cut off my beloved bias mid-sentence!
I turned to him with a sharpened gaze.
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