Smiling, a thought ca to my mind that made my shoulders slightly taut.
Now that I think of it
Since eting Damian, many things have changed.
The old Damian couldnt withstand the divine beasts power and would be stricken from ti to ti by fevers.
But now he no longer suffers from fevers.
Ive also been relying on Damian ever since I awakened the power.
From the first ti I t him, becoming familiar with him, to naturally growing attached to him.
I owed it to Damian, him being by my side was the reason I could handle the power of the divine beast without it being strenuous.
I glanced sideways.
Oh, we made eye contact.
Damian, who had been previously glaring at with his forehead scrunched, let out a deep sigh, shaking his head as he did.
Suppressing my laughter as I continued to look at him, a thought materialized.
Perhaps Damian and I were destined to be together from eons ago.
If anyone else heard this idea, they will likely laugh it off as nonsense
still, I couldnt shake that feeling.
****
The ball that followed the Harvest Festival had a special aning even in the empire.
Its because only high-ranking nobles that had access to the shrine of Aurelia were allowed to attend.
Therefore, the fact that Damian and I were attending this ball ant several things.
For starters
The nobles are starting to recognize His Highness as the Crown Prince.
Its just as the Empress said.
It wasnt that long ago when she said that before the ball.
The words ca out suddenly while we took a short break at the Empresss palace before moving to the Imperial palace.
Damian half-smiled.
Its an overstatent.
Damian, who showed no signs of sulking earlier, was enchantingly handso when wearing a smile.
While taking in Damians attractiveness, I snapped back to reality when I heard the Empresss voice.
The recent recognition is staggering. Who would have thought His Highness could expand their influence at such a frightening montum?
other than that, are you all right, Your Majesty?
Im fine. Thank you.
At Damians cautious question, the Empress smiled faintly.
The support you gathered at Lebane helped form a public opinion regarding the Emperor and the Rochester household as separate entities.
Thats fortunate.
Its more than fortunateits sothing the empires citizens werent aware of till now.
The Empress reached out, fixing a jewelry pin to adorn my hair as she shook her head lightly.
In the past, I would have attended this banquet alone, leaving His Highness and Charlize back in the palace.
Your Majesty?
Now, it seems well all be going to the ball, arent we? remarked the Empress in a pensive emotional voice.
it does seem so.
After the Empress left ahead of us, Damian and I had dinner together.
I wondered about all the previous harvest festivals. How did the Empress feel when having to attend the ball alone?
Even though I have Damian with , I get nervous at tis as it feels like entering directly into the lions maw.
Her being alone, unable to lean on her husband, the Emperor, one bit
It were these thoughts that had purse my lips.
The Empress who had nothing for anyone to be envious of.
People only saw the Empress from an outward appearance and made such remarks.
The only daughter of the forr Duke of Rochester, an aristocrat among aristocrats, and a public servant of the empire.
A noblewoman who is ethereally beautiful, exceedingly intelligent, and holds honor and wealth in both hands.
The noblest of won in the entire empire.
The mother of the people of the empire.
But
With the heavy burden she carried on her shoulders as empress, I cant imagine how much of herself she devoted to giving the effort she gave throughout the years.
No one can truly comprehend what she went through.
The isolation, loneliness, responsibility, and suffering the Empress endured
I wouldnt even begin to know the tip of the iceberg.
I felt my mouth taste bitter for so reason.
But then.
Knock, Knock.
The knocking echoed.
Head maid Hayden politely entered the living room, lowering her head before speaking.
Your Highness, you must leave for the palace soon.
Yes. We know.
I nodded.
Damian simultaneously held out his arm for in an impeccably courteous gesture.
Lets go, Charlize.
Yes.
It was a gentlemanly way to escort a lady.
Placing my arm in his, I steeled my heart.
One way or another, no matter what happens
Ill do well.
***
As soon as Damian and I entered the ballroom, everyones attention was on us.
Their eyes were full of fascination and awe.
I couldnt help but reminisce.
Between the ti when I was attending Damians victory ball and now.
Although the ball attendees then and now were nigh identical, the reception towards was starkly different.
It wasnt that long ago and yet their vastly different reaction caught off guard.
I took a deep breath.
Unlike back when even taking a step was risky, I felt like I was stepping on solid ground with each step I took.
In the distance, the Emperor stood with a smile on his face.
The Empress, who had been beside the Emperor, wearing a sullen expression, brightened up as she laid eyes upon us.
Hes here too?
Seeing the Emperors face twice a day, isnt this getting a little out of hand?
As I tried shrouding my inner thoughts, I bowed my knees to the Emperor.
I see you, Your Majesty.
I see you, Your majesty.
Damian followed my example.
The Emperor accepted the bow and raised his gaze.
And on the other end of that gaze.was .
The right to the first dance of the ball customarily belongs to the emperor.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes as he said what everyone knew.
Which is why-
I looked down blankly at his hand stretched out in front of .
His smile broadened a bit.
How about it? Care to have your first dance with ?
For a mont, a chilling silence fell over the ball.
The question left everyone shocked and wide-eyed.
As did I.
Why is he doing this? Is he crazy?
I felt goosebumps all over my body as if I had been doused in cold water.
Why is he putting on the spot?
This wasnt just an insult to the Empress but to the Duke of Rochester and her family that played a significant role in the Emperors ascension to the throne.
I glanced back.
The Duke of Rochesters face contorted with rage.
The Empress was taken aback.
When I turned my gaze again, I saw the Emperor looking straight at .
I bit my lip softly.
He was still looking at . Theres no way hes not being serious right now.
The Emperor was staring at , the way one would look at a woman.
Your Majesty, what
Damian growled.
It seed that at any mont he could launch his fist directly into the Emperors visage.
However, despite all that, the Emperor kept his gaze fixed only on .
Hes mad.
I spoke up and pacified Damian.
Your Highness, its all right.
Charlize!
Naturally, it is also the right of the person who received the dance request to refuse.
At those words, the Emperors previously unassailable face, which had a bright smile etched upon it, cracked for the first ti.
I slightly raised my head and t the Emperors eyes.
Pardon , Your Majesty. The right to the first dance is not exactly His Majestys alone
I spoke calmly.
I know of another, soone with the sa highest status as well.
Hmm?
The Emperor widened his eyes.
He probably never thought that I would dismiss his offer so blatantly.
I smiled brilliantly as the Emperor wasnt able to hide his ignominy.
The right to the first dance is held not only by His Majesty but also by Her Majesty.
I hit the nail on the head when it ca to this. It left the Emperor stunned.
Among all the ladies in this court, the highest-ranking lady is none other than Her Majesty, the Empress.
Lady Charlize.
The Emperors visage crumpled in response as if smacked across the face.
Well, I was just following the rules.
People sotis forget about the rights of a lady.
It happens because its common for the gentleman to ask the lady for a dance.
But I wont have that.
Does he think Ill just stand idly and watch the Empress be insulted?
I sharpened my gaze.
I understand His Majestys wishes to show respect toward his nephews fiance.
I spoke in a pensive tone of voice.
However, how dare I deprive Her Majesty of Her Majestys rights?
Lady Charlize is worried too much at the thought of taking away Her Majestys right to dance, retorted the Emperor.
I wouldnt want to do to others what I would be offended by, I replied, shaking my head politely but firmly.
Even more so when she is the Empress whom I respect.
In an instant, the Empresss eyes lit up.
I straightened my posture and continued speaking again.
As a couple, they are both deeply respected in our society.
.but.
Should Her Majestys prestige be undermined because of , it will directly affect His Majestys prestige as well.
With that impeccable reasoning, the Emperor had no refutation.
He quietly raises his eyebrows.
After a while, the Emperor narrowed his brow and looked back at the Empress.
Lady Charlize has spoken. What say you, Empress? Would you like to dance?
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