Chapter 8

In the emperor’s banquet hall stood a table so large that even ten grown men joining hands could not surround it.

Upon that table lay countless delicacies from land and sea, enough to feed an army, while rows of attendants waited nearby to serve.

The luxury was so overwhelming that even seasoned nobles would have found it exhausting, yet the two people seated at the table looked calm and composed.

At the head sat Emperor Cali. Her dark hair was pinned high, exposing a pale and sharply defined jawline.

Her beauty was captivating enough to stir the hearts of men, yet her dignity kept all at a respectful distance.

To her people, she was known as merciful. But to those who defied her, she was ruthless. She was both feared and revered.

Now, with that same face softened by a faint smile, she looked at her younger brother seated diagonally across the table.

“Dylan, the townhouse in the capital must be inconvenient. A house left empty too long stays cold even in spring. We are siblings, so stop being so formal and come live in the Imperial Palace.”

At her words, Dylan immediately shook his head.

“That would not be proper, Your Majesty. The Imperial Palace belongs to you. The late emperor’s children may visit briefly but should not stay for long.”

It was a proper answer, yet Cali sighed, pretending to be disappointed.

“Tch, as if I do not know that. Still, what harm would it do? Your little sister has been staying here since early spring.”

“Your Majesty, I understand that you cherish Serene, but you must not indulge her too much. What would people think if they saw?”

Cali leaned back in her chair and lifted one shoulder lightly.

“They would think we are a loving family. But with the way you act, they might believe we are enemies.”

Cali admired Dylan’s diligence but often wished he could be a little more playful.

He was the perfect younger brother.

Handsome, polite, intelligent, skilled in swordsmanship, and fair-minded without being naïve or cold-hearted.

If that incident had never happened, it would likely have been Dylan, not Cali, who sat upon the throne.

Cali narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled faintly at her obedient brother.

Throughout history, royal siblings often fought one another for power, yet Cali never needed to harm hers.

Dylan was too upright to consider killing his sister for the crown, and Serene was far too innocent to desire it at all.

Cali pushed a dish toward him, a sweetly glazed stir-fried beef she had specially ordered.

“Here, is this not the dish you liked? I asked the chef to make it for you.”

“That was when I was a child, Your Majesty. I no longer enjoy sweet food.”

“Really? Have you grown up that much already?”

Cali widened her eyes, then grinned mischievously like an older sister teasing her brother.

“My little brother has grown into a man who brings a beautiful woman home?”

The fingers that had been tracing the rim of Dylan’s wine glass stopped moving.

His cool blue eyes darkened slightly before he lifted them to meet hers.

“So, you already knew.”

“Was it supposed to be a secret?”

“No. It was not. We will be holding the wedding soon anyway.”

Cali’s eyes widened for real this time. She covered her mouth in surprise, her red lips curving faintly through her fingers.

Unmoved, Dylan continued in an even tone.

“I would like to hold the ceremony before the year ends. I ask for your permission.”

“Hmm.”

Cali tapped her nails lightly on the table.

It was a habit she had when deep in thought. The hall immediately fell silent.

Everyone knew better than to disturb her when she was thinking. Everyone except one person.

“What is there to think about? Just give your approval.”

Dylan’s brow creased faintly, as if growing impatient.

Several attendants drew sharp breaths, but Cali did not even blink. She only smiled softly, as if soothing a child.

“Do not be so impatient. I simply do not understand.”

“What is it that you do not understand?”

“I always thought that if any of my siblings caused trouble with marriage, it would be Serene, not you.”

Of course, Cali had already investigated the woman who had entered Dylan’s home.

There was little need to investigate anyway. Agnes was already well known.

For someone from a modest viscount family, she was surprisingly ideal as a bride.

Beautiful, graceful, intelligent, and with just the right touch of innocence that made noblewomen seem charming.

Cali had seen her once at a debutante ball and remembered thinking she was quite pleasant.

When she later heard that Agnes had married Count Overhen, she had thought it unfortunate.

If she had not been from the Everchen family, she might have married into a better house.

But not long ago, rumors spread that she had been cast out by Count Overhen and sold off as an old man’s second wife.

A beautiful woman’s tragedy always spread quickly among the nobility.

‘How pitiful,’ Cali had thought, and that had been the end of it.

Until that same woman became involved with her beloved brother.

When Cali had looked into it, she learned that Dylan now intended to marry her within the year.

Resting her chin on her hand, Cali sighed openly.

“I could introduce you to someone better.”

“That will not be necessary.”

“You reject me so easily. Can you not even pretend to care about your sister’s feelings?”

Her teasing tone made Dylan laugh quietly. He did not seem angry, but his firm stance did not waver either.

“Your Majesty, you have not forgotten what you once told me.”

At that, Cali blinked, then burst into laughter.

Only now did she seem to remember what he meant.

She tapped the table twice with her palm and sighed in defeat.

“So, you truly like her that much? I did not think a gentle woman would be your type.”

“Gentle woman…”

Dylan let out a low laugh.

“You will see on the wedding day. She is not as gentle as you think.”

“What? You plan to hide her from me until then?”

“Yes. Since Your Majesty does not seem to approve, who knows what you might do.”

Cali pouted but did not deny it.

If she met Agnes now, she would probably try to intimidate her just to see what kind of person she was.

And if Agnes ran away, she would have laughed and applauded.

Realizing her intentions were seen through, Cali clicked her tongue and then quickly changed the subject.

“All this talking made me forget the food. Eat before it gets cold. After that, stay and play chess with me tonight.”

Dylan parted his lips as if to speak but then closed them again.

It had already been three days since he last drank blood.

Yet instead of mentioning it, he only nodded in calm obedience.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

Dylan, who had gone to the Imperial Palace, did not return to the townhouse that day or the next.

It seemed he had left all the wedding preparations to Gavelin, for lately he was the person Agnes saw most often.

Gavelin’s attitude remained the same.

He behaved with perfect etiquette and kept a polite but clear distance, his demeanor as cold as winter air.

Agnes found that formality oddly endearing because it showed his absolute loyalty to Dylan.

“Has there been any word from His Grace today?” she asked one afternoon.

Lifting his chin proudly, Gavelin answered with confidence.

“His Grace is His Majesty’s most respected and cherished family member. It is only natural that their meeting would take time.”

He only ever showed genuine emotion when speaking about Dylan.

Agnes found that trait rather charming and often smiled as she spoke to him, which made him flustered each time.

He was more innocent than he appeared.

Five days passed like that. On the fifth day, Gavelin returned with a tailor in tow.