Chapter 92

The moment the name Lombard echoed out, every noble filling the banquet hall turned their gaze toward us at once.

‘Go ahead and stare if you want.’

I lifted my chin even higher and descended the steps.

The murmurs grew louder.

Some were moved to finally see the Duke of Lombard in person, a hero of the empire, while others whispered that the couple didn’t seem as distant as rumored.

But most of the attention was focused on the butcher of the social world who had returned after a long absence.

In other words, me.

“So that really is Lady Elicia?”

“Was she always that elegant?”

“Looks like marrying the Duke of Lombard really settled her down. Marriage really does change people.”

It sounded like praise and insults mixed together.

Considering I was doing nothing but walking quietly beside Edwin and still drawing comments like that, I couldn’t help but wonder just how bad the original Elicia must’ve been.

From a third party’s perspective, it probably would’ve been a pretty entertaining sight.

‘Too bad I’m the one in it.’

Soft music flowed through the hall.

Since the emperor hadn’t entered yet, the nobles were cautiously exchanging greetings, and that only made more eyes drift toward us.

To make matters worse, Edwin and I were guided to seats closest to the seat of honor reserved for the imperial family.

Several nobles seated nearby spoke up in cheerful voices.

“My goodness, isn’t that His Grace the Duke of Lombard, hero of the empire? It’s an honor to finally see you this close.”

“We hope you’ll visit the Capital often from now on and continue to guide us.”

“Indeed. Especially now that you’re married into the imperial family…”

The nobles who looked up at Edwin with reverence glanced at me out of the corner of their eyes.

I’d grown up constantly reading the room, so I was sensitive to this kind of atmosphere.

No, I didn’t even need to be sensitive.

They were clearly showing that my presence annoyed them. More precisely, they were treating me like an unwelcome guest.

‘Honestly, I feel uncomfortable first.’

Even our assigned seats were right next to the seat of honor.

They’d even raised the platform, making us stand out even more in the crowded hall.

‘Why go out of their way to arrange it like this?’

Even if she’d been pushed aside, Elicia was still a member of the imperial family, and any scandal she caused would be a direct blow to imperial dignity.

That wouldn’t exactly be welcome from the imperial perspective either.

And yet they’d placed us here.

It was obvious they wanted everyone to see me make a fool of myself.

Or maybe they hoped Edwin, furious over a forced marriage, would get into an ugly fight with me.

‘Then the answer’s simple.’

No matter what humiliation came my way, I’d endure it quietly.

I’d been openly cursed as a parentless orphan bastard and beaten before. Was I really going to flinch over a few looks?

Maybe the original Elicia had pride, but I didn’t.

And if needed, I could always separate myself from Elicia.

“Eli, are you all right?”

Just as I started missing the soft bed I’d left behind at home, Edwin carefully wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

In his worried gaze, I could read his intent to protect me.

“Yeah. I just didn’t sleep much last night, so I’m tired.”

“I’m worried you’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”

I shook my head lightly.

I’d gotten my hands on books I’d wanted to read for ages. There was no way I could resist.

I’d told myself I’d only read a little at first, really.

But I couldn’t stop once I started.

I knew I should manage my condition for the banquet, but I kept telling myself just a little more, just ten more minutes, until dawn broke and I passed out.

My body was tired, but my soul was happy, so it was fine.

“Still, I’m not comfortable with this. You should sit and rest, even if it’s just for a moment.”

“Okay.”

Edwin’s hand slowly slid from my shoulder to my waist.

Then he addressed the nobles standing nearby in a cool voice.

“My wife isn’t feeling well, so we’ll excuse ourselves for now.”

“…Y-Yes.”

Edwin seated me and summoned a servant to bring something to drink.

It was the complete opposite of what whoever arranged the seating had intended, but at least now everyone at the banquet could see how devoted Edwin was to me.

Any rumors of discord would vanish completely.

I tugged lightly at Edwin’s lapel. When he leaned closer, I whispered near his ear.

“Thank you.”

“…”

Instead of answering, Edwin’s eyes curved gently.

Just as he was about to say something, the string melody filling the hall abruptly stopped.

Sensing something, the nobles all turned their attention to one spot.

The imperial guards lined up at the entrance, and the steward shouted in a booming voice.

“His Majesty the Emperor of the glorious Valdin Empire and Her Majesty the Empress are entering!”

Every movement inside the hall froze.

The emperor and empress ascended the dais amid heavy silence, receiving the nobles’ bows.

Meanwhile, I kept my head lowered, running through countless scenarios.

Bloody struggles for the throne between uncles and nieces from ancient classics, poisonings, and endless chains of petty conspiracies flashed through my mind.

But unexpectedly, the emperor passed right by me without a glance.

Even as the banquet officially began with the opening toast for the social season, he never once looked in my direction.

‘What was I so scared of?’

The nobles were too busy laughing and chatting among themselves to care about someone like me sitting quietly out of the spotlight.

I sincerely hoped the banquet would end peacefully like this.

Unaware of what lay ahead.

* * *

The banquet proceeded smoothly, as usual.

The emperor greeted envoys from various nations, while Rosalind stayed close at his side, flawlessly supporting her father and playing the role of an affectionate daughter.

The empress, who should’ve been in Rosalind’s place, had stepped back and was holding the young prince in her arms.

‘Feeling competitive even toward such a young brother.’

Nigel sneered inwardly.

It was ridiculous, but he had no desire to stop it.

Though the current empress was a second wife, she was a legitimate spouse recognized by the pope. That meant her son Josef held the same right of succession as they did.

And behind Josef stood the Marcen Royal Family.

Unlike them, whose mother was nothing more than a southern noblewoman.

If Rosalind wanted to keep that in check, Nigel had no reason to object.

What truly irritated him was something else.

‘Why is Elicia being so quiet?’

According to Nigel’s plan, things should’ve blown up several times by now.

From the moment she entered, the nobles had ignored her and deliberately provoked her over and over.

All of it had been orchestrated by Nigel behind the scenes.

‘In the past, she would’ve entertained everyone’s eyes and ears by now.’

But today’s Elicia was different.

Instead of her garish red and tasteless dresses, she wore an elegant, refined gown that made it hard to believe she was the same person.

With every movement, soft waves of light rippled across it, drawing everyone’s attention.

And the sapphire around her neck was the Blessed Eye.

A relic from an ancient kingdom that even Nigel had coveted.

When he heard the Duke of Lombard had won it at auction, he never imagined it was meant for Elicia.

‘Those two look surprisingly close.’

What did he do?

He could’ve married her off to some insignificant house, but because the duke openly despised her, he’d deliberately sent her to Lombard.

Yet even from afar, their physical closeness looked natural and intimate.

That couldn’t be faked.

‘If things stay like this, all the effort I put into setting the stage will be wasted.’

Just then, an envoy from Marcen was greeting the emperor.

At Nigel’s gesture, a servant hurried over.

“A distinguished guest from my sister’s maternal family has arrived. It wouldn’t be proper to ignore them. Bring my sister so they can exchange greetings.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Elicia didn’t know a single word of Marcene.

Though Marcen was her mother’s homeland, Lady Olden, head maid of the princess’s palace, had strictly prevented her from being exposed to the language.

It was all part of a plan to drive a wedge between Elicia and Marcen.

Of course, even if she’d been taught, there was no way that dull head of hers could’ve learned a foreign language.

Nigel’s lips twisted in satisfaction.