Chapter 10

“Well, ma’am…”

When the Viscountess Salende realized that the Duchess of Waldenbiston was much more irritated than she imagined, she opened her mouth and tried to say something.

But at that moment, the martial band that was waiting in front of the banquet hall sounded the trumpets. Dozens of trumpets, as if in one voice, played a fanfare.

And as soon as the fanfare was over, the servant who had his hair firmly tied came out and shouted aloud.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor is here! Please all greet him!”

The assembled nobles rose simultaneously.

I reached into my skirt pockets and pulled out the small pendant of the silver watch I had brought with me. It was exactly one o’clock in the afternoon.

The fact that the present Emperor arrived on time meant that Rubellus, whom I met in the Great Forest, returned on time.

Thank God.

Unwittingly, I sighed with relief. Then I lowered my head and knelt down like the other people.

The banquet hall was silent as if cold water had been poured in. There was no one breathing loudly.

The Emperor entered the banquet hall slowly. In spite of the carpet, the sound of footsteps seemed to sound in this great banquet hall.

“All may rise.”

A loud voice echoed vividly down the hall.

Emperor John Jaherd, responsible for leading the golden age of the Jaherd Empire.

He was nearly sixty-six years old and looked just as radiant as he had in his younger days.

Though his gray hair was in full bloom, the Emperor’s footsteps were large and powerful.

Emperor John Jaherd looked from place to place with his warm eyes, then opened his mouth.

“Today, I welcome you all.”

The Emperor opened his arms and spoke. It was a very strong voice.

“You, gathered here today, will be the first to see the new Emperor and are the most important witnesses to this imperial family.”

I remembered what I knew about the coronation ceremony. The beginning of the ceremony is from the banquet hall where only the principal nobles gather.

Here, Rubellus makes a promise to the nation and the people and then marches through the city in a golden carriage exclusively for the Imperial Court.

He would then go to a shrine, where he would have to wear a robe and a crown and soon be crowned Emperor.

From then on, there would be a week’s official holiday scheduled.

John Jaherd, who had been watching the nobles for a while, smiled and nodded.

“So, let’s get started.”

At the same time as Jaherd said this, the instrumental music band raised their trumpets and played them in unison.

A different fanfare resounded, and the door to the main entrance to the banquet hall opened again.

Everyone knew who was coming in.

Rubellus Jaherd.

I put my hands together without even realizing it. I could already picture him before my eyes. With his shiny blond hair, he would look more beautiful than anyone else, and slowly brighten up this place.

And it will stay in our heads.

And when that time comes, you will swear your allegiance with true sincerity.

At first, even coming here was difficult, but my father was right. Before man and woman, I was part of his people, and he was full of qualities to become a respected Emperor.

I decided at that moment, with my lips pressed. To bless you from the bottom of my heart and applaud you louder than anyone else here, regardless of whether people would mock me, like the Viscountess Salende.

That’s when I nodded to myself.

Then, Rubellus came slowly down the aisle.

The shiny golden hair was carefully arranged according to formality. A brilliant red and gold medal hung around her neck, highlighted by her white robe, a medal that could only be worn by the highest ruler.

On his shoulders and sleeves were red dragon-shaped emblems, and on his right shoulder to his chest were three rows of gold wire.

He entered, eyes fixed on the front, as if he could see nothing. There was not even a hint of nervousness.

Wait, the imperial robes, which he had seen before in the Great Forest, were clearly a robe and a white robe.

But the clothes I’m seeing now are not the same as before. The neck of the robe has also changed. It looked similar in general, but a closer look showed that it was very different from before.

I think you’ve changed. What happened? It was perfect before.

“Hmm.”

I closed my eyes and continued my thoughts. Wasn’t that the coronation outfit?

“Did I remember wrong?”

I don’t think so. That’s when I started shaking my head.

“Elpine, what’s wrong with your eyes?”

My head turned as I heard Bianca’s whispers by my side, and I sensed that Elpine was near us.

Following Bianca’s gaze, I looked at Elpine, and I was surprised and asked him.

“Oh, really, what’s wrong with your eyes?”

The white of Elpine’s eye was reddish.

“I cried because something sad came to mind.”

Elpine responded with a calm presence. Bianca frowned.

“What? No, if you cry and turn red like that, it’s not normal how that happens…”

“Wait a minute.”

It was then. Elpine stopped Bianca from talking and looked intently into the banquet hall, shaking her head and blinking.

Do you think you’re controlling the entire flow of guests in this big banquet hall?

The process seemed very agitated and complicated, so my mother and Bianca missed the opportunity to question him about his face.

“Mother, sister, Ira, I’ll be right back.”

Elpine even gave us a nod and left immediately. Bianca, my mother and I were exchanging puzzled looks.

Rubellus, who arrived in the center of the room, looked around slowly.

Children in beautiful clothes appeared at different entrances, scattering flowers. Meanwhile, the one who carried the oath was slowly moving towards Rubellus.

Rubellus smiled gently at the approaching children, took the oath and slowly bowed to Emperor John Jaherd.

Emperor John had made the decision to abdicate the throne. It was because of his half-brother, Tale Jaherd.

Emperor John killed all his brothers and ascended the throne, but his younger brother, Tale Jaherd, was kept alive and he was loved very much from then on.

But after Tale Jaherd, now Duke Quillton, became increasingly greedy for never being arrested, the Emperor felt guilty about Crown Prince Rubellus.

He had put his son in danger because of the choices he had made.

After today’s coronation, Emperor John will retire with the Empress and live in the Palace of the Stars.

He opened the oath and turned to the nobles.

“I take an oath.”

A low, soft, clear voice spread through the hall.

At that moment, the problem with the clothes disappeared from my mind.

What’s the big deal about changing clothes?

This is the moment when Rubellus will become the Emperor.

I put my hands together again without realizing it. Earlier, I had begged Bianca not to come, but I would have regretted it if I had not come.

I am witnessing a historical scene right now.

“I love my nation and my people.”

“I will carry this love, and I will sacrifice more than any other for this country.”

You’re… you’re so great…

Yeah, he was great. I had to admit it.

Even though I gave up now, and I didn’t even dream about it anymore, Rubellus was the nation’s first bachelor, a talent that would never exist again. He deserves to be the Emperor.

Unable to hide my bitter expression, I continued to listen to his read.

Yes, Ira. Now that you are here, let us see Rubellus, who will become Emperor, to the end.

He was the only one I liked.

I straightened my back and looked at Rubellus, lowering my guard in his presence.

But… It seems my eyes keep meeting Rubellus’ as he reads the oath. I think he’s looking at me.

Ah… Isn’t he ? But our eyes met so easily.

“I will try and win her love.”

The Emperor John Jaherd, who stood beside Rubellus, looked at him for a moment. A very brief glance.

But Rubellus unconsciously kept his eyes fixed on this side and read the oath to the end.

“I will do what I promised now.”

Rubellus threw the oath into a bowl of fire, which was in the hands of one of the children, straightened his back and continued.

“God help me.”

At that moment, Rubellus’ eyes met mine in a straight line. When our eyes met, I swallowed my breath in surprise.

Me? Is it me? Are you looking at me? Of all these people?

No, I don’t think you’re looking at me.

I couldn’t believe it.

Your eyes were too warm. The feelings in her eyes were so obvious that even I could tell.

Passion or affection that he couldn’t hide.

But… Why are you looking at me like that?

It can’t be.