CH 32.2

‘He’s very nervous.’

I wondered how he was feeling pretending to be tough facing the guard?

The rejection of the guard was not just a rejection. Cassion must have realized his presence as a prince was insignificant to a guard.

‘It must be miserable.’

Nevertheless, I was proud of Cassion, who did not step down for me and stood up to the guard.

“I’ll take care of her, so open the door.”

An arrogant expression could be seen on Cassion’s face when he sent the guard an ultimatum.

Eventually he opened the door.

The guard nodded at the attendants who were responsible for opening and closing the door. The heavy door, which never seemed to open earlier, opened.

Sophisticated music that did not match the earlier confrontation at all, the dazzlingly colorful chandelier, the smell of delicious food that attracted even people who were already full, and the occasional laughter.

It was nothing like where Cassion and I stood.

Cassion and I raised our heads as if we had promised.

We clasped our hands tightly and moved our feet into the hall. There was a heavy door closing behind our back.

***

Clank.

Count Corcos dropped his fork. His eyes were fixed on the entrance. The smile that filled his face gradually disappeared.

“Count Corcos, is there anything uncomfortable?”

Julia asked. Count Corcos could not answer and hesitated.

Julia turned her head along the count’s gaze.

Julia was not the only one. Everyone in Astro Hall looked at one spot. At the same time, people’s eyes got bigger.

“His Highness Cassion?”

“I heard that the Third Prince is absent due to health problems.”

“I heard that too. He never showed up at a royal event….”

“Isn’t that Princess Irenberg next to him?”

“The Third Prince and Princess Irenberg?”

There was a stir among the nobles.

Cassion and Diana were affectionately entering the hall.

Julia gnashed her teeth.

‘How did they get in here?’

Julia squeezed the corners of her mouth to keep her smile.

The person who put an eye on Cassion reported that Cassion was quietly staying in his palace. The hole that Diana used to get in and out of Cassion’s palace was also blocked.

There was no name similar to Diana Viola Irenberg in the entrance to the palace that Jia checked this morning.

‘But how–!’

Julia chewed the inside of her cheek. If she didn’t remind herself in check, she would likely show the guests an ugly screaming.

Julia stared at Diana and Cassion.

Diana, feeling Julia’s cold gaze, looked up. Diana, whose eyes met Julia in the air, smiled broadly.

Julia’s angry smile was never a welcome from Diana’s point of view.

Julia rolled her brain on how to kick them out.

Then, King Carmine rose up.

“You’re late, Cassion. Welcome, Princess Irenberg.”

King Carmine greeted them as if he was expecting Cassion.

The fact that there was no room for two more people in the banquet hall.

But it was just a very small matter.

“There’s not enough chairs. Bring it.”

With only those words, Carmine’s words, were enough to solve the problem.

When seats were made for Cassion and Diana, Julia’s chance to kick them out also disappeared.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

When boring greetings were said, Diana and Cassion sat down and the feast resumed.

But no one could concentrate on their meal.

The nobles were busy glancing at Diana and Cassion, and Julia, Dyson, and Count Corcos could not swallow their food from shock and anger.

“The chef must be a terrible cook.”

King Carmine said. The nobles looked up at the King in unison.

“That can’t be true. The food is excellent, Your Majesty.”

“Then why do you look uncomfortable and wouldn’t enjoy the feast? Is your seat uncomfortable?”

Carmine was blatantly asking like Cassion and Diana were their  uninvited guests.

Who would dare raise their hands to say yes? That Cassion and Diana were indeed uninvited guests.

The presence or absence of an invitation was never the matter anymore. The King gave chairs for the two.

It was more meaningful than Julia’s invitation.

“By the way, you are late, Cassion.”

Carmine’s gaze at Cassion was not warm. But it wasn’t a word without any emotion.

Cassion clenched his fist at the tone of blaming his son for his mistake like any other father.

Diana patted the back of his hand under the tablecloth.

Cassion was abominable toward Carmine.

He knew Cassion wasn’t invited. What was the reason for criticizing him for being late?

Cassion was anxious. What if Carmine told him that he wasn’t invited here?

‘Do you admit that I’m the royal family’s outcast?’

How would the nobles react?

‘Is he going to pity me?’

Cassion bowed his head and raised the corners of his mouth.

‘That can’t be true. He is just going to dismiss it anyway.’

Cassion knew what answer to give. But he wanted to ask Diana if he could say this in advance.

Cassion turned to Diana. But there was no need to ask. Diana was already looking only at Cassion.

Her gaze answered Cassion’s question.

‘Do as you please, Your Highness.’

My confirming gaze that I would take responsibility for whatever he did, rose the courage from the bottom of his heart.