Chapter 25

As soon as I gazed at Declan’s expression, it was as insensitive as it was when I saw Andre.

“Yes. You must have had a hard time coming a long way. Thank you for attending the banquet.”

Declan uttered the same formal words he had said.

“Thank you for inviting me. Originally, my brother was going to attend, but I wanted to see His Majesty so much, so I insisted.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes seductively.

Because of that, Some of the nobles who were close to the behavior murmured.

‘The culprit that drives Declan to death!’

I frowned, glaring at Jennifer.

“Why?”

I, who was staring at Jennifer piercingly, at Declan’s question, finally turned my gaze away.
There was an interesting look on his face.

‘Wasn’t he talking to Jennifer…?’

I was bewildered, though still responded to his words.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re staring at me like you’re going to kill someone. Are you uncomfortable?”

“Me? No!”

I can’t talk about Jennifer, so I stopped. Then, Declan’s lips twitched slightly.

On the other hand, seeing Declan talking to the doll, the delegation of the Kingdom of Tierra showed a similar reaction to Ielo. However, Jennifer didn’t show any agitation and just smiled more deeply.

‘Where do you sell that laughter? Don’t buy it, don’t buy it!’

I crossed my arms and had an eye fight with Jennifer.

“Would you like me to clean her up?”

When Declan gestured his chin to Jennifer indifferently, her smile broke for a moment.

How refreshing it was.

In the original story, Jennifer was an ambitious person. Because she took pleasure in having people under her feet. When his ambition to step on the continent became a yearning, it was Declan that Jennifer chose as a tool.

‘She can’t manage her facial expressions perfectly compared to the original story.’

However, seeing how quickly he smiled, she looked formidable even though she was not even twenty years old.

“Oh, Your Majesty. As the rumors say, the brotherly and sister’s friendship is deep. Her Highness the Princess must be happy because she has such a sweet older brother.”

My face frowned upon seeing her soothing Declan.

“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll deal with her.”

Still, Declan said once more.

To be honest, I wanted to deal with Jennifer right away. If I raid when she is defenseless, no matter how much she is, she will be helpless.

‘The problem is…’

That the Duke of Otien remains. It was obvious that he would not stand still in the diplomatic dispute that resulted.

‘Ielo has not been resolved yet, but Tiera should not be entangled.’

I quickly shook my head.

“It’s okay. I guess I’m just tired of the gift-giving ceremony being too long.”

He glanced at Jennifer as if trying to understand my intentions. Meanwhile, she closed her eyes even more gracefully as Declan’s attention returned.

“I have a lot in common with Her Highness the Princess. Our conversation went well…”

“Gift.”

An indifferent tone cut off Jennifer’s words.

“Ye—yes?”

She asked, seeming a little perplexed.

“Aren’t you here for the present? Our Chloe is tired.”

“Ah, yes. Her Highness the Princess must be tired.”

Jennifer quickly corrected her bewildered expression and smiled again, before holding out a box tied with a ribbon.

“I’ve been preparing a tea set for Her Highness. I heard that she often has tea time with His Majesty.”

When the box was opened, I saw a teapot and teacup set made of ceramics. The tea ceremony set was beautiful with its delicate luster and colorful floral patterns. In particular, the rim and handle of the teacup were gilded.

‘Is this for adults?’

Declan frowned as soon as he saw the gift.

“It’s too big.”

“It was prepared so that Your Majesty would not feel uncomfortable eating it together.”

This wasn’t a gift for Chloe. It was meant to impress Declan.

‘What is with this trick?’

With that thought, I glared at Jennifer with cold eyes again.

“It’s a gift that doesn’t take into account the target. Tierra’s level is also understandable. Or, is the respect for the princess only that much?”

At Declan’s words, Tierra’s envoys became pale.

Jennifer’s clenched fists were trembling as if she thought she had been insulted. One member of the delegation, who had been standing behind her, hurriedly stepped forward in front of her and bowed their head.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me for my inadequacies in preparing the gift.”

At that moment, Jennifer bowed her head in the serious atmosphere.

“I prepared this with the heart of congratulating the Princess on her birthday.”

“Go.”

A sense of disappointment appeared on the delegation’s face when he told them to leave the empire as soon as possible.

Still, Jennifer bit her lip slightly, trying to straighten her expression.

“Your, Your Majesty.”

“Stop.”

As Declan’s expression grew ferocious, the delegation quickly grabbed Jennifer and backed away.

She stared at the doll until she left the place.

As soon as they retreated, my body also lost strength. I must have been nervous the whole time.

“It must have been quite uncomfortable. You have never seen them.”

…Am I being too obvious?

“I think it was because they were strangers.”

For no apparent reason, Declan nodded his head as if understanding.

Finally, the last gift remained. I looked at the other person comfortably, looking at the familiar pink hair.

“Glorious glory to the Empire, Seian Varenne greets His Majesty the Emperor.”

Seian was the Crown Prince of an exiled country. He did not put the name of the kingdom in front of his name.

“Is there anything uncomfortable about your living?”

Declan had no interest in holding him hostage.

“Thanks to Your Majesty, I’m doing well.”

He then nodded his head slightly.

“Happy Birthday, Her Highness. Since I am entrusting myself to the Empire right now, I couldn’t prepare a good gift like the others.”

When the neat and handsome man lowered his eyebrows and made an apologetic expression, I was rather saddened.

“I tried to put my heart and soul into it as much as possible, so I hope you will be happy to accept it.”

What he brought out was a simple yet fragrant basket of flowers.

‘Last time, you asked to be taught about gardening, I guess you really learned it.’

In the basket, small colorful flowers, including pansies, were arranged.

“The flower language of pansy is ‘think of me.’ I prepared this in the hope that people will remember and remember Her Majesty, not only today, but always.”

The slow tone of the voice calmed even the listeners.

The flowers that Chloe loved… remembering her forever. It was not as expensive or flashy as her other gifts, though maybe this is the true gift towards her.

Declan was also staring intently at the pansy in the flower basket.

“I will never forget Her Highness, either. You are precious to His Majesty.”

Seian placed a hand on his chest and lowered his head slightly.

“…Thank you. Chloe will love it.”

“Thank you for the pleasure.”

Seian smiled softly and bowed his head politely.

Declan did not remove the flower basket, but set it down in front of the doll and gazed at it endlessly.

Meanwhile, as the orchestra’s dance song was played, the people gathered in the hall all looked at Declan.

“Your Majesty, everyone is looking at you.”

Declan turned towards the hall at my words.

When he gestured for permission, the crowd froze and came out to the center and started dancing.

‘Oh right. Did you say that it is customary for the emperor to hold the first dance of the banquet?’

Then, I remembered the story Mason had told me.

When I looked up, I saw well-dressed nobles dancing under the splendid chandelier. Even though people’s voices were mixed with beautiful melodies, it was like they were just distant people.

‘…It really makes me feel like I’m in a novel.’

Even though it has already been a month since I came here, there were times when I felt unfamiliar.

“Is it very boring?”

Declan’s voice was dull, but there was concern in his eyes. He caught me floating in an unfamiliar place with those eyes.

I smiled slightly at Declan.

“What about you, Your Majesty? You’re just sitting here all the time.”

“What can I do? Someone would not let me dance.”

Declan said playfully. “Then, would you like to dance with me?”

“Back then, you told me not to dance?”

“I am a doll, you know.”

He then glanced at me as if he didn’t understand.

“It would be fun to dance with the empty air?”

“It’s not like that, it’s a secret dance.”

As I said with a playful smile, Declan laughed along as if it was ridiculous.

“So, what do you want?”

“Let’s go to a place where we can hear the music, but people won’t be able to see.”

“Right. You care so much about how people look.”

“It’s all for Your Majesty.”

When I spoke bluntly, Declan shook his head uncontrollably and turned to call for Mason.

“Mason.”

“Did you call?”

“I’ll go to the terrace. Take care of the banquet.”

“All right.”

At that, he grabbed the doll, and I followed Declan going up to the second floor.

***

“He looks fine today.”

The Duke of Buccleuch approached next to Mason, who was watching Declan going up to the second floor.

“It seems so.”

Mason answered with a slightly complicated face.

“Every year on the birthday of Her Highness the Princess, he was particularly sharp and sensitive.”

“…I think today’s banquet will go well, unless there’s something else going on.”

“Is there something wrong with Your Majesty?”

“What’s going on? Is there anything special other than preparing for war?”

Mason quietly passed the Duke’s question. No matter how much he was Mason’s father, he couldn’t say anything about Erica.

“I was very surprised to see His Majesty smiling. He was expressionless except when he was very young.”

“He can’t live forever caught up in guilt and vengeance.”

“When you see a sudden change for no reason, it’s just as disturbing.”

The Duke of Buccleuch let out a small sigh and looked at his son.

Mason answered calmly without avoiding the gaze.

“As long as the hostile forces remain, he will not let it go.”

“Well, look at it now. When His Majesty is away, people gather around Duke Otien.”

The Duke of Buccleuch looked at the Duke of Otien and the nobles who had gathered on the other side of the hall.

“Perhaps they are plotting a scheme while blaming His Majesty.”

Mason’s eyes burned quietly.

“Everyone can’t say it openly, though there are a lot of complaints. Who would like to give a gift to a doll with their head bowed down?”

Duke Buccleuch clicked his tongue in pity.

“His Majesty should wipe off his wounds quickly and get up. There are limits to what we can do to protect His Majesty…”

“Father.”

Mason hardened his face towards the Duke of Buccleuch.

“…Or, not yet. You’ll take good care of him.”

The Duke of Buccleuch patted Mason on the shoulder and left.

Mason looked at the second floor where Declan had gone up with a dark face.

*** 

“Look over there. They’re dancing without knowing what’s going to happen.”

On the outer wall of the gloomy imperial palace, the figures engulfed in the darkness appeared one after another.