Chapter 187
Alice turned with a bright smile.
“Your Grace.”
Naturally, the person who approached her was Kylus.
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, my lady.”
Yes. Kylus had been unable to enter the party with her today and had just arrived at the venue.
The reason was that Kylus was in charge of the security for today’s party.
This wasn’t actually his job but that of the Head of the First Knight Order, who normally oversaw imperial palace security.
But since Hasis, the Head of the First Knight Order, had suddenly died, Kylus was temporarily commanding the disorganized Imperial Knight Order.
Alice gently placed her hand on her chest and said:
“I was lonely, but since it was work, I, being generous, will understand.”
At Alice’s playful pretense, Kylus chuckled and replied:
“I know. How gentle-hearted you are. Thank you for understanding, my lady.”
Alice also laughed lightly at the way Kylus responded to her playfulness by taking it one step further.
Alice naturally linked her arm with Kylus’s. Then Kylus gently took her linked hand and asked:
“Did the nobles trouble you much?”
“Well, I was a bit tired, but since it was all praise, it wasn’t bad to hear. In the first place, with the Empire’s hero Kylus standing right behind me, who would dare pick a quarrel with me?”
As Alice winked, Kylus lowered his gaze slightly.
“The Empire’s true hero is not me but you… I feel embarrassed for having taken your honor.”
“Taken? You protected me. So I wouldn’t get caught up in unnecessary commotion.”
On the day the Empress’s palace collapsed, Alice had also been at the scene.
As many knights who rushed to the scene witnessed her, rumors spread.
That Alice might be the one chosen by the deity.
Or that both Kylus and Alice had been chosen.
In response, Kylus had consulted with Prion and made a grand announcement.
That he was the hero chosen by the deity, and that the Duchess’s holy power had nothing to do with this incident.
In fact, with all the black magic faction dealt with, there wouldn’t have been a major problem even if Alice’s special holy power had been revealed.
But they had preemptively blocked any potential risk due to the temple’s significant interest.
Alice herself didn’t want to be the center of attention across the continent as a saint.
Kylus had stepped forward in public on her behalf.
Not taking her honor.
“So don’t say such things.”
When Alice looked at him with a determined gaze, Kylus bowed his head with a faint smile.
Then he gently raised her hand and softly kissed it.
“Yes. I won’t do it again, my lady.”
Kylus raised his head and smoothly curled his lips upward.
Looking at her with that intense gaze that always made Alice most vulnerable.
Such a bewitching man who was impossible to resist.
Alice’s cheeks kept twitching until she finally relaxed her stiffened expression.
Just as she was about to lean her head slightly on his shoulder in surrender.
From the second floor, at the top of the stairs leading to the banquet hall, the Chamberlain’s voice rang out loudly:
“His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince have arrived! Everyone, please pay your respects!”
The guests of honor had arrived.
Alice, along with all the nobles in the banquet hall, paid their respects to the imperial family.
The Emperor, standing at the second-floor railing, looked down at the nobles and said:
“Everyone rise.”
The nobles slowly raised themselves and looked up at the stairs.
The Emperor gazed around at the nobles and spoke:
“Today is an auspicious day when the future Crown Prince who will lead this country has been invested. I’ve hosted this party to commemorate him, and I hope everyone has an enjoyable time.”
Despite his words encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves, the Emperor continued with a very tired expression:
“Ah, and while all imperial family members should attend, as you all know, the First Prince’s body has not yet fully recovered, so he could not attend today’s party. I, too, am not feeling well today and find it difficult to stay, so please enjoy the party as you see fit.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Emperor turned abruptly and left the party.
Without even introducing the Crown Prince. Without raising the first toast.
It was an attitude unbecoming of an Emperor at a major national celebration.
Enough to cause considerable gossip.
But the nobles in the party hall showed no signs of bewilderment despite the Emperor’s discourteous departure.
Because they all knew.
That the Emperor had not placed the Third Prince on the Crown Prince’s seat out of affection or genuine desire.
Moreover, the Emperor had been deeply shocked by the incidents involving Lariella and the Empress’s palace.
Before that shock could fade, Kylus had completely seized power.
So now the Emperor was essentially nothing more than a figurehead. All his closest confidants had either died or been driven out of the capital.
Hence, all the nobles anticipated:
That the Emperor wouldn’t last long on the throne.
That he would soon abdicate to the Crown Prince.
Therefore, no one cared whether the Emperor left the party or not.
Their attention was focused on Crown Prince Alvin Pentium, who stepped forward after the Emperor’s departure.
“Thank you all for gathering today to celebrate my investiture as Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince addressed the nobles with a posture as if he had been painted.
“And I, Alvin Pentium, swear to do my utmost to become a Crown Prince worthy of the Pentium Empire. So please, help me greatly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The nobles bowed their heads, and the Crown Prince, taking a glass of champagne handed by the Chamberlain, announced the start of the party:
“Now, everyone enjoy the party.”
The conductor of the imperial orchestra waved his baton, and classic music immediately filled the party hall.
But despite the music starting, no one went to the dance floor.
Because the guest of honor at today’s party was the Crown Prince, other nobles could only enter after the Crown Prince first selected a partner and went to the dance floor.
The nobles whispered as they watched the Crown Prince descend from the second floor:
“Was the Crown Prince always like this? I thought he was handsome when I saw him at the courthouse… but he seems even more extraordinary today.”
“Oh my, don’t even mention it. He was even more handsome during the investiture ceremony at the temple earlier today. He truly seemed born to be Crown Prince, I tell you!”
As a high-ranking noble who had witnessed the investiture ceremony at the temple spoke with a shrug, as if boasting, someone added:
“Who would have imagined? That His Highness the Crown Prince was once an ill-fated prince abandoned by the imperial family.”
“Indeed. More importantly, with whom will His Highness the Crown Prince dance his first dance today?”
The partner for the Crown Prince’s first dance.
The significance of being first was extremely important.
It meant she was the woman most likely to become the Crown Princess.
Just as everyone was looking on with expectant eyes to see who the Crown Prince would approach, without the slightest hesitation, he headed toward the Dearrut ducal couple.
Alice greeted the Crown Prince with a smile:
“Your Highness, you look wonderful today.”
“Thank you, Duchess. You too are truly radiant today. For a moment, I was confused whether I was facing a person or starlight.”
Alice playfully rolled her eyes and smiled at the Crown Prince’s smooth flattery.
Then Kylus addressed the Crown Prince:
“Your Highness, I congratulate you once again on your investiture as Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince answered Kylus with a serious face:
“It’s thanks to you, Duke. Please continue to help me greatly in the future, Duke.”
“Of course. I will always remain loyal to the imperial family and Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
As Kylus bowed respectfully, the Crown Prince smiled and returned the courtesy.
They appeared to be close and trusting of each other to anyone watching.
Just as the nobles were once again realizing who truly held power in the Empire, the Crown Prince changed direction from the ducal couple.
This time too, the Crown Prince walked steadfastly, without hesitation, toward one person.
Finally, he stopped in front of a young lady wearing an elegant empire-style dress in deep green.
Alvin extended his hand, gazing into eyes as green as captured verdure:
“Lady Sienna Meltain Dearrut. Would you give me the honor of dancing with you?”
Sienna took his hand with a lovely smile:
“It would be my honor, Your Highness.”
So the two, holding hands, headed to the dance floor.
As Sienna and Alvin’s waltz began, other nobles also took to the stage one by one with their partners.
Sienna and Alvin, shining amidst the many people on the dance floor.
Alice was watching the two protagonists with satisfaction when she noticed a hand extended to her.
It was Kylus’s hand.
“Would you give me the honor of sharing your first dance as well, my lady?”
Alice looked at Kylus’s handsome smile, then shook her head:
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to.”
A gentle but firm rejection.
At that, Kylus’s perfect smile cracked.
Just as his face colored with confusion, Alice took his hand and said:
“Your Grace, let’s go outside instead of staying here.”