Chapter 24
Theron was still cheerful and full of mischief. Thanks to that, Reus ended up explaining how he came to be attacked in the Silent Forest.
“It’s a curse that takes the caster’s life as the price, you know? So basically, if you’re hit by it, it’s almost the same as being dead. But I guess that guy wasn’t fated to die. Especially since you showed up right at that moment and saved him. Of course, if he didn’t have that monster-like recovery ability—”
“That’s enough.”
Reus cut Theron off mid-sentence. Despite the cold response, Theron didn’t back down. He just laughed heartily.
After chatting for a while about this and that, Theron left before long.
Apparently, he only planned to stop by for a short greeting today anyway.
In any case, here’s what I learned from that short conversation with Theron about what happened in the Silent Forest.
I don’t know exactly what they were looking for, but the two had split up and were searching the Silent Forest. During that time, Reus was attacked by a certain group. And luckily, I happened to appear at that exact moment.
“Theron arrived a bit later, spotted me from afar, and revealed my identity the next day…”
But those people who attacked Reus and even used forbidden dark magic…
“From the way he talks, it didn’t seem like it was their first encounter.”
The Silent Forest was supposed to be a place the count’s house had completely abandoned.
And yet the Imperial Archduke, the head of the Anas Guild, and now this unknown group…
What on earth was happening in that forest that everyone believed was forsaken?
“Wait. Then… could Uncle Haeven have known all this and just pretended not to?”
We had known each other a long time, and I relied on him even more than I had on my own father. If he had really meant to deceive me… Honestly, I would have been hurt.
Even if he had lied, maybe it was better not to know the truth.
Still, after a lot of hesitation, I decided to ask about him.
“Reus… I have something I want to ask. About Uncle Haeven… I mean, the man you saw when you first woke up that day. When I was with him, he acted like he didn’t know you at all. Do you think he was just pretending?”
“Just as those at the Imperial Palace don’t know about Theron, the Anas Guild members are the same. So yes, he truly didn’t know me.”
If he had acted like he didn’t know Reus while actually knowing, I would’ve been deeply disappointed.
After a short silence, Reus naturally changed the subject.
“More importantly, Loelle. You’ll soon receive an invitation from the Imperial Palace.”
“An invitation?”
I was just about to ask what for when it hit me.
“Ah, right.”
In the original story, this was about the time when Iris’s birthday banquet was held.
Of course. Just because I married Reus doesn’t mean Iris stopped being the princess…
If the plot doesn’t go too far off course, I’ll be able to predict things for a while.
That’s good, but this time, the news didn’t feel very welcome.
More accurately, it wasn’t about me—but for the main character, Iris.
Finally, the day of Iris’s birthday banquet arrived.
The banquet would begin in the late afternoon, but we arrived at the palace earlier than most nobles. It was because the Emperor had requested a personal meeting with us.
“Your Majesty, the Duke and Duchess of Rochester have arrived.”
Soon after the aide announced our arrival, the grand doors opened, revealing a handsome middle-aged man. With hair and eyes more brilliant than any gold in the Ashelit Palace, he was Emperor Den Aren Ashelit of the Ashelit Empire.
I greeted the Emperor politely, who wore a gentle smile.
“It’s an honor to meet Your Majesty.”
“Welcome. I believe this is the first time we’ve met in person. You’re the eldest daughter of Count Ivelle, yes?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s an honor to meet you in person.”
As I began to bow again, the Emperor gestured lightly, as if to say that was enough and to take a seat.
“I hear your recent marriage has become the talk of the Empire. Honestly, I was surprised too. You always acted like you had no interest in marriage, and then suddenly you held the ceremony.”
“I apologize for not informing you in advance.”
“No need. I’m the one who failed my old friend by letting him go too early.
If Rikassen were still alive, he’d have been the first to know about the wedding…”
There was a hint of longing for Rikassen and a light scolding toward Reus in his tone.
Reus, as if used to this kind of atmosphere, calmly continued the conversation.
To be honest, he didn’t look like someone plotting rebellion behind the scenes.
“Seriously… he’s too natural about this.”
Surprisingly, Emperor Den and Reus’s father had once been very close.
So close that, as soon as he ascended the throne, the Emperor granted Reus’s father, Rikassen, the duke title without proper procedures. When the Rochester couple died in a carriage accident, the Emperor was said to have been so grief-stricken he neglected state affairs for days—a story still well known.
That’s why I always found it strange—why would Reus be the one to lead a rebellion?
Even after Rikassen death, the Emperor continued to support House Rochester, and vice versa.
When something happened to the Emperor, Reus would help without question, no matter what it was.
“I used to think Reus must be someone extremely power-hungry….”
But now, my thoughts had completely changed.
We hadn’t spent that much time together, but from what I’d seen, Reus didn’t seem like the type to start a rebellion over ambition.
“He doesn’t look like someone obsessed with power at all.”
Desire for power is usually hard to hide. I could easily tell because I grew up watching my father. And Reus definitely didn’t seem like that kind of person.
Even just looking at the duke’s estate made it obvious.
Unlike the Count of Ivelle house, which was always filled with tension, the Rochester estate was calm and peaceful.
From the servants’ expressions and manners, there was no sign of fear or hatred toward Reus.
If anything, there was some hesitation. Respect. Maybe even admiration.
I glanced at Reus as he conversed with the Emperor. There wasn’t even a trace of resentment in the way he looked at him.
I don’t know what kind of past he shares with the Emperor, but if Reus had been quietly harboring anger toward him…
I couldn’t begin to imagine how far that anger stretched, or how long he’d been suppressing it to keep it hidden.
I had always been curious about the Silent Forest, the reason behind the rebellion—
But maybe it’s best to stop showing such unnecessary interest.
“I need to be careful not to let it slip that I know he’s planning rebellion…”
At that moment, the Emperor turned his attention to me.
“You must have a hard time. That fellow isn’t exactly easy-going. Sometimes I wonder if he’s really Rikassen son. Rikassen wasn’t nearly as stiff.”
“That’s not true, Your Majesty.”
“Oh? So he’s not cold to you?”
“No. He’s very kind to me.”
Even I knew Reus wasn’t exactly the ‘kind’ type… But it wasn’t a lie either.
“Compared to the villain he was in the original story, he’s definitely much gentler…”
And when others looked at us, he even acted like it.
“Well, it’s good to hear he treats you well.”
The Emperor seemed unconvinced, as if he still couldn’t pair Reus and kindness together in the same sentence.
“That’s… quite unexpected.”
Despite my nervousness, the conversation with the Emperor went smoothly.
He asked questions, and Reus and I answered them appropriately. None of the questions were difficult or offensive.
After wrapping up that very normal conversation, we left the Imperial Palace and arrived at Britian Palace, where Iris’s birthday banquet would be held.
From a distance, the palace showed off extravagant splendor.
It had been gifted to Iris’s mother, Abinoa the late third empress—by the Emperor.
Britian Palace was famous for several reasons. The enormous cost of building it and its stunning aesthetic design were part of it, but most of all, it was known for the lake inside its grounds.
That lake, quite large, could only be seen within Britian Palace.
As expected of a palace known for its lake, the banquet hall was set outdoors, centered around the lake. I looked for a moment at the lake, reflecting the palace and all its expensive decorations and lights.
And strangely, all I felt while looking at that dazzling view was anxiety.
Right now, the only thing Iris had left from the Imperial Family was the Emperor’s affection.
And I knew that at today’s banquet, she wouldn’t gain any happiness.
“Is something wrong?”
When I came to my senses, I realized Reus had also stopped walking because of me.
“No, it’s nothing. The lake was just so beautiful.”
I quickly started walking again toward the banquet.
By the time we arrived, the hall was already full of guests. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful—just right for a celebration.
“I see a lot of familiar faces.”
The problem was, just like in the novel, most of the nobles filling the banquet hall were supporters of the Empress.
The orchestra began to play. And the noise among the nobles, along with my uneasiness, faded into the soft melody.
