Chapter 4 Part 4
* * *
While the carriage was moving at full speed, Raphla appeared quietly, dropping a few black feathers.
Landing naturally on my wrist, Raphla frantically flapped its wings as if in a hurry and displayed an image.
Beyond the image floating in the air, the imperial carriage with its elaborate royal crest was shown at the entrance of the Laté mansion.
It seemed Abel had arrived at the mansion a bit late.
“A cursed bird… a first-class magical beast?”
“Yes, but don’t worry, it’s usually just a normal messenger bird.”
Seeing Raphla, Hyle calmly identified its nature.
I simply nodded in response.
“What’s this image?”
“Raphla’s feathers are enchanted with transmission magic. This is being shown by the feathers I planted near the mansion.”
In the image, Abel was getting back into his carriage after confirming my absence from the mansion.
However, Fergio and Mattio, who should have greeted and sent him off, were nowhere to be seen in the image.
Only the butler and servants were visible.
It was unprecedented rudeness for them not to appear when the Imperial Crown Prince himself had arrived at their door.
But to the proud House Laté, who wouldn’t bow even before the Emperor, Crown Prince Abel was no different from an innocent lamb who knew nothing of the world.
While I hadn’t expected them to see Abel off… still, Fergio had personally come out to the entrance to talk with Hyle.
And Mattio had at least come to the corridor… but unlike with Hyle, Abel couldn’t get either of them to take a single step.
House Laté’s distrust of the Imperial family was clearly evident everywhere.
After all, one reason the Imperial family had proposed my marriage to Abel was to forge even a weak connection with House Laté…
Long ago, House Laté had suddenly faced discrimination from the Imperial family for supposedly controlling demons.
At the time, the Imperial family had abandoned House Laté, considering them the most dangerous factor, to gain public support.
Angered by their attitude of thoroughly ignoring the first Duke Laté, who had been the most loyal founding contributor, the previous Duke Laté not only refused to yield to the Imperial family but completely cut off all relations with them.
When House Laté, one of the empire’s pillars, turned their back without hesitation, anti-Imperial factions began springing up everywhere.
Because of this, the Imperial side had no choice but to suffer losses due to the power imbalance.
The fact that they thought House Laté would submit proved that the Imperial family had misjudged them.
“The Crown Prince must be in quite a mood.”
Hyle commented while watching the Imperial carriage.
I agreed with his words.
Abel, who had lived his entire life revered as Crown Prince, would hardly be used to being ignored.
Though it couldn’t be confirmed through the image, his pride must have been hurt.
“His Highness shouldn’t get angry just yet.”
Regrettably, none of our plans had properly begun yet.
If Abel had found me interesting, we just needed to make me uninteresting.
Though Abel was talented at managing his expressions, I could clearly imagine his inner fury despite his composed exterior.
By now, the carriage had arrived near the Grand Temple where the party was being held.
Due to my encounters with Mattio and Fergio, we would be entering a bit later than planned.
“We’re a bit late.”
“It doesn’t matter. The party is just beginning.”
“True, but… now that we’re here, I’m a bit nervous.”
Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t tense.
This was truly going to be a moment of unprecedented scandal that would remain in everyone’s memory.
“Rosiel, don’t be nervous.”
“My, how sweet.”
Hearing my light laughter, Hyle finally seemed relieved and raised the corners of his mouth gently while firmly holding my hand.
As his large, warm touch transmitted to me, I felt the anxiety in one corner of my heart languidly settling down.
With Hyle’s perfect escort, we slowly entered the party venue.
* * *
“Presenting Lady Rosiel Laté of House Laté and Viscount Hyle Feros of House Feros!”
The herald’s resonant announcement echoed through the hall, causing all stiff gazes to quickly converge on one spot.
“…The stares are intense.”
“Of course they are, since we’re not supposed to be close.”
Though the overwhelming attention was burdensome, Hyle and I faced the crowd with composed expressions, having expected this.
As we entered the hall, I suddenly felt pressure from our joined hands.
“Hyle?”
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Though it was just a brief statement in a dry tone, its meaning was immediately clear.
What a typically Hyle-like way of showing encouragement.
“You too.”
When I responded with a gentle smile, Hyle answered with a faint smile of his own.
Crash-!
Our intimate exchange must have been quite shocking, as the sound of a wine glass shattering rang out among the onlookers.
However, people’s eyes showed no interest in the source of the sound, focused solely on us.
‘What am I… seeing right now?’
‘How is the future Crown Princess with Viscount Feros….’
‘Does His Highness the Crown Prince know about this?’
‘It seems the rumors about the engagement being broken off weren’t false.’
‘Looks like the rumors of trouble between the Crown Prince couple were true. So these two…’
Whispers began erupting everywhere.
The voices were so loud that they nearly drowned out the orchestra playing loudly in the center with their large instruments.
This entrance had that much impact.
The Viscount of House Feros escorting the Lady of House Laté… For anyone who knew the relationship between the two houses, it was an unprecedented, bizarre sight that was hard to believe even when seeing it with their own eyes.
“Next in the plan is… dancing?”
“Yes, Abel will arrive soon.”
Once Abel arrived, Hyle would ask me to dance in front of him – this was our next move.
Traditionally, the first dance should naturally be with one’s partner.
So if I not only brought Hyle instead of Abel but also shared the first dance with him, it would completely confirm the rumors of discord between Abel and me.
Thinking it was about time, we decided to wait for Abel.
As we moved to a position where we could see the center, people parted like waves cut by a knife, making way for us.
Glancing up at the party venue, I could see a high platform in the middle of the wide space.
Soon, when the party reached its peak, the Cardinal would appear there.
And that would be when I would execute my other objective.
The forbidden magic I had requested from Caligo would be the key.
