Chapter 6
The Imperial Palace, seen for the first time, was extraordinarily splendid and grand.
In her past life, it was a sight she had never beheld with her own eyes, so fear took precedence.
Compared to the times when she couldn’t see an inch ahead, the brightness of everything now seemed to constrict her even more.
Reina, out of habit, clasped her hands together and prayed.
‘I can do this. If I can just prove my worth to the Duke, I’ll be able to escape the Emperor.’
Upon arriving at the banquet hall, the three royals already seated glared at Reina.
At a glance, none of them seemed friendly toward her.
Well, this place was practically a miniature battle for the imperial throne.
It was only natural that they were all wary of Reina, who had suddenly appeared on the scene when her presence had been barely noticeable before.
Among them, a man with red hair and a fierce expression spoke brusquely.
“What’s this? Was there ever a kid like that among the royals?”
His crude voice lacked any trace of royal dignity, but the aura he exuded was far from ordinary.
Reina instinctively recognized her opponent.
‘Skal Vincent Mernie, is it?’
The man who had once served as the captain of the Emperor’s direct guard.
He was also the one who had led the charge in the conquest wars alongside the Crown Prince.
At that moment, a man with purple hair tied neatly over one shoulder, wearing glasses, spoke.
“Reina Eve Mernie. The daughter of the Eve Countess’s family. Her brother probably died during a subjugation, I presume?”
His voice was as dry as if he were reciting a dictionary.
Given that he knew precise details about Reina, who had little presence, he was undoubtedly Mikael of the Fromm family.
Skal leaned forward sharply and shouted.
“What? Why would His Majesty invite someone like that? She’s a total nobody!”
“We’ll find out when His Majesty arrives. For now, sit properly, Skal. You’re shaking the table.”
“You’re so uptight because you’re always holed up in the study reading books.”
“And you’re an idiot because you’re always swinging your sword around?”
“What did you say? You want to have a go at me? Right here, right now?”
“People with low intelligence always resort to brute force.”
“Are you done talking?!”
*Bang-!*
It was at that moment when Skal stomped his foot and shot up from his seat.
The Crown Prince, who had been silently listening, roughly set down the water glass he was holding.
“Sit down, Skal.”
With that quiet command, Skal ruffled his hair and sat back down without a word.
Mikael, too, refrained from further provoking Skal.
Reina quietly observed the Crown Prince, who had silenced the commotion in an instant.
Said to resemble the Emperor the most, he was like a pristine sheet of white paper.
His soft silver hair, like the moon, and his silver eyes carried a chilling aura, reminiscent of a snake’s gaze.
“Reina, come and sit.”
He met Reina’s eyes and smiled.
It was impossible to discern what intentions lay hidden behind his gentle demeanor.
The Emperor, too, had approached her like that at first.
Judging by his calm reaction to her appearance, it seemed the Emperor had given him prior notice.
“Reina Eve Mernie greets His Highness the Crown Prince and my esteemed siblings.”
Reina completed all the prepared courtesies and took a seat at the lowest position.
An uncomfortable silence, prickling like needles, followed.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”
At the gatekeeper’s announcement, the four seated individuals stood up in unison.
Reina, too, lowered her head, waiting for the Emperor to take his seat.
At that moment, the Emperor stopped in front of Reina and spoke.
“Why are you sitting here?”
“Pardon?”
Was he questioning why she was at the banquet now, of all times?
Unable to grasp the Emperor’s intentions, Reina trembled nervously.
Then, Skal, standing nearby, sneered.
“As expected, it doesn’t seem like His Majesty invited her. I was wondering why someone like her was here. With your permission, I’ll drag her out myself!”
Skal looked ready to grab Reina’s arm and pull her out at any moment.
The one who prevented such a scene was none other than Crown Prince Siegfried.
“I failed to guide her to her seat due to the flurry of events.”
“Indeed, things have been hectic. It was all arranged so suddenly.”
The Emperor gave a small chuckle and gestured with his chin toward an empty seat for Reina.
“Go sit across from Siegfried.”
“!”
Reina’s eyes widened at the unprecedented seat assignment.
Sitting across from Siegfried signified being second only to the Crown Prince in favor.
Even Skal and Mikael, who had never sat there, had their expressions harden.
“I-I’m comfortable here…”
“Are you defying my orders? How dare you?”
“I misspoke. I am deeply grateful for your boundless grace.”
Reina hurriedly retracted her words and moved to the new seat in a flurry.
It was an unwanted position.
Even the lowest seat had felt uncomfortably close to the Emperor.
While Skal turned his head with a face full of dissatisfaction, Mikael observed her with interest.
“Now everyone is in their proper place.”
The Emperor, seated at the head, smiled with satisfaction.
As he took his seat, the maids simultaneously poured the pre-dinner wine.
Raising his glass toward Reina, the Emperor spoke.
“Do you know why I summoned you here?”
At the probing question, Reina swallowed hard.
After a moment, she concealed her agitation and calmly replied.
“It’s probably because of my marriage, isn’t it?”
“Oh? Has the Duke already informed you? It seems my news is late.”
The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with surprise.
When Reina mentioned marriage, Mikael adjusted his glasses and asked.
“Marriage?”
His expression showed curiosity, as if this was news he hadn’t heard.
The Emperor responded with a pleased look.
“Yesterday, Duke Crencia came to me and said he wishes to marry Reina.”
At that moment, the banquet hall fell silent.
After a pause, Mikael stroked his chin and murmured.
“Then the imperial carriage that was seen entering Duke Crencia’s estate last time must have been Reina’s. I hadn’t figured that out.”
Mikael sighed, as if disappointed.
After all, there had been no prior connection between Reina and Duke Crensia.
Even with the Fromm family’s impressive intelligence network, they likely couldn’t have known who was in the carriage.
Moreover, the Crencia family was known for its tight security.
All their servants were from the North, leaving no room for leaks.
Meanwhile, Skal tilted his head and muttered.
“Huh? Crencia? Why’s that guy suddenly coming up? Am I the only one confused here?”
Ignoring him entirely, Mikael addressed the Emperor.
“But didn’t the Duke refuse Your Majesty’s matchmaking efforts until recently? I don’t understand why he suddenly proposed.”
“Well, he said if it’s Reina, he’d follow my wishes.”
The Emperor’s expression suggested that as long as Duke Crencia married a royal as per his will, the specific person didn’t matter.
Mikael turned to Siegfried and asked.
“Did you know about this, Brother?”
“I only heard about it before coming here.”
“Still, it’s strange. Could there be some ulterior motive?”
“Ulterior motive? For that girl?”
Skal snorted derisively.
Indeed, it was hard to imagine anyone proposing to a princess with no presence for any ulterior motive.
There was nothing to gain from her.
Rather, it was like taking on a burden and returning to the North, a sentiment everyone seemed to share.
“Still, it’s awfully sudden.”
As Mikael muttered suspiciously, Skal spoke boldly.
“Hmph! No matter how great Crencia is, he couldn’t completely defy His Majesty’s orders! He’s probably just been holding out for pride’s sake until now, haha!”
“You’re so simple-minded, it must be nice.”
At Mikael’s jab, Skal’s face flushed with anger, but he didn’t cause a scene like before.
Likely, he was restraining himself because the Emperor was present.
The Emperor, who had been silent, locked eyes with Reina and extended his hand.
When she obediently took it, he asked.
“How long have you two known each other?”
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By Anna 💓
