-chapter 11-
Alright. It wasn’t like this was the first day or two it had happened.
“More importantly, Mary. You’re all done getting things ready now, right?”
“Yes. Have a safe trip.”
“Huh? You’re not seeing me off?”
“Well… I woke up really early to get everything ready, so… yaaawn.”
Mary opened her mouth wide and let out a huge yawn.
…Honestly, I’m sleepy too.
“Then have a safe trip!”
Seeing Mary smile sleepily and wave her hand made any urge I had to complain disappear completely.
Fine. Go sleep, then.
I shut the door behind me.
‘Come to think of it, it makes sense she’s tired.’
I’d complained that getting dressed took too long, but that wasn’t because Mary was slow with her hands.
‘If anything, it’s my fault.’
Even though my treatment had improved compared to before, it hadn’t made any real difference in my daily life.
In other words, my life was still a complete mess, and Mary was still the only maid assigned to me.
Which meant Mary had done all my dressing by herself.
‘Still, I’m jealous.’
I want to sleep too.
‘By the way, where did he go?’
Siderion, who had looked like he’d be waiting right outside the door, was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a maid who had been waiting nearby bowed her head and said,
“I will guide you.”
Only after walking down the long corridor and descending the stairs under the maid’s guidance did I finally spot Siderion in the distance.
I’d only caught a glimpse of him earlier, but…
‘Wow. He really stands out.’
Even though he’s young, it’s obvious.
Is this the sub–male lead buff? How is a side character like me supposed to survive?
When I got close enough, Siderion—somehow noticing me—was already looking my way. His eyes narrowed slightly.
‘There he goes again, giving me that look.’
With no other choice, I offered a shallow apology.
“Sorry I’m late!”
“It wouldn’t make a difference whether you dressed up or not. Why did you take so long?”
This brat, seriously?
I pouted and grumbled.
“I couldn’t help it. Mary’s my only maid, and she had to dress me all by herself, so of course it took longer.”
I looked at Siderion with subtle expectation.
Since he’d even brought me to a banquet, maybe if I kept saying things like this, he’d increase the number of maids assigned to me.
‘Then Mary wouldn’t have to work so hard, right?’
Thinking of Mary smiling from ear to ear made me smile too.
‘But why isn’t he answering…?’
When I turned my head, expecting a reply, all I saw was the back of Siderion’s head as he walked ahead, leaving me behind.
How heartless!
Lifting the hem of my dress that dragged along the ground, I hurried after him.
Fortunately, Siderion stopped not too far ahead. Not because he was waiting for me, but simply to board the carriage.
Maybe because I’d been running in this stifling dress, I was already out of breath even though I hadn’t gone far.
I stood there, panting heavily.
This inconsiderate, jerk—huff, huff!
Just as I was mentally insulting Siderion with every inhale and exhale—
“What are you doing?”
I looked up to see Siderion, who I’d assumed was already seated in the carriage, standing halfway up the steps and looking back at me.
What? He didn’t go ahead?
Remembering how I’d just been cursing him made me feel a bit awkward.
“I—I got a little tired…”
As I spoke while catching my breath, Siderion let out an exasperated sigh.
Then he came back down the few steps he’d climbed and held out his hand to me.
‘C-can I really take it?’
I was flustered by his sudden action.
Lately, Siderion had been treating me more like an actual person than before, which was an honor in its own way, but when someone changes suddenly, doesn’t that usually mean they’re about to die?
‘Gasp. Is he about to die?’
If only.
“Aren’t you going to take it?”
Siderion urged me with a sullen expression.
“L-let’s go!”
Without thinking any further, I grabbed his hand.
It looked small to the eye, but the hand holding mine was larger than I expected.
‘Are we… getting a little closer?’
All the way to the imperial palace, I kept sneaking glances at Siderion’s profile.
‘It’s not like his elemental power suddenly weakened and broadened his emotional range.’
The flames burning in his eyes showed his fire attribute was still intact.
Is it just because he’s still young?
‘Or maybe there’s hope for redemption…’
“Do you have something to say?”
When our eyes suddenly met, I quickly turned my head back forward.
“No. Not at all!”
I tried to act calm, but my heart was pounding like crazy.
That scared me. I didn’t expect him to turn around so suddenly.
I should stop having silly fantasies about redemption and just live quietly until I can get a safe divorce.
I only have one life, and it’s precious.
“So this is the imperial palace…”
After stepping out of the carriage, I stared at the massive palace with my mouth hanging open.
I’d thought the Astreia Grand Duke’s residence was huge, but it couldn’t compare to this.
Even craning my neck as far as it would go, I couldn’t see the end. The sheer size and grandeur left me in awe.
‘So this is the imperial palace…’
I’d read countless descriptions of dazzling imperial palaces in medieval romance fantasy novels.
But seeing is believing—nothing compares to witnessing it in person.
My heart began to race at the overwhelming sight.
Only then did it truly sink in that I’d been transported into a novel.
“What are you staring at like an idiot?”
Would it kill him to speak a little nicer?
“I just thought it was amazing.”
“What’s so special about this dump?”
Carelessly saying something that could easily be considered lèse-majesté, Siderion walked past me.
They say it’s hard to keep up with men because of their longer strides, but since we both had short legs, we ended up walking side by side fairly easily.
Like a country bumpkin visiting the capital for the first time, I busily looked around, turning my head in every direction.
The vast palace gardens were impressive, but so were the people walking around in all kinds of flashy, elaborate outfits.
It felt like I’d stepped into an old movie I’d once seen. Everything was fascinating.
Especially the sight of children around my age, all dressed up and toddling along after their parents—it was unbearably cute.
“Look over there. Don’t they look about our age?”
“……”
“Oh! Look at that. Even kids that young attend banquets.”
I got so excited that I forgot I was supposed to be cautious and started chattering at Siderion.
Not that it mattered—he didn’t respond, so it was basically a monologue.
Humans are social creatures, after all. Even talking to yourself has its limits.
‘He really won’t say a single word.’
Fine, whatever. I should be grateful he even brought me to the banquet.
I adapted quickly and knew how to accept reality.
Biting down on my itchy tongue, I quietly took in my surroundings.
And finally, we stood before the staircase leading to the banquet hall.
‘Did Cinderella climb stairs like these?’
With such a silly thought in mind, I slowly began ascending the red-carpeted steps.
But then—
‘Why are these so tall?!’
I was only about halfway up, but Siderion was already much farther ahead.
These damn heels! This damn dress!
Still, I couldn’t be the only one struggling.
With that small hope, I looked around—and saw other children in even more extravagant dresses climbing just fine.
‘…They’re used to it, I guess.’
I was genuinely impressed.
How could they climb steps rivaling the Great Wall while wearing something so cumbersome?
It really drove home the point that even being a side character in a romance fantasy wasn’t something just anyone could do.
“Huff, huff…!”
Just as I reached the top of the stairs, someone suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. Startled by the sudden contact, my eyes widened.
“S-Siderion?”
“Hurry up.”
He tightened his grip and started pulling me up the rest of the way.
Having someone hold onto me definitely made it easier than climbing on my own.
‘This is real progress.’
The same guy who used to shove me away, saying even touching my shoulder was disgusting.
‘Is this the power of snacks?’
Is this what it feels like to raise a child?
Siderion must have sensed something off, because he stopped just before entering and turned to look at me.
“What’s with that creepy expression?”
“It’s nothing.”
Even as he said that, he didn’t let go of my hand, which made me feel oddly satisfied.
Siderion rummaged through his clothes, pulled out the invitation, and handed it to the guard. After checking it, the guard announced loudly toward the hall,
“The Duke and Duchess of Astreia are entering.”
At last, we were entering the banquet hall.
The hall was enormous. If I had to compare it to something… maybe an ice-skating rink.
As I descended the steps with sparkling eyes, Siderion muttered behind me,
“What’s so great about a place like this?”
“Huh? What did you say?”
At some point, he’d let go of my hand and, true to his rude nature, started walking down the steps while ignoring me.
That jerk.
I couldn’t tell if I was trying to befriend a person or some selfish cat.
‘At least cats are cute. You’re just—!’
…Well, you are kind of cute too.
Still unlucky, though.
Pouting, I raised my middle finger at the back of Siderion’s head.
Of course, I lowered it a few seconds later.
Not because I was scared—just because I felt pathetic for doing something so childish.
‘So anyway, what do people usually do at banquets?’
I’d seen enough of the hall and the beautifully dressed guests.
‘But I can’t remember what comes next.’
Usually, people dance.
But it wasn’t like kids our age could gather together and start dancing.
And with Siderion as a partner? Absolutely not.
Siderion, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content staring into space with a perpetually sour expression.
Then, suddenly, for the first time, his expression changed.
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
It was the emperor’s first appearance.
