-chapter 12-
“That’s the Emperor….”
It asn’t just the sheer number of nobles that amazed me—it was also my first time seeing royalty in person.
No wonder it felt so surreal.
Since being possessed, the only people I’d really interacted with were the servants of the House of Astyria and Sideron.
There weren’t any notable nobles among them.
The Emperor simply stood there, doing nothing in particular, yet his presence radiated a lofty, intimidating authority.
All the nobles lowered their heads in deference to the confident gaze of someone at the very top.
I did the same.
“Now that I think about it… Sideron’s expression earlier…”
I recalled the strangely creased expression Sideron had shown a moment ago and glanced at his face.
But just as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone, replaced with his usual sullen look.
I hadn’t imagined it.
“He was reacting to seeing the Emperor.”
I rolled my eyes toward the Emperor. His calm, unhurried gaze swept across the hall.
“Of course, from that distance, it’s hard to distinguish who is standing where…”
I barely finished thinking that when the Emperor’s gaze landed on us.
Startled, I immediately lowered my eyes like a guilty child.
Then it hit me.
“The people here have a unique ability.”
It was nothing special for ordinary people, but high-ranking nobles were different.
I didn’t know the exact extent, but historically, noble rank was determined by innate abilities.
The higher the noble, the more extraordinary their attributes, far beyond what ordinary people could compare.
Even though those powers have weakened over time, royalty is said to possess attributes several times greater than anyone else.
And this power isn’t just abstract—it manifests physically as well.
So it wasn’t surprising that the Emperor could recognize us from such a distance.
Sure enough, his gaze lingered on us for a moment.
“Really? From that far away?”
I was shocked, but then the Emperor’s attention shifted elsewhere. Or maybe not?
“Today, I want to thank all the nobles who have come. I hope this banquet brings joy to everyone. Some of you may soon be leaving the Empire, after all.”
And with a subtle sweep of his gaze in our direction, the remark was pointed enough.
“Leaving the Empire soon…”
Sure, some might leave for personal reasons.
But no one here would fail to notice that the Emperor was subtly targeting Sideron with that comment.
“Really, it’s cruel for a grown adult to do that to a child.”
Why did the Emperor harbor such animosity toward Sideron?
The reason was complicated yet simple: the line of succession.
The Astyria family originated from royalty, so naturally, they hold claims to the throne.
That’s why the Emperor sought to keep the Astyria family in check.
The Emperor had a son around Sideron’s age, but he was said to be too weak and gentle to be a suitable heir.
That son was none other than the male protagonist of this story, Kalak Safrid Asaken.
“Well, in reality, it wasn’t weakness but his fragile health that caused the Emperor to be cautious.”
But despite the Emperor’s concerns, Kalak had been raised for this role since childhood. According to the story, he would eventually become Emperor and lead the Empire smoothly.
So everything the current Emperor was doing was pointless. Utterly pointless.
“That’s why the previous Duke of Astyria was sacrificed too.”
Ultimately, only the Astyria family suffered.
I looked at Sideron with a touch of pity.
“In two months, I probably won’t see him again.”
He would be dragged to the battlefield.
A guy who might kill me in the future, but… having seen him recently, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.
“What are you looking at?”
Sorry? Forget that!
I quickly returned my gaze to normal. Not because Sideron was scary, but because I didn’t want to draw attention by making a fuss.
It was my first imperial banquet, after all—I couldn’t cause a scene.
The Emperor’s speech was finally nearing its end.
“To avoid boring you with a long speech, I shall take my leave. May the infinite glory of the Empire follow you all.”
Finally, it was over.
After all that talking, he ended with such a casual flourish.
“Not much different from a principal’s speech back in school,” I muttered.
Once the Emperor finished, I straightened my aching back.
Ugh, my back.
I tapped my stiff muscles and looked around.
There were kids my age clinging to their parents, young nobles who had just come of age, and powerful nobles who ran the Empire.
The Imperial banquet attracted a wide variety of people.
But there were no other kids like us who came alone.
“I thought at least one adult would come with us.”
I wanted to attend the banquet, but not to embarrass myself with my lack of etiquette.
Still…
“What could possibly go wrong?”
I’d be fine.
I’m adorable!
Not a joke. Kids are always forgiven for mistakes.
“I just hope that standard applies in this world too.”
I straightened my dress, ruffled from walking, and prepared to enjoy the banquet.
That is…
“Nothing to do…”
Darkness seemed to fall over me.
Right. I had wanted to come here so badly in the novel, but I had no idea what to actually do once I got here.
All I knew was that the heroine got drunk and… with the male lead.
“No! That’s the novel!”
Focus, Lilian.
“Well, at least I can enjoy watching people!”
I crossed my arms against the wall and observed.
The hall was sparkling with reflected light—so much it hurt my eyes.
The hall itself was shiny, but the jewelry everyone wore reflected the most dazzling light.
Ouch, my eyes.
I quickly looked away, shaking my head.
“Not just anyone can people-watch here.”
For some reason, it felt gloomy.
I could just open my eyes and look, yet even that felt impossible.
Bored, I slumped and summoned a passing servant for some orange juice.
“Not champagne, but it’s tasty enough.”
It must be expensive.
No one would understand why I was so obsessed with this boring banquet. If it bored me, I could just leave.
“But when will I ever come here again?”
This world was absurd.
Married women couldn’t go out without their husband’s permission.
“Patriarchy is the same everywhere,” I muttered.
For that reason, once Sideron went off to war, I likely wouldn’t be able to go out easily.
And if Sideron came back, he’d probably want a divorce immediately—so this might be my last time at a banquet.
“I should take it all in.”
Perhaps the only achievement I’d ever have in my life would be stepping foot in the imperial banquet hall.
“A little sad, though.”
Tears pricked my eyes as I sipped my juice.
Ah, it was delicious.
“By the way, he seems even more bored than me.”
Sideron’s expression hadn’t changed much. A constant look of irritation and boredom.
Yeah, sorry. My fault.
“Well, we’ve seen enough of the banquet. Time to go?”
I was about to speak when someone’s lively voice interrupted.
“Hi! Which noble family are you from?”
A cute girl with pink hair braided into twin tails appeared.
Wait… did she just say hi?
Sure enough, a hurried voice came from behind her.
“Marianne! I told you not to greet like that!”
Ah, she hadn’t been fully taught etiquette yet.
“Sorry, my daughter is still…”
The noblewoman’s voice trailed off. Her reluctant gaze was fixed on Sideron. I heard her mutter “Why him?”
“Kids, or adults…”
Sideron must have heard that, but he didn’t even glance our way—either accustomed or indifferent.
“Impressive,” I thought.
The noblewoman sighed in relief and grabbed her daughter’s hand.
“Let’s go, Marianne.”
“Uh? Mom!”
Watching their balloon-like heads disappear into the crowd, I understood Sideron’s reputation.
Thanks to the Emperor spreading rumors, the once-famous Astyria family became one no one dared approach.
Truly a ‘three against one’ situation. Of course, few could contradict the Emperor openly.
“Still, I get something out of this.”
I decided I’d never come back to this hall.
But human nature is tricky—once I decided to leave, I felt a twinge of regret.
“Enough. Staying here will only make me feel worse.”
And I didn’t particularly want to pity Sideron.
No matter his backstory, he might kill me, and…
“What’s the use of all this anyway?”
He’d soon cease to matter to me.
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts, and called Sideron to leave.
“Sideron.”
“….”
“Uh, Sideron?”
Had he decided to ignore me entirely?
As I turned to look—
“Where… did he go?”
Sideron was gone.
