MPBGS 66

Chapter : 66

“Where would you like to go?”

“To the Imperial Palace.”

After stating my destination, I got into the carriage. No matter how skilled the coachman was, he couldn’t compare to Melek. The carriage rattled as it began to move. Feeling a bit carsick, I kept my eyes fixed outside the window—and before I knew it, the rain had stopped. The clouds parted, and the moon revealed a soft, gentle glow. Lady Totten stared blankly at the sky.

“The rain has stopped.”

The monsoon that had poured down for days had finally passed. The moon was dazzlingly beautiful.

“Lady Totten. Do you know today’s date?”

“Yes, of course.”

She looked puzzled, as if wondering why I suddenly brought it up. I had hesitated over whether to say this, but in the end, I decided to.

“Please never forget today. We stole death from Ryder. We took away his chance to be mourned, and even his peaceful rest. So at least we should remember the day of his passing.”

I took out a flower made of jewels from my pocket and handed it to her. It was a crystal flower I had received as a bonus when Misha practiced crafting my ruby flower. It didn’t match my debutante dress very well, so I had been thinking of giving it to Gabriel.

I never thought I’d use it like this. This was my offering to Ryder.

Lady Totten accepted the crystal flower. Then she clutched it tightly, as if it were something precious, and burst into tears. She cried like a child.

Through her sobs, she poured everything out—how Ryder had been terribly ill for five days, and how he had finally passed away today. From the will he left behind, to how she had come to find me in desperation, grasping at straws—she told me everything.

“I will never forget today. It’s the Crown Prince’s birthday, so I won’t be able to forget it anyway.”

With reddened eyes, she made that promise. By the time she finished speaking, we were already nearing the Imperial Palace.

“We’re almost there.”

After setting down her belongings, Lady Totten looked much more at ease than before.

Since the rain had stopped, I opened the carriage window and looked outside. Wow—the Imperial Palace was beyond the river. After crossing a massive suspension bridge, an enormous main gate came into view. Was that really just a gate? It was so grand it left me speechless.

Guards stood at the entrance, inspecting each carriage one by one.

“They’re checking the entry registry to see if you’re qualified to enter the palace.”

Lady Totten, who had returned to her composed noblewoman demeanor aside from her tear-stained eyes, explained why the carriage had stopped. The inspection was stricter than crossing a national border—but it made sense. It was the Imperial Palace. They had to be wary of assassins.

Eventually, it was our turn.

“Please show your invitation—H-hic! This person’s neck is twisted…!”

Since the window was open, I could hear voices from outside, though not clearly.

Twisted? What?

“Oh, the invitation is right here.”

“No, that’s not the issue—the coachman’s neck… What? Did I see it wrong? He looks fine now.”

“What are you talking about?”

As Hena questioned him, the guard tilted his head but accepted the invitation. After checking the Rohanson family name written on it, he asked suspiciously:

“Count Rohanson’s family? The Count has already entered.”

“The Count departed earlier. This carriage carries Lady Rohanson, who will be making her debut today, along with her chaperone, Marchioness Totten.”

“Lady Rohanson…?”

The guard looked inside the carriage—and our eyes met. I tried to smile in greeting, but he immediately turned pale and bowed deeply.

“M-my apologies!”

Just how far had Evangelin’s bad reputation spread? At this point, she could easily be called the capital’s most notorious villainess. Compared to the maids who buried their heads to the floor, this guard merely lowering his gaze was actually mild.

After passing inspection and entering through the gate, we rode a bit further until we reached the banquet hall.

“How splendid.”

“Isn’t it?”

It was truly a palace surrounded by light, as if made of gold. The glow reflected off the river, making it even more majestic. There’s no way they have LED lights in this era—so was this magic?

At last, the carriage stopped. The banquet was being held at the Lion Palace, and true to its name, lion statues stood with their jaws wide open, looking fierce.

Hena stepped out first to escort me, but suddenly another hand appeared.

Just from the long, elegant fingers, I could guess the owner.

As expected, when I looked up, I saw those deep blue eyes—like a clear sky I hadn’t seen in days of rain.

“Sir Gabriel.”

“Good evening, Lady Rohanson.”

Perhaps because we had parted on bad terms last time, it felt like it had been a while.

His long eyelashes fluttered. Maybe it was because he dressed up, but he looked especially striking today. With his hair neatly styled back, his features stood out even more.

Well… he is the male lead. Of course he’s ridiculously handsome.

Admiring him, I accepted Gabriel’s escort and stepped out of the carriage. There were many people at the entrance, but thankfully it wasn’t chaotic like a red carpet—if anything, it felt eerily quiet.

I was glad debutante outfits required white gloves. Through the thin fabric, Gabriel’s hand felt colder than usual.

“Have you been waiting long?”

We had arrived much later than expected after stopping by the Marquis’s residence.

“I saw the auspicious symbol of the Rohanson family from afar, so I waited.”

“Auspicious symbol”? More like a bad omen.

For reference, the Rohanson family crest was a phoenix split in half like a symmetrical pattern—because, apparently, a phoenix is one of a kind.

“Tonight, you shine so brightly I thought a star had fallen.”

So he was using the flattery Misha taught him here? I thought he’d be discouraged after being rejected, but today he was unusually bold.

“You remember what I said last time, right?”

We’re just flirting. That’s it.

“Yes, I remember. But there are many eyes watching tonight. Especially those from the temple—they believe I admire you.”

What? He spread that rumor?

Well, we did agree to stick together to soften my bad reputation and avoid suspicion from the temple…

“Then I’ll gladly play along.”

Last time I pushed him away—today, I’ll pull him closer.

I smiled brightly. I had even practiced smiling in front of a mirror for two days.

Gabriel froze, speechless.

Seriously, this guy…

I nudged him lightly and gestured toward Lady Totten behind me.

“Sir, Lady Totten is here.”

Gabriel greeted her calmly.

“It’s been a while, Lady Totten. I was worried when I hadn’t heard from you.”

“I’m sorry. There were… circumstances.”

He didn’t press further, as if being considerate.

“Now that Lady Totten is here, we won’t need Bishop Marik’s help.”

So no dangerous exorcist involvement anymore—good.

“Is Bishop Marik inside?”

“No. He already left before you arrived. The Archbishop summoned him.”

“…So he knew Lady Totten would come as my chaperone.”

That’s why Gabriel wasn’t surprised.

But how did Marik know?

Perhaps he had spies.

“…Marik?”

Lady Totten muttered his name.

“Do you know him?”

“Of course. He’s the one who ordered that I not be sold holy water.”

Her voice was filled with hostility.

“Once rumors about Ryder spread, he claimed holy water could not be given to the ‘cursed.’”

I see.

So Marik was exactly as I suspected—an exorcist who showed no mercy toward anything he deemed impure.

“Ryder didn’t need holy water anymore anyway…”

She stopped abruptly, realizing her slip.

“Because he recovered,” I quickly added.

“Yes… he recovered.”

We had agreed to keep Ryder’s death a secret—even from Gabriel.

Gabriel stayed silent, his blue eyes unreadable.

“Ryder…”

“He recovered!” Lady Totten cut him off loudly.

Gabriel didn’t press further.

At that moment, another knight approached.

“Commander, apologies for interrupting, but we must inspect their belongings.”

“Uriel.”

It was the knight who had escorted me before.

After checking our items, Uriel said flatly:

“You look beautiful today, my lady.”

With that expressionless face, it sounded oddly mechanical.

When they opened my gift box—

“A… dagger?!”

The knight panicked.

“Yes, I brought a weapon.”

“What?!”

I pointed silently toward the box.

Gabriel quickly intervened.

“It’s decorative. There’s no blade.”

After checking, they confirmed it.

“No problem.”

Lady Totten’s gift—luxurious cufflinks—was also approved.

After everything was done, Lady Totten entered first.

“Marchioness Kinder Totten!”

Wow… they actually announce names like this?

“This really is a romance fantasy world…”

“Shall we go in?”

Gabriel hesitated, then held out his hand.

“…You may find touching me unpleasant, but… please endure it tonight.”

His voice trembled slightly.

So that’s why he seemed tense.

He thought I disliked physical contact with him.

“It’s not unpleasant. I told you—I like you.”

I gently placed my hand over his.

He looked conflicted.

“Is that because you know your place?” he muttered.

“…What?”

“Nothing.”

We entered the banquet hall.

And just like that, the night truly began.