CMI 07

Chapter 7

Is This Just My Imagination?

At first, when Odette entered the tea party hall, everything went exactly as she had expected.

The glances she had been tiring of over the past few days, the whispers…

“That must be the Fourth Princess. She really does look just like His Majesty, just as they say.”
“Thanks to her, there’s been quite a stir recently. I heard she’s been going around denying that rumor.”
*”I wonder which story is true…” *
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen her at an event like this.”

Most people would approach her for greetings when entering a social gathering, but no one had come to her first.

The only person who briefly made eye contact and greeted her was the Duchess Pavelle, who was familiar with Cedric’s grandmother—but even that lasted only a fleeting moment.

The fact that Odette was holding Cedric’s hand was a secret, and outwardly, she was nothing more than a social outcast—a bastard princess completely disconnected from the court’s social circles.

The only small consolation was that at least there was one person here who might speak to her.

As she walked toward the greenhouse, the silver-haired Emperor noticed her and greeted her warmly.

“Ah, the Fourth Princess has arrived. Welcome.”
“I pay my respects to the Sun of the Empire.”
“The greeting is sufficient. Among family, there is no need for formality.”

Though they had never sought each other out before, the Emperor’s voice sounded remarkably kind, almost like a father speaking to a daughter he was close to.

“You haven’t been attending tea parties regularly due to your health, but are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. Thanks to Your Majesty’s care.”

Odette greeted him politely, and his eyes briefly swept over her.

Katarina, standing beside him, did not miss the chance to interject with a smile.

“Your Majesty, Odette has grown so much, hasn’t she? Children grow so quickly, don’t they? Though not her biological mother, I’ve been raising her, and every time I see her, I’m surprised at how much she’s grown.”

“…Indeed. She has grown. I remember her as a child. It wouldn’t be surprising if she were to marry now.”

Marriage.

That single word made Odette’s body stiffen ever so slightly.

“…!”

Every word the Emperor spoke carried weight.
If he chose to bring up such a topic in front of everyone, it had a clear intention.

‘As I suspected… he’s going to bring up marriage with the frontier nobles.’

It seemed Katarina knew this too, deliberately mentioning how much Odette had grown.

“Marriage, you say? By now, she’s old enough to have a child if it were years ago. If you don’t start looking for a suitable match soon, people will blame the mother, won’t they, Fourth Princess?”

“…I…”

Katarina’s teasing words made Odette’s mouth go dry.
She had expected such a conversation, but not to come this quickly.

‘In the end, I might have to take a bold step.’

Unconsciously, Odette clenched her fist, her dry lips parting slightly.

At that moment, the entrance began to stir.

Curious, she turned her head—and saw the one face she least wanted to see.

A rigidly straight mouth, proud features, and eyes that seemed to hide a contemplative gaze.

A man slightly taller than everyone else, whose lowered gaze seemed entirely natural rather than off-putting.

‘…Walter Ertmann.’

Why was he here?

The moment she recognized him, Odette’s heart sank.
She had been so preoccupied with thoughts of Louis on the way that she hadn’t considered that Walter might attend the tea party.

‘Besides, the Duke of Ertmann is notorious for avoiding social events.’

In truth, she hadn’t even thought she would see him again.
Yet not only did she see him unexpectedly, but of all places, it was in front of the Emperor.

‘Please tell me he’s not going to talk about that ridiculous proposal again…’

Odette now knew that Walter was not aligned with the Empress, but there were still many reasons why she needed to avoid marriage with him.
He was famous, and his life was far from the quiet one she desired.

Perhaps it was because she first met him in the dark, or perhaps because this was the first time she was seeing him from a distance.

Dressed in a black tailcoat, Walter approached, looking far sharper and fiercer than she remembered.
Yet his steps were not rough or coarse—they gave the impression of refined elegance, like well-tailored satin.

Even as he approached the Emperor and paid his respects, it was done with that same elegance.

“I pay my respects to the Sun of the Empire.”
“I didn’t expect the Duke to attend. I hear his name has been coming up frequently lately. I didn’t think he would take the effort to attend an event like this.”
“My grandfather instructed me to engage in social activities now that I have returned to the capital. Besides, the spring social season is at its peak, isn’t it?”

“Ah, indeed. The spring season is at its height.”

The Emperor laughed heartily in agreement.

In the social calendar, each season had its meaning, and spring was the season for courtship.
By mentioning the spring season, Walter was indirectly referring to marriage.

“It seems Sir Arnold is eager to see his great-grandson soon.”
“Being advanced in age, he wishes it.”

“Interesting, very interesting. The Duke’s news of victory, and the timing of spring in full bloom, brings me endless joy.”

Everyone joined in, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere, while light conversation flowed.
Odette, however, remained frozen.

She averted her gaze, but the conversations about marriage and rumors were like harpoons ready to thrust her back into the spotlight.

Whispers again pierced her ears:

“The main figures of the rumors are all gathered here.”
“We might hear something interesting.”

Hearing this, Odette involuntarily looked toward Walter.

And then…

‘…Ah.’

Their eyes met.

Even as Odette froze in surprise, Walter’s green gaze never moved.
It was as if he had been watching only her all along.

She suddenly recalled their conversation at the victory celebration:

“Is there a reason for the proposal? I want you.”
“From head to toe, Princess. I want it all.”

His voice had been brazen and unashamed, and his eyes had looked the same.
A slight furrow in his brows, as if tormented by hunger.

‘Exactly…’

It felt as if every word he had spoken were true.
Or perhaps it was the shock of their eyes meeting.

Thump. Her heart sank.

Odette barely managed to move her lips.

“Honestly, I didn’t believe it, but it seems true.”

A mocking voice whispered in her ear, making her shoulders jerk.
Turning, she saw Reginna, more extravagantly dressed than ever.

“Huh, sister?”
“Look at that expression. He really seems to dislike you. I’ve never seen Duke Ertmann make that face before.”

Reginna hid her mouth with a fan, but Odette, standing close, could clearly see the sharp smile on her red lips.

Looking back at Walter, his expression had subtly changed.
The slight frown looked the same at first glance, but now displeasure was clearly visible.

Odette felt a little deflated.

‘It’s been like that from the start. Why did I imagine otherwise?’

She briefly thought Walter’s words might have been sincere, though they couldn’t have been.

‘Duke Ertmann is so handsome that even a frown seems misleading.’

Embarrassed, her face flushed.
At least, seeing Walter’s attitude seemed to put Reginna in a good mood.

“When you said you had no connection with Duke Ertmann, I didn’t believe it. But now I will. Whatever it is, you must have earned his dislike. Otherwise, why would he show it so plainly?”

Reginna laughed quietly, hinting that Walter’s rumored affair with Odette was probably just because he disliked her.
Then, as if she hadn’t laughed at all, she whispered coldly:

“Stay out of it. If you interfere today, I won’t forgive you.”

She tapped Odette’s shoulder and left.

The conversations around the Emperor seemed to wrap up, and people began finding their assigned seats for the tea party.
Only then did Odette finally regain her composure.

‘…Alright, that actually works out.’

As Reginna said, whether Walter liked her or not didn’t matter.
The tea party had seating according to rank, and only the royal family sat at the main table.

‘I don’t need to worry about Duke Ertmann.’

Odette settled at the main table, feeling much lighter.

Then:

“Ah, Duke Ertmann. Come, sit here. Since Cedric hasn’t arrived, a seat is open, and it suits you to take it.”

“If Your Majesty says so, I will not refuse. It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Following the attendants, Walter bowed slightly and sat at the round table.
Directly across from Odette, beside Reginna.

Reginna brightly greeted him:

“I suggested we have tea again with Duke Ertmann, but I didn’t expect it to happen like this.”

“As Your Majesty said, coincidences align.”

Walter’s composed response briefly flicked toward Odette.

“I am glad to meet again, Princess.”

Once again, Odette’s mind filled with the same thought:

‘He’s… speaking to me.’

Was this just her imagination?

Distracted by the confusion, she quickly looked away, just as the attendants arrived with trays of fragrant, sweet delicacies.

Since this tea party, hosted directly by the Emperor, only occurred once in a season, the quality of the food was exceptional.

The table clattered with cups and cutlery as everyone expressed delight, but Odette barely touched her teacup.

Just as she sipped her now lukewarm tea, the Emperor’s bored voice rang out:

“Seeing all my beloved here reminds me of a recent rumor.”

“A rumor, Your Majesty?”

“My daughters have reached marriageable age, and stories about men have begun circulating. While I do not intend to suppress such matters entirely, I believe these whispers should not diminish the dignity of the Imperial family.”

Though he smiled, his expression was not truly smiling.

“In my generation, we had ‘that incident,’ so I must be extra careful… wouldn’t you agree?”

At his words, the atmosphere around the table froze.