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Chapter 17
Why Are You Guys There…?
The orchestra’s sweet melody flowed, and it was time for the star of the banquet to take the floor. Under the bright lights, Louwenhart took Tessia’s hand and led her to the center of the hall. As expected, he claimed Tessia’s first dance. Since he was attending the banquet as her partner, it was only natural. Even Redford, who had bristled at Louwenhart, had no choice but to step aside this time. Louwenhart caught the way his rival glared at him with arms folded, then smirked.
“Best friends, huh. Usually, those kinds of people just remain friends to the end.”
And Tessia was no ordinary person. According to Louwenhart’s investigation, she had never shown interest in romance. But he had already spent the night with her. That alone gave him a decisive edge in this competition for her hand.
“Was my gift not to her taste? Or… does she have feelings for Redford?”
All the more reason to secure her heart. Louwenhart pulled Tessia closer by the waist, tilting toward her as he guided her steps.
“Princess.”
“Mm?”
“Are you very close with Viscount Umberto?”
Tessia giggled at his question.
“Yes. We’ve been friends since childhood! Why?”
“It upsets me.”
“What upsets you?”
“I thought I was the one closest to you, but it seems there’s someone else.”
Her eyes went wide. Louwenhart gently embraced her and whispered.
“I thought you’d choose the dress I gave you… but since you wore the gift from the young viscount, I couldn’t help but wonder if you’d actually wanted to attend the banquet with him.”
“Heart! What are you saying? That’s not true at all!”
“Really?”
Louwenhart let his lips curve downward in quiet sorrow, speaking pitifully. Of course, every word was calculated.
“If you’re only being kind to me out of obligation, because you feel responsible for me, then I—”
“No, Louwenhart!”
Responsibility—such a useful emotion. Nothing swayed and bound people more easily, especially someone like Tessia, who valued loyalty and duty above all. As he had predicted, she refuted him with earnestness.
“I told you before, didn’t I? I like going with you, Heart. And Didi—no, Redford—just showed up suddenly. I didn’t even know he was back in the capital.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. And about the dress… I’m sorry, but I don’t like tight clothes. Or anything too cumbersome. That’s why I chose the one Redford gave me.”
“I see.”
“Next time, I’ll wear what you give me. So don’t be upset.”
Tessia smiled, her eyes soft. It was the bright, trusting smile of someone raised with plenty of love. And indeed, she had been raised that way, always surrounded by powerful people eager to grant her wishes. Looking at her pure smile, Louwenhart’s heart felt darker than ever. He pushed aside his faint guilt and smiled back.
“Then I’ll be your partner next time too, won’t I? That’s a promise.”
“Of course!”
She shouted with certainty, as if telling him to trust her. With that, young Viscount Umberto would never take even a single step closer to her.
“Because I, Louwenhart Tiranavan, will block his way.”
But that step came faster than he expected. Redford and Tessia had a bridge between them called “best friends.”
“Shall we dance the next song too, or would you like to rest?”
“Ah… actually, I promised Redford I’d dance with him as well.”
When Louwenhart asked about the next dance, Tessia hesitated, confessing shyly. She even glanced at him nervously—unlike her usual self—still guilty about not wearing his gift.
“Redford has been studying abroad for years, so it’s his first time back in society in a long while. He didn’t have a partner, so I said I’d dance with him.”
So he had grown complacent. Spending the night with her had made him too relaxed, while in the meantime, Umberto had managed to secure her promise to dance. Hiding his displeasure, Louwenhart took her hand and kissed the back of it gently, smiling warmly.
“Go on.”
“Hm?”
“You always value keeping your word. If you were to break your promise because of me, that would tarnish your honor. I’ll wait here for you.”
Tessia’s face lit up.
“I knew it! I knew you’d understand, Heart. I’ll be back soon. Eat something delicious while you wait!”
“Yes, Princess.”
“See you soon!”
Holding up her fluttering dress, Tessia ran to Redford. Louwenhart knew she would return, yet his chest still ached. He fixed her retreating figure in his eyes.
“I won’t let my guard down again.”
Meanwhile, from the highest seat in the hall, Emperor Helios watched the fierce contest between his daughter’s suitors.
“Empress, don’t you think our Tessia takes after me? So popular.”
“Yes, indeed. Princess Tessia is busy dancing today.”
“At this rate, she might marry sooner than we thought.”
Tessia looked lovely in her light pink gown, fluttering about like a blossom. Though she wasn’t wearing his gift, the pink suited her well. The nobles seemed to think the same; as she danced, all eyes turned her way. Our Tessia has grown so much already, Helios thought, deeply moved.
“Hmm. So those two, eh…”
There had been ten candidates in all. But most had shrunk back even before things began—understandable, since Louwenhart had already appeared as her escort. Now and then, one or two tried to muster the courage, but Louwenhart intercepted them before they could even greet Tessia. Redford, for his part, seemed equally unwilling to give anyone else a chance.
“Young Viscount Umberto, hmm…”
Helios had been leaning toward Louwenhart—after all, he had wanted a son-in-law who would enter his household. But seeing them dance tonight, Redford wasn’t a bad option either. He had always been kind since childhood. The problem lay with his father.
“I wonder if the duke would really give up his only son.”
“Who would dare refuse His Majesty’s will when it comes to Princess Tessia’s engagement?”
“Umberto has no other heirs. For him to let his son be put forth means he has some other scheme.”
Helios narrowed his eyes at the sight of Tessia and Redford dancing together—not once, but twice in a row. Meanwhile, Louwenhart had stepped back. If Tessia’s heart leaned toward Redford… Well, Helios would clear away any obstacle for her happiness. He called for Bonesse.
“Summon all the candidates to the banquet hall.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t tell Tessia. And Empress, keep her from leaving until I call for her.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
Everything was set in motion without Tessia’s knowledge.
Tessia blinked. After dancing twice with Redford as promised, she parted with him. He seemed reluctant, but she had her official partner, Louwenhart, waiting. She had to show loyalty in return for his patience. She had been caught by her father for one extra dance, but it hadn’t taken long. Yet when she returned… Louwenhart was nowhere to be found.
At first she thought she had simply missed him, so she searched the hall. But he was not there. Nor was Redford.
“Where did everyone go?”
It was as if they had vanished into thin air.
“Hm. Maybe I should just head back.”
With her partner and her old friend both gone, there was no reason to linger. Better to return and train in swordsmanship instead—these social gatherings always drained her. She was about to tell a servant she was leaving when—
“Princess Tessia.”
The Empress, Liorphe, descended alone. Tessia bowed deeply.
“I greet the noble Moon of the Empire.”
“No need for that between us—we’re family.”
“But this is a public banquet, Your Majesty. Did you need something?”
“Nothing so serious. I just wanted to see if you were enjoying yourself.”
“Ah.” Tessia nodded. She smiled brightly.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I’m enjoying it fully.”
“Oh my. And yet, it seemed you were about to leave early.”
“Well…”
The Empress knew she wasn’t fond of such events and smiled knowingly.
“Actually, my partner, Louwenhart, disappeared.”
“Oh my.”
“So I thought I might head back.”
But if she left now, the Emperor’s plan would be ruined. Just as the Empress was about to hold her back, Bonesse arrived at the perfect moment.
“Your Majesty the Empress, Princess Tessia.”
“Bonesse?”
“Princess Tessia, His Imperial Majesty commands that you come to him.”
“The Emperor? Why me? All of a sudden?”
The Empress chuckled softly.
“How impatient. Looks like everything’s ready already.”
“…Ready?”
“Tessia, whatever happens, don’t be surprised.”
“What do you mean—”
“Go on now.”
Without understanding, Tessia was led away. Poor Princess—unaware of the shocking sight that awaited her. The Empress waved lightly, wishing her luck.
Following Bonesse, Tessia arrived at the banquet annex. When the doors opened, she froze.
“Helios…? What is this?”
Around a round banquet table sat nearly ten young men—all staring at her. Emperor Helios proclaimed proudly:
“Tessia, this is for you. Here they are—all your suitor candidates.”
She swept her gaze around. A diverse group of men sat there politely. Among them were the missing Louwenhart and Redford.
“Heart? Didi?”
Why are you two here…?
For the first time, Tessia truly felt like fainting.
