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~Chapter 50~
“Oh no, my handkerchief…”
Seeing this classic trick, Grey guessed the young lady was probably a new debutante.
“Oops, I stepped on it by accident.”
Grey crushed the handkerchief under his shoe, then gave the lady a regretful smile.
“It’s—it’s all right. I have more.”
His cold stare made the lady quickly back away.
He walked a few steps, and another young lady approached, pretending to faint so she could fall into him. Just as she lost her balance, Grey stepped back.
The girl fell flat on her face, right in front of him.
“Lady, are you hurt?”
Her face turned red as she held out her hand, but Grey just walked by, pretending not to see.
Next, another young lady walked over, carrying a full teacup. Was it tea this time?
“Oh dear!”
Right in front of him, the lady “accidentally” spilled her tea.
Grey quickly grabbed the white tablecloth, using it to block the spill.
“Oh no, the tablecloth got stained. Change it.”
“Yes.”
A servant quickly took the tablecloth Grey handed him.
Meanwhile, yet another young lady was already planning a new way to approach.
Grey hid his disgust and smiled brightly.
Dahlia watched the battle between the Emperor and the young ladies, her mouth falling open.
“Is it really that serious? That’s an illness. Stay away from women! It’s like a disease.”
“Hmm, one empress should be enough,” Tiara said, making Annie’s eyes narrow sharply.
Meanwhile, Dahlia was truly shocked.
She knew the Emperor avoided women, but she never imagined he’d go this far.
He wouldn’t even let any woman get too close to him.
The Emperor’s wedding seemed farther away than ever. No way!
At that moment, Lady Yofron boldly walked up to the Emperor with a confident smile.
“Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”
She greeted him warmly.
“Yes.”
But the Emperor just gave her a perfect, painted-on smile and walked right past.
Dahlia saw it and shut her eyes tight. Even such a beautiful lady couldn’t get his attention?
What does he want? Is he never going to get married?
“Even beautiful ladies are useless…”
Dahlia mumbled to herself sadly, making Tiara glance at her.
“Weren’t you after Emperor Grey?”
“Me? Not at all.”
Dahlia answered the tiresome question flatly.
“Then why are you here, lying and everything?”
Tiara asked openly, making Dahlia stare back awkwardly. She sounded so sure, maybe she really did know Dahlia’s secret.
“Then is Your Highness here for Emperor Grey?”
“Of course. I’m going to be Empress of this empire. My big brother is just a muscle-head, so I can’t become Emperor. The next best position is Empress, right?”
Tiara said it boldly. Dahlia looked at her with shining eyes.
Now that she thought about it, Tiara was stunningly beautiful too. And that confidence! If the empires of Luusephon and Krezea were joined, maybe it would bring world peace.
Dahlia squeezed Tiara’s hand tightly, which was still holding hers.
“All right! I’ll cheer you on, Your Highness!”
Tiara’s lips twitched, pleased at the support.
“Sure. I’ll let you be Empress if it’s you.”
“Ria doesn’t want that job,” Annie grumbled.
As the two started their third round of bickering, someone approached from behind.
“Lady, are you grabbing just anyone’s hand again?”
A deep voice made Dahlia turn around. The Emperor was suddenly there.
She had been hiding in the corner—how did he find her?
“You’re here?”
He didn’t answer, just gestured toward her hand.
Tiara showed off, raising their joined hands.
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty. You’re still beautiful.”
“It’s been a while. Princess, you still want to own every pretty thing you see.”
The Emperor’s lips smiled, but his eyes were annoyed as he looked at Tiara.
Dahlia’s eyes widened. She had just been cheering for them, but now the air was so tense.
“Are you going to keep holding her hand?”
“I just can’t help myself when I see something pretty.”
Dahlia’s eyes shook.
Wait, all that talk about “pretty things”… Was she talking about me?
“Oh, here comes another muscle-head who can’t resist pretty things.”
Tiara let go of Dahlia’s hand, stepped in front of her, and pointed.
The Emperor frowned and blocked the other direction, so Dahlia couldn’t be seen.
Even Annie stood to block any gaps.
Now completely surrounded by three people, Dahlia looked back and forth, bewildered.
“Tiara.”
“Big brother, what are you doing here?”
Tiara looked at him with a frown.
“I heard there’d be lots of beautiful people here today. I came to admire them. Your Majesty, you’re even more beautiful than when I saw you at the audience chamber yesterday. You keep getting more beautiful—I should’ve come sooner to see you more often.”
Poseiton burst out laughing, his chest muscles bulging.
Tiara shot him a disgusted look and turned away.
“Crown Prince Poseiton. Leave the compliments for the ladies of our empire.”
“But Your Majesty is so beautiful, there’s no need.”
“Don’t you get that I’m telling you to get lost?”
The Emperor smiled, but his voice was ice-cold.
“You joke well, Your Majesty. Hahaha!”
Poseiton laughed loudly.
Surrounded by three people, Dahlia covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. She never imagined the Krezea Empire’s crown prince would be so unique. He seemed to like women, too.
If only he’d get married, maybe the world wouldn’t be in so much danger. What a pity.
“So, what are you all hiding back there?”
Poseiton grinned and peeked curiously behind the group.
“Nothing.”
“What do you mean? There’s nobody behind us.”
The Emperor and Tiara pretended nothing was happening. The unknown noble lady fanned herself as if nothing was wrong.
Poseiton smiled playfully and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, Dahlia’s body began to float.
I’m flying. I’m actually flying.
Dahlia flapped her arms in surprise.
“Oh wow.”
“You were hiding something very pretty.”
Poseiton’s blue eyes were fixed on Dahlia.
“Brother!”
Tiara snapped her fingers.
Dahlia’s feet returned to the ground.
“Seems you don’t take me seriously, Prince. You didn’t forget magic is banned in the palace, did you?”
A radiant smile, but a chilling force came from Grey.
Watching from behind, Dahlia shrank from the icy feeling.
Luusephon Empire had swords, Krezea Empire had magic, and the Holy Halen Empire had divine power.
Seeing such foreign abilities in real life made Dahlia dizzy. Annie hurried to stand close beside her.
Poseiton finally stepped back with a laugh.
“Just kidding.”
“Your Majesty, I apologize on my brother’s behalf. I’ll take him away now.”
“But I want to stay—”
“Come on!”
Flinching at Tiara’s glare, Poseiton followed her out with his broad shoulders hunched.
With the interrupters gone, Grey slowly turned and looked down at Dahlia.
