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Chapter 50
The crowd parted to make way. Calliope and Lerazier also stepped aside.
As the doors opened, people bent their knees and bowed their heads in reverence like a wave.
The Emperor entered with a steady gait, wearing a red cloak embroidered with golden thread and trimmed with white ermine fur.
On his dull brown hair sat a spiky crown.
Following the Emperor were the Empress and the Crown Prince.
“I’ve seen this countless times, but I still can’t get used to it.”
Calliope slightly frowned as she watched the Emperor’s ceremonial trousers, the Empress’s skirt hem, and the Crown Prince’s polished shoes pass by.
According to imperial tradition, the Empress was supposed to enter hand in hand with the Emperor—regardless of whether the Emperor was male or female.
It was the current Emperor who broke that custom.
He always made the Empress walk a few steps behind him. Even the seats prepared on the inner platform of the banquet hall reflected that.
The Empress’s seat was placed one step lower than the Emperor’s throne.
“If asserting authority was that easy, then maybe the Emperor’s prestige wouldn’t have hit rock bottom to begin with.”
As Calliope coldly assessed the scene, the Emperor opened his mouth.
“You may rise.”
With his command, the nobles straightened from their bows. The Emperor stood at the center of the platform.
“Ugh, still such an unpleasant face.”
Calliope kept a graceful smile on the surface as she thought inwardly.
The Emperor lifted a golden goblet brought by an attendant.
“It brings me great joy to be with you all as we celebrate the Empire’s new year. As always, I trust you will continue to serve the Empire’s prosperity and peace.”
After finishing his speech, he raised the goblet and called out,
“To the glory of the Empire!”
And the nobles responded in unison,
“To His Majesty the Great Emperor and the glory of the Altesion Empire!”
“Ugh, this is so cringeworthy I could scream.”
Caught in the moment, Calliope reflexively turned her head—only to lock eyes with Lerazier.
In that instant, they both realized the same thing.
“Wait, you too?”
“Don’t tell me… you as well?”
They had been thinking the exact same thing.
Fortunately, the chant marked the start of the real banquet.
The court musicians began playing in unison, and the attendants eagerly rushed in with drinks and light desserts.
Seizing the moment, Calliope pulled Lerazier toward the wall.
With quick wit, he used his sword aura to create a sound barrier.
Even so, cautious as ever, Calliope whispered quietly.
“How long do we have to keep hearing that stupid prosperity chant?”
“Best to just give up. Even if His Majesty the Great Emperor kicks the bucket, it’s not going anywhere.”
Lerazier replied just as softly.
“Same goes for His Highness the Great Crown Prince. He loves that line so much he makes everyone recite it at every royal family meeting.”
“Oh my god.”
Calliope murmured with genuine disbelief, and Lerazier chuckled.
“You really hate the royal family, don’t you? Doesn’t match your elegant image.”
Caught off guard by how easily he saw through her, Calliope hesitated.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. I’m not the kind of trash who stabs allies in the back.”
“…Was it that obvious?”
“Not to most people. I just have good intuition.”
“Ugh, that’s why I hate people with sharp instincts.”
Muttering under her breath, Calliope reached for Lerazier’s cheek.
She gently rubbed away a lipstick mark that she hadn’t had time to clean off earlier because of the Emperor’s sudden entrance.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Well, I prefer things to look pretty.”
“I thought we were going public with our relationship?”
Calliope shrugged nonchalantly.
“Everyone here already knows whose lipstick that is.”
As they chatted, the mood of the banquet quickly warmed.
After the Emperor and Empress danced the first waltz, they left the hall with a parting remark to enjoy the festivities.
Nobles soon began pairing up and heading to the floor one by one.
Watching this, Lerazier asked,
“Should we show them at least one dance?”
“To seal the deal, I suppose.”
“Then shall we?”
Calliope looked down at the hand Lerazier extended to her.
His gloved hand was large, but his long, slender fingers gave an elegant and nimble impression rather than a clumsy one.
“You seem confident in your dancing.”
“I’m good at anything physical.”
“Oh my, I’m looking forward to it.”
As Calliope lifted her chin arrogantly and smiled, reaching to place her hand in his—
“Lady Calliope.”
A sudden voice interrupted. When she turned her head, the Crown Prince Lucius was standing beside them.
“When did he get here?”
“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Calliope offered a proper bow. Her textbook-perfect courtesy made Lucius’s eyes curve in satisfaction.
“I would like to request a dance with you.”
Excuse me?
Calliope’s brow twitched.
“Don’t tell me… you don’t see Lerazier standing right here?”
Of course he did.
Lerazier still had his hand extended toward her. Lucius clearly knew—and yet deliberately made the request.
“He’s doing this because he’s sure I won’t refuse.”
Calliope could feel all the eyes on them.
“If I had my way, I’d scold him for his lack of manners.”
But Lucius was the Crown Prince, and Lerazier’s older brother. With so many eyes watching, she couldn’t respond too harshly.
“It is truly an honor that Your Highness would request a dance.”
As the words left her mouth, Lerazier’s expression turned icy, while Lucius lit up.
“Then there’s no reason to delay. Come—”
“But as you can see, I already have a precious partner.”
Calliope smoothly interrupted, taking Lerazier’s hand.
She smiled sweetly, eyes crinkling in a pretty arc.
“May I have the dance with Your Highness afterward?”
Though phrased politely, the meaning was clear: I’ll dance with Lerazier first. Wait your turn.
And that was more than enough to bruise Lucius’s ego.
“In that case, it can’t be helped. I’ll just find another partner.”
Clearly irritated, he snapped.
“There are plenty who consider it an honor to dance with me, after all.”
He spun on his heel, grabbed a nearby drink, and disappeared into a crowd of eager ladies.
“So childish it’s embarrassing.”
Calliope shook her head and turned back to Lerazier.
“Let’s go.”
“…”
“Lerazier?”
“…Yeah.”
Quickly erasing his stiff expression, he nodded.
The two stepped onto the dance floor and faced each other. Just then, the previous song ended and the next one began.
It was a famously difficult and fast-tempo piece, known for requiring highly skilled dancing.
As expected, the others quickly cleared out in panic, leaving the two alone on the floor.
“Congratulations, Calliope Verdi. You’re at the center of attention again.”
“Well, naturally… ah!”
Calliope gasped softly. Lerazier had slipped his fingers between hers and interlaced their hands.
The unfamiliar friction against her soft skin sent a strange tingle through her.
Meanwhile, he remained unfazed, tightening his grip as he asked,
“Are you ready?”
