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~Chapter 23~
The pressure in the room was overwhelming.
Unlike Ares, who often followed their father to the palace, Aveline rarely saw the Emperor.
The Emperor, now up close for the first time, had such a sharp, commanding presence that it was hard to believe he was middle-aged.
Aveline could feel someone watching her from behind the Emperor.
Of course, it was Theron.
Even from a distance, Theron’s striking looks shone, and his gaze was fixed straight on Aveline.
It was almost as if he really could spot his own jewel from anywhere.
It’s a little uncomfortable, she thought.
No matter how handsome someone was, being stared at like that made her uneasy.
But looking closely, Theron’s face seemed a little strange—less like someone admiring a jewel, and more like someone shocked at what they saw.
Did he not expect me to come?
Well, Aveline had skipped every banquet for years. Theron probably thought she wouldn’t come either.
But is it really that surprising?
He was always bragging about watching her wherever she went, after all.
Just as Aveline was starting to feel annoyed by Theron’s obvious shock, someone approached her.
“You really can’t take your eyes off Ares, can you, Your Grace?”
It was a familiar voice.
“…Cervel?”
“Hello.”
Cervel was standing nearby, greeting her as if nothing had changed, even though they hadn’t spoken in years.
“I heard everything from your conversation with Lady Srun just now. You’ve gotten much better at talking since four years ago.”
“What do you mean?”
“You never answered my letters, so I worried you might’ve forgotten how to talk after your debutante trauma. I’m glad that’s not the case.”
Cervel kept her gaze forward as she spoke.
Aveline was used to Cervel’s blunt way of speaking and could sense what she meant.
“…You wrote me letters?”
Aveline had never received any letters from Cervel in the last four years. She remembered feeling hurt about that.
“Yeah. I sent quite a few. My handwriting improved a lot thanks to you. So did my patience. Thanks for that, I guess?”
Cervel was in top form, using her usual sarcasm.
Normally, Aveline would fire back, but right now, she was too shocked to respond.
“I never got any letters.”
“Huh. Same for me.”
“I’m not joking, I really didn’t get any.”
“Then why didn’t you try writing to me?”
Cervel sounded a bit gruff.
“I did write to you.”
Aveline hadn’t just waited for letters—she’d sent some, too, after her two-month grounding ended. But no reply ever came, no matter how many she sent.
Finally, Cervel turned to look at Aveline.
“Hmm. That is strange.”
Cervel tapped her palm with her fan, lost in thought.
“What are you two whispering about?”
Ares suddenly appeared, giving Cervel a suspicious look.
“Oh, just something odd. By the way, isn’t Duke Ribes staring at you a bit too much?”
Theron’s eyes were still fixed in their direction, though Cervel mistakenly thought it was Ares he was looking at.
“You know, you really can’t hide a cough or love.”
“What!? What does that mean?”
Cervel finished speaking and turned away before Ares could get angry.
“By the way, if you’re telling the truth, Aveline…”
Cervel paused as she started to walk off.
“You should probably check your house for a goat. Looks like some goat’s been eating all the letters.”
“Why would a goat eat the letters all of a sudden?”
Ares, completely lost, chimed in, and Cervel just shrugged.
“Maybe the ink tasted good. Anyway, see you both next time!”
“She always says whatever she wants…!”
Ares huffed as Cervel ignored him and walked away.
“Calm down, Ares,”
Aveline said, replaying the conversation in her mind.
Did someone deliberately intercept our letters? Why?
There wasn’t anything important in them—mostly just thoughts about the books they’d read.
Aveline and Cervel liked different genres but always respected each other’s tastes, so sharing book reviews was their main fun.
If someone really stole those letters, that’s just weird.
There was nothing useful in them, just book reports.
But at least I know now it was a misunderstanding with Cervel.
Despite Cervel’s sharp tongue, Aveline could tell her old friend was reaching out in her own way.
It was unsettling to think someone might have taken their letters, but she was glad to have spoken with her childhood friend again.
Still, I should look into it when I get home.
Even if there wasn’t anything important in the letters, it was something she shouldn’t ignore.
“Do you want something to drink?”
Ares asked, having calmed down.
He stopped a passing servant and handed Aveline a drink.
“Thanks.”
Aveline took the glass and drank the champagne in one go.
After being on edge for so long around all those people, she finally felt a little more relaxed.
“Can I go for a walk outside for a bit?”
Ares looked around before answering.
“It looks like His Majesty’s audience is about to start… I’ll go pay my respects quickly, so take a short walk in the meantime.”
Ares started to turn away, then looked back, worried.
“But stay just out front, okay? The garden’s huge—you might get lost.”
“I’m not a kid. Go on.”
Ares still looked uneasy but finally left.
Aveline turned and headed toward the garden.
Many people watched her go, eager to catch a glimpse of Lady Lilliana’s famous creations up close.
As soon as Aveline stepped into the garden, cool air wrapped around her.
She saw several others who’d also come out for fresh air.
The champagne was making her feel a bit tipsy, so Aveline wandered farther, looking for a quieter spot.
“Ah, this is nice.”
She found a bench beneath a big tree and sat down, slipping off her shoes.
They’d been a little loose, and she’d had to walk on her toes, so her feet were sore.
“This is what I needed.”
“But you shouldn’t relax yet.”
Suddenly, someone stepped out from behind the tree—it was Melina Srun.
Melina’s eyes were red, like she’d been crying. She must’ve run here after storming out of the ballroom.
Normally, Aveline might have been startled, but with the champagne and the exhaustion, she just felt annoyed.
“You embarrassed yourself. Why are you blaming me?”
Melina’s face turned bright red.
“Don’t laugh! It’s all your fault! Ares doesn’t like me, and it’s because of you!”
Aveline studied Melina’s face.
With her watery blue hair and eyes, Melina actually looked quite cute—her mean words really didn’t match her appearance.
Finally, Aveline asked what she’d always wondered.
“Why do you even like Ares?”
“…What?”
Melina was so surprised, she went blank.
“I mean, really. What’s so great about him that you cause so much trouble for me?”
Aveline knew Ares was popular, but actually seeing someone obsessed with her own twin was different.
“Just so you know, he totally acts like a prince. He’s got it bad.”
“Well, with Ares, it’s not just an act—it’s real.”
“He’s a huge scaredy-cat. One scary story and he can’t sleep alone.”
“That’s his hidden charm! It’s adorable!”
“He’s really picky about his looks. He freaks out about dark circles and always eats broccoli and salmon for his skin.”
“A guy that good-looking who also takes care of himself? He’s perfect.”
Melina instantly answered every point Aveline made.
“Of course I like Ares! The weird one is you for not getting it!”
“So, what if I said I liked your younger brother?”
“Are you crazy?!”
Melina shrieked, then looked worriedly at Aveline.
“…Is your head okay? Did I hurt your feelings too much?”
“I was joking. I just wanted you to experience what it’s like for me.”
“Oh…”
