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chapter 11
“Ugh! What the—how did you even get here?!”
George looked absolutely terrible. His hair was a complete mess, and his finely dressed clothes were splattered with dirt in several places.
Anyone could tell he looked like someone who had been kidnapped.
“…Prince George, on a fine day like this, what on earth is this appearance?”
Hella was the first to speak.
The lively atmosphere of the banquet instantly fell silent, as if someone had poured cold water over everyone. Only silence filled the hall.
“…….”
Even George seemed a little startled by Hella, perhaps out of fear, but he didn’t stop talking.
“Devaltin—Crown Prince Devaltin has been up to something!”
“What… do you mean by that?”
The emperor’s voice cracked as if proving he was unwell, his words trembling.
“Grace Antiana!”
‘Ugh!’
“She sent that woman to prevent me from attending the banquet! She even orchestrated a kidnapping!”
George began frantically looking around like a madman, as if he was about to find Celestine at any moment.
Celestine instinctively shrank back and hid behind Rio.
“…Milady?”
Rio looked puzzled but, assuming Celestine was scared of the situation, blocked her path with a faint, reassuring smile.
“Damn it!”
Seeing no sign of Celestine, George couldn’t contain his anger and let out a short scream. He truly looked unhinged.
“Prince George, restrain your reckless words!”
Hella spoke sharply, her face rigid with authority, but George no longer seemed afraid.
Why?
Because he had a trump card.
A card that could take both Devaltin and Hella down at once.
“The one who should restrain their reckless words isn’t just me, Your Majesty, Empress.”
‘Oh no…’
Celestine, unable to watch any longer, tightly closed her eyes and covered her mouth.
“The Empress must speak openly and clearly in front of everyone!”
George shouted like a lunatic.
“Crown Prince Devaltin Bacalar of Yeshua… actually—!”
“…George Bacalar.”
Hella’s cold, ominous voice cut through the hall. Celestine instinctively looked at her and froze without realizing it.
Hella, glaring at George from the main seat, radiated far more intimidation than the emperor himself or Devaltin.
Even though Hella wasn’t replying to him, Celestine felt chills running down her spine and sweat forming. In short, she felt scared enough to wet herself.
“No matter what you intend to say, if your words tarnish Devaltin’s honor, it also stains mine. No matter what it is.”
“…….”
“If you dare disgrace the Empress and the Crown Prince, in front of everyone no less, you must bear the consequences. Even if it leads to death.”
George, who had been babbling like a machine gun, finally seemed genuinely frightened by Hella’s fierce response.
His hands trembled visibly from afar as he clenched his fists, taking short, shallow breaths repeatedly.
“George.”
The emperor spoke, his face stern, looking at his son.
“The Empress is right. Now that you’re an adult, you must take responsibility for your actions and your words. You understand what I mean.”
Unfortunately for George, he didn’t have solid proof that Devaltin was not the emperor’s blood.
Of course, George had his own suspicions and had even found a witness—the only person who knew that Hella was already pregnant before marrying into Yeshua.
A maid who once served Hella.
‘But that maid has already been taken care of by Hella.’
Hella, realizing George was digging into the past, had sent assassins to the Azteca Empire long ago to eliminate anyone connected to her. That was why she could act so strongly now.
Still, even without evidence or witnesses, the mere hint of questioning the bloodline would be a huge vulnerability for Devaltin.
Rumors could spread, and even after ascending to the throne, other princes could use it as an excuse to rebel.
So the best strategy for Devaltin and Hella was to prevent George from even mentioning the bloodline in the first place…
‘In the original story… he was dragged out like that…’
“Forgive me, Your Majesty! Empress!”
Suddenly, a pale-faced woman jumped up and knelt in front of the main seat, apologizing.
“The prince hasn’t been in a sound state of mind lately… so we tried to let him rest today as well, but he seems to have done this out of desire to celebrate the Crown Prince’s birthday…”
Ah, George’s mother. So, a concubine.
“Yeriel.”
Hella called her name in a low voice. Yeriel flinched sharply, having been cowering low like a worm.
“I knew your son was eyeing the Crown Prince’s position. And that he would try all sorts of schemes.”
“No, no… it’s a misunderstanding. We would never dare… such intentions…”
“I truly wonder… do you think I should remain silent after being so insulted at my own son’s birthday banquet?”
Hella slowly rose and descended from her seat. She lifted Yeriel’s chin with a luxurious, ornate fan and asked:
“Answer me, Yeriel.”
“…….”
“How should I punish that reckless prince who ruined this occasion, and you, who failed to raise him properly?”
Hella’s red eyes blazed like fire, fixing on the bowed Yeriel.
“Absurd, isn’t it, Yeriel… and George.”
The emperor’s voice cracked as he spoke weakly.
“Though he grew up unruly, what kind of tantrum is this?”
“Y-Your Majesty… I…!”
George tried to speak, but the emperor interrupted.
“All matters regarding this incident are entrusted to the Empress.”
George and Yeriel froze immediately.
“Yeriel, take George away. I don’t want this banquet ruined any further.”
“Y-Yes… I am truly sorry…”
Yeriel was on the verge of tears. She trudged over to George, grabbed him hastily, and began leaving the banquet hall.
“…….”
After the mother and son left, a heavy, leaden silence settled over the hall. Royals and nobles alike stared at Hella with fear.
Everyone knew Hella held real power in the palace, but they hadn’t expected the emperor to openly say he would leave all decisions regarding punishment to her.
That meant anyone who angered Hella in the future would have their life ruined immediately.
“I apologize for ruining what should have been a fine event.”
Ignoring others’ thoughts, Hella’s expression had completely changed. Kind… gentle…
But the murderous intent in her eyes remained, which made Celestine feel even more afraid.
“Anyway, we still have much prepared, so esteemed guests, please enjoy the banquet. That’s what this gathering was made for.”
The guests awkwardly responded, trying to act normal and restore the atmosphere.
“Prince George really did something foolish.”
Rio muttered softly in front of Celestine.
“If you’re not smart, it’s wise to at least keep your mouth shut.”
Watching Rio, Celestine thought to herself:
Whether George had been dragged out by soldiers or by Yeriel, they had at least prevented his foolish antics…
‘But…’
Could it really be called properly resolved?
‘At least there are no comment boxes or warning messages…’
In any case, would Devaltin, as in the original story, end up killing George?
And would someone get hurt, as before?
As Asha didn’t attend the debutante ball, would she again not stay by his side?
No matter how many questions Celestine asked herself, she had no answer.
All she could see was Devaltin, expressionless, sitting at the main seat as always.
