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Chapter 80
News that the princess of Arken was scheduled to arrive in the imperial capital spread quickly. Time, too, seemed to fly by.
Yet, even as Betty busily assisted the Empress with preparations for the welcoming banquet and reception, she couldn’t help occasionally drifting into thought.
“Betty, what color should we use for the tablecloth here?”
“Since we’re decorating mostly in gold, a deep red would look better. It’s a typical choice, though.”
“That’s what I thought.”
The symbol of the Empire was a golden lion with red eyes. Naturally, both the banquet and reception halls were lavishly decorated in gold.
“Your Majesty, how should we arrange the seating for the guests?”
The Empress gazed carefully at a complex centerpiece on the banquet table.
“Decide as you see fit. I’ll approve it. First, arrange it as you think is ideal.”
The dinner that evening would be the first formal occasion to properly welcome the envoys sent along with the princess from Arken.
Only the highest-ranking individuals of the Empire would be present, so the guest list wasn’t very long.
“Reina Arken.”
The princess was more famous for her extraordinary beauty than for her name.
It was said she looked almost unreal, as if she had stepped out of a snow-covered landscape.
“Betty.”
Startled by the voice calling her, Betty lifted her head.
She realized she had been lost in thought and hadn’t been paying full attention to the Empress—a mistake.
“I’m sorry. I was just… thinking about something else for a moment.”
“That’s alright. I’m not blaming you. Even I wouldn’t have wanted my first official duty as Empress to be receiving a foreign royal delegation.”
“But I’m not entirely in charge of everything,” Betty said.
“Still, it’s true that you’re paying attention to every detail,” the Empress, Janine, said with a smile, her face completely untroubled.
Even though she clearly knew and remembered the high possibility that Arken was behind the poisoning attempt… how could she remain so calm? Betty herself could never have been so composed.
“Curious?”
Janine asked gently, watching the maids lay the tablecloth.
“About how I can remain so unaffected… even after hearing what you told me?”
“Your Majesty, I…”
“Feeling frustrated? Let’s go for a walk outside.”
Suddenly, Janine offered her arm to Betty.
Though it seemed as if she wanted support, Janine didn’t need it; it was more like linking arms.
Betty quickly put down the guest list and joined the Empress. Janine silently held her hand as they headed outside together.
“When you sit at such events, you face countless threats. People try to diminish or belittle my position in any way they can.”
They walked for a while in silence. As soon as they entered a quiet garden, Janine spoke.
“This isn’t the first time my life has been in danger. And it won’t be the last.”
There was a deep trace of fatigue hidden beneath her usually calm tone.
“So, I have no choice but to remain composed. I chose Roy, and Roy chose me. That means we must each fulfill our roles for each other.”
Her flat tone carried the wisdom of years of experience.
“…I will continue to serve you diligently,” Betty said.
Janine smiled at her—a bright, refreshing smile she always gave when explaining something to Betty.
“And situations are always complex. Never simple. Keep that in mind. Just as this vast Empire doesn’t move as one, neither does Arken.”
“I’ll watch Arken closely, too.”
She meant to observe people carefully—a lesson the Empress often emphasized, in contrast to the Grand Duchess.
She had avoided the poisoning not because of noticing anything wrong with the tea, but solely because she noticed the unusual stiffness in the actions of the deceased maid, Dorea Liss.
“Don’t feel too burdened. We have a reliable ally—Grand Duke Daivan.”
“…Yes.”
The thought of having to seat the princess next to that formidable Grand Duke made Betty anxious. She wasn’t confident she could attend the banquet without constantly glancing that way.
By the day of the banquet, the hall was fully prepared, but Betty herself was not yet ready.
“Maiden, the princess has already left her residence.”
“Already?”
Her hands hurriedly adjusted her hair. The princess seemed to be quite impatient.
Usually, guests deliberately arrive punctually or slightly late, but this princess…
‘It takes a while to walk from the guest residence to the banquet hall…’
Her hair, loosely twisted and pinned up, looked unfamiliar. The long hairpin placed at an angle, and the strands left flowing naturally, bothered her.
Her emerald green dress, modest amidst the bright and luxurious colors around, was cut low enough to be cool in the warmer season.
‘Awkward, but…’
Even as a maiden, she had a seat at the banquet. That meant she couldn’t stick with her usual plain dresses.
‘This should be enough.’
She checked that her usual emerald necklace was in place, which helped balance the awkwardness of her unfamiliar appearance.
Upon briefly visiting the Empress, who was still preparing, she received a warm compliment:
“Betty! You look lovely. You should wear dresses like this more often. Such beauty shouldn’t be hidden.”
Luckily, Betty seemed to be the only one feeling awkward.
“It’s a gift from my grandmother,” she said.
“Of course. My grandmother’s taste is unmatched.”
The Empress’s proud, kind gaze swept over Betty. A slight crease appeared on her forehead.
“But the necklace… if you need jewelry, I can lend you one. Feel free to choose anything you like from here.”
“No, this is fine. This is enough,” Betty replied.
“Ah… so someone gave it to you as a gift, yes?”
Janine’s sharp eyes studied her reflection in the mirror. Seeing this, one could truly sense the Empress and Emperor’s bond as a couple.
“Yes, it was a gift.”
“Hmm… judging by your reaction, it seems like a man. Who could it be?”
Betty couldn’t say “Ian Daivan” here.
Noticing Betty’s embarrassed expression, the Empress quietly smiled:
“Don’t worry, I won’t force it out of you. I was just curious. I should know which man is interested in my cousin.”
It was hard to say if this was a joke or a serious remark about evaluating him.
‘Whatever it is, it seems difficult to handle…’
For now, that thought would have to wait. Betty gave the Empress a polite greeting and checked her attire one last time.
The dress, tight around the upper body with the neckline exposed, made movement more cumbersome than usual.
“…Just a little more patience,” she muttered.
She realized she was far from behaving like a true noble lady. Even in such a dress, all she could think was to go rest.
Walking briskly toward the banquet hall, she noticed someone else loitering there.
He seemed slightly anxious, waiting for someone. There was something strangely familiar about him—short brown hair, gentle features.
‘Where have I seen him before?’
Then he noticed her and spoke before she could respond:
“Ah, maid, you’ve arrived just in time. Count Hendrick, the envoy, is coming with the princess. I rushed here as well.”
His expression carried a mix of a subtle smile, tension, and a sense of camaraderie. Now she remembered who he was.
“…Baron Edan, right?”
He was one of the Emperor’s aides, known for moving swiftly during events.
“You may just call me Dominic. I’m not used to that title.”
“Then I’ll just call you ‘aide.’”
It was more convenient for their professional relationship.
Before they could continue talking, two impressive figures appeared from the distant corridor.
One was adjusting his well-groomed mustache, while the other…
“Anyone can tell at a glance she’s a member of Arken’s royal family. Isn’t that right?”
“…Indeed.”
From afar, the subtly shining silver-haired woman was none other than the Arken princess whose beauty had been so widely rumored.
