TESL 11

Chapter 11

“Mi—Milady…”

Just as the Marchioness Salenne was about to speak, realizing she had offended the Duchess of Wildenbistone far more than she had expected, a sudden sound cut through the hall.

At that moment, the court musicians standing at the very front of the banquet hall all lifted their trumpets and sounded them in unison. Dozens of trumpets blared, as if speaking with a single voice.

And as the fanfare ended, a servant with neatly tied hair stepped forward and shouted loudly:

“His Majesty the Emperor approaches! Please show proper respect!”

The gathered nobles immediately rose to their feet.

I glanced at the small clock pendant hidden in the folds of my skirt and took it out. It was exactly one o’clock in the afternoon.

The fact that the current emperor had appeared on time meant that Rubellus, whom I had met earlier in the Grand Forest, had safely returned according to schedule.

Thank goodness.

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Then, following the crowd who bowed deeply and knelt, I too lowered myself to my knees.

The grand banquet hall fell silent, as if doused with cold water. Not a single sound broke the stillness.

The emperor walked slowly into the vast hall alone. Even with carpets beneath his feet, his steps echoed through the room as if amplifying his presence.

“Rise, everyone.”

His deep voice resounded vividly throughout the hall.

Johann Zahard, the emperor who had led the golden age of the Zahard Empire.

Now well over sixty, he had taken a very late empress and seen Rubellus for the first time only recently.

His hair was pure white, but his steps were long and powerful. With warm chestnut eyes tinged with red, Johann Zahard scanned the room before opening his mouth.

“Today, I welcome all of you gathered here.”

He spread his arms as he spoke, his voice resonant and commanding.

“Today, all of you here will be the first to witness the new emperor. You are the most important witnesses of this imperial household.”

I recalled the order of the coronation ceremony I knew. The ceremony begins in this very banquet hall with only the major nobles present.

Here, Rubellus would swear an oath to the nation and the people, then ride through the capital in the imperial carriage made of pure gold.

Finally, he would go to the most sacred sanctuary, wear the ceremonial robes, hold the scepter, and place the crown upon his head.

After that, an official week-long holiday would follow.

Johann Zahard glanced briefly at the nobles before smiling and nodding.

“Then, let us begin.”

At his words, the musicians sounded their trumpets again.

A different fanfare echoed through the hall, and the large main doors of the banquet hall swung open.

Everyone already knew who would enter next.

Rubellus A de Zahard.

I instinctively clasped my hands together. I could already picture him: golden hair shining, his beauty unmatched, walking in slowly to illuminate the hall.

And he would surely rise above us all with dignity.

When that moment came, I felt I could swear my loyalty to him wholeheartedly.

It had been difficult just to come here, but my father had been right. Before anything else, I was his subject, and he was more than capable of being a respected emperor.

I pressed my lips together firmly, resolving that for this moment, I would have no other feelings and would truly bless him.

No matter how others saw me, or if someone like the Marchioness Salenne sneered at me, I would clap louder than anyone.

Just as I nodded firmly to myself, Rubellus began walking into the hall alone.

His radiant golden hair was neatly styled and fixed with pomade.

The white ceremonial uniform was adorned with brilliant gold and crimson, and the collar bore the insignia reserved for the highest ruler.

Red epaulets and decorations adorned his shoulders and sleeves, and three golden cords ran from his right shoulder across his chest.

He walked forward as if seeing nothing else, his gaze fixed straight ahead, without the slightest sign of tension.

Wait—earlier in the Grand Forest, his outfit had been the white ceremonial uniform with a frock coat.

But this was clearly different. Though similar at first glance, a closer look revealed many differences.

He must have changed clothes. What happened? Everything had seemed perfect just a moment ago.

“Hmm.”

I squinted slightly, thinking it through. Hadn’t that earlier uniform been for the coronation?

“Am I remembering wrong?”

I didn’t think so. I tilted my head in puzzlement.

“Elfine, why are his eyes like that?”

I heard Bianca whisper urgently at my side, and I turned my head.

Elfine had approached us. Following Bianca’s gaze, I looked into his eyes and was startled.

“Uh… it’s true. Why are your eyes like that?”

Elfine’s whites were bloodshot.

“I thought of something sad and cried.”

Bianca frowned.

“What? No, bloodshot eyes from crying wouldn’t look like that…”

“Wait.”

At that moment, Elfine cut her off, scanning the entire banquet hall sharply with gestures and glances.

Was he controlling the flow of security in the hall right now?

His movements were quick and complex, leaving neither my mother nor Bianca with a chance to question his expression.

“Mother, sister, Aira, I will return now.”

He even bowed slightly to us before leaving immediately. Bianca, my mother, and I exchanged bewildered glances.

Meanwhile, Rubellus reached the center of the hall and slowly looked around.

Children in beautiful dresses appeared from another entrance, scattering flowers. Among them, a young page approached Rubellus holding a declaration.

Rubellus smiled kindly at the children and then knelt slowly to receive the declaration from Johann Zahard.

The abdication had always been known as Johann’s decision, due to his half-brother, Tail Zahard.

Johann had killed all of his brothers to ascend the throne, sparing the youngest, Tail, who was too young to speak, and had cherished him ever since.

But after Tail, now the Duke Quilton, acted on his ambition, Johann felt guilt toward Crown Prince Rubellus.

Because of what Johann should have handled himself, his son had been in danger.

After today’s coronation, Johann would retire with the Empress Dowager Epina to a secondary palace.

Holding the declaration in his hands, Rubellus turned toward the nobles.

“Oath.”

His voice was low and clear, spreading through the hall.

At that moment, all thoughts about clothing vanished from my mind. Who cared what he wore now? He was becoming emperor.

I instinctively clasped my hands together again. I had thrown a tantrum earlier, refusing to come with Bianca, but I would have regretted it if I hadn’t.

I was witnessing a historic moment.

“I love my nation and my people.”

“I will realize that love and sacrifice more than anyone for this country.”

You… you’re too magnificent…

Yes, he truly was. I couldn’t deny it.

Even if I had given up on him, Rubellus was undeniably the empire’s most handsome and capable man, someone history might never see again. He deserved to be emperor.

Suppressing my bitter feelings, I continued to listen to his reading.

Yes, Aira, since we are here, let’s watch Rubellus as he becomes emperor until the very end. He was someone I had admired.

I straightened my back and watched Rubellus, now emperor.

But… somehow, his eyes kept meeting mine as he read the declaration. Was he really looking at me?

Ah… no? But they kept meeting so clearly…

“I will strive and strive again to win the love of my people.”

For a brief moment, Johann Zahard glanced at Rubellus. But Rubellus ignored him, keeping his gaze fixed in my direction as he finished reading the declaration.

“I will act on and keep the promises I make now.”

Rubellus threw the declaration into the ceremonial fire held by the page and straightened his back as he spoke the final words.

“God, please assist me.”

At that moment, his violet eyes met mine directly. I gasped in surprise as our eyes locked.

Me? Was he looking at me among all these people?

…No, I was certain.

His gaze burned with intensity. The emotion in those eyes was unmistakable, even I could tell.

Passion, or perhaps unhidden affection.

But… why was he looking at me like that?

That can’t be.