The Emperor spoke into Patricia’s ear while maintaining an upright posture and doing a moving turn.

He gripped her hand too tightly, making Patricia feel like she was being dragged along. She felt as if her body was bending like a doll.

Is this really the same Harchen who danced so naturally and smoothly with numerous ladies at the Tane Academy graduation party? I clearly remember him dancing quite well back then.

As Patricia tried to lean her upper body back to maintain her space while being pulled into his, Harchen moved in even closer.

“Your Majesty. Please step more calmly.”

Only then did Harchen come to his senses, his face turning bright red.

Meanwhile, Patrick was also flustered.

Over the past decade of teaching Patricia ballroom dancing, he had developed a sense of bodily rhythm, balance, and even learned to enjoy it with composure. Though he had danced with many ladies at Tane Academy, he matched best with Patricia.

But.

Carolina. This imperial princess moved with a heavy weight, as if lead weights were tied to her feet.

Her posture, movements, and the angle of her chin – everything flowed as naturally as water. The neckline and collarbone accentuated by her leaning back posture drew the gaze of her partner.

All the while, Patrick was conscious of Emperor Kazan and the Empress watching him and Carolina intently, so he made a showy motion of taking Carolina’s hand and leading her into a turn.

Carolina, who had kept her gaze lowered, creating shadows under her thick lashes, and had remained utterly silent as if absorbed in the rhythm and cadence, lifted her chin to look at Patrick.

“I want to know about Your Highness Patrick.”

“So do I. I want to know about that fellow. I can’t figure him out at all.”

“Are you mocking me now?”

“How could I?”

“You’re playing the mysterious one.”

“Do I seem like a mystic from Arachne’s perspective, making a reckless challenge to Athena? So that’s why…”

Patrick’s gaze lingered on Carolina’s for a moment in the ending promenade position, but he soon took her hand and helped her up.

‘I am utterly pragmatic. Abandon any illusions about me.’

He swallowed his words as he looked into those onyx-black eyes that had momentarily made him forget his tragic reality.

“Princess. The waltz has ended.”

Patrick bowed with his right arm bent respectfully, touching his forehead to it, then walked out of the hall.

*

Patrick circled around the outer wall of Helios Hall. He stood beside Eden, who was leaning against the wall smoking a cigar. Eden’s gaze was fixed on the commotion at the bottom of the Helios Hall steps.

Through the shoulders of people surrounding and seeing off the wedding carriage, he caught a glimpse of Harchen and Patricia.

“…Are you alright?”

Patrick snatched the lit cigar from Eden’s hand and put it in his own mouth.

“I had expected this day would come eventually.”

“I never expected it. I vaguely thought she would marry a Tane nobleman after finding more stability. I think I can understand your feelings a little, sir.”

Patrick took another drag on the cigar before handing it back to Eden. He then re-entered the reception hall to inquire about tomorrow’s schedule from Emperor Kazan.

*

The wedding carriage and the knights of the Imperial Guard arrived at Aster Palace. The long summer sun was setting behind Kaoshan, spilling golden light as it descended.

Aster was the easternmost of the various palaces. It was a modest circular palace like a white cake topped with whipped cream.

Harchen alighted from the carriage and briefly glanced at Calip and his closest knights waiting at the palace entrance before taking Patricia’s hand to help her out of the carriage.

The Imperial Guard knights, dismounting from horses with decorative saddles, lined up in two rows at the palace entrance and raised their ceremonial swords to the sky.

As the Emperor and Empress passed between the lined-up knights, the blades clashed rhythmically before being lowered.

The Chief Minister’s assistant, the representative of the Noble Council, the administrative assistant, two palace officials, Madam Terra and her assistant, maids, and servants followed through the gap between the lowered swords.

As Harchen entered the colonnade past the arched stone pillars, he signaled to Calip. Lean and Bern each grasped one side of the latticed iron gate. Calip drew his sword from its scabbard and blocked the iron gate.

“Assistant Hert. His Majesty said at the last meeting that he would abolish this outdated custom.”

“Lord Calip. This needs to be reported to the Grand Temple. I’ll just relay the precautions and leave.”

“Will you enter after receiving my sword?”

“Ah, you. On this joyous day…”

“You know His Majesty’s temperament and yet you say this.”

The Chief Minister’s assistant, the Noble Council representative, and the administrative assistant huddled together to discuss, then shook their heads and boarded the waiting carriage behind them.

The two palace officials exchanged glances and gestures before one stepped forward as their representative.

“Palace physicians are not allowed to enter either.”

“We are not here to observe, but to standby in our infirmary in case of emergency.”

“His Majesty ordered you to wait in the main palace.”

“Then we will wait in the main palace.”

They withdrew without protest. Calip sheathed his sword. Seeing this, Madam Terra and the maids rushed forward in a group. Calip held his scabbard horizontally to block them.

“Everyone, please return.”

“I am Madam Terra. The Empress’s nightgown is quite complicated. I need to help her put it on personally…”

“Give it here. As if she can’t change into her nightgown on her own.”

Calip took the box from Madam Terra’s hands and gave it to Bern.

“Lord Calip. I’m in charge of the meal and dessert…”

“We’ve already prepared everything here, including late-night snacks. Please return.”

“Lord Bern. The pins in the Empress’s hair need to be removed, and it’s difficult. There are thirty-two of them, please make sure to relay this.”

Calip turned to Bern with a smirk.

“Bern. Did you hear that? Make sure to tell them to carefully remove the thirty-two pins from the Empress’s hair.”

Calip dismissed everyone, including the Imperial Guard knights, and assigned positions to six knights of the Order of the Sword. Bern and Lean entered the palace.

Calip mounted his horse and circled the white-walled palace once, then stopped his horse where three poplar trees stood. Calip dismounted.

“Come out.”

By now, the bright moonlight was flowing. A figure appeared from between the poplar trees.

“Have you been drinking?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Lord Eden. The moonlight is nice. Shall we cross swords?”

“Very well.”

“What do you wish for?”

“Allow me to guard this place until dawn. And you, Lord Calip?”

“If I win, let me join you on your right during the Tane incident.”

“That is my duty.”

“It is my lord’s wish.”

“My lord plans to proceed legally. Even if you win against me, it’s not possible without my lord’s permission.”

“Unpredictable things can happen at any time.”

“As you wish.”

“Then, until a victor is decided.”

Eden and Calip simultaneously drew their swords from their scabbards.

*

Patricia, upon entering Aster Palace, exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow. It’s so…”

Patricia trailed off and flinched. Harchen, who had been following closely behind, had suddenly placed his ungloved hand on her back.

A thin silver thread adorned with diamonds ran down her straight spine from the middle of her neck to her waistline. He lightly touched the silver thread with his index finger, slowly caressing the protruding spine.

Patricia felt as if her spine was on fire and leaned her body forward. A soft chuckle was heard.

“So, what comes after ‘so’?”

“Beautiful.”

“Want to look around?”

Harchen had been bothered by Patricia’s evening dress from the moment she put it on. It barely covered her body, with the rest overlaid with mesh lace. He wrapped his large hand around her exposed waistline.

Patricia was conscious of the hot hand on her bare skin but didn’t show it, keeping her waist straight as she walked.

The interior of the palace was decorated entirely in white and cream colors.

The circular inner walls had narrow windows from ceiling to floor, with narrow white curtains regularly tied with ribbon bows in the center.

In the center of the hall, a table was set with lit silver candlesticks and food, while about ten antique chairs were placed near the windows. The open door opposite led to the bedroom.

“There’s no one here?”

“Originally, that place was for observers, but everyone was dismissed.”

“I see.”

“I was bothered by the talk of love in a state marriage, so I made it a regular marriage, including the wedding night.”

“That… Your Majesty spoke of that first.”

“I did? When?”

“Well, I heard you said that to Lady Leak.”

“Ah, that time! So, it wasn’t your idea, Patricia.”

Patricia was taken aback by how naturally he called her by name.

As Harchen, still holding her waist, was about to naturally enter the bedroom through the open door, the palace entrance door opened and Bern entered carrying several boxes.

“Your Majesty. These are the Empress’s nightclothes.”

“Leave them there.”

“The maid says there are thirty-two pins in the Empress’s hair that need to be carefully removed.”

“Alright. You may go.”

Harchen took the boxes Bern had brought and placed them in the dressing room connected to the bedroom.

“Your Majesty. My hair is elaborately done today, so it might be better to get help from a maid.”

“I’ll do it for you. Want some champagne?”

“No. Yes, please.”

Harchen pulled out a chair at the round table. As she sat down, he placed two champagne glasses side by side and used a special cutter to remove the champagne cork.

With a cheerful pop, white foam rose from the light blue bottle neck. He poured the champagne into the glasses and handed one to her.

“It’s just the two of us.”

He picked up his own glass and lightly clinked it against hers.

The chink sound made Patricia’s ears even more sensitive.

The Emperor drained his glass in one gulp as if he was thirsty, then leaned his upper body forward with his right hand on the table, watching her drink the champagne.

Why doesn’t he sit down? If he stares at me this closely, I might choke.

Patricia’s lips trembled slightly as she touched the glass to them, taking a small sip before pulling away. She unconsciously bit her lips. They tasted of fruit.

As Patricia held the champagne glass, the Emperor took it from her, emptied the remaining champagne into his mouth, and set the glass down. He cupped her cheek and brought his face close, looking into her eyes.

“Patricia. Today, I thought I could die from just one word from you, you know?”

“No. Your Majesty, why?”

“Drop that ‘Your Majesty’ talk.”

As his face tilted and came closer, she could smell the champagne on his breath.

Patricia closed her eyes slowly.

She thought his lips would touch hers, but when nothing happened, she opened her eyes slightly, then closed them again.

Ah, it’s suffocating when you stare at me so intently from so close.

His deep green eyes were staring at her from right in front of her.

“Why did you close your eyes?”

Because I feel like my heart is going to fall out, please speak from further away.

“Open your eyes.”

Patricia’s long eyelashes fluttered, revealing her blue eyes.

“Tell me. Why did you hesitate earlier at the Chief Minister’s question?”

“I… didn’t expect there would be such a time for vows.”

“I see. Then answer again.”

He intertwined his fingers with hers and placed their hands on his heart.

“I, Harchen Eint Carl Berk, swear at this moment, alone in Aster Palace, to take Patricia as my wife and to respect and love only you until the day I die. Patricia Calian Evas, do you swear to accept Harchen as your husband and to respect and love him until the day you die?”