“The official name is the Victory Celebration Banquet, isn’t everyone delighted?”

The Eastern Union nobles flinched at these words.

As soon as he ascended the throne, the Emperor had pushed the existence of monsters, considered nothing more than savage beings, right under their noses. The young Emperor was unpredictable and acted as he pleased. He leisurely enjoyed watching the fertile granary areas of the East be destroyed by monsters, causing nobles to flee or die.

As if it were an entertaining spectacle, the Eastern Alsmone Nobles’ Union had waited until the Emperor finally lowered his head for the first time and made a plea for salvation.

To the Emperor, the lives of these noble individuals, with their precious blue blood, meant nothing. Just as he could slaughter monsters, he could also slaughter nobles if he wished. That’s why the Emperor’s arbitrary actions were particularly suspicious to the Eastern nobles.

“I personally went out to sweep away the monsters and worked hard for the security of the Empire.”

“Thank you sincerely, Your Majesty.”

“Your grace is too great, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s gaze swept over the Northern and Western nobles who were expressing gratitude. The Northern and Western nobles revered him.

But, in reality, it meant nothing to Hayden. It was an ordinary human scene, with boring social events, masked with smiles, where people tore each other apart, ignored morals, and sometimes shared true friendship and love. There was nothing special about it.

“It’s more boring than I thought.”

The Eastern nobles flinched. The Emperor, uttering the word ‘boring,’ watched the nobles who had come for refuge from monsters flee.

“Isn’t there anything interesting happening?”

Here it begins. The Emperor had finally started. Count Plache sighed silently, making sure it was not heard.

Though he never showed it in front of his daughters, especially the eldest, the Emperor had a nasty habit of scorning people whenever he was bored. He particularly despised nobles who were lazy, incompetent, and only concerned about their own desires.

During the short time since the Emperor ascended, especially the Eastern nobles had become his targets, and they had gradually been stripped of various privileges.

“There’s nothing interesting, but there are things you need to see for yourself, Your Majesty.”

And today, Imperial Advisor Simon Kaneburg saved the nobles. Of course, he was also a man notorious among the nobles. But under the Emperor, who openly showered criticism with a bright face, his notoriety was slightly diminished.

“What is it?”

The Emperor asked in a tone that clearly conveyed his annoyance.

It was clear that everything was annoying to him. In this world, what could bring joy to that lascivious ruler besides slaughter? Nobles thought there might be some pure enjoyment of slaughter in the Emperor’s personal monster subjugation, apart from the reasons he claimed.

“Countess Plache from Katart has a gift to present to Your Majesty, saying she has recovered the bodies of the imperial family from the ruins.”
The gathered nobles stirred. The Emperor, sprawled on the throne, smiled as if finding it amusing.

“A gift.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I wonder how valuable it is.”

Although the people’s gaze involuntarily turned to Countess Plache and her husband, the couple stood silently with expressionless faces. The virtue of every noble was managing their expressions. They had to hide their true feelings behind a perfectly drawn smile and never reveal them.

“Where should I look?”

As if to terrify the nobles, the grand gate behind them, guarded by Imperial Guards, began to open silently as the courtiers took turns opening it.

As each door opened, a lady in white surrounded by Imperial Guards was revealed.

If not for the ample skirts of her rich dress, it would have been hard to see how tightly she was surrounded by the knights. It was almost impossible to discern whether she was a prisoner being escorted or under protection.

Imperial Guards, marching in step, made way for the lady, and following the lead of Imperial Guards, Lu, holding a large tray covered in blue cloth, walked into the banquet hall.

Then the Emperor lowered his raised chin. Lowering his hand and straightening his slouched posture, Hayden’s gaze fell on Milene.

‘Oh, my goodness.’

While everyone at the banquet looked at the beautiful Rustica Gennes as if she were drawn, Milene, the only one not looking at her, was watching the Emperor.

As soon as his daughter appeared, the Emperor corrected his posture, which had been sprawled like a ruffian with both legs stretched out. It was an action that seemed to enchant even those who were not aware, as if watching a legendary ballerina dancing on stage.

The Emperor already had his heart set on Rustica Gennes. And it was very deep.

She was not yet enough to provide a strong background for her daughter. She looked like a vulnerable empress with a weak origin. It was a heartbreaking thing as a mother.

‘…I hope it’s just a passing fancy.’