“I suppose that’s reasonable. It’s the first time you’ve ridden in the same carriage as me since we got married.”

‘Uhhuh?’

What kind of selfconsciousness is this?

Ermedillin held back the urge to shout that she neither knew nor cared about riding in the same carriage as him until that morning.

“There’s no need to let the citizens know of any discord between us. The sight of a united imperial couple can be quite comforting, can’t it? That’s why I’m just a little excited.”

Having grown somewhat accustomed to her role as Empress, Ermedillin could now whip up plausible lies on the spot.

After responding to Angri in a somewhat indifferent tone, she looked straight ahead.

A wistful smile crossed Angri’s lips as he observed her.

But it wasn’t just Vallier who was grinding his teeth at the sight of the Emperor and Empress, who would soon receive the loudest cheers at the front of the procession.

Pellio, who had replaced his father in the carriage, also strained his ears to listen to their conversation, even knowing it wouldn’t be audible.

His eyes captured the moment when Angri said something with a slightly mischievous expression, to which Ermedillin scowled and immediately faced forward.

Unconsciously, a smile crept up on Pellio’s lips at the sight of Ermedillin’s rather cold demeanor.

But then, as Ermedillin turned her head, Angri’s regretful smile appeared.

Though he couldn’t see it clearly from a distance, that smile somehow made Pellio’s heart race.

‘They’re a married couple. A couple. Being jealous will only torment me.’

Deciding it was best not to look at them at all, Pellio tightly closed his eyes.

Trying to regain his composure, he was interrupted by the resounding trumpet signaling the start of the procession.

A spectacle he had never witnessed before.

In South Korea, where grand festivals were scarce, this exotic sight could only have been imagined.

But the reality was far more vivid and lively than he had ever dreamt.

Majestic yet playful music filled the air, so much pollen was scattering that the road ahead was invisible, and cheers so loud they felt as if they’d burst not just his eardrums, but his heart, came from all directions.
The streets were adorned with seasonal flowers and vibrant banners, giving a sense of being in a different world altogether.

The change was not limited to the scenery alone.

Joy and excitement overflowed from the faces of everyone present, impossible to hide.

It was as if those who had endured the difficulties of daily life were momentarily compensated with this joy.

‘Ah, so this is why they couldn’t cancel the event. Without such festivals, there’d be nowhere to relieve stress.’

Fortunately, although the crowd was large, most wore masks.

Seeing the Emperor and Empress wear masks, those who hadn’t initially worn one began to follow suit.

‘Dear God! Or whoever brought me here, please, ensure that today passes without incident. Keep everyone gathered here safe!’

Initially a threeday founding festival, today was the last, in consideration of Ermedillin’s opinion.

Ermedillin fervently hoped that everyone gathered here would return to their daily lives holding only joy and excitement.

‘What is this?’

Making her way through the crowd, Ermedillin felt an intense gaze from somewhere.

She was used to being the center of attention, but this gaze was of a different kind.

A heavy, sticky feeling, like being caught in a complicated web.

Following the gaze naturally led her eyes to a man in the crowd, intensely staring at her.

Fiery red hair and intense golden eyes.

Only his eyes were visible above the mask, but their intensity was undeniable.

‘Could he be another assassin? The guards are all around, he wouldn’t dare, would he?’

Ermedillin recalled declaring in court that anyone with grievances should come and stab her.

‘I should’ve told them not to come at all. Why did I have to say something like that…’

She regretted her rashness but couldn’t turn back time. All she could do was be cautious.

Feeling uneasy, she instinctively looked for Pellio.

Turning her head would be awkward, so she couldn’t do that.

However, all her senses focused on the carriage Pellio might be in.

She couldn’t see him, but knew he would be following, wearing a sapphire brooch on his shoulder.

Just thinking of his presence eased Ermedillin’s mind.

A relaxed smile returned to her face.

Meanwhile, Ballyer, who was at the same place at the same time, had an entirely different experience from Ermedillin in the front carriage.

Even though the Empress had been a longtime lover of the Emperor, her official position was still that of a concubine.

When she rode with Emperor Anri, nobody dared to scorn her. But alone in the carriage, it was different.

The gap between the carriages was barely 2 meters.

The festival experience changed entirely between Ermedillin and Ballyer within that narrow space.

Applause and admiring glances aimed at the royal couple stopped the moment Ballyer passed by.

The surroundings became a sea of silence for a few seconds as the concubine of the Emperor passed.

Ermedillin, leading the parade, couldn’t see it, but the nobles following Ballyer had all witnessed the scene.
Last year, it was Ermedillin who had to endure all sorts of humiliations and shames alone in the following carriage; now the situation had completely reversed.

Henri was clearly planning to bestow the title of Duke, quite excessive for someone of illegitimate birth, to Valier today.

Yet on this auspicious day, he had commanded her to ride in the carriage that followed him.

The nobles watching the spectacle from behind were all trying to piece together the puzzle of Henri’s intentions, each according to their own circumstances, by combining rumors.