Isn’t this too extravagant?

…That was the first impression that came to my mind when I saw the carriage Ernant had sent.

His carriage was overall white, with beautiful wave patterns embossed on the surface.

All the small parts like handles were gilded in gold, and there were even six knights guarding the carriage.

Riding in such a flashy vehicle would surely attract everyone’s attention upon arrival.

It was very burdensome, but I couldn’t refuse to ride what the Emperor had personally sent.

I cautiously got into the carriage.

Then I was surprised once again.

“Your Majesty… you came in person? I thought you’d just send the carriage.”

Ernant was inside.

Although it’s customary for the male partner to pick up the female partner, I thought he would be waiting at the imperial palace, being the Emperor.

Surprisingly, he had come all the way here in person despite his esteemed position.

To my question, Ernant replied as if it were no big deal.

“Do I look like such a pathetic man that I’d let my partner enter the banquet hall alone and lonely?”

“That’s not what I meant. Anyway, thank you for coming. Let’s depart.”

Soon the carriage door closed, and Ernant set the carriage in motion.

During that short journey to the imperial palace, we sat facing each other and engaged in small talk.

“You look beautiful today too. Blue really suits you well.”

“You look splendid today as well, Your Majesty. The white formal attire suits you.”

“Is that a sincere compliment? Or are you just returning my compliment out of courtesy?”

“It’s sincere… I suppose.”

I didn’t want to admit it, but Ernant’s attire today was flawless.

The pure white formal wear he wore made his golden hair stand out even more.

His hairstyle, which looked more styled than usual, was also pleasing to the eye.

Thanks to slightly raising and fixing his falling hair, his handsome profile was more visible.

Perhaps if it were the past me, wouldn’t I have felt a heart-pounding excitement at such a sight of him?

Ernant also seemed well aware that he looked great today, smiling with a confident expression.

“I’m glad. That you complimented me. It was worth putting in the effort to prepare today.”

I gave him a shallow nod, then turned my gaze to the window.

Regardless of how handsome he was, this time felt awkward and uncomfortable to me.

I turned my head as a sign of refusing conversation, but he didn’t seem to have any intention of keeping quiet.

“Are you going to keep looking out the window until we arrive at the palace? Is it awkward to face me?”

“No, that’s not—”

“If it’s awkward to face each other, should we sit like this?”

Without giving me a chance to respond, he swiftly moved to sit beside me.

Close enough for our shoulders to touch.

Being so close, the scent of his men’s cologne tickled my nose.

Though I didn’t dislike the cool and heavy fragrance, I still felt uncomfortable with our closeness.

“Sitting this close is a bit…”

“What’s wrong with it? We’re partners today after all.”

“……”

Left speechless, I stared out the window even more intently than before.

Looking at the scenery outside, fortunately, it seemed we would arrive at the imperial palace soon.

I tried to keep my mouth shut as much as possible until then, but this time too, Ernant spoke to me first.

“Although it was almost forced, thank you for becoming my partner anyway. As a token of appreciation, I’d like to show you something impressive.”

“Something impressive… you say? What exactly are you referring to?”

“It’s a secret. I’ll call you separately towards the end of the ball to show you. Look forward to it. When you see it, you’ll view me differently.”

Was he planning to show something so great that it could change my negative feelings towards him?

I’m sorry to disappoint him if that’s what he’s expecting, but no matter what he shows, the current me won’t change.

That would be impossible even if I died and came back to life.

I wish he would just leave me alone…

As I was thinking this, the carriage finally arrived at the imperial palace.

The coachman opened the door first, and Ernant got out of the carriage.

After getting out first, Ernant immediately extended his hand to me. Just as other gentlemen do for ladies.

Unable to refuse his hand in a situation where many eyes were watching, I got out of the carriage with his help.

Afterwards, we headed together towards the First Banquet Hall of the imperial palace.

Upon arrival, the soldiers standing at attention opened the doors of the banquet hall wide.

Soon, the resonant cry of the imperial attendant echoed throughout the banquet hall.

“The noble sun of the Empire brightens the heavens! All bow your heads in respect!”

It was an announcement of the Emperor’s arrival.

The nobles who had been chattering noisily in the ballroom all bowed their heads towards Ernant and me standing beside him.

After finishing their greetings and raising their heads, they immediately began to scrutinize me intently.

With gazes filled with curiosity and surprise.

It seemed they had become quite interested in me, Ernant’s partner.

While I pretended not to notice their stares, Ernant addressed them.

“Everyone, please enjoy yourselves comfortably. I intend to do the same.”

Only after this permission was given did the nobles start to chatter boisterously again.

However, unlike before when they were talking amongst themselves, this time they all flocked towards us.

Especially me, I found myself surrounded by young ladies, and their chatter was enough to make my head spin.

“This is definitely a dress from Deberie! My goodness, I never imagined that the rumored person would be Lady Yulia! How does it feel to be the Emperor’s partner?”

“It’s truly wonderful! I heard that you possess ice abilities, Lady Yulia? If it’s not too rude to ask, could you show us a little bit?”

“To think that you defeated monsters with such a small and delicate body, it’s really amazing!!”

No matter how much I answered, their interest in me showed no signs of waning.

Just as I was starting to feel dizzy from the strong perfume smells and excessive noise, thankfully, the imperial attendant called out like a savior.

“The noble moon of the Empire illuminates the earth! All bow your heads in respect!”

This announced the arrival of the head of the Habicht ducal family, second only to the imperial family, namely Commander Martin.

Accordingly, all the other nobles except Ernant bowed their heads towards the door like before.

I also bowed my head with them and when I raised it, I could see Commander Martin and the other members entering the banquet hall.

They were all splendidly dressed in the knights’ formal uniforms.

All the members looked handsome, drawing my gaze continuously, but among them, the Commander especially caught the eye.

The black formal uniform and black shoes, contrasting with Ernant, really suited him well.

Thanks to having his hair neatly styled like other men, his face also seemed to shine even more.

His straight nose bridge, long eyelashes, and sharp eye line were attracting people’s gazes.

The Commander then swept his eyes, which looked as if they were melted gold, across the banquet hall, and upon discovering my face, he paused abruptly.

I thought he would turn his gaze elsewhere soon, but for some reason, he kept staring at me for a long time.

Does my dress look a bit awkward?

Well, it’s understandable since this is the first time he’s seeing me dressed up like this.

I probably look awkward and strange, like someone forcibly wearing clothes that don’t fit.

Fortunately, the time the Commander spent examining me didn’t last too long.

This was because Ernant stepped in front of the Commander, blocking his gaze.

“You’ve come, Duke Habicht. Have you been well lately?”

Perhaps because they were in front of people, Ernant’s voice addressing the Commander was gentle.

The Commander also hid the hostility he had shown before and politely replied to Ernant.

“I have been well. How have you been, Your Majesty?”

“I’ve been fine too. Rather, I’ve been quite enjoying myself. Dancing practice with my partner and such.”

I was slightly surprised as I didn’t expect my story to come up suddenly.

Ernant beckoned to me with a gesture, and I excused myself from the ladies surrounding me and approached him.

As I approached…

“…!”

Ernant suddenly pulled me towards him.

It happened so abruptly that I ended up leaning against him without a chance to avoid it.

Embracing my shoulder like that, he grinned at the Commander.

“Well, there’s no need for introductions, you know my partner well. But isn’t this the first time you’ve seen her looking so splendid?”

Although I was slightly annoyed that Ernant had pulled me in so casually, that wasn’t the real issue.

I swallowed dryly as I observed the Commander.

The Commander’s eyes were unsettling.

He was looking at my shoulder with an even sharper gaze than when he looked at monsters.

More precisely, at Ernant’s arm embracing my shoulder.