106. Princess Ariesta

2024.01.14.

The murmurs of disbelief rippled like a domino effect from the first-floor entrance where Princess Ariesta appeared, walking straight toward the commotion, finally spreading across the entire Glory Hall.

Who was Princess Ariesta?

Since childhood, her beauty had spread beyond the palace walls, stirring the entire empire, and as she grew, rumors said suitors lined up endlessly before the palace gates.

Moreover, she had been childhood friends with Crown Prince Clade Euphris, and they were even secretly betrothed early on, appearing as a harmonious couple—people called them the brightest jewel of the Euphris family.

That is, until the Crown Prince became a monster due to a curse, and the shocked Ariesta became Bolonico Euphris’s lover.

And now, Ariesta—who had secluded herself in the north for years, unseen and unheard—finally broke her silence at this first official event: the investiture ceremony for the deposed Crown Prince.

What an intriguing piece of gossip this was.

The cursed Crown Prince who had been restored.

The Empire’s most beautiful woman who had betrayed him.

And now, the sudden appearance of Ariesta—plus Bolonico Euphris’s horrified reaction from the opposite side of the hall as he was mid-conversation.

Those who had been eagerly watching the love triangle between Bolonico, the deposed Crown Prince, and his former wife could barely contain their excitement, constantly glancing back and forth.

Indeed, as expected.

Princess Ariesta lived up to her title as “the flower blooming on the cliff,” standing out with unmatched beauty in the vast Glory Hall.

She looked like a doll carved from crystal, or perhaps a saintly statue sculpted from snow.

Her fine, silvery hair curled softly. Her skin was transparent and vibrant, delicately fair.

Eyes clear and pure like a midday lake, a nose chiseled as if by a sculptor’s knife, and lips painted as though by a brush.

Every feature of Ariesta’s face was flawlessly crafted, as if shaped by a god—her beauty rivaled even Clade’s without a doubt.

Princess Ariesta, whether aware or unaware of the attention she drew, stared at the stunned Gobban Yotpa with a face twisted in shock—though Gobban surely wasn’t afraid—and stepped directly in front of him.

“This is the noble Glory Hall! No fighting allowed!”

Gobban Yotpa, mouth agape, instinctively lowered the guard he had begun to raise.

Ariesta, seemingly accustomed to resolving every crisis with a single heartfelt plea, gave a faint smile, flicked her flowing hair dramatically, and turned her body with theatrical flair.

All nearly seventy chandeliers installed throughout the unusually large Glory Hall seemed to shine solely on her.

For a moment, Princess Ariesta’s righteous expression faltered.

Or rather, just before it collapsed—she quickly covered her mouth with both hands.

The instant she looked up at Clade’s face, her delicate brows twisted as if someone were choking her, and she exhaled sharply, like a kettle slowly beginning to boil.

Her slender shoulders trembled up and down, clearly broadcasting how agitated she was.

The princess was undergoing such intense emotional turmoil that the pale skin beneath her soft silver dress had turned completely red.

And then, all she could say was…

“Ah, Clade.”

She murmured the name like a prayer to a god, as if she were a devout priestess calling upon the divine.

Princess Ariesta gently gathered her shimmering hair in both arms and repeated it once more.

“Clade. Ah, Clade…”

And before anyone could stop her, she rushed into his arms.

Those who witnessed the scene later recalled it like this:

The reunion of former lovers, long separated from the world, was moving and beautiful.

And at that very moment.

From afar, Bolonico Euphris turned his head toward Emperor Igor with a look of utter disbelief.

His neck moved like that of an old wooden puppet—so stiff that, if heard closely, one might imagine a creaking sound.

Slowly shaking his head, Bolonico saw in his eyes the grinning face of Grand Duke Drietter, whose gaze, though dry, burned with raw, unfiltered intensity.

Bolonico turned deathly pale, as if his severed head had rolled across the floor, and fled the Glory Hall like a man running for his life, ignoring even Marquis Companni’s call.

***

At that moment.

Noel, having taken refuge in the Empress’s private lounge due to the crowded gentlemen’s lounge, was slowly returning to normal breathing.

He sat slumped on the sofa, drenched in cold sweat.

As soon as his body began to recover, Noel twisted his face in solitary anguish.

Yuan Pelliese silently stayed by his side before finally speaking.

“Don’t worry too much. There’s still plenty of time. The investiture isn’t over yet, and is today really the only chance?”

“…….”

“Miss Tasha must fully understand your condition—she knows you’re unwell and unable to talk. From what I’ve seen today, she seems quite intelligent.”

Noel seemed to chuckle faintly.

Elbows resting on his knees, he held his forehead in his hands, head bowed low. His trembling shoulders gradually stilled.

“T-th-thank you, Yuan.”

“Oh. Finally receiving gratitude, am I? I suppose I can leave the lounge now.”

“This isn’t some light remark. If it w-w-w-weren’t for Y-Y-Yuan, I’d have shown an even m-m-more pathetic sight before T-T-Tasha.”

“Calling someone ‘pathetic’ in front of a patient is uncivilized.”

Noel abruptly lifted his head and stared blankly at Yuan, who had just spoken so bluntly.

He gazed intently at Yuan’s face, as pale as his own, then steadied his still-ragged breath and spoke.

“T-t-to be honest, I’ve been t-t-tense all day.”

“Yes, you hadn’t seen Miss Tasha in over a year, and then suddenly met her due to the Empress’s unexpected escort request.”

“I was nervous b-b-because of Tasha, yes. B-b-but the truth is, I was nervous because of my b-b-brother.”

Yuan’s calm, composed expression froze. Her dark eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“If you think I’m jumping to conclusions, please say so.”

“…….”

“Could it be that the reason you started stuttering… is because of Prince Bolonico?”

Noel slowly raised his eyes, which had been slightly lowered during his speech.

The moment he saw Yuan’s serious, solemn face, the firm composure he had been holding shattered violently.

Tears began to well up in his eyes. He held them for a moment, then let them fall abruptly, shaking his head frantically.

“No. N-n-no, it’s not.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“B-b-because I became like this… b-b-because of m-m-myself.”

“…….”

“M-my stutter. Being unable to stand proudly before T-t-tasha. All the lines I practiced so hard but couldn’t even say a single word…”

“What nonsense! Instead of crying while belittling yourself, just practice more.”

Noel laughed through his tears. More tears streamed down his charming brown cheeks.

“T-t-tasha will now c-c-completely despise me.”

“You’ve completely ignored what I said. Didn’t I tell you she’d understand the situation? You already forgot? I said—no one knows until you say it yourself. How can you claim to know Tasha’s heart? Stop talking nonsense and stop crying.”

“I’m g-g-glad you’re here.”

Wiping his face hastily with his sleeve, Noel smiled.

“Thanks to Y-Yuan, I feel greatly c-c-comforted.”

Yuan stood momentarily speechless, staring at Noel, who was now breathing completely normally.

“I’m g-g-glad you’re my friend. T-t-truly.”

“Hah. Good grief.”

“If you regain your senses and r-r-return to C-C-Clade brother…”

“!”

“T-then I’ll be d-d-dragged out of the palace… but I’d love to visit the Black Mansion once in a while.”

It was an impossible wish.

Yuan felt the warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart crumble like clay in a child’s hand.

A surge of emotion welled up inside her, turning into a thin trail of tears that moistened one cheek.

Quickly wiping it away so Noel wouldn’t notice, Yuan flung the lounge door open and snapped.

“You seem fully recovered if you’re making pointless remarks. Stop whining and let’s go. The Empress seemed eager for people to see Noel spending time with Miss Tasha.”

The moment Tasha’s name was mentioned, Noel’s face fell again, and he mumbled weakly.

“T-then I really s-s-shouldn’t go out. I d-d-don’t want to steal the c-c-chance for T-tasha to meet a g-g-good suitor.”

When Yuan turned sharply, clearly exasperated, Noel flinched and gave a bitter smile.

“I-I was j-joking. I’ll go. M-m-mother must be w-w-worried.”

Yuan gave Noel a brief glare before striding ahead down the dim corridor.

From the slightly open door, a small fanfare burst forth, followed by a grand orchestral piece.

It was different from the cheerful music played during entrances or tea breaks meant to uplift the mood.

“It s-s-seems the m-m-meal has started.”

Behind Yuan, who stood before the slightly ajar door, Noel reached out impatiently and pushed the door open further.

Flooding light, music, and thunderous cheers drew everyone’s gaze to the stage where the imperial couple stood side by side.

From the fourth-floor balcony, attendants scattered colorful flower petals.

Under the fluttering petals and shimmering light.

A man even more radiant and beautiful knelt on one knee before Emperor Igor.

The Emperor held a long black sword resting upon Clade’s shoulder, smiling brightly as if utterly sincere, bestowing upon him the title of Count Roxenhardt.

“Waaaaaah—!”

Applause, cheers, and blessings erupted throughout the Glory Hall.

In the midst of this dazzling scene, Clade rose, holding the imperial decree, and gazed indifferently down at the crowd below.

And behind him.

“A-A-Ariesta G-G-Grand Duchess?”

A noble lady, perfectly matched to him like a portrait, was blessing him with fervent applause and tears.

In Yuan’s dark eyes, the image of the picture-perfect couple was deeply engraved.