“…What are you doing?”

“Since everyone seems to be here, let’s start the party now.”

The Emperor chuckled amiably and took my hand, leading the way. Unlike his casual actions, there was a natural grace in his gestures.

No matter how he disguises himself, he was ultimately the Emperor. One must not forget that fact.

Rather than shrinking under the gaze directed at me, I turned my head away, observing the scenery below from the elevated platform, guided by the Emperor’s escort.

It was a better view of the lower floor from the podium, and everyone was looking up at the Emperor and me.

It reminded me of the year-end party when I looked up at the Emperor and Duke Piren.

Back then, I was in the position of looking up, but now I found myself in the opposite position, looking down.

“I’m grateful that everyone came. Thanks to all the congratulations, today feels even more joyful than usual.”

The sequence of the party is mostly similar. Guests gather, the party host delivers a welcome speech, or the party starts with the first dance.

Of course, sometimes, like today, the welcome speech and the dance happen together.

After the Emperor greeted the ball with the usual remarks, he turned to me for the last time.

There was something to do before the official start of the party.

“Countess Creighton has worked hard for today. I am truly grateful.”

The Emperor’s hand pulled me a bit closer.

I felt that the gazes shared between the Emperor and me were more concentrated on my side. Quietly, I placed the hand not held by the Emperor on my belly.

I stood here not to hear greetings but for the next conversation.

“I would prefer to share words of gratitude only with good people, but unfortunately, something unfortunate has happened recently. Before being the ruler of this country, I am saddened as someone’s friend.”

“…”

“That’s why it took a long time and a lot of consideration to make this decision. However, in difficult situations, you need friends even more, don’t you think?”

“…”

“So, I decided. On the day I started, on the day of a new beginning for the child to be born, for my late friend, Count Creighton, for his widow, Countess Creighton, and finally, for Creighton, who dedicated his life to the empire.”

The Emperor’s grip on my hand tightened.

With my hand relaxed, I raised it as he intended.

“To my late friend, Count Creighton. To my other friend, Countess Creighton. And finally, to the child who will be born, who will become the guardian for the empire in honor of the life dedicated by Count Creighton.”

A sudden declaration from the Emperor brought about a brief silence.

But it was only for a moment.

As the Emperor raised our held hands, cheers and applause erupted from all directions.

Creighton had now entered the imperial family. This was a place to make it official.

Casting a subtle glance and officially declaring were entirely different matters.

Now, there would be no one daring to target Creighton.

Of course, under the assumption that the party could end without any issues.

“Your Majesty!”
The woman who emerged from the applauding crowd and bounced onto the central stage did so in an instant.

The sudden commotion directed everyone’s gaze to one place, and I, too, instinctively looked towards the central stage.

Abruptly appearing among the crowd, the woman who kneeled in front of the Emperor, down to her knees, was someone I knew very well.

Margaret Fisher.

My hand tightened. Because of this petite woman, I lost so much.

“Please listen to my voice, Your Majesty!”

Even though I knew she was staring up at me, Margaret only had eyes for the Emperor. Clutching her belly as if to protect it, tears streamed down her cheeks.

“You shouldn’t behave like this, madam.”

“This is in front of Your Majesty. If you cause a disturbance, you will face the consequences.”

“No! I can’t go anywhere until I say this!”

The knights who arrived late rushed forward and grabbed Margaret. She resisted, but she couldn’t possibly defeat the armed men.

It was when her body was half-lifted like that.

In the silent atmosphere, the Emperor was the first to speak.

“What’s going on?”

“Your Majesty!”

At the Emperor’s restraint, the movements of the knights stopped.

At that moment, Margaret, who seemed to have chosen this moment, pushed aside the knights holding her and kneeled at the center of the stage.

“You must be Lady Fisher, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“But why are you doing this to me?”

“I dare to plead with Your Majesty because I have something to ask.”

“To me?”

Really, it’s like a farce.

Suppressing the urge to turn my head immediately, I watched the predictable play unfolding before my eyes.

“Do you realize how rude you’re being right now? But I hope you consider even this as the mother’s heart trying to save her child.”

“By saying that, I understand even less.”

“Even saying this may be rude, but please acknowledge it as the heart of a mother trying to save the child inside my womb.”

“The child in my belly is the child of the late Duke Creighton!”