Chapter 14 – A New Beginning (Part 6)

Finding the secret passage from the palace to the capital had cost more than expected. Yet Tartenon already knew about the secret passage in the annex. She suspected the North’s financial issues might be due to maintaining such information but set the thought aside for now.

“What should I do?”

“Distract the nobles’ attention.”

“You want me to ensure they don’t notice you’re gone.”

“That would be ideal, but I’m not sure if it’s possible.”

Tartenon’s voice was filled with genuine concern. Reubellina could hear the anxiety in his voice.

Seeing Tartenon like this for the first time, Reubellina realized that this banquet was a turning point. Whether it was for the imperial family or the North, it was a crucial moment.

‘I can’t tell him not to go.’

With so many eyes on them, Tartenon couldn’t just disappear. Reubellina led him slowly towards the wall. But the eyes on them didn’t waver. The newly arrived Grand Duke and Duchess were prime targets for the capital’s nobles, eager to establish connections with the North.

‘It’s too conspicuous right now.’

Reubellina glanced around. Seeing the eyes on them, she nodded and smiled at each person. Taking it as a signal to approach, the nobles moved closer, drawing more attention.

“Reubellina.”

Tartenon’s voice sounded reproachful, but Reubellina stood elegantly. Her perfect posture impressed the nobles, who began moving towards her.

“Greetings, Your Grace. I’m from the Count of Reuben’s family…”

“We’ve met before, Your Grace. I’m…”

Nobles who had been waiting for permission to approach began speaking. In no time, Reubellina and Tartenon were surrounded. At that moment, the attendant’s voice rang out.

“Presenting the flower of the Empire, Princess Selena!”

Nobles who had been speaking to them bowed, showing respect to the imperial. Seizing the moment, Reubellina squeezed Tartenon’s hand and let go. Understanding her signal, Tartenon slipped behind the curtains. As Princess Selena entered, her eyes met Reubellina’s.

Reubellina immediately moved. Staying near the curtains would only invite questions about Tartenon’s whereabouts. She needed to divert attention before anyone noticed his absence. As she moved, so did the nobles’ eyes.

“Greetings, Princess.”

“It’s been a while, Reubellina.”

“We saw each other recently.”

“Oh, right. We did.”

The rumor of Selena visiting the Duke of Asillious’s residence had already spread in the social circles.

Noblewomen and young ladies, eager not to miss the confrontation between Selena and Reubellina, gathered around them. It wasn’t just them. With rumors that the Emperor was searching for a consort for Selena, nobles with titles and eligible young men also flocked to her.

In the current social scene, no one had a higher status than Selena. While her imperial status played a part, her charm also drew people in. Selena greeted each person with a smile.

“Oh, Count Reuben. It’s been a while.”

“It’s an honor that you remember me, Princess.”

“What are you saying? Of course, I remember.”

From counts to barons, Selena remembered the faces of all the nobles. As she mentioned each one by name, their faces lit up with pride. It was quite an honor for a high-ranking imperial to remember nobles of lesser status.

Watching this unfold, Reubellina naturally stepped back. She felt the glances of noblewomen and young ladies but was actually relieved. Thanks to Selena, the nobles searching for Tartenon had disappeared. They were now focused on finding a chance to converse with Selena, seemingly uninterested in Tartenon.

The noblewomen and young ladies looked unsure of how to react to Reubellina. From Selena’s words, it seemed they were familiar, yet Selena had only exchanged pleasantries with her. They were trying to gauge whether following Selena’s lead in ignoring Reubellina was acceptable.

‘It would be better if they just ignored me.’

But that was unlikely. Though Reubellina had been away in the North for some time, the Duke of Asillious was still the Chancellor. Nobles aware of his power might soon turn their attention to her. While Selena was a captivating figure, Reubellina, married to the Grand Duke of the North and daughter of the Chancellor, wielded considerable power herself.

As expected, nobles who had finished speaking with Selena began looking around for new targets. Reubellina locked eyes with one of them. She quickly opened her fan, but he walked towards her undeterred.

‘This is bad.’

If she engaged in conversation with him, he would surely ask about Tartenon, and his absence would become problematic.

“Reubellina.”

Hearing someone call her name, Reubellina turned around with a hopeful expression.

“Did you call for me, Princess?”

“Oh, there’s no need for such formality. You’re a Grand Duchess now.”

“Still, I must show respect to a imperial bloodline.” 

Reubellina said, smiling and praising Selena. Her words, acknowledging the imperial authority, drew the nobles’ attention.

The tension between the North’s Speraum and the imperial family was a hot topic among the nobles. They even placed bets on whether there would be a confrontation at this banquet. Seeing Reubellina respect Selena’s authority, the nobles watched with keen interest.

“What do you think of the banquet I hosted?”

“Are you asking for my opinion?” 

Selena smiled at Reubellina, who asked back with wide eyes.

“Of course. Who else should I ask but the former ‘Stella’ of the social circles?” 

Selena’s tone was calm, but her words carried a sting.

‘It looks like the Princess is finally going to have a showdown with the Grand Duchess.’

This was the thought that crossed the minds of all the nobles in the banquet hall. Selena’s predictable move only heightened their interest.

Reubellina felt the nobles’ eyes on her but remained composed. She understood Selena’s intentions.

‘She wants to flaunt her position as ‘Stella’. 

Reubellina thought. Since they had decided to support Selena as the heir to the throne, she would play along.

“I think the sugar cookies are very beautiful.”

“The coin-shaped cookies symbolizing the Freynante Empire?”

“Yes. You presented something I hadn’t thought of.”

Reubellina’s genuine compliment echoed in the banquet hall. Selena smiled and stepped closer to her.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“I was impressed by your discerning eye, Princess. To think of something like that.”

The nobles exchanged awkward glances, surprised by Reubellina’s lack of confrontation. They hadn’t expected things to unfold this way.

“Now that I think about it, I don’t see the others. Are His Majesty and the Crown Prince not attending today’s banquet?” 

Reubellina deliberately avoided mentioning Inferno. The nobles understood the implication behind her words. The sole princess of the Freynante Empire was hosting a banquet, so why were the other imperials absent?

The nobles, apprehensive about how Selena would react, turned their attention to her.

If Selena got angry, it would spoil the banquet’s atmosphere and reflect poorly on her capabilities as a host. If she didn’t get angry, it would imply that the banquet was lacking because other imperials didn’t attend. Reubellina’s question could only be resolved by the other imperials entering the banquet hall.

“His Majesty and my brother will be here soon. They said they’d come shortly, but it seems they are delayed by some business.”

Knowing that no significant events were scheduled on the day of a palace banquet, the nobles wondered what could be delaying them. They too were suspicious of the hastily arranged banquet.

The unusually tense atmosphere of the palace, the knights stationed around the banquet hall, and the fact that Selena was the host—all these factors made the nobles uneasy.

Reubellina’s question had successfully unsettled them, diverting their attention from her and Selena’s confrontation to the absent imperials.

“Now that you mention it, the Crown Prince isn’t here.”

“He’s a busy man.”

But it’s strange that he hasn’t shown up yet when he cherishes the Princess so much.”

A considerable amount of time had passed since the start of the banquet. Only then did the nobles realize this fact and began chattering. Why had the Princess arrived, but the other imperials had not? They each offered their opinions, seemingly no longer paying attention to Selena.

“Well done.”

Selena whispered quietly, and Reubellina smiled.

“Thank you for saying so.”

“If you were my advisor, you would have no trouble surviving in the palace.”

“Oh, if I were your advisor, you’d have to endure a lot of nagging.”

Reubellina joked. Selena’s expression turned thoughtful, and Reubellina was about to ask why when the attendant’s voice rang out.

“Presenting the sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Reubellina missed her chance to ask. She gracefully bowed, and the other nobles followed suit, showing their respect as the Emperor and Monterno entered the banquet hall.

Reubellina, still bowing, gauged the atmosphere. The tension among the nobles was palpable, and her shoulders stiffened.

The Emperor slowly surveyed the hall before addressing the nobles.

“Rise, all of you.”

The nobles rose in unison, the Emperor’s sharp gaze sweeping over them.

‘It’s going to be a long night.’ 

Reubellina thought, swallowing nervously.