25. Birthday Banquet (2)

With a flawless and elegant posture, Larael walked escorted by the Emperor. There was nothing for anyone to criticize about her except for the malicious rumors surrounding her. If she had clung to the Emperor with a vulgar demeanor and a smile, they would have scoffed, saying they expected as much, and felt satisfied.  

The nobility exuded by her expressionless face, which revealed no thoughts, silenced the crowd. Every time her red eyes swept across the hall, it felt as if their sinister thoughts had been exposed.  

“She is quite the beauty. No wonder she’s said to manipulate the Empire’s powers from behind the scenes…”  

“Grand Duke Vellaus said he would attend, but it seems he won’t show up. I was looking forward to some entertainment…”  

The noblewomen muttered disapprovingly, casting disdainful glances.  

When Edward took his seat on the throne in the center of the hall, the banquet officially began.  

Since it was a birthday banquet, nobles lined up in front of Edward to offer their congratulations as soon as he sat on the throne. Edward began receiving their greetings in order, as though it were an event he had repeated countless times.  

The nobles showered Edward with flowery words of congratulations. After Edward gave a formal reply, they would give a slight bow to Larael, seated beside him, and return to their seats. It was a tedious process.  

“Larael, will you dance with me?”  

Larael instinctively shook her head. Edward gestured with his eyes toward the nobles in the hall. Larael glanced between Edward and the nobles gathered in the hall.  

They were all waiting for the Emperor to take the first dance. Larael had no choice but to take Edward’s outstretched hand and rise from her seat.  

As Edward and Larael stepped onto the floor, the music began. Edward lightly placed one arm around Larael’s waist. Larael rested her hand on Edward’s shoulder and shook her head weakly.  

“I’m not good at dancing,” she said quietly, her expression uncertain as she faced Edward. It wasn’t humility; she truly lacked talent in dancing.  

When she had learned to dance in the count’s estate, she had practiced with Sasha as her partner. The sighs of her tutor grew louder with each session, and Sasha’s feet, stepped on countless times, had swollen painfully.  

Larael glanced down at Edward’s feet, anticipating how many times she might step on them. She silently expressed her condolences in advance.  

“Don’t worry. I’m good at this,” Edward said with a playful smile. His lighthearted tone eased some of Larael’s tension.  

As Edward began to move gracefully to the music, Larael followed his lead like a flower petal swaying in the wind. Edward guided her skillfully, and to her surprise, she didn’t make a single mistake.  

“I didn’t mess up even once,” Larael said, breathless with joy, her face flushed.  

“I told you I was good,” Edward replied playfully. Larael didn’t deny it and nodded vigorously. The fact that she hadn’t made a single mistake was truly remarkable. If her tutor had witnessed it, they might have wept with joy.  

As the Emperor and Empress Consort began to dance, the floor gradually filled with other couples. Edward and Larael returned to their seats.  

“Your Majesty, I must admit you’re an excellent partner. When I practiced in the count’s estate, I stepped on Sasha’s feet countless times.”  

Recalling how frustrated Sasha had been and how apologetic she had felt, Larael couldn’t help but laugh.  

Edward smiled as well, amused by the thought of Sasha being her dance partner instead of a man. Although he pretended otherwise, Edward had never been praised for his dancing before.  

Still, he found Larael’s glowing praise, her face flushed as though he were a god of dance, endearing.  

“The Empress Dowager and Grand Duke Vellaus have arrived,” an attendant announced.  

As soon as the Empress Dowager and Herwen entered the hall, silence fell over the room.  

They exchanged greetings with the nobles and quickly approached the Emperor.  

“Happy birthday,” the Empress Dowager said.  

“Thank you, Mother,” Edward replied, rising from his seat to express his gratitude. He then turned his gaze to Herwen.  

Herwen was staring at Larael with a wistful expression. Feeling Edward’s gaze, he lowered his head slightly and offered his congratulations.  

“Happy birthday.”  

“Thank you, Herwen,” Edward replied.  

An awkward silence hung between them. Herwen turned and approached Larael, bowing slightly.  

“Your Majesty, the Empress Consort… it’s an honor to meet you.”  

At that moment, the entire hall fell silent.  

‘Herwen, do you still have more acting to do?’  

Larael let out a deep sigh.  

She offered no words and only inclined her head slightly. Anything she said would become fodder for gossip. Now that the greeting was over, she hoped Herwen would leave her sight quickly.  

“May I have a moment alone with the Empress Consort?” Herwen asked Edward.  

Edward frowned.  

“Herwen.”  

“There is something I failed to say to Her Highness. She refuses to meet with me, so I must take this opportunity to speak.”  

The Empress Dowager let out a long sigh and cast a sharp glance at Larael.  

Edward looked at Larael as if seeking her opinion. Larael nodded. If she didn’t allow it, Herwen would likely cause a scene and play the victim.  

Before her regression, she had fallen for his act and joined in criticizing Edward. But now, she didn’t even want to think about it. Remembering the past, Larael bit her lip.  

When Larael signaled for him to proceed, Herwen led the way to the balcony, a place often used for unofficial private conversations among lovers. It was better than the cramped powder rooms.  

Following Herwen, Larael glanced back and gave Edward a light smile. It was meant to reassure him, but she wasn’t sure how he perceived it.  

Edward stared intently at the balcony they had entered, his fists clenched tightly.  

As soon as the balcony door closed, Herwen suddenly grabbed Larael’s shoulders tightly.  

“Ah!”  

Larael let out a small cry of pain and glared at Herwen. Her red eyes, filled with hatred, met Herwen’s gaze. He was momentarily entranced by her fierce expression but quickly regained his composure and spoke.  

“Larael, how could you do this to me? Tearing up the letters I sent you? It felt like my heart was being ripped apart…”  

“Ripped apart?”  

‘Do you even know what it feels like to have your heart ripped apart?’  

Larael barely swallowed the words. She felt an overwhelming urge to push him off the balcony, but she knew it wouldn’t kill him.  

“You’re hurting me. Let go,” Larael said, raising her arms to knock away Herwen’s hands from her shoulders.  

“For my happiness, please let me go. Forget about me now. I don’t understand why you’re doing this. When I said I would go to His Majesty, you told me it was wrong.”  

“Larael, it’s because I love you. Your place is here with me, and your heart belongs to me…”  

“I don’t know what nonsense you’re spouting, but contrary to your words, my heart is where my body is.”  

Herwen’s face twisted in anger at her response.  

“You mean to say that after clinging to Edward, you’ve grown attached to him?”  

“Your words are excessive. Please get to the point.”  

“Larael, you shouldn’t treat me with such hostility. It’s all Edward’s fault that we ended up this way. I’ll bring you back to my side soon, so endure just a little longer. Don’t avoid my contact, and all you have to do is help me a little.”  

Larael wanted to tell him that it was his fault, that facing him was unbearable.  

“But neither I nor His Majesty remember what happened that night. If you think about it, there are many suspicious aspects. Perhaps someone orchestrated it to drive a wedge between you and His Majesty.”  

Herwen’s expression contorted at her words. Even in the darkness, Larael could see the unease flickering in his eyes.