26. Birthday Banquet (3)
“Larael, now you’re even defending the one who made you this way. Have you been brainwashed? You don’t believe me? Have you stopped loving me now? Is that it?”
“Why do you think that? Do you truly not understand that I’m trying to cut ties so harshly for your sake?”
At Larael’s words, a chilling smile appeared on Herwen’s lips.
Seeing that, Larael shuddered. In the past, every expression and action of his had made her heart flutter. Now, she couldn’t believe she had ever felt that way. She hated it so much that she couldn’t even recall those feelings. However, Herwen either failed to notice the disgust on her face or dismissed it in the darkness, as he continued to speak with that same unsettling smile.
“That’s not for my sake. Just writing you a single letter is enough to let me breathe. Even now, I talk to you every morning. That’s the only way I can start my day.”
‘What kind of nonsense is this…’
Larael barely swallowed her words and, after calming herself, turned her head with a sorrowful expression.
“No, it’s not. I know very well that not seeing you is what’s best for you. So please, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak about this any further. His Majesty is waiting for me inside, so I’ll be going now.”
Larael grabbed the handle of the balcony door.
“Larael!!! If you keep avoiding me, I don’t know what I might do!!!”
Herwen threatened her in a harsh tone as she ignored him and left the balcony, but Larael didn’t even look back. She slammed the balcony door shut and walked away.
When Larael entered the hall alone, Edward strode toward her. The balcony door remained closed. As Edward approached her, he glanced back and forth between her expression and the balcony door. Fortunately, Larael’s face appeared calm. Seeing her expression, Edward felt a wave of relief.
For some reason, Herwen didn’t come back inside from the balcony. The nobles in the hall fell silent for a moment when Larael entered, sneaking glances at her and Edward.
Edward extended his hand toward Larael. She gave him a faint smile, but it quickly disappeared. Edward felt as though his heart had dropped. He had thought she was fine based on her calm expression, but it seemed he was wrong. Larael placed her hand on top of Edward’s.
“Larael, if it’s too much, would you like to go rest?”
When Larael saw Edward’s worried face as he spoke, her chest ached as if it had been clawed. She staggered slightly from the pain. Edward furrowed his brow slightly.
“I’m truly fine,” Larael said.
“Larael, this is all my fault,” Edward said.
“Your Majesty!!”
At that moment, Duke Nox appeared, leaning on his cane, calling out to Edward.
When Larael saw Duke Nox, she looked around him, checking to see if Ariella had appeared. However, it seemed he had come to the banquet alone.
‘How long does Ariella plan to stay hidden?’
Thinking of Ariella naturally brought Herwen to mind. She recalled his desperate threats.
‘He won’t leave me alone?’
It was absurd for someone like him to say such a thing. Larael glanced toward the balcony where Herwen was.
Edward, who caught the brief moment, felt conflicted. She had said she was fine, but there was no way she wouldn’t be conscious of Herwen. After all, she had been Herwen’s fiancée not long ago. Edward felt petty for being so aware of the two of them.
He also realized that this feeling was jealousy. Edward knew how miserable and petty jealousy could make a person feel. He thought that if Larael knew, she would lose all affection for him.
At that moment, Herwen finally emerged from the balcony. As soon as he stepped inside, he scanned the room for Larael and glared at her with cold eyes.
“Grand Duke Vellaus should not have come here,” Duke Nox growled lowly, directing his words at Herwen.
Today was the Emperor’s birthday banquet.
Herwen’s attendance, given his entanglement with the Empress Consort, was clearly an attempt to ruin the celebration.
Hearing this, Larael quietly observed Duke Nox. He was still someone she couldn’t fully understand.
Duke Nox was undoubtedly a loyal aide to Edward. However, his daughter was by Herwen’s side. Before her regression, Duke Nox hadn’t been there when Edward faced life-threatening situations.
Following Duke Nox, the Marquis and Marchioness of Argen approached Edward and Larael.
“Greetings to the sun of the Empire. Greetings to Your Highness, the Empress Consort,” they said.
“I heard you were supposed to be resting at home. Is it alright for you to be here?” Larael asked the Marchioness with a concerned look.
“Of course, I was told to rest, but I was worried about Your Highness. It’s your first banquet, and I thought you might feel lonely. I saw a doctor before coming, so please don’t worry,” Beatrice said with a bright smile, reassuring Larael.
Larael was genuinely moved by her words. She held Beatrice’s hand and expressed her gratitude.
“When did Your Highness and Beatrice become so close? I’m curious myself,” the Marquis of Argen said, responding to Edward’s puzzled look.
“By the way, what do you plan to do about Grand Duke Vellaus?”
Edward turned his head to find Herwen.
The Empress Dowager was surrounded by noblewomen, engaged in deep conversation while covering her mouth with a fan. Judging by the way they occasionally glanced at Larael and laughed behind their fans, it was clear she was the topic of their discussion.
Herwen stood at a table laden with celebratory drinks, drinking endlessly.
“I’ll have to send him away myself,” Edward said, walking toward Herwen.
Although they had met a few times recently for meetings about the mana stone mine, Herwen had sat with a disapproving expression, refusing to engage in even casual conversation.
Edward wasn’t sure if they could have an open discussion today, but he decided to try. He found the current relationship uncomfortable. While he and Herwen had never been particularly close, he didn’t want things to remain this strained.
“Herwen, stop drinking,” Edward said, placing a hand on the table and addressing him.
Herwen smirked, his lips curling upward, and lowered his gaze. Then, as if he hadn’t heard Edward, he nonchalantly picked up another glass of wine.
“There are many eyes watching. If you really want to drink, I’ll be your drinking companion tonight,” Edward offered.
“In that case, have a drink with me now. I have something to say… something I must say,” Herwen replied.
Edward shook his head.
“Today is my banquet.”
“If not now, I have no intention of drinking with you. Since this is your banquet, I might as well perform a sword dance here for you and your precious Empress Consort,” Herwen said mockingly.
At his words, Edward’s gaze darkened with a hint of menace, but he quickly suppressed it. He let out a long sigh, closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them slowly.
“Fine. Go wait in my private reception room,” Edward said.
Herwen stumbled away, a satisfied smile on his face, his half-closed eyes unfocused. Edward watched him leave before returning.
He informed Duke Nox and the Marquis of Argen about his meeting with Herwen and his intention to leave the banquet hall. Naturally, both of them were shocked and vehemently opposed the idea.
“Who is the Emperor here? Why are you allowing yourself to be dragged around by the Grand Duke? After everything he’s done!” Duke Nox said angrily, glaring at Larael with furious eyes.
Startled by the sudden outburst, Larael looked up at him. Hearing his words, she lowered her head deeply. She couldn’t bear to meet Duke Nox’s enraged gaze.
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sahari
Herwen, a parte de ser insoportable, es el vivo ejemplo de lo que es un narcisista vulnerable. Le encanta el drama, le gusta ser el centro de atención y le gusta ser la victima de la situación. Edward no se como llegó a ser emperador, no es el más astuto ni el más perspicaz; ya que es demasiado obvio que su medio hermano le esta saboteando a drede.