89. Engagement Ceremony (2)

Even without Larael saying anything, Beatrice could tell what she meant. Beatrice and Larael hurriedly returned to Edward’s side.

“Your Majesty.”

Larael called Edward quietly. Edward, lost in thought, was watching as the Empress Dowager made a lively entrance, receiving congratulatory greetings as she approached. When he saw Larael come up beside him, he smiled at her—his expression completely different from when he looked at the Empress Dowager—as if to reassure her, and took her hand.

The Empress Dowager approached Edward.

“Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager,” Larael said, bowing deeply. The Empress Dowager didn’t even glance at Larael and instead beamed at Edward.

“My head is spinning these days. There’s so much to prepare when dealing with a proper family and a proper engagement ceremony.”

Larael understood the meaning behind those words. Her own engagement ceremony with Herwen had been a simple affair, just an exchange of gifts and a dinner. The Empress Dowager glanced at Larael with lowered eyes, then turned her attention back to Edward.

“If His Majesty ever holds an engagement ceremony, now that I have experience, I will make it the grandest in the Empire.”

At those words, Edward’s expression turned icy. The faint, formal smile he had shown the Empress Dowager vanished instantly. His cold gaze was so chilling that even the Empress Dowager frowned slightly upon meeting his eyes.

His dark eyes flashed with such intensity that he looked like a beast ready to tear out the Empress Dowager’s throat at any moment. She felt a chill run down her spine and glanced around nervously.

Then, spotting Duke Nox, the Empress Dowager called out to him loudly. Duke Nox, hearing her, looked over and, leaning on his trademark cane, walked toward them.

“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire, and to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

It had been a very long time since they had met. Duke Nox seemed aware of this, as he couldn’t meet Edward’s eyes directly. The Empress Dowager, sensing the strange tension between the two men, felt her confidence return after having been intimidated by Edward. She watched them with great interest.

“Duke, do you not intend to greet the Empress Consort?” Edward asked in a low voice. Duke Nox slowly lifted his head at those words. He looked back and forth between Edward and Larael, and when his eyes met Larael’s, he gave a slight bow.

“Greetings to Her Highness the Empress Consort. Honestly, I did not expect Your Highness to come here today.”

“Duke!”

Edward exploded in anger. At his roar, the entire hall fell into silence. Duke Nox’s eyes wavered uneasily. Edward knew Duke Nox still resented both him and Larael. With a wave of his hand, Edward signaled for him to disappear. Understanding the gesture, Duke Nox turned away, his expression stiff.

Until he had started walking toward Edward, Duke Nox hadn’t intended to say such things. He had planned to ask after Edward’s well-being and announce his intention to return soon in a friendly atmosphere.

But the moment he saw Larael standing at Edward’s side, his emotions overtook his reason. Even now, he believed Larael was the root cause of everything, blaming and resenting her.

After Duke Nox stirred things up and left, the Empress Dowager, now satisfied, also left Edward’s side to receive more congratulations from other guests. Edward tilted his head, studying Larael’s expression. The forlorn look in her eyes pierced his heart.

“Larael, don’t let it get to you.”

At Edward’s words, Larael lowered her head.

Just then, the entrance of today’s main figures, Herwen and Ariella, was announced, and the two appeared. Everyone, including Edward and Larael, turned their attention to them.

Ariella, dressed so extravagantly it was almost breathtaking, entered with a bright smile, her arm linked with Herwen’s, as if to declare herself the star of the day.

Receiving greetings as they walked through the hall, Herwen and Ariella finally stopped in front of Edward and Larael.

“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire. Thank you for attending my engagement ceremony and honoring us with your presence.”

Herwen spoke in a formal tone, glancing sideways at Larael. Larael gave a reluctant, slight nod.

“I’d like to speak with you more, but since we were a bit late, the ceremony will begin soon. We’ll come back after the ceremony.”

With a bow, Herwen and Ariella moved to where the engagement proceedings would take place.

“Larael, if you’re uncomfortable, shall we leave together?” Edward asked gently, concerned about her. Larael gave a faint smile and shook her head.

“I’m really alright.”

“If you want to leave at any time, just tell me.”

Hearing Edward’s kind words, Larael felt a sense of relief without even realizing it. As long as Edward was by her side, her anxiety melted away like snow. But the real problem wasn’t the anxiety that came and went in her heart—it was the guilt she felt for undermining Edward’s authority. The more Edward stayed by her side, the deeper that guilt became, making her want to hide away altogether.

As the engagement ceremony began, Larael watched expressionlessly as Ariella and Herwen, looking like the happiest people in the world, exchanged engagement rings. Occasionally, the nobles’ gazes would turn to Larael, but as her expression remained unchanged, they quickly lost interest.

When the ceremony ended, those who hadn’t yet offered congratulations crowded around Herwen and Ariella. Edward whispered something to the Marquis of Argen and then turned to Larael.

“Let’s go home.”

“What?”

Larael looked at Edward in surprise, and Beatrice, looking regretful, spoke up.

“Your Highness, I’ll come visit you often.”

As soon as Beatrice finished speaking, Edward took Larael’s hand and led her out of the hall. As they left, the nobles began to murmur. The commotion grew, and Herwen craned his neck to watch Edward leave with Larael. His eyes narrowed, and his displeasure was obvious. Ariella glanced at Herwen with a look of exasperation, then turned to those offering congratulations and responded with a bright smile.

***

After boarding the carriage, Edward looked at Larael with a playful smile, as if teasing her for her reproachful expression. Larael bit her lip and slowly opened and closed her eyes.

“Your Majesty, there will surely be a lot of talk.”

Some would certainly assume Larael had urged the Emperor to leave early. In fact, she was sure of it. Though Edward had acted with Larael in mind, in the end, it would only give others an excuse to criticize her.

But knowing Edward’s intentions, she couldn’t blame him. Larael let out a deep, frustrated sigh.

“There have always been rumors.”

Edward moved closer. Larael naturally leaned her head on his shoulder. When she did, Edward, who thought she might be upset, let out a sigh of relief and smiled gently.

“Let’s spend the whole day together today.”

After all, he had kept the day free for Herwen’s engagement.

Larael worried she might be bothering Edward, but at the same time, dozens of things she wanted to do with him flashed through her mind. Smiling wryly at her own conflicting feelings, she looked up at Edward.

“Tell me what you want to do with me. Today, I’ll do anything you ask.”

Edward spoke confidently, almost boastfully.

“I just want to walk around the city with you. If we get hungry, eat something delicious…”

Edward looked down at his formal clothes, then at Larael, and made a troubled face.

“We’re both dressed so conspicuously that if we walk through the capital like this, we might get assassinated and no one would be surprised.”

He laughed, though it wasn’t quite a joke. But Larael suddenly felt down at his words.

“Let’s go back to the palace, change clothes, and then use a magic scroll to go wherever you want.”

“No, it doesn’t have to be that. I just mentioned the first thing that came to mind out of the dozens of things I want to do with you.”

“Then what else?”

“Hmm… Just stay with me. That’s enough.”