VOLUME 2

Chapter 1. The Curtain Rises on a National Deception

After the first dance ended, Adelia ascended to the platform with Lucian’s escort.

Her face brightened noticeably as she sat down.

The persistent gazes that followed her did not reach her.

By using the imperial family as a shield to avoid the nobles’ stares, she finally felt like she could breathe.

“Ah… I can live now.”

Leaning back within the bounds of propriety, a sigh of relief naturally escaped her.

Acting impeccably amidst the hostile and wary gazes was no easy task.

Adelia’s specialty was concocting sinister schemes from behind, not stepping forward like this.

Then, Lucian suddenly leaned towards her.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

Sitting right next to her, he noticed every single one of her actions.

From her slight stumble, as she came up to her oddly disrupted posture, he knew it all.

Adelia smiled habitually and replied to his unwarranted concern.

“Just tired. It’s a bit hard, but I’m okay.”

“If you’re this troubled by just that, what will you do?”

“Ha ha. Sorry for my lack of stamina.”

Lucian’s comment was meant to ask why a white mage was so weak, but to Adelia, worn out from dealing with people, it sounded like a mockery of her poor physical condition.

She turned her head away sharply.

At Adelia’s inexplicable sulkiness, Lucian lifted the corners of his mouth in disbelief.

Watching them, the Emperor muttered in a low voice,

“She might collapse at this rate.”

They had been facing each other daily over the issue of the white magic stone, but lately, they had naturally grown close.

It wasn’t just Lucian. Whether sneaking peeks into the office whenever there was a chance or frequently having tea time with the prince and princess, Adelia had become a familiar presence in the palace.

‘Well, it doesn’t really matter.’

As the Emperor mulled over various thoughts, he stood up.

The wine filled in a transparent glass cup shimmered like blood in the Emperor’s hand.

A momentary shiver of eeriness quickly passed as the nobles hurriedly picked up their cups.

The banquet ripened, and the Emperor lifted his cup, signaling the toast.

Those below the platform also raised their cups and stood up.

The Emperor advanced to the very front of the platform, leaned on the railing with one hand, and looked down at the nobles with his head held high.

Even as he stood still, his dignified presence and graceful movements embodied the perfect ruler.

His deep and menacing voice enveloped the banquet hall,

“Let everyone enjoy for the prosperity of the year.”

It was a short and concise toast, befitting the Emperor. People turned to clink their glasses as usual. However, their heads turned at the following speech,

“The Crown Prince’s marriage will be in a month. What a fortunate day for such joyous news.”

The Emperor looked down at the nobles with a twisted smile, his face full of sneers and brimming with killing intent.

Nobles who had been vocal about the Crown Prince’s marriage hastily hid their presence.

The noble madams discreetly covered their husbands bustling about with their fans and whispered quietly,

“They’re really getting married. Honestly, I thought they’d break it off soon.”

“Right. It wasn’t just a whim. But a month is too short, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s not like a wedding can be prepared so quickly.”

“If they set their minds to it, nothing is impossible. Especially for the imperial family. But still, a month is too fast. I wonder if they see no need to take their time or if they want to proceed with the marriage as soon as possible. It’s curious.”

The people exchanging these words occasionally glanced at Adelia.

They found it fascinating that Adelia could smile so gracefully among the intimidating imperials.

Many grew curious about Adelia who fearlessly stood beside the daunting imperials.

From her high vantage point, Adelia observed such gazes as though she was admiring a piece of art. When people’s interest peaked, Adelia leaned towards Lucian with a flushed face,

“You know about cooperation… right?”

Adelia whispered quietly with her lips tightly sealed as she lightly scratched Lucian’s wrist.

Though it sounded almost like a threat, Lucian willingly went along with her actions because he owed her one.

He wrapped her wandering hand with his own. Given their difference in build, his hand easily enveloped her small, white hand.

Unlike his hand, which was calloused and veined from holding the sword daily, Adelia’s hand was soft and smooth, except for some calluses from holding a pen.

Nobles who saw them holding hands tenderly were astonished,

“Am… Am I seeing this correctly?”

“His Highness took her hand first… My goodness!”

Rumors had circulated that the Crown Prince, who seemed uninterested in romance to the point of suspicion, had taken the initiative to hold hands.

The nobles were staggered by their overwhelming surprise.

Watching them, the Emperor clicked his tongue and finished his toast in annoyance,

“For prosperity and marriage.”

“For prosperity!”

As the Emperor raised his cup and shouted, all the nobles also lifted their cups in unison and echoed him.

After the toast came a procession of gifts,

“To celebrate the marriage, a blue diamond made…”

“As a treasure of the kingdom, a red ruby for marriage celebration…”

“To commemorate the marriage, precious fruit from across the sea…”

It was a moment when valuable items presented to the Emperor transformed into wedding gifts.

Few nobles had brought gifts genuinely to celebrate the marriage amidst the sudden announcement; most were busy calculating political relationships.

Even if they had been informed earlier, it wouldn’t have made much difference.

The imperials received their greetings with indifferent faces, as though they were barely accepting them.

Among them, Adelia sat quietly with a smile,

‘How bothersome.’

Everything here was distributed through her trading company. She could easily acquire such items without even trying.

Unable to greet people with an indifferent face, she forced a smile and gave formal responses.

At the end of the long procession of gifts stood Conrad, waiting.

He was not in his usual casual attire but in a uniform buttoned up to his neck.

The uniform, white with navy accents, suited his good-natured image perfectly.

Conrad placed one hand on his chest and bowed deeply.

“Conrad, the acting head of the Eileen Merchant Guild, extends greetings on behalf of the guild.”

Unlike the nobles, who arrived with servants carrying mountains of gifts, he stood alone.

Despite being of commoner status, he faced the imperial family with a bright, confident smile.

‘He looks familiar.’

Lucian rested his chin on his hand as he stared intently at Conrad.

Somehow, his artificially smiling face reminded him of Adelia.

It was exactly the face she made when dealing with annoying people.

It was also among Adelia’s expressions that he liked the least.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Cold sweat ran down Conrad’s back as he smiled.

It was because Lucian was staring at him intently.

Though Conrad had frequently attended banquets as the acting head of the guild and was acquainted with Lucian, he had never received such significant attention before.

Moreover, he felt like dying under the even more intense scrutiny of the imperials than usual.

He unconsciously fiddled with the bracelet-shaped artifact on his wrist.

‘Master…. please save me.’

Without the artifact, he might have fainted long ago.

Conrad’s mouth was parched.

“It’s been a while, acting head.”

“Ah, Lady Adelia.”

When Adelia initiated the conversation, the imperial family’s gaze shifted to her.

Feeling the gaze lighten, Conrad let out a sigh of relief.

Regaining his composure, he narrowed his eyes and smirked mischievously.

“It’s been a while indeed.”

“Has it been two weeks?”

“Exactly two weeks and three days.”

They had been facing each other in meetings until just yesterday.

Without batting an eyelid, they smoothly lied.

“That’s right. I’ve been too busy to visit, and given the place, I couldn’t invite you. I’ll stop by when I have time.”

“Please visit at your convenience. The top floor is always open.”

They conversed familiarly, as if they had known each other for a long time.

Nobles listening quietly were taken aback.

“If it’s the top floor, isn’t that where only the guild master and acting head can enter?”

“Doesn’t the acting head frequently visit the palace? Could it be to meet with the guild master?”

People focused on her newly revealed connection with the guild.

No noble did not desire even a small friendship with the guild master.

“Could that person be the guild master? Maybe that’s why she became the crown prince’s consort.”

“Come on, how could a woman be the guild master. Maybe she has a relationship with that acting head? Like lovers or something…”

“Well, that seems more plausible. Just a thought. Someone as innocent-looking as her couldn’t possibly be the guild master.”

“She must have connections with the guild master. Seeing that His Highness is calm about it seems it’s not an inappropriate relationship.”

The nobles joked and focused on Adelia.

Whether it was an inappropriate relationship or pure friendship didn’t matter.

The fact that she had connections with the guild remained in their minds.

“I hope I’m not causing any trouble.”

“Trouble? Your occasional advice has been very helpful.”

“It’s just small talk. I’m grateful you listen to me.”

“The guild values Lady Adelia highly. We’re always ready to listen to even your smallest request or favor.”

Empowered by the murmurs of the crowd, they exchanged words with similar smiles.

The conversation overtly shifted to reveal Adelia’s strong influence within the guild.

The imperials looked at them incredulously, knowing all too well.

“Haha. That’s reassuring.”

Adelia laughed, closing her eyes enough to hide their blue color from three pairs of red eyes staring at her.

Feeling their piercing gaze, Conrad also bowed slightly and avoided eye contact.