Volume III

Chapter 3. A Hindrance? Or A Collaborator?

The imperial palace was filled with white rose decorations. On pillars, walls, and doors. Rose vines were hung and white roses were attached as decorations.

Unlike regular banquets decorated with all sorts of brilliant jewels and expensive items, this banquet welcoming the Holy Kingdom’s delegation was adorned only with white roses.

Among the flowers, while being the most splendid, the pure white rose was known to be God’s favorite flower.

The nobles attending the banquet also pinned white roses to their clothes.

“This banquet is so splendid too. The quality of roses is excellent.”

“To bring in such high-quality roses in bulk…… It must be the Eileen Merchant Guild, right?”

“Of course. The Guild Master of Eileen Guild and His Majesty are close, after all.”

The nobles entered the banquet hall while exclaiming in admiration at the sight. Despite the early hour, the hall was already packed with nobles. Even those who usually arrived late came early today to secure the best spots.

It was a rare opportunity to see the Saintess up close. Even elderly nobles who had been resting in their mansions due to old age visited the banquet hall today, supported by their children. As a result, more lounges than usual were opened, and priests were stationed throughout the venue. They had prepared perfectly for any emergency situations.

“The Holy Kingdom’s delegation enters!”

The delegation quickly arrived at the imperial palace after crossing the capital. From the entrance, it was crowded with palace servants welcoming the delegation.

Adelia had positioned people holding baskets full of white rose petals between the palace servants. The servants welcomed them by throwing flower petals into the air.

The pure white rose petals floating in the gentle breeze created a spectacular scene like falling snow.

The delegation entered the banquet hall amid people’s warm welcome. A red carpet stretched from the entrance to where the Emperor stood. The carpet decorated with gold thread was the most splendid decoration in the place. The delegation entered across the banquet hall, led by the Saintess.

“Oh my, it’s the Saintess!”

“That’s the Saintess! She’s so graceful and noble.”

“Ten High Priests came too!”

“I’ve never seen so many Holy Knights before!”

Exclamations of amazement burst out with each step the delegation took.

The band played sacred music to match. Some people even teared up at the majestic atmosphere.

The nobles watched the Saintess with sparkling eyes.

A Saintess from an imperial noble family. Some people thought they might be able to build a friendship with the Saintess today.

The Saintess walked forward confidently among them, not intimidated. The hem of her pure white dress fluttered gracefully with her movements.

‘She’s got more nerve than I expected.’

Adelia stood next to Lucian beside the Emperor. She watched the Saintess with a gentle smile. When she had heard from the Emperor, she thought the Saintess was a timid girl, but now seeing her, she could have passed for a seasoned noble of high society.

There was a huge difference between receiving the respectful gazes of imperial citizens as a Saintess and receiving the evaluating stares of nobles. While many people found the nobles’ gazes unpleasant, the Saintess seemed to subtly enjoy the attention and walked proudly.

However, as the Saintess approached the platform where the imperial family stood, she trembled slightly. Unlike her external appearance, her face lost its vitality and gradually turned pale. Her pale face and slightly trembling fingertips clearly showed her fear of the imperial family.

The Saintess now stood right below the platform. While nobles could never ascend the platform, the Saintess was an exception.

She took a deep breath before slowly climbing up the platform.

The delegation following her clasped their hands and bowed their heads.

The Saintess soon stood before the Emperor.

“I greet Your Majesty, the Sun of the Empire. I am Saintess Belle.”

Trying her best not to show her fear, the Saintess approached the Emperor and bowed deeply in greeting. It was an excessive courtesy considering her position as Saintess.

The High Priests behind her had stiff expressions on their faces. Though their heads were bowed, their slightly raised eyes were full of anger. Though displeased, none dared to point it out first.

‘That’s how nobles greet the Emperor. It’s not the proper greeting for a saintess.’

The Saintess was equivalent to the ruler of the Holy Kingdom. Though smaller in scale than the Empire, she was no different from a king. No, she was even more than a king. Considering her status and various factors, she was in a position equal to the Emperor.

For someone of the Saintess’s status, even a slight bow to the Emperor would not be criticized. It was meant to be an honor just for the Saintess, who was revered like a god, to offer a greeting first.

But the Saintess bowed first, and no one reproached her. Rather, the nobles watched with curious eyes.

The Emperor nodded slightly.

“Welcome to the Empire.”

“Thank you…… for your hospitality, Your Majesty.”

Though trembling, the Saintess spoke all she needed to say. Whether it was from courage or fear.

As the Saintess straightened up, her wine-colored eyes met Adelia’s. That sharp gaze, as if examining a person, swept over her in an instant.

Adelia responded without flinching, smiling with prettily curved eyes. The Saintess also raised the corners of her mouth without a word.

Though both were smiling, they observed each other through narrowed eyes. Neither spoke first as the tense atmosphere continued.

The one who intervened between their battle of nerves was none other than Lucian.

“You must be tired from your long journey.”

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Saintess bowed to the Crown Prince as well. Though not as deep as to the Emperor, it was a perfectly appropriate greeting for a crown prince.

Adelia quickly stepped forward and grabbed Lucian’s arm. He flinched and looked down at her with a surprised face.

“Act friendly.” 

Adelia whispered through tightly closed lips.

Only then did Lucian hide his expression and firmly supported Adelia’s arm. Adelia lightly placed her hand on his sturdy arm and smiled brightly at him. They looked like an affectionate newlywed couple to anyone watching.

Though she heard the Crown Prince’s small laugh, Adelia brazenly maintained her smile, pretending not to notice.

Standing side by side like a loving couple, she greeted the Saintess.

“I am Crown Princess Adelia. This is our first meeting, isn’t it? Welcome to the Empire.”

“Crown Princess. I’ve heard much about you. It’s a pleasure.”

The Saintess bowed her head. Though it was more befitting a Saintess than before, Adelia kept her head held high.

Though there were sharp glares from the High Priests, they subsided with one look from Lucian.

There was no reason for Adelia to bow when neither the Emperor nor Crown Prince had done so. At least now, she was the wife in an equal position to the Crown Prince.

And knowing full well that she herself was the real Saintess, she didn’t want to bow to an impostor.

In the moment the Saintess raised her head, Adelia saw her gaze lingering on Lucian and their linked arms. Though brief, she clearly caught the confusion that flashed across her face.

A gentle smile settled beneath her elegant silver hair.

“You must be tired from your long journey. Why don’t you rest a bit before joining the banquet?”

Today, Adelia wore a sky-blue dress that looked like a drop of blue sky mixed into pure white clouds. She wore lesser accessories to match the atmosphere of the Holy Kingdom’s delegation. With more muted  colors as much as possible and adorned herself only with transparent and white jewels.

She wore a pearl necklace around her neck, transparent diamond rings, and even the tiara on her head was a small size set with silver and diamonds.

Standing side by side, it was Adelia who looked more like a Saintess instead. Her silver hair and pure blue eyes created a benevolent and kind atmosphere.

Though she didn’t use the highest honorifics, she created a gentle atmosphere while respecting the Saintess.

The Saintess also responded with curved eyes.

“Is it alright for us to skip the banquet held for us?”

“Banquets usually start around this time and continue until night. The main guest traditionally appears around evening. We’ve prepared quarters in the palace for those from the Holy Kingdom. You’ll be able to rest comfortably.”

“I’m not that tired, but it would be impolite to refuse such kindness. If you’re not busy, I’d like to talk with you, Crown Princess.”

“Then I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you, Crown Princess.”

Their conversation appeared perfectly friendly and gentle. But Lucian, who was closest to them, saw the sharp glances exchanged between them.

It was difficult to intervene in the midst of their suspicious and distrustful gazes.

There was a force behind how the Saintess addressed Adelia. She seemed somewhat irritated yet also on edge.

“Shall we go then?”

Adelia smiled prettily like scattered sunlight.

As she tried to remove her hand from Lucian’s arm to guide the delegation, he suddenly gently grasped her hand.

Adelia looked up at him with slightly startled, round eyes. Lucian spoke with an unwavering gaze.

“Let’s go together, wife.”

“Your Highness is coming too?”

“I should follow where my wife goes.”