Before she could even ask what he meant, the carriage quickly entered the interior of the imperial palace. They soon arrived at the party hall and had to get down immediately. Despite being prepared for it, she couldn’t stop feeling nervous when it actually came up close. Really, once this door opens, there’s no turning back.

Should I run away?

“The family of the Grand Duchy of Siegfried is entering!”  

As soon as the carriage arrived, a fanfare sounded along with a booming announcement of their entrance. There was no running away now that they had come this far. Besides, there was something she had to check.

“Shall we go?”  

Noticing her hesitation, Raphael extended his hand. Normally, she wouldn’t have taken it, but she grabbed his hand without realizing it. It wasn’t for any other reason; there was nothing else she could rely on.

“I hope all that practice wasn’t for nothing.”  

Amelia glared at him as he teased about her dancing skills amidst this situation. At least she had improved enough not to look strange in people’s eyes when dancing with him. Of course, that was only when dancing with Raphael. If she danced with another partner, her lack of skill would be immediately noticeable.

“Your Grace, watch your step.”  

“If I fall… will you catch me?”  

“No, get up on your own.”  

As if he would ever fall. If anything, if he falls, she will fall even harder. Still, his words eased her tension a bit. His escort-like polite gestures made her feel strange. Just a few months ago, such behavior was unimaginable.

“I’m disappointed.”  

“Leonel, you should hold Mom’s hand.”  

At the entrance of the luxurious party hall, whether he was intimidated or not, Leonel didn’t hold her hand. Amelia extended her hand towards him. Holding hands with two men felt somewhat funny, but she didn’t mind.

“His Grace the Grand Duke of Siegfried, Her Highness the Duchess! And the young master is entering!”  

Was that voice amplified by magic? She flinched at the loud shout and the sound of the trumpets. Was this how everyone’s entrance was announced? Anyone would think they were the stars of the party.

“Siegfried?”  

“Is it the first time the entire Siegfried family has attended?”  

As soon as they entered, the noisy background music played but whispers cut through it. The hall stirred enough to cause confusion. It seemed like no one but the imperial family knew about their attendance. She hadn’t met the emperor yet, but he was definitely an unpleasant person. It was deliberately done for a more striking effect.

“Even now…”  

“Don’t talk about running away.”  

Why did Raphael hate participating in the Founding Festival so much? Was it because he disliked crowded and noisy places? It seemed like there was more to it than that.

“Mom…”  

“Leonel, are you nervous?”  

“I’m okay.”  

Her hands were sweaty from holding hands tightly, but she could only smile back at her child, trying to look brave because she wasn’t in any better situation.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress are coming!”  

They had only just entered when an announcement came that the imperial family was coming out. The chaotic party hall quickly got organized. Although they were still excited, the atmosphere calmed down a bit.

“He was aiming for this.”

“Huh?”

“His Majesty the Emperor likes to receive attention.”
  
Is Raphael boldly criticizing the Emperor for being an attention seeker? Amelia glanced around nervously, worried that anyone might have heard.
  
“He took advantage of the attention focused on us.”
  
Indeed, that was the case. Although people still glanced over at them, everyone was eagerly waiting for the imperial family. It was clear, even without meeting him, that the Emperor was a disagreeable person.
  
“Leonel, take a good look.”

“Yes.”
  
What is he supposed to take a good look at? Was there some secret between the two of them that she was not privy to? She felt somewhat left out.
  
“This is His Majesty, Emperor Kendrick Russell Khalid.”
  
At the mention of the Emperor’s arrival, Amelia slightly bowed. Everyone was simultaneously greeting him. The Emperor… was an inevitable figure in her life. Yet, she had never seen his face before. Despite knowing she shouldn’t, curiosity got the better of her.
  
So, she sneakily raised her head.
  
“…….”
  
There stood a middle-aged man with silver hair and purple eyes.
  

***

  
Silver hair and purple eyes?
  
The three princes who entered next all had silver hair as well. Their eyes were not completely purple but mostly violet, except for one who was slightly less distinct. All fitting the description of silver hair and purple eyes.
  
“…….”
  
Are silver hair and purple eyes a common appearance in the Khalid Empire? She was so shocked that she forgot she was holding Leonel’s hand. She didn’t even notice the two people looking at her as her arm trembled with clenched strength.
  
It turns out that silver hair and purple eyes were indeed common in the empire. Otherwise, how could the imperials she saw for the first time today resemble her appearance?
  
“Thank you all for attending. This year’s Founding Festival marks the special 700th anniversary.”
  
A plump, or rather portly, middle-aged man shouted loudly. He seemed to want to appear dignified, but his squeaky voice made it hard to feel that way.
  
“There are many things to celebrate this time.”
  
The way he puffed out his chest and flaunted seemed to naturally furrow his brows. It seemed he was showing off a brooch belonging to the First Emperor. Could this be the first official occasion where he wore the brooch? The murmurs of those who saw the brooch for the first time intensified.
  
“The brooch of the First Emperor has been found!”

“Congratulations.”
  
At a few flatteries, the corners of the Emperor’s lips lifted as if they would reach his ears. It seems sycophants exist everywhere. But looking at the Emperor flaunting the brooch, he seemed devoid of any dignity. Don’t members of the imperial family normally maintain their decorum?
  
She had thought all high nobles were noble and dignified like Raphael. After all, they were born into the upper class. So why does the Emperor seem so vulgar without any sense of propriety?
  
“And that I am most grateful for Grand Duke Siegfried’s attendance as well.”

“…It is an honor.”
  
Raphael responded reluctantly, his face looking sour. Saying his face looked sour was an understatement. It wasn’t hard to guess why he specifically mentioned Raphael. He wanted to flaunt his status. The intent was too obvious to make anyone feel good.
  
“Let’s begin the Founding Festival celebration!”
  
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, a majestic song filled the air. Amelia still looked at the Emperor in shock.
  
Why does she share the same appearance as him? Even from before, people weren’t just looking at Raphael; they were staring at her.
  
“Amelia?”

“I’m fine.”
  
It seems neither the lady nor Raphael had warned her about this, probably because it wasn’t important. She wouldn’t have been so surprised if she had remembered Aaron’s eye and hair color from books.
  
“It’s just something I’m saying but…”
  
Had she not been holding onto Leonel and Raphael’s hands, she might have collapsed right there. Amelia clenched her teeth to regain composure. Perhaps she was mistaken about the empire. Maybe silver hair is actually very common. But… no matter how much she looked around among the many nobles, only she and the imperials had silver hair.
  
“Is silver hair a common color?”
  
That would have been the only explanation… A series of coincidences made her have silver hair and purple eyes.
  
“It’s not common, but it does occur occasionally.”

“Ah…”
  
That was a relief. So not all imperials necessarily have silver hair. Amelia was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he continued.
  
“But having both silver hair and purple eyes is unique to the imperial family.”
  
Since earlier, four pairs of purple eyes had been following her alone.