Chapter 11 – Part 3

The podium where the Emperor and Crown Prince would give speeches was at the front. Behind them were the seats for the nobles, arranged according to rank.

The commoners stood even further back, beyond the noble seats, with no chairs, forced to watch from a distance. From where they stood, the royal family members would appear no larger than a finger.

The typical sequence of events at the Founding Festival began with speeches by the Emperor and Crown Prince, followed by a grand celebration. Many stalls were also set up. The Founding Festival had a more relaxed, inclusive atmosphere compared to other events.

Thirty minutes before the speeches began, Empress Heather conversed with Marquis Cain Norte in the royal family’s reserved area behind the stage. Unsurprisingly, they were discussing a potential marriage alliance with the Norte family.

“Ah, Crown Prince Cedric has arrived,” a servant announced from outside.

“It seems Cedric is here,” said the Empress.

The tent flap lifted, and Cedric appeared.

“You’ve arrived, Cedric.”

Despite her son’s dislike, the Empress had not given up on the marriage with the Marquis’s daughter. No matter how she looked at it, a better match wasn’t available.

“Greetings, Your Highness Cedric. It’s a pleasure to see you again,” said Marquis Norte, standing up to greet him. But then the Marquis paused, startled.

‘What in the world…’

Cedric wasn’t alone. The tent flap lifted again, and Rachel Slonian entered with him. A deep wrinkle appeared on the Marquis’s forehead.

Despite the insult they’d endured that day, they continued discussing a marriage alliance with the Empress. But Cedric had now brought another woman, directly undermining those discussions. There was no way the Marquis could feel good about this.

“Your Majesty, Empress Heather, Rachel, and I have come to greet you,” Cedric said, motioning toward Rachel, ignoring the Marquis’s greeting. Empress Heather’s cold gaze swept over Rachel from head to toe.

“What do you think you’re doing, Cedric?”

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?“

“Who said you could bring her for an introduction today?”

This was Rachel’s first time seeing Empress Heather up close. She had expected the Empress to be difficult, but the icy stare made her freeze in place.

“Your Majesty, please stop being so stubborn and accept Rachel’s greeting,“ Cedric said, gesturing toward Rachel.

“Rachel, go on.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Rachel Slonian. It is an honor to meet you.”

Without fully acknowledging Rachel’s greeting, the Empress snapped her head back toward Cedric, her eyes filled with displeasure.

“What are you doing here, bringing someone here without permission? Send her to the noble seating before His Majesty arrives.”

The Empress coldly scolded. In response, Cedric intertwined his fingers with Rachel’s and held her hand tightly.

“Cedric, you!”

His actions mirrored those at the Madrino party, where the Empress had vowed to convince her son not to repeat such behavior. Yet nothing had changed. The expression on Marquis Norte’s face turned rigid, though he made a great effort to mask his displeasure.

“Marquis, are you feeling unwell?“ Cedric asked.

“No, Your Highness. How could that be?“ Norte replied.

“You don’t look well,“ Cedric observed.

“… It’s nothing.“

“I know exactly why you look that way. And I know how to fix it too,“ Cedric continued, his eyes piercing through the Marquis.

Norte remained silent, waiting for Cedric to explain himself.

“It’s your greed. Unreasonable, insatiable greed. You’ve been trying to shove your daughter, Christina, into my life even though I’ve clarified that I’m not interested. I don’t like her, not her face or her attitude. She’s no match for Rachel, who stands beside me. So stop dreaming.”

The Marquis’s eyes flared in anger. He had doted on his daughter—late-born, fragile as a flower in the wind—cherishing her above all else. To hear her insulted like this was unbearable.

‘How dare he insult my daughter like that, after all she went through at the last party, crying helplessly afterward,‘ thought the Marquis, suppressing his fury.

“Cedric! Stop this insolent behavior right now!“ the Empress warned.

But Cedric didn’t stop. He raised Rachel’s hand and kissed her on the back to provoke the Marquis further.

“…!”

Rachel was startled by the sensation of Cedric’s lips on her hand but felt a wave of relief wash over her. The Marquis would surely back off if he was willing to go this far.

The Marquis clenched his teeth. “I wish to take my leave, Your Majesty. Please grant me permission,“ he said, his voice low.

“No, Marquis. You can’t leave just yet. You haven’t answered my question,“ Cedric interjected, demanding a response.

“I asked whether you intend to continue pushing your daughter onto me.”

Cedric was determined to force the Marquis into giving up his futile ambitions. He wanted to put an end to the Empress and the Marquis’s misguided hopes.

“Well, if you insist, bring your daughter next time. I’ll tell her exactly what I said to you right before her.“

“Do not act rudely toward a guest I have invited, Cedric. And to make such a public spectacle—where is your sense of decency? Did that girl you brought put you up to this?“ the Empress interjected, her words laced with disdain.

“Your Majesty,“ Cedric retorted, his voice rising in defiance.

“Marquis, you may leave now. We’ll talk again another time,“ Cedric ordered.

“Then, I will take my leave,“ the Marquis said, bowing respectfully before swiftly exiting. On his way out, he shot a sharp glance at Rachel, memorizing her face as the woman who had taken his daughter’s place.

The Empress also glared at Rachel, her gaze cold and judgmental. Things were rocky, and Rachel knew she had failed to make a good impression.

“Do you plan to keep her here until His Majesty arrives?“ the Empress asked disdainfully.

“Yes. She will sit with our family. She will remain by my side even when I give my speech,“ Cedric declared, bracing himself for another outburst from the Empress.

But instead, the Empress clicked her tongue, staring at Cedric with a chilly look.

“The Crown Prince of this empire—making a public spectacle before a Marquis. After all the years of education you’ve received as heir to the throne, it’s all wasted. And as for that girl you’ve brought with you, she looks even more pitiful. She clearly has no idea what it means to support a Crown Prince. Does she know what it takes to sit beside a future emperor?“

Rachel’s face flushed with embarrassment at the Empress’s scathing words.

“Mother,“ Cedric protested.

“Just because you push for her inclusion doesn’t mean she becomes part of the royal family. Even a fool would know that much. Yet you’re acting like a child, throwing a tantrum. Interfering with my conversation with the Marquis won’t magically turn that girl into a suitable empress. If you insist on forcing her into this setting, she’ll only be seen as an unwelcome guest. If that’s the first impression you want to leave, go ahead. I won’t stop you.”

Cedric was taken aback by the severity of his mother’s response. She had always supported him, and he had assumed she would eventually relent. But this time, it seemed different.

‘What should I do?‘ Cedric wondered, caught at a crossroads. Should he push through, have Rachel sit with the family, or admit defeat and send her away?

“Rachel Slonian, correct?“ the Empress addressed her sharply.

“Yes, Your Majesty,“ Rachel replied, her voice trembling slightly.

“Since Cedric seems unable to decide, why don’t you think it over? What do you think is the right course of action here?”

The pressure shifted to Rachel, and she felt her mind race. She wanted to respond, but the Empress’s intimidating presence made her hesitate. She glanced nervously at Cedric for guidance.

At that moment, the tent flap lifted, and Prince Elesio entered, glancing between Cedric and Rachel.

“I see we have someone new here. Has this lady finally been acknowledged as His Highness’s official companion?“

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

The Empress scolded sharply. Although her anger was directed at Elesio, Rachel flinched. Following Elesio, Princess Cynthia entered the tent.

“His Majesty is said to be arriving soon,“ Cynthia announced.

“Get her out before His Majesty arrives,“ Empress Heather commanded coldly, preparing to welcome the Emperor.

Cedric hesitated.

‘Don’t worry.’

He had to keep his word, but the situation did not favor him. Both Elesio and Cynthia had already taken their seats, and if Rachel were to sit, they would need to bring in a new chair.

‘It’s ridiculous that Rachel can’t sit in a place where even someone like Elesio is seated.’

Despite his thoughts, Cedric couldn’t press the issue further.