Chapter 7 – Part 3

“Hello, Your Highness. It’s an honor to meet you for the first time.”

Christina smiled radiantly and made eye contact with him.

“……”

But her smile soon turned to confusion. It was because Cedric did not acknowledge the greetings of the Norte father and daughter.

“Step aside.”

Not only did he ignore them, but he also frowned in displeasure. Christina’s face turned ashen.

“…Pardon?”

A bewildered Christina could only stammer. She looked toward her father, Marquis Cain, for help.

Noah realized that Cedric was thoroughly enraged. He tried to intervene, but Cedric blocked him with his arm, preventing him from stepping in.

“Marquis Cain, don’t bother me any further. Leave.”

‘Bother…?’

Marquis Cain’s eyes widened in shock at Cedric’s words. Christina’s youthful face flushed bright red.

“Your Highness Cedric, I humbly ask for a moment of your time. Unlike before, I hope you’ll allow my daughter and Your Highness to have a serious conversation today. Her Majesty the Empress has also given her permission.“

‘How happy I was that the Crown Princess’s position became vacant, and now you’re telling us to leave? That’s preposterous.’

Since the meeting had been arranged in agreement with the Empress, Marquis Cain couldn’t back down so easily.

“No, don’t ever come looking for me like this again.”

Ignoring Marquis Cain’s plea, Cedric walked away without hesitation.

“Your Highness…”

Cedric didn’t even glance back, completely disregarding the father and daughter. The place he was headed was none other than Rachel’s side. Cedric caressed Rachel’s cheek with his finger as if flaunting their affection.

‘This can’t be…‘

Cedric’s actions were a complete insult to the Marquis of Norte and his daughter.

By flaunting his relationship with Rachel, Cedric intended to ensure that no one like Marquis Cain would dare approach him again. He also wanted to make it clear to Eliana, who stood beside him.

“What did you talk about with Christina Norte, Your Highness?“ Rachel asked anxiously.

“Just follow me, Rachel.”

Instead of answering, Cedric led Rachel to the stage. His pace was so fast that she struggled to keep up.

“Your Highness!”

Noah realized what Cedric was about to do. Despite the Emperor’s orders to restrain himself, Cedric intended to defy them.

The Emperor loved his son, but he was not lenient. He despised having his will disobeyed. Eliana had been removed from her position as the Crown Prince’s fiancée for not being compliant enough. Cedric was brimming with the desire to declare his relationship with Rachel before the nobles.

“You can’t do this!”

Noah ran after him, trying to stop him, but Cedric didn’t listen.

As Cedric stepped onto the stage, the crowd of nobles parted like the sea, making way for him. Among the dispersing crowd, one couple did not move. Cedric was approaching so quickly that it was almost surprising they didn’t collide with him.

Eliana Leiberte and Calix Vartica. The two had just taken their places on the stage for their second dance. The music had yet to begin, but just as it was about to, Cedric shoved his way through the crowd, coming face-to-face with them like an uninvited guest.

“……”

Eliana stared directly at Cedric. His golden eyes were much more flushed than when they had briefly crossed paths earlier at the entrance. She didn’t look away, trying to gauge the meaning behind his intense gaze. Though he hadn’t started spitting out harsh words immediately, it was clear he was itching to do so. The only thing stopping him was the promise he had made.

“Get off the stage.”

Cedric commanded Eliana.

“I’m going to dance with my woman.”

‘My woman.’

This was a declaration that he intended to make his relationship with Rachel public, asserting that she would be the star of the evening. Eliana had no reason to comply with his demand.

“I can’t leave, Your Highness.“

“What?“

“……“

“What did you just say?“

“I was just about to start dancing. A noblewoman like me dancing next to you and that woman wouldn’t interfere with your dance, would it?“

“I’m not in the mood for your word games.“

“I’m not playing word games. This stage isn’t just for Your Highness; it’s for all the nobles.“

‘She hasn’t changed. Always stubborn, never backing down…’

Cedric tightened his grip on Rachel, pulling her closer and glaring defiantly at Eliana.

Rachel could feel Cedric’s anger toward Eliana through the strength he held her. The harder he held her, the more she took it as proof of how much he despised Eliana, which strangely thrilled her.

Cedric wanted to shout at Eliana to shut up. To tell her that this stage belonged to him and Rachel. He would tolerate any other noble dancing here, but not her and that Duke of Vartica.

But Eliana wasn’t wrong. Despite being royalty, the host of this party was Marquis Madrino. Cedric’s eyes shifted to Calix.

Calix Vartica stood beside Eliana like a knight guarding her. His gaze toward Cedric was so sharp it felt like a slap. It was a look that said if Cedric dared to threaten Eliana in any way, he wouldn’t stand idly by.

‘That insolent fool.’

Cedric realized that Calix Vartica’s gaze wasn’t that of a mere friend. As the thought crossed his mind, his mood darkened even further.

‘The woman I threw away like trash… and now you’re planning to pick her up right after I discarded her? And it’s you, the man I despise the most, the Duke of Vartica…’

Eliana had once accused Cedric of having an affair with Rachel. She had even suggested something suspicious between them without any evidence.

Cedric hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but seeing how Calix looked at Eliana now, he couldn’t help but wonder if Calix had harbored feelings for her even before their engagement had been broken.

‘So, do you actually have feelings for Eliana? For the woman I threw away?’

Cedric found it absurd.

“Duke Calix Vartica, shouldn’t you, at the very least, keep your wits about you even if that madwoman Eliana can’t? Take Eliana Leiberte and get off the stage. Now.”

Cedric spoke with an air of authority, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe the situation.

“Your Highness.”

Calix finally spoke.

“Lady Eliana Leiberte is no longer your fiancée. She is my partner now, and we are in this stage together. Please retract your groundless command.“

Calix’s response was immediate, and Cedric’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

‘Your partner? Groundless command?’

Every word Calix said was crossing a line. On top of that, the fact that Calix wasn’t backing down only confirmed Cedric’s suspicion. Cedric’s resentment toward Calix rose rapidly within him, ready to explode.

“Duke.”

Cedric moved closer to Calix, speaking directly into his face.

“Are you acting this way to throw your life away? Do you want your head to roll instead of stepping off the stage?”

It was a chilling warning.

Calix lowered his red eyes momentarily before meeting Cedric’s gaze again. But the downward glance was not a sign of submission.

Cedric didn’t interpret it that way, either.

“It seems you are eager for my head, Your Highness. If it’s a duel you desire, I will gladly accept.”

Swordsmanship—that, too, was one of the areas where Cedric felt a deep sense of inferiority toward Calix. As the Crown Prince of the Empire, all the honors that should have belonged to him were stolen by Calix Vartica, who excelled in every skill.

Every time this happened, Cedric was reminded of the cursed illness that plagued his body, driving him to madness. He always blamed his disease, never once admitting that he might lack genuine talent.

“A sword? No, I could take you to the execution grounds and have you beheaded right now. For the crime of insulting royalty.”

Cedric gritted his teeth. His threat was as clear as day, but Calix showed no sign of backing down.

“An execution without proper procedure would not sit well with the nobles, Your Highness.”

“…!”

“Nor would your baseless persecution of Eliana, trying to monopolize the stage. I trust you haven’t forgotten the promise made in the imperial court.”

The conflict initially occurred between Eliana and Cedric. Now, it has evolved into a battle involving all four of them.

“You’ll regret every word you’ve said today.“

“I’ll be prepared.”

Clearly, Calix didn’t mean he would repent or reflect on his words. Cedric wanted to draw his sword and strike Calix down immediately. He could already imagine the satisfying sight of blood. That thought briefly lifted his mood, but he couldn’t act.

‘The Emperor…’

He was not the Emperor yet. His father, Emperor Davon, had often told him that he must also win the hearts of the nobles, which was, too, a test of his worthiness.

Cedric turned his head to look at the nobles. The other aristocrats, who had come to dance, stood awkwardly, unable to take their place on the stage. From the audience, whispers of gossip could be heard.

‘Fine, if that’s how far you want to go. Let’s see this through to the end.’

Cedric clenched his jaw and signaled to the orchestra with a nod. It was a sign for them to start the music.

“Start already!“ Cedric yelled at the hesitant musicians.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.