Side Story –  Chapter 3

When we came back from the terrace to the banquet hall, the Emperor was making his entrance.

“The Emperor has arrived.”

After wishing everyone a pleasant evening, the Emperor took his seat and swept his gaze across the hall.

Edward and I could feel his eyes settle on us.

He whispered something to the attendant at his side.

Before long, the attendant approached us with the Emperor’s summons.

“Duke Winderton, Duchess. His Majesty wishes to see you both. Please follow me.”

We had just gotten away from the people of House Scarlett, and now it was the Emperor.

The urge to leave was strong, but we had no choice but to walk forward.

“We greet Your Majesty.”

As we approached, guided by the attendant, the Emperor greeted us with a genial smile.

I realized then that even such a smile could feel repulsive.

“It has been a while, Duke Winderton. And you too, Lirie—it’s been a long time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

His gaze shifted to me, glancing between Edward and me as if amused.

“You seem to be getting along better than before.”

I wondered what the Emperor thought of the change in our relationship, once notorious for being strained.

He had never wanted me to divorce Edward.

That way, like the Duke of Scarlett, he could exert influence over House Winderton.

‘He must already know about the rift between me and House Scarlett.’

Now that he could no longer pressure me through them, it was no surprise if his mood had soured.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for seeing it in a good light.”

Despite the thorns hidden in the Emperor’s words, Edward slipped away from them with ease.

“Lirie, you look better than before. I suppose there’s no need to worry anymore.”

As if he had ever worried.

Together with the Duke of Scarlett, he had pushed me into hell, never lifting a hand to help—and now he dared to feign concern.

The sight of it made my blood boil.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

I forced myself to ignore the dryness in my mouth as I answered him.

“Have you met the Duke of Scarlett?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The nobles were too absorbed in enjoying the splendid banquet to pay us any attention.

That was why the Emperor could so casually bring up the subject of the Duke.

“The Duke said he missed you very much, Lirie. He even visited House Winderton before, but was disappointed when he could not see you.”

I bit down hard on my lip.

I had been prepared for this, yet hearing him embellish the image of that dreadful father was still painful.

“Lirie?”

When I stayed silent, the Emperor called my name. I couldn’t ignore him forever.

“Well…”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

The cold voice that cut me off was Edward’s.

He sounded even more restrained than when we had faced the Duke of Scarlett earlier, as if his anger had deepened.

“What is the meaning of this, Duke?”

The Emperor frowned, not bothering to hide his displeasure.

“This is a family matter. We will resolve it ourselves. It is not something for Your Majesty to be concerned with.”

Edward’s words were a polite but firm way of telling him to stay out of it.

The careful way his hand clasped mine was unexpectedly comforting.

“Lirie, do you feel the same?”

Ignoring Edward’s answer, the Emperor turned to me.

His tone was gentle, but his eyes were cold.

“Yes… Thank you always for your concern, Your Majesty.”

Perhaps in time, I would feel nothing at all—but for now, there was still fear.

I lowered my gaze, answering in a small voice.

“I understand your meaning, Lirie. Both of you, return now.”

It was fortunate this was not the Emperor’s audience chamber.

Surrounded by many people, he could not press further and simply dismissed us.

“I’m glad it ended more smoothly than I feared, Edward.”

“Indeed.”

Just as we let out a breath of relief, music began to flow through the banquet hall.

“Lirie, would you grant me the chance to dance with you?”

“Yes, it would be an honor, Edward.”

We must have thought the same thing, because as we stepped onto the dance floor, we both stifled laughter.

“How does it feel to dance after so long?”

“It’s been so long, it feels unfamiliar.”

Edward took my hand and led me with a gentle touch.

I had worried about making a mistake after such a long break, but it was all needless worry.

“You are as beautiful as ever, Lirie.”

It was something I had heard countless times, yet in the crowded hall, hearing it spoken softly for me alone made my face warm.

“Y-you are still as handsome as ever too, Edward…”

Seeing my embarrassment, Edward gave a playful smile.

“Lirie.”

The music was nearing its end, our quick steps slowing.

“Say it before the music ends, Edward.”

He spoke my name again, his voice serious, and I looked straight at him.

“I have a gift prepared for you.”

“…And what is it?”

“It’s a secret.”

It was the same playful smile I had seen earlier.

I was curious about what Edward had prepared, but I didn’t press further.

‘If it’s something Edward prepared, I’m sure I’ll like it no matter what it is.’

The music came to an end.

Edward lifted my hand and placed a kiss on the back of it, marking the close of the dance.

“It was an honor to dance with you, Lirie.”

“It was an honor for me as well, Edward.”

When we stepped off the dance floor, several nobles approached Edward.

“Please wait for me, I’ll be back quickly.”

“I’ll rest in the lounge. Take your time, Edward.”

Even as he followed the nobles, Edward turned back to glance at me, but I gave him a reassuring smile.

‘I’ll just wait in the lounge for a bit.’

Once Edward was out of sight, I quickly made my way toward the lounge.

My feet had begun to ache, perhaps because it had been a while since I’d worn high heels.

‘When Edward returns, we should head back to the ducal estate right away.’

I reached the lounge door and grasped the handle—when a cold hand touched my back.

“Who—”

I frowned at the rudeness, turning sharply to see who dared to lay a hand on a noble without permission.

“…!”

“Finally, we can talk alone.”

It was Kion.

‘Hadn’t he left earlier…?’

My eyes darted quickly around, but there wasn’t a soul in sight.

The lounge was tucked deep into the corner of the banquet hall, away from prying eyes.

“Brother…”

The Duke of Scarlett and Diden had certainly gone.

‘He must still be furious.’

It seemed the humiliation he had suffered from Edward earlier still burned.

Even after all this time, Kion’s face betrayed his inability to mask his emotions.

“This might get noisy. Why don’t we step into the lounge?”

“…Alright.”

I swallowed dryly and opened the door.

I believed Edward would come soon—if I could just endure until then.

Once I stepped inside, Kion shut the door behind him, ensuring no one else could enter.

Bang.

The sound was so loud it made my ears ache.

I instinctively took a step back, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

“So you hadn’t left after all.”

My heartbeat pounded in my ears, the fear making it sound deafening.

The chill in Kion’s gaze was anything but normal.

“How could I leave?”

“Didn’t Father and Diden go? Why are you the only one still here?”

I tried to keep my voice even, carefully increasing the distance between us so as not to provoke him.

Nothing good would come from tangling with him.

“You’ve changed a lot, Lirie.”

“…Time has passed. People change. That’s only natural.”

Kion, however, had not changed at all.

He was still trying to oppress me, exactly as he had in my worst memories of him.

“When you were little, you were so obedient. Seems like your rebellious streak came late.”

“Rebellious? I’m far past the age for that. You’ve always treated me like a child, Brother.”

I forced a smile, my eyes fixed on the firmly closed door.

‘How long was he going to take…?’

If I’d known it would be like this, I never should have told him to take his time.

“Lirie.”

“…Yes.”

Perhaps tired of meaningless banter, Kion finally called my name.

The sound of it chilled me to the bone.

I didn’t even know when he’d gotten so close.

Despite my efforts to keep my distance, Kion now stood right in front of me.

“How long do you think the Duke of Winderton’s love will last? In the end, the only ones you can rely on are your family. The House of Scarlett.”

He must have been truly desperate to say such a thing.

He was trying to appear composed, but I could see his impatience as plainly as day.

“He may be kind now, but in the end, your marriage to the Duke of Winderton is a political arrangement. You don’t actually believe such a relationship will last forever, do you?”

“You’re wrong, Brother.”

I had intended to wait quietly until Edward arrived.

“Edward will not change. Which means I have no reason to cling to the House of Scarlett.”