At the center of the grand hall of the ducal mansion, the Emperor approached dramatically, arms outstretched.

Dressed in impeccable formal attire, the Emperor exuded an overwhelming presence that dominated even the opulence of the ducal hall.

“Baron Adrian, you’re finally here? Don’t you think you’re cutting it a bit close for the main event?”

“Your Majesty, you’re here,” Edward greeted.

“I arrived early this morning. I nearly wore out my eyes waiting for you,” the Emperor replied, raising his voice in mock displeasure. Edward, unflinching, responded curtly.

“I wasn’t aware Your Majesty would be attending today.”

“As Yedi’s only maternal uncle, who else should attend your engagement if not me?”

“You mentioned a week ago that you wouldn’t be coming.”

“Well, wasn’t there a storm raging back then?”

The Emperor shrugged as if no further explanation was necessary. It would indeed have been an amusing sight for the ruler of the Empire to be buffeted by winds strong enough to tear through tents.

Edward, deciding not to dwell on it, signaled to a passing servant.

“I’m thirsty. Bring me some champagne.”

“Understood, My Lord. Please wait a moment.”

“Surely you don’t plan to drink alone?”

“…Bring some for His Majesty as well.”

“Right away, My Lord.”

The servant bowed deeply and left, leaving the Emperor with a satisfied smile.

“You’re becoming less and less respectful toward me as time goes on.”

“You’re imagining things,” Edward replied firmly. His gaze shifted to meet those of his three subordinates, who were staring at him in dismay.

‘Your Grace, h-how could you speak so freely…?’

‘That’s the Emperor you’re talking to!’

‘Please, for the love of the heavens, take a closer look at who you’re addressing!’

Edward could practically read their thoughts from their panicked expressions.

The Emperor, observing the exchange, chuckled and turned his attention to the officers.

“These are your subordinates?”

Livia immediately dropped into a deep bow.

“I humbly greet Your Majesty, the Sun and Moon of the Empire, the Wind and Clouds themselves.”

Beyhern quickly followed suit.

“Protector of Zeus and Lonel, ruler of ninety-nine territories and the seas—”

“That’s enough,” the Emperor interrupted. “I see your eloquence is average at best. It seems literary studies weren’t your strong suit during your academy days.”

At the Emperor’s remark, the three officers froze like statues. Second Lieutenant Walter, who hadn’t even managed to get a word out yet, looked like a man teetering on the edge of a cliff.

Having witnessed enough, Edward concluded succinctly, “All three barely avoided expulsion during their studies.”

“And yet they earned your favor?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. They are individuals I hold in high regard.”

“If they’ve earned the favor of Baron Adrian, their competence must be guaranteed.”

“That’s correct.”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with intrigue at Edward’s uncharacteristically straightforward response.

“It’s rare for you to express approval so openly, isn’t it?”

“I’m not as stingy with praise as Your Majesty might think,” Edward replied dryly.

At that, Livia and Beyhern exchanged incredulous looks, their faces twisted with silent protest.

‘Not stingy with praise? What is this nonsense?!’

‘This is like a mouse claiming to roar like a lion!’

Beyhern, who had served under Edward for five years, was so astounded that he momentarily forgot they were in the presence of the Emperor. The number of compliments Edward had given during those years could be counted on one hand. Even routine pleasantries were rare.

Despite his disbelief, Beyhern held his tongue.

“Wow…” Livia murmured, her mouth agape. Walter’s eyes widened in shock.

“Gasp…” Beyhern turned his head instinctively and froze, stunned.

“She’s truly beautiful,” the Emperor remarked.

Descending the grand staircase from the second-floor terrace was Yelodia.

Her pure white gown gleamed like a fairy’s wings. The neckline, flowing from her shoulders to her chest, was adorned with delicate lace embroidery and encrusted with expensive jewels, adding to its splendor. The skirt, layered with sheer white chiffon, appeared voluminous and ethereal.

It was a masterpiece, refined over three sleepless days and nights.

After descending the staircase, Yelodia briefly surveyed the room before walking directly toward Edward.

Though her family members sent her congratulatory smiles, she seemed too nervous to notice their encouraging gestures.

As Yelodia approached closer, Edward extended his hand. With a sigh of relief, she took it.

“Baron, have you been waiting long?”

“I arrived just a short while ago.”

At Edward’s reply, Yelodia blinked slowly. A faint blush spread across her cheeks, as if her tension was beginning to ease.

“Oh my, Yedi. Can’t you see your uncle standing here?”

Startled by the Emperor’s sudden voice, Yelodia quickly turned and spotted him.

“Your Majesty! When did you arrive?”

“It seems the servants are more disorganized than their mistress. I arrived quite some time ago and have been waiting for you.”

“But you didn’t attend last week.”

“Did you plan that with your fiancée in advance? You two sound remarkably alike.”

The Emperor’s teasing earned a slight pout from Yelodia. She had been quietly upset that her uncle hadn’t attended the previous gathering.

“I was waiting for you more than for the Archbishop last week, you know.”

The Emperor, sensing her words didn’t quite ring true, smirked before replying.

“If I had shown up, all the nobles would have been more focused on me than on you. And you are, after all, the star of the engagement.”

“Well, still…”

Yelodia trailed off, realizing that had the Emperor attended, the attention he would have drawn would have overshadowed her moment, perhaps even turning it into a source of gossip for the nobles.

“Congratulations on your engagement. The two of you suit each other better than I expected.”

“Thank you, Uncle. I’m truly happy you came.”

Yelodia’s flushed face glowed as she responded. The Emperor smiled warmly and extended his hand to her.

“I’ll let your fiancée have the first dance, but the second dance must be with me.”

“Your Majesty, that won’t do. The second dance is reserved for me,” came a sudden, firm voice from behind.

It was Duke Xavier, Yelodia’s father, who stepped forward with an expression as stern as stone, one that wouldn’t falter even if told the continent was crumbling.

The Emperor frowned slightly and shrugged.

“I suppose I must defer to her father. Fine, I’ll take the third dance.”

“Your Majesty, dances three through five are already spoken for,” declared Kias confidently as he approached. Fabian and Hester, following behind him, nodded in agreement as though it were self-evident.

“When did this reservation happen?”

“A week ago, of course. Your Majesty didn’t attend back then,” Kias pointed out matter-of-factly. Normally calm and composed, Kias seemed to forget the Emperor’s presence when it came to his sister’s engagement.

‘Are they all out of their minds?’

Beyhern couldn’t help but marvel at the boldness of Xavier’s family.

The Emperor, as if struck by an incomprehensible turn of events, exclaimed, “How is it that I, the Emperor, am relegated to sixth place with Yelodia?”

“It’s strictly first-come, first-served, Your Majesty. Besides, your relation doesn’t outrank ours,” Fabian remarked, casually taking the champagne meant for Edward and drinking it.

“To me, Yedi is as good as a daughter,” the Emperor retorted.

“But she’s not your actual daughter,” Fabian countered as he downed the champagne.

The Emperor, taking a deep gulp of his own drink, sighed theatrically.

“I’ll let it slide just for today.”

“Your Majesty’s boundless generosity always inspires awe,” Fabian said with a sly grin, to which the Emperor chuckled and handed his empty glass to a servant.

“Enjoy your laughter while you can,” he quipped.

“Shall we move on now?” Edward said, turning to Yelodia, who nodded demurely.

Edward guided her to the center of the dance floor. With his right hand over his heart, he bowed low, prompting Yelodia to lift her dress slightly and curtsy, her ears turning a deep red.

Thus, their dance began.

“What a picture-perfect couple,” murmured the onlookers, watching with warm smiles.

Yelodia, however, struggled to focus on the dance, distracted by the earlier squabble. Edward, noticing her unease, looked down at her and asked softly, “Are you worried?”

“Yes. About my second brother. Wasn’t he too disrespectful to His Majesty?” she asked, glancing up at him as she turned lightly.

“The Emperor is far more magnanimous than he lets on,” Edward reassured her.

“Even so, Fabian is a member of His Majesty’s Imperial Guard…”

“That won’t be a reason for the Emperor to punish him. And even if he does, it’s something Fabian will have to bear,” Edward said with a faint smile, stepping back slightly.

Yelodia hesitated, unsure, before stepping forward to match his movement.

“If I danced with His Majesty first, would my brothers be upset?”

“I would certainly be disappointed for a long time,” Edward replied without hesitation.