Chapter 61

61. The Welcome Party (1)

The carriage carrying the Duke and Duchess of Tiflis slowly departed from the mansion.

Leading the way was a carriage bearing the emblem of the Tiflis Ducal House, followed by around ten others, all carrying tributes sent from Helenia.

Until last year, Callion had sent the exchanged tributes straight back to the palace, where they had gone unnoticed into Elkius’s personal stash.

This year, to prevent that from happening, the tributes were to be delivered on a day when there would be more people.

They had meticulously compiled the list of tributes and planned to submit it to the intelligence agency, so there was no chance of a repeat of last year’s events.

‘I wonder how he’ll react to this.’

Adelaide looked out the window, anticipating the aftermath. Although the banquet was for a select few nobles, the effects were enjoyed by the common people as well.

The dress shops, flower shops, and jewellers were packed, not to mention the inns and restaurants where the nobles who didn’t have townhouses in the capital stayed. With their lavish spending, the economy of the capital must be doing well.

Except for the imperial palace.

When Elkius became Emperor, he ordered a new palace built and the hunting grounds expanded. It’s a massive undertaking, one that will put the Empire’s economy into a tailspin.

The imperial treasury must have been stretched to the breaking point with the preparations for the party, and once the festivities were over, the imperial treasury would be strained.

“What a crowd.”

The carriages that arrived in front of the palace gradually slowed down. The carriages that had come to attend the reception were lined up in a dense line. The captain of the guard at the gate spotted the carriage and came running up.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I am Regan Melkis, the chief of the guards.”

“Will I have to wait long?”

“You may go straight in.”

As Regan Melkis stepped forward, the soldiers parted ways, clearing a path. The carriage smoothly arrived at the front of the palace.

The Emperor’s chamberlain greeted them.

“Welcome, Your Graces. Allow me to escort you to the banquet hall.”

“Where are the others?”

“They arrived earlier and are waiting for you.”

“I see. I’ve brought the tribute from the kingdom, and I need you to check it over.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The chamberlain, understanding that he needed no further instructions, headed for the carriage with the tribute. Callion took Adelaide’s hand and smiled gently.

“Let’s go in.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The great hall where the reception was being held was noisy. There hadn’t been a banquet of this magnitude since the current emperor had ascended to the throne, so people were quite excited.

Of course, the size of the banquet wasn’t the only reason for the excitement.

“Will she be coming, too?”

“Of course she’s coming; she’s the Duchess.”

“She’s shameless. If it were me, I wouldn’t even set foot in the capital.”

“So a commoner has become an Duchess.”

The topic of conversation among the ladies was definitely the Duchess of Tiflis.

“A palace maid told me that she seems to be getting along quite well with Duke Callion.”

“Really? She’s talented too. How did she manage to captivate him, from the emperor to the Duke of Callion?”

“Look at her face. That alone could do it.”

Blatant gossip circulated. Whether it was her noble birth, her appearance, or her skill in enchanting men, various comments were exchanged.

“Is her beauty still the same?”

“That face isn’t going anywhere.”

“By the way, didn’t you see her, Lady Lephisto at the memorial service?”

Shayla, who had been sandwiched between the ladies without saying a word, spoke up quietly.

“Yes.”

“How was she? Was she still so pretty?”

“Just…… the same as before.”

Her words came out reluctantly, as if she were chewing sand. Despite knowing how bitter such gossip could be, there was a certain satisfaction in it.

“Shh.”

The lady, who had been watching the entrance to the ballroom, put her finger in front of her mouth.

As if on cue, everyone shut up.

“The Duke and Duchess of Tiflis have arrived.”

The main character of the banquet appeared.

The banqueting hall, which had been as noisy as a marketplace, suddenly fell silent. The crowd gasped at the sight of Callion and Adelaide in public for the first time in three years.

Dressed in a dark indigo-blue banqueting gown and cloak, Callion retained the majesty of his crown prince days.

His strong, clean-lined features exuded maturity, and his large, hard body exuded masculinity. His every step and gesture exuded majesty and dignity.

He seemed natural, as if he were showing who the real owner of the empire was.

Unlike the imposing Callion, Adelaide Cornwall kept her gaze down and leaned on her hands as she walked carefully. Her slender frame and tiny, frail appearance stirred a protective instinct.

The way her cheeks flushed whenever Callion spoke to her was girlish, and the slender neckline that peeked out from beneath her upturned hair added a touch of seductiveness. But it was Adelaide’s dress that caught the women’s attention.

“Look at all the jewelry on that dress.”

“I’ve never seen such delicate embroidery before.”

“I’ve been to every dress shop in the capital and I’ve never seen a design like that. Who made it?”

With each step she took, the gems in the dress sparkled and shone. It was almost overly ornate, but Adelaide’s face was more colourful, so it didn’t seem overwhelming.

“It does look good on her.”

The women fell silent as they realised that no amount of gossip could change the fact that Adelaide was the Duchess of Tiflis.

All eyes now turned to whom Callion would speak first.

Except for the Emperor, who had not yet arrived and the Pope, who was absent from the banquet, all the major figures had gathered at the banquet hall.

The attention was intense, as the first person Callion spoke to would be the gauge of his intentions. Callion didn’t hesitate.

“It’s been a long time, Cardinal Dorfman.”

Samuel Dorfman bowed respectfully. Cardinal Orland’s face twisted as he stood beside him.

“How have you been, Your Grace?”

“I have been well. I have heard that you have been made a cardinal. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony.”

“It’s an honor just to receive Your Grace’s congratulations.”

“I heard you’ve been busy helping the poor in the city. Is your health alright?”

“My health is not a problem, as I am fulfilling my duties as a priest, and many people are benefiting from your care.”

“I am glad to hear I have been of service.”

Callion smiled politely. It was a short conversation, but Samuel Dorfman’s profile had soared. Adelaide glanced at Cardinal Orland and continued walking.

Next, Callion’s steps led him to the Duke and Duchess Howard.

“My greetings are belated.”

“It’s been a long time, Duke Tiflis. You’ve grown up since I last saw you.”

The Duke of Howard laughed heartily, and the Duchess of Howard scolded her husband.

“He has indeed grown a lot. Duke Tiflis is already twenty-three.”

“Well, well. It’s been so long, you still look like a child.”

“Please be at ease.”

Callion smiled and looked at Adelaide.

“This is my wife. Let me introduce you, Duke Howard.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I’m Adelaide Tiflis.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. They say Duke Tiflis married a very beautiful wife.”

“You are quite flattering.”

Adelaide blushed. Unlike the snobbish Duchess Howard, the Duke was affable and cheerful.

“Are you planning to stay in the capital for long, Your Grace?”

“Well, tending to the farm is getting a bit dull, so I thought I’d stay in the capital for a while. Since the Duke is also here, it’d be nice to meet occasionally for a game of chess.”

“I will look forward to seeing you often.”

After his conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Howard, Callion made his way around the ballroom, greeting everyone as he went.

While he chatted with the members of the Imperial Council, Adelaide made her way to where the ladies were gathered.

“Why is she coming this way?”

“I think she wants to say hello to us.”

“If she wants to mingle in society, she should know who to impress.”

The women who’d been judging Adelaide chattered triumphantly, insisting that if she bowed her head, they’d accept her greeting like a winner.

“Hello, Lady Changeling.”

“……?!”

Adelaide pushed past the chatty ladies and spoke to the woman standing alone against the wall. The woman, wilted like a frost-bitten flower, looked up at Adelaide in surprise.

“Uh, ah, hello, Duchess.”

Roella Changeling, youngest daughter of the Hayward Changeling, stammered back. Her face, freckled like a ripe strawberry, turned beet red as if embarrassed to be noticed.

“Is Lord Changeling not with you? Are you alone?”

“Oh, he’s out for a while, having received an urgent message.”

“I see.”

Adelaide smiled gracefully.

“My shoes are hurting my feet. Would you mind if we sit down and talk?”

“Excuse me? Oh. No, of course not.”

“Let’s go over there.”

Adelaide made her way to an empty couch in the corner of the ballroom. Roella Changeling followed her. Her steps were unnatural beneath her dress, the result of a childhood accident.

It goes without saying how much Hayward Changeling adores his daughter. To win him over, she had to get to know her.

“I’m quite absent-minded.”

Adelaide smirked as she sipped the cocktail the servant handed her.

“Well, I’ve never been to a banquet this big before either.”

Roella chuckled, glanced around, and then spoke up.

“By the way, is it okay with the Duchess to be with me?”

Adelaide replied bitterly, wondering if the guest of honour would mind her presence.

“If they really want to speak to me, they’ll come and speak to me first.”

“Oh…….”

Roella stuttered apologetically.

“At least I got to meet you, so it was worth coming.”

She said this, turning to Roella in a friendly way. Roella blushed.

This must be a good first impression.

“I’ll go take a look around now.”

She stood up, glancing at the man who had been hovering near the couch earlier. Now that someone had arrived to take care of Roella, it was time for her to disappear.

Callion, who had been looking around for Adelaide, came up to her and asked.

“Who were you with?”

“Lady Roella Changeling.”

“Who is that…….”

At that moment, a loud trumpet blast interrupted Callion.

“The Emperor has arrived!”