Chapter 62

62. The Welcome Party (2)

Elkius entered the banquet hall accompanied by numerous attendants. As the Emperor appeared, people bowed their heads.

He swept the crowd with a slow gaze. He was satisfied that the arrogant nobles were paying homage to him.

Spotting his target, Elkius slowed his pace.

“Callion.”

“Your Majesty.”

Callion bent his knees and placed his right arm in front of his heart as a sign of respect. Then Elkius tapped him on the shoulder.

“Rise. No need for formalities.”

As if Elkius had forgotten that this was a public occasion, he addressed Callion as his nephew, not as Duke Tiflis. It was an attempt to humble him.

“I hope you enjoy yourself, Callion, for I have made this for you.”

“Thank you for the favour, Your Majesty.”

Elkius smiled wryly and patted Callion on the shoulder again, then turned his attention to the woman standing beside him.

“Ade……, I see the Duchess is here as well.”

Elkius almost called her ‘Adele’, but managed to correct himself.

He lowered his eyes, and Adelaide bent and opened her knees slightly. Elkius raised a brow at her lily-like appearance.

‘You’re so d*mn pretty.’

He had known she was pretty, but today, she was stunning beyond words.

Clear blue eyes beneath long lashes, rosy cheeks, red lips and a slender neckline. He swallowed dryly at the glimpse of white flesh beneath her sable shawl.

‘I should have just killed her.’

He’d been ready to kill her if she’d seen her on the day of the memorial service, for not informing him that Callion was consecrating Regalia. But when he looked at Adelaide’s face, he thought he might be able to forgive her once.

“The Duchess might find this kind of gathering unfamiliar and difficult.”

“It’s all right.”

Adelaide replied calmly, then lifted her eyes slightly. Her gaze dropped back down, afraid to meet his. The hand at the hem of her dress trembled slightly.

‘There will be plenty of opportunities to embrace her, no need to rush.’

He smiled pleasantly.

“I hope you have a good time.”

Elkius gave her a wistful glance, then turned to the throne.

“Thank you for coming. Today’s gathering is to celebrate the return of Duke Tiflis.”

The Emperor sat down on the throne and opened his mouth.

“As you know, Duke Tiflis has served the Empire for many years as a member of the Imperial Family and a loyal vassal.”

Elkius spoke with emphasis, letter by letter.

“And so, as Emperor, I wish to reward you for your labours with this banquet, so that you may forget all your cares and enjoy yourself for a night.”

Elkius snapped his fingers as he finished speaking. The chamberlain handed the emperor a goblet of wine. The servants passed the goblets around.

“A toast to the great Empire and the Duke of Tiflis.”

After a short toast, Elkius drained his glass in one swift gulp. The goblet-bearers followed suit.

The band began to play, and the banquet was about to begin in earnest when Elkius stopped the music.

“Before we begin the feast, I have a suggestion.”

Elkius’s gaze fell squarely on Callion. There was madness in his glowing eyes. Elkius added with a thrill of pleasure.

“I am here today to receive your pledge of allegiance, Duke Tiflis.”

So this was it.

A pledge of allegiance.

A pledge of loyalty that was called upon by the new Emperor shortly after his coronation was not merely a verbal pledge of allegiance but a pledge that committed the pledger’s lands, soldiers, and even family to the Emperor.

It was a non-binding formality but an effective way to pressure powerful nobles and sway public opinion.

The temptation to extract pledges of allegiance from such a large gathering was obvious. It was a ploy to prevent the nobles from rallying around him by making him appear weak in public.

“What is Duke Tiflis’s intention?”

Elkius asked with a wry smile. Callion clenched and unclenched his fists, then dropped to one knee.

“I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

The banquet hall fell silent for a moment. Adelaide bit her lip.

It barely swayed Elkius, tipping the scales of those who weighed in favour of Callion and the Emperor to one side.

Adelaide watched the back of Callion’s head as he walked towards the throne room, his emotions stifled.

As if this had been planned in advance, the chamberlain held out the dagger and oath to Callion. Kneeling before the throne, Callion read the oath in a clear voice.

“I, Callion Tiflis, Duke of Tiflis, faithful servant of God and good citizen of the Empire, swear allegiance to His Majesty, the Emperor of the great Anatolian Empire.”

When he had finished, Callion cut his finger with his dagger and signed the oath, then kneeled down to the Emperor and kissed the back of his hand.

“A great birthday present indeed.”

Elkius smiled with satisfaction. His back was steady as he knelt.

Adelaide clasped her hands together and stared at Callion in disbelief. She couldn’t imagine what he must be feeling, given his own misery.

Having finished his vow, Callion rose from his seat. At the same time, Elkius descended from his throne and walked over to Adelaide.

“The first dance should be with the Empress, but since I have none, I must borrow the Duchess.”

“…….”

“Is that all right, Duke?”

“……Yes.”

Callion replied in a stifled voice.

Elkius took Adelaide’s hand and led her out to the centre of the ballroom. The musicians quickly began to play, as if to cover the chill in the air, as if cold water had been poured over it.

Adelaide forced her lips into a smile of delight. She felt horrible at the way his eyes roamed over her body, but she couldn’t show it.

As the music grew louder, Elkius spoke up.

“It’s been a while since we had such a gathering, Adele.”

“I know.”

“It’s too bad you’re not my woman.”

His languid smile gave her goosebumps.

“You look so beautiful tonight. It’s a shame we’re only dancing.”

Elkius said his voice was barely audible over the music, but he was disturbed to see Callion glancing his way, arms crossed.

“People are listening, Your Majesty.”

“Let them. Everyone knows our relationship.”

“…….”

“Why did you dress up like this? Who are you trying to impress?”

“Ah, what are you asking when you already know?”

Adelaide replied, sounding petulant. Callion’s gaze bothered her, and she stumbled. Elkius wrapped his arms around her off-centre waist and asked.

“Regalia, why didn’t you tell me?”

“……Heh, I didn’t realise it was that important.”

“He didn’t tell you?”

“No. He just said it was a gift from the late Emperor, and that’s all he knew…….”

Suspicious eyes swept over her. Adelaide didn’t avert her gaze, but she met it straight on. Leaning down, Elkius whispered in her ear.

“There are many eyes watching today… I’ll send a carriage in a few days. Come alone.”

“…….”

The music ended.

As soon as she was out of Elkius’s grasp, she switched partners. Callion took her sweaty hand in his. Before she could catch her breath, the second song began.

The second song was a waltz. If her dance with Elkius had been wild and intense, Callion’s was calm and gentle. He took his steps slowly, with utmost consideration for her.

Whether it was because of the pledge of loyalty or the dance with Elkius just before, he seemed to have a lot on his mind. Adelaide, who continued the dance, opened her mouth with concern.

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me; just focus on yourself.”

His stony expression softened a little. Adelaide gently wrapped her hand around his.

At the end of the second song, the lovers who had been waiting for their turn came out onto the floor. The tense atmosphere in the ballroom softened, and Callion took advantage of the moment to lead Adelaide to a couch.

“Wait while I bring you a cocktail.”

After settling her on the couch, Callion headed to the reception table, and in the short time he was gone, he didn’t fail to attract a few stares.

Before Callion could return with the cocktails, a familiar figure blocked his path.

“Your Grace, may I have the pleasure of this dance?”

Shayla Lephisto and a group of noblewomen surrounded Callion, and his embarrassment reached Adelaide.

After speaking to Shayla, Callion sighed and approached her.

“I’ll be back in a moment; please wait here.”

He held out his cocktail glass apologetically. Adelaide nodded, unconcerned.

It was not unusual to be asked to dance at a banquet. Usually it was a man asking a woman, but the reverse was not uncommon.

Of course, it was rare for a man with a spouse to request a dance. However, in a public setting, it was impossible for Callion to refuse Shayla’s dance request without causing embarrassment.

‘They look good together.’

Adelaide sipped her cocktail and watched them dance. They had known each other for a long time, and they moved well together.

‘I wonder if Callion felt this way when I danced with Elkius.’

It was a faint feeling of emptiness in her heart.

Lucid, who had promised to stay by her side, was being dragged away by the Duchess of Lephisto to listen to her chatter, and Roella, with whom she had exchanged greetings earlier, was with Heyward Changelling.

Finding no one to talk to, she looked around the ballroom and met Elkius’s gaze.

Even in the midst of a conversation with someone else, his eyes kept darting towards her incessantly. Feeling uncomfortable, she decided to leave her seat.

Adelaide frowned as she stepped out onto the terrace for some fresh air. The cool breeze carried with it an unpleasant odour.

“Who would dare to smoke Velido here…?”

The question was quickly answered.

“What brings you, Your Grace?”

A man, heavily intoxicated with Velido, grinned repulsively as he approached her.