Chapter 3: Founding Anniversary Festival (3)
“Just in case, don’t bring up Master. I prefer to avoid unnecessary trouble.”
“Of course.”
The title of the strongest of the current era, the Grand Mage Isrion’s apprentice, was too much for her. Especially since she only held that position externally, she wanted to avoid problems as much as possible.
“It would be best to be introduced as a moderately ordinary certified mage.”
“Can certified mages use teleportation magic?”
At Tehis’s question, Chloe, recalling the incident from their first date, made an unsatisfied face.
“Is the Imperial Family’s information network really that good?”
“There are always personnel monitoring the Grand Duke’s residence.”
“……? And you just let that happen?”
“There’s nothing I can do about it.”
What do you mean, nothing you can do?
The mage, not understanding, tilted her head.
‘Could it be that the lack of checkpoints at the northern warp gate is for a similar reason? Isn’t this dangerous?’
As if reading Chloe’s doubts, Tehis explained.
“It’s because the Emperor openly keeps Escalante in check. To be precise, it’s more like he despises us than just keeping us in check……”
Not wanting to delve into details, Tehis cut his words short.
Chloe, uninterested in the Empire’s political struggles, waved her hand dismissively.
“Then let’s say I recently became a high-ranking mage. I’ll introduce myself.”
“Yes, Chloe.”
* * *
After moving to the capital, the outside of the carriage was noisy with festival preparations as it ran a long way to the Imperial Palace. The summer festival, lasting a week to celebrate the founding anniversary, was starting tonight.
Chloe, who had never had the chance to enjoy such things, curiously watched the scene outside the window. The bustling crowd, avoiding the Grand Duke’s carriage, revealed how much they had been looking forward to today.
“Are you interested in the festival?”
“I’m not completely uninterested, but not enough to make time for it.”
Experiencing it once wouldn’t be bad, but she wasn’t curious enough to take time away from her research. Just that level of interest.
Understanding her words roughly, Tehis thought for a moment and then suggested.
“If we leave the banquet early, would you like to take a look around?”
“Can we do that?”
“There shouldn’t be any major problems.”
At the Grand Duke’s answer, the mage’s eyes sparkled. Since she had planned to stay until tonight anyway, she welcomed the idea of exploring the festival during her free time.
“Alright. You’ll need a robe to avoid standing out, though.”
“That applies to you as well, Chloe.”
“Why me?”
“You have an eye-catching appearance.”
Tehis, who answered without much thought, paused, and Chloe blinked.
He was stammering earlier.
With a playful smile, she placed her hand on his thigh and leaned in.
“Could you elaborate a bit more?”
“You don’t look like a commoner at all.”
“That’s not what you meant.”
“……Objectively, I think you’re beautiful.”
When she leaned in and demanded, he averted his eyes slightly and answered. Seeing the usually straightforward man act like this made Chloe want to tease him more, so she smirked.
“And subjectively?”
“……Subjectively, you have outstanding beauty.”
Though the meaning was the same, the oddly stiff nuance made her want to say something, but the carriage stopped.
“We have arrived, Your Grace.”
It seemed the guards had opened the gates upon seeing the Grand Duke’s emblem, and they were already inside the palace.
As Tehis, who sighed in relief, helped Chloe disembark, she deliberately leaned into his arms and whispered.
“Today seems to be my lucky day, Tess.”
“I think so too.”
If only you didn’t speak.
The mage, who glanced at the Grand Duke without malice, linked arms with him affectionately and walked.
Though it was her first time in the Imperial Palace, there was a building that clearly looked like the banquet hall where other nobles were heading. As she curiously observed the splendid architecture, she made eye contact with someone guarding the door.
The man, who naturally turned his gaze, bowed to Tehis and greeted him.
“Welcome, Your Highness the Grand Duke. And the lady beside you is…?”
“I’m Chloe.”
As she introduced herself, the man who turned his gaze back to her asked politely.
“Lady Chloe, if it’s not too much trouble, may I ask about your family?”
“Do I need one?”
At her blunt reply, the man looked troubled, so the Grand Duke explained instead.
“She’s a mage. High-ranking Mage Miss Chloe, to be precise.”
“……! Yes, Your Grace.”
Why is a mage here? What’s her relationship with the Grand Duke? And a high-ranking mage?
Though mixed with shock and confusion, the man, not showing it outwardly, opened the door and shouted.
“His Grace, the Grand Duke of Escalante, and High-ranking Mage Miss Chloe are entering!”
For a moment, the place fell silent, filled only by the soft sound of music.
The contract couple calmly walked through the nobles’ focused gazes. With each step, belated murmurs spread.
A few nobles who had witnessed them at the restaurant fanned the flames with speculations about their relationship.
“But why a mage……!”
“Shh, lower your voice.”
Even whispered, everything could be heard.
Chloe, maintaining a smiling face, muttered inwardly without much interest.
‘Do nobles really have nothing better to do?’
The two headed to a corner, passing by people who seemed to spend all their time gossiping about others’ love lives. Since the Imperial Family hadn’t arrived yet, it seemed they had to wait in the hall for a while.
“Are you hungry?”
“Are you going to feed me?”
Gasp, someone took a sharp breath.
‘This might actually be fun.’
Chloe, pulling the speechless Tehis’s arm, headed to the table with food.
“This one, darling. The whipped cream cake looks delicious.”
“……Yes, Chloe.”
Though he answered as quickly as possible, conscious of others’ gazes, his reaction was slightly delayed.
Trying to match Chloe’s sudden actions, Tehis picked up a fork. He neatly cut the end of a piece of cake on a small plate and offered it to her with the fork.
But that wasn’t enough for her, so she clung to his arm and whined.
“You have to say ‘ah-’ too, darling. Ah-.”
“……Ah.”
Barely managing to voice it, the Grand Duke’s stiff demeanor made the mage stifle her laughter. The small commotion from a wine glass breaking nearby felt like déjà vu from the restaurant.
Ignoring others’ reactions, she opened her mouth and accepted the cake with an “ah-” sound, smiling in satisfaction. Indeed, the dessert melted deliciously in her mouth, proving the palace’s quality.
“The cake is delicious. You should try a bite too.”
“I’ll pass.”
You’re not going to refuse in front of everyone, are you?
Seeing Chloe’s cunning gaze, Tehis resigned himself. His calm reply sounded sweet.
“But if it’s from you, I’ll take anything.”
“Oh my, darling! How embarrassing……. Here, say ‘ah-.’”
“Ah…….”
Though it was almost a sigh, the nobles, who couldn’t imagine the Grand Duke doing such a thing, were shocked. From entering arm-in-arm to now, it was a series of shock and awe.
Tehis Escalante. A war hero of the Empire, but more known in the capital as a blood-soaked monster.
He always looked at people with a cold expression, making it hard for most to meet his eyes. He rarely left the North, and even when he attended Imperial banquets, he usually stood alone by the wall and left early.
No young lady dared to ask him for a dance, so no one understood why the Princess chased after him. Even the perfect Princess Helena was coldly treated by him, so seeing him in a tender moment was unimaginable.
To think the Grand Duke Escalante had such a side.
The murmurs didn’t cease at the sight of the Grand Duke, who seemed like a different person. While all sorts of words flew around the couple, who seemed to live in a separate, warm world, eating together, it happened.
“His Highness, Crown Prince Kaishan, and Her Highness, Princess Helena, are entering!”
At the man’s shout, all eyes turned to the door. Tehis, struggling with the dessert, and Chloe, enjoying teasing him, also turned their heads.
Through the wide-open door, a pair of siblings with dazzling golden hair confidently entered.
Kaishan, with green eyes, escorted Helena, with blue eyes, as they walked. The nearby nobles bowed and stepped aside to clear their path.
The Crown Prince and Princess, heading to their reserved seats, exchanged light conversations upon seeing that the other princes hadn’t arrived yet.
“We seem to have arrived too early, Helena.”
“It’s our brothers who are late, Your Highness.”
“Haha, is that so?”
Chloe curiously observed Kaishan, who laughed good-naturedly from a distance.
‘So that’s the famous Crown Prince. He’s as handsome as the rumors say.’
Even from a distance, his deep gaze and distinct features were clearly visible. His sharp nose, defined jawline, softly smiling lips, and perfect golden ratio. The term “sculpted beauty” fit him perfectly.
Kaishan Harpeon. The First Prince of the Superia Empire.
As the first son of the Empress, he was born with everything.
With angelic looks and a gentle personality, he also had decisive qualities that weren’t just kind. His innate dignity and grace easily won the support of many nobles.
He wasn’t just crowned Crown Prince for no reason; he was a versatile, hardworking genius with no flaws.
“Princess Helena will come here soon. Are you ready?”
Chloe turned her gaze at Tehis’s whisper. The Grand Duke, who had been watching the two royals, met her eyes.
“For now, yes. But I think I’ll only know the result once I face it.”
“I’ll support you whenever needed.”
Tehis, who had leaned in to whisper, straightened up. As expected, after a few more words with the Crown Prince, Princess Helena walked straight towards them.
As always, her confident steps made her straight golden hair sway. Her sky-blue eyes, brighter than Escalante’s deep blue, looked directly at the fake couple.
The nobles between them parted like the tide, clearing a path. The high heels’ sharp sound echoed in the now quiet hall until she stopped in front of them.
“I finally get to formally see your lady, Grand Duke Escalante.”
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