Chapter 181
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181
If there hadn't been so many eyes watching, Rowan would have reached out and shoved Klaus’s head down himself.
The royalty of the Lupinus Kingdom, descendants of the great Wolf King’s lineage, had a peculiar trait: whenever they felt extreme anger or jealousy, it manifested physically. For instance, even in human form, their ears might pop out, or a tail might suddenly appear.
‘So, our Prince’s ears pop out when he’s like this.’
Unlike his usual free-spirited demeanor, Klaus had rarely shown such intense emotional fluctuations back in the kingdom. It was only now that Rowan had discovered how Klaus expressed his jealousy.
“Prince, didn't you say at first that you’d just been hit by a stray spell?”
“Ugh, I don’t know. Shut up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Among the princes of the House of Rocheva, Klaus was exceptionally tall and strikingly handsome. Perhaps it was due to his innate strength and stamina, but he was naturally indifferent to almost everything. This was truly the first time Rowan had seen him so anxious.
‘Honestly, based on his attitude, you’d think Lady Tulia was already his Queen.’
Since Rowan believed Klaus was destined to inherit the throne, he naturally thought of Tulia as the future Queen as well. However...
‘The Lady seems to think of the Prince as nothing more than a pet puppy. Does he not realize that? Or is he just desperately ignoring it?’
Unaware of his subordinate’s thoughts, Klaus stared intently at Tulia before suddenly glancing to his side.
“When did this seat become empty?”
“Ah, it’s been empty for a while now.”
In a seat similar to his own, there had been a man who shone like the sun. Klaus didn't care if he was the youngest prince or the King’s brother who had suddenly been appointed Crown Prince, nor did he care if his looks were compared to a sun god.
The reason Klaus was strangely bothered by the guy was, of course, because of Tulia.
There were plenty of men in this massive hall stealing glances at Tulia. Among them, many looked completely entranced, unable to take their eyes off her. Moreover, the Blue Diamond Necklace he had gifted her was so perfect it looked as if it had been made specifically for her.
“Ah, this is seriously annoying. Why is she so pretty?”
A habitual grumble escaped his lips. Klaus muttered under his breath.
“Maybe I should have gouged that bastard’s eyes out earlier.”
The way that man’s gaze had relentlessly followed Tulia was vivid in his mind. That look had been a thousand times more irritating than when Tulia’s maids had dunked him into a tub of warm water to wash him.
“Uh, Prince. This is the Spring Continent. Please lower your voice just a little bit. If blood is shed here, I’m going to bite my tongue and die.”
Rowan muttered through gritted teeth, feeling like his insides were burning with anxiety.
“Man, you sure have a lot to say.”
“Please, Prince. I’m begging you.”
Klaus clicked his tongue and finally shut his mouth.
Fine. There were plenty of guys who had fallen for Tulia and were glancing her way. Those guys were annoying, but weeds were a natural part of any forest. He could overlook them to some extent.
But that guy from earlier—he was looking at Tulia as if he were worshipping her.
Why stop there? Why not just get down on your knees and prostrate yourself in a full bow?
Klaus found that Crown Prince annoying. He was just as irritating as the Crown Prince currently dancing with Tulia. He was so annoyed that he wanted to gouge both their eyes out.
Staring death stares at the Crown Prince’s back with cold eyes, Klaus stood up just before the song ended.
The reason was simple. That Crown Prince of Sorsen—or Pigs-en, whatever—who had been looking at Tulia with such an unpleasant gaze, was approaching her.
Watching Klaus’s back as he strode toward the center of the hall, Rowan clasped his hands together and looked toward the heavens, weeping.
“It’s over. He’s lost his mind. We’re doomed. Your Majesty, I did my best.”
* * *
Clap, clap, clap.
Thunderous applause echoed through the massive hall.
I politely lifted the hem of my skirt toward Ferdinand. The fabric of my dress, which was much fuller and more extravagant than usual, sparkled brilliantly. Ferdinand returned the greeting with equal grace.
‘Phew.’
I only stepped on him eight times.
I had truly clenched my teeth and done my best not to step on Ferdinand’s feet. Why on earth was Tulia so bad at dancing? Was this also a curse from that Ddong-byul?
“Lady Tulia.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll escort you back. You need to rest.”
“Ah, thank you.”
There were still more dances left on the program, but...
I stole a glance at Ferdinand’s profile as I walked under his escort. In truth, at social banquets like this, a lot of conversation usually happens while a man and woman dance. They move apart and come together repeatedly, their bodies close as they keep time with the steps. It’s a dreamlike time where two people can talk privately.
That was why social banquets were a paradise for young gentlemen and ladies—the fluttering whispers and melodies that felt like the twinkling of stars.
But Ferdinand hadn't said a single word to me while we danced. He had simply danced while gazing at me intently.
Usually, if someone gets their feet stepped on that much, they might flinch, or at least make a joke about it. But Ferdinand said nothing.
It felt strange. He looked like a boy experiencing a late, concentrated burst of growing pains.
It was a peculiar sentiment. Did his growing pains include unfamiliar emotions? For example... something like a first love.
Then, a sudden curiosity arose. It was about myself.
Had I ever liked anyone?
‘When I was Han Ina...’
No, I hadn't. Back then, I was too busy withering away on the fringes of my family.
What about now? Now that I was living in Tulia’s body. Would I experience a first love too? And would it be one of these male leads, just like the heroine Corico in The Milk Bread?
* * *
Meanwhile, the Victory Banquet was incredibly crowded, with many foreign royals invited. The servants, who had been running around as if their feet were on fire, were finally able to catch their breath once the main ceremony began.
The Imperial Palace of the Brillant Empire was also known as the Six Palaces, as it consisted of six main buildings. Among them, the ‘Southern Palace’ was responsible for hosting and welcoming external guests.
The Chief Attendant and the Head Maid of the Southern Palace had been working non-stop for nearly a month. Only now did they have a moment of leisure to watch the occasional carriage departing.
Since the main ceremony had started and the first dance was winding down, no more carriages should be arriving at this hour. There were only those leaving early due to illness or other urgent matters.
They whispered to each other, relieved that they could finally rest.
“Is it true that His Highness the Crown Prince has fully grown?”
“It’s true. They say it’s caused quite a stir. Moreover...”
The Chief Attendant lowered his voice.
“They say the grown Crown Prince looks exactly like Her Majesty, the late Empress Olivia. It’s caused an even bigger uproar.”
Palace servants who serve the imperial family closely are often more sensitive to the psychology of their superiors than the nobles outside the walls. The older servants knew what kind of feelings Emperor Alexander had harbored for the former Empress Olivia. And the high-ranking servants could guess the subtle inferiority complex Empress Carmi felt toward her predecessor.
In other words, the experienced, high-ranking servants had already predicted the storm that would soon blow through the Imperial Palace.
“The atmosphere in the palace won't be peaceful for a while.”
Just as the Chief Attendant nodded in agreement with the Head Maid’s words...
“H-Head Maid! Chief Attendant!”
A maid came running toward them, breathless. The Head Maid quickly asked, “What is it? Did something happen?”
“That is...!”
Thump, thump.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed against the marble path of the palace. The maid who had run over quickly scrambled out of the way. The Head Maid and Chief Attendant turned instinctively, their eyes widening in shock.
“It seems the banquet has already begun, Father.”
“Hmm. Guide us to where the Victory Banquet is being held. Our baby must be there as well.”
“Why is Tulia your baby, Father?”
“Be quiet.”
They weren't on today’s guest list, but they were figures even the Emperor could not ignore. Grand Duke Frezier and the Marquis were walking side by side.
* * *
‘Come to think of it.’
A thought suddenly occurred to me. In The Milk Bread, there were certain male leads who particularly disliked each other. The most prominent examples were... Ferdinand and Benjamin.
‘Is it because their personalities are polar opposites?’
While Ferdinand had an iron-blooded personality, Benjamin was a sly womanizer (though actually pure) type. At least, that’s how it was in The Milk Bread. Or perhaps they were just written that way. Their rivalry was more intense than any of the other male leads.
‘But lately, Benjamin’s image and personality seem quite different from the Benjamin in the book.’
According to the occasional news I heard, Benjamin didn't show much interest in the ladies of the Sorsen Kingdom’s social circle and only acted sweet and affectionate toward middle-aged noblewomen. So, I had assumed he wouldn't clash much with Ferdinand now.
But right at that moment...
“Why are you taking someone else’s partner’s hand?”
Ferdinand’s voice was cold.
“Crown Prince Benjamin.”
And then, the sensation of a glove being quickly brushed away the moment it touched my fingertips. I hadn't even realized when he had arrived.
Benjamin replied with an equally chilly smile.
“I have simply come to escort my own partner, Your Imperial Highness.”