The Banquet of Pretext
What the hell is this? Pretext. It can kill a person or save one. Especially when facing a certain issue, the presence or absence of a pretext sways someone's choices completely.
Daniela visited the room she'd stayed in for the first time in ages. None of the Bart family's servants followed her. The room was just as she'd left it—neatly tidied, but otherwise unchanged. Daniela flopped onto the bed. She vowed never to return to this bed again.
Marrying someone she hadn't even chosen herself? That didn't matter. What endlessly tormented Daniela was powerlessness. It wasn't about power. Her fiancé had fallen in love with someone else and discarded her, and there was nothing she could do about it.
It would be a lie to say she hadn't done anything. She'd at least tormented that wench Cartina. She didn't hate it. She just didn't like it. Every time she saw Cartina, she felt powerless. The moment she strayed from the path laid out for her, Daniela grew afraid. That was why she'd wanted to die.
"I heard there's a banquet tonight. Is that why you've come, my lady?"
"Oh, it's been a while, Nanny."
The nanny who'd watched over Daniela all these years bowed her head in greeting. Though the ring was gone from her hand, the nanny still looked at Daniela as one of the Bart family. She pointed somewhere from where Daniela sat on the bed. A maid brought in a dress from behind—a white dress. No brooches adorned it. No flashy ornaments. But it was fitting attire to grace one part of the banquet.
"Please don't cry like that."
"Nanny... I'm sorry. I really didn't want to come back."
"It's all right. Please get ready quickly. The banquet will begin soon."
The nanny and maids began dressing her. They cinched Daniela's waist, and the white dress slowly fell into place. Tears flowed. Daniela just spread her arms and wept. The maids did the same. The nanny paid it no mind outwardly, but surely tears welled in her heart too.
Power was cruel. Especially in the Empire.
"You're ready. Take special care with the blue topaz."
"Thank you, Nanny. I swear I'll repay this kindness... someday."
"It's not about repaying kindness."
The nanny and maids gently took Daniela's hands. The banquet was about to start; she couldn't leave traces of tears. The nanny dabbed around her eyes with the sleeve. The tears soaked into the fabric and vanished.
"You must live strong. You understand, don't you?"
Daniela couldn't answer. She just nodded.
The banquet hall was lavish. Chandeliers poured forth endless light. Music filled the space, mingled with laughter. But Daniela stood alone amid it all. No one spoke to her. Even if their eyes met, not a single greeting passed.
A party for the imperial family—and ironically, her ex-fiancé was there.
"His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince arrives!"
With the servant's booming voice, the Crown Prince entered slowly in his white uniform. Cartina de Bosch, her hand lightly on his arm, matched him in white. The music swelled, and the Crown Prince smiled brightly. Some clapped; others trembled with envy.
"Well, if it isn't..."
A man murmured from behind during the Crown Prince's greetings. A tanned-skinned man, son of the one who commanded a massive fleet from the deep south. His father was called the "Southern Admiral."
He casually draped his arm over Daniela's shoulder.
"Long time no see? Daniela?"
"...It's been a while, Leroy."
"Shameless, aren't you? What brings you here?"
The Crown Prince began his greetings with a stutter. Cartina smiled brightly. Daniela scowled at the sight but didn't shake off the hand on her shoulder. Teeth ground—grind.
"Annoying. If not for the Crown Prince, Cartina would be by my side. Right?"
"..."
"A woman who can't even hold onto one man... Makes me feel like I stole Cartina from you. Disgusting, huh?"
As the Crown Prince raised his glass, others followed. Cheers! A toast to His Imperial Highness! Leroy downed the contents of his glass in one gulp with his free hand. When the Crown Prince and Cartina approached Leroy, Daniela wanted to flee. But Leroy's grip was iron-strong, pressing her to stay and watch.
"What's Daniela doing here?"
"Who knows? Looks like she came to see you."
"Clingy."
Cartina stifled a snicker at the Crown Prince's words. She thought she'd hidden it, but Daniela heard. The Crown Prince glanced at her sidelong and drank.
"White dress. Clashing colors. Ruins the mood!"
"Your Highness, calm down."
Cartina chimed in from the side. The Crown Prince's gaze turned to her, full of evident affection.
"Why is this woman still hanging around? Get lost. You're wasting time with Cartina."
"Why so harsh? She was your fiancée once. Hey, how about ditching Cartina for her?"
"Insolent words, Leroy."
"Ha, so it's fine to steal the woman I loved first? Your Imperial Highness."
Their glares locked. Leroy's arm crushed Daniela's shoulder. She tried to shake it off several times, but he only gripped harder.
"Stop it! Because of me..."
"No! Cartina."
It was always like this. Ignored, left standing like nothing. The gaze that finally turned back to her was ice-cold. Tears Daniela had held back fell—one drop, two.
"Crying?"
"Can't even look at her."
A few words scorched her heart anew. She could do nothing. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move.
"The North... Ah, yes!"
The door opened. Black clothes, a head taller than anyone else. The only black-haired man in the hall. Achromatic garb amid the splendor, utterly unadorned. Daniela felt no spark in the eyes of the approaching man—unlike yesterday.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Taller than the Crown Prince by a head. Leroy and the Crown Prince stared at the nearing man. He eyed the Crown Prince's rear guard, then Leroy's arm on her shoulder.
"Should I help?"
Daniela nodded faintly. Tears dripped from her blue eyes. Before Leroy could lower his arm.
A silence heavier than when the Crown Prince entered blanketed the hall.
"Leor,"
"Y-yes, my lord."
"That arm disgusts me."
Leor drew his sword. The Crown Prince's guards aimed at him. In an instant. Leor felled them all with bare fists, no blade needed. Each punch sent helmeted soldiers crashing down, crumpling steel helms. He stood before Leroy.
"Wh-where should I c-cut?"
"You'll know when you see it."
He seized the arm pinning Daniela and wrenched it skyward. Leroy's arm twisted. A scream rang out. The man's face didn't change. Neither did Leor's, sword in hand. He pressed the blade to Leroy's elbow.
"It h-hurts... hurts! Hurts!"
Leroy's screams grew louder. As Daniela broke free and rushed to the man, heedless of tears staining her dress.
"P-please stop, Grand Duke."
"Leor, you're taking too long."
"Grand Duke, Grand Duke, please..."
Leor raised his sword high. One swing would sever Leroy's arm cleanly. But a single word from the Grand Duke halted him.
"Enough, Leor."
"Y-yes, Your Grace."
He released the arm and sheathed his sword. Leroy slunk away. Leor returned behind the man, who gently drew Daniela into his embrace. His chest grew damp with her tears.
"Insolent."
The Crown Prince stepped back. Amid groans from Leroy and the guards, the nobles merely watched. Any who approached met Leor's flashing glare.
"To think you're the Crown Prince."
The man seemed to know the Crown Prince he'd never met. With Daniela in his arms, he lowered his gaze. The Crown Prince clutched Cartina tighter.
"Daring to draw a sword in my presence—this is rebellion!"
"Rebellion...? Your Imperial Highness, the North has never once betrayed its loyalty. We merely sought fitting punishment for that rude fool."
"That fool is my friend Leroy..."
"It matters not, Your Highness. No one insults Wintergard in my presence."
The Crown Prince retreated step by step. The man stood still, yet to him, it felt like the man advanced with every stride.
"Drawing steel! Harming my guards—isn't that a threat to me?"
Cartina's face hardened. She bit her left thumbnail. The other nobles remained frozen.
"Your Highness, and Grand Duke..."
"Be silent."
One word sealed Cartina's lips. Daniela still clung in his arms. She heard nothing. Or rather, only a piercing ring echoed in her ears.
"This isn't your place, de Bosch wench."
"H-how dare you speak to my fiancée that way!"
"Your Highness, if the North truly meant threat, your guards wouldn't crawl the floor—your head would roll here."
"What?!"
Roland von Bart burst into the hall, panting. An inexplicable scene unfolded before him.