Chapter 39: The Emperor’s First Dance
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 39: The Emperor’s First Dance
The reason she singled out my purple eyes for praise was to mock the fact that I was Cedric’s daughter.
The nobles, who couldn't possibly have missed the subtext, looked back and forth between Rosette and Veronica in shock.
‘What a total spitfire.’
Even though they belonged to the same Imperial Faction, the reason the noblewomen and young ladies disliked Rosette was precisely because of that personality.
Because of her aggressive nature—attacking anyone like a fighting cock regardless of their status—no one wanted her as their focal point.
Even now, there was no reason to pick a fight with Veronica, yet here she was, trying to break her spirit right from the start. I swallowed a sigh and looked at the triumphant Rosette.
“Thank you for the compliment, My Lady.”
Veronica smiled brightly, as if it were nothing. Then, she continued in a calm, steady tone.
“Our Dia is quite beautiful because she takes after me. That’s why her grandfather and uncles dote on her so much. Just as they cherish me.”
“I-I see.”
Naturally, instead of getting angry, Veronica delivered an elegant warning.
She was indirectly telling Rosette not to mess with her, as the Ducal House of Winston stood behind her.
Since the rumors of Duke Winston’s devotion to his granddaughter were already widespread, Rosette couldn't say anything more about me.
Instead, Rosette covered her mouth with her fan and shot me a dissatisfied look.
[That human is so arrogant!]
[Exactly! How dare she glare at Master like that!]
The agitated Desmond and Bibi shouted. I shook my head inwardly.
‘Just ignore her.’
Rosette was a character with no significance in the original story anyway. She never even caught Dantalion’s eye and ended up like a dog left staring at the roof after the chicken had flown away.
Moreover, now that Veronica was alive, her importance would shrink to the size of a speck of dust. So, I should probably just view this level of provocation as cute.
I smiled leisurely from within Veronica’s arms.
“Ahem, anyway, I heard you are returning to your territory. Is that true?”
Fortunately, Rosette seemed to have no intention of picking more fights and asked with a hint of embarrassment. Veronica nodded.
“Yes, I plan to return soon.”
“That’s a shame. I wanted to become friends with you, Lady Veronica.”
“I feel the same, My Lady.”
If you want to be friends, you should probably fix that habit of picking fights with people first.
I muttered indifferently to myself. Even then, Rosette kept glancing at me.
“But surely you aren't taking your daughter with you? She must still carry the name Lionel.”
“…….”
The atmosphere turned icy once again at that single remark. I was flabbergasted now. What was she trying to achieve?
It was true that Marquis Chernoke and Cedric were on terrible terms.
After all, the war Cedric had participated in was a war of aggression centered around the South.
At that time, the small kingdoms in the South were unified and incorporated into the Empire’s territory, and the Lionel estate Cedric received was located right there.
However, even then, the West was suffering from constant invasions by allied nations and barbarians.
But the Imperial Family, which was firmly under the Empress Dowager’s thumb, was so focused on helping the Southern war of aggression that they ignored the situation in the West. The resentment that had built up over time was enormous.
So, while it made sense for Chernoke to particularly hate the male lead, Cedric, I couldn't believe she was showing this much hostility toward me just because I was his daughter.
Did she forget that I was half Winston? Or was she determined to break Veronica’s spirit no matter what? I couldn't fathom Rosette’s intentions.
“Lady Rosette.”
“Yes, Lady Veronica.”
“No matter what surname my daughter carries, this child will be with me.”
“…….”
Veronica’s red eyes stared intently at Rosette. Meeting that gaze, Rosette flinched involuntarily.
The First Duke, who gained immense power through a contract with an Archdemon. For some reason, the direct descendants who inherited that blood always passed down black hair and blood-red eyes, regardless of who they mixed with.
Perhaps because she had the blood of the novel’s protagonist, Cedric, Claudia hadn't inherited the red eyes, but seeing as she contracted with demons without issue, it seemed the eye color didn't strictly matter.
One could tell just by how Duke Winston and the other direct descendants treated me without reservation. Rosette’s reaction was incredibly foolish and dim-witted.
“Lady Rosette, you too will change your surname once you marry. I hope you will shower nothing but love upon your children—who are like extensions of yourself—rather than saying things that might hurt them.”
“Ugh…!”
Wow, Veronica is something else. She must have been furious, yet she managed to deliver such a veiled insult.
Rosette, who understood exactly what Veronica meant, turned bright red with shame.
If you’re going to poke someone, you should pick your targets wisely. You didn't even get your money's worth.
Tsk-tsking inwardly, I looked around. The surrounding nobles were already looking at Rosette coldly. This was especially true for the noblewomen who had children of their own.
“How dare she say such things to the Lady and the Little Lady…”
“They say the West has had a hard time due to the long war, but it seems the Marquis didn't even have the energy to discipline his child.”
“Ugh.”
Rosette grit her teeth at the whispering voices around her.
I decided to drive the final nail in with a bright, innocent face.
“Dia likes Mommy too!”
“Oh my.”
“My, how adorable.”
“Hehe.”
When I smiled brightly and hugged Veronica tightly, the people around us marveled at how cute I was.
They sent well-wishes to Veronica, saying they were jealous she had such a lovely daughter. Rosette was completely isolated.
“I will… take your advice to heart.”
“Please do.”
“…….”
Veronica replied without even turning her head. At her cold attitude, Rosette grit her teeth but couldn't say anything more.
But why is she glaring at me again? She really was an unpleasant person to the very end.
Unable to contain her resentment, Rosette spun around and walked away, and the young noble ladies of the Western Region followed after her, sensing the mood.
Since the West had stuck together more than other regions, it was probably hard for them to ignore Rosette. Still, she would soon be like a kite with a broken string.
How did Rosette end up in the original story? I can't remember because she didn't appear much after being ruthlessly crushed by Dantalion.
‘Well, it has nothing to do with me.’
First, I have to focus on Veronica changing her mind and working things out with Dantalion. I didn't have time to worry about an extra character like her.
[Master, Master! There’s so much food here!]
[Gasp, look at all the babies gathered over there! They’re all so cuuuute.]
Since I was at a banquet, I might as well enjoy it. I chuckled as I watched the excited Desmond and Bibi, then turned my gaze.
“Greetings to the Lady and the Little Lady.”
“Greetings to the Lady and the Little Lady!”
“Oh, Count Gideon. And the Young Count.”
Count Gideon and Abel approached us and offered their greetings. Veronica welcomed them with a wide smile.
In particular, Veronica seemed to view Abel very favorably because he had given me the Onyx—the heirloom of the Gideon family, also known as Dollens.
“Dia, do you want to play with the Young Count?”
“Yeah!”
Nodding, I climbed down from Veronica’s arms and ran to Abel.
“Abel!”
“Dia.”
Abel smiled brightly. Looking at him again, his beauty was truly remarkable.
Moreover, his face seemed even more radiant than the last time I saw him. Was it because he put more effort into it for such a large banquet?
I was almost worried I’d look bad standing next to him. Even though Abel is a boy, why is he so pretty?
“Dia, is something wrong?”
“Huh?”
“No, it’s just…”
I couldn't tell him the truth, so I blurred my words. Then, an excuse came to mind, and I let it out.
“I think I’ll be going back to the territory soon.”
“Ah…”
“I won't be able to play with you like this once I go there, right?”
When I spoke with intentional gloom, Abel’s eyes widened. Then, he narrowed his eyes into a soft smile and spoke.
“What do you mean we won't be able to play? I can just go back to the North too.”
“Huh?”
“The Gideon estate is originally in the North, after all.”
“Ah, right.”
But hadn't the Gideon family been secretly conducting intelligence activities in the capital all this time? Did he mean only Abel was returning to the North?
I was tilting my head in confusion when it happened.
“Oh my, it looks like His Majesty is finally about to have the first dance.”
“I wonder who he’ll have the first dance with?”
“Surely… it won't be Lady Rosette, right?”
the surroundings grew noisy. It was because Dantalion, having received greetings from all the nobles, stood up from his seat to have the first dance.
As the protagonist of the banquet, if Dantalion didn't have the first dance, the other nobles couldn't dance either. Furthermore, the person the newly crowned Emperor chose for his first dance was of great significance.
Step, step.
Soon, the sound of Dantalion’s footsteps drew near. Every noble held their breath and followed him with their eyes.
“Lady Veronica, will you grant me this dance?”
“…….”
Dantalion, having approached Veronica, reached out his hand to her.