Chapter 89
#089. The Engagement Ceremony of the Century (2)
Elegant melodies flowed through the banquet hall.
The nobles standing at the edges watched one spot with curious eyes. It was the Crown Prince, who had entered the banquet hall a moment ago.
"His Highness the Crown Prince enters!"
Lady Maria Etel, who was always by his side, was nowhere to be seen. Not only did he enter alone, but he also postponed meeting with the delegation. The Crown Prince simply dominated the banquet hall with his usual sharp eyes, without making any particular move.
As if he were looking for someone.
"...Lady Etel, or Madeleine?"
It was a vague statement without a subject, but the nobles all understood it at once. However, no one readily gave an answer.
Because both Maria Etel and Olivia Madeleine were still not in the banquet hall.
Count Hagis, who was observing the nobles' movements, sighed inwardly. To gossip when foreign delegations were present.
The Count quickly approached the Crown Prince and whispered.
"The nobles are talking about His Highness's solo entrance. Since there are foreign delegations present, it would be better to at least converse with them now."
"...Has the Madeleine entered?"
"Pardon?"
The Count's bewildered response didn't register. Leopold looked around with impatient eyes.
Every time he saw a dress similar to the one he had gifted Olivia, his stomach churned.
The anticipation that it might be Olivia would rise for a moment. But as soon as he confirmed that it wasn't the chilling silver hair that seemed to have moonlight poured into it, his elated mood seemed to plummet to the ground.
If he had known this would happen, he should have sent a servant to check Olivia's departure time.
"If you know so well, why doesn't the Madeleine take the lead herself?"
Even in this situation, the voice that had once surfaced wouldn't easily disappear. Everything from that day, when he had scolded Olivia as if she were a nuisance, became clear.
The humid and high temperature, the Nobility Council that didn't go as he wanted, Maria's sulking over trivial matters, and himself, venting his annoyance at all of it. And.
"...It's nothing. Your Highness. I said something unnecessary."
Even Olivia, who had lowered her head while smiling. Recalling the sight of her green eyes, which seemed somewhat hurt, trying to curve into a smile, Leopold clenched his fist without realizing it.
An unfamiliar emotion surged in an instant. His mind was confused as if it were tangled, with a feeling so foreign that he couldn't describe it.
Leopold shook his head.
Back then, it was just because the weather wasn't good.
It just so happened that he was in a bad mood on the day Olivia spoke to him, and that's why he got annoyed...
Ha. Leopold let out a silent breath. Ironically, what he was doing now was making excuses.
Him, who didn't need to be mindful of anyone's gaze. He was making excuses for just one day in the past.
Why?
It felt like he had lost his way right before reaching his destination.
Leopold struggled to control the emotions that were teetering on the edge of a cliff. But his anxiously beating heart couldn't find an answer and wavered back and forth.
"...Bertin."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"...Check where Olivia, no. Liv, has arrived."
Leopold deliberately used Olivia's nickname. Just uttering the two syllables made him feel strangely at ease.
That's it. He had to take Olivia to the Crown Prince's Palace as soon as she arrived, regardless of the banquet, he thought.
"Excuse me. Brother."
An elegant voice was heard right in front of him. It was the Princess.
"Could you spare me some time?"
The Princess was the host of the banquet. She was the most reliable person to know at least when Olivia would arrive.
"...I will."
.
.
.
"Where is Maria Etel, that idiot?"
As soon as they entered the dark terrace, the Princess asked sharply. Count Hagis, who had followed, was startled and drew the thick curtains, standing guard in front.
Leopold frowned, having confirmed even that.
"...It's a banquet. Watch your words."
"I'm sorry to say, but I'm still watching my words. Brother, don't tell me you know and are taking sides in ruining my banquet?"
The Princess's voice trembled unsteadily. Only then did Leopold notice her unusually pale face.
"What are you talking about?"
"Haven't you seen it yet?"
The Princess burst into a sharp laugh like a scream. Fear of the supreme Emperor and worry about being disgraced in front of the nobles painted her vision white. The Princess roughly pulled back the curtains.
Her brother would know if he saw it too. What that idiot he had chosen was doing to her!
"Right now, my banquet hall is just like a drug!"
"...Olivia."
A voice, as if suppressed, cut off the Princess's words. As if possessed, the Crown Prince moved. The Princess felt as if her last hope had been cut off at the sight of the Crown Prince's retreating figure.
"B, Brother!"
The Princess called out to the Crown Prince fiercely, then stopped. Only now did the Crown Prince's receding attire catch her eye.
No way...
The Crown Prince's perfectly dressed attire said it all. The Princess hurriedly came out of the terrace, but the Crown Prince was already far ahead.
There were too many eyes around to catch him now. She had to find Maria Etel instead of the Crown Prince who had already disappeared. Who would know her whereabouts?
Ah! The Princess urgently looked for Marquis Etel. But finding Marquis Etel in this banquet hall filled with countless nobles was like trying to catch a star in the sky.
"Your Highness the Princess! Today's banquet is so wonderful."
"How did you come up with such a concept?"
Compliments from the nobles poured in. The back of the Princess's dress was damp with cold sweat. Her legs began to tremble.
* * *
"How leisurely you are, Your Highness. I don't think we're on such welcoming terms."
The Grand Duke's voice felt distant. Leopold looked at Olivia with a dizzy feeling.
Olivia, being escorted by the Grand Duke as if to flaunt that they were partners, was dazzlingly beautiful.
"I greet His Highness the Crown Prince."
But it wasn't the direction Leopold had hoped for. Barely managing to control his distorted expression, Leopold spat out.
"That's not the dress I sent."
He couldn't have imagined Olivia not wearing the dress he had sent.
Even the diamond ring on the fourth finger of her left hand, as if it were natural. It was a ring that felt much more like an 'engagement' than the red gemstone he had seen yesterday.
It felt like bitter water was rising from within. Leopold felt a strange ache in one corner of his heart.
Subtle emotions spread in her sea-blue eyes. Seeing that, Olivia bit the inside of her cheek without anyone noticing.
It was a ridiculous thing. Leopold, who had sent her a white dress, was wearing formal attire just like the Leopold from their eighteen-year-old engagement ceremony.
...Why?
"Why did you send me a dress?"
It was a nonchalant question. Her strangely subdued green eyes turned to Leopold. Leopold scoffed and opened his lips, looking at the Grand Duke next to her.
"Because! Olivia, you are my...!"
The words he was about to answer as if it were natural were blocked. Leopold blinked his eyes.
"My..."
Fiancée. Was this easy three-syllable word really the answer? He couldn't bring himself to answer. The moment of silence felt like it was stretching on forever.
"His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress enter."
A herald shouted loudly with the sound of a horn. At the same time, Count Hagis whispered from behind.
"Your Highness, you must go."
"...Let's talk again later."
Leopold looked at Olivia for a moment and added.
"...Liv."
Only after stubbornly calling Olivia by her nickname did the Crown Prince move towards the platform.
Cool red eyes that seemed as if they would cut down the other person were directed at the Crown Prince.
...Should I kill him?
Edwin, who was briefly swept up in impulse, quickly looked at Olivia with a start.
He had known about his young lady's strength for a long time. But today, something felt strange.
"...Are you alright, Olivia?"
"...Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
Olivia raised the corners of her lips and muttered inwardly.
It was true. There was no reason not to be alright.
Just.
She had only confirmed that Leopold Franz was disrespectful to her until the very end.
* * *
"It is the first time that delegations from Heferti, including foreign delegations, have come to this Summer Ball hosted by the Princess."
The Emperor's resonant voice echoed through the banquet hall.
"I extend a warm welcome to everyone who has come to the Franz Empire. Especially, may the bond between our Franz Empire and Heferti continue to strengthen in the future..."
Even the sublime voice of the Emperor was barely audible. Beneath a gracefully smiling face, the Princess's anxious eyes scanned the banquet hall. But no matter how many times she looked, Maria Etel was nowhere to be seen.
Was she worrying too much? Well, if Maria Etel had any sense, she wouldn't cause trouble where foreign dignitaries were present.
As she thought this, the nausea gradually subsided. At the same time, it seemed the Emperor's speech had ended. Thunderous applause filled the banquet hall.
The Emperor looked to his side with a pleased expression. The Empress, the Crown Prince, and even the Princess.
Unlike the anxious yesterday, today was perfect.
Even the Grand Duke, who couldn't say a word down there, attributing all his achievements to the Emperor and the Franz Empire.
Heferti, who had been impudent, was also keeping his mouth shut. His forced smile, as if trying to gauge the Emperor's mood, was quite a sight to behold.
The Emperor's mood reached its peak. With a light clap to change the atmosphere, the Emperor said magnanimously.
"Now, let's truly enjoy the banquet. I hear the Princess has prepared a congratulatory performance for the delegation?"
The Emperor looked at the Princess with proud eyes for a moment. The Princess, who had been bewildered by the words 'congratulatory performance,' soon turned pale and said something, but it was barely audible.
"Y-Your Majesty!"
"Then, let's begin."
Before long, a newly arrived orchestra paid their respects to the Emperor. And when the conductor began to conduct.
Leopold paused for a moment at the strangely familiar melody. The nobles, who had been enjoying the music, also looked bewildered.
This was music that would only be used in a wedding march.
"Is the congratulatory performance some kind of play?"
It was then, as everyone was murmuring. Bright lights poured down on the staircase. As the doors at the top of the stairs opened and extravagant flower petals fell from above, someone walked into the light.
"Who is that?"
"Isn't that Lady Etel?"
The Emperor, who had been blinking, turned to Leopold in an instant. Leopold, who had been standing beside him, was already striding up the stairs.
Even if she was foolish, to cause such a thing when foreign dignitaries were present!
Hot anger surged from the nape of his neck to the top of his head. The closer he got, the more farcical the situation became.
Maria, wearing an excessively extravagant white dress, was smiling brightly. She looked as if she were buried in glitter.
"What... what is the meaning of this?"
Despite the anger seething through his teeth, Maria spoke in a clear voice, as if she were performing in a play.
"It's our engagement ceremony, Leopold."
"...What?"
"His Highness also readily agreed. This official engagement ceremony."
Maria grabbed Leopold's arm with a flirtatious voice. Murderous intent emanated from Leopold's distorted face. But Maria did not back down.
It was an engagement ceremony held under the protection of the Empress and Duke Elkin.
Above all, she didn't want to be just a mistress.
"What,"
"More grand than the one you had with the Princess. Don't you remember?"
Maria said, blinking her eyes. At that sight, a voice suddenly flashed through Leopold's mind.
"Please flaunt me as your official fiancée. It might make it easier for me to carry out my duties."
How could she interpret those words like this? Leopold was speechless at the thought, which was so absurd it was almost idiotic. Perhaps seeing this differently, Maria's face brightened again.
"With foreign dignitaries attending as guests, it's more grand than an engagement ceremony, right? Isn't it?"
Her coquettish voice rang out triumphantly. Leopold gritted his teeth.
He didn't know where things had gone wrong, but what was urgent now was the foreign delegation. He had to somehow quickly resolve the situation.
The Crown Prince immediately turned around and looked down at the banquet hall. And he opened his mouth in a sharp tone.
"This situation is..."
It was something that had to be glossed over, even if it meant treating Maria like a crazy woman.
But when Leopold met the green eyes looking at him from the banquet hall, he couldn't say anything.
His lips hardened and his head went blank. He gasped for breath as if he had been robbed of air. All his senses were focused solely on Olivia.
Ironically, he wanted Olivia to say something, anything. When the desperate desire that everything would be alright if Olivia just said it was okay bloomed.
Olivia smiled faintly.
As if she knew it would happen.
Huff, Leopold swallowed the exhale he couldn't quite manage. Even as he gritted his teeth, pain surged as if his lungs had been pierced.
He should have known. What that uneasy, wavering emotion was. He should have realized. What that anxiety, as if he were hanging on the edge of a cliff, was.
At the same time as his gaze fell, a sharp sensation was vividly etched onto his heart.
Leopold muttered, as if squeezing it out.
"Ol, Olivia..."
