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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Special Guest
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It was obvious her intentions weren't good, so I watched Imperial Consort Isabel tensely.
Living as Espin, I often felt my own limitations.
Other romance-fantasy possessors seemed to know the story inside and out, effortlessly navigating their difficulties.
*But that's impossible for me.*
*[Your Majesty, Don't Obsess!]* was a novel that unfolded after the female lead became an adult.
Its keywords were toxic relationships and battle romance, not childcare.
Naturally, childhood stories were only briefly mentioned as necessary backstory for the characters.
They weren't fleshed out in detail.
And this was a romance-fantasy novel.
That meant the story mostly progressed from the female lead's perspective.
In other words, there were even fewer mentions of Luciano's past events.
Sure, right now, as a little kid, Luciano was sulking, crying, and showing all sorts of cute behaviors.
But in the original story, he was a charismatic male lead.
Even in the side stories from his point of view, his trials were recounted calmly, focusing only on the major events.
So, for the "now," I could figure out how events would unfold once they happened, but unlike other possessors, I had no way to prepare for dangers in advance.
Even if the original story had been a childcare tale with mentions of the past.
*I question whether I'd remember it properly anyway.*
In the early days after possessing.
I'd tried summarizing the contents of *[Your Majesty, Don't Obsess!]*.
Beyond the Luciano childhood side story I used and the muffin incident, nothing else came to mind clearly.
There was less that I remembered "vividly" than I'd thought.
I'd skimmed through *[Your Majesty, Don't Obsess!]* focusing roughly on the romance between Luciano and the female lead.
Having read so many romance-fantasy novels, how could I remember every single event?
They were bound to get all jumbled up.
*The other romance-fantasy possessors are the impressive ones.*
Not having read the original deeply, my memories of the protagonist's past—my present—were even hazier.
So, when things reached a point like this, right before an incident exploded, I couldn't sit still.
Not knowing what would happen, I had no choice but to stay on edge.
Imperial Consort Isabel, who had been in a staring contest with Luciano for a while, was the first to break the silence.
"Prince Luciano, should I find you an excellent etiquette teacher?"
It was a jab about not even greeting her.
At Imperial Consort Isabel's nitpick, Luciano lightly bowed his head.
"Have you arrived?"
It was polite and proper posture.
But it didn't come across as courteous.
Imperial Consort Isabel's eyes twitched, but she quickly erased her displeasure.
The sinister smile that had played on her lips deepened even further, as if whatever she was thinking pleased her.
*What is it? Why is she smiling like that? It's making me uneasy.*
"Oh my, how curt."
Chills ran down my spine at the disappointed tone in Imperial Consort Isabel's voice.
Luciano merely shot her a chilling look that said, *What did this woman eat wrong?*
"Prince Luciano, happy birthday. I've specially prepared a wonderful gift for you. Look forward to it."
Imperial Consort Isabel said whatever she wanted, without budging.
I couldn't figure out why she was suddenly acting friendly.
"Thank you."
When Luciano replied reluctantly.
"Since it's a rare party, enjoy it to your heart's content."
She even soothed him with a gentle tone.
I wondered what was up with her letting it slide without doing anything this time.
That was when it happened.
Imperial Consort Isabel leaned forward and whispered so only Luciano and I nearby could hear.
"So that you won't have any regrets."
It was a meaningful statement that made my heart sink.
Imperial Consort Isabel straightened up and gave a bright smile.
She looked perfectly serene, as if she hadn't just threatened someone.
"Yes, I understand."
Fortunately, Luciano responded calmly.
Imperial Consort Isabel spun around with a smile.
"Now, everyone, enjoy the party today. And don't forget to celebrate the birthday of our main guest, Prince Luciano."
After that declaration, Imperial Consort Isabel vanished into the crowd.
Prince Steven, who had been quietly following her, paused and stared at Luciano for a moment.
It was a gaze that seemed cold yet conflicted.
It was the first time I'd seen him since the sparring match with Luciano, and he looked markedly different.
Like he'd shed his childish demeanor and matured a bit.
*Though I can't say for sure if he really has.*
Prince Steven, who had been giving Luciano a strange look, turned his head and accidentally met my eyes as well.
He flinched as if he hadn't expected our eyes to meet.
*What? Why is he so startled?*
Seeing him flustered made me flinch too.
Prince Steven hurriedly followed after Imperial Consort Isabel.
After such a grand entrance, her quick retreat made me exhale the breath I'd been holding.
"Hoo...."
It was a relief she didn't pick another fight.
The older I got, the more restricted my actions became.
I couldn't help Luciano by pretending "I don't know anything" like I used to, because I wasn't a kid anymore.
Back then, they might overlook it because of my age, but not now.
So, the times when Imperial Consort Isabel did nothing were the most grateful and joyful.
I quickly checked Luciano's complexion.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
His words said he was, but his expression didn't.
His eyes were blazing blue.
He was glaring at Imperial Consort Isabel with a terrifying gaze.
I wanted to comfort him, but with so many people around, I couldn't.
Others might be consciously ignoring us, but we weren't actually invisible.
The party carried on in this awkward atmosphere, heedless of everything.
Everyone laughed and chatted merrily, ignoring the party's main guest, Luciano.
"I've heard Prince Steven's swordsmanship is improving day by day."
"Yes, it's getting even better. I look forward to the future."
Laughter overflowed where Imperial Consort Isabel was.
And in stark contrast, no one approached Luciano's side.
Neither adults nor peers offered birthday greetings.
Even though he was the party's protagonist.
It was a thorough, heartbreaking snub.
*They're really childish.*
It was the same tactic they'd used on me when I was little—unchanged.
I thought it petty and immature.
But it was effective, precisely because of that.
You couldn't understand how cruel ostracism was unless you'd experienced it.
Its impact on the victim was far greater than the perpetrator realized.
Ostracism was scarier than corporal punishment.
It was something you shouldn't do, even as a joke.
It would have been nice if Harrison were here at a time like this, but I hadn't seen him since earlier.
*It's a chance to score points with Luciano, and he doesn't even realize it.*
I inwardly scolded Harrison for his poor timing.
I wanted to flip the table and storm out, saying we didn't need this stupid party, but I couldn't.
Luciano was the party's protagonist, after all.
He couldn't just leave as he pleased.
*They're insulting him in every way possible.*
If they were going to do this, it would have been better not to hold a birthday party at all.
I couldn't take it anymore.
"Your Highness, shall we step out for a bit?"
Leaving for too long would be bad, but a short break should be fine.
"Where to."
His voice was as sour as his mood.
"We can just get some fresh air in the garden."
I tried speaking more brightly on purpose.
"No need."
Luciano's attitude was icy.
"But...."
"If I leave my seat, what more will they say?"
His added words—that it was better to endure—made my heart heavy.
From afar, I could feel my parents' worried gazes.
I waved my hand to tell them not to worry.
This part had been decided long ago.
My parents paid attention to Luciano because of me.
They tried to treat him casually, but Luciano rejected their kindness.
-*Please refrain from speaking to me in public as much as possible.*
The reason Luciano made that request to my parents was simple.
He wanted our meetings seen as mere children's play.
It was a decision to keep the Samuel Count Family from being perceived as part of Luciano's faction.
Father had naturally picked up on that.
-*If that's what Your Highness wishes, we will do so.*
After that, my parents avoided any actions showing closeness to Luciano in front of Imperial Consort Isabel.
They knew about our relationship, but there was a difference between flaunting it and not.
Thankfully, this mild approach had kept our parents safe so far.
Father's business was thriving, with no signs of interference.
*This part is suspicious too.*
I wondered why Imperial Consort Isabel was staying quiet.
Ding ding ding ding!
At that moment, the clear sound of tapping a champagne glass rang out.
Imperial Consort Isabel held her champagne glass, wearing a deep smile.
"Is everyone enjoying the party?"
"Yes, we're having a wonderful time thanks to you."
A noble chimed in loudly.
"I'm glad to hear that. As you all know, today is Prince Luciano's birthday. Has everyone prepared gifts?"
It wasn't something Imperial Consort Isabel should say.
The nobles who attended the party must have agonized over it.
Wondering if they should come empty-handed to match her mood or prepare gifts since he was still a prince.
Most nobles probably wrestled with what was wisest and settled for perfunctory gifts.
Silence spread among the nobles who didn't know her intentions.
At that odd atmosphere, Imperial Consort Isabel burst into laughter.
"It's a birthday, so of course you should prepare gifts. You didn't all come empty-handed, did you?"
"No, of course we did. We handed them to the servants at the entrance."
A nearby noble answered cautiously.
For the emperor's birthday, there would be a separate gift-giving ceremony, but for regular royals, gifts were left with servants at the entrance during party arrival.
My parents had done the same, and I'd deliberately set mine aside separately.
Even after answering, the noble watched Imperial Consort Isabel's reaction to see if it was the right response.
"You did well. It's a birthday, after all, so gifts are in order."
As she said that, Imperial Consort Isabel smiled deeply, as if sincere.
*That smile has been ominous since earlier.*
Everyone was bewildered when Imperial Consort Isabel mentioned Luciano's gifts.
"I've specially invited a guest for Prince Luciano. It's my gift, so I hope it pleases him."
Imperial Consort Isabel gazed at Luciano with a deep smile.
*So that's it.*
That's why she'd let it slide quietly earlier.
My gut told me it was a guest Luciano wouldn't welcome.
Who could make Luciano's face stiffen like that?
*...No way?*
If it was that person, they shouldn't appear now.
Luciano wouldn't be able to hide his emotions.
"I will gratefully accept it."
No matter how unwanted the gift, he couldn't refuse it here.
At Luciano's composed reply, Imperial Consort Isabel's lips curved higher.
"I'm delighted you're accepting. Prince Luciano will be happy to see them too. I've invited a special guest. Please come out."
