RAMHM Chapter 88

Welcome Ceremony

The atmosphere of Atilchard Hall was bright, unlike the depths of winter. Green vines like those from an eastern forest transported whole draped every massive column in the hall and filled the ceiling densely. Unlike balls that began at midnight, this welcome ceremony starting before evening had only the high windows of the party hall thrown wide open, letting the sunset pour down to the lower floors.

The summer roses placed here and there were fresh as living flowers but were actually artificial blooms made of the finest silk. Even those who deliberately touched the party decorations were fooled by the living flower fragrance emanating from them, not realizing they were artificial until they plucked a petal.

The most special place was the head table where the imperial couple and Crown Prince couple would sit, and where the stars of the welcome ceremony—Ninth Prince Epero and Ellaconian Prince Viktor—had been seated briefly. Only the red roses decorating the armrests of those chairs glittered peculiarly. Upon first entering the party hall, Empress Grace and Crown Princess Doris let out low gasps when they saw those sparkling roses while looking around in a dreamlike mood.

"Good heavens, are these roses made of rubies?"

"Yes, Prince Viktor's gift to the Crown Prince this time has been utilized like this."

"I didn't know the Crown Prince's aesthetic sense was this outstanding. Not holding the welcome ceremony in the evening also shows admirable consideration."

In truth, the Empress and Doris had been preparing the Emperor's grand birthday celebration, so if this welcome ceremony was held too lavishly, they might have needed to change their established plans. After all, parties held in the same location—and the composition of the conservative imperial parties being what it was—tended to be similar. But this welcome ceremony Bardenaldo had prepared would begin before nightfall and be a refreshing affair of eating refreshments and enjoying light music and lively dancing, not drinking and carousing. Still, Empress Grace, who'd been tense thinking it might be too modest for her son's welcome ceremony and thus disappointing, clasped her hands together in rare delight as she savored the floral fragrance, not having expected such a fresh atmosphere.

"Prince Viktor also looked around continuously expressing admiration. Since he's Epero's closest friend too, I hoped it would be a welcome ceremony that side would enjoy as well, and it's truly well done. Don't you think, Doris?"

"Indeed, Your Imperial Majesty. I can feel that His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince has shown full sincerity not only to Prince Epero but to Ellaconia as well."

Doris too was surprised by the Crown Prince's capability but answered perfunctorily. Something more grating than this green splendor bothered her.

'...Why is she here?'

An uninvited guest. Bliea Acacia was conversing intimately with the Ellaconian prince.

Nora's gaze was fixed on the ruby roses decorating the head table.

'If only we could sell those at our jewelry shop...'

Her gaze quickly followed Doris, turning toward Bliea standing in a corner of the party hall conversing with the Ellaconian prince. Seeing them exchange words ceaselessly, Bliea's Ellaconian skills were clearly far better than expected.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Bliea smiled brightly and greeted her with her eyes whenever their gazes met, and each time Nora's chest swelled with hope. Over the past few months, the jewelry shop's sales had increased noticeably. Because of the jewels studding the dress Bliea wore now. She'd clearly worn such a dress deliberately today too. For payment in exchange for sharing some stories about Doris, it was profitable business. Though she'd essentially been removed from her position as the Crown Princess's lady-in-waiting, seeing her act like this meant she was signaling she'd continue her relationship with Nora even if her connection to Doris ended.

Nora, who had to take responsibility for the household in place of the bedridden viscount, exhaled in relief. Then Doris moved. Doris approached Bliea lightly to the cheerful welcome ceremony music, raised her chin, and smiled leisurely.

"You look happy, Bliea."

"Ah, Your Highness!"

Bliea curtsied with a guileless, bright smile. Nora, who'd been following quietly behind, didn't miss that though Doris smiled, her eyes were frigid. That cold light shone brighter when she confirmed the person standing behind Bliea was Rhodness.

"I'm sorry, Bliea. I didn't send you an invitation thinking surely you'd be immersed in grief and wouldn't want to participate in such a welcome ceremony party. I was mistaken."

Though the voice sounded concerned, the meaning contained within was sharp as a blade. Are you in a position to laugh and chat here? But as always, Bliea only blinked and smiled obliviously and quite beautifully.

"Ah! Such deep consideration... But don't worry, Your Highness. I wasn't hurt at all. In fact, I had no time to be hurt!"

Please. Please don't say it, you oblivious woman! Nora shot eye signals at Bliea desperately, worried the sparks might fly to her.

'Her Highness is displeased. Smiling like that in front of her. Forbidden.'

"...Not hurt, that's fortunate."

"Yes, truly gratefully, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince allowed me the honor of arranging this welcome ceremony—. Though they were sad days, I was so busy I had no time to sink into that sadness for several days."

"What?"

Nora reflexively questioned and pressed her lips shut. Bliea had arranged this fresh and beautiful party hall? Doris too seemed shocked, her stiff lips clearly straining to lift.

"His Imperial Highness... the Crown Prince?"

"Yes, didn't you know? Embarrassingly, this time I've... come to attend Prince Viktor here and Prince Epero."

Bliea spoke while subtly glancing at those she'd been conversing with. Nora side-eyed today's stars now in conversation with other nobles. A completely unknown fact. Of course, the same would be true for Doris. In that brief moment, Nora saw myriad emotions flash through Doris's green eyes. And saw the sharp gaze go to the Crown Prince in the distance before returning. Ah, this damned Bliea Acacia. If only that guileless mouth would just shut! The moment Nora resolved she must give Bliea serious advice about the Crown Princess someday, Bliea dropped another bombshell.

"As His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince's assistant, this is my first assignment, so I'm trying to work hard."

At those words, Doris laughed hollowly like someone with air escaping from their lungs. But only her eyes blazed brightly, and to Nora standing close, it felt like killing intent piercing to the bone.

"Assistant? How can you become His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince's assistant?"

"Why can't I?"

Bliea, who'd been smiling guileless with white teeth showing, suddenly asked back with a demure smile. Nora slowly watched Bliea's previously blank eyes gradually sink. Her heart began to pound. The lips holding warmth were clearly producing the same warm voice as usual, but,

"Right now, I'm not Countess Acacia. I'm Count Acacia, Your Highness."

only those deeply submerged eyes shone distinctly clear. That image, together with the words 'His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince's assistant,' lodged itself sharply in Nora's chest.

I clutched my slightly trembling chest and only sipped champagne in the corner. Doris's expression—like she'd been struck on the back of the head—wouldn't leave my mind.

'That's what you get for abandoning me.'

If you'd kept me close, you could have claimed the credit. As I watched Doris, who'd been standing with a complicated expression, return to her place, my eyes met the Crown Prince's. I smiled at his anxious face as if to say it was fine. It wasn't something to keep secret from Doris, was it? The one in difficulty was the Crown Prince, not me. Then Nora, who'd been following Doris, turned her head slightly toward me. I gave her a smile similar to the one I'd sent the Crown Prince.

Surprisingly, Nora responded with a favorable smile unimaginable from before. I too had no choice but to prove my necessity this way. Though slightly provocative, because my cultivated image was so dim-witted, they might think it impudent but nothing more. More importantly, I needed to pay attention to Nora, who'd been watching me with a moved expression from beside her. While I wasn't attached to Doris's side, Nora would become my eyes, so I had to show her I wasn't someone who deserved to be abandoned by Doris.

While Viktor, who'd been admiring the party hall continuously, was called by the Emperor who'd just arrived along with Epero, I drained an entire bottle of champagne. The fact I could make Bliea's body, which didn't hold alcohol well, into such a drinker was because whenever my chest felt stuffy, I'd consoled my rage toward Novian by drinking glass after glass. When I'd shaken out the last drop, my head seemed to spin and I pressed against the wall, but warm energy touched beneath my hand.

"Madam."

"...Your Highness?"

What touched my hand wasn't the wall but Rhodness's hand. Though we both wore gloves, was it the heat rising from drinking? The briefly touched hand felt so hot I jerked my hand back in shock. Rhodness's eyes instantly darkened deeply. Eyes holding something back.

"Ah, I was so startled. I'm sorry, Your Highness."

"...When that bear-like bastard pressed close earlier, you seemed to be talking happily."

"Pardon?"

Had I done that? I'd been smiling ear to ear to show the Crown Prince watching us from afar... Thinking my appearance must have looked ridiculous made me giggle, but simultaneously Rhodness's face hardened further.

"No. Not particularly... happy conversations, more like funny stories."

The conversations Viktor and I had shared were mostly nonsense like word games between foreign language beginners.

'Ruby rose. Best.'

—'I. Ordered. Make it.'

'As expected. Beautiful woman. Makes. Beautiful things.'

—'Thanks.'

'Woman. You. Interesting. Speaking.'

—'Interesting. You more. Ah, is this informal?'

'Is that so. Deliberately.'

—'Don't know. What saying.'

Somehow remembering playing like that, scribbling together on paper while learning Ellaconian from young Rhodness, made my smile spread wider. Recalling young Rhodness from Viktor made me giggle softly, but I felt an intense gaze.

I saw Rhodness drain the champagne glass he'd been holding for courtesy's sake with a face gone cold. While staring straight into my eyes.