“Tricky. You really look like a different person!”
“Really, I see…”
Usually, when she dressed up like this, it’s a situation where people say, ‘You’re so pretty that you look like someone else’, but that wasn’t the case because she was really in disguise. She just seemed like a really different person. Her body was so small that it looked younger, so there was no way to solve it even if she was disguised. They looked the same age… But much… how to say?
“I look calm.”
There was a calm, well-behaved, smart-looking kid in the mirror. It was amazing how just changing the color of her hair could change her impression so much. It seemed that her presence had somehow faded…
“Perfect! If you die now, His Highness the Prince might not recognize you.”
The voice that came in with her dazed ears was a fuss that any lady-in-waiting should have by default, but she became really curious.
‘I don’t know… Does he want to see it?’
Even to her, it seemed like a different person, so there was some truth in what the lady-in-waiting said. When she imagined the scene where Leone just passed her by, it seemed a little funny and a little sad. Really, she was getting all sorts of strange feelings.
“Since the time is up, I think we should go straight to the banquet hall.”
“Ah yes.”
Would Leone, whom she met at the banquet hall, recognize her? A strange anticipation rose.
* * *
After all, this was the prince’s welcome ceremony. As an empire, the scale was considerable.
“You can play soccer in the banquet hall…”
She muttered involuntarily and looked around the banquet hall. There were five chandeliers alone. In addition to the chandeliers, lanterns were placed everywhere like ornaments. It was the first time in her previous life that she had seen a place so bright at night. There was an invention called a fluorescent lamp there, but it didn’t exist here either.
‘It’s really a lot of money.’
Realizing the gap between her and Leone, she stood close to the wall. The welcome ceremony began properly at 6:00 p.m., with Leone entering with the Emperor and showing his face. Most of the nobles arrived before six o’clock, and everyone was chatting in small groups. Apparently, they were filled with anticipation of what Leone would look like today.
“I heard that His Highness the Prince is so beautiful…”
“Don’t talk. My boyfriend sold his feet to buy the prince’s robe.”
“There are really more men these days, ho ho.”
Surely. Rather than those hideous clothes, there were overwhelmingly more neat robes in the style Leone wore at the banquet. It felt good because it was proof that Leone’s influence had already spread. The reason why the imperial authority was weakened in the first place was that there was no proper successor, so Leone was close to a cheat key that would restore the imperial authority a little by just appearing. So everyone dressed up like the prince’s robes and came out. Realizing the already spreading influence, Leone’s future was clearly visible.
“It’s nice that the imperial palace is noisy after a long time. His Majesty locked the door every time…”
“The prince was much more beautiful than I imagined.”
“It was never opened because it was a place that Her Majesty the late empress cherished, but now that His Highness is here, he seems to have eased his mind a bit.”
Hearing so many stories, it was difficult to focus on one. Many people were very distracted as they repeatedly entered and exited the sponsorship that was only open today. She was nervous. It wasn’t long until six o’clock. When the Emperor and the prince entered, the Emperor’s attendants and the knights of the bodyguard followed, so she couldn’t get in between them. It reminded her of Leone, who would be alone with the Emperor. Was it okay, that kid…
“Trixie… Is that right?”
A soft, gentle voice flowed into her. Who was it, who knew me! She looked back in surprise.
“Hey, Miss Melody. Hello!”
Her knights lined up next to her bowed their heads as if they recognized her. As for Melody, she was Adler’s soul alone. Unknowingly, she looked around her. Fortunately, no one was watching this side. She said she would come today. Adler also explained the impression. Her shiny brown hair and her auburn eyes. White skin enough to feel transparent… A beauty who exudes a pathetic mood even with her gloomy face. When she heard it, she thought it was an armful, but he was right.
“Oh, don’t greet me like this. Adler was also a knight commander in the past, and I am nothing too.”
Melody smiled gently and harmlessly and waved her hand. The knights straightened their backs and stood in moderation. She greeted Melody face-to-face.
“Hello, Miss Melody.”
“Adi explained to me how Trixie looked, but I’m not very good at it… I’m glad I recognized this knight next to you.”
“Adi…?”
“Ah, my. It’s a nickname from childhood.”
Adler’s nickname… She felt like she knew something she didn’t want to know. Melody was tall and skinny, and she looked brittle at the touch.
“Before, I was curious about Trixie. When I asked if Trixie was coming, he said she would be alone… I came to see you.”
“Oh, me, me?”
Could it be that Adler talked too much about her, or that she didn’t like her after she went to the Meto Mountains and spent five years with Adler, whom she hadn’t seen? Thinking of it from Melody’s point of view, it seemed like she might be a little annoyed.
“Yes, no matter how I think about it, it seems to me that there must be something between Your Highness and Trixie. Right?” whispered Melody, lowering her voice as best she could.
For a moment she didn’t answer. Because it came back unexpectedly. Her slightly nervous mind swelled with absurdity. It was something she never wanted to hear in a whisper. Why did people these days keep doing this? Her head was pounding.
“What do you mean…?”
Fatigue set in suddenly.
“When I listen to what Adi is saying, it’s probably like that. I don’t know because Adi is so slow. I have one eye. You two love each other-”
“Haha. Miss Melody. He doesn’t think of me that way at all.”
“Hmm. So what about Trixie?”
“…Me too, too.”
Because she was lying, her words slowed down for no reason. She seemed to be observing her for a moment, and then Melody smiled mischievously.
“You know. Trixie. Everything in the world, the more honest you are, the faster it will be resolved. And that, surprisingly, is very easy.”
“Yes?”
“Ho Ho. This is the advice of experienced people, so take it in mind.”
A lovely laugh spread out.
“Um… yes.”
What was she talking about?
“You may not understand now.”
Melody was smiling until the end. Was it an illusion to see a smile as if expecting something? They said their goodbyes once more, and Melody returned to her place. And, fortunately, the welcome ceremony began.
“His Majesty the Emperor, His Highness the Prince is entering!”
Fanfare rang out with booming voices. The distracted banquet hall sat down quietly. The front door opened, and the Emperor and Leone walked out with their backs straight. She could see clearly even though she was standing right next to the wall at the end of the banquet hall. Leone’s dazzling beauty.
“Thank you for coming today.”
The Emperor, who was the first to step on the podium, gave a welcome message. The Emperor turned to Leone. It meant to come forward. Leone walked out to the center of the podium with an expressionless expression. Even though he was with the Emperor, he did not appear to be in pain. He seemed to be holding up well.
‘Thank god.’
Her worries subsided.
“Oh my god.”
“Could the lanterns be installed towards His Highness’s face?”
“I don’t think so…”
As soon as Leone stood in the center of the podium, the attendees started to stir.
“Those clothes… Normal… I guess? Right? Isn’t it?”
“How does he have such beautiful hair?”
“I can not see it well… His face is too small…”
Everyone muttered as if possessed. Instead of talking to the person next to them, voices seemed to be repeating questions to themselves. A few people muttered that they couldn’t see well, and then staggered like zombies to the platform in front.
It’s also Leone! Since she had already seen Leone before the ceremony, she was able to prepare her mind, so she looked around with a slightly relaxed mind and collected reactions. She was quite proud.
“Ha! That guy, so…”
“Andrea, don’t fall. Later, you must ask for a dance.”
“Where is the law for a woman to ask first?”
“I have to do that!”
But the pride soon faded. The voices of the noble ladies flowed through the responses they were collecting. Originally, it would have been a sight to be pleased with, but… her heart couldn’t stand it. Who would Leone dance with today? Originally, he should dance, but today he would have no choice but to dance, especially with someone. Just imagine the lovely lady in a pretty dress next to such a beautiful Leone holding his hand and spinning around…
‘I’m pissed off.’
Dressed as a servant, she tapped the shoulder of one of the knights surrounding her. She just got thirsty.
“Here, it’s me. Can I just have a glass of wine?”
Even the attendants said that if they didn’t have much work, they would just quench their thirst, Adler said. Seeing the attendants sipping champagne and wine from time to time, she thought it would be okay to drink.
“Ah, yes. Of course! I will bring it to you.”
“No, I- um. Yes, please.”
When she moved, these four people had to move at the same time, which made it more cumbersome. She had no choice but to send the knight on an errand.
“Thank you to all of you who attended my welcome ceremony.”
Leone, who greeted briefly with a hard voice, gave the audience a quick look. He wouldn’t be able to see her well because she was far away anyway, but she was a little nervous. Could Leone find her?
As soon as she thought so, Leone’s gaze stopped. She felt like Leone was looking at her even though she was so far away. Precisely, the head was fixed in the direction facing her.
And, he laughed.
Why did he look so good when the corner of his mouth was pulled up on a face that looked faint? Her heart was beating, ‘thump, thump’.
