Chapter 15: An Invitation from the Duke
Early that morning, within the quiet halls of the palace, Caesar came seeking Emilia.
"A companion? You mean… you want to be my partner for the debut ball?"
Emilia lazily folded the book in her hands and turned her gaze toward the prince who had suddenly come to visit.
"That's right. It was Her Majesty Sophia's suggestion," Caesar replied with a nod.
Sophia's idea?
Emilia's mind ticked over quietly.
That woman must be under tremendous pressure to come up with something so absurd. Emilia truly had no desire to attend the ball with someone like Caesar as her companion.
But after thinking it through… who else was even worthy of standing beside her?
Her eyes drifted toward the Beastman she had recently picked up, standing silently nearby.
He doesn't look too bad, she thought, but he's only a knight. Hardly carries the status or weight for such a position.
Emilia sighed softly.
"Fine. If nothing else changes, I'll go with you to the ball. But don't take that as a promise."
After sending Caesar away, she slumped lazily back into her chair.
She despised this life as a princess, the etiquette, the politics, the endless ceremonies, yet it was the life she had chosen. No matter how suffocating it became, she had to endure it.
"Your Highness… Do you dislike the Crown Prince?"
Dyan, who had been quietly standing by, couldn't help but ask curiously.
"I hate people who aren't smart enough."
Emilia's tone was indifferent, almost cold.
If Caesar had even a shred of intelligence, he should have already tried to have her killed, or at least driven her out of Velarent kingdom by now.
She had hoped life in the palace might bring some excitement, but Caesar's inaction was utterly disappointing.
Emilia had drawn a boundary for herself: she would not strike first unless absolutely necessary.
To interfere too deeply with fate would only invite more [karma], and the more [karma] she carried, the weaker her power as an Astrologer would grow… until it faded completely.
"Could that idiot really just see me as his little sister?"
The mere thought of it made Emilia's stomach twist in boredom.
"Then…," Dyan hesitated.
He wanted to ask what she thought of him, but the fear of rejection stopped the words in his throat. If she said she hated him too, he knew he wouldn't bear it.
"What's with that sad face?"
Emilia chuckled softly, amused by his pitiful expression.
With a light curl of her finger, she beckoned him closer.
Dyan instantly obeyed, kneeling on one knee beside her. His clear blue eyes, bright and earnest, caught her gaze, eyes that glowed like a wild sky before dawn.
"Dyan, you have a face I quite like," she said with a teasing smile. "So there's no need to look so worried."
"Really?" His ears twitched slightly as his eyes widened in surprise.
The innocent sparkle in those blue eyes reminded Emilia of a loyal puppy. And like any small, devoted creature, it stirred a tenderness deep inside her.
"Yes, that's it. Good boy," she murmured, extending her hand.
Dyan leaned into her palm, pressing his cheek against it as he looked up at her, gaze unwavering and pure.
Raising small creatures truly did lift one's mood.
Emilia's good mood lasted throughout the day, until afternoon, when Helena entered her chambers holding an envelope sealed with an ornate crest.
"What's that?" Emilia asked, curiosity piqued as she took the letter.
"This crest…" she frowned, examining the golden insignia embossed on the wax.
Helena replied promptly.
"It belongs to Duke Lukas Von Premirer. One of his attendants delivered it personally."
Lukas Von Premirer?
Emilia sifted through her memory, she didn't recall much about that man, only the basic details she'd read. He was a renowned figure after all.
Born from a minor noble family, Lukas had risen through sheer talent in swordsmanship to become a Royal Knight, later distinguishing himself on the battlefield.
He was said to be close to Caesar… so Emilia had never imagined such a man would send her a letter.
Could this be some sort of trap orchestrated by Sophia?
No, that didn't make sense. Sophia didn't have the influence to involve someone like that famous Duke.
Breaking the seal, Emilia opened the envelope.
Inside lay a finely crafted, gold-edged invitation, elegant and understated, yet impossible to ignore.
Her eyes flicked over the neat handwriting.
"He wants to be… my companion for the debut ball?"
A slow, dangerous smile curved across her lips.
What an interesting proposal.