Chapter 91
The Token Marican Held
At the ball hosted by the Crown Princess, the nobles’ attention was fixed on two things.
First was how Patricia had decorated the hall. Normally, Antwat’s banquets had been so gaudy they hurt the eyes, so many wondered what kind of display Patricia, who had no real backing in the Omancourt, could put together. Most expected she wouldn’t be able to rival Bianca, who was still the true power in the palace, despite Antwat’s fall and confinement in the tower.
But to everyone’s surprise, not a single trace of Antwat’s influence could be found in the decorations. Whispers swirled, though no one dared voice them: Just how did Patricia manage to overcome Bianca?
The second point of interest was Ruan and Marican’s marriage announcement.
Ever since Ruan’s miraculous return, she had shaken the empire searching for Marican, while Marican herself had kept far away from social circles. The nobles, who had only caught a fleeting glimpse of her at the wedding, barely remembered her face.
Now, as expected, Viseluc formally declared the marriage. Marican appeared before the crowd—more plain than most had imagined, yet carrying an elegant, dignified air that drew curious gazes.
But then Lucianne’s bold words left the hall in stunned silence. Everyone instinctively glanced toward Ruan, expecting her temper to flare. If she truly were denied marriage with Marican, would she ever stand idly by? After all, this was the same Ruan once hailed as the Empire’s envoy of death.
Some nobles even looked on Lucianne with pity—so young and reckless to openly oppose Ruan’s marriage.
The hall was still buzzing with unease when Patricia suddenly spoke up, silencing the room.
“What do you mean? The Crown Princess and the Duke’s future wife are sworn sisters? Is that true?”
Viseluc asked in shock.
Patricia, calm and smiling, turned toward Marican.
“Marican, it’s all right. Tell them the truth—that you and I are sworn sisters.”
Marican hesitated, clearly flustered.
“W-well… yes, that’s true, but—”
Lucianne cut in furiously.
“That’s impossible! How could she—a mere commoner—be the sworn sister of the Crown Princess? No matter how loyal the Duke is to His Highness, you cannot spout such lies! That girl is nothing more than a peasant!”
The sharp crack of a hand striking flesh rang through the ballroom. Patricia had slapped her across the face.
“How dare the daughter of a lowly viscount accuse me of lying? Do you wish to be executed for treason against the royal family?”
Lucianne’s cheek burned, but she pressed her head to the floor, trembling.
“You misunderstand, Your Highness. I meant no insult. Only that Marican is of common birth, and could not possibly—”
How dull. Already groveling? Where’s the fun in that? Patricia thought to herself, smiling sweetly as she helped the girl back to her feet.
“Come now, Lady Viscountess. On your knees already, after just a single slap? Since no one seems inclined to believe my words, I shall prove them. Sir Arnold of Alomand—step forward.”
A distinguished man in the crowd approached, bowing deeply.
“I greet Your Highness, Crown Princess.”
Patricia handed him a pendant.
“Tell them what this means.”
Arnold examined it carefully.
“This pendant signifies a member of the royal family of Allomand. Princes and princesses alike carry them, though each design differs. For a princess, the emblem is a hawk clutching a black rose, as you see here.”
“And if someone else carries the very same pendant as mine?” Patricia pressed.
Arnold’s voice was steady.
“Then that person holds rank equal to Alomand royalty, with the same authority.”
Patricia turned to Marican.
“Show them the token I gave you.”
Marican blinked in surprise.
“The… the pendant?”
She hesitated, realizing she hadn’t brought it—until Ruan quietly pressed it into her hand.
Marican glanced at her husband in confusion, then stepped forward and revealed it to Arnold.
The man inspected it, then solemnly returned it. To everyone’s shock, he bowed low to Marican.
“The lady’s pendant is proof of equal rank to Alomand royalty. Thus, I offer her the same respect as to a princess.”
Gasps rippled through the nobles. Marican herself was struck speechless. Royalty? Me?
Patricia leaned close, whispering with a gentle smile.
“Do not worry. This is only to prove you and Ruan can be wed. In the Empire, this pendant is nothing but jewelry. Only in Alomand does it truly hold such power.”
Marican’s hands trembled as she clutched the pendant.
Patricia straightened, her voice carrying.
“As you see, Marican, the Duke’s bride, bears the token of Allomand’s royal house. How then can anyone claim their marriage is impossible?”
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances. Viseluc studied Marican with new interest. So this is the woman Ruan overturned the Empire to find… He remembered the papers filled with desperate ads, the Duke’s six-month leave just to bring her back. She seemed so plain, yet the once-emotionless Ruan gazed at her now with a warmth that softened even his icy face.
Fascinating, Viseluc thought. The woman who crippled the God of War… and now revealed as tied to Allomand royalty. No wonder Ruan treasures her.
At last, Viseluc spoke with a benevolent smile.
“The law forbids a noble to marry a commoner—but this woman is no commoner. The pendant proves she holds the same rank as Allomand royalty. Therefore, Duke Ruan and Marican shall be wed without delay. As this union binds our Empire and Alomand, I myself will attend the ceremony.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ruan said, bowing deeply.
Marican, still dazed, followed suit.
Viseluc’s eyes twinkled.
“Marican, was it? Come to the palace soon. I find I have many questions for you.”
Her heart skipped a beat. The Emperor… has questions for me?
Before she could gather her thoughts, Viseluc departed with the Empress, leaving the nobles to buzz in his wake.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Duchess-to-be,” the ladies crowded in, smiling brightly.
“Th-thank you…” Marican murmured, still overwhelmed.
One after another, noblewomen offered their blessings, recalling how Ruan had searched the empire for her. Their words only deepened her astonishment.
And then Patricia appeared at her side, smiling slyly.
“Well, now that everyone’s finished offering their congratulations, would you kindly return my sister to me?”
