Chapter 57
Did the hall just suddenly get colder?
âDonât bother listening to the words of people too shallow to recognize effort. Over there, I saw a dessert that looks like something youâd like, Tiana. Letâs go.â
â…Okay.â
Gilbert took my hand and started walking. Then he stopped abruptly and addressed one of the ladies.
âPardon me, but you should refrain from such vulgar behavior in the future. It might lead to your own ruin.â
Though Gilbert was speaking politely with a smile, his eyes definitely werenât smiling.
And this sudden chill in the airâthereâs no doubt itâs Gilbertâs magic.
But I really wish heâd stop pressuring everyone around us. The whole place just went silent.
Everyone seems completely overwhelmedâtheyâre all staring down, frozen in place.
And now, the atmosphere feels⊠sharp. Tense.
I could feel a piercing gaze on my back. When I glanced over, it was the Duke.
The Duke is really staring at us.
Both he and Gilbert are putting out way too much pressure. Everyone around them is practically frozen stiff.
The noble ladies who had been gossiping earlier were now pale, sweating, and bowing their heads.
They looked utterly shocked by the situation theyâd brought upon themselvesâthe color drained completely from their faces.
They must think theyâve just made enemies of the Aster family.
Well, I hope they can relax a littleâHis Grace isnât the type to actually do anything on my behalf.
Even though the atmosphere feels uncomfortable, I canât say I hate this feelingâŠ
Still, what am I supposed to do about this awkward silence?
Maybe the partyâs over now?
But we havenât even eaten yetâŠ
In the heavy quiet, only the musiciansâ melodies echoed softly through the hall.
Thenâ
âHis Imperial Majesty, Emperor Sylvester de Rios!
Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Flare de Rios!
His Imperial Highness, Prince Joshua de Riosâentering!â
The solemn announcement rang out through the hushed hall.
At once, the nobles who had been shrinking back snapped to attention and bowed deeply in reverence.
From beyond the grand doors appeared the Emperor himself, radiating an overwhelming sense of majesty.
With each confident step he took, he exuded an aura so commanding it was almost divineâlike a hero straight out of legend.
Beautiful. Ethereal.
It felt as though even the air in the hall was under his control, and everyone collectively held their breath.
Beside him walked a woman of stunning graceâthe Empressâwhose very presence dominated the space with a single step.
Her pure white gown shimmered like it was woven from moonlight, the delicate embroidery swaying gently as she moved.
Even without a single unnecessary jewel, her straight posture and refined dignity made her absolutely breathtaking.
âTruly, His Majesty is beautiful.â
Both factions of nobles seemed equally captivated by the Emperorâs beauty.
The tense, prickling atmosphere completely shifted the moment the Imperial family entered.
The second prince, Joshua de Rios, wore a faint, bored smile.
He was a young man dressed in a deep crimson ceremonial outfit embroidered with gold, his well-trained body evident even beneath the fabric.
Scanning the room with a nonchalant gaze, he exuded the air of a famously spoiled prince.
âSigh⊠another tedious gathering,â he murmured, rolling his shoulders in boredom.
I meanâacting so openly uninterested, without even bothering to keep up appearances?
Youâre royalty, though⊠isnât that kind of a problem?
