"Announcing Lady Evangelin Rohanson of the Rohanson County, and Sir Gabriel, Commander of the Pharos Knight Order!"
With the servant's proclamation, the gazes of the people densely packed in the massive banquet hall fixed squarely on us. I had thought the temple buildings were incredibly ornate, but the imperial palace was beyond comparison.
Even the patterns on the walls were carved with such delicate craftsmanship that one couldn't even begin to estimate how much money had been lavished upon them. In one corner, an orchestra was playing, and servants circulated throughout, serving wine.
People's attire was dazzlingly splendid as well. The crowd of people all murmuring while looking our way—that definitely wasn't just my imagination. A combination of a chaste, incorruptible holy knight and the century's villainess—of course it would attract attention.
Feels like I've become some kind of attention-seeker. People are buzzing and whispering among themselves, but the words are buried under the music and tangled together so I can't distinguish what they're saying.
"It's noisy."
The moment I spoke, the commotion ceased. I think I even heard someone hiccup.
"My Lady."
Gabriel called me softly, signaling me to be careful. I only meant to comment that it was noisy, but I didn't expect everyone to clam up like that... Is this the influence of a villainess born to dominate high society? I really can't just say anything carelessly now.
"My daughter, Evangelin! You've arrived!"
A familiar man popped out from among the people and offered a greeting. It was the Count who had left without waiting for me, going ahead on his own.
Gritting my teeth and clearly displeased, yet putting on a show of intimacy—apparently the warning I gave him about acting like a loving father-daughter pair while eating had sunk in. With this, the rumors about my bad relationship with the Count should quiet down somewhat. Of course, there would also be criticism that we were putting on appearances out of concern for public scrutiny.
The Count had goosebumps on his arm, as if he found his own actions cringeworthy and creepy.
"Why are you so late?"
"Didn't you depart too early, Father?"
To interpret: the Count was scolding me, saying "You should have come quickly and made an impression on the Duke—what were you doing instead?" And I retorted, "If you're going to complain, you should have taken me with you."
"Surely my maternal grandfather hasn't already passed away?"
"No. He's still holding his seat. Based on where you're looking now, it's the 10 o'clock direction. You'll recognize him since he resembles your face."
Looking past the Count, I indeed saw a grandfather who looked so much like Evangelin that their blood relation was immediately apparent. Evangelin's maternal grandfather, Duke Hosaquin, was an old man with white hair swept back neatly, possessing a sharp and imposing aura. Unlike what the Count had said about him being on the verge of death, he looked remarkably hale. See, I told you his poor health was just an unfounded rumor. The Count lowered his voice and got to the main point.
"Today is your chance, so make sure to leave a proper impression."
"You don't need to remind me—I know perfectly well. That's the deal, isn't it? So Father, make sure you're prepared to return to the territory as well."
"I've already instructed the territory accordingly."
That was all there was to discuss with the Count, so once we'd said our piece, there was no further topic of conversation. Truly a desolate pair. The Count now turned his attention to Gabriel.
"So you're that Sir Gabriel."
"Yes. I've visited the Rohanson County residence several times, but this is the first time I've actually met you. I am Gabriel."
"I am Coleus Rohanson. To have caught this one's interest—you must be quite unfortunate as well."
The Count deliberately puffed up his authority and patted Gabriel's shoulder. Considering how even the Marquis's son had cowered before Gabriel, the position of Knight Commander shouldn't be lowly enough for a Count to look down on him. I suppose the Count is getting ahead of himself thinking Gabriel might be his prospective son-in-law, giving him a taste of what dealing with in-laws would be like.
Gabriel gently took the Count's hand and lowered it while countering.
"On the contrary, if the Lady takes interest in me, that would truly be an honor."
"Hah, they said a pure knight fell in love and became a fool—I see now that saying was true."
The Count sneered in dissatisfaction. Hey, why are you picking a fight with someone who's already troubled? I only recently rejected that so-called love of the century that supposedly turned him into a fool, you know...?
Worried the Count might keep provoking him, I should send him away. Making a show that the father-daughter relationship isn't entirely bad—this much should be sufficient.
"If we suddenly stick together like flipping a palm, others will find it even more suspicious, so shall we part ways here? Father, if you don't intend to stay with me continuously, you should go mingle with others."
I urged the Count to return to the group he'd been with before I arrived. Though the Count was displeased at receiving my suggestion, he had no further pretext to linger together, so he quietly withdrew after telling me to make a good impression on the Duke. Watching the Count's retreating figure, Gabriel spoke up.
"It seems you and the Count aren't on bad terms."
"Our interests simply aligned."
No matter how you look at it, the relationship is nothing but bad, isn't it? The Count doesn't know I'm possessed—he probably thinks I'm just suffering from memory loss—but given this attitude, Evangelin and he must not have been on good terms originally either.
Looking at the Countess's paintings filling the storeroom, Evangelin seemed to have loved her mother dearly, so there's no way she would have liked the father who tormented her mother. Even I, having only read the diary, got angry and took it out on the Count.
"Then the mention of returning to the territory—is that also connected to these interests?"
"No, that's purely for my own business."
"Then... will you continue to stay in the territory in the future?"
Gabriel asked hesitantly and cautiously. Why is he being so heavy and pitiful today...? Is he worried that I'll leave the capital and stay in the territory forever, making it hard to see me in the future? He's really dramatic... This time it was enough to make even me feel a bit tingly.
"I'm just going briefly. I'll stay for a few days and return here where you are."
Last time I pushed him away, so today I need to pull him back. If I'm going to pull, I should do it properly. When I gave him perfunctory words, Gabriel seemed to secretly like it without showing it openly. To keep from dying, I have to keep playing with Gabriel and maintain this state... My conscience hurts. How am I different from the Count who tricked Evangelin's mother into a fraudulent marriage for money?
In the meantime, Mrs. Toten, who had briefly separated to make our entrance, came back to find me.
"Lady Rohanson."
Mrs. Toten seemed to have exchanged light greetings with acquaintances she hadn't seen in a while and returned directly to me. Perhaps she'd found stability through conversing with people—the anxious appearance was gone, and she'd regained her usual composure.
"Shall we go pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince now?"
"Yes, let's."
Following Mrs. Toten, Gabriel and I headed straight to the head table. Ascending the banquet hall's dais, a beautiful man with shimmering golden hair came into view. What? He's handsome? The Crown Prince isn't a middle-aged uncle?
"Lord Oratorio is the Imperial Grandson."
Gabriel explained in a whisper. Ah. That outstanding grandson the Emperor wants to skip a generation to succeed the throne... I thought "grandson" would naturally mean a young child, but he was older and more handsome than I expected. So "outstanding" meant his face.
The Imperial Grandson had platinum blonde hair and was a textbook handsome man. Blonde? Right. Timeline-wise, it's about time for one more male lead to appear. Blonde and future emperor—perfect.
"And the person beside him is His Highness Crown Prince Loudes."
Looking to the side, there sat an uncle with excessively little presence. I didn't even know he was there. I almost threw up my heart thinking a ghost had suddenly popped out.
He was a Crown Prince with so little presence that I wondered how a father and son could be so unalike. Even I, an outsider, could understand why they wanted to skip a generation for the succession. Oratorio was blonde while the Crown Prince had black hair, making the contrast even more stark. The Crown Prince was also handsome, so why does he have no presence? I was scrutinizing what made them so different when I felt a sense of déjà vu from the Crown Prince's face.
Black hair, blue eyes, an expression that looked slightly cold... Wait, Gabriel?
I rolled my eyes and alternated between comparing Gabriel and the Crown Prince. They look alike? Is this some birth secret? It was too much like conjecture—the Crown Prince and Gabriel looked too similar. And in romance fantasy novels, overlapping hair colors usually meant a high probability of being family.
Right. It was a bit weak for the male lead to just be a knight commander! Gabriel was royalty! Is the Crown Prince Gabriel's biological father? The age difference doesn't seem that large—could they be brothers...? Given the titles, the probability of being a prince was highest.
"And beside them are Jeremiah and Tenebrey."
Does Gabriel know he's royalty? Seeing him calmly introducing them, it seems like he doesn't know.
To the right of the Crown Prince, two women who looked exactly alike sat like a painting.
Gabriel explained that the two were twins and Oratorio's younger siblings, Jeremiah and Tenebrey. They could be your sisters too... or nieces. Come to think of it, I remember hearing about these two as well. True to the romance fantasy genre, twins were considered a bad omen, and there was even a prophecy that caused quite a talk about needing to kill one when they were born. The Emperor threw a fit saying it was nonsense and that he'd raise both, so they survived.
In cases like this, usually only one receives discriminatory treatment... Yikes, I must have stared too openly because I almost made eye contact. Which one of Jeremiah or Tenebrey did I almost make eye contact with?
I hurriedly memorized their names and offered my greetings.
"Your Highness Loudes, I congratulate you on this glorious day."
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
"You may rise. Thank you, Marchioness Toten. Knight Commander Gabriel."
The Crown Prince uncle laughed good-naturedly and returned the greeting. I thought he had no presence, but perhaps because authority backed him, even his briefly spoken words carried an implicit weight.
"And the young lady beside you, I don't believe I've seen her before—would you introduce her?"
Fortunately, no mishap occurred like in novels where they keep making people greet each other to torment them.
I grabbed my dress and bent my knees. Every fingertip was at a perfect angle. Teacher Doryne, I did it! Similarly maintaining my posture firmly, I stood again.
When I smiled with my eyes, I heard someone somewhere gasp. It wouldn't be a proper romance fantasy without that kind of reaction. Honestly, I gave such an incredibly perfect greeting that the audience had every right to admire. I dedicate this glory once again to Teacher Doryne.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Evangelin Rohanson."
"Rohanson?"
Oratorio beside me chewed over my name.
"Rohanson... the one from the rumors..."
How widely had talk of Evangelin spread that even the imperial family knew? Rumors really do spread too fast in romance fantasy high society.
Oratorio was about to add something when the Crown Prince cut him off.
"Ah yes. I heard you were in poor health. I'm honored that you attended my banquet despite that."
With giving the birthday gift to the Crown Prince uncle last, the greeting ended.
"A sword?"
The Crown Prince unwrapped the gift I gave, murmured briefly, and showed no particular reaction before placing it on the pile of gifts behind him. What, that's the whole reaction? He's not even going to draw it and look?
"Thank you, Lady Rohanson. It should be just right for the coming hunting season."
The Crown Prince offered a perfunctory thanks. Wait, where are you going to use an edgeless sword? That's just an artifact, you know? The condition was so good he must have thought it was a practical sword for actual use.
What hunting season—you'll go and get hunted instead if you take that. I wanted to tell him to draw and check it, but recalling my decision to behave demurely, I held back. Whatever. He'll probably check it himself later.
The people filling the Lion Palace's banquet hall momentarily froze and lost their words.
As silver-threaded hair cascaded, it seemed as if all light had gathered together, and the worn dress shimmered at every step, the gold threads and decorations reflecting light brilliantly.
The white woman's presence was so vivid it stole gazes and blinded eyes, making even the colorful hues of the splendid banquet hall fade.
"...Evangelin Rohanson? Truly a monster as the rumors say."
If one calls what lies far beyond human common sense, what intellect cannot possibly comprehend, a monster—then Evangelin Rohanson was indeed a being standing at its pinnacle.
Her terribly abstract appearance was suspicious even to call God's sculpture. There was insufficient warmth to say God made her with affection. Rather, it was closer to a sculpted work that a blasphemous existence mimicking divine power had painstakingly crafted over a thousand years, realizing even the skin's epidermis in detail. That the sculpture breathed and moved and spoke words—its very existence was mockery, irreverence, and the symbol of arrogance itself.
Her lips drew back softly to form a gentle curve. Her smile, too, was perfect and graceful as if showing the most ideal form practiced hundreds of times. And so, she didn't seem like a fellow human being.
Arrogant red eyes swept through the Lion Palace's interior.
Those who met her gaze tucked their tails and held their breath as if facing a predator right before them. Some even hiccuped from lack of breath. Feeling that their throats would soon be pierced by sharp fangs and their windpipes severed, they wanted to flee immediately.
Evangelin Rohanson, with a chaste knight of contrasting color by her side, exchanged greetings with her father, Count Rohanson. A subtle unpleasantness arose as if forcibly stuffing something into an ill-fitting frame like mimicking a human, but outwardly she appeared nothing if not a perfect noble lady.
Even the greeting offered with proper etiquette before the Crown Prince was flawless like a textbook, without a single excess, making her seem like a wind-up doll moving exactly as programmed.
"But why is Mrs. Toten serving as chaperone for such a one...?"
"Must be because of her son, right? Since similar rumors were circulating..."
Kinder Toten, serving as Evangelin's chaperone by her side, endured the piercing gazes and words by pretending not to notice.
It was no exaggeration to say that all eyes in the banquet hall were gathered in one place. When something distinctly different existed among a crowd of people, instinctively attention was drawn to it.
Even the imperial family was no exception to fearing Lady Rohanson. Particularly, the Crown Prince was rigid, barely feigning calm while struggling not to be crushed. Upon receiving a sword as a gift, he was so frightened he couldn't even bring himself to draw it. Compared to the Crown Prince, the Imperial Grandchildren were rather more intact.
"Please enjoy the banquet well."
With the Crown Prince's final greeting, Evangelin descended from the dais.
Though called a debutante, since she hadn't officially debuted but used the Crown Prince's invitation as a shortcut, there wasn't really an audience ceremony to speak of.
Not only Evangelin but quite a few others used similar shortcuts, and among the young noble ladies walking about, some wore flowers proving their debutante status.
Kinder unconsciously fingered the crystal flower as she explained the general flow of the banquet to Evangelin.
"The formal banquet will begin after His Highness the Crown Prince demonstrates the first dance. Until then, you'll circulate through the banquet hall appropriately, exchanging greetings with others."
This was the sequence she should have taught as chaperone beforehand, but she'd been too busy nursing Ryder for five days to explain.
Suddenly remembering her son who had tragically departed, tears seemed about to flow, so Kinder desperately erased the thought. To keep Ryder's last words, she couldn't let anyone know the child had died, so she had to pretend nothing was wrong and maintain her composure.
After finishing the explanation, Kinder turned her gaze to Gabriel.
"Shall we focus on greeting those on the list Sir Gabriel prepared? Is introducing the Lady to them sufficient?"
"Yes, that should be enough."
Gabriel had entrusted Kinder with the chaperone role and passed along a list of nobles and influential figures. His request to have them meet Evangelin was included. Coincidentally, the people on Gabriel's list were all frequent temple visitors, so Kinder knew them as well.
Just as she was about to start greeting from the place where most were gathered, a knight looked around and approached Gabriel.
"Commander! Sir Muzeta says he's found strange traces and insists the Commander must confirm them personally."
"I need to confirm them?"
"He emphasized that Sir Gabriel absolutely must be called."
Gabriel looked at Evangelin with trouble evident on his face. He didn't want to leave Evangelin if possible, but the one calling for Gabriel was Sir Muzeta, the Crown Prince's escort.
"Lady Rohanson, would it be alright if I briefly stepped away?"
Gabriel cautiously asked for permission. To Kinder, he looked like someone waiting only for his master's permission.
"Yes, please do so."
"I will return before the first dance begins."
Once permission fell from Evangelin's lips, Gabriel carefully kissed the end of her white glove as if handling something extremely precious. The knight promised to return to the blasphemous one rather than God and hurried toward the Crown Prince's escort. Evangelin watched his retreating back, then turned her gaze to Kinder and spoke as if she'd been waiting for the moment Gabriel disappeared.
"Mrs. Toten. May I ask one more favor?"
"Yes, of course. Anything."
At Kinder's unconditional agreement, Evangelin's fierce expression softened somewhat. Kinder fully understood why the renowned holy knight was playing servant to Lady Rohanson at the relatively gentle response that came immediately upon showing submission. The privilege of standing in a position of differential superiority was this pleasant.
"Do you remember what I mentioned before?"
"Which words are you referring to?"
When was she talking about? The day Lady Rohanson first visited the Marquis's residence? Perhaps because it was such a shocking meeting, the words Evangelin had spoken that day were vividly etched in her brain. When Kinder nodded, Evangelin continued.
"I really want to speak with my maternal grandfather... Would you help me?"
Evangelin had indeed brought up Duke Hosaquin before, but wasn't that just a lie to create a pretext?
"Duke Hosaquin?"
"Yes. We're blood relatives, but being this distant feels such a pity."
At the matter-of-fact words, Kinder rubbed her arms as chills ran through them. Despite being indebted to Evangelin, she got goosebumps.
Kinder had witnessed how Ryder was resurrected before her eyes, and she'd realized how Evangelin, said to be dead, was alive and well. Like Ryder, she'd noticed that the contents inside the dead husk were different, so the sight of Evangelin pretending to be herself came across even more eerily. Nevertheless, Kinder couldn't refuse Evangelin's request.
"Duke Hosaquin has cut ties with the Countess, and rumors of this are rampant... so he might not be able to speak properly. But if the Lady wishes, I'll try."
"That's enough."
Kinder kept watch on Duke Hosaquin intermittently, considering when would be good to approach, and decided to first handle what Gabriel had requested. Right now, the place where most of the names on the list were gathered was...
After deciding where to head, they set out in that direction. People became wary and tense, but when Kinder acted as if she would introduce them, they immediately sent expectant glances.
"Mrs. Toten, what's going on? You're serving as chaperone—did you know Lady Rohanson? You've never once mentioned that!"
"Please introduce us as well."
"I didn't inform you all beforehand because I also received a sudden request from Sir Gabriel. Please greet her—this is Lady Rohanson."
Between envious gazes, curiosity that couldn't be contained, and various reactions from those who'd heard rumors and were wary, the people whose names were on the list the holy knight passed on showed particularly different reactions.
"It's an honor to meet you. I am Evangelin Rohanson."
The voice came dreamily, as if heard in a dream. Viscount and Viscountess Uvala, Count Taphony's daughter, the merchant Glacia Lake. The four people on the list stared blankly at Evangelin as if still in a dream.
"You're looking so openly—it's a bit embarrassing."
Evangelin curved her eyes in warning without any smile. Then people hurriedly apologized and began lavishing flattery. Who knows what slander they might spew behind her back, but few would dare offend her temperament right to Evangelin's face.
Though there was no particular topic, the conversation flowed without interruption. Several people gathered were weaving conversation topics solely for one person, so it was closer to a performance. When conversation material was running thin, Evangelin raised a topic.
"Mrs. Toten. It would be nice to stay here and continue talking, but didn't you say earlier there was someone else you'd introduce me to separately?"
She meant to leave since they should go find others too. Kinder read the room and chimed in, asking for understanding.
"That's right. The conversation was so enjoyable I momentarily forgot. I apologize for breaking the atmosphere, but the Lady and I will take our leave. I hope you all enjoy the rest of the banquet."
After Evangelin left, those left behind sighed watching the white dress hem receding.
"Did I dream a dream?"
The people whose names were on the list returned to appearances overflowing with vitality, as if it were a lie that they'd been walking around blankly like they'd lost their minds lately.
"Lady Taphony, you've been so out of it lately, but now you seem a bit better."
"I was blank? That can't be."
"Last time you spilled all your tea while drinking and didn't even react. That hot tea..."
"...I did?"
Lady Taphony covered her mouth with her hand like a surprised person, asking back as if she had no memory at all. On the back of the lady's hand remained faint burn marks.
Kinder made rounds with Evangelin in tow, exchanging greetings several times. After circulating five times, Evangelin suggested a rest.
"Shall we rest for a moment? Mrs. Toten, you truly have many connections. Greeting everyone you've introduced me to is draining my energy."
Evangelin was tired of continuously circulating and accommodating people's moods. No matter how inhuman a being she was, dealing with many humans was apparently exhausting.
Kinder found it a bit interesting, smiled and nodded, then startled that she herself had smiled and closed her mouth. How... how could she smile on the day her son died? She felt like a monster herself. Calming her anxiety, she touched the crystal flower.
"Are you tired too, Mrs. Toten?"
"Yes? Yes... I suppose so."
Evangelin noticed Kinder's anxiety and called a maid serving wine to take a glass. She took one herself, pressed a glass of wine into Kinder's hand, then arbitrarily clinked the glasses and looked at Kinder as if telling her to drink quickly. Kinder hesitated, then wet her lips. After the rich fruit fragrance passed, a bitter acidity remained. Since she didn't originally enjoy wine, the taste felt subtle.
"Does the wine help a bit?"
"Yes. I feel a bit relieved."
Still, with alcohol entering her, her mood seemed to improve somewhat. Her heart, which had been beating rapidly as if standing at the edge of a cliff, calmed a little.
Kinder handed the empty glass back to the maid. Strangely, unlike other servants, this maid was covering below her nose with a scarf. When Kinder looked at her questioningly, the maid drew an X over her scarf. She seemed to be covering her mouth deliberately because she couldn't speak. Among the servants in the banquet hall, the only one covering her mouth with a scarf was this maid right before her eyes.
The maid who received the wine glass back moved on with busy steps.