Chapter 12
‘If you think it’s such a waste, tell Belthanio to leave the imperial family quickly…’
The corners of my lips trembled.
I smiled quickly, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t hide my improper thoughts.
My mouth started pouting on its own.
‘No, stop. Hide it.’
I barely regained my composure and started acting like a proper lady humbly listening to the Emperor.
“I have always wanted to give Belthanio a stable and comfortable environment. I have high hopes that Lady Lana can become that kind of person for him.”
No, please lower those expectations.
“That’s right. House Demierd has never once been swept up in a great storm throughout the Empire’s history. How much Belthanio could learn from Lady Lana, who was raised and educated there.”
Well… not that much.
I’m actually someone who lived in a modern world. I calculate quickly and can be selfish.
They looked me over for a long time while I stood there.
And I couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.
‘What is this? It feels like they turned on a flashlight to inspect a delivered package for scratches.’
My feet were starting to swell, and my calves tightened painfully inside my shoes.
Just when I desperately wished they would let me go and call the next lady—
The Empress stood up and walked toward me.
“Lady Demierd, let us meet often. I will invite you again soon.”
In the quiet banquet hall, her words carried enormous weight.
‘Kelient doesn’t even have marriage talks yet, so why are you trying to marry off your youngest son first and making innocent people uncomfortable?’
If House Demierd had never adopted Ever, originally I would have been the only heir.
If this marriage arrangement had gone forward in that situation, House Demierd would inevitably have passed into a branch family.
‘Well, now that Ever exists as protection, maybe my parents are reviewing this marriage proposal more actively than before.’
Right now, the only person I could rely on was Belthanio.
Please throw a fit and say you don’t want to get married.
Fortunately, besides me, there were many ladies eager to meet the imperial family.
After hearing a few more polite words, I was finally allowed to leave.
…Or I was supposed to.
“Lady Demierd, I’ll send a letter to your family soon, so wait for it.”
Announcing a letter before sending it? What is this, a delivery notification?
I looked at Belthanio with annoyance and nodded vaguely.
Seriously, there wasn’t a single thing about him I liked.
‘He doesn’t even have that tragic charm. He’s just sly. Not my type.’
I widened my steps as much as possible and walked down from the platform.
Then—
I made eye contact with Celine, who looked unable to hide her nervousness.
‘She’s only from a count’s family, yet she’s being called later than daughters from marquis and duke families. Main-character privilege is insane.’
Since I came from a world where everyone was equal, I wasn’t jealous over things like that.
But I knew what it felt like to attract attention and become a target of envy.
So I could roughly imagine how anxious this place must make her feel.
‘Well, regardless, I’m just background scenery for your story.’
I turned away and stood against the wall, waiting for this dull moment to pass.
Fortunately, as soon as my turn ended, they called the only daughter of House Beriker.
As soon as her name was announced, she erased her nervous expression and walked confidently to the platform.
‘Should I watch Kelient’s expression?’
Could someone really remain calm after seeing such an overwhelmingly beautiful woman?
As the original male lead, he would manage his expression.
But honestly, I expected him to show at least some reaction—something different from how he looked at other ladies.
Yet unexpectedly—
He only glanced at Celine with an indifferent expression.
No reaction.
Belthanio also looked at her briefly with a bright smile before looking elsewhere.
Neither of them seemed especially interested.
“Anyone can see she is truly the daughter of House Beriker. Welcome back to your rightful place.”
Instead, the Emperor seemed very pleased with her and openly showed favor.
If you like her that much, maybe reconsider making Celine Belthanio’s partner instead of me…
I suppressed a yawn and shrank my shoulders.
I wanted to sit down or rest anywhere.
Then—
A lady approached my side and whispered.
“Lady Lana, did you hear? About that exploration stone that revealed Lady Celine’s identity?”
Speaking while the Emperor was talking was incredibly disrespectful, and she looked around nervously before lowering her voice even more.
“Everyone is in chaos trying to get one now. They’re saying that as soon as the debutante ends, people won’t return to their estates—they’ll go straight to the Swen Trading Company.”
She smiled proudly, as if she had delivered wonderful news, hid her mouth behind her fan, and looked back toward the platform.
I followed her gaze.
But the story of the exploration stone kept spreading through my thoughts.
Searching through Lana’s memories—
The lady who had spoken to me was usually known as someone passive in high society.
If even she knew about it, then the true value of the exploration stone had already become known.
And naturally, prices would explode.
‘As long as me and the Raymoon family make a fortune, that’s enough. Don’t think too deeply.’
A few minutes later, Celine’s audience also ended.
Not only me—everyone realized the imperial family viewed her specially.
She was already someone who would naturally stand at the center of attention.
But now people understood her position was stronger than expected.
Soon, people gathered around her.
‘At this point Harriet should go stand beside Celine. Since he doesn’t seem interested yet, he’ll probably come to me.’
Exactly as expected—
Harriet didn’t go to her.
He coldly turned away the ladies approaching him in beautiful dresses and came straight to me.
Then suddenly held out his hand.
“……?”
“…….”
“I don’t have anything to give you. Do you want my fan?”
I stared at him, confused.
He let out a helpless laugh.
“I’m asking you to hold my hand so we can move. You don’t like listening to people gossip in places like this.”
“Oh. You held it out to escort me. I see. But shouldn’t you stay here?”
Why was he trying to take me to a resting room instead of staying near Celine—the person his heart should be crying out for?
Besides, I preferred staying here.
Picking up snacks.
Standing in a corner.
Greeting other ladies.
That’s how you build connections in high society and get invited to tea parties.
“Then want to see the garden? There are too many people. Doesn’t it feel crowded?”
There were many guests.
But the imperial banquet hall itself was enormous.
And the terrace doors were wide open, letting in cool night air.
So there was no way it felt crowded.
“Not really? And the garden… I don’t need to see it now.”
I wasn’t interested in plants.
No matter how beautiful the imperial garden was—
I was more afraid of suddenly being attacked by a bee.
“…Tell me. Do you dislike being with me? Because His Highness Belthanio is here?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Don’t say dangerous things! Absolutely not.”
Maybe my repeated refusals didn’t sound convincing.
Harriet asked in a disappointed tone.
The content of his question was so ridiculous—
And so disrespectful—
That it completely shocked me.
I immediately grabbed Harriet’s hand and shouted—
“Let’s go!”
Maybe I said it too loudly.
People nearby turned to look at us.
“I didn’t expect that from her. She’s bold.”
“Well, those two have always been close.”
They started whispering and evaluating what I had just done.
Haha… haha…
I could only laugh.
What exactly would I gain from this kind of attention?
Later, when Harriet ended up glued to Celine’s side—
People would probably only talk about the pitiful daughter of House Demierd.
Even though I was the one who shouted first—
I still felt like Harriet was dragging me out of the banquet hall.
And just as we were about to leave—
“Um… excuse me… Lady Demierd?”
Someone called my name from behind in a timid, barely audible voice.
