Chapter 42
Tristan, circling the imperial palace with his wyvern, landed lightly on the balcony connected to the imperial library.
‘If there’s no information, I’ll have to come get it myself.’
He figured no one would be in the library on the day of a banquet.
No—that was just an excuse.
The real reason he came here, of all days when Maya was visiting the palace, was deeply personal.
Even if he couldn’t be by her side, he still wanted to exist in the same space as her.
Just in case—
Just in case Maya ended up in a situation where she needed him, he could pretend he had no choice but to step in.
Of course, no one at House Beiadin knew where Tristan was.
It wasn’t as if Dossien would accept the crazy idea of barging into the imperial palace without permission.
But sometimes, to get what you want, you have to take risks.
Since Liserfield didn’t know what Tristan looked like, even if he were discovered, there was little risk that House Beiadin would be blamed.
The balcony window to the imperial library was still open. That meant someone was inside.
Tristan moved swiftly and slipped in. The vast room, filled with rows and rows of bookshelves, felt like a maze.
“Oh, who—”
The moment he entered, he knocked out the startled librarian with a swift blow to the back of the neck, then caught the swaying body in his arms.
“Pardon me.”
He didn’t forget his manners.
He still had a conscience, after all.
Tristan gathered up the poor overworked staff who couldn’t attend the banquet and laid them gently on the sofas to sleep.
Leaving the wyvern to stand guard, Tristan locked the door with a key he had obtained.
It was shocking how lax the palace’s library security was.
Then again, it was clear Liserfield had little interest in books or knowledge.
‘Lucky for me.’
Tristan began scanning the room quickly. Time was limited, and he had to move carefully.
After the emperor left, the nobles finally relaxed and began enjoying the banquet.
It was normal for the emperor to excuse himself from these events.
His presence usually made people feel like they were walking on a frozen lake—cold and unnerving—so most welcomed his absence.
“Lady Maya, it’s time to prepare.”
Dossien whispered meaningfully as he leaned in beside Maya.
‘What does he mean by that?’
Maya tensed up instinctively, but it didn’t take long to understand.
People had begun lining up to greet her.
It was their first chance to meet the Grand Duchess of House Beiadin—of course they were eager.
“Greetings, Your Grace!”
Dossien skillfully managed the scene.
“Please form a line. Her Grace will meet each of you one at a time.”
Thanks to him, Maya witnessed something surreal at her first banquet: people forming an orderly queue just to greet her.
The hall wasn’t small, yet an oddly large number of people clustered around her.
“Good evening, Your Grace. My name is—”
“Your Grace, my name is—”
Countless people introduced themselves, each eager to shake her hand and ask her to remember their name.
Among them, Maya recognized some familiar faces.
Those who had mocked and shunned her when she visited the imperial knights.
‘It’s shameful to be in the same order as you.’
‘Your only talent is having the right bloodline.’
Those who once ridiculed her now bowed deeply and fawned.
All it took was adding the name “Beiadin.”
They must have seen her confront House Pendragon earlier, yet they didn’t seem to care at all.
If she were still a Pendragon, the situation would be completely different.
Even as the commander of the knights, I was never this respected.
Maya hadn’t changed—but the world’s perception of her had.
So this is the power of House Beiadin.
She now understood just how important the honor that the Pendragon family had lost truly was.
Even if she had been disowned, a longing to regain that kind of pride stirred within her.
But first, I need to finish these introductions.
She wasn’t particularly interested in befriending anyone, so she let their words enter one ear and leave the other.
By the time the line ended, Maya was more exhausted than after any training session—possibly even more.
There was a big difference between what you already knew how to do and what you were learning anew.
“You can probably slip out soon,”
Dossien said gently, noticing how drained she looked.
He had no idea just how grueling this must be for someone like Maya, who’d never been through high society.
“I’m okay,” Maya replied firmly.
She hadn’t yet achieved her goal for coming here. It was too soon to leave.
“But I should rest a bit.”
And the best way to rest? Food.
Maya weaved through the crowd and made her way to the buffet table.
Something sweet, definitely.
She piled her plate high with macarons, ignoring the gasps around her, and confidently walked out onto the terrace.
She thought she heard people stifling shocked sounds.
What’s the big deal about eating macarons?
Shrugging, Maya pulled the curtain around the terrace and even closed the door behind her.
No one could bother her while she ate.
“Someone’s already here. The polite thing would be to leave.”
A cold voice pierced her ear the moment the door shut.
That voice… I’ve heard it before.
She turned, delighted, and confirmed her guess—there stood Seren Baker, arms crossed, staring at her icily.
With her long golden hair and red eyes, she was a stunning beauty.
She was about a hand shorter than Maya, but Maya was quite tall, so it didn’t detract from her presence.
It was unexpected to find Seren out here, though.
“There are people inside looking for you. How did you get away?”
Even if this banquet was in Maya’s name, she assumed the real star would soon take center stage.
Someone like Seren Baker, for example.
With a title like Grand Duchess, maybe people flocked to her—but if it were up to Maya, she’d go straight to someone like Seren.
It was an honest thought, but there was no way Seren would interpret it that kindly.
Seren gave a frosty smile.
“Thanks to someone stealing the spotlight, I was able to slip away for a break. I’m grateful, truly.”
“I see.”
Whoever did that, good job. Thanks to them, Maya got to meet Seren like this.
“Yes. Quite.”
But Seren’s eyes held a sharp edge as they looked at Maya.
The one who stole the spotlight…
It took Maya a moment to realize Seren was referring to her.
So it was a compliment—and Maya hadn’t even noticed.
Perfect chance to build some goodwill.
Maya smiled brightly and answered.
“I’m honored I gave you a chance to rest. I was hoping to speak with you anyway.”
Seren gave her a strange look.
Did I say something wrong?
Maya hadn’t said anything bad. She anxiously waited for Seren’s response.
“It’s an honor for me as well, that Her Grace has something to say to me. What might that be?”
Seren was definitely different from the other nobles.
Unlike those who’d eagerly approached Maya, Seren’s expressionless face made her feel tense.
I should start by breaking the ice.
But Seren didn’t seem to have a favorable impression of her, which worried Maya.
For once, she carefully chose her words.
I can’t exactly blurt out, “I know you’re going to die.” That’d make me sound crazy.
Even Maya knew better than that.
Starting with common ground would be best. They were both wearing dresses by the same designer, Ophrage—it was the perfect opening.
She probably doesn’t like my bloodline… Maybe if I show her some noble charm she didn’t expect from a Pendragon…
Having made up her mind, Maya decided to try a proper noble’s manner of speech.
“It’s just… your dress is so lovely. Ophrage gowns are always flawless.”
“Oh? Are you criticizing me for wearing the same designer?”
“What? How did you get that from what I said?”
“Isn’t that what you implied?”
When Maya asked, baffled, Seren responded as if she were the one offended.
Maya sighed internally.
Forget it. I’m not cut out for noble speech.
She decided to drop the act. It didn’t suit her anyway.
When have I ever acted like a noble?
Her honesty had always been her strength.
“Seren Baker. I sincerely meant it when I said the dress looks beautiful on you.”
First, she cleared up the misunderstanding.
“You’re the queen of high society. I figured you’d already know that I’m a rookie who didn’t even go through a proper debutante ceremony.”
“…I’m surprised. I didn’t expect the Grand Duchess to use that kind of language.”
For the first time, Seren looked genuinely caught off guard.
