Chapter 38
The moment the name of the famous head of House Roemvek was called, every gaze in the banquet hall turned toward the entrance.
“The woman who lost her place to the government, and yet became the head of House Roemvek.”
Rozellin was very well-known in the capital.
“Ohh… that’s her!”
With every step, her soft silver hair shimmered, while beside her walked Allen — smiling shyly, his boyish charm evident. His refreshing, youthful smile made it hard to believe he was in his thirties, and the beauty beside him was his perfect match.
Her black hair sparkled violet under the chandelier’s light. A navy off-shoulder dress that revealed her shoulders only enhanced her purity. Subtle emerald accessories adorned her, making her even more graceful.
They looked like the most perfectly matched pair in the world.
“Doesn’t the head of House Roemvek seem… different somehow?”
“Yes, exactly! She used to look like such a frail woman who stirred up people’s protective instincts.”
“She’s so elegant now….”
If Lea was like a splendid rose, Rozellin was like a lofty, graceful lily.
Then Carlos and Ludiana entered. If Allen and Rozellin were like the refreshing blue sea, Carlos and Ludiana were like a breezy meadow.
Carlos, with his striking features beyond his years and his golden hair shining like sunlight, captured every eye around him. But his gaze never left Ludiana, who walked elegantly by his side.
Wearing a dress of light green — the color that symbolized House Roemvek — Ludiana moved with a calm grace. Despite her young age, the upward curve of her red lips shone with allure. Her dress sparkled brilliantly under the chandelier’s glow.
“Goodness… Could it be because the symbol of Roemvek is the green reindeer? It suits her so well.”
“Wait…! Everyone! Look at Lady Roemvek’s dress!”
“Yes, she’s truly elegant!”
“No, not that — look closer… it’s all emeralds!”
The tiny gems embroidered throughout Ludiana’s dress — every single one of them was emerald. They shimmered under the chandelier’s light.
“Gasp…!!”
Faces across the hall filled with shock.
“Even the head of House Roemvek’s jewelry…!”
The guests, who had first looked on with admiration, were now aghast.
“Ha…!”
Lea, watching them with narrowed eyes, let a faint smile curl onto her lips.
“Ha! How foolish.”
Even if they had a cure, people still feared emeralds.
To flaunt emeralds as though they were harmless? Idiotic.
Such behavior was sure to bring criticism from many nobles. Lea’s lips curled in satisfaction.
“L-Lady Roemvek! What is the meaning of this?!”
One man in the hall pointed at Rozellin and shouted.
“No matter if you claim to have invented a cure — how dare you wear emeralds, the source of the plague!”
“That’s right! There are children here too!”
Others quickly joined in his outcry. What began as one or two voices swelled into the discontent of the entire hall.
“That’s…!”
Ludiana, unable to bear it, was about to step forward — when a sharp voice rang out.
“I’ll explain that myself.”
“His Highness Kashimir de Kalatos enters!”
At Kashimir’s words, the herald’s announcement echoed through the hall, and nobles immediately bowed their heads.
“I was the one who permitted House Roemvek to wear emeralds.”
“Y-Your Majesty…!”
The man who had first accused Rozellin faltered.
“There are still many infected in the capital! Even here, some only recently suffered from the plague!”
“You think I wouldn’t know that?”
Kashimir lifted his chin, looking down on the man with contempt.
“We’ve discovered the true cause of the plague. The emeralds were never to blame.”
“…!”
The hall burst into murmurs. Nearby, Jonas raised his head and fixed his eyes on Rozellin. His face remained composed, but veins pulsed visibly on his forehead.
“Are you saying the plague wasn’t caused by emeralds?!”
“Correct.”
Kashimir turned to look at Ludiana, tilting his head slightly to the right.
“You explain.”
Reading his intent, Ludiana froze. Her hands grew cold with tension.
“Ludi, don’t be nervous.”
Carlos’s low voice encouraged her. Meeting his eyes, Ludiana gave a small nod and stepped forward to stand beside the emperor.
“Greetings, ladies and gentlemen.”
With a calm voice, Ludiana lifted her skirt slightly in a proper curtsy.
“I am Ludiana Roemvek, eldest daughter of the house and creator of the cure.”
“That child… made the cure?!”
“So the rumors were true?”
“Unbelievable….”
The hall filled again with murmurs. Waiting for the noise to die down, Ludiana continued.
“During my research into the cure, I discovered the true cause of the plague.”
She glanced toward the entrance, signaling a servant. The servant quickly hurried over and handed her a thick book.
“This is an ancient Arrian text. It was from here that I learned both the recipe for the cure and the truth about the plague’s origin.”
“Arrian?! You mean to say such a barbaric culture is your source?”
One young nobleman, glancing nervously at Jonas, shouted at her.
“Arrian, of all things… tch. Barbaric nonsense!”
As if on cue, voices of scorn and derision rained down on Ludiana.
“But wasn’t the cure proven effective?”
Her expression unflinching, Ludiana’s voice cut coldly through the noise.
“That could have been mere coincidence! How can we trust her word? Lady Ludiana is still a child. Your Majesty, surely the translation must be flawed!”
“He’s right! Remove House Roemvek from this hall immediately! Emeralds, of all things!”
Now the crowd’s fury turned toward expelling Rozellin and Ludiana. As Ludiana lowered her head with a heavy sigh, Kashimir stepped forward.
“So this is as far as she goes.”
Disappointment flickered in his eyes as he looked at her. But just then, Ludiana raised her head, her voice ringing out stronger than before.
“If you truly doubt me, I’ve brought experts to judge for themselves!”
At her declaration, a group of men streamed in through the entrance. From the young to the elderly, all wore dark green robes embroidered with golden thread.
“T-Those are…!”
The hall instantly fell silent.
One elder, with a long white beard, stepped forward. With a gentle smile, he addressed the room.
“Greetings. I am Baron, from the Citadel.”
“The Citadel…!”
The nobles who had opposed Ludiana fell speechless.
“Then what Lady Roemvek has said is all true…?”
A young noblewoman timidly raised her hand.
“Yes, indeed. The Citadel has already verified the authenticity of her findings.”
“My word…!”
“The Citadel!”
Kashimir’s eyes gleamed with interest and delight. Though he had been informed in advance, he hadn’t truly believed the reclusive scholars would come.
“She really managed to bring those heavy-seated sages here.”
The Citadel — a place where scholars devoted themselves to knowledge, uninterested in worldly affairs. Their words carried more weight than any proof, their knowledge more value than any treasure. But rarely, if ever, did they leave their halls.
What on earth had this audacious young noblewoman done to bring them here? Kashimir’s lips curled upward.
“Lady Roemvek’s command of the Arrian language is exceptional. Her translations were flawless. And as she said, the Arrian records clearly describe both the cure and the true cause of the plague.”
