ITTRAETML 37

~Chapter 37~

As the sun set, Larvihan and Lovelace boarded a large carriage. Drawn by four white horses, it drew everyone’s attention just by passing through the streets.

“When we arrive at the banquet hall, many people will come to greet you.”

“Do I have to greet every single one of them?”

“Not all. You must separate those you need from those you don’t.”

“And how am I supposed to know that?”

Lovelace spoke nervously.

She had lost her memory, and of course she knew nothing about high society.

“That’s why I’ll be there.”

“But if I’m with you, won’t people avoid coming near me?”

“That could happen.”

Not could—it was certain. In the novel, Larvihan was always like a solitary, lofty crane at banquets. No one dared approach him. Would it change now just because she stood at his side?

‘His presence is too overwhelming.’

“Can’t I go in with Judith instead?”

“Maids have their own rooms. If you need them, you call for them. Imperial banquets are different from ordinary ones.”

Only royals were allowed to bring knights or maids into the imperial hall.

‘I was counting on Judith…’

Judith had told her about some families, but without pictures, it wasn’t enough. She couldn’t even recognize who was who unless someone came and introduced themselves first.

‘This is really inconvenient. No memories from the original character…’

Still, at least she could read and write—that was something to be grateful for.

She secretly raised her middle finger to the god who forced her into this body, then looked out the window.

“Wow… it’s beautiful.”

The night sky was covered in countless stars. She couldn’t help but admire it.

“You like the stars?”

“They’re pretty. Sparkling.”

“Should I bring you one?”

“…You can do that?”

Since this was inside a novel’s world, she asked just in case. Larvihan nodded. He stretched his hand toward the window and murmured something.

A star streaked across the sky with a long tail of light.

“Ah— a shooting star!”

Lovelace quickly shut her eyes and clasped her hands, making a wish.

Then—BOOM!

A deafening noise shook the carriage as the startled horses reared. Larvihan caught the swaying Lovelace and held her against him.

“Do you like your star?”

At first, she thought it was a coincidence—that the timing was just perfect. Amazing, but still coincidence.

But from his words…

“…That star just now. Was it… you?”

“You said you wanted one. You’ll see it tomorrow morning. But don’t expect too much—it’s just a rock.”

Lovelace’s mouth fell open.

How far does his power reach…?

A chill ran down her spine. Then a sudden worry hit her.

“What about the people living down there?!”

She leaned out of the window, trying to see the place they had passed.

“Dangerous.”

Larvihan pulled her back into her seat.

“It’s dangerous to lean out the window, but it’s not dangerous to drop stars where people might live?!”

Flustered, Lovelace stared at him. Larvihan chuckled.

“You’re laughing? Now?”

“Don’t worry. Nobody lives there.”

At his words, she sighed in relief.

Garri sat at a table of her choice, keeping her eyes on the banquet entrance.

“Princess, if you don’t already have a partner, may I—”

“Go away, squid-faced.”

Without even glancing at the young nobleman who asked her to dance, Garri waved him off.

“You look even more beautiful today, Princess.”

“And you look even uglier today, Sir.”

The young noble’s face turned red. He spun on his heel and muttered as he left,

“She thinks she’s a duke herself just because her father is one. Arrogant woman.”

Garri didn’t call him back or get angry.

‘Pathetic fool. Inferiority complex.’

She only watched his retreating back with disdain.

‘So… is he coming or not?’

Her gaze returned lazily to the entrance. Just then, solemn music began to play.

At imperial banquets, music played to announce the entrance of high-ranking nobles—the deeper, weighty notes belonged to dukes.

Garri stood up at once.

“Sir Larvihan!”

She greeted him eagerly as he entered.

“Who are you?”

Larvihan handed his coat to the servant at the door, then placed Lovelace’s hand firmly on his arm. He looked straight at Garri.

“You must not remember me. I’m Garri Handrake.”

“Ah. The Handrake Princess.”

Even if he forgot her, he couldn’t forget the Handrake name. Time really had flown.

The girl he remembered had grown into a woman.

“My father couldn’t attend today due to business, so I came instead. He sends his regards.”

Larvihan let out a cold laugh.

“Did he really?”

“No. That was just me being polite.”

Larvihan only gave her a slight nod and walked past. Garri’s gaze pierced into Lovelace’s back like an arrow.

“Who was that woman?”

“No one you need to know.”

“But I feel like I should know.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Is she someone worth being jealous over?”

“No.”

His answer was plain and sure. He wasn’t the type to cause trouble over women.

Even in the original story, throughout all 200 chapters of Part One, he had never once looked at a woman with interest. He never even had a heroine until well past the 100th chapter.

‘Was he born incapable of love?’

It seemed possible. On the surface, Larvihan was perfect, but inside he was missing something.

‘That theory makes sense.’

With that thought, Lovelace politely greeted the host.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for inviting me to share in your grace.”

“Oh, you’ve come!”

Arwen placed her champagne on a silver tray and pulled Lovelace close, pressing his cheek to hers.

But before the second cheek could touch, Larvihan pulled Lovelace back by the hand.

“That greeting is only for close friends.”

His eyes clearly said—Arwen was not close enough.

“Sir Larvihan, since you’ve come after so long, you should greet everyone. I’ll introduce Count Lovelace to them.”

He clearly wanted to separate them.

“If I introduce her, it will help. With you beside her, no nobles will dare approach.”

He had pinpointed the very problem Lovelace worried about. With purpose in mind, she gently unlinked her arm from Larvihan’s and moved toward Arwen.

Larvihan did not stop her. Instead, he shifted to a spot where he could watch her more easily.

From there, he saw Lovelace smile and exchange greetings with other nobles, adapting to the setting far quicker than expected.

Then, a memory surfaced.

“What do you plan to do?”

Maxmuel had asked, after realizing Larvihan hadn’t regained his power even after kissing Lovelace.

Larvihan had sipped his champagne and thought over his reply.

“Just because I haven’t regained it doesn’t mean it’s gone. As long as she stays by my side, I’ll find a way eventually.”

He plucked the cherry from his glass and popped it into his mouth.

“Your Majesty and His Holiness will move soon.”

“I know. That’s why I need to make it impossible to take her away.”

He moved toward Lovelace again.

“Count Harmelda would be delighted to see you here.”

A middle-aged noble smiled warmly at Lovelace. Arwen had told her this man was key to rallying the southern nobles.

“Count Harmelda cherished his daughter deeply. Seeing you, I understand why.”

Arwen smoothly lightened the mood.

“You flatter me too much.”

Lovelace bowed her head slightly, modest.

“There are many more to greet. Shall we move along, Count Lovelace?”

Arwen gently pulled her toward another group. Just then, one of his attendants came over.

“Excuse me for a moment,” Arwen said, speaking with the servant.

Left alone, Lovelace looked around the hall.

Despite being an imperial banquet, the atmosphere wasn’t as stiff as she feared. The nobles simply gathered, chatted in groups, and sometimes danced when the music turned lively.

‘So nobles don’t only waste their lives in indulgence.’

Even the drinks were mostly champagne, with such low alcohol it was almost harmless. Some requested wine, but no one drank to excess.

‘It’s like a movie scene.’

A small smile touched her lips. Maybe she should try mingling a little more.

Just then, someone approached her.

“Good evening, Count Lovelace.”