KFDP Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“Lord Caspar Agla.”

Standing before me was Zion’s much older brother and the next Duke of Agla, Caspar Agla.

I rose from the sofa and greeted him. When I did, the young ladies around me also stood and bowed their heads.

He gave us a bright smile.

“I only approached because I was happy to see Lady Veladi, but I hope I haven’t intruded on the ladies’ conversation.”

At those words, the young ladies flinched in surprise.

“Oh, not at all!”
“Come to think of it, we must have monopolized Lady Veladi for too long!”

I watched their flustered reactions for a moment, then extended my hand to him.

“Since you’re here, shall we chat for a bit?”

“Of course, Veladi. There happens to be some fine wine over there—let’s have a glass.”

With courtly manners, Caspar clasped my hand.

After exchanging a glance of farewell with the young ladies, I let Caspar escort me to the center of the banquet hall.

On the table at the center, wine glasses were stacked in a tower. Caspar picked one up and handed it to me.

The crimson liquid shimmered, clearly strong just at a glance. I accepted it with a smile.

Nobles are taught from childhood about liquor etiquette and knowledge. Alcohol is inseparable from noble society, and drinking etiquette is considered basic refinement.

I can lightly enjoy a glass or two of champagne, but…

“Strong wine isn’t really to my taste.”

Caspar, oblivious to this, clinked his glass against mine.

Clink.

With the clear ring of glass, Caspar’s eyes curved like a bow.

“To the flower of society, who has returned after long silence.”

Ugh, so cheesy.

Caspar enjoyed speaking in a pompous, antiquated manner full of flowery pretenses. Perhaps thanks to that, older nobles liked him quite a lot.

As for me, I could never get used to it.

“Thank you for the welcome, my lord.”

I gave a polite reply and sipped the wine. A bitter taste spread through my mouth.

I turned over Caspar’s words in my mind.

“The flower of society,” huh…

It was common to call both me and the crown princess the flowers of high society. But neither of us was someone to be compared to a fleeting, short-lived blossom.

If anything, we’re the two great pillars of society.

But Caspar, with his old-fashioned speech, also had old-fashioned thinking. Whether flowers or mountains, to him society was all the same.

Rather than waste breath arguing, I chose to just drink.

“But what brings you to me?”

At my question, Caspar smiled mysteriously. He and I were never close.

In fact, Caspar and Zion weren’t exactly affectionate brothers, and his wife—the Agla Lady—was thick with the crown princess.

Normally we’d just exchange greetings and move on… So what’s his angle in approaching me now?

Sensing my wary gaze, Caspar spoke gently.

“Veladi, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Someone you’d like to introduce?”

“Yes. They’ll be entering the hall shortly.”

But the banquet had started long ago, and all the invited nobles had already arrived.

The sky was turning dark. At this hour, the only one left to enter would be—

The host of the evening.

The imperial family…!

And given that Caspar wanted to make an introduction, it was obvious.

“You mean His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Caspar was his faithful right hand, after all.

That explained why the crown princess and the Agla Lady were so close as well.

Caspar calmly set his empty glass onto a passing tray.

“Your coming-of-age isn’t far off, Veladi. Building connections will be good for you.”

That was my father, Duke Elton’s job, not Caspar’s. He had no reason to meddle.

Why the sudden busybody act…

Suppressing my displeasure, I said,

“If it’s connections, why not introduce him to Meldor instead?”

I meant: don’t bother dragging me into troublesome business.

Caspar surely understood my meaning, yet only smiled.

“Even at times like this, you think of your little brother first? Such a kind sister. Don’t worry, I’ll introduce Meldor later too.”

Kind sister, my foot.

My fist clenched, then loosened. Irritation surged, but I couldn’t lose my temper.

Caspar was a smooth, calculating man, active in central politics. Showing anger would only disadvantage me.

Though his face and smile resembled Zion’s innocent ones, what lay beneath was completely different.

For him to act so friendly with me…

From the start, Caspar had wanted to pull House Elton into the crown prince’s faction, and usually showed far more interest in Meldor, the heir, than in me.

I didn’t begrudge him for that—nobles always played these factional games.

But for him to suddenly approach me to bridge me with the crown prince…

Could it be he’s feeling anxious now that Prince Killian, with his high succession rights, has returned?

I studied Caspar’s face. There was no trace of unease. That meant he didn’t consider Killian a threat.

I tilted my head slightly. Then only one possibility remained.

He’s realized that the balance between Meldor and me has shifted.

I knew full well how the outside world saw me:

The duke’s eldest daughter, with little influence.

That’s why noblemen never paid me any mind.

But that was when I was still the “good daughter” who loved her family.

I no longer let myself be ruled by Meldor or Father. That old evaluation was completely wrong now.

Still, my establishing dominance over Meldor had only just happened—and only within the family.

For Caspar to catch on so quickly and approach me…

There’s a spy inside the house.

Perhaps he planted one when Mother collapsed and the household was in chaos?

After William’s incident, I’d been uneasy already. This confirmed it.

I’ll have to do some housecleaning when I return.

Just then, the herald’s loud voice rang out.

“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress! Their Highnesses the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and Imperial Princess!”

The banquet doors swung wide, and the imperial family entered.

The still-robust Emperor and Empress, the little princess walking smartly.

Behind them, the dignified Crown Prince with the Crown Princess at his arm.

As expected, Prince Killian did not appear.

At that moment, my eyes met the crown princess’s—her platinum hair piled high in elaborate splendor.

Her lips smiled brightly, but her eyes glared at me with venom.

I only smirked faintly back.

Even while moving with her husband, the crown princess never averted her gaze from me.

That persistence was one point I respected about her.

At least she doesn’t back down.

Plenty who picked fights with me wilted and cowered soon after. The crown princess was one of the few who stood firm until the end.

That kind of spirit, I can appreciate.

Anyway, the arrival of the imperial family was the highlight of the winter banquet.

As the Emperor appeared, every noble bowed with elegance. The Emperor smiled warmly at their greetings.

“It is a great pleasure to see you all at this winter banquet. I hope you spend a delightful evening together.”

With a brief greeting, the Emperor took his seat at the high table atop the steps. The Empress and Princess followed.

The crown prince and princess remained on the floor, greeting nobles.

The band, which had been playing softly, shifted to lively tunes after the Emperor’s speech—dance time had begun.

People started heading to the central floor.

Caspar extended his hand to me again.

“Come, since His Highness has arrived.”

Ugh, I don’t want to.

I had no desire to be dragged into politics so abruptly.

Besides, the crown prince doesn’t seem all that dependable.

He had launched some shining policies, sure, but I couldn’t trust him.

And now that I’d more or less grasped Caspar’s scheme, I had no reason to go along.

I stared at his hand in silence. His fingers twitched.

“Veladi?”

Deliberately, I turned my gaze toward the crown prince.

Though he stood not far, conversing with nobles, I could tell. His attention was fixed squarely on me.

When I didn’t respond, Caspar grew impatient and pressed again.

“Are you nervous? Well, of course—meeting His Highness so suddenly. But don’t worry, I’ll be right at your side.”

At that moment—

“Lady Veladi Elton.”

Someone called my name. Caspar and I turned at once.

Behind us stood a man in clothing more refined than that of ordinary imperial attendants.

It was the Emperor’s personal chamberlain.

“His Majesty requests your presence.”

“…Ha ha, well now.”

Caspar let out a dry laugh.

He fell silent briefly, then looked at me.

“Seems today isn’t the right time. I’ll arrange another meeting, so wait for it, Veladi.”

He smiled again, feigning kindness but unable to shed his commanding tone.

I tilted my head with a sly smile.

“Well… do you truly think that role suits me, my lord?”

“What?”

I spoke slowly.

“If the need arises, I’ll let you know myself. Until then—wait, Lord Caspar Agla.”

Imitating his haughty manner of speech, I saw realization flicker in his eyes.

He forced a troubled smile, about to reply—but I turned away without mercy.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, this way.”

I followed the chamberlain toward the Emperor’s high seat.

As we went, I noticed the crown prince’s face twisted in a deep frown.

For a crown prince, he’s terrible at hiding his feelings.

Still, I had escaped Caspar and the crown prince without major trouble.

“Your Majesty, Veladi Elton, daughter of House Elton, pays her respects.”

“Well, it’s been a while since the hunting tournament. As Theodore’s daughter, you may speak comfortably—Veladi.”

“It is more honor than I deserve.”

And now, I stand before an even greater wall—the Emperor himself.

I looked at the serene, smiling Emperor, and at the young princess nestled quietly in his arms.