~Chapter 48~
It was the night of the victory banquet.
Nobles from across the empire arrived at the Imperial Palace, each in carriages adorned with their family crests.
The Maledictus Ducal House, the highest-ranking noble family and closest to the royal family, was no exception.
As soon as we arrived, the guards—having recognized our crest—directed us not to the regular noble entrance, but to the royal entrance.
“Before the banquet starts, you’ll greet the princes and the Empress. The Emperor will appear midway through.”
Thanks to Damien’s earlier briefing, I had already made a plan and wasn’t too nervous.
…Maybe just a little worried I’d mess up.
“We’ve arrived.”
The carriage took us deep into the palace—to a location reserved for only the royal family.
According to Damien, this wasn’t a courtesy but a strategy to keep people from guessing the true nature of the relationship between House Maledictus and House Benedict.
‘Well, at least it keeps us out of sight.’
Clutching Damien’s hand tightly, I sat beside him on a luxurious sofa in a reception room and waited.
Soon, the royal family arrived.
“I greet the Sun of the Empire. I am Rubiana Maledictus.”
I bowed formally. Four princes, one princess, and the Empress nodded in return.
“That’s enough. No need for excessive formality.”
Despite her gray hair, the Empress was still strikingly beautiful, her calm blue eyes fixed on us.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you. You could’ve visited the palace sooner, don’t you think?”
Ah, there it is—the classic royal in-law complaint: “Why don’t you visit more often?”
Technically, they’re not even Damien’s direct family…
“I was planning to come soon. But thankfully, I received an invitation to this banquet. I’m sorry my visit was delayed.”
I bowed again, hands neatly placed over the front of my dress.
The Empress said nothing more. I’d given a perfectly polite answer—one she couldn’t pick apart.
“Oh, Mother, must you be so stiff? We’re family now.”
Golden hair, golden eyes—shining like the sun but with a predatory glint.
Prince Leonard.
The second prince and star of tonight’s banquet.
“We’ve met before, right?”
He grinned and extended his hand.
“What’s this? Are you shy? Don’t want to shake hands?”
He smiled sweetly, but Damien’s expression darkened instantly.
Even under his mask, you could see the tight twist of his lips.
“Don’t tease my wife.”
Damien stepped forward.
His towering frame and intense presence made Leonard take an involuntary step back.
“Wow. You’re so strict.”
Still, Leonard looked at me again and joked:
“Do you find me charming, Duchess? Damien’s guarding you like I might steal you with a handshake.”
“Leonard.”
The First Prince, Leonier, cut in.
“I know you’re excited to be the guest of honor, but show some dignity. Watch your words.”
Leonier was the more likely candidate for Crown Prince—strict, rule-abiding, and the polar opposite of Leonard.
‘He’s not well liked, but he’s still ahead of Leonard in the succession race.’
Leonier, keeping his greeting brief, quickly left the room.
After finishing formalities with the royals, it was time to head to the ballroom.
“Let’s go to the banquet hall.”
“Yes, let’s.”
The light from the chandelier glimmered across Damien’s eyes—a different look from when I first met him at that masquerade.
“Honestly, I’d rather lock the door and tell each other ghost stories instead.”
“Wow, same here.”
“Still, let’s push through it.”
I smiled and took Damien’s hand.
Escorted by him, we walked down the long corridor and arrived at the banquet hall entrance.
“The Duke and Duchess of Maledictus are entering!”
The massive doors opened, flooding my eyes with dazzling light.
‘Whoa…’
Being a banquet hosted directly by the royal family, the level of grandeur was astonishing.
Everything sparkled as if it had been gilded in gold—yet nothing looked gaudy.
‘How much of our taxes went into this?’
As I marveled, whispers started:
“It’s the monster duke.”
“He brought that creepy woman with him.”
‘Monster? Please.’
He’s absurdly handsome.
Just looking at the lower part of Damien’s face beneath the mask should be enough to tell he’s a good-looking man—but people love gossip more than truth.
‘Or they need glasses.’
Ignoring the whispers, I linked arms with Damien and walked into the center of the hall.
“But… something’s off.”
“What do you mean?”
“That’s Rubiana Aristia—no, Maledictus, right?”
I perked up my ears.
“Did she always look like that? She seems… different. More elegant somehow.”
‘Wait, what?’
Totally unexpected.
But a glance at Damien showed a tiny smile tugging at his lips.
He’d picked out today’s dress and hat for me, saying they’d suit me well.
“Look! It’s Prince Leonard!”
The banquet’s star had arrived.
With his bright looks and extroverted attitude, Leonard was the most popular among the noble ladies.
“Unlike Prince Leonier, Leonard doesn’t have a fiancée yet, right?”
“Who will he dance with first tonight?”
“I hope it’s me!”
Fortunately, with Leonard’s entrance, the attention shifted away from us.
A bell signaled the start of the orchestra.
People began looking for dance partners.
I held onto Damien’s sleeve tightly.
Honestly, I could dance with someone else… but I didn’t want to.
And then—
“Ah, here you are.”
Suddenly, Leonard was right in front of us.
Before I could move, he knelt and held out his hand.
“Duchess Rubiana, may I have this dance?”
Smiling—but with a disturbing intensity in his golden eyes.
Both Damien and I spoke at the same time.
