SEM 25

#025

The onlookers exchanged quick glances at the unyielding gazes of Eliana and Empress Rosella. They tried to decipher the hidden meaning behind the exchange but no one could grasp the conversation that had taken place between the two women.

And so, the tea party continued peacefully as if nothing had happened.

Around twilight, Emperor Mateo raised the champagne glass before him.

Normally, he would have just made a brief appearance at such a dull tea party and left. But today’s gathering was different. As the host, he remained until the end.

More than anything, he was pleased that Gredy had given up on the wedding and appeared at the party, showing the nobles that he was still just a dog he kept on a leash.

It was all thanks to the will left by the late emperor, who had loathed Gredy.

Emperor Mateo glanced around the garden, his eyes settling on Eliana and Gredy. While Gredy was mingling with the nobles, Eliana sat at the table led by Rosella.

Seeing the two of them seated far apart, Mateo smiled in satisfaction.

“That wretch dares covet what’s mine?”

A mocking grin spread across the emperor’s lips as he looked at Gredy.

“To mark the beginning of a new season, let us all toast to the empire’s prosperity and your continued health.”

Following Mateo’s raised glass, the men also lifted theirs in unison. With that final toast just before sunset, the tea party came to an end.

“The time’s a bit awkward,” one of the men muttered.

They glanced down at their pocket watches and shrugged. They had only attended because the emperor ordered it—none of them found the tea party particularly engaging.

“Duke Cryber. How about another drink at the salon afterward?” a count suggested to Gredy, who had to postpone his wedding due to the emperor’s abrupt party.

“I already have a prior engagement.”

“A prior engagement?”

Gredy set down his untouched champagne and nodded. He looked strangely refreshed, as if he had anticipated everything.

“If you’re interested, you can come along.”

Intrigued, the nobles around him leaned in with curious expressions.

“But we can’t leave the ladies alone. That’s the dilemma,” one said.

Since many had attended with their female companions, it was awkward to send the women back alone.

“No need to worry. It’ll be more fun together.”

“Where exactly are we going that you sound so confident?” one noble asked, puzzled by Gredy’s calm demeanor. After all, he didn’t look like someone whose wedding had just been ruined by the emperor’s schemes.

“My wedding.”

“What?”

As soon as Gredy finished speaking, the nobles exchanged bewildered looks.

The idea of a wedding at twilight was odd enough, but more than that, there was the issue of the emperor.

It was obvious that this tea party had been orchestrated specifically to sabotage Gredy and Eliana’s wedding.

Going against the emperor’s will was usually unwise.

“I’ve already sent out invitations, so if you’re interested, feel free to come, even if it’s late.”

“…Alright then.”

Gredy turned and walked toward Eliana.

All throughout the party, Eliana and Gredy had kept their distance, as if they were strangers.

Ignoring the anxious Viscount Hoffman, the two had leisurely enjoyed the party.

As Gredy approached Eliana, both Emperor Mateo and Rosella widened their eyes, tracking his every move.

Especially Mateo, who had been about to leave the garden. His face twisted with displeasure.

“Elly, shall we go?”

“One moment, Gredy. I haven’t given Her Majesty the Empress an invitation yet.”

“No need. I already sent one to the Empress’s palace.”

Gredy gently brushed Eliana’s hair. The gesture was so affectionate, it was hard to believe they had been apart all this time. His soft smile left no room for doubt about their love.

“An invitation? What do you mean, Duke?” Rosella asked, finally recovering from the shock.

“You’ll see if you go. Your Majesty, please forgive us for leaving early—time is short.”

Gredy held out his hand. Eliana took it, stood, and bowed to Rosella.

Just like when they entered, all eyes followed them as they exited. Though Viscount Hoffman bustled about nervously near Emperor Mateo, no one paid him any attention.

Hoffman was waiting for the emperor to publicly denounce Gredy and Eliana’s sudden wedding. Only then could he be forgiven for failing to make Eliana the emperor’s mistress.

But that hope was crushed.

As Eliana and Gredy left arm in arm, Hoffman was left gasping, nearly choking on his own breath.

While Hoffman panicked, the nobles stared at the couple’s retreating figures.

The official hosts were the emperor and empress, but the true stars were Gredy and Eliana.

“I must return to the palace,” Empress Rosella said, staring blankly at the couple’s entwined hands before abruptly rising. Claire Raymond scrambled to follow her.

“An invitation? What on earth is going on?”

Once the emperor left, the nobles quickly began boarding their carriages. There, they found black boxes tied with white ribbons.

“They’re from Viscount Hoffman’s estate?”

“Yes!”

Rosella’s expression changed dramatically upon seeing the black box on the table. She harshly untied the silk ribbon and looked inside.

“What is this?”

Inside was a black lace mask and an invitation. Rosella let out a dry laugh.

“That cunning little wench really bewitched the Duke. Such childish theatrics.”

Claire Raymond stomped in anger as she saw the wedding invitation.

“…Smart,” Rosella murmured.

“Pardon?”

Rosella lifted the black lace mask to her face, examining her reflection with a satisfied look.

“What I ordered was a marriage, not love, Gredy.”

It didn’t matter how contradictory her thoughts were. What unsettled her was the fear that Gredy had disobeyed and truly fallen for Eliana.

“…….”

“You’re not actually planning to attend that wedding, are you? His Majesty won’t like it.”

Claire shook her head, trying to dissuade her. She was determined to undermine the legitimacy of the wedding.

“No. His Majesty won’t know whether I attend or not. Nor will the other nobles.”

Rosella, now wearing the lace mask, looked at Claire. With her face completely covered, no one would know who she was unless she revealed herself.

“Your Majesty…”

Claire’s voice trembled as she looked up at the masked Rosella.

“And I think His Majesty will be there too,” Rosella said, rising to her feet.

If she wanted to attend the wedding, she’d have to hurry.

“To hold a wedding like this… it’s truly unexpected.”

The woman in the carriage shook her head in disbelief. The noblewoman across from her nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. Wearing the same mask like this—we really can’t tell who’s who.”

They all wore the identical masks included in Gredy’s special invitation, shaking their heads as they looked at one another.

Whoever came up with the idea—it was undeniably clever.

“At least it’s a relief. We don’t need to worry about His Majesty’s reaction, and Duke Cryber saves face.”

The nobles inside the dark, unmarked carriage laughed softly.

“Well, well. It looks like His Majesty finally got a taste of his own medicine.”

“Hmph. Hard to deny that.”

Though some wore expressions tinged with pity beneath their masks, no one voiced concern.

Quite a few were secretly thrilled by the wedding defying the emperor.

“I never imagined the Duke would marry such a temptress.”

“Nor did I expect His Majesty to covet that temptress so desperately.”

The moment Duke Lloyd appeared at the marquess’s funeral, it became clear to everyone: the emperor had feelings for Eliana.

“By the way, has Her Majesty arrived yet?”

The reason the emperor wanted Eliana as his mistress also became the talk of the town.

The barren empress.

An heir was of utmost importance to the imperial family. Yet, even after two years of marriage, the empress still had no child.

As the nobles gossiped about Eliana and Gredy, the emperor and Empress Rosella, the carriage finally arrived at the salon on the outskirts of the capital—where the wedding would be held.