Chapter 53
The party was in full swing, with dazzling performances continuing one after another on the central stage.
The nobles who had paid larger sums of money sat at tables with a clear view of the show, sipping champagne as they enjoyed the spectacle.
Kilian and Emily, too, had paid handsomely for comfortable seats and were quietly watching the performance.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to propose a fun little game for everyone attending the ball tonight!”
In the middle of the performance, a man wearing a jester’s mask suddenly appeared on stage, taking over as master of ceremonies.
“It’s a treasure hunt!”
A round of applause rippled through the hall. After all, the treasure hunts hosted by the Imperial Palace were famous for hiding extravagant prizes.
Kilian’s expression didn’t change much—he wasn’t particularly interested in such things. But Emily’s competitive spirit was already blazing.
“This year’s treasures are worth getting excited over!”
The host himself could barely hide his excitement as he read aloud the list of prizes.
“A rare Taurasia Green Diamond! A jewel box crafted from tortoise shell and gold by the artisan Pierre! The final work of the legendary sculptor Lumas—the Siska Statue! A diamond-encrusted scabbard and sword set! And countless more prizes besides!”
Gasps filled the audience.
Even those who had little interest in the game were beginning to feel greedy at such a list.
The host checked his watch before continuing.
“The treasure hunt will run for two hours. If you bring back one of the slips with a treasure written on it, you’ll receive the corresponding prize on this very stage at the end!”
People exchanged quick, meaningful glances. With everyone wearing masks, there was no need to worry about appearances.
“Then, let’s begin!”
The words had barely left the host’s lips before the crowd scattered, rushing off to search for prizes.
“Why aren’t you getting up?”
Emily shot Kilian a glare.
“I’m not very interested in this sort of game…”
“Marlene is probably already tearing the place apart by now. You’d better help me!”
Emily had seen Marlene dash out the moment the game began. Without waiting for Kilian’s reply, she hurried out of the hall as well.
Left alone in the empty hall, Kilian sighed and rose to his feet.
“…I suppose I’d better get moving.”
Emily made her way out of the hall and into the nearby rose garden. She figured there was a high chance a slip or two would be hidden among the hedges and bushes.
She wasn’t the only one with that thought—everywhere she looked, masked guests were bent over, searching the grounds.
“Ugh, my back…”
Straightening with a groan, Emily found herself facing a man in a feathered mask. She tilted her head, puzzled.
“And you are?”
“Don’t recognize me after so long? Or is it the mask?”
The voice was unmistakable.
“…It’s you again, Your Highness.”
Emily couldn’t help but let a faintly weary expression slip—but luckily, her mask hid it well.
“And how did you recognize me when I’m masked too?”
“Did you really think a half-mask would be enough to hide you? If no one else, then at least everyone here tonight could still tell who you are.”
Now that she thought about it, Marlene had managed to spot her instantly as well.
‘Next time, I’ll have to dye my hair with something, too.’
Blaming her unremarkable brown hair, Emily answered the crown prince halfheartedly.
“Were you treasure hunting as well?”
“As you can see.”
“What is it you’re looking for? I could arrange to have one set aside for you.”
“That would ruin the whole point of a treasure hunt, wouldn’t it? And besides, Your Highness has no reason to go that far for me.”
Emily drew a firm line immediately.
Lucius studied her through his mask with an odd gleam in his eyes. He’d noticed back at the Starre estate as well—her personality seemed different now. And that only made her more fascinating.
“Would you come to the Crown Prince’s palace for a talk sometime?”
Emily thought of Marlene, who was probably combing the grounds with zeal right now. Spending time with Lucius felt like a waste.
“Your Highness, I realize I’ve never said this directly to you.”
Her sigh made Lucius tense.
“And what is that?”
“I’m not the least bit interested in you.”
“…What?”
Lucius froze. He had thought he’d been doing everything he could to win her heart. Never in his life had he worked this hard for something.
And yet, she dismissed him without even a glance. The rejection stung.
But Emily had no intention of softening the blow.
“From this moment on, I don’t ever want to be alone with you like this again.”
The blunt refusal pierced him.
“I am the Crown Prince. You are the first woman I’ve ever truly desired.”
Whatever might have begun as innocent attraction had twisted into obsession without his realizing it.
“Everything I’ve ever wanted, I’ve taken.”
“Well, this world isn’t always so accommodating, Your Highness.”
“No—I can’t accept that. You’ve never even given me a chance.”
Emily frowned sharply.
“I’m already married. What sort of ‘chance’ do you expect me to give you?”
“So you’re saying… if you weren’t married, you would accept me?”
“No. Stop entertaining pointless fantasies.”
At this point, Emily just wanted to abandon the treasure hunt and leave the palace with Kilian. Even the prizes here felt tainted now.
“I have nothing more to say. I’ve made my feelings perfectly clear. Excuse me.”
With no hesitation, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Perhaps it was precisely because she was unattainable that his desire burned even fiercer. Lucius watched her departing back with disappointed eyes.
“Your Highness.”
His aide, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward.
“What is it?”
“Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence.”
Lucius scowled.
“…What does she want now?”
The aide wisely kept silent, though he already knew. If he explained, Lucius would likely refuse to go.
Rejected by Emily, and now being dragged off by his mother for reasons unknown, Lucius turned irritably on his heel.
Marlene, meanwhile, had been searching for treasures when word came that the Empress wanted to see her. She dutifully made her way to the Empress’s palace.
“I realized I’ve yet to properly meet you in person, so I called you here.”
The Empress welcomed her with a warm smile.
As the only daughter of Marquis Wiffer, clever, beautiful, and currently reigning over high society, Marlene was a young woman who could more than make up for the Empress’s disappointment in Emily.
“Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“Bring him in at once.”
The moment she heard that, Marlene glanced at the mirror on the wall and quickly fixed her hair. The thought of meeting the Crown Prince up close set her heart racing.
Emily seemed to be happily married, and Marlene had felt envious. But a man of the Crown Prince’s stature—he was an even greater match.
Lucius, who had entered with a scowl, stopped short when he saw a strange young lady inside.
“Introduce yourselves.”
Before he could retreat, the Empress firmly seated him across from Marlene.
“This is Lady Marlene, daughter of Marquis Wiffer.”
With royal decorum, Lucius offered a polite greeting.
“Good evening, my lady.”
“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Your Highness.”
Marlene smiled brightly, delighted to see that he was even more handsome up close.
The Empress, too, beamed with satisfaction as she looked between them.
“The reason I arranged this meeting is simple—Lucius, it’s time you thought about marriage.”
Lucius shot her a startled look.
“I’m not—”
“Lucius.”
The Empress cut him off sternly.
“I’ve spoken with Lady Marlene and found her kind-hearted and intelligent. I’d like the two of you to get to know each other, with engagement in mind.”
Marlene frowned slightly at the sight of Lucius grimacing as if he’d bitten into something sour.
‘What, did he cut his manners along with the steak at lunch?’
It was unspeakably rude to pull such a face in front of a lady, and Marlene’s mood soured.
“Ahem. I’ll leave you two to talk.”
The Empress rose, but not before giving her son one last sharp look—a warning not to misbehave.
Once she left, the room was filled with an awkward silence.
Lucius broke it first.
“Lady Marlene, I’ll spare us both the wasted time and be frank.”
“What, you already have someone else you like?”
She tossed it out casually, as if it were obvious.
His eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“So it’s true.”
She had only been fishing, but his reaction confirmed it. Marlene pursed her lips in disappointment.
“Then who is she?”
At the very least, she wanted to know the woman’s name.
“Since you haven’t told Her Majesty, I suppose she must be of low birth? Don’t tell me she’s married.”
When he stayed silent, her suspicions were confirmed.
“…She’s married, isn’t she?”
“She was wed by arrangement. The marriage won’t last—they’ll be divorced soon.”
Very few noble marriages were made for love. Nearly all were political.
“And once she’s divorced, you plan to make her Crown Princess?”
“Of course.”
“That’s quite a love you have, then.”
Marlene took a sip of tea, her enthusiasm gone.
“In that case, this really is a waste of time. I should get going before Emily snatches up all the treasures.”
“Wait.”
Lucius, startled, caught her wrist.
“You’re friends with Emily?”
“Yes, but… wait. Don’t tell me the woman you like is Emily?”
“That’s right.”
Lucius’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.
“She’s the one I’ve set my heart on.”
