chapter 43 –
Her clear blue eyes…
The way her golden hair flowed down…
For a moment, Idris saw Aria in her.
It seemed almost foolish that he hadn’t realized it until now.
But even after discovering that the Aria he had searched for so desperately was Leticia…
He couldn’t say a word to her.
No—he didn’t say anything.
“What would change if I told her?”
If they had remained good friends, maybe it would’ve been different.
But they were just childhood companions who parted ways after a painful memory.
She might’ve forgotten him a long time ago.
Revealing his identity now would only serve his own feelings.
To Leticia, this reunion would mean nothing.
And more than anything—
“I want her to see me as a good person.”
He wanted to bury the shameful version of himself from back then,
To remain exactly as he appeared now in her eyes.
Not as the prince on a white horse,
But as a capable ally—sometimes cheerful, sometimes entertaining—a reliable partner.
“…How cowardly.”
Maybe, the truth was he was just afraid.
Afraid of how Leticia would react if she learned who he really was.
Afraid she’d remember how pitiful he once was.
Because deep down, he didn’t have the confidence to be impressive in her memory.
Mocking himself for that weakness, Idris gently took Leticia’s hand and said,
“You’re beautiful, too. …Truly.”
His tone held none of his usual playfulness—just sincerity.
Leticia blinked in surprise at the rare seriousness in his voice…
Then burst into soft laughter.
With that, the tension on her face eased, the stiffness fading.
Even if she pretended to be indifferent out of pride,
He could tell how much tonight meant to her.
“She hates showing weakness or clumsiness—even practiced dancing alone at night.”
Reading her heart, Idris gently wrapped his hand around hers.
The very same hand that had supported him when they were children.
“I’ll be the wind beneath your wings.”
So that you, with your wings, can fly farther—higher.
The Imperial Palace – during the Founding Day Celebration Banquet
Faydan entered the banquet hall, glancing around as if looking for someone.
“She’s not here yet.”
He gritted his teeth, the image of the person he sought burning in his mind:
His wife—who had rejected his final offer of reconciliation the night before.
“So she really plans to attend with that man, huh?”
The thought of Leticia arriving with Idris twisted his face into a grimace.
Then, whispers tickled his ear.
“Oh my, the Duke of Farnese came alone after all?”
“I know, right? I thought he’d at least bring Lady Elise Fran. Guess those rumors weren’t true?”
Speculations swirled around the fact that Faydan had come without a partner.
His pride stung, but he endured it—pretending not to hear.
“This is exactly the reaction I was aiming for.”
In the empire, public opinion was split regarding the scandal between Faydan and Leticia.
Some believed Faydan had an affair with Elise and Leticia had retaliated by cheating in return.
Others thought Faydan had simply offered temporary shelter to the mistreated Elise, and their relationship was innocent.
“It was Leticia who got jealous and started the rumor out of spite.”
Given the conservative nature of the social elite, most sided with Faydan.
So now, if he appeared pitiful and wronged…
“It’ll only make Leticia look like the wicked villainess.”
That’s why he left Elise at the ducal estate, even though she begged to attend.
Now that he’d arrived alone, public opinion was forming exactly as he’d planned.
And once Leticia showed up with Idris, the full picture would be complete.
Just as Faydan was waiting for her entrance—
The banquet hall doors swung open.
“His Grace, the Grand Duke of Delrua and…”
The knight announcing hesitated briefly before adding in a slightly strained voice:
“…the Duchess of Farnese!”
At the sound of that name, everyone—including Faydan—turned toward the door.
The two central figures in the empire’s greatest scandal had arrived.
Leticia, hand in hand with Idris, walked into the banquet hall.
Everyone who had been whispering moments earlier fell silent, staring in awe.
Idris’s striking appearance was well known, so that wasn’t the surprise.
What stunned them was Leticia—who stood beside him and yet outshone him.
Her presence was radiant.
Dressed in an exquisite dark navy gown, Leticia looked like a flower blooming at night—or a butterfly drawn to one.
“…She’s beautiful.”
Even Faydan, momentarily forgetting his anger, gazed at her as if spellbound.
Then the whispers began again, snapping him back to reality.
“Good heavens… she really came with the Grand Duke.”
“No matter how close they might be, how could she appear with him here, of all places?”
“This is the emperor’s banquet! I can’t imagine His Majesty is pleased.”
Fans fluttered as noblewomen whispered behind them.
“See, Leticia? You should’ve taken the hand I offered you.”
Faydan smirked, satisfied that things were going his way.
But not all the opinions were what he wanted to hear.
“Still, the Grand Duke’s never been involved in scandal before. For him to favor the Duchess, of all women… There are so many other ladies in the empire. What does he see in her?”
“Well… ever since her marriage she’s kept quiet, but honestly—she is beautiful.”
Even if they criticized Leticia for disrupting the event, not one person could disagree with that last comment.
Leticia was undeniably beautiful.
So much so that they whispered about her—yet couldn’t look away.
As everyone admired her dress, her jewels, and her—
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
The doors opened once more, and Emperor Azef stepped into the hall.
“Finally…!”
Faydan’s eyes gleamed.
This was the reason he hadn’t brought Elise.
The man who most disapproved of Leticia and Idris’s relationship.
The one person with the power to stop Faydan and Leticia’s divorce.
The emperor—the centerpiece of tonight’s banquet—had arrived.
Azef passed through the bowing nobles and took his place at the head of the hall.
“I thank you all for gracing this celebration with your presence, despite your many duties.”
He raised a glass offered by a steward and began his speech:
“The Founding Day is not merely a celebration of this empire’s birth,
But a reminder of the blood and sweat our ancestors shed to make this nation what it is today.”
“…”
“In their spirit, I hope today will be a day to reflect on their unity,
To renew our own sense of loyalty and purpose.”
As his speech ended, all nobles in attendance raised their glasses high.
The banquet had officially begun.
Meanwhile, outside the Imperial Palace
Elise was arguing with the guards.
“Ugh, I was in such a rush I forgot my invitation, okay?!”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. Without an invitation, you can’t enter the palace.”
“You seriously don’t know who I am?!”
“My apologies, ma’am.”
“Ugh! At this rate, I’m going to miss the entire banquet!”
She tried pleading. She tried yelling.
But the guards didn’t budge—just kept repeating, “You can’t enter.”
Frustrated, Elise thumped her chest.
“Faydan, you bastard!”
She had feared this might happen.
But she hadn’t really believed he would leave her behind.
“What about my dignity?!”
🤣🤣🤣 faydan… your lovely listed is about to bring havoc 🤣🤣