Chapter 106
“So, Delphine. How have you been feeling lately?”
The Empress asked in a gentle voice.
Her tone was considerate, but there was a subtle difference compared to how she spoke to me.
‘There’s… some distance there.’
Like they weren’t quite close.
“I’ve been much better, thanks to your concern. Thank you, Mother.”
“Of course I should be concerned. If anything feels uncomfortable again, you must tell me.”
“…Yes. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”
“Sorry? Don’t say that between family.”
Listening to them, a question surfaced in my mind.
‘Is the Crown Princess in poor health?’
Given her position, it made sense that the Empress would be constantly worried.
‘But it’s strange. They’ve been family for over a hundred years—so why don’t they seem close?’
I tilted my head slightly in puzzlement when the Empress’s voice cut in.
“Come to think of it, you haven’t properly greeted Muriel yet. Go on, all of you.”
As she beckoned me forward, the other royals’ gazes converged on me at once.
I flinched before I could stop myself, stiff with tension—then hurriedly pulled myself together.
‘Leave a good impression!’
I bowed politely and delivered the introduction I had rehearsed a hundred times over in my head.
“It is an immense honor to be invited to such a distinguished gathering. My name is Muriel.”
The Crown Prince was the first to respond.
He extended his hand for a handshake and spoke in an even tone.
“As Lysian’s elder brother, I’m truly pleased that my younger sibling has found a Bonded partner. I look forward to getting along with you.”
“The pleasure is mine!”
Seeing how rigid I was, the Crown Prince let out a faint chuckle.
I think—more or less—I made a decent impression….
After that, I exchanged a brief greeting with the Crown Princess.
She looked somewhat drained, but she didn’t seem to dislike me.
If anything, she surprised me by adding quietly,
“…If something is difficult, tell me.”
“…!”
‘She’s a good person…!’
Her voice lacked emotion and her expression was faint—probably because of her health.
‘And lastly….’
“…….”
The youngest princess, Cerulia.
The look she gave me… couldn’t be called friendly, even out of courtesy.
The greeting she tossed my way was much the same.
“Nice to meet you. But don’t act too close. Just because you’re my second brother’s partner doesn’t mean I plan to be friendly.”
‘S-So prickly!’
Like a cat that would swat you the second you tried to pet it.
Definitely the type you had to approach carefully….
‘With wary cats, you start by testing the waters. Right.’
I was just about to speak gently when Lysian abruptly cut in.
“What kind of attitude is that? How old are you, still acting so immature?”
“That’s rich, coming from the family delinquent.”
“I’m not a delinquent anymore. I’ve settled down with my partner.”
With that, Lysian wrapped an arm around my shoulders and grinned smugly.
As if to say, ‘You don’t have a partner, do you?’
I stared at him in disbelief.
‘You’re really picking a fight with a kid…?’
Cerulia seemed genuinely furious.
She bit her lip hard, glaring at Lysian with eyes that blazed like fire.
Then she snapped,
“I’ll have a partner soon too! Just you wait!”
Lysian scoffed.
“Who? Dante? Even with a blade at his throat, Dante wouldn’t call your true name.”
“…!”
The moisture slowly welled in Cerulia’s eyes.
Unable to stand it, I smacked Lysian square on the back.
Then mouthed silently at him.
‘Act your age!’
Brothers seemed to have a natural instinct for teasing their younger sisters. Lysian was no exception.
I shoved him aside and gently smiled at Cerulia.
“Your Highness, I look forward to getting along with you as well. I’ll do my best, so please be patient with any shortcomings I may have.”
“…….”
Her lips were pressed so tightly they could have cracked a walnut, but after a moment, Cerulia gave a small nod.
Was it my imagination, or did she look oddly deflated?
‘So she has feelings for Dante.’
Their age gap… wasn’t that large. Four years, I think?
‘But Cerulia’s only nineteen. She still feels very much like a teenager… To Dante, she probably looks young.’
From Lysian’s tone, it sounded like it was one-sided.
‘…Still, Cerulia’s too good for him.’
Dante was capable, yes—but he came with a long list of issues….
Anyway, after the greetings were more or less concluded—
“Now then, everyone, take your seats.”
At last, the banquet began.
‘Please, stop…!’
I was going insane.
Why?
Because Lysian, seated beside me, kept trying to feed me at every possible moment.
‘Does he forget where we are?!’
“Muriel, say ah—”
“I can eat on my own.”
“I cut it into perfect bite-sized pieces just for you.”
He stared at me with those round, expectant eyes.
“…….”
As always, my resolve crumbled. I reluctantly opened my mouth.
A perfectly sized piece of lamb slipped between my lips. Top-grade meat—tender, with barely any scent.
“You eat so well. It’s nice to see.”
“Do you two always dine like that?”
The Emperor and Empress watched us with fond smiles.
The atmosphere couldn’t have been warmer.
I, on the other hand, was so mortified I wanted to faint on the spot.
“So, when are you planning the engagement ceremony? We should set a date soon if we’re to prepare properly.”
At the Empress’s question, Lysian glanced at me before answering.
“It would be best to keep it small. I’m not the heir to the throne, so there’s no need for extravagance. It would be more comfortable for Muriel as well.”
“But guests from all over the country will flock here. The country? Nobles from across the entire continent will scramble to attend.”
As she finished speaking, the Empress dabbed her lips lightly with a napkin.
I sneaked a glance at her plate, eyes widening.
Just five minutes ago it had been piled high with meat—now it was spotless.
“We’ll accept applications in advance and invite only those deemed appropriate. We can’t have anyone from the Tierney or Winterberg families attending.”
At that, the warmth in the hall turned cold.
Even the Empress, who had been eating enthusiastically, stilled with a grave expression.
“You’re right. It would be best to exclude nobles with blood ties or alliances to those two houses as well.”
As the Empress spoke seriously, the Emperor beside her nodded in silent agreement.
Even Cerulia gave the faintest dip of her chin, which surprised me a little.
Of course they knew my circumstances. Still, I hadn’t expected such meticulous consideration.
The feeling that stirred in my chest was… strange.
“Speaking of which, there’s something important I need to say.”
After a sip of wine, Lysian’s tone turned firm.
The shift in his demeanor made the other royals tense.
“As you know, Muriel possesses purification abilities.”
“Indeed. The first Purifier born in a thousand years.”
The Emperor replied calmly, setting down his fork and knife.
Lysian shot a sideways glance at the Crown Prince before meeting the Emperor’s gaze head-on.
“If you or my brother attempt to use Muriel under the pretext of her purification abilities, I will not stand by and watch.”
The air froze solid—like being sealed inside a glacier.
The Crown Prince stared at Lysian blankly, utensils still in hand. Even the usually dignified Emperor looked momentarily stunned.
Then suddenly—
“Pff—!”
The Emperor burst into laughter.
What began as a small huff quickly became full-throated laughter.
“Puhahaha!”
“Kh—.”
The Crown Prince covered his mouth, trying to stifle a laugh.
The Empress let out a disbelieving chuckle, and the princess rolled her eyes.
Only I stood there, bewildered—along with the Crown Princess, who seemed largely uninterested in the topic.
And Lysian looked indignant.
“Why are you laughing? I’m serious.”
The Crown Prince shook his head.
Half-rising from his seat, he placed a slice of bell pepper onto Lysian’s plate.
“Do you really think we’d exploit your partner? You’re hopeless, little brother.”
“…….”
Lysian quietly nudged the bell pepper to the edge of his plate.
Watching that, I raised one eyebrow.
Then the Empress’s gentle yet firm voice rang out.
“Stop worrying about nonsense and think about your engagement date. And how old are you that you still can’t eat bell peppers?”
“…….”
“You can’t eat bell peppers?”
“…….”
After the banquet ended, I threw the question at him without hesitation.
Lysian avoided my gaze and remained silent.
Given how much he’d tormented me tonight, I couldn’t miss this chance for revenge.
I was just pondering how best to tease him when a voice called from behind.
“Ahem, Muriel?”
It was the Emperor.
“…?”
I turned around, tense. When our eyes met, he smiled kindly.
“Would you care to take a walk in the rear garden with me? There is something important I wish to discuss.”