Episode 65: Gossip #3
Intricately carved white marble columns firmly supported the golden chandelier.
The chandelier was adorned with delicate glass pieces, casting starlike shadows on the ceiling and softly illuminating the crimson carpet on the floor.
This was the imperial palace’s banquet hall.
Servants busily refilled rapidly emptying plates and glasses, while high-ranking nobles swirled their glasses of red wine, engaging in lively conversations.
Clink.
Yohan held his wine glass, slowly swirling it. The crimson liquid rippled along the rim of the glass, forming gentle waves. His sharp gaze fixated on the swirling liquid.
‘They’ve certainly prepared well.’
Yohan thought as the corners of his lips subtly curled upward. However, the smile carried no warmth. His hardened expression exuded displeasure and cold disdain, chilling the atmosphere around him.
The empire’s central aristocracy was all present, and even the Bismarck family had representatives attending, signaling that Crown Prince Fedelian might also make an appearance.
Today, the imperial family seemed determined to settle things once and for all.
“Do you think they’ll really announce your and Princess Raeliana’s engagement today? This feels like too much of a gamble.”
Francia, standing beside Yohan, remarked. Her doubts were understandable. If they took things this far, even the imperial family couldn’t retreat from the matter anymore.
It would be tantamount to declaring outright war.
Would the imperial family’s authority prevail, or would the might of Fervache overshadow them?
“I believe they will. Judging by how they prepared this banquet immediately after announcing my engagement to You.”
Yohan replied. However, he added,
“Regardless, it changes nothing.”
A faint smile graced his lips.
“From public opinion to this banquet—it’s all just futile struggles.”
From the outset, this was a scenario with a predetermined victor. Negotiation required both parties to be on somewhat equal footing, after all.
“The Emperor has arrived!”
Just then, the voice of a knight echoed throughout the banquet hall. The room fell silent in an instant.
Thud, thud.
With a heavy resonance, the doors to the hall slowly opened, revealing the Emperor. Beside him stood Crown Prince Fedelian and Princess Raeliana.
“We greet the Sun of the Empire.”
“We greet the Sun of the Empire…”
The nobles bowed their heads in unison.
The Emperor acknowledged their greetings, walking leisurely across the banquet hall. A palpable tension spread wherever he passed.
“I have joyous news to share,” the Emperor announced with a calm smile as he reached the center of the main hall. He raised a wine glass brimming with crimson liquid high in the air.
“The reason for today’s banquet is none other than to celebrate the engagement of our Third Princess, Raeliana.”
At those words, murmurs spread throughout the banquet hall.
“Princess Raeliana…?”
“With Count Lahart?”
“So, the rumors were true?”
“But what about the story of her being in a relationship with the young lady of Fervache?”
Confusion and shock swept across the nobles’ faces. Some whispered uneasily, while others gripped their wine glasses tightly, their expressions tense.
The hall buzzed with a cacophony of voices, a swirling mix of emotions—surprise, disbelief, and tension.
While the relationship between Yohan and Francia and their upcoming engagement wasn’t widely known, it was no secret among high-ranking nobles.
After all, they had their own intricate networks of information.
It was unthinkable that the elite aristocracy hadn’t investigated Yohan. Since he had become a special-class mage and achieved numerous feats, his value had skyrocketed.
Yet, despite his rising status, no noble had proposed a marriage alliance with him, largely because of the rumors about his relationship with the young lady of Fervache.
No one wanted to risk unnecessary friction with the Fervache family.
And most importantly, there was something else of utmost significance.
“Didn’t the Duke Fervache already announce the engagement…?”
“Did I mishear? I could’ve sworn the engagement was announced just a few days ago…”
“I have no idea what’s the truth anymore.”
The Duke Fervache had formally announced the engagement not long ago.
Before the nobles’ doubts could deepen, the Emperor swiftly changed the subject.
“You are all likely aware of the discussions surrounding the engagement between Princess Raeliana and Count Lahart.”
All eyes in the ballroom turned to the Emperor.
“Therefore, I will formally declare it here: the engagement between Princess Raeliana and Count Lahart is official.”
But soon, those gazes naturally shifted toward Yohan.
“…Hah, unbelievable.”
Francia, clearly enraged, was about to step forward, but Yohan grabbed her arm and shook his head.
“I understand your feelings, Francia, but I must handle this. Otherwise, it will only create unnecessary noise.”
“But…”
“Trust me this time.”
Yohan gently set down his wine glass and took a step toward the Emperor. Each of his movements was deliberate and without hesitation.
The nobles surrounding the Emperor stepped aside, clearing a path for him.
“Ah, Count Lahart, you’ve arrived.”
As Yohan approached, Crown Prince Fedelian greeted him with a sly smile, raising his glass.
“Your expression seems quite out of place for such a joyous occasion. One might even misunderstand. Isn’t that a bit troublesome?”
It was a thinly veiled jab, implying, “Why the long face on such a celebratory day?”
The audacity of the Crown Prince made Yohan’s blood boil.
“Of course, it’s only natural for me to look like this. After all, Your Highness ignored my wishes and proceeded with the engagement talks by force.”
“Ha, Count Lahart, what on earth are you saying…”
“I am well aware that the person who leaked the rumors through the press was none other than you, Your Highness. Truly fascinating.”
Fedelian’s expression darkened noticeably. The smile on his lips had long vanished, and his once-sharp eyes were now rigid and cold.
The Emperor wasn’t much different. His gaze, icy and composed, silently bore down on Yohan.
“What’s going on here…”
“…Was the Count forced into this engagement?”
“Uh…”
The ballroom buzzed with whispers once more, but the oppressive atmosphere remained unbroken. The air felt cold—not just because of the winter season.
“I fully understand why Your Majesty invited me here today.”
Yohan’s voice rang out, low and resolute, silencing the room. He continued, unperturbed.
“However, I cannot help but express my regret over the Imperial Family’s disregard for my wishes, forcing this engagement upon me.”
His gaze fixed squarely on the Emperor.
“Your Majesty did not approve the engagement between Fervache and Lahart, correct?”
The nobles’ focus was now entirely on Yohan. No one dared to speak. They simply listened in silence.
“I have received the Imperial Family’s grace numerous times. I became Count Lahart for my achievements in sealing the Demonic Lair, and I was honored with the title ‘Guardian of the Sun,’ making me the most esteemed individual in Rozino.”
He began by upholding the dignity of the Imperial Family.
“But… today, I find myself reevaluating what honor truly means.”
Then, he publicly condemned them.
Yohan smiled faintly as he raised his glass.
His words were…
No, they were extremely audacious.
Interpreted through noble decorum, his message was this:
[“I understand exactly what you’re trying to do.”]
[“But the current situation is a blatant disregard of the respect I am owed and a clear violation of justice.”]
[“This treatment makes me question my loyalty and trust in the Imperial Family.”]
[“Have you lost your mind?”]
There was no need to worry about whether he could afford such boldness.
‘Who would dare oppose me in this room?’
He was the only Imperial Bureau official in history capable of sealing the Demonic Lair, a special-class mage, and the son-in-law of the prestigious Fervache Ducal Family.
And, above all, he had legitimacy.
This entire situation painted the Imperial Family as blinded by authority, disrespecting the Fervache family and belittling a continental hero like Yohan.
His anger was entirely justified.
“…Hah.”
Fedelian, at a loss for words, was stunned. He hadn’t anticipated Yohan would take such a firm stance in this setting.
Even if Yohan had tried to phrase things diplomatically, his speech amounted to an open criticizing of the Imperial Family.
‘Has power gone to his head, driving him mad?’
It was hard not to think that way. To say such things in front of high-ranking nobles at a party, and even in the presence of the emperor…
“Count Lahart.”
The emperor called out to Yohan in a low voice, his heavy tone resonating across the hall.
“Your Majesty, please speak.”
“Do you fully understand the implications of what you’ve just said?”
“Of course.”
Yohan nodded with a calm smile.
“Despite the many opportunities I offered, the Imperial Family chose to ignore them. My response was simply an unavoidable result of that. I hope you understand that I have no other intentions.”
In essence, he was saying: I tried to save your face, but you ignored me. That’s on you.
“Is Duke Fervache’s stance the same as yours?”
The emperor directed his question to Duke Fervache, who had been silently observing. The duke smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize, but my stance is the same. I had intended to speak with you directly later, but it seems my son-in-law has already done so.”
The word son-in-law was deliberate, firmly establishing Yohan’s position. The duke continued:
“Fervache has merely taken appropriate measures. These actions do not violate protocol, so I ask for your understanding.”
In other words: You started this, so don’t act self-righteous now.
“Hmm…”
The emperor’s expression hardened. It was clear to anyone that he was displeased. However, there was little more he could say. The fault lay clearly with the imperial family for disrespecting Fervache.
Slowly, the emperor set his wine glass down and glanced around. The piercing gazes of the nobles were all focused on him.
It would be wiser to retreat before the situation escalated further.
“I fully understand your concerns,” he finally said, his voice calm and measured.
“But I must clarify here, to prevent any misunderstanding of the imperial family’s intentions.”
His voice echoed softly.
“The imperial family only made this proposal in the interest of the empire’s stability. An engagement is a crucial act of fostering unity between two forces, is it not? I believed that was the purpose of Count Lahart’s presence here today.”
In essence: If you two unite, the balance of power is destroyed. For the sake of stability, we had no choice.
“I trust you understand that the imperial family cannot overlook the need for the empire’s stability.”
In other words: So, cut us some slack.
“I respect your stance, Count. However, to maintain the order of noble society, I hope you can also show the maturity to understand the imperial family’s position.”
Meaning: Please don’t oppose us outright.
The emperor’s words were a subtle attempt to defend the imperial family’s position before the nobles.
In the end, the emperor backed down.
***
A heavy atmosphere lingered in the hall.
Although this was supposed to be a joyous party, no one seemed able to enjoy it.
“I didn’t expect Count Lahart to take such a bold stance.”
“With his power, it’s not entirely surprising. The imperial family must be in quite a bind.”
“Still, speaking against the imperial authority so openly seems excessive.”
“But wasn’t the imperial family clearly at fault? Forcing an engagement and disrespecting Fervache was definitely a misstep.”
The whispered conversations among the nobles only made the party’s atmosphere heavier.
Before drawing more attention, Francia and the duke left the party, while Yohan quietly lingered in a corner, eavesdropping on the discussions.
Given the clear justification on Fervache’s side, the nobles’ reactions were not as negative as Yohan had expected, even after his public criticism of the imperial family.
There’s no point in staying here any longer.
As Yohan prepared to leave the hall, a soft voice called out behind him.
“Count Lahart? Here you are.”
When Yohan turned around, he found Raeliana standing there.
Her golden hair glowed brilliantly under the lights, and her smile exuded a mix of nonchalance and mischief.
“Princess? What brings you here?”
“I wanted to have a word with you. Isn’t it a shame to let such an interesting day pass by so quietly?”
“…I’m not sure what you mean.”
Raeliana shrugged lightly, her laugh tinged with amusement.
“While the engagement fell apart spectacularly, my chance isn’t entirely gone, is it? The Imperial Family lost its opportunity, not me.”
“And what exactly does that mean…”
Yohan’s face twisted in confusion.