"Well, look who finally decided to show up."
The banquet hall, which had been deathly silent since the violinist’s accidental screech, suddenly hummed with tension. The crowd parted as a tall, undeniably handsome figure walked toward us with effortless grace.
It was Loxdian.
I struggled to keep my face neutral as my tyrannical brother approached. He looked magnificent, but all I could think was: 'Why is this man greeting me like he actually likes me?'
'Go away, go away, go away!' I screamed internally, looking around the room. Not far off, I saw my grandfather, Duke Altsbeit, watching us with a dark, unreadable expression.
This was getting more embarrassing by the second.
Loxdian stopped in front of me and gave me a shark-like smile. "Hello, little sister."
For a split second, his eyes flickered with a cold, sharp intensity as he glanced at the terrified musician. The poor man looked like he was about to faint, clutching his violin as if it were a shield. Loxdian turned back to me, his mischievous grin returning as if he hadn't just mentally threatened a man’s life.
"If it was the first time they saw my sister's beauty, I suppose they could be forgiven for a little... discord," he said, directed at the room but looking only at me.
I gave him my best 'why are you like this' face, which only seemed to amuse him more. Then, his gaze shifted to Askin. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
Askin bowed politely, but Loxdian ignored him entirely. He looked at Askin’s suit—the one I’d provided—and I could practically see the gears turning in his head. He’d tried to force a ridiculous dress code on me, and yet here we were, perfectly dressed and perfectly matched.
"You're late with your greetings, Your Majesty," I said, leaning in slightly. "How are you?"
Loxdian’s eyebrows shot up. "Hey, little sister, is that the best you can do? Are you trying to piss me off on purpose?"
I grit my teeth. 'You're the Emperor! At least pretend to follow protocol!'
Loxdian, still smiling that terrifyingly kind smile, subtly nudged Askin aside and took a position right next to me. I cursed him with my eyes.
*Do you want to go back to the palace in a box?* I thought.
*No?* he seemed to answer with a wink.
*Are you wearing the necklace?*
*Oh, are we going to die together?*
Our silent exchange was interrupted when Askin was pushed further back. I felt a surge of resentment toward my "fiancé." 'Hey! Prince of Ice! This woman is your fiancé! My seat is supposed to be next to you! Claim your property!'
I was desperate to stay close to Askin—partly for the "hope coins" of my survival, and partly because Loxdian was clearly up to something.
"Come," Loxdian said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "I’ve prepared a particularly good seat for you."
"...A seat?"
Loxdian ignored the stinging gaze of Duke Altsbeit, who looked ready to commit regicide. He had no intention of letting me fall into the "greedy pig’s" hands.
The crowd was buzzing. They were amazed by this unprecedented show of brotherly affection from the Emperor. Many felt relieved that Loxdian was taking me away before I could pick a fight with anyone else.
"Let’s go." Loxdian pushed me gently toward the center of the hall.
'Why is he doing this?' I wondered, but I couldn't resist the pressure of his hand or the weight of the crowd's expectations.
I didn't go quietly, though. After a few steps, I reached out and grabbed Askin’s hand. I pulled him toward us and linked my arm firmly through his, looking at Loxdian with a haughty expression.
"Why don't you greet my guest properly, Oppa?"
"Eh?"
"My favorite person and my fiancé," I said, nodding toward Askin. "Take care of him, or I’m not going anywhere."
The room went silent again. People were actually stopping mid-sip to watch the drama unfold.
"I love this man," I added, just to drive the point home.
Loxdian’s eyes darkened for a fraction of a second, his smile faltering before it snapped back into place. "Ah, I must be tired from government affairs. My eyes must be failing me. Excuse me, Duke Lemut."
"...It’s quite alright, Your Majesty," Askin replied, though he looked genuinely surprised by my defense of him.
He didn't seem offended by Loxdian’s rudeness. To Askin, Loxdian was the Emperor and his lord; whatever attitude the lord took was not for the subordinate to question. His "straight" and "upright" personality was on full display here.
I grabbed Askin’s arm and followed Loxdian deeper into the hall. Every eye in the room followed our little trio. Loxdian noticed and clicked his tongue, his protective instincts clearly flaring as he scanned the room for any "dirty looks."
Noah, standing nearby, let out a soft sigh. 'I don't know why His Majesty only becomes childish when he’s around Duke Lemut,' I imagined him thinking.
As we walked, I heard the whispers.
"Are they reconciled now?"
"This is truly strange... after everything she did to him..."
"Shh! She’ll hear you!"
I also noticed a familiar face in the crowd. It was Ian Niño—the man my grandfather had tried to replace Askin with. He was as handsome as ever, but he had the smile of a young fox. When our eyes met, he gave me a look that was both mocking and curious. It was embarrassing, and I looked away.
Finally, Loxdian stopped.
'You've got to be kidding me!'
He had led us to the Imperial dais, to the very throne of the Emperor. And right next to the throne was a second, smaller chair.
'Is he putting me there? Right in front of everyone? Where my grandfather can see me?!'
I realized then that the "game" wasn't mine to play—it was Loxdian’s. He wasn't just my brother today; he was the Emperor, and he was making a statement.
I was prepared to refuse with everything I had, but before I could speak, Noah stepped forward.
"Greetings, Princess," he said, before looking at Askin with a firm, professional expression. "Duke Lemut, I’m afraid you cannot go up the stairs."