I paused, the coldness in Noah’s voice hitting me like a bucket of ice water.
'Wait, I didn't even plan on going up there...'
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Noah. He stiffened slightly under my gaze, but he didn't retract his words.
"This is a place where only the Imperial family may tread," he said firmly.
I hadn't intended to step foot on that dais in the first place, but being told I *couldn't*—especially when my "brother" was dragging me there—felt like a slap in the face. I’d already had enough of the "Vicious Princess" lifestyle for one night.
"It’s fine," I said, turning to Askin. "I’ll stay down here."
Askin’s reaction was what bothered me most. He didn't look relieved or insulted; he just looked... polite. It was a natural, practiced deference.
'Ah, this man really is a loyalist to the core,' I thought with a sigh. It was admirable, in a way, but it also made me sad. He seemed so used to being stepped on by those above him.
"Step down," I said to Loxdian, my hand still on Askin’s arm. "I’m not going up there."
Askin flinched slightly at my touch, but I didn't let go.
"It’s not even funny," I added, my voice turning cold as I looked at my tyrant brother. "I’m not part of your Royal family."
Loxdian gave me a malicious grin. "Oh? Is your blood different from mine?"
"I want you to behave yourself today, Loxdian."
"Unfortunately, we’re two sides of the same coin, little sister. Looking at you is like looking in a mirror."
"Damn it."
"...Do you want to die?" Loxdian whispered, his voice full of a very real, very inaudible threat.
'Can an Emperor really talk to his sister like this?' I wondered. Well, he was a tyrant, so I suppose it fit the brand.
"I’m staying here," I said, taking a step back. This was my golden opportunity to spend time with my fiancé and secure my survival. I wasn't about to waste it sitting on a throne.
"Do you really hate it that much?" Loxdian asked, making a circular gesture with his finger.
I frowned. He was reminding me of the debt again. He was using my grandfather’s financial hold over Askin as leverage to keep me in line.
"Fine," I snapped. "If you really want me there."
But I wasn't going to spend the whole night as a decoration. "Ten minutes."
"Until the end of the banquet," Loxdian countered.
"I’ll go home right now and leave you to explain it. Do you want that?"
"...One hour."
"Ten minutes."
"Twenty minutes."
"Deal." I gave him a shark-like smile of my own.
Loxdian’s eyebrow twitched, but he didn't push further. I turned back to Askin.
"Askin, did you hear that? My brother wants to use me as eye candy for a bit."
"Hey! What kind of—" Loxdian started.
"My brother is just shy," I interrupted, looking at Askin. "He talks tough because he’s too embarrassed to admit he actually cares. Isn't that right, Sir Noah?"
"With all due respect, Princess, that is... a very interesting interpretation," Noah replied, clearly struggling to keep a straight face.
Askin looked like he’d just been told the moon was made of cheese. He was completely bewildered by our dynamic. I supposed I couldn't blame him; even I wondered if I’d accidentally possessed a mental patient sometimes.
"Wait for me for twenty minutes," I told him, my voice softening. "I’ll be right back."
Askin stared at me, his expression unreadable. "...You’re the kind of person who actually asks someone to wait," he murmured.
"Only for handsome people," I joked. "Are you surprised?"
"I..."
"I’m kidding. Mostly." I squeezed his hand gently before letting go. "Oh, and I brought a gift for Aria. I didn't have time to give it to her earlier, so please take it and make sure she gets it."
"...A gift?"
"It’s a comb. She told you about it, didn't she?"
Askin stayed silent, but I knew he wouldn't leave now. He’d wait the twenty minutes just to fulfill the task of delivering the gift. Perfect design.
I followed Loxdian up the stairs as the banquet officially began with his congratulatory speech.
'He’s surprisingly good at this,' I thought, watching him command the room from my seat next to the throne.
The view from the top of the stairs was incredible. The hall was massive, and seeing all the nobles looking up at Loxdian with a mix of respect and fear felt... strange. In the book, he was described as a madman, but here, he looked every bit the powerful Emperor.
After the speech, the long line of nobles began. One by one, they came forward to greet the Emperor.
"Greetings, Princess Altsbeit," many of them added, though their faces told a different story.
I recognized the ones from the "Emperor’s Faction"—the ones who were fiercely loyal to Loxdian. They looked at me with open disgust. I ignored them, occasionally nodding with a lack of sincerity that would have made the old Charlize proud.
If anyone was particularly rude, I just stared them down. The "Evil Princess" gaze was a powerful tool; none of them wanted to be my first victim of the night. One particularly bold aristocrat tried to stare me down, but he quickly looked away when I gave him a fierce, predatory smile.
'How much longer is this going to take?' I wondered, getting bored.
I looked over at my grandfather. He was staring at me with an intensity that made me feel like my back was about to break. I was caught between two whales—Loxdian and Altsbeit—and I just hoped I wouldn't be the one crushed in the middle.
I scanned the room for Askin. He was still standing exactly where I’d left him, leaning slightly against a wall. His expression hadn't changed, and interestingly, none of the other nobles were going anywhere near him.
'Is it because they're afraid of Charlize's possessiveness?' I wondered. In their eyes, he was my "property," and no one wanted to risk my wrath by talking to him. Well, if it keeps the other women away, I won't complain.
The music shifted, signaling the end of the formal greetings. The last noble bowed and moved away, and the orchestra began a lively dance tune.
Loxdian stood up and walked toward me, a mischievous glint in his eye. I stood up before he could say a word.
"I’m going."
"Where?"
"To dance."
I started down the stairs, heading toward the center of the hall. Usually, the highest-ranking person would announce the start of the dancing, but Loxdian didn't have a partner, and as a Princess of the highest rank, the role fell to me.
"I’ve been sitting here long enough," I muttered as Loxdian followed me down.
"Why are you following me?" I hissed.
"Am I following you, or are you just too shy to walk alone?" he teased.
"Go away."
"Is that him?" he asked, looking toward Askin.
"...Are you crazy?"
Loxdian was copying my tone perfectly. It reminded me of how my real-world brother, Ji-hoon, used to tease me.
"It seems Duke Lemut is wearing something very similar to your own outfit," Loxdian noted, his eyes scanning Askin’s suit. "Is this your work?"
"Yes."
"A masterpiece," he admitted, though he sounded like he was getting goosebumps just saying it.
I ignored him and hurried down the final few steps, desperate to get back to my fiancé.