NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13
“This is Leonard, may I come in?”
“Please, come in.”
With Serena’s permission, Leonard entered the room.
Leonard was dressed in knightly attire. It seemed he had been assigned as Ishid’s escort for this event as well. Leonard spoke gently.
“His Majesty requests that you accompany Serena when she is ready.”
“Oh, just a moment!”
In response to the king’s command, Mari hurriedly adjusted Serena’s appearance once again.
“All done.”
“Thank you, Mari.”
“Have a wonderful time, Lady Serena.”
As Mari cheerfully bid her farewell, Leonard extended his arm.
“Shall we go?”
“Thank you.”
Serena awkwardly placed her hand on Leonard’s arm. It was because she had never been treated as a noble lady before.
Moreover, she was not staying in the palace as a royal guest. So, attending the imperial banquet as the Emperor’s partner felt awkward.
In truth, Serena didn’t even fully understand the exact significance of being the Emperor’s partner. She simply regarded it as an honor, nothing more.
Leonard, perhaps accustomed to being an escort, walked in sync with Serena’s stride. Serena glanced at him curiously.
“Come to think of it, how did you become so close to His Majesty?”
The four knights who received Ishid’s favor were famous for being childhood friends. Among them, Leonard had the highest birth status.
There was Jack Gordon, a commoner, and Norton, a bastard child of the Greenwood Duke. Then there was Lily, a lesser-known noble from a distant province. They all had somewhat ambiguous noble backgrounds.
Except for one person, Leonard.
Leonard was the heir of the Carter Viscount. Of course, he wasn’t the heir from the beginning. He had an older brother who died early, so he became the heir belatedly.
“I heard that Ishid became closest to you last,” Serena recalled.
Leonard, always neat and tidy, wondered why he was also called the “scoundrel.”
“Sir Leonard, may I ask you a question?”
“Yes, please.”
“How did you become close to His Majesty?”
Serena’s question made Leonard smile gently.
“We became connected by chance when we were young.”
“By chance?”
“Yes. I met His Majesty at a social gathering for the first time after my brother’s death.”
Leonard’s voice sounded calm. Serena stared blankly at Leonard mentioning his brother’s death.
The death of the eldest son in the Carter family was a sudden event. He was healthy, but suddenly met with an accident.
Seeing Serena remain silent, Leonard chuckled.
“I’m fine. It’s already a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
Apologizing to Serena, Leonard shrugged and continued speaking.
“On that day, I had an argument with a nobleman over a seat and left the hall alone. That’s when I encountered someone who had already taken control of the garden.”
“That must have been His Majesty.”
“Yes. Even though I wanted to be alone and go another way, he insisted on talking to me.”
“What did he say?”
“He said that since he came here first, I should leave.”
Leonard chuckled as he recalled that moment.
“The Emperor was always fearless since childhood.”
Serena thought to herself that Ishid also had that personality when he was young. She pursed her lips, feeling somewhat disappointed. But then Leonard said something unexpected.
“After hearing those words, I didn’t want to leave.”
“Did you sit next to him?”
“Yes.”
Serena thought that Leonard, too, had a strong will.
Usually, when someone hears such words, they would either argue or leave the place…
“Perhaps Leonard also hides wit beneath his neat appearance.”
“Since then, we didn’t exchange many words. We just stayed together until the end of the gathering.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“I thought there would be a more touching story, but it seems a bit bland.”
Serena made a disappointed expression and slouched her shoulders. Leonard spoke.
“Well, in truth, I received great comfort from that. That day, I was the center of attention for many people. It was my first social gathering after my brother’s funeral.”
“People can be quite nasty. They’re overly concerned about other people’s affairs.”
Even without looking, Serena pursed her lips in agreement. Leonard smiled mischievously and continued.
“But you, milady, didn’t show any interest in me. At first, I thought you didn’t know who I was, but at the end, you got up first and called my name.”
“So you were aware. That I am a member of the Carter family.”
“Yes. It was really… How should I put it? It was a tremendous comfort. I thought we were just sitting together, but it turned out you had chosen to be there with me.”
Leonard still had the lingering look from that time.
Serena found sincerity in Leonard’s gaze. She could also glimpse how much he respected Ishid. “This is somewhat unexpected.”
Serena had always thought of Ishid as a lazy and indifferent person. However, hearing the appraisal from his close confidant made her reconsider.
It felt like seeing an unexpected side of him.
Why did Ishid approach Leonard that day, and why did he stick around the whole time?
“Did he feel a sense of camaraderie?”
Both the neglected prince and the unfortunate brother, who received uncomfortable attention from everyone, felt somewhat similar. It was because the genuine interest of people never truly reached either of them.
As they chatted about various topics, Serena spotted the waiting room where Ishid was.
“Please take care of His Majesty today.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
As Serena smiled happily, the attendant received the signal and opened the door.
Ishid was dressed in a proper attire for the first time in a while. His usually unkempt hair was elegantly styled today.
The neatly swept-back hair revealed a smooth forehead. His downward-pointing eyelashes seemed somewhat dissatisfied with something.
Serena trembled as if she had seen a wild beast. It was because an awe she had never felt before emanated from him.
“He doesn’t look like the emperor I used to know.”
She shook her head, feeling disgusted with herself for the momentary pounding of her heart.
At that moment, Ishid, wearing a slightly sulky expression in his uncomfortable clothes, noticed Serena.
His blue eyes widened in surprise. Just as Serena was taken aback by him, Ishid also seemed astonished by Serena’s appearance. Serena greeted him.
“I greet the Sun of Crotan.”
“I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“You have something to say.”
When Serena responded, Ishid chuckled lightly. Up close, he looked even more refined. If he dressed up like this every time, numerous young ladies would surely be captivated effortlessly.
“Is living carefree your concept?”
While Serena had that thought, Ishid reached out his hand.
“Is this your first time attending a ball?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s an honor. Your first dance partner is the Emperor of the Empire.”
Ishid laughed leisurely as Serena took his hand. Their hands touched lightly, making Serena feel a ticklish sensation. She still wasn’t used to this court etiquette. After a while, Ishid spoke.
“I’ll be watching. To see if you meet my expectations.”
—
As the emperor entered the hall, the voices of those who were chatting disappeared abruptly. All eyes inside turned toward Serena and Ishid.
The musicians played even more grandly as the voices diminished. The resounding melody seemed to illuminate Ishid and Serena.
As Serena stepped on the red carpet, she felt a bit overwhelmed by the current situation.
Sharp and piercing gazes could be felt. Some eyes seemed to explore how great the lady beside the emperor, who took the place by his side, truly was.
“This is quite an uncomfortable place.”
Although Serena was not yet accustomed, she endured. At that moment, the emperor spoke.
“Nighton Harrison, come forward.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Nighton, who had been standing in between the crowd, approached and kneeled before Ishid.
To honor Nighton, Ishid personally handed him a gift box. After receiving the gift Nighton offered, he bowed respectfully.
“Today is a celebration for the returning envoy from Phyone. Don’t worry about your duties; enjoy yourself.”
As the emperor’s decree was issued, nobles who had been standing in line began forming groups to enjoy the party.
As Ishid led Serena to their seats, Ophelia approached them with her entourage
.
“Your Majesty, I hope you have been well.”
“Ophelia Greenwood.”
“On that day, it seemed as if the girl’s heart was shattered when you left. How is your health?”
“As you can see.”
Ishid replied curtly, causing a pitiful expression to form on Ophelia’s face.
“I’m glad. I was very worried, but now I can finally sleep with both legs stretched out.”
Upon hearing this, the ladies by her side burst into sighs of admiration.
“It’s incredible how genuine Lady Greenwood’s concern for His Majesty is.”
“No one else is more suited to be by Your Majesty’s side than her.”
“But who is the person next to Your Majesty…?”
The murmurs of the ladies whispering nearby reached Serena’s ears. Although they weren’t speaking out loud, refuting them would only make her appear ridiculous.