NOVEL NEXT Ch. 26
-There’s no law to stop the princess’s monopoly. However, there is a law to prevent the emperor’s monopoly. When I become emperor, I will halt all monopolies and allow the freedom of purchase.
Historically, there was no princess like Princess Grilica, who developed technology and ran businesses herself. Therefore, there were no specific laws in place to stop princesses either.
Princess Grilica took full advantage of this legal loophole.
Moreover, she understood the psychology of the vain nobles all too well. To expand her influence, she devised another scheme beside restricting the purchase of her inventions.
She decided to create a new trend in noble society with the millions she earned from magical engineering.
That was what the
‘It must have been an incredible sensation.’
During the winter, everyone would stay home and eagerly wait for spring to arrive.
But a banquet in the middle of winter?
The princess installed massive heating systems in the imperial banquet hall. She then invited only her supporters and hosted lavish parties with a different theme every day.
Nobles invited to these balls enjoyed spectacles of
The nobles allied with the princess began to boast about the winter banquet incessantly. Not only that, some nobles, with the princess’s permission, started businesses selling goods related to the winter banquet.
‘The princess’s nobles enjoy a convenient life with magical engineering inventions, attend beautiful parties, and make money too.’
Those nobles who were left out couldn’t bear the feeling of being left behind.
Eventually, one by one, even the nobles who opposed Princess Grilica began to side with her.
Agla of the southern region, which didn’t need heating facilities, remained loyal to the crown prince until the end… however, when Fredo of the neutral western region joined Princess Grilica’s side, Agla had no choice but to follow suit.
In the end, she became the first woman in the continent’s history to ascend to the throne as emperor.
‘To commemorate that, the Imperial Family has held the Winter Banquet every year.’
Especially for our Alton family, it was a very special event because we were the first to support Princess Grilica to spread heating facilities throughout the northern region.
‘But Father is in the north, so he won’t be able to attend.’
Normally, even if he was in the north, he would teleport back to attend the event.
However, right now, Father was too busy taking care of Nesia to return to the capital.
‘Fortunately, the official reason is that he’s investigating the gemstone mines.’
Even though magical engineering inventions had advanced, magic gems were still precious treasures.
No matter how advanced inventions might be, they were just tools to make daily life more convenient. True
Thus, the development of the magic gemstone mines remained an important issue.
The Imperial Family would understand Father’s absence.
“It’s been a while since I’ve attended a banquet. I’ll need to order a new dress, so invite the designers to the mansion.”
“Yes, Lady Belladi.”
I told the maid that as I tucked away the invitation.
For some time, I hadn’t appeared in society because I was busy caring for Mother, arranging her funeral, and training. In fact, I used to quite enjoy attending parties.
‘I wonder how society has changed in my absence.’
I was a key figure in the social world as the empire’s only princess.
Since I’d been out of the public eye, I was rather curious to see what changes the fast-paced social scene had undergone.
***
The first day of the Winter Banquet approached quickly.
Usually, banquets were held at night, but the Winter Banquet was typically held during the day. The weather was fitting, with snow falling heavily.
I stepped out of the carriage, carefully adjusting my new velvet dress and coat. As soon as I alighted, someone opened an umbrella to shield me from the snow.
I assumed it was an attendant waiting for me, but when I turned my head, I saw Zion standing there, impeccably dressed.
“Thanks, Zion.”
“Hello, Belladi.”
“But why are you holding the umbrella?”
Glancing behind him, I saw the attendant who had been holding the umbrella fidgeting nervously.
“Why are you taking someone else’s job?”
“Just… because I felt like it?”
He said this as he leaned his shoulder against mine.
Standing so close together, I noticed that Zion had grown taller than me.
I had a feeling that unless I started wearing shoes with heels, we wouldn’t be at eye level much longer.
‘Zion has a pretty face, a well-proportioned body, and a kind personality, and now he’s getting tall too.’
It wasn’t just because he was my friend; Zion really was an impressive guy.
I nodded, feeling oddly proud, when someone suddenly put an arm around both of our shoulders.
“Wow, it’s really snowing hard!”
It was Mostin, smiling brightly.
“It’s cold! Let’s hurry into the banquet hall!”
Mostin hurriedly scurried under the umbrella. Somehow, the three of us ended up huddling together under one umbrella.
I nudged Zion, who was holding the umbrella, to stand in the middle and shrugged.
“At least we dressed in matching clothes, right?”
Through the coats we had pulled tight around us, I could see the outfits Mostin and Zion were wearing. Our dress code for today was deep wine-colored velvet.
It was Mostin who had suggested the dress code.
Mostin loved the sense of belonging and preferred that the three of us did everything together. It was also Mostin who had suggested we meet in front of the banquet hall and go in together.
Mostin smiled warmly at the sight of the three of us dressed up.
“I knew you’d all look great.”
“We do have quite the looks, don’t we?”
“I’m honored to hear you say that; Zion.”
“Indeed, Belladi. By the way, Zion, your admirers will be causing a stir again today.”
We kept chatting as we entered the imperial building where the banquet hall was. The building was warm, even from the entrance.
After handing our coats and umbrella to the imperial maids, we headed for the doors. The waiting attendants greeted us politely and opened the doors to the banquet hall wide.
Beyond the opening doors, the banquet hall was a wintry spectacle of white. The curtains on the large terraces had been drawn back, allowing the snowy landscape to be clearly visible.
As we entered, the nobles who had been gathered in small groups, chatting, turned their attention toward us. I smiled casually and picked up a champagne glass from the tray of a nearby attendant.
“Speaking of which, where’s your brother?”
Mostin tilted his head as he picked up a champagne glass, just like mine.
I took a light sip and replied.
“I’ve increased his magic lessons lately, and he’s completely absorbed in them. He said he couldn’t make it because he’s busy studying.”
Zion chimed in.
“But missing the Winter Banquet?”
“As long as I’m here, Meldor can miss this one. Father also gave his permission.”
Meldor being so focused on magic was a situation I greatly welcomed. If he remained devoted to his studies like this, it would be much easier for me to increase my influence.
As I chuckled to myself, a group of people approached me.
“Lady Belladi!”
“It’s been so long!”
It was the young ladies from the families I often mingled with.
I greeted them with a light smile.
“Nice to see you all. I apologize for not responding to each of your letters. Things have been rather quiet on my end.”
“Oh, no need to apologize. We understand your situation.”
“Yes, we’re just so happy to see you in person!”
The young ladies surrounded me and led me to the sofa where they’d been sitting. After exchanging glances with Mostin and Zion, I followed them.
Once I sat down, the ladies crowded around me, eager to chat.
“How have you been?”
“Your dress looks amazing today.”
“You coordinated outfits with the gentlemen! I’m so proud of your strong friendship!”
I kept smiling as I listened to their words.
For the record, I was incredibly popular with girls my age.
Many nobles admired the trio of Mostin, Zion, and me, and each of us had our own devoted fanbase.
Take Mostin, for example.
Mostin was quite well-loved by the older generation of nobles.
It seemed that Mostin’s sunny and approachable demeanor, something Zion and I didn’t have, particularly charmed the older folks. Even now, Mostin was chatting happily with several nobles old enough to be grandparents.
And then there was Zion.
Zion was…
I subtly glanced over at where Zion was standing.
The others followed my gaze and nodded in agreement.
“Lord Agla’s popularity is truly something else.”
“I’ve never seen anyone, regardless of gender, so universally admired in society.”
“My mother says that Lord Agla is even more popular than Duchess Agla was at the height of her social activities.”
It was true. A crowd of people had gathered around Zion. Most of them were our age, and they were all blushing as they gazed at him.
It was all because Zion had inherited the pure and delicate beauty of Duchess Agla, who was considered the most beautiful woman in the empire.
‘That must be why he’s considered the most handsome man in high society.’
On top of that, Zion had a kind and gentle personality, which made it impossible for anyone not to like him.
There was always a group that clung to Zion, constantly vying for his attention…
“Lord Agla, please accept this. It’s a handkerchief I embroidered for you, thinking of you all night.”
“Zion, I heard you like magic, so I turned one of the floors in our mansion into a magic research room. Please visit sometime.”
“This is a perfume I made while thinking of you. Please wear only this from now on, okay?”
These were
Zion, being too kind-hearted, smiled awkwardly as he tried to politely handle them all.
‘He really lives such a tiring life.’
If it were me, I’d have ignored them all.
For instance, in the past, some of Zion’s admirers even tried approaching me.