Chapter 14: 14

Time passed and Philomel turned fourteen.

She was about to make her debut. The debutante was usually given to young girls over the age of sixteen, but due to the vacancy of the empress position, Philomel had to take it rather early. Because it was needed for an adult of the imperial family to lead the social circle. That adult used to be the Marquise of Elros, the former princess, but after she was kicked out, there was no one who deserved the position. This was because among the remaining collateral imperial families, there was no person close enough to her direct line to replace the empress.

Even though it was like that, she did not have to do anything big, but since there was no one to hold the center in the social world, the conflict between factions was sharp and the atmosphere was not good.

‘Can I play the role??’ She was reluctant to stand as Philomel, as if she had been burdened for nothing, but as a princess, she could not neglect her duties. Anyway, before Ellencia appeared, she was the princess.

She thought, ‘I have no choice but to fulfill my given role.’

Moreover, Countess Deles said it would not be too difficult. The wives would take notice of her if she was watching over Philomel. Although she was a temporary princess, she was a princess, and it was unknown how difficult it would be for nobles with high self-esteem.

“My God! You are so beautiful!”

The cheers of the Countess Deles burst out beside her, and Philomel realized the situation she was in. The debut date was today. The banquet would start in just a few hours. So Philomel turned back and forth to check her reflection in the mirror.

“Wouldn’t this be too flashy?”

Looking at the dress decorated with countless red ribbons over her white fabric, Philomel asked in embarrassment. The Countess shook her head and straightened the dress.

“Not at all! Your Highness has only been dressed very neatly.

Her maids also helped her to get her ribbon undone. She checked carefully.

“This dress may not suit your taste, but please bear with it for today. Everyone else is dressed up.”

“Um, that’s right.”

Actually, it was Philomel’s taste. Rather, the other dresses in her closet were clothes that were out of her own taste. Even before she was nine years old, Philomel had a taste for fancy dresses that would roll her eyes. Decorate as much as possible, materials of the highest quality. But it’s only a matter of time before she becomes the extravagant ‘Philomel’ in the book, who keeps buying such dresses.

Her face was not thick enough to spend the emperor’s money. So Philomel changed her taste. She usually wore neat and elegant dresses, and she was thrifty as much as possible without spoiling the dignity of her royal family. As a result, others thought that her Philomel had naturally changed her taste as she got older. The Countess, who was regretful that she couldn’t wear a cute and fancy dress, encouraged her to wear the dress she had chosen for her debut. 

‘It’s a little bit…’ It was awkward but not bad.

Philomel, looking at herself in her mirror, confirmed that the time had passed, and quickly left her room. The emperor was waiting in front of her carriage.

“Your majesty! Have you been waiting long?”

“Not really. Rather…”

Eustis’ gaze turned to the dress. Philomel was irritated at the thought of his eyes rebuking the price of the expensive dress, even though his personality wouldn’t allow it.

“Is it very strange?”

“Not. Goes well.”

“His Majesty, suit suits you very well.”

The emperor laughed at the flattering words, climbed into his carriage, and held out his hand. From some time ago, he often smiled at Philomel.

“Ride.”

It was he who would escort Philomel today. Philomel held her hand without hesitation. Even on the grounds of the imperial palace, the carriage passed through the inner palace on the inner side and ran to the outer palace. While the Inner Palace was mainly the living space of the imperial family, the Outer Palace was where officials worked, palace attendants lived, and banquets were held. Soon they arrived at the banquet hall.

“The Sun of the Great Empire and the Little Sun, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Princess are entering!”

When they appeared with the shouts of the servants, the attention of the hall was focused.

“Glory to Belerov!”

“Glory to Belerov!”

People bowed down and put their right arm on their chest. And the debutante began.

According to the general custom, the young nobles who participated in the debut dance danced with a member of the opposite age, accompanied by a family escort. At that time, there was a popular belief that marriage was done with the person who they danced with for the first time, and for that reason, finding a first dance partner was the greatest concern for the young ladies.

Philomel heard that there was a young lady who ended up crying at the debut stage because she couldn’t find a partner she liked. Of course, it’s not a story that applies to those who have a certain partner.

Philomel, who found her fiancé far away, reported to the emperor.

“Then I will have my first dance with the heir of Avrydon.”

But there was no answer coming back. Looking back in wonder, Eustis had a somewhat displeased face.

“Your majesty?”

“…It’s a superstition that you’ll bond with your first dance partner. So don’t be too entangled. There are still countless possibilities for you.”

‘I think you wanted to say something, but… Is this your own advice?’

Although she didn’t know the possibility, she knew from long ago that she would not be connected with Nassar.

“Everyone knows. Don’t worry.”

Philomel gave a cool answer and proceeded toward Nassar, dealing with the people who were greeting her. Nassar was the heir who had both the literary and military skills of a noble family. In addition, he was praised as the best groom in the empire for his outstanding personality.

He was watching Philomel approaching. He was very dazed, as if possessed by something, and Philomel called his name.

“Nassar?”

“…”

“Nassar, are you not feeling well?”

“No. I’m sorry. I’m fine, I was just lost in thought.”

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“You weren’t too overbearing yesterday, were you?”

“I’m fine. I had a good rest yesterday.”

The Duke of Avrydon’s passion for education never cooled. He recently brought in a sword master who uses auras as Nassar’s swordsmanship teacher. Sympathy welled up in Philomel when she saw the bruises on his sleeves. One side of her heart was cold. It may have been the feelings of lament for the sick man.

“Your Highness, please give me your hand.”

With a faint trembling voice, Nassar held out his hand.

Participants were gathered around the banquet hall. The first thing to do was to wait for the princess and her fiancé to start the dance.

Philomel held his hand again without hesitation. Until she left this place, she was able to serve as Ellensia’s substitute.

* * *

Time passed again. Philomel turned fifteen.

“Greetings, Little Sun of the Empire, His Highness Philomel Matias Belerov.”

At a ballroom, a young lady with a nervous face greeted the princess.

“Oh. Aren’t you Lady Lusan? How is Countess Lusan’s health these days? I wonder if the prescription of the doctor invited from abroad was effective.”

The Countess’s daughter, moved by the fact that the princess cared for the health of her mother even though she was not from a very powerful family, responded happily.

“She has improved a lot. It is all thanks to Your Highness for helping me call a doctor.”

“It was nothing great. I was just a bridge in the middle.”

“You’re too humble. If Her Highness hadn’t helped me, my mother would still be lying in bed.”

Before long, several nobles flocked to Philomel’s side. Those who were impatient to share a few words with the princess.

Nassar Avrydon watched the scene from a distance, holding a crystal glass. Philomel was responding to every word they were talking about without showing any annoyance. Her soft brown hair swayed against her white skin every time she nodded a little. Nassar watched it quietly. Until someone did hit him on the shoulder.

“Nassar! You were here.”

“Kenny.”

Kenny Odelli, the second son of the Marquess of Odelli, was Nassar’s best friend. He had a playful and chatty personality, but he was on the side of taciturn and had a lot in common with Nassar.

“Who are you looking at that way?”

Kenny, seeing the direction Nassar’s gaze was heading, blew his whistle.

“Whew. Very desperate, desperate. Do you want to see her again after watching her while dancing together earlier?”

“It’s not like that.”

“No, then what?”

Kenny slapped Nassar on the shoulder again.

“Is she so good? Enough to look at her all the time?”

Nassar, who was silent for a moment, gave an answer that was somewhat different from Kenny’s question.

“…You danced with the princess too.”

“It’s me, I asked, and she answered. But you are the first dance partner.”

“Of course it’s because I’m her fiancé.”

“Ohhh. That’s all? You only danced because you were fiancée?”

Kenny looked at Nassar mischievously. As if to stop admitting it.

“Yes. That’s all.”

‘At least for her.’

Nassar swallowed his words and turned his gaze back to the princess.

“Do not lie. I can see the love dripping from your gaze.”

“…”

Kenny babbled at his friend who kept his mouth shut.

“Looking at this, I’m jealous of this guy. Why did you get upset because the princess danced with other guys?”

“Noisy.”

“Well then, what are you worried about? You are the man who will have the honor of marrying her anyway.”

“…I wonder if that’s the case.”

Kenny clicked his tongue at his lack of confidence. The princess and Nassar were a perfect couple that everyone acknowledged, but his friend was always strangely defensive.

“What are you talking about? If not you who…”

Suddenly, the murmur of words ceased, and the people in the hall bowed their heads. The emperor appeared.

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