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Her cerulean eyes, her flowing blonde hair, overlapped with the image of Aria I had once seen.
So foolishly, I hadn't recognized it until now.
But even knowing that the Aria I had desperately searched for was Leticia, I couldn't say anything to her.
No, I didn't.
'What will change if I say anything?'
If we had remained as good memories, maybe.
We were just childhood friends who hurt each other, perhaps she had long forgotten.
Revealing my identity was merely an act prioritizing my own emotions; it was a reunion that held no meaning for Leticia.
And more than anything.
'I want to be seen as a good person.'
I wanted to bury the unsightly version of myself from those days and remain as the person she sees me as now.
Not a prince from a fairy tale, but a capable helper and sometimes a fun and amusing partner.
'...How cowardly.'
Perhaps I was simply afraid.
Of Leticia's reaction upon learning my true identity.
I didn't have the confidence to appear impressive to her, who remembered my wretched self.
Idris, lamenting his own image, took Leticia's hand and replied.
"You are beautiful too... truly."
At Idris's unusually serious words, devoid of his usual laughter, Leticia widened her eyes in surprise before bursting into laughter.
At the same time, I saw the slight tension on her face, which had been stiff with nervousness, relax.
Despite pretending to be nonchalant out of pride, I could feel how much she cared about today.
'She hates showing weak or clumsy sides, to the point of practicing dancing secretly by herself.'
Reading her heart, Idris gently clasped Leticia's hand.
The hand that had supported him in his childhood.
'I will be your wind.'
So that you, with your wings, can fly further and higher.
The national founding celebration banquet was held in the imperial palace.
Peidan entered the banquet hall, looking around as if searching for someone.
'It seems he hasn't arrived yet.'
He ground his teeth, recalling the face of the person he sought.
His wife, who had ultimately refused the hand of reconciliation he had graciously extended last night.
'Ha, so she insists on attending the banquet with that guy?'
The thought of Leticia appearing with Idris contorted his expression horribly.
Whispers reached Peidan's ear.
"Oh my, did Duke Farnese end up coming alone?"
"I know, right? Leaving aside the Duchess, I thought he would come with Miss Elysee Fran. Were they not actually having an affair?"
All sorts of speculations were being made about Peidan, who had attended the banquet alone without a partner.
Peidan's pride was hurt by the pitying public opinion, but he endured it, pretending not to hear.
'This is exactly the reaction I wanted.'
Currently, there were two conflicting opinions within the empire regarding the relationship between Leticia and Peidan.
One opinion was that Peidan had an affair with Elysee, and Leticia, enraged by their affair, had retaliated by having her own affair. The other was that Peidan had merely allowed Elysee, who was being oppressed by her uncle, to stay at his mansion for a while, and their relationship was innocent.
'Rather, Leticia was jealous of Elysee and spread rumors that she was having an affair.'
Due to the conservative social atmosphere, many sided with Peidan.
In such a situation, if he appeared pitiful?
'The more pitiful I seem, the more I can paint Leticia as a vicious villain.'
That's why he had left Elysee, who insisted on coming to the banquet, at the Duke's residence.
Now that public opinion had formed around him attending the banquet alone, the picture he desired would be painted when Leticia appeared with Idris.
Just as Peidan was waiting for Leticia's arrival.
The doors of the banquet hall opened at that moment.
"His Imperial Highness Duke Dellua and..."
The knight hesitated for a moment before adding in a slightly subdued voice.
"The, the Duchess Farnese is entering!"
At the name that followed, the eyes of everyone in the banquet hall, including Peidan, turned towards the door.
The protagonist of the scandal that had shaken the empire.
Leticia was entering the banquet hall, holding Idris's hand.
Those who saw them stopped whispering and stared blankly at the sight.
Idris's appearance, which was always a topic of conversation, was nothing new.
But it was because Leticia, who didn't fade even beside him, but rather stood out even more, stole their attention.
Leticia, wearing a mysterious navy dress, looked like a flower blooming at night, or like a butterfly seeking a flower.
'...She is pretty.'
Forgetting his anger, Peidan stared at Leticia as if entranced, before snapping back to his senses at the sound of whispers.
"Goodness, the Duchess really attended with His Imperial Highness."
"No, even if their relationship is what it is, how can she brazenly appear at such an official event?"
"I know, right? It's a banquet hosted by His Majesty the Emperor himself. His Majesty must be heartbroken."
All sorts of words were quickly exchanged over the fans covering the mouths of the noblewomen.
'That's right, Leticia. You should have taken the hand I extended one last time.'
Peidan smiled wryly as he listened to their stories.
Public opinion was flowing as he intended.
Of course, not all public opinion.
"Even though there's been a lot of talk, His Imperial Highness has never had any issues with women... For him to have taken a liking to the Duchess... It's not like the Empire only has one woman, what could he possibly be attracted to?"
"Well... She's been quiet since getting married, but honestly, she is pretty, isn't she?"
Everyone was displeased with Leticia for disrupting the atmosphere of the banquet, but no one could say anything to the last noblewoman's offhand remark.
As she said, Leticia was beautiful.
So beautiful that no one could refute it.
To the point where they gossiped about her, yet couldn't take their eyes off her and envied her.
Just as everyone was admiring Leticia's appearance, the dress and jewelry she was adorned in, it was then.
"His Majesty the Emperor is entering!"
The doors of the banquet hall opened once more, and Emperor Azef entered.
'Finally...!'
Peidan's eyes gleamed sharply as he saw him.
The biggest reason Peidan hadn't accompanied Elysee.
The person who was most displeased with the relationship between Leticia and Idris.
And so, the protagonist of this banquet, who could prevent Leticia and his divorce, had arrived.
Azef passed the deeply bowing nobles and ascended to the highest seat in the banquet hall.
"I thank you all for gracing this occasion despite being busier than ever."
He then made a congratulatory speech, holding the glass handed to him by an attendant.
"The National Founding Day is not merely a time to celebrate the founding of our nation, but also a time to reflect on how much blood and sweat our ancestors shed to bring this country to where it is today."
"..."
"In line with that purpose, I hope that we can look back on the achievements our ancestors accomplished by uniting as one, and have a meaningful day of reaffirming our loyalty to each other."
As the Emperor's congratulatory speech ended, all the nobles in attendance raised their glasses high.
It was the beginning of the full-fledged banquet.
At the same time, in front of the imperial palace.
Elysee was arguing with the guards.
"I-I was so rushed to get here that I forgot my invitation, okay?"
"I'm sorry, but you cannot enter the imperial palace without an invitation."
"Don't you recognize my face?"
"I'm sorry."
"Ugh, at this rate, the banquet will be over!"
She tried begging, she tried getting angry, but the guards remained unmoved, repeating only that she "could not enter."
Elysee pounded her chest hard in frustration.
'Peidan, that damn bastard!'
She had her doubts, but he really did leave her behind.
'What about my reputation!'
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