Chapter 150. Willingly 2021.07.10.
Aidan just looked down at me without answering. Embarrassed for some reason, I smiled shyly and held out my hand closer.
“At times like this, I am willing to answer. Aidan.”
At my words, Aidan’s gaze turned to the outstretched hand. Are you saying no? I don’t like it, but maybe I’m forcing it. When I thought that, my hand went backwards without my knowledge. It was then.
“…Gladly.”
A large, cold hand gripped my hand. And without the slightest hesitation, he pulled it toward me.
“oh…!”
Losing my balance for a moment, I staggered and fell toward Aidan. Aidan held me with his other hand.
‘Was Aidan this big?’
I thought I had grown up, but I felt so unfamiliar that I thought I was a different person for a moment.
‘My hands are too big.’
And…
‘why are the shoulders so wide?’
I didn’t feel that I had grown because I saw him every day, but I felt it clearly when I was conscious again. Plus, unlike the past when I didn’t know the truth about Aidan, knowing that Aidan wasn’t really a boy the age of Oscar made me feel even more strange. Feeling embarrassed for nothing, I straightened up and said a word.
“Aidan is very tall.”
“Your Majesty has grown a lot too.”
“…Are you kidding me?”
Unlike Oscar Aidan Enrique, who grew a handful each time he saw me, I was still planted. It’s only natural since she’s older than me, but Emily tends to grow up quickly too.
“Because you couldn’t even speak when we first met.”
“I’m kidding. It’s okay to be kidding.”
Aidan smiled lightly as he closed his eyes as he clenched his hands tightly. Come to think of it, Aidan seemed to be laughing a lot these days. I’ve never seen him smile brightly, but even a light smile was nice. Because I feel that feeling of wanting to laugh. I hope there will be something to laugh about in the future. I wanted to make it like that.
“There are a lot of obstacles here, so I’ll go outside and teach you.”
“It is cold.”
“are you okay. You know I’m healthy!”
Aidan understood that I was going out only after I had been layered like a snowman and put on a magic fabric jacket that my dad had given me as a baby. . . . Outside it was a land of snow. Thick snowflakes fell in clusters and landed lightly on our heads and shoulders. Stepping on the high snow piled up before I knew it, I stepped hard. My body was warm, but I couldn’t cover my face, so my cheeks were sore. Every time he exhaled, white breath spread whitely.
“It’s your turn here.”
I took Aidan’s hand and turned around. Then, as if Aidan knew it, he took familiar steps.
‘weird.’
Why doesn’t it feel like dancing with a beginner? I sang every single song, explaining each step, but something was suspicious.
“Aidan. Is this really your first time dancing?”
“yes.”
It is probably true that Aidan is not the type to lie, so it is the first time he dances. I started dancing once again, holding back my doubts. Her bare skin was cold, but her hands were warm. It was the time when the second dance had just finished and they said hello to each other. dang dang-. A bell announcing the emperor’s birthday could be heard from afar. Aidan put his lips on the back of my hand and looked up at me.
“Congratulations on your birthday.”
The first birthday celebration this year was Aidan.
***
“Mabel. Happy Birthday.”
“Thanks Dad.”
“This year too, this dad must have congratulated me first. You’re proud, Mabel. Next year, this dad will be the first to congratulate you.”
‘It’s not. It’s Aidan…’
Seeing my father happy, I couldn’t bear to tell the truth. When I glanced behind me with an awkward smile, Aidan, as usual, had an expressionless face.
‘huh. Let’s ask.’
For Aidan’s safety, I decided to protect my father’s illusions and illusions.
“By the way, Mabel. Isn’t that the dress you will wear today?”
My dad, who had matched the dress code while pretending not to, asked me.
“That’s because Renesmee’s dress was all ruined by the maid Ermano’s mistake, so I gave her the dress.”
“…Sorry. But it’s a great move.”
Dad seemed disapproving, but he had an understanding face. Then he even took another bite.
“It doesn’t matter. My daughter shines no matter what she wears. What use is the sun?”
“Ahh. dad…!”
Disgusted, I stood on tiptoe and covered my father’s mouth with both hands.
‘Someone please stop those arms and legs.’
***
Renesmee looked in the mirror and covered her cheek. It was amazing to see her wearing the dress Mabel gave her as if she wasn’t herself.
“You look really good, Your Highness.”
“okay? Pretty?”
“yes. It is worth noting that the young children of Ermano can’t take their eyes off of them.”
“It’s not that far…”
He answered modestly, but Renesmee wasn’t in a bad mood again. It was a little small to just wear, but it was a size that I could wear by adding a cloth and repairing it. As it was a dress for the first day of the emperor’s birthday party, it was made of the finest fabric, so it wasn’t too much, but it had a charm that naturally caught the eye. When she put on the accessories she had brought from Langarde, Renesmee was all dressed up. Enrique rejected Renesmee’s partner because he insisted on escorting Hansako, so today’s partner was his younger brother, Dylan. Dylan, who was holding a kettle in his arms, was startled as he entered the dressing room.
“who are you?”
“Dylan is too.”
“They say clothes are wings, so that’s right.”
When even Dylan, who only knew how to eat, let alone praise, said that, Renesmee’s mood seemed to fly.
“Will it be like the main character of the banquet?”
Dylan answered Renesmee’s question clearly.
“What are you talking about. The host of the banquet is His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I just did it…”
When Renesmee’s mood calmed down a little, Dylan gave another uncharacteristic compliment.
“What suits you well.”
“okay? Then let’s go.”
Renesmee, filled with a swollen heart, entered the hall with Dylan.
“Princess Renesmee Sch Langard and Prince Dylan Levy Langard of the Langard Empire are here!”
The dazzling interior of the hall was dazzling with the light pouring down from the chandelier. As the two entered, the eyes of the aristocrats who had arrived earlier all turned to Renesmee. Renesmee could feel it. That everyone looked at him and exclaimed in admiration.
‘It’s the first time I’ve ever had anything like this.’
Now that the Emperor had not yet entered the hall, it was as if Renesmee had become the star of the banquet. Everyone sees me and everyone talks about me. When I was in Langard, nobody paid attention, but it was different in Ermano. The nobles of Ermano approached and gave Renesmee compliments.
“The dress is really pretty. I don’t think it’s a Langard style fashion, was it tailored in Ermano’s dressing room?”
“Your skin looks whiter. It goes well with the princess.”
“He is a great designer.”
Renesmee covered her mouth with a shy smile.
“Thanks for the compliments.”
Renesmee found Enrique, who had already entered the corner, enjoying his gaze.
“Enrique.”
“Meet Her Highness the Princess.”
“I wish I had been my partner. Escorting is no fun.”
“Because we cannot afford to neglect our mission.”
“Even Enrique is very strict about that.”
When he talked to Enrique without hesitation, the ladies who had longed for Enrique sent envy-filled eyes. Maybe that’s why I was elated with a sense of superiority. It was the beginning of a perfect banquet. Renesmee, who thought she was timid, found a different side of herself on her own. For some reason, I enjoyed talking to people. It was then.
“His Majesty the Great Sun Emperor of the Empire eats it!”
As soon as the emperor announced his position, the banquet hall, which had been noisy, suddenly became quiet and tense. Soon after, the emperor and his partner appeared. Wearing a red sash, the figure was lovely and dignified. Mabel, who sat on the throne in a most natural way, looked around and greeted the audience.
“Thank you for coming to Jim’s banquet today. I wish you a pleasant banquet.”
A brief, brief greeting was the trademark of the girl emperor. The nobles of Ermano, who had already become accustomed to it, started enjoying the banquet again. At that time, the emperor, who was famous for not moving his seat, came down to the dance floor with his partner, Count Aserad. All eyes were focused on the emperor. It was the same with Renesmee. Soon the Emperor and his partner started dancing. Renesmee, who had been staring blankly at the picturesque scene, suddenly turned her head.
‘why?’
Enrique’s expression was not good. And somehow it looked sad.
“Enrique.”
“….”
“Enrique!”
He shouted loudly and grabbed Enrique’s arm, only then turned his head.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. what did you say?”
“You haven’t said anything yet.”
Looking at Enrique, who was distracted, Renesmee impulsively opened her mouth.
“Enrique. Shall we dance too?”
Enrique looked down briefly at Renesmee’s outstretched hand, then took a step back.
“I am on a mission. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“…I knew it.”
Okay. Because it was a familiar rejection. Enrique’s gaze returned to Mabel, who was dancing. Looking at that face, Renesmee finally realized. All along, I thought it was loyalty to the emperor. But Enrique’s feelings were clear.
‘Nonsense.’
As soon as I realized that fact, I came to another realization in a chain. The Emperor and his partner dancing under the light of a sparkling chandelier. People were laughing brightly at them. No one was paying attention to Renesmee anymore. It was. The main character of the banquet was not Renesmee. The only thing everyone praised was the dress Renesmee was wearing that didn’t fit the theme. As soon as I realized that, I became unbearably ashamed of my previous actions that I had been proud of. To the point where I would like to die like this if I could.
“I’ll go out for a while.”
Dylan, preoccupied with food, nodded roughly as Renesmee quickly passed by. Renesmee went out to the garden and crouched down on a bench in a dark corner where there were no magic lights. How long have you been like that Her hands and toes were so cold that she lost her senses, but no one was looking for Renesmee. It was at that time that tears ran down my cheeks as soon as my eyes were reddened.
“It’s cold and you might catch a cold if you stay outside.”
A gentle voice came from right in front of me. When Renesmee looked up, she saw the figure of a man in the dark. Although he couldn’t see his face, Renesmee recognized him at once.
“You…”
“My proposal is still valid, Your Highness.”
“But that’s it.”
“Did I tell you? You can have anything you want. The human heart is no exception.”
You can have anything. How many people can say no to that? Renesmee opened her mouth, rubbing her tear-stained cheeks.
“Can I be loved too?”
Then the other person whispered and replied.
“More than anyone else.”
Eventually, Renesmee took that hand.
***
After the birthday banquet, all the foreign envoys who came to the empire left. In particular, it seemed to feel even more serene after the eventful delegation from Langard left.
‘Dylan packed Bari Bari until the end, saying that the Ermano meal was the best.’
I also said goodbye to the Langard siblings with a smile. There was one thing that bothered me about Renesmee, but I thought it would be okay since she left safely. I was playing with Yangyang’s portrait after a long time in a quiet daily life that hadn’t come in a long time.
[It’s ugly. Draw it again.]
“Yang. calm down. It’s the twentieth picture…”
[Then try drawing it!]
“I’m not a painter.”
While grumbling to the fullest, while serving as Yangi’s exclusive painter, the communication magic tool rang for the first time in a while.
“Casey. what’s the matter?”
[Essence location secured! But… there’s a problem.]
“What’s wrong?”
[It is difficult to access from the guild because only the imperial family is allowed to collect it directly.]
“Where is it?”
[This is the seafront near Ponce Castle, the private residence of His Majesty the Emperor. The nearby seashore is also owned by His Majesty the Emperor.]
“Eh…? my villa?”
I made a stupid noise. Then, an exclamation of ‘Ugh!’ was heard from beyond the magic tool.
[right! Isn’t the Emperor his Majesty?]
“…”
[I forget it every time. Please show me some tea from
time to time.] “I’ll keep that in mind…”
He cut off the communication, vowing to show the dignity of power the next time he meets Casey.
“Ponce Castle. It’s Ponce Castle…”
It was a mistake to think that I could use it freely because it was my own castle. The name is in my name, but the actual management is probably in charge of my father, so I couldn’t open it to the guild. If you try and get caught, you will be in trouble. Thinking deeply, I headed for the office.
“Hi Dad. There’s even an Oscar.”
“Welcome Mabel.”
Oscar sat me down next to me and handed me a plate full of sweets. I ate happily, but I came to my senses.
‘This is not this.’
It’s a really big thing to lose your temper just by looking at delicious things. I was lucky not to be suspicious as much as possible.
“dad. I read in a book that there are deserts and seas in the world.”
“hmm. yes.”
“How is the sea? Pretty?”
“hmm? Why are you suddenly curious about the sea, Mabel?”
Finally getting to the point, I replied with a hehe hee hee laugh.
“I’ve never seen the sea before, so I’m curious!”
in this life. It was just the literal meaning of the words, but Dad and Oscar made faces full of shock.
“Emperor. How… did you raise Mabel to talk like that! You’ve never seen the sea!”
“This is entirely the responsibility of the father. Maybe it’s good, Oscar.”
“We have to show the sea somehow. Catch me as soon as possible.”
I don’t know why the two of them were doing that, but I felt good that things were going smoothly. Dad asked cautiously as I smiled.
“Mabel. Do you like the sea?”
“huh. I miss you every day.”
“…!”
It was roughly an exaggeration to mean that he liked it very much, but it seemed that he approached his father differently.
“everyday? It’s every day. I can’t help it because my daughter wants to see the sea every day.”
“uh?”
Then Dad resolutely declared.
“Cheongdo. I have to do the heavenly way.”
nonsense.
‘Where is the crazy empire that moves the capital to the sea because it misses the sea!’
It was said that the infusion decreased for a while, but I thought it had been upgraded further without knowing it. It was just fantastic.
