Chapter 33

Spruce Palace was built for the sole purpose of hosting the grandest ceremonies and balls of the imperial court. Only on the most exalted of occasions—imperial weddings, coronations, and the Founding Day—was it opened.

The Founding Day was the Empire’s greatest holiday. The imperial household offered food and wine to the citizens of the capital, and every home hung banners and filled the air with music. Young and old alike braided flowers into crowns and poured into the streets in celebration. Even in the estates of lesser nobles that were not invited to the palace, balls lasted until dawn.

From inside the ballroom, the orchestra’s lively music floated outside the palace, riding the night air. While standing in the slow-moving queue for entry, Dianne forgot her awkwardness entirely, wide-eyed and overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of lights, sounds, and finery.

She had been busy admiring the palace’s exquisite architecture and immaculate gardens when she suddenly felt eyes on her. Not just one or two glances, but all around her. Guests ahead, behind, and to the sides were sneaking sidelong looks at her and Sir Reussen. Dianne instinctively hunched her shoulders.

She quickly gestured to Sir Reussen, who leaned down obligingly so she could whisper in his ear.

“Why is everyone staring at us like that?”

“Because you look breathtaking, Miss Ortenza.”

“…I’m being serious.”

“So am I…”

Before she could offer a proper response to that frustratingly earnest answer, the crowd around them seemed to quiet slightly. A well-dressed noblewoman emerged from the sea of gowns and tails with a warm, familiar smile.

“Marek!”

She approached and stopped directly in front of them. Dianne stiffened, slightly unsure how to respond, but Sir Reussen offered the lady a relaxed bow.

“It’s been a while, sister-in-law. Where’s my brother Tiber?”

“He wandered off. Said he had things to discuss with some of the other gentlemen. He’s probably somewhere in that pack over there.”

The woman, Sir Reussen’s sister-in-law, gestured gracefully with her fan toward a gathering of gentlemen across the ballroom. Even they were casting curious glances in their direction, and Dianne had to quickly avert her eyes.

The noblewoman’s gaze then fell on Dianne, who stood demurely with her hands folded in front of her dress. She smiled softly.

“And who is this lovely young lady? Don’t tell me, Marek…”

“Absolutely not.”

Though the denial was undeniably accurate, the firmness of it stung a little.

‘I mean, yes, we’re not a match. But did he have to be that blunt?’

Still, she kept that thought tightly locked behind a polite smile.

“Good evening, my lady. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Dianne Ortenza, governess of Her Highness Princess Elphenlira.”

“Oh, how lovely! I’m Milena, wife of Tiber Reussen. Sir Marek Reussen’s older brother.”

Since Sir Reussen was the second son of House Reussen, that made Milena the future Countess of Reussen.

After the introductions, Lady Reussen tilted her head with gentle curiosity.

“But I wasn’t aware Her Highness had a governess. That’s quite the surprise.”

The innocence in her expression made it clear that she had no idea about the relationship between the princess and Edric Reussen.

‘If even his family doesn’t know, they truly kept it hidden well…’

Of course, it would’ve been unthinkable for word of the princess’s romantic affairs to make the rounds in polite society. Still, the realization left Dianne with a renewed understanding of just how monumental it was for the emperor to have shared that story with her.

‘…If I slip up and say the wrong thing in the wrong place, I really might get killed without anyone knowing.’

The weight of it sat uneasily on her. She hadn’t asked to know this secret, and yet, now that she did, she might never fully escape the watchful eyes of the throne. She wasn’t guilty of anything, and still, a vague sense of unease tightened in her chest.

Lady Reussen seemed genuinely intrigued.

“Which region is your family from, Miss Ortenza? I wonder if I might have met your parents before.”

It was the noble’s refined way of indirectly asking about someone’s title and family background. Dianne was willing to wager every strand of hair on her head that that everyone nearby was listening in.

“I’m from the Ervinzel Grand Duchy. My parents have never visited the capital, so I doubt you’ve had the chance to meet them, my lady.”

“Oh my…”

Lady Reussen turned to her brother-in-law with a slightly startled expression.

Dianne smiled bitterly to herself. It was a talent, really, the way that one look could say, “How on earth did you, a count’s son and a member of the emperor’s personal guard, end up escorting a girl so insignificant?”

Sir Reussen’s response was cool and unwavering.

“Miss Ortenza is a distinguished lady. She is held in high regard by His Majesty himself.”

Dianne blinked in surprise.

He hadn’t simply defended her. He had openly called out his sister-in-law, demanding she treat Dianne with respect.

Lady Reussen seemed to understand the message all too well. Her cheeks flushed, and after a brief excuse about her husband waiting, she quickly made her exit.

Dianne lowered her voice and muttered under her breath, “Aren’t you worried about offending your sister-in-law?”

“I only stated the truth. My sister-in-law has a poor habit of judging people based on their title or lineage.”

That, of course, made Milena Reussen no different from most people. Dianne looked up at him with an expression that said she found him to be something bizarre.

“But she’s the future Countess Reussen, and wife to the head of your house. Wouldn’t it be strategically smarter to stay on her good side?”

“That doesn’t concern me. Before I am the second son of House Reussen, I am a knight sworn to His Majesty. My loyalty lies with him. Always.”

Dianne still didn’t look entirely convinced, so he added calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world:

“And I believe this is exactly what His Majesty would have wanted me to do.”

Her ears warmed at his words, a flush blooming beneath her skin. But Sir Reussen turned his attention to the front of the line, unfazed.

“It seems it’s our turn.”

The attendant accepted their invitation and, in a ringing voice, announced their entrance:

“Sir Marek Reussen and Miss Dianne Ortenza!”

The grand doors of the ballroom swung open before them. Dianne took a long, steadying breath and gathered herself.

‘Just stay unnoticed. Blend into a corner and keep your head down. That’s all I have to do.’

She repeated it to herself like a mantra. Over and over again.