Chapter 13 Part 1: Triumphal Banquet

The moon hung high in the sky.

Light fell through the window.

On the terrace, bathed in soft moonlight, Rosa was lost in thought. The view of the garden below was now a familiar sight to her.

When the fresh green buds sprouted in early spring, she would feel that another year had passed here.

And summer. Raindrops collected in the small fountain from yesterday’s rain, and the bright sunlight shone down on them again.

In autumn, reddish leaves floated in the wind with a rustling sound. When snow fell in midwinter, a tranquil landscape was completed in the garden.

Perhaps that’s why.

Occasionally, coming out to the terrace alone and looking down at the garden was one of Rosa’s hobbies.

Of course.

‘This will be the last time, too…’

The wind touching her arms was a little cold.

Breathing in the chilly winter night air, Rosa recalled the moment she first came here.

[What…?]

She must have uttered those words.

When she saw a pretty girl in the mirror.

At first, she couldn’t adapt to the changed gender and environment. But humans are far more adaptable creatures than they think.

Using the manner of speaking of a noble lady, wearing a dress that let the wind through between her legs.

Feeling a weight on her chest that she had never felt before, and having to wear uncomfortable underwear because of it.

She got used to it. Strangely enough.

‘But it’s been seven years.’

Come to think of it, that was true. There was no reason or need not to change during that time.

Sometimes, Rosa was confused.

‘Was I, originally a bit feminine..??’

Just because a person was born male doesn’t mean they are unconditionally masculine. A man can have feminine traits, and a woman can have masculine traits.

Masculine and feminine.

It was difficult to clearly define those standards, but Rosa believed that such a concept existed.

Why. She once saw a survey like that.

[Do you feel a desire to become a woman?]

In the military, no less. Half jokingly, half out of the frustration of being a man and having to serve in the military. She had checked ‘yes’ on that survey. Of course, it wasn’t sincere at all.

It was self-deprecation, close to a joke.

Even now, when Rosa looked at her own body, she felt a sense of shame. As if she was looking at something she shouldn’t. Even though it was her own body.

‘But I can’t not wash, either.’

To be honest, she had had some lewd thoughts. Anyone would. If you suddenly transmigrated into the body of such a beautiful girl.

But it wasn’t easy. Her self-loathing was too strong.

‘I only touched myself a few times.’

That was also out of curiosity, and now it was so long ago that it felt like a simple memory.

Achoo-

Rosa let out a cough.

Perhaps because it was a night with a full moon, she became sentimental for no reason.

Why was she sentimental?

Tomorrow, she would leave this place.

It was yesterday afternoon that people from the Imperial Family arrived.

[Are you Rosa Anencia?]

They treated Rosa as the prospective Second Princess. Naturally, she was told that the triumphal banquet in the capital was soon, and her wedding would be held at the end of it.

‘Oh my god…’

It was starting to feel real. She was really getting married.

But now as a woman.

‘It’s a bit of cognitive dissonance, but…’

It was the reality that was about to come.

Naturally, the mansion was in an uproar.

[That’s too much, my lady!]

The reason why her maid, Mary, was sulking was, of course, because Rosa had kept Caron’s identity a secret.

[He was actually a prince!]

Naturally, many servants were surprised. Except for the butler, Ed, who had first informed the Count of the fact.

Mary and she had been together since childhood. They were not just a maid and her mistress.

So, after comforting Mary, who was showing her disappointment, she discussed the preparations for going to the capital with the Count.

Ah, she also said goodbye to Roadl.

After hearing the details from her, Roadl said with a very regretful expression.

[I’m sorry. Sister.]

He was about to be appointed as a knight. He was busy preparing for various things, so he didn’t have time to attend the banquet. Naturally, he couldn’t accompany her on the journey to the capital.

[But let’s meet soon. Rosa. It’s not like we’re parting forever.]

Even as he said that, Roadl’s expression was full of regret.

[Come visit. If you don’t, I won’t call you big brother anymore.]

Only after she laid down the law like that did he smile and relax his expression.

[Of course. If my pretty little sister calls for me.]

That was yesterday.

Today, after saying goodbye to each of the servants, she was organizing her thoughts alone in her room until now.

And.

Tomorrow, she would leave this place.

The mansion where she had lived since she first opened her eyes in this world.

‘When I go to the capital… I’ll meet Caron again, right?’

Of course. Caron was her fiancé.

But there was still an unspoken, lingering feeling inside her. Rosa closed the terrace door, cutting off the thought that was about to continue.

She pulled up the silver-threaded blanket and buried her body, chilled by the night wind, in the bed.

Feeling both relieved and empty, Rosa couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

But as the moon hid behind the clouds. The two eyes that had been staring blankly at the void also slowly closed.

It was Rosa’s last night at the Count’s estate.

A pure white castle wall. A golden rim surrounded it.

Seven ivory drawbridges adorned the wide river.

One drawbridge for each gate. On either side of the gate stood tall and sturdy watchtowers.

The blue flags fluttering on the watchtowers contained the forget-me-not, the national flower of the Winslet Empire.

Long ago, it was a story of the then King and Queen.

It is said that the Queen, heading to the battlefield where the fate of the nation was at stake, threw a flower across the river to the King.

[Don’t forget me-!]

They had been bound by a political marriage and had never expressed their feelings for each other. But with the Queen’s last bit of courage, the King went on to win victory on the battlefield of death.

Sitting side by side in the carriage, the Count and his daughter. Count Anencia spoke as if telling an old story.

“That legend is the origin of the river called Sainfortia.”

Rosa asked.

“Then Sainfortia must be the name of the Queen at that time?”

The Count nodded with a light smile.

“Correct. It would be more accurate to call her the Empress now… but back then, it was still the Kingdom of Winslet.”

Now called the Imperial Capital, not the Royal Capital.

The location of Delphinad was like a basin.

The view of the Imperial Capital could be seen from the hill, and beyond this hill was a vast plain. In the middle of that plain stood a huge and beautiful city.

The river that curved around the city like a moat was the Sainfortia River that the Count had just mentioned.

“It’s beautiful…”

Rosa looked down at the gently flowing river. It is said that by early summer, the banks of the river are filled with blue forget-me-nots.

Therefore, another name for the Imperial Capital, Delphinad, was the city where forget-me-nots bloom.

The birthplace of the male lead in the novel, the setting for the early part of the story. And finally, the city that would become the home of the two protagonists.

In many ways, it was a symbolic city in the original work, but she had only imagined it.

A city that seemed to hold the lofty pride of a nation and a long history.

‘It’s really starting…’

Rosa was once again filled with emotion.

The scenery of the city, which she had often imagined when reading fantasy novels, was spread out before her eyes, and it was even more beautiful than she had imagined.

Two carriages from the Count’s estate stood in front of the drawbridge after a long time.

“Hmm… It seems it will take quite a while longer than expected.”

On one side of the drawbridge, there was a long line of carriages. Coachmen in luxurious or neat attire held their heads high as if representing their respective families.

So, this was all a waiting line to enter the Imperial Capital.

‘One, two, three … eleven, twelve…’

Rosa tried to count the number of carriages waiting in front, but gave up.

After a long time, an official in formal attire approached. As always, the butler, Ed, who was in the front of the carriage, handled things skillfully.

“Pass-!”

At the official’s loud voice, two knights standing in front of the gate removed the barriers in the passage.

The carriage wheels started moving again.

Behind the creaking sound of the drawbridge being raised again. Soon, the lively sounds of the city could be heard.

Murmur-murmur-

The sound of carriage wheels moving, the sound of a devout priest preaching at the top of his lungs. The laughter of people having conversations and the sound of busy footsteps mixed together.

On both sides of the avenue were bustling shopping streets. Blue imperial flags hung from each roadside tree. Near the statue of the first King on horseback, holding up a sword, was an emerald fountain flowing down in steps.

Cafes and salons were not uncommon. In front of the boutiques, there were many women dressed in noble attire.

“Ms. Handel, are the preparations for the triumphal banquet going well?”

“Of course. I ordered a new dress from Madame Dotre.”

“Oh my, a dress from Madame Dotre?!”

Nearby, men in neat formal attire were chatting in groups.

“What do you think..? Do you think it’s true?”

“Well. You have to tell me what you’re talking about first.”

“How frustrating. The news about Elchen, of course. What else could be such a hot topic right now, with the triumphal banquet just around the corner?”

“Hmm.. It’s certainly interesting. But even if that achievement is real, wouldn’t the throne already belong to the First Prince?”

“Right? It was never a fair fight to begin with.”

“As a citizen of the Empire, it’s a bit much. How can we serve someone who might be a black-haired barbarian as our Emperor?”

Haha-

Soon, cool laughter could be heard.

Suddenly, Rosa met the Count’s gaze.

Count Anencia gently took her hand, which was making an awkward smile.

The Count must have misunderstood something.

Rosa wasn’t upset by hearing such words.

It wasn’t an insult directed at her, and she already knew about the perception of the Second Prince, Caron.

“I’m fine. Father.”

Fortunately, her voice came out quite naturally.

“I know, Rosa. This father just suddenly wanted to hold it.”

It was clearly a misunderstanding on the Count’s part. But as she felt the warmth transmitted through their hands, Rosa realized.

‘..No.’

Honestly, she was upset. She felt a surge of irritation as if she herself had been disregarded.

Because the Caron she knew was the Second Prince. She couldn’t feel good hearing abuse about a friend she had known since childhood.

Yes. It was just that.

It’s natural to feel bad when your friend is insulted.

Rosa lowered her head to cool down.

She wanted to get out of the carriage and confront them, but one can’t live life solely based on emotions.

‘What do you know? You don’t even know Caron.’

Gradually calming her feelings, Rosa asked the Count.

‘By the way, Father. Where are we going now?’

“To the branch family, of course. Our mansion in the outskirts.”

The carriage had been running for a long time until the noise of the square had faded away.

And only when they reached the relatively much more secluded outskirts of the city did they stop.

Among the quite densely packed houses with white exterior walls.

“Master. We have arrived.”

Rosa and the Count got off the carriage.

Splendid lanterns. Soft music.

The sweet scent of wine adorned the night sky, and the sound of people laughing and chatting rang in her ears.

The long-awaited triumphal banquet had finally begun.

A total of three days and two nights.

The last day’s schedule ended in the early morning.

The first day was a light garden party that started in the evening. The second day was a long ball from lunch to dinner.

The last day was the Second Prince’s triumphal procession in the Imperial Capital, starting in the morning, and, surprisingly, his wedding was scheduled.

The first event had just begun.

Nobles with excited faces began to enter the grand garden of the Imperial Palace one by one.

As everything belonging to the Imperial Family was beyond imagination, this was practically a field, not just a garden.

Noble ladies dressed up like peacocks passed under the entrance of the garden, which was decorated with beautiful vines.

Caron leaned against the shade of a tree, watching the scene. His appearance in a splendid black formal suit made him look like a solitary black panther.

Even with the excitement of the banquet just beginning, his two red eyes maintained a cold temperature.

“I’m back. My Lord.”

Not until a young man appeared beside him and said those words.

“And her?”

Caron’s eyes held emotion.

“She just departed from the outskirts. She should arrive within an hour.”

“Any peculiarities?”

“There are a few of the Empress’s rats, but nothing we can’t handle.”

From the moment Rosa left the Count’s estate, a secret escort had been in place.

‘Rats…?’

Caron trusted his capable subordinates. But not the unpredictable Empress. Whatever her intentions, he always assumed the worst-case scenario.

“If you sense anything amiss, strike first. Bring one alive, the rest don’t matter.”

“Of course.”

A young man with dark blue hair, Pavel, bowed his head. As he did, the silver monocle he was wearing momentarily fell to the ground.

Tuk-

Picking it up with his hand, Pavel spoke in a low voice.

“How could I not know how precious she is to my Lord?”

Pavel was a very capable aide. Five years ago, after Caron saved him on the battlefield, he had served Caron as his lord. They had risked their lives for each other. Naturally, there was a deep bond of trust.

And Pavel knew.

Sometimes, his lord, who seemed like a cold-blooded and ruthless predator, had only one person to whom he had given his heart and presence for a long time.

‘Whenever the name Rosa is involved, he always changes into a different person.’

Because it was a side of him that was usually unimaginable, many of his subordinates were curious about ‘Rosa Anencia’.

Pavel quietly left the banquet hall like a shadow, leaving his lord, who was silently watching the scene of the banquet.

Alone, Caron looked at the center of the banquet hall as if he were an outsider.

He hadn’t been able to see Rosa lately.

When he heard that she was sick in bed, he honestly wanted to rush to the Count’s estate right away.

‘But..’

The reason Rosa was sick in bed was none other than Caron himself. He instinctively knew that, so he deliberately didn’t go to her. No, he couldn’t.

It was something that required a firm heart. He just had to treat her like any other person.

To keep her by his side, he couldn’t let his heart waver over such things.

Was she very thin? Did she endure the pain alone? Unlike other women, Rosa wasn’t one to cry easily, so she might have.

‘Or..’

Did she come to despise him because of the betrayal he had given her?

Whatever the assumption, Caron’s heart was not at ease.

But.

“Wow..”

“What? Who is that?”

With the murmuring sounds, he turned his gaze to the entrance of the garden.

Caron had no choice but to forget all those thoughts.