* * *

After a brief stop at the capital station, the carriage we transferred to finally arrived at Garnet Palace, where the princess resided.

‘Cutting it dangerously close,’ I thought.

Most guests had already arrived, and those who hadn’t entered the ballroom yet fell into two categories: no-shows or people deliberately lingering to show off their high status among the invited guests.

Onlookers might whisper that we were the latter, but it wasn’t intentional.

Quite the opposite, actually.

We’d planned to arrive during the peak rush when the princess would be too preoccupied greeting the flood of guests to notice us.

But now, the crowd had thinned, leaving the entryway eerily empty except for the guards.

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

‘The worst possible moment,’ I clicked my tongue internally.

Walking in now would undoubtedly draw attention.

Well, since it’s come to this, I might as well make the most of it.

At least my handsome face would get maximum exposure.

As I adjusted my lapel, Anton hopped down from the coachman’s seat and opened my door first.

‘Why mine?’

Realizing his mistake, Anton hurriedly closed my door and went to open Hernan’s instead.

According to central imperial etiquette, the host’s door should always be opened first unless the guest held a higher status.

The only exceptions were if the person was the host’s spouse or fiancé.

‘What was he thinking?’

Not that it mattered whether or not Hernan and I were actually in such a relationship.

Starting off with a blunder like this was giving me a headache.

Suppressing another tongue click, I placed a hand lightly on Hernan’s shoulder and gently urged him forward with a smile.

“Just walk forward, look straight ahead, and don’t turn your head. Slowly.”

At this point, I looked more like a guardian escorting a ten-year-old to their first social event, but at least it appeared dignified enough.

Hernan, who was already naturally beautiful, looked especially flawless today.

“His Grace, Hernan Veilon Iudenet, the Grand Duke, enters.”

“Heir to the Viscount Everdeen, Jurgen Nil Everdeen enters.”

As we ascended the long red-carpeted staircase to the hall’s entrance, every gaze turned toward us in an instant.

Hernan, as planned, silently entered and knelt before the princess, who stood at the far end of the hall, finishing her greetings to the last of the arriving guests.

She wore a trendy honey-colored gown, flowing elegantly like liquid silk.

Her lips moved, but no words came out.

Her expression made it clear that she was overwhelmed, though her reaction was nothing compared to the collective fixation on Hernan’s face.

For a moment, silence reigned, broken only by the faint strains of music playing in the background.

When Hernan completed his bow and raised his head, the sound of dropped fans and wallets echoed faintly throughout the hall.

Smiling amid the heavy attention directed our way, I offered a polite greeting.

“It has been a while, Your Highness. Jurgen Nil Everdeen at your service.”

I also gave a slight bow, and the princess—an eighteen-year-old girl who’d been staring dumbfounded at Hernan—startled before hastily replying.

“Ah, yes! I-It’s been a while, Viscount Everdeen.”

Then, realizing she’d been staring at Hernan for far too long, she flushed bright red and lowered her head.

“I heard some wonderful news recently from House Everdeen. Congratulations…!”

Her words were directed at me, but her attention was clearly fixed on Hernan.

Naturally. Even growing up surrounded by the beauty of the imperial palace, she’d likely never encountered anyone as stunning as Hernan.

I felt a mix of pride and mild discomfort as the stares intensified.

‘Let’s wrap this up and move inside.’

Remaining in the entrance any longer wasn’t an option.

“It is an honor that Your Highness remembers. As for this gentleman, he may be unfamiliar to you as this is his first formal introduction. May I present His Grace, Hernan Veilon Iudenet, the Grand Duke.”

As I formally introduced him, the princess instinctively took a step back—not out of fear or dislike, but as if overwhelmed by Hernan’s otherworldly presence.

It was a common reaction to something too extraordinary to process.

If her curiosity overpowered her caution, she might not let us go, but I didn’t intend to let that happen.

Smiling calmly, I took control of the situation before the line behind us could grow any longer.

“Would it be possible to request the honor of a dance as a token of gratitude for your invitation?”

Still flustered, the princess alternated between looking at me and Hernan before finally shaking her head, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.

“Ah, t-thank you, but… I still have other guests to greet….”

Her excuse was welcome.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to dance, but rather that she feared making a mistake in her current flustered state.

“Of course. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

I bowed lightly, maintaining a practiced smile, and Hernan followed my lead.

The first hurdle was cleared.

Escorting Hernan past the princess and into the palace, I kept my composure, even as whispers trailed in our wake.

The footman who quickly approached to guide us couldn’t help but steal glances at Hernan.

‘A bit too obvious, aren’t we?’

It was true Hernan was striking, but at this rate, he might as well have been the main attraction of the princess’s birthday celebration.

‘If we can just make it through without incident, this’ll already be a success,’ I thought, though a slight unease crept in.

Just then, someone called out to me.

“Viscount Everdeen!”

It was one of the young nobles I’d known since childhood.

“It’s been a while! I was worried since I haven’t seen you at gatherings lately, but it seems you’ve been doing well. I’m glad.”

In a situation where most people were watching from a distance, hesitant to approach, he suddenly dashed over.

I wondered what was going on, but it turned out he hadn’t fully taken in his surroundings, his gaze fixed on the back of my head.

When he looked around and finally noticed Hernan, his eyes widened, and he staggered backward in shock.

“Ah! T-this person is…!”

Well, since he’s a man, there’s no need to invite him to dance, and I was planning to introduce him anyway, so it’s fine.

Smiling, I introduced Hernan.

“This is Duke Hernan Iudennet, who has been so gracious as to host me.”

Hernan inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, as did Anton, who had been trailing us a step behind to serve as a guard.

The man visibly flinched but then forced a smile and responded cheerfully.

“Ah, so you’re the famous Duke Hernan Iudennet! I’ve heard so much about you. Your striking looks are said to have artisans across the empire clamoring for a chance to see you in person!”

Then, as if worried he might have come across as too enthusiastic, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Ah, my apologies. Everyone’s been so curious that I fear I spoke out of turn.”

Although he seemed surprised by Hernan’s renowned beauty, he hadn’t entirely lost his composure.

“In any case, it’s great to see you again after so long. If possible, I’d love to step into the lounge and chat for a bit….”

As the man hesitated, Hernan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped between us and spoke.

“Pardon me, but would it be possible to leave further greetings for another time?”

His lips curved into a gentle smile, but his eyes were anything but warm.

What’s with this sudden shift?

I tugged subtly at Hernan’s sleeve.

“Ah, yes, of course! Well then, I’ll just—ah, my group is waiting for me!”

The nobles who had been discreetly eavesdropping started whispering as the man, perhaps feeling the weight of their attention, hastily retreated.

What’s gotten into Hernan?

Maintaining a calm expression, I glanced up at him. Hernan, with an unbothered look, asked casually.

“What are you doing? Didn’t you say we needed to head to the banquet hall?”

Well, yes, that’s true.

But with the strange and tense atmosphere, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that this wouldn’t be resolved so simply.

* * *