WMEEM Ch 15

Herodia and Aranad (1)

Four days remained until the ball. Dignitaries carrying invitations from distant realms arrived in Kellinev in a steady stream.

I had assumed I ought to greet the dignitaries personally, but Terkan informed me that greeting every guest was unnecessary. Instead, he allowed me to observe the arrivals from my reception room window.

The pathway below served as the main thoroughfare for arriving guests, offering an excellent view. Focusing on my lessons, however, proved difficult. Curiosity about the foreign visitors consumed me. I longed to know everything: their attire, their features, and the languages they spoke.

In the end, my Eastern language tutor noticed my complete lack of focus and concluded our lesson early.

[Celeste] "Is it all right to end our lesson early?"

Though thrilled inside, basic politeness prompted me to ask with apologetic concern. I refrained from offering to continue, however.

[Tutor] "You have exceeded our targeted curriculum by far, so consider this an earned rest. Besides, your eyes rested upon the book while your mind wandered, did they not?"

I had no defense. While my eyes rested upon the text, my ears and thoughts strayed beyond the window. Whenever sounds drifted in from outside, my imagination conjured images of the passing crowds.

[Celeste] "You noticed. My apologies."

[Tutor] "Given how diligently you have studied, you deserve this brief respite. I shall see you tomorrow."

The moment the tutor departed, I hurried to the window and rested my chin in my hands.

A vibrant array of dignitaries passed below. How many people intended to attend the ball? Standing before such a vast crowd felt overwhelming, yet it stirred a subtle thrill.

Because carriages were prohibited within the palace grounds, most guests arrived on foot, accompanied by retinues of servants. While a few grumbled about walking, most strolled at a leisurely pace, taking in the grand sights of the imperial palace.

Tarega set down her teacup and glanced out the window.

[Tarega] "Have many guests passed by, Your Highness?"

[Celeste] "Several groups passed during my lesson. Another group just walked by. I wonder what manner of guests will arrive next."

I took a sip of the tea Tarega had brought and placed a biscuit between my teeth.

CRUNCH.

As it snapped.

A woman walked past, accompanied by far more servants than the other guests. Her attire appeared lavish enough for her to step directly into the ballroom.

Frills and ribbons adorned her pale pink gown, while glittering gems caught the light at her ears and neck. Tall and slender like Elizaveta, she radiated a captivating presence through her striking features.

Like me on my first day, she absorbed every detail around her with wide eyes. A beaming smile stretched across her face.

She addressed the maid trailing behind her.

[Lady] "This place is magnificent, is it not?"

Though I had initially found this palace stuffy, I suppose others viewed it as magnificent.

Before the maid could respond, the woman closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, inhaling deeply.

[Lady] "Mmm... To think I am standing in the very palace where Emperor Batizo resides! I can almost smell his fragrance."

Her voice overflowed with unbridled excitement.

[Lady] "He must have walked upon the very grass beneath my feet! We are treading upon the same ground."

[Maid] "Princess! Please!"

As the anxious maid surveyed their surroundings, the woman chuckled and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

[Lady] "What does it matter? He is not married yet. It is an intended union."

I instantly recognized who she was. She was the princess mentioned in the noble servants' conversation days ago. The very princess who repeatedly sent marriage proposals to Batizo.

What was her name again? I recalled her kingdom was smaller than Calyx, yet her name eluded me.

Regardless, why had Batizo invited her?

While his intentions remained inscrutable, seeing the princess walk with such supreme confidence offered me little comfort. As she noted, my marriage was an intended union.

Is that why anxiety lingers?

Though Terkan had called Batizo a man who honored his word, I longed for a definitive commitment. Would he agree if I requested a formal engagement? My standing felt precarious, flickering like a candle in the wind.

No, Batizo desires Calyx, so this princess poses no real threat.

I fiddled with the ring Batizo had given me to soothe my mounting anxiety.

Had I known, I should have continued my lesson. Rather than watching people I would encounter at the ball anyway, dedicating every moment to study was wiser.

How could I forget that no amount of effort could match a princess educated from childhood?

I chastised myself for the momentary complacency born of excitement and returned to my desk.

Etch it into memory:

I am not an Empress yet.

---

Dance practice with Terkan.

I had practiced until my toes ached, and my skills had improved dramatically, earning his praise during every lesson.

Ever since his sudden departure mid-lesson days ago, his guidance had grown even more meticulous. He had apologized for that day as well.

[Terkan] "You dance well enough that one could call it nearly flawless. However, slide your foot more smoothly."

[Celeste] "All right."

I slid my foot smoothly as instructed.

[Celeste] "How was that?"

[Terkan] "Good."

[Celeste] "Am I skilled now?"

[Terkan] "Not skilled, just proficient enough to avoid embarrassment."

[Celeste] "Right. Expecting mastery after such brief instruction is greedy."

I spoke in a disheartened tone. Though my mind recognized that matching noble ladies raised in high society was impossible, my heart raced ahead regardless.

Glimpsing the princess earlier had likely fueled my impatience. Yet remaining complacent was impossible. I needed to practice diligently until the day arrived, then demonstrate the full extent of my capabilities.

I gathered my resolve and focused upon the dance once more.

[Terkan] "Your proficiency grants you the right to be greedy."

His words lifted my spirits instantly. He was not a man given to idle flattery.

[Celeste] "Is my dancing sufficient?"

[Terkan] "Yes. While passable compared to me, few at the ball will dance better than Your Highness."

[Celeste] "So you meant I am unrefined compared to you?"

His praise calmed my anxious thoughts, making my body feel light.

When a break arrived after several practice rounds, I inquired about the princess. Though asking felt delicate, he answered with effortless ease.

[Terkan] "She is Princess Herodia of the Kingdom of Cronak."

[Celeste] "Did His Majesty invite her?"

[Terkan] "Indeed. His Majesty personally selected every invited guest."

[Celeste] "Then why Princess Herodia? I heard she repeatedly sends him marriage proposals."

Though I had intended to omit the marriage proposals, the words slipped out unconsciously. I met his questioning gaze and confessed.

[Celeste] "I happened to overhear a conversation between noble servants."

[Terkan] "Few nobles know of those proposals, meaning someone managed their subordinates poorly. I shall issue a stern reprimand."

[Celeste] "Don't do that. I would hate for anyone to suffer on my account..."

He shifted his posture and looked at me.

[Terkan] "Your Highness. When misconduct occurs, reprimands are mandatory."

[Celeste] "More importantly, I wish to know why His Majesty invited the princess."

I awaited an explanation. Perhaps diplomatic trade required it, or excluding Cronak while inviting other kingdoms was impossible.

I feared Batizo had invited her out of a desire to meet her. Navigating this alone was a burden enough without adding a rival to the mix.

[Terkan] "Are you anxious?"

His voice flowed low and calm. Though anxiety gnawed at me, I shook my head.

[Celeste] "I am just curious. I wondered if there was something I ought to know."

I refused to betray my anxiety to anyone, though Terkan likely perceived it already. Even if he knew, I would feign composure to the end.

[Terkan] "Because Princess Herodia persisted despite repeated rejections, His Majesty invited her, expecting the ball would force her surrender. Formally announcing an intended bride should cease her persistent letters."

Well. To my eyes, Herodia appears far from ready to surrender.

[Celeste] "Will that actually work? She didn't strike me as someone who surrenders easily... It seems I understand Princess Herodia better than you."

[Terkan] "Did you meet her?"

[Celeste] "No. I watched her pass below and heard her speak. She will not abandon her pursuit."

A faint crease marred Terkan's brow. He stroked his chin, his lips twitching briefly before settling back into place.

[Terkan] "Perhaps. In that case, I ask that you reason with her firmly."

[Celeste] "Me... reason with the princess?"

[Terkan] "Would handling such matters personally not be fitting for you?"

Suddenly, the day Terkan had urged me to propose to Batizo surfaced in my memory.

[Terkan] "The rest is up to you."

This was my responsibility as well. Since there was no romantic affection in this union, relying on Batizo was out of the question.

Still, I had no intention of seeking out the princess to lecture her. But if she approached me, I would answer in kind.

---

After dinner, the head seamstress brought the completed ball gown.

Extensive frills adorned the dress, reminiscent of Herodia's gown. Though I had approved the design during fittings, it bothered me today.

[Celeste] "Is removing these frills difficult?"

The seamstress looked at me in confusion.

[Seamstress] "Relatively simple, Your Highness."

[Celeste] "Then is crafting frills difficult?"

[Seamstress] "Creating embellishments demands meticulous labor. Is something wrong, Your Highness?"

Her eyes betrayed that she grasped my underlying intent.

Altering a finished gown, crafted through careful design and meticulous labor, because it brought Herodia to mind felt unfair to her efforts.

[Celeste] "No. I was curious."

Relief washed over the seamstress' face.

I resolved to voice my preferences during fittings moving forward, then turned before the mirror.

Though the gown was undeniably exquisite, my frame felt frustratingly small inside it today. I took it off quickly.

The gown continued to fixate my thoughts.

It is just my mood today. I shouldn't undermine the hard work of those who crafted this.

I dismissed the maids quickly and opened my book.

Cutting back drastically on sleep had proved a wise decision after seeing Herodia.

Even the one-year grace period felt too long. If possible, I needed to halve it.

I lost track of time as I immersed myself in study.

Faint sounds echoed from outside. A late-arriving guest had apparently entered the grounds.

Though I had resolved to stop watching the passersby below, I stepped toward the window to clear my head.

Dusk obscured the view. Since he was facing away from me, his features remained hidden. Unlike the others, this man had arrived accompanied by a handful of servants.

A familiar frame. Familiar hair. The moment realization struck, I threw open the window.

My goodness. He actually came.

Disbelief washed over me, and I called out his name.

[Celeste] "Aranad! Is that you?"

How on earth did Aranad arrive here? Balanced between joy and anxiety, I waved to him.

[Aranad] "Celeste?"

[Celeste] "I am coming down! Wait right there!"

I moved toward him in a blur. Though Tarega called from behind, warning me to slow down lest I trip, stopping was out of the question.

What if it is not him when I reach him?

Even though I had seen him with my own eyes and heard his voice, disbelief lingered. Yet it was indeed Aranad.

I ran at full speed and threw myself into his arms. I hit him with force, feeling him stagger backward.

[Aranad] "Whoa. You never change."

His voice, warm as a spring breeze, washed over me as he stroked my hair. A touch carrying gentle comfort and concern. He had always stroked my hair like that.

[Celeste] "Aranad! Were you invited? Is your health all right? Considering the immense distance from Calyx to here... how did you come? Ah! My letter! Did you receive my letter?"

He stepped back from our embrace, a soft smile curving his lips.

[Aranad] "Slow down. You will catch your breath."

[Celeste] "I am just overwhelmed with joy to see you! I left without even offering a proper goodbye. Let us step inside and converse. Wait, considering your frail health, should we speak tomorrow instead?"

Seeing Aranad after so long stirred deep emotion within me.

Though I enjoyed my life in Kellinev and harbored no nostalgia for Calyx, he and Tarega remained the only people from home whom I cherished and loved.

I longed to talk with him immediately, but his stamina was surely exhausted. Though reason dictated granting him rest, I held his hand and struggled to let go.

[Aranad] "I am not exhausted. Yet many eyes watch us... Is it proper for you to remain alone with me at this hour?"

[Celeste] "Right. You are correct. We should meet tomorrow. By the way, your health seems much improved! Traveling by carriage drained me completely."

And that was despite Terkan shortening our multi-day journey using his abilities.

[Aranad] "I rode in a carriage for a single day."

Riding in a carriage for a day meant he had traveled here just as I had.

[Celeste] "Did you summon a spacetime mage?"

[Aranad] "Yes. Though I would travel anywhere to see you, Kellinev was far too distant, leaving me no choice but to hire one."

[Celeste] "I see. I am so glad you came. I missed you dearly."

I longed to embrace Aranad once more and stepped forward. He raised both palms and took a step backward.

[Aranad] "This is not your annex in Calyx, Celeste."

Even as he spoke, he stroked my hair once more. Recognizing that to outside eyes Aranad was an unrelated man, I heeded his caution. His unexpected presence made me forget that this was Kellinev Imperial Palace.

[Celeste] "Then let us dine together for breakfast tomorrow."

With morning hours occupied by lessons, breakfast provided our sole opportunity to meet.

[Aranad] "Is that permitted?"

He was always cautious, ever mindful that his presence caused me trouble. His question made me hesitate briefly.

Should I consult Terkan?

[Celeste] "I shall send someone before breakfast."

[Aranad] "All right."

Our clasped hands separated.

[Aranad] "Seeing you look so well brings me relief. I shall take my leave now. We can catch up properly tomorrow. Goodnight, Celeste."

[Celeste] "Yes. Goodnight to you too."

Parting felt difficult, but after promising to see each other tomorrow, I waved goodbye.

As he walked into the distance, he turned back repeatedly and gestured for me to step inside. Yet I remained until he vanished from sight. Still unable to fully process his arrival at Kellinev Imperial Palace.

I stood rooted to the spot, gazing toward where he had vanished. When I finally turned to leave, I spotted someone observing me.

A woman clad in a lavish gown. Heavy makeup adorned her features despite the late hour. Princess Herodia of Cronak.

[Herodia] "Greetings, Your Highness."

She offered her greetings first.

---

If you enjoy it, feel free to leave a rating or review on Naver Series and Novel Updates.