“Those horns… isn’t she a sheep beastkin?”
“Why is a sheep beastkin here? Do you even know where this is?”
“Shouldn’t we call the guards instead of just standing around?”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward me at once.
The hostile stares reminded me of when I escaped from Medderland.
Their voices grew louder.
“Come to think of it, isn’t that Sir Veratri of the Imperial Knights next to her?”
“Why is he with that criminal? And acting like… he’s guarding her or something?”
“I’ve seen that little girl in the maid outfit with His Majesty before. Isn’t she from the black cat tribe that brings misfortune?”
Before the murmuring could continue, a loud voice rang out across the ballroom.
“His Majesty is entering!”
Everyone bowed their heads at once.
I followed suit, copying the others.
“We greet the Sun of Hamilton.”
But I didn’t know how long I was supposed to keep my head bowed.
Out of curiosity, I glanced up slightly—there he was, the Emperor, more splendid than usual.
His well-groomed silver hair sparkled under the sunlight with each step he took, and his clear blue eyes, reminiscent of the vast sky, exuded overwhelming dignity.
Despite his twisted personality, I had to admit that his elegance and presence were worthy of an emperor.
The crowd parted as he walked forward.
He came to a stop right in front of me.
“It suits you well. Must be because I picked it out.”
That single sentence left the gossiping onlookers stunned.
Some even clamped their hands over their mouths, and someone dropped their fan to the floor.
Just then, soft music began to play in the ballroom.
The Emperor smiled charmingly and extended his hand to me.
“Seems like the perfect moment for a dance. What do you say?”
“With pleasure.”
I took the Emperor’s hand and stepped into the center of the hall.
Some people were so shocked they clutched the back of their heads and collapsed.
I tried to ignore them and focus solely on the Emperor in front of me.
“Don’t tell me… did Your Majesty personally pick out this dress?”
“Halfway.”
What kind of vague answer was that?
I narrowed my eyes and stared at him.
“And the other half?”
“Samuel compiled a list of the trendiest dresses from the current catalog, and I paid for it. So technically, I made the final choice.”
So basically, Sir Samuel did all the work, and the Emperor just signed off on it.
Somehow, that made perfect sense.
As we chatted, the stares from all around grew hotter, making my face feel like it would burn up.
When I glanced around nervously, the Emperor asked in a puzzled voice:
“Are you that bothered by the way people are looking at you?”
“Of course. If looks could kill, I’d have died more than ten times by now.”
“What surprises me more is that you can even spare a glance for anyone else with me right in front of you.”
Such a predictably arrogant remark.
But oddly enough, it helped ease my nerves.
And as much as I hated to admit it, I did somewhat agree.
Wearing such a fine outfit, dancing in a ballroom filled with sweet music—it really did make him look like a prince from a fairytale.
And I was the special guest he had invited.
To feel this way just by being near him… it truly was astonishing.
“Oh, I forgot to mention something…”
The corners of his lips lifted in a graceful arc.
“As of today, I’ve granted you a temporary pardon. That means, for now, you’re no longer considered a criminal.”
“A temporary pardon?”
“Yes. But you’re not allowed to leave the imperial palace. You’re not entirely free just yet.”
“Then… I’m allowed to move freely within the palace?”
“As long as you’re not alone.”
Even that was a huge improvement.
Being locked up all day in a dreary room with no windows had been truly miserable.
Then, the once cheerful music gradually softened.
It was a sign that this dream-like moment was coming to an end.
“I’ll be stepping away for a bit. In the meantime, others will try to approach you.”
“With the way things are now, I doubt anyone will.”
“You never know. What do you think those people are thinking right now?”
“Probably something like, ‘Why is a criminal in that position?’ Am I right?”
Honestly, even when I was arrested as a top-level criminal in Hamilton, it wasn’t this bad.
But now, the eyes staring at me looked like they were desperate to tear me apart.
“They might be thinking that. But even now, there are wolves in this crowd waiting for their chance to pounce.”
I tilted my head, confused, and the emperor gestured for me to look.
“Do you see the man raising his glass under the clock on the left?”
The man he pointed to was laughing with a group of peers beneath a large full-moon-shaped clock mounted on a pillar.
At first glance, it looked like they were all having fun together, but it was obvious the others were carefully watching him for cues.
“Yes, I see him.”
“He’s Sharniće, the only son of a ducal house. If I die, he’s a strong candidate for the throne.”
“Then… are you saying he’s the one behind what happened?”
“No, that guy’s not clever enough for something like that. The real mastermind would be his mother, Duchess Soman. But even then, they lack the motive.”
“Why’s that?”
“They’re the ones most eager for me to have an heir.”
Just like the emperor said, if their goal was to see him replaced, swapping out the elephant aphrodisiac wouldn’t be the way to do it.
There’d be more effective methods.
“And those people over there in the red hats are the delegation from Tesser.”
Poking out from under their hats were round ears.
Considering that all the wolf beastkin here had pointed ears, they, along with Perry and me, stood out the most.
“Tesser… that’s…”
“The land of tiger beastkin. They’re on friendly terms with Hamilton, but it’s a fragile relationship that could tip into war at any moment.”
Just hearing the word war was terrifying.
If a powerful nation like Hamilton, home of the wolf beastkin, went to war with Tesser, a country with significant influence of its own, many other nations would suffer greatly.
“Then… which side should I be keeping a close eye on?”
“I don’t know either. So for now, observe everyone who approaches you. Don’t miss a single one. Even the smallest kindness—doubt it.”
“Hmm…”
“I don’t think I’m asking for anything too difficult.”
“It is hard for me. Just staying sane in this place is already exhausting.”
The emperor, looking at me, let out a quiet chuckle.
His voice, when he spoke again, felt oddly soothing.
“Think simply. Don’t eat what others give you. If someone asks a difficult question, just smile. No matter what you say—or don’t say—people will imagine whatever they want anyway.”
Just as the emperor finished speaking, the music that had filled the ballroom faded away.
It was time for the dolls on stage to return to their designated places.
Escorted by the emperor, I was brought over to where Lord Veratri stood.
“I’m counting on you, Veratri.”
“Leave it to me.”
The emperor exchanged a nod with Lord Veratri, gave me one last glance, and then walked off elsewhere.
With a sly tone, Lord Veratri turned to me and said,
“You dance well.”
“I stepped on His Majesty’s foot several times. Didn’t you see?”
“Really? I didn’t notice at all.”
“Maybe that’s why ballroom dresses are so wide—to cover for clumsy mistakes.”
At my words, Lord Veratri looked genuinely shocked, as if he were about to ask whether dresses really had such a hidden function. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at his reaction.
And then I realized—someone familiar was missing.
“Where’s Perry?”
“Oh, her? Over there.”
He pointed wearily, and I saw her loitering near the strawberry shortcake, gulping down saliva.
“She still won’t eat, even if you tell her to.”
“Why not?”
“She says she can’t eat because she has to stay focused on her mission. And yet there she is, drooling all over the place.”
Was it stubbornness or just endearing?
Compared to Cherrybell, Perry was certainly sloppier in some ways.
“Then I suppose it’s time for me to step in.”
I walked over to the strawberry shortcake Perry was eyeing so intently, picked up a slice, and—loud enough for her to hear—said:
“Oh dear, I accidentally grabbed the wrong snack!”
I could hear the sound of her swallowing hard.
“It would be so nice if someone would help me eat this cake I mistakenly picked up…”
Just as expected, Perry’s voice followed.
“…You’re just going to let something that delicious go to waste?”
“Yup. I don’t like strawberry cake. But it’d be such a shame to throw it out. Perry, would you help me out?”
“I-I mean, if you’re really in a bind…! I guess I have to!”
She pretended to be reluctant, but her voice was filled with unmistakable joy.
I watched her eat the cake, and then—
—I felt a presence right behind me.
When I turned around, two noblewomen were standing there, their expressions cold as ice.
The voice that returned was sharp, even cruel.
“What exactly is your relationship with His Majesty?”