The intricately carved white marble columns firmly supported the golden chandelier.
The chandelier was adorned with delicate glass pieces that cast starlike shadows on the ceiling, softly tinting the red carpet on the floor.
This was the ballroom of the imperial palace.
The attendants were busy refilling food and wine glasses that were rapidly emptying, while the high-ranking nobles swirled glasses of red wine, loosening up in conversation.
Clink.
Yohan held up his wine glass, slowly swirling it. The red liquid flowed along the rim of the glass, forming gentle ripples. His gaze as he watched the movement was sharp.
‘They’ve prepared everything perfectly.’
The corner of Yohan’s mouth lifted slightly, but his smile was far from warm. On his hardened face, displeasure and cynicism intertwined, chilling the surrounding atmosphere.
All of the empire’s nobles, who could be considered its core, were in attendance, and even Crown Prince Fedelian was rumored to be coming. Members of the Bismarck family were present as well.
Tonight, the imperial family intended to settle things once and for all.
“…Do you think they’ll really announce Yohan and Princess Laryana’s engagement today? It seems like too much,” said Francia, who stood beside him. Her doubts were valid. If things escalated this far, the imperial family could no longer back down.
It might as well be seen as an all-out war.
Would the imperial authority hold its ground, or would Ferbache’s influence surpass it?
“I think they will. Seeing as they’ve prepared this party right after the announcement of my engagement with Francia,” Yohan replied, but added,
“Still, nothing will change.”
A faint smile formed at the corner of his lips.
“From public opinion to this party….it’s all just flailing.”
From the very beginning, the outcome of this event was already decided. Negotiations could only happen when both sides were somewhat equal in standing.
—His Majesty the Emperor arrives!
At that moment, a knight’s voice rang throughout the hall, silencing the ballroom in an instant.
Rumble.
With a deep, resonant sound, the ballroom doors slowly opened. Beyond them, the emperor appeared. Beside him stood Crown Prince Fedelian and Princess Laryana.
“All hail the sun of the empire.”
“All hail the sun of the empire…”
The nobles bowed their heads.
The ballroom was filled with murmurs, but within the noise, a multitude of emotions swirled—surprise, disbelief, and tension.
Although the fact that Yohan and Francia were in a relationship and close to an engagement wasn’t widely known, the high-ranking nobles were well aware of it.
After all, they had their own networks of information.
It was unthinkable that the upper nobility hadn’t investigated Yohan. Ever since he became an archmage and achieved significant accomplishments, his value had skyrocketed.
Yet despite this, no noble family had proposed a marriage alliance with him, primarily because of the rumors about him being romantically involved with the Lady of Ferbache.
No one wanted to risk souring relations with Ferbache unnecessarily.
And there was something even more significant.
“Didn’t the Duke of Ferbache already announce an engagement…?”
“Did I mishear? I could have sworn he made the announcement just the other day…”
“…I don’t know what’s true anymore.”
It was the formal engagement that the Duke of Ferbache had publicly announced not long ago.
Before the nobles’ doubts could deepen further, the emperor swiftly changed the subject.
“You are all aware of the marriage discussions between Princess Laryana and Count Rahardt.”
The ballroom’s attention immediately turned toward the emperor.
“And so, I officially declare here today the engagement of Princess Laryana and Count Rahardt.”
However, those gazes naturally shifted to Yohan.
“Ha… truly.”
Francia, unable to hold back, was about to step forward when Yohan grabbed her arm and shook his head.
“I understand how you feel, Francia, but I must be the one to step up here. That way, there won’t be any unnecessary noise.”
“But…”
“Trust me this time.”
Yohan quietly set his wine glass down and took a step toward the emperor. There was not a single hint of hesitation in his movements.
The nobles surrounding the emperor stepped back one by one, opening a path for him.
“You’ve arrived, Count Rahardt.”
As Yohan approached, Fedelian raised his glass with a smile that appeared far too friendly.
“Your expression seems quite at odds with such a joyous occasion. Someone might misunderstand, wouldn’t you agree?”
In other words, Why the long face on such a good day?
The blatant arrogance was infuriating.
“Of course I look like this. After all, Your Highness ignored my wishes and proceeded to force this marriage discussion.”
“Haha, Count Rahardt, what are you saying…”
“I am well aware that it was Your Highness who spread the rumors through the newspapers. Fascinating, really.”
Fedelian’s face darkened in real time. The raised corners of his lips had long since dropped, and his once-smiling eyes were now frozen in place.
The emperor was no different. His gaze cooled as he silently studied Yohan.
“What is the meaning of this…”
“…Count, are you saying you were forced into this marriage discussion?”
“Uh…”
Once again, the ballroom buzzed with murmurs. Yet, the atmosphere remained heavy and silent. The air was cold, and not just because of the winter chill.
“I fully understand why Your Majesty invited me here today.”
Yohan’s low, resolute voice echoed through the room. The ballroom became so still that it felt as though even breathing had ceased. Yohan calmly continued.
“However, I cannot help but express my regret at the imperial family’s attempt to force this marriage without my consent.”
The emperor accepted their greetings and leisurely walked across the ballroom. Wherever he passed, an unspoken tension spread.
“I bring joyful news.”
Now standing in the center of the main hall, the emperor spoke with a composed smile. A wine glass filled to the brim was raised high.
“The reason for today’s celebration is none other than to honor the marriage of our Third Princess, Laryana.”
At his words, murmurs erupted throughout the ballroom.
“Princess Laryana?”
“With Count Rahardt?”
“So the rumors were true?”
“…Wasn’t she said to be romantically involved with the Lady of Ferbache?”
Expressions of confusion and shock flashed across the nobles’ faces. Some whispered anxiously, while others gripped their wine glasses tightly, their faces frozen in bewilderment.
The ballroom was filled with murmurs, but within the noise, a multitude of emotions swirled—surprise, disbelief, and tension.
Although the fact that Yohan and Francia were in a relationship and close to an engagement wasn’t widely known, the high-ranking nobles were well aware of it.
After all, they had their own networks of information.
It was unthinkable that the upper nobility hadn’t investigated Yohan. Ever since he became an archmage and achieved significant accomplishments, his value had skyrocketed.
Yet despite this, no noble family had proposed a marriage alliance with him, primarily because of the rumors about him being romantically involved with the Lady of Ferbache.
No one wanted to risk souring relations with Ferbache unnecessarily.
And there was something even more significant.
“Didn’t the Duke of Ferbache already announce an engagement…?”
“Did I mishear? I could have sworn he made the announcement just the other day…”
“…I don’t know what’s true anymore.”
It was the formal engagement that the Duke of Ferbache had publicly announced not long ago.
Before the nobles’ doubts could deepen further, the emperor swiftly changed the subject.
“You are all aware of the marriage discussions between Princess Laryana and Count Rahardt.”
The ballroom’s attention immediately turned toward the emperor.
“And so, I officially declare here today the engagement of Princess Laryana and Count Rahardt.”
However, those gazes naturally shifted to Yohan.
“Ha… truly.”
Francia, unable to hold back, was about to step forward when Yohan grabbed her arm and shook his head.
“I understand how you feel, Francia, but I must be the one to step up here. That way, there won’t be any unnecessary noise.”
“But…”
“Trust me this time.”
Yohan quietly set his wine glass down and took a step toward the emperor. There was not a single hint of hesitation in his movements.
The nobles surrounding the emperor stepped back one by one, opening a path for him.
“You’ve arrived, Count Rahardt.”
As Yohan approached, Fedelian raised his glass with a smile that appeared far too friendly.
“Your expression seems quite at odds with such a joyous occasion. Someone might misunderstand, wouldn’t you agree?”
In other words, Why the long face on such a good day?
The blatant arrogance was infuriating.
“Of course I look like this. After all, Your Highness ignored my wishes and proceeded to force this marriage discussion.”
“Haha, Count Rahardt, what are you saying…”
“I am well aware that it was Your Highness who spread the rumors through the newspapers. Fascinating, really.”
Fedelian’s face darkened in real time. The raised corners of his lips had long since dropped, and his once-smiling eyes were now frozen in place.
The emperor was no different. His gaze cooled as he silently studied Yohan.
“What is the meaning of this…”
“…Count, are you saying you were forced into this marriage discussion?”
“Uh…”
Once again, the ballroom buzzed with murmurs. Yet, the atmosphere remained heavy and silent. The air was cold, and not just because of the winter chill.
“I fully understand why Your Majesty invited me here today.”
Yohan’s low, resolute voice echoed through the room. The ballroom became so still that it felt as though even breathing had ceased. Yohan calmly continued.
“However, I cannot help but express my regret at the imperial family’s attempt to force this marriage without my consent.”
Yohan’s gaze met the emperor’s directly.
“Your Majesty did not approve the marriage between Ferbache and Rahardt, did you?”
The nobles’ eyes immediately turned to Yohan. No one dared to speak rashly. Instead, they quietly listened, fully focused on his words.
“I have received the grace of the imperial family many times. I was made Count Rahardt for my achievements in closing the demonic rift, and I was honored with the title ‘Guardian of the Sun,’ becoming the most distinguished in Rogino.”
First, he upheld the imperial family’s dignity as much as possible.
“However… today, I am forced to rethink the meaning of honor.”
Then, he publicly rebuked them.
Yohan smiled faintly and raised his glass.
His words were somewhat… no, quite bold.
Translated into noble speech, his meaning was clear:
[We all know what you’re trying to do.]
[But in this situation, you’re blatantly ignoring me—someone you acknowledged—and it’s unjust.]
[This action makes me question my loyalty and trust in the Imperial family.]
[Have you lost your minds?]
There was no need to worry whether this was overstepping bounds.
‘Who here would dare oppose me?’
He was the only one in history capable of closing a demonic rift, a rare archmage, and the son-in-law of one of the four great families, the House of Ferbache.
Above all, he held legitimacy.
This incident was clearly an imperial overreach—disrespecting Ferbache and ignoring Yohan, who was practically a hero of the continent. His anger was justified.
“Ha…”
Fedelian, dumbfounded, could not find the words to respond. He had not anticipated that Yohan would come out this strongly here.
Though Yohan had spoken in the subtle language of the nobility, it was no different from openly criticizing the imperial family.
‘Has power driven him mad?’
That thought was inevitable. To speak like this in front of the emperor and the empire’s most powerful nobles…
“Count Rahardt.”
The emperor’s low voice resonated throughout the ballroom.
“Speak.”
“Do you understand the weight of your words?”
“Of course.”
Yohan nodded leisurely, a composed smile on his face.
“I gave you numerous chances to preserve your dignity, but you chose to ignore them. My response is merely the inevitable consequence of your decisions. I would appreciate your understanding of that.”
“Is the Duke of Ferbache of the same opinion as the Count?”
The emperor’s gaze shifted to the Duke of Ferbache, who had been silently observing. The duke gave a small, amused smile and nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I regret to say that I share the same stance. I intended to address this personally later, but it seems my son-in-law has already delivered the message.”
Son-in-law.
The duke firmly drove in the point and continued.
“Ferbache has merely responded in kind. This is not in violation of etiquette, and I ask for your understanding.”
‘You attacked first, so don’t suddenly act righteous.’
“Hmm…”
The emperor’s expression hardened. It was evident to all that his mood had soured. But there was nothing more he could say. The fault lay squarely with the imperial family for ignoring Ferbache.
The emperor slowly set his wine glass down and looked around. The nobles’ sharp gazes were focused entirely on him. It was clear that retreating would be the wiser choice before matters escalated further.
“…I understand your concerns. However, I must clarify the imperial family’s intentions to avoid any misunderstandings.”
His voice carried softly throughout the room.
“The imperial family merely sought to ensure stability for the empire. Marriage alliances are essential acts of unity between powers, are they not? Your presence here today indicates that you also understand that purpose.”
“I trust that you understand the necessity of the imperial family considering the empire’s stability.”
“So please try to see things our way.”
“…We will respect the Count’s wishes. However, for the sake of maintaining order within noble society, I hope the Count will show maturity by understanding the imperial family’s position.”
“Do not openly oppose us.”
His words were also a subtle message to the nobles—an attempt to defend the imperial family’s stance.
The emperor had backed down.
* * *
A solemn atmosphere lingered.
Though it was supposed to be a ballroom celebrating joyous news, no one seemed to be enjoying the party.
“I didn’t expect Count Rahardt to take such a bold stance.”
“Well, he has enough power to back it up. The imperial family must be struggling.”
“Still, such a statement that challenges imperial authority is too extreme.”
“Yet, isn’t it true that the imperial family made a misstep? Forcing the engagement while ignoring Ferbache was clearly a mistake.”
The low whispers exchanged among the nobles weighed down the already heavy atmosphere in the ballroom.
Before drawing more attention, Francia and the Duke of Ferbache quietly left the hall. Meanwhile, Yohan lingered in a quiet corner, eavesdropping on their conversations.
Surprisingly, despite his direct criticism of the imperial family, the nobles’ reactions were not entirely negative—likely because Ferbache had a clear and valid justification for their stance.
‘There’s no need to listen further.’
Seeing no more reason to remain, Yohan prepared to leave as well.
“Count Rahardt? There you are.”
A soft voice called to him from behind. Yohan turned to find Laryana standing there.
Her golden hair glimmered under the light, and her smile held both composure and playful cunning.
“Your Highness? What brings you here?”
“I simply wanted to talk for a moment. Isn’t it a shame to let such an interesting evening end so soon?”
“…I’m not sure what you mean.”
Laryana shrugged lightly, a quiet laugh escaping her lips.
“The engagement may have been publicly shattered, but that doesn’t mean my opportunities have disappeared. It’s the imperial family’s chance that’s been lost.”
“What on earth are you…..”
Yohan’s face twisted in confusion.