Villain, Let Me Touch You! - Chapter 81
Inside the swaying carriage, I sat facing Queen Demyr. She was a woman of her word. While I was away attending the World Fair with Helios, she had been delegated all authority by the Emperor to take care of our engagement.
I knew the Emperor didn’t care much for Helios, but I didn’t expect him to make a decision as big as an engagement so easily. Although I was happy that the process hadn’t been difficult, I couldn’t help but be upset that Helios didn’t seem to be getting the care he deserved.
“I’ve been informed that Benz’s medical treatment is going well. On behalf of my sister and brother-in-law, thank you.”
“I am merely doing my duty, Your Majesty.”
“I knew you would say that, and I told the Peter family so. Have you ever attended a royal ball?”
“No, Your Majesty. The Imperial Consort’s birthday celebration will be my first time.”
“I suppose you won’t have any extravagant dresses or jewelry. Given your doctor’s salary, it’s understandable.”
Demyr’s eyes scanned my attire, but I wasn’t offended. I wondered how many dresses and jewels she had, given that she was the Queen. In front of her, anyone would inevitably feel overshadowed and dismissed.
“There’s no need to be embarrassed. I’ll make sure you don’t shame yourself.” Demyr tilted her head. “But you will keep your mouth shut.”
“What do you mean…”
“I mean don’t object to what I choose and buy for you.”
I nodded.
Demyr called me to come out, and I did. She asked me to get on the carriage, and I did. I didn’t know where we were going or what her purpose was for taking me out, and I didn’t ask.
But as I listened to the conversation, I couldn’t help but ask, “Are we going to look at my dress?”
Demyr raised an eyebrow. “Of course, what else could we be doing? If it’s not to buy your clothes, why would I bother going to the Fashion District? My clothes are designed by the palace tailors.”
It was also the royal family’s duty to lead the continent’s trends. So they only wore clothes from designers hired by the imperial palace.
Naturally, palace designers were considered the best on the continent. Having clothes made outside was considered beneath the dignity of the royal family. However, since I wasn’t royalty, I couldn’t wear clothes from palace designers.
“You’re going to buy clothes for me, Your Majesty?”
“I don’t know why I have to say the same thing so many times. Priscilla will be hosting a ball soon.”
I nodded. I knew it was Priscilla’s birthday around this time. On her birthday, the imperial family receives congratulations from the Emperor and permission to hold a ball. Since receptions held at the palace required permission from the Emperor and the Queen the right to host a reception there was a significant birthday gift.
It was very special to be invited to attend an imperial banquet, not only in terms of significance but also because such receptions were quite rare.
Helios considered birthday celebrations distasteful and chose not to use that right. Following his footsteps, Macaulay also refrained from throwing a ball, as it wouldn’t be right for the younger brother to do what the older brother didn’t.
I don’t understand it—Macaulay not liking Helios but still following his example. It’s something even I, who grew up in a Confucian country[1], can’t comprehend.
That’s why Priscilla’s ball was so popular among the nobility. It was the only banquet the royal family ever threw.
Naturally, rumors abounded, and the palace was abuzz with excitement as the ball approached. Even though I wasn’t interested in social events, I couldn’t escape the stories.
But I was never invited, not even once. Only Helios was invited, and he tore up the invitation as soon as he received it. I expected this year to be no different.
“You should come.”
However, Demyr said something strange.
“Me? I didn’t even get an invitation.”
“Why do you need an invitation? I have one. You’re going as my guest. So you can’t come dressed like that.”
Demyr drew a circle in the air with her finger, indicating that I should fit perfectly inside.
¹South Korea follows the Confucian value of filial piety, meaning respecting and modeling yourself after your elders and having a rigid hierarchy of seniority.↩
