81 CHAPTER 81

". . . . Edith looks very beautiful today, too."

I liked the way he hesitated a little before he spoke. He could have walked by without saying a word, which means he took courage to compliment me.

"Father looked really cool today, too. The two sons seemed to be nervous?"

In my response, the duke burst into laughter, and we were able to head to the imperial palace in a good mood. The Ludwig family rode in two carriages and headed to the imperial palace, where me, Killian, Lizzy, and Cliff rode together in the same carriage. It was a perfect autumn day, and the air was getting colder. The fall foliage that lined both sides of the main road to the palace was so beautiful like the spring flowers, and all the nobles heading to the biggest ball of the year looked happy. I was looking out the window of the carriage with excitement, and Killian said, poking me slightly in the side.

"Wouldn't it be better to bring a shawl?"

"What? me?"

Killian looked at my exposed shoulders and forearms and nodded.

"This is fine. it's not like I'm walking around outside."

"And what, if you catch a cold. . . . ."

"It's fine. Everybody's dressed like this. Lizzy is not much different from me."

Lizzy's dress had sleeves, but it was see-through. Killian, who had been silent for a while, looked at me again for a moment and tapped my foot. He was being pushed by wagons. The closer we got to the palace, the more we were pushed in carriages, but he seemed to want to play around because i think he couldn't stand it. I was surprised, and it's cute that he played a prank on me, so I tapped his foot twice. This childish prank was taking place under my wide skirt so Lizzy and Cliff wouldn't be known.

"Hmmm!"

Killian smirked, pretending to cough, then tapped my foot again. From the third time, he needed quick and light footwork and acting his ability to pretend that nothing happened. I moved my feet while pretending to look outside the window and tapped his foot, too. Me and Killian were playing childish pranks, and we kept our lips tightly to keep from bursting out laughing. However, our prank ended sooner than we expected.

"Don't you think there's been a strange noise coming from somewhere?"

It's because Lizzy shook her head and turned to Cliff with an uneasy look on her face.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Lizzy."

"But that could it be a noise sounds something broke in the carriage."

"Ummm. . . . well, more than that. . . . maybe two friendly canaries are pecking at the wagon."

"Yes?"

Lizzy frowned for a while and then turned her gaze toward Killian and me.

"Ah. . . . .we're sorry if we've caused you concern. Are you surprised?"

"Were you really worried that the wagon would break?"

When Killian and I asked her with embarrassing smiles, Lizzy laughed in surprise.

"You look nervous, don't worry too much, Lizzy. Today, you're going to be the main role of the ball."

Cliff assumed Lizzy was nervous, and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her lightly on the forehead. I was a little surprised by Cliff, who showed his affection toward Lizzy in front of Killian without hesitation, but Killian turned his gaze away slightly and didn't look unpleasant or make sad expressions. Instead, Lizzy shrugged her shoulders slightly as if trying to get away from Cliff. It was probably because she was embarrassed to show that in front of us. In the meantime, we finally arrived at the imperial palace.

'Wow. . . . ! It's not a joke.'

As expected, it's the biggest event of the year. There was a festive atmosphere inside and around the Imperial Palace. We entered the huge banquet hall, guided by the imperial court's attendants.

"Oh my! That is, the Duke of Ludwig and his family!"

"Oh my! Look over there!"

"Hmm? that's. . . . .it's Sinclair family. . . . !"

I heard people chatter each other at the banquet hall here and there. Normally, that's something you'd whisper quietly, but in the world of romance novel, they have to shout it who attended before entering the banquet hall.

'Well. Seeing Lizzy showed up holding Cliff hand, they must be surprised.'

I took a sneak peek at the highlights of Volume 4 of <House. Envoy>, feeling the pleasure while seeing them right in front of my eyes. And when her eyes caught Damian Sinclair with a young man and a young lady in shock, she is convinced that they are the children of the Sinclair family. They gaze seemed stuck on me, not on Lizzy, but I'm probably mistaken.

'But it's too early for you guys to be surprised.'

I know one thing that could make their gaze fixed to this away. It's times for her to come out. . . . .

"Lizzy!"

"Uh! Princess Catherine!"

Finally, she came out. Princess Catherine Iberia. Originally, she was troublemaker princess of the imperial family who had a crush on Cliff, but she was a character that became Lizzy friend after a few episodes. However, everyone must be surprised because it was the first time they showed their close relationship in public.

"Why did the princess so close with that illegitimate child. . . . !"

"Don't you think the two are close?"

"Didn't you say that Count Sinclair sold that child to the Duke Ludwig family as a maid or something?"

Everyone heard the story blinked in confusion. Thanks to this show, the Sinclair family face became pale in embarrassment.

'Is this the point where the revenge begins?'

However, it wasn't just the Sinclair's family who started the show earlier. A few lady, who seemed to have a crush on Cliff, looked shocked and couldn't take their eyes off on Lizzy and Cliff.

"Huh, that necklace. . . . ."

"Could it be? The duke family treasure. . . . ."

"So that mean they want to tell us that she is Cliff bride to be?"

The ladies shivered as if they couldn't believe that they lost to an illegitimate child. It's so much fun to watch, which makes me want to grab some popcorn if there's any around.

"There are a lot of people, so just stay by my side."

Killian whispered in my ear, excited about the people who were watching. I thought my eardrums were melting.

"Alright."

I blurted out my answer, happy to hear that, and at that moment, i made eye contact with Count Riegelhoff.

"Oh my!"

I hadn't been paying attention to it so far, but this is the biggest ball held in the imperial palace, so it was natural that Count Riegelhoff's attended this ball, too. Count Riegelhoff, his wife, and Shane were staring at this side with scary eyes.

'Aha! Well, when he took Sophia away, it seemed like he abandoned me at the same time. But he must be didn't expect that i come here escorted by Killian.'

Watching their frozen faces gave me a thrill pleasure.

'Should i give them a little more surprise.'

I was holding my laugh so hard that I grabbed Killian forearm and leaned myself toward him.

"Killian, I'm sorry, but my feet are a little sore. . . . . so i lean on you a little bit."

At this rate, it was enough to think that Killian and I looked pretty sweet from there. I'm getting excited just thinking about it, but Killian suddenly puts his arms around my waist and leans his head toward me.

"Do your shoes feel uncomfortable? We can't sit down because we haven't said our greetings to the emperor yet. . . . . Will you be all right?"

Ouch! From this pose, it's will look like we're kissing from over there! Even if my feet were really hurting, I would have forgotten about it when I saw Killian's face from this distance.

"Oh, that's okay. It was because i stumbled a little earlier."

"I'm glad to hear that but. . . . . If you feel really uncomfortable, please don't hesitate to tell me right away."

Killian seems to be getting more and more affectionate these days, but he has become more sweeter today.

'Why would he do this? It feels nice, but my heart can handle this much.'

My face seemed to be loosened that I didn't even know whether I was managing my expression or not. Only then, i realized that there were quite a lot of people looking at us.

'Oh, that's right! Killian said there's some rumor about our relationship that is too bad.'

Obviously, the reason we match our clothes is to put 'the discord rumor down'. It's unclear how much the rumors were spread. but Killian seems judged that the rumor was not good for the Ludwig family.

'Oops, i almost got misunderstood without realizing it. So all of this just an act to get rid of the rumors of discord between us, right? Alright, i got it!'

Killian has been treating me nicely lately, so I have to fulfill his wish this time. After all, it's all for my own good.

"Thank you, Killian."

I smiled and whispered in his ear. From a distance, it looks like a newlywed couple whispering lovey-dovey! As expected, people's eyes widened. Good, good! we have to keep talking about something for a while to make it look more effective. . . . .Hmm? By the way, Killian, is he catching a cold?

"Killian, are you alright, you ears so red? Ah! Is it because you suddenly came into a warm place?"

"I think so. . . . . It seems looks like that."

"Ugh. You should bring a shawl earlier, not me. What if you catch a cold?"

"I will be all right in a minute."

He couldn't even make eye contact with me, his gaze darting off into somewhere, perhaps it's because he so embarrassed that i found out he weaker in the cold than me, who is wearing a dress that exposed my shoulder.

'No! that doesn't look sweet!'

After that thought, i made a fast move, i raised both of my hands and clasped Killian cheeks, then forced him to look at me.

"Hmm. . . . . That relief, you don't have a fever. . . . "

Fortunately, Killian looked at me as if he knew what i been thinking. Even though his breathing fluctuated, he still managed to endure his disgust on me and the embarrassment at this situation.