Chapter 34

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 34

Chapter Title: The Imperial Ball

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"My lady. The marquis is waiting."

"Got it, I'll head out now."

As she descended the stairs, her eyes met Enoch's, who was waiting in front of the entrance.

The outfit matched perfectly with hers, and it suited him so well. Satisfied, Agatha lightly stepped down the stairs and stood beside him.

"The clothes suit you perfectly."

"You look especially beautiful today as well."

The exchanged compliments seemed formal on the surface, but the sincerity beneath warmed her. Agatha felt Enoch's genuine emotion and smiled softly.

She loved the white cravat made from the same fabric as her dress and the suit subtly patterned to match.

"Let's head out before we're late."

As they stepped outside, First Knight Vice-Captain Leon Takran, in charge of their escort, waited by the carriage with about ten knights.

"I'll leave today in your hands, Sir Leon."

"We'll ensure your safe passage."

Once she and Enoch boarded the carriage, the knights thoroughly surrounded it front and back.

"We're departing now."

Right after Sir Leon's report, the carriage set off. Passing through the estate's garden and gates, it soon reached the main avenue.

It was a familiar road, but the capital's night during the imperial ball felt special.

The closer they got to the palace, the brighter the yellow leaves—symbols of the imperial family—illuminated the ground like daylight, while nobles' carriages lined up in procession.

Sandwiched among the countless carriages, they traveled for about ten minutes before the palace hosting tonight's ball came into view.

Asgrat Hall, the second-largest party venue in the imperial palace.

Under the evening glow, the white palace shimmered brilliantly, adorned with the season's most beautiful flowers and jewels in lavish display.

It certainly felt like the emperor had allocated a generous budget for the event.

"We've arrived."

"Well done, sir."

Agatha elegantly alighted from the carriage and, escorted by Enoch, ascended the steps to the palace entrance.

Crystal chandeliers and ceiling lanterns bathed the hall in dazzling light.

The vast hall already buzzed with nobles who had arrived earlier. A footman checked the invitation and announced loudly.

"Marquis Aratus and Marchioness Aratus!"

The noise cut off abruptly, then swelled even louder. Agatha glided lightly across the red carpet, scanning her surroundings.

This grand imperial ball featured many unfamiliar faces—some from distant regions, others freshly debuted young nobles.

It seems attendance is higher this year.

As Agatha walked, countless nobles' gazes poured over her. Every gesture, glance, and detail of her attire drew attention.

"Welcome, Marquis Aratus, Lady Agatha. We've been waiting."

"We heard you've accomplished something major. The rumors are already all over the capital."

Before they could even pass the entrance, a group of noblewomen and ladies approached to greet Agatha. Leading them was Marchioness Iris Domunia, Agatha's closest confidante.

"It's been a while. Did everyone enjoy their vacations?"

"Of course. The moment we returned to the capital, we were thrilled by all the rumors about you, Lady Agatha."

"How was the honeymoon?"

"I heard you had matching dresses made with the marquis?"

"Society's been buzzing about it lately."

Agatha was listening with a smile to their talk of the newly trending couples' boutique visits when—

Ba-ba-bam—

A lively trumpet fanfare rang out. The imperial family had arrived.

"The little sun of the Roxiba Empire, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba!"

Agatha and all the nobles immediately paid their respects.

Antoni's signature platinum hair of the imperial line fell softly, his attire already casually unbuttoned a couple of places.

"Ah, no need to mind me. Carry on."

Dismissing their courtesies with a wave, Antoni started toward his lover but paused, heading instead toward Agatha and Enoch.

Agatha veiled her face with her fan, lightly furrowing her brow.

Good news or bad?

"Your Highness."

As they offered respects again, Antoni waved them off with a grin.

"I hear couples visiting boutiques together is the latest trend in the capital? The Aratus couple's harmony is shaking the city. Honeymoons really are the best, huh?"

It seemed to be the former after all. Agatha's face brightened at her childhood friend and cousin's needless teasing.

The noblewomen and ladies, led by Marchioness Iris Domunia, tactfully withdrew.

"Your Highness, what brings you to me instead of your companion?"

"Am I not an exception? I'm the empire's top playboy, after all."

"Exactly. So where are all those lovers of yours while the playboy wastes time teasing his cousin?"

Their banter stayed tame purely out of consideration for Enoch's presence.

Antoni flashed a playful grin and feigned complaint to Enoch.

"My cousin treats me so coldly, Marquis."

"You two seem close."

As meaningless chatter flowed, the trio moved to a secluded corner of the hall. Before long, the crown prince's knight and aide naturally secured the perimeter.

With attention waning, Agatha grumbled softly.

"What brings you here today?"

"It's been ages since the last imperial ball, hasn't it? I had to show some camaraderie with the sole heir of Noblesse and her war-hero husband."

"The emperor's only legitimate son sure talks smoothly."

Antoni casually scanned the hall and added,

"Plus, something fun seemed about to happen."

"……."

Enoch, who had been listening silently to the crown prince's meaningful words, spoke up.

"Are you referring to Duke Theodore Neuta?"

"Oh, you knew?"

As Antoni looked at Enoch approvingly, Agatha fanned her mouth and replied.

"I thought you meant my relatives."

"You both knew. Here I thought you were in the dark."

How could she not know?

Though always at the center of attention, certain gazes clung to her especially today.

The Noblesse relatives, more persistent than ever, and her sixth ex-husband, Duke Theodore Neuta, who kept glancing her way.

But Agatha hadn't expected Enoch to be aware of Theodore's stares.

Fernando, and now Theodore.

I hope he doesn't misunderstand.

Ex-husbands she'd had no contact with post-divorce kept appearing. It couldn't please Enoch, who knew of her past marriages.

The relatives were one thing, but Theodore's intentions were unclear.

Of course, even if things turned strange, Agatha didn't mind. She just needed to ensure one thing.

If Theodore wanted to meet her, Enoch couldn't be absent.

Not the most pleasant resolution, but the best approach.

"Enoch. What if we summon Duke Neuta here now?"

Enoch met her eyes, pondering briefly at her suggestion.

"If we can't avoid it, now is best."

The crown prince was present to mediate, after all.

Once Enoch agreed, Agatha turned back. Duke Theodore Neuta—her sixth ex-husband—had been watching and now approached without hesitation after a brief pause.

"Your Highness."

"Come in, Duke. Feeling better now?"

"Yes. Thanks to His Majesty's and Your Highness's concern."

Unlike his haggard appearance at the wedding three months prior, he looked somewhat recovered.

After greeting the crown prince, the duke glanced briefly at Agatha. She spoke first.

"Hello, Duke."

"……Hello, Marchioness Aratus."

He offered a curt greeting to Enoch beside her as well.

After polite exchanges, Agatha cut straight to the point.

"If I'm not mistaken, you have something to say?"

"I have matters regarding my family to inform you of, Marchioness."

At his words, Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba uncrossed his arms.

Enoch, standing with a somewhat cynical air, eyed Theodore and spoke.

"May I listen as well?"

"Yes, of course."

Theodore nodded gravely, then looked to Antoni.

"If it wouldn't trouble Your Highness, I'd appreciate your presence. It would benefit the marchioness too."

"My, even after the divorce, the duke still cares for his ex-wife."

Agatha checked Antoni at his teasing remark.

"Your Highness."

"Just a passing thought."

As Antoni shrugged and fell silent, Theodore smiled wryly.

"That's precisely why we divorced. I can't bring further harm to a lady who's now an outsider due to my family's affairs."

"……."

"I've been long-winded, Marchioness. First, consider my visit a form of apology."