Lilliana was now certain.
‘It’s just that people changed after Sister Iris became the Grand Duchess of Leontheim.’
Otherwise, why would someone like Iris—who had always been ignored—suddenly draw so much attention?
‘Once I marry His Majesty and become Empress, the tide will turn.’
Brushing away her tears, Lilliana left the place. There was no need to keep listening to those ignorant people who did nothing but criticize others.
As she exited the garden, her thoughts deepened.
‘His Majesty must come to see me.’
Until now, the circumstances had simply made her appear unfavorably in His Majesty’s eyes.
‘Just once.’
If she could just have one opportunity to make a good impression, he would surely fall under the spell of her charm.
‘On the final day of the Spirit Blessing Festival, there’s the Hunting Rite…’
If she became the lady who received the most flowers during the Hunt, she was sure she could draw the Emperor’s gaze.
But there was a problem.
‘But Father and Brother can’t do anything.’
Her father was under disciplinary confinement due to a shoulder injury, and her brother Orchid was still unconscious.
There was no family member in a condition to participate in the Hunt tomorrow.
‘This is so unfair.’
And as fate would have it, her fiancé Aster was too frail to attend such events.
‘Why won’t the heavens lend me their favor?’
Just then, a group of young cultivators wandering nearby approached her.
“Isn’t this Lady Lilliana?”
“Were you crying just now?”
Most of them were her followers. Among them, she even recognized a few betrothed to other noble daughters.
“Oh… Gentlemen…”
Tears welled up again in Lilliana’s eyes at the sight of people who seemed to understand her grief. But she quickly averted her gaze, pretending otherwise.
“It’s nothing. I’ve simply been troubled by some personal matters. I didn’t mean to cause concern.”
“Please don’t say such things.”
“Indeed. A true gentleman cannot ignore a lady shedding tears.”
Lilliana shook her head.
“No, I would never want to be a burden to any of you.”
“Just tell us what troubles you.”
“Well… Father and Brother had promised to gift me the hunting blooms…”
She began slowly, as if the words had long been waiting to be released.
“But Sister Iris… perhaps she didn’t like that.”
The surrounding cultivators let out quiet sighs.
“Because of the disgraceful incident, none of my family can attend the Hunt. And now… I won’t be receiving any flowers.”
Her long lashes lowered in sorrow.
“It’s not that I mind not receiving flowers.”
Tears shimmered beneath her lashes, falling gently.
“I’m just afraid I’ll bring dishonor to my family…”
“What a tragic tale.”
“I’m so sorry to my family. If only I had been a better lady, none of this would’ve happened.”
The young cultivators, watching Lilliana cry so pitifully, exchanged glances with hesitation.
“Then, Lady Lilliana—”
“Yes?”
“I shall gift you a flower.”
Another young man quickly raised his hand.
“Indeed, I shall as well!”
“A lady in such sorrow must not be left unattended. I too offer mine to Lady Lilliana.”
All the nearby cultivators raised their hands. Some were even renowned for their hunting skills.
“Truly?”
Lilliana, still tearful, now beamed with joy.
‘So what if Sister is popular among noble daughters?’
Lilliana had many men who followed her—something Iris could never have.
‘With this many… I can become the Flowered Lady of the Hunt.’
That meant she could take one step closer to marrying the Emperor.
“Would you really do that… for me?”
When Lilliana smiled brightly, the young cultivators blushed and nodded vigorously.
The following afternoon, the Spirit Blessing Festival began in earnest.
Iris and Cedric, who had been resting at the Lilac Manor, went out for a leisurely stroll as promised.
Not wanting to reveal their identities, they wore playful masks like many nobles did during such events.
“There’s nothing that doesn’t suit you, my Lady.”
Cedric adjusted Iris’s hair as he gently placed a cute rabbit mask on her.
Iris looked at his mask and replied, “You too, my Lord.”
The rugged black beast mask suited Cedric’s dark hair perfectly, giving him an air of elegant ferocity.
He had covered his striking hair to remain inconspicuous, but no matter how much he wrapped himself, his noble aura couldn’t be hidden.
“Is that so? If it pleases you, perhaps I’ll wear masks more often when we’re out.”
Cedric gave her a charming smirk as he spoke teasingly.
“I hold no preference for your appearance, My Lord. I simply like you as you are.”
“Hm. That only makes my heart waver more.”
Cedric reached out his hand naturally, and Iris laced her fingers with his in response.
It almost feels like we’re going on a little excursion together…
Without realizing it, a soft thrill bubbled up inside her.
The Festival of Sacred Ascension was being held in grand splendor.
Unlike most gatherings centered around the imperial clan and nobility, this was a rare occasion where all walks of life mingled in harmony.
Even from afar, the festivity and the energy of the crowd could be felt.
Iris walked close to Cedric, nearly pressed against his side.
“Pardon us, coming through.”
A silver-haired man brushed past them, slipping swiftly through the throng.
And at that moment—the Sacred Sword resonated.
“…!”
The pendant that held the Sacred Sword hummed faintly. Iris quickly turned her head, alarmed.
But the silver-haired figure had already vanished into the crowd.
The Sacred Sword reacted…
Even amidst the joy of the celebration, Iris had not forgotten her true purpose.
Her journey to the capital had one goal—to unseal the Sacred Sword.
It must be pointing toward something here in the capital…
Yet the trail was still cold, and clues remained scarce.
Iris felt a growing urge to find that silver-haired man again.
“My Lady?”
Cedric gently shook her hand to draw her attention.
“Is something wrong?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Iris shook her head lightly, but Cedric narrowed his eyes and asked,
“You saw that man who just passed by, didn’t you?”
“…A man?”
“Yes. That handsome fellow with silver hair. You saw him too, didn’t you?”
As Cedric described him more precisely, Iris blinked in surprise.
“You remember his face?”
If she had an accurate impression of his appearance, tracking him down would be far easier.
Delighted by his attention to detail, Iris’s eyes sparkled—but Cedric’s voice turned a little sulky.
“…Are you already taking interest in another man, right in front of me?”
“Me? Looking at someone else?”
Iris’s voice held a touch of baffled innocence. The thought had never crossed her mind.
“I’ve never once looked away from you.”
If Cedric was hurt, it had to be because of her.
She had heard that her family often grew upset because of her behavior.
She wasn’t confident in how trustworthy she appeared, but…
Even so, she didn’t want Cedric to be disheartened.
“My eyes are always on you, My Lord.”
Her hand trembled slightly in his grasp, the motion unconscious.
What is it about me that makes me seem unworthy of trust…?
Her sky-colored eyes, filled with unease, searched Cedric’s face.
“…Is it because I’m lacking in some way?”
“Not at all.”
Cedric responded quickly, seeing her grow dispirited.
“I know how you feel.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
As their gazes lingered on each other longer than usual, Cedric shyly turned his head and covered his face with a hand.
“Damn. I’m just too small-hearted.”
“No, you’re not like that, My Lord.”
“You say that, but the truth is—I’m terribly petty and overwhelmingly jealous.”
His nape and ears had turned red with embarrassment.
He looked back at Iris and spoke again, voice softer than before.
“That’s why I’ll strive to become a better husband for you.”
Iris tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
“…Even better than now?”
“…It’s because you keep looking at me like I’m someone far more worthy than I am.”
“But you really
are
a good person.”
“If you could peer into my heart, you’d realize I’m not all that admirable.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“I mean it. If you saw how possessive and jealous I can be, you’d be shocked.”
Looking into her clear, innocent eyes, Cedric felt his heart pounding wildly.
Iris…
Did she even realize how he looked at her?
How he couldn’t help but be disarmed by the unwavering sincerity in her gaze?
When those sky-blue eyes focused solely on him, it made him feel like even the smallest lie would be a betrayal.
That gaze was filled with nothing but trust and affection.
I want to become the man Iris believes I am.
Of course, even if he failed to meet her expectations, Iris would still accept him.
But he wished to fulfill all of them—to become the husband, the man who could bring her true happiness.
“But…”
Iris looked up at Cedric and slowly parted her lips, her tone cautious.
Chapter 67