*

It would be best to put your hair up since your necklace is fancy, right? Last time I remember, your hair looked prettier pinned up with curls in it.

Yes. Lets do that.

With Siennas permission, Hain hummed and curled Siennas hair. Sienna, who always pretended not to care when Hain always told her that she had to pay attention to buying and decorating dresses, but Hain seemed happy today because Sienna was being cooperative. Sienna smiled because she knew Hains mind well.

I think it was an excellent choice. Im glad we have a necklace that goes well with the dress.

Hain, who was finished with Siennas hair, hung the necklace on Siennas neck and said.

Sienna checked herself over the mirror. A glossy navy dress reminiscent of the night sky. The bottom of the dress was embroidered with silver threads, with pCounts and transparent jewels hanging together, making it look like a galaxy. Moreover, the colorful necklace that matched the base accentuated Siennas slender long neck.

She strengthened her will. This time was different from a few months ago when she just watched Bluebells wedding. Preparations were needed if she wanted to take over this Imperial City. Sienna was ready to put forward her presence as the empress today.

She took a turn and the hem of her skirt flowed gently to form a wave.

How wonderful!

When Hain was clapping her hands, the gatekeeper told them that Carl had come. Sienna, who naturally assumed that he would have gone to Bluebells palace as it was her debut banquet, opened her eyes wide.

Soon, Carl entered the guest room. He was wearing a banquet suit of the same material as Sienna. The chest part of the navy jacket was engraved with patterns similar to those embroidered on the underside of Siennas dress. At a glance, it was obvious to see that two clothes were made by the same craftsman.

Beautiful. You are usually beautiful enough to satisfy me, but today you look amazing.

You usually look great enough to satisfy me too, but you look even better today.

Carl burst into a hearty laugh when Sienna returned his compliment.

But why did you come here? Its Bluebells debut party. I thought youd definitely go to her.

When Sienna asked, Carl shrugged and said, Cant you tell by the way Im dressed? Of course, I was going to appear with you. Its Bluebells debut banquet, but theres no law that you have to appear together. You went in alone last time too.

But

As Sienna hesitated with concern, Carl asked with a smile.

Then shall I go to Bluebell like this? If its because you feel sorry for her.

Sienna pulled his hand when he was ready to leave.

You cant just come and go like this. Its not because I feel sorry for her, but because Im worried about you. Im afraid if you lose the Ferrer family, itll be hard for you to work

Carl spoke in a firm tone to her with a worried look.

Dont worry. The biggest reason I want to join you in the banquet hall is to give Count Ferrer a statement. Ive endured his abuse of power, but Im going to let him know that its no good to challenge the emperors authority anymore.

Sienna was well aware that after Count Ferrer made Bluebell the empress, he instigated the nobles as if he was the emperor. Carl seemed determined not to watch him go his own way simply because he wanted to be comfortable.

Sienna didnt know how Carls choice will affect the future, but she decided not to worry too much. Carl was not a weak man.

Then shall we go before its too late?

Carl reached out his hand to her. The shyly smiling Sienna put her hand rather gently on his palm. The Phoenix Knights in white uniform and the Royal Knights of Carl escorted the two.

The banquet hall was sumptuously decorated. Arya seemed to have worked very hard to win Bluebells favor.

Everyone looked surprised as Sienna entered the banquet hall holding Carls hand. People thought that the emperor had obtained Bluebell as the second empress, because his heart was directed to Bluebell, not Sienna.

It was Count Ferrer who was more surprised than anyone else to see the two come in together. In the past, he worked with Carl to strengthen the imperial power and neutralize the power of the nobles, but before he knew it, he was standing at the vanguard of the nobles and raising his voice for his own rights and interests.

Its not that he wasnt concerned about Carl, but he thought that if only Bluebell had a male heir, his relationship with him would easily be resolved. It was because he strongly believed that the emperor had no feelings for Sienna.

However, when he saw Carl and Sienna entering the banquet hall in a friendly manner, he realized how deeply mistaken he was.

I think its the first time Ive ever held hands with Carl at a banquet hall like this.

You feel more reassured with me, dont you think?

No, Im more nervous. No one paid attention to me when I went in alone, but now everyone is looking at me in this obvious way. Im afraid Ill fall down the stairs and be humiliated in front of so many people.

Dont worry, Ill hold you tight so you wont fall.

Said Carl, laughing at Siennas funny remarks.

The music changed as they came down the stairs. When the cheerful waltz came out, people began to dance to it. When Sienna saw people moving in pairs, she remembered her debut banquet.

When Carl appeared in a black tailcoat in front of her, who was in trouble because she had no one to dance with, she felt like she saw a hero.

Of course, Valore asked for the first dance, but she was very nervous because she was anxious about stepping on his foot. She will never forget the time when she danced on the top of Carls foot, who appeared just before the song began.

While Sienna was thinking of that time, Carl asked, leading her hand.

Lets see how much your dancing skills have improved?

How could I have improved if I never dance? It was a mess when I danced with you last time, but now its going to be a terrible mess. I feel like Im going to be humiliated.

I guess there is no other way. If I dont want my wife to be humiliated, Ill have to give her my feet like last time.

Sienna smiled and climbed onto his feet.

Bluebell looked at herself in front of the mirror, checking various angles. A lively yellow dress spread out like flower petals.

Should I have worn a purple dress rather than a yellow one? No, would that sky blue dress be better?

She had already changed her dress five times. The nanny chimed in.

I think you look the best in what youre wearing now. It looks as fresh as a morning flower full of dew.

Really? Does this suit me best?

She asked, raising her skirt as if she was in a good mood at the nannys praise.

Yes, it suits you very well. And you need to get your hair done. If we take too long, we might keep the emperor waiting.

Bluebell swooped down on the chair for the nanny. The waiting maids combed her hair. Bluebell said with an annoyed face.

I cant keep Carl waiting. How long has it been since weve met? How busy is he with his work that he cant even see me until my debut feast?

Your Majesty has just been crowned Emperor, so you must have a lot of work to do.

The nanny has been keeping the maids mouths shut. She knew that Carl stayed in the First Empress residence every night, but she couldnt tell Bluebell, who was already depressed. She just comforted Bluebell by saying that Carl was busy and didnt have time to stop by here. Bluebell, who couldnt get out of her place until her debut banquet, couldnt confirm the truth.

Other than those earrings right, the earrings that Baron Cotair sent me as a gift would look better. And bring the bracelet sent by the merchant named Peter. It was exotic because it was imported from beyond the sea. Im not sure if the jade color matches this yellow dress.

The maids brought in the accessories. Bluebell had received so many gifts that it took them a long time to just find them and bring them. She wouldnt be able to use all those ornaments, dresses, and spices, but just the piling those things made her feel good.

But Bluebells ecstatic state did not last too long when she finished grooming. The maid who was told to get an update on Carls situation came back.

His Majesty entered the banquet hall first with the First Empress.

What does that mean? Todays the Second Empress debut banquet. Why

When the nanny asked back with a disconcerted face, the maid stuttered with a frightened look.

Well, I was just passing on the servants word

The nanny looked at Bluebell with an embarrassed face. She was hiding the truth to protect Bluebell, and although she knew that she wouldnt be able to conceal the truth forever, she didnt think it would be revealed today at Bluebells debut banquet. She shrank back at the feeling of bad luck.

Bluebells steps toward the banquet hall were heavy. To walk into the banquet hall alone, where she was supposed to be the main character of the night, then to see Carl, who was supposed to be with herself, rather with Sienna, it all made Bluebells blood boil.

She bit her lower lip.

Its not that she didnt think it was strange. When Empress Arya warned her about what Sienna was like, and when she said that she didnt smell of love in her face, she tried hard to ignore it, but she thought it was strange.

No, actually it was before that. Ever since then, Carl wasnt happy to marry her Every time she told a bad story about Sienna, he hardened his face. Moreover, she thought he would like to hear that she could marry him, but he was rather angry.

But Bluebell just couldnt admit it. Carl had to be hers. And she had to be the empress. Not Sienna, who came down from some northern village.

Everyone looked at Bluebell as she entered the banquet hall. In their eyes, she could read pity, contempt, and ridicule She wanted to run away from here at any moment. But then it was clear that they would laugh at her if she did.

She came down the stairs slowly, smiling as if she was okay. The tip of her mouth was twitching, but she couldnt control it.

Bluebell saw Sienna and Carl dancing affectionately inside the banquet hall. Then her forced smile distorted.

She turned her eyes deliberately. Just in time, there was her father, Kenyon Ferrer. He looked at Bluebell with a disapproving look. On his reproachful face, she had no choice but to lower her head.

Empress Bluebell, are you here?

Only

There was someone who welcomed her. It was Empress Arya.

Empress Arya

Arya smiled graciously at Bluebell. Bluebell wanted to cry with her face buried in Aryas shoulder at any moment at her smile of consolation. Arya looked at Carl and Sienna dancing together and said, Its a feast Ive been working hard to prepare for Empress Bluebell, but I think someone else has taken it away. Didnt I tell you before? You have to watch out for Empress Sienna

I couldnt do anything. I couldnt even go out of my place before the debut banquet

When Bluebell bit her lower lip in an unfair manner, Arya gently swept down her shoulder.

Its okay. Its not too late. The Emperors love isnt everything. Its more important who gets the male heir first.

Bluebell looked at her with a vacant look because Aryas words were not quite understandable to her. Arya gave a warm smile to Bluebell.