Ryeoju's first love was taken away - Chapter 11
Perhaps it was because she had heard Karina's story. It really seemed as if Tatiana was determined to take away her lovers.
"I refuse. I don't want to be swept up in strange rumors."
At Aster's refusal, Tatiana's body trembled. She fidgeted with the bracelet on her wrist again.
Daniel looked at the old bracelet she was wearing.
'I should buy her a new one. She treasures it so much.'
Daniel, who was foolishly thinking such things, shook his head.
She had always shown a clear and sparkling demeanor.
That's why it was hard to believe that she had argued with Karina, claiming all men were hers.
"Finally, almost everyone is here."
When the Duke of Gloucester appeared, the nobles gathered in the Great Hall seemed to be looking forward to the banquet that was about to start.
However, Aster didn't get up from his seat and was casually talking about the weather, as if waiting for someone.
Daniel and Andrew also waited, watching the emperor's reaction.
Tatiana, observing this, fidgeted with her bracelet, looking anxious.
'This can't be happening.'
She felt as if her head would melt from stress.
Tatiana, who acted before thinking, decided to take a bold step.
She approached Aster with a bright smile.
"Your Majesty, do you know what day it is today?"
Tatiana's sudden action startled both Daniel and Andrew. They instinctively realized she might do something to the emperor.
They looked at Aster with worried faces.
Fortunately, he didn't seem to pay much attention to Tatiana's actions.
"Isn't it the Founding Day?"
"Today is not only the day the empire was established, but also my birthday."
Tatiana answered with an innocent smile.
Daniel was shocked at her words.
What on earth was she talking about?
"So, it's the Duchess's birthday. Do you want to hear me wish you a happy birthday?"
"Yes, I wanted to hear it from Your Majesty. The words of congratulations."
At this point, Daniel was even more restless.
He signaled to Tatiana, glancing at the Duke.
What was she doing, leaving her husband behind?
This was practically throwing herself at the emperor.
"Even I should congratulate you, huh? It seems Andy didn't treat you well."
"No, Your Majesty. We've been a family for three years now, haven't we? I just wanted to use this opportunity to get closer to Your Majesty."
Tatiana's eyes were full of confidence. Andrew sighed, looking at her.
The emperor had spared him because the timing wasn't good. He had killed too many brothers, and the criticism was intense. Moreover, his mother came from the family that had poisoned Aster's birth mother.
Aster seemed to have forgiven Andrew and granted him the title of Duke, as if he had thrown off the shackles of hatred.
At least, on the surface.
"I apologize, Your Majesty."
"The Duchess isn't lying, brother."
Aster's sarcastic tone was completely lost on Tatiana.
She firmly believed he was going to grant her request.
After all, this world revolved around her.
When Tatiana refused to give up, Andrew grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly towards him with a frown.
"Can't you just stay still? If you can't read the room, at least listen to me."
Intimidated by his low, threatening tone, Tatiana fell silent.
Aster watched the scene with great interest. He had heard the Duke cherished the Duchess, but it didn't seem that way now.
"The Duke of Pione and the Duchess are entering."
At the butler's announcement, Aster dismissed his thoughts about the Duke and Duchess.
He had other things to focus on.
Before heading to the palace, I was making the final preparations when the bracelet caught my eye.
'This is a good chance to check if my bracelet has any abilities.'
It was a good situation to test it, but I couldn't shake off the eerie feeling.
There was no benefit in reading someone's mind, saying insincere things, and increasing their affection for me.
I lifted the bracelet with my hand.
The firm, cool sensation at my fingertips felt alien.
"Miss, surely you're not planning to wear that tacky thing to the banquet?"
Lily gasped, muttering as she looked at the bracelet. I smiled and put it on, standing in front of the mirror.
"It doesn't suit you at all. You have so many prettier ones..."
"Hmm, I see. You're right."
I was impressed anew by Tatiana, who had worn this bracelet in every situation.
"Get out of here! How dare you be so rude."
At that moment, I heard the butler shouting outside the door.
The mixture of murmurs and shouts suggested something chaotic was happening.
"I'm not sure. Should I go check?"
I quickly went out of the room.
As I descended the stairs, I saw a round back with blue hair.
I also saw the butler and servants trying to stop him.
They all looked extremely angry.
"Miss, you can go back upstairs. His Grace said that if Sir Wilhelm comes, he should be driven away immediately."
Wilhelm overpowered the servants who tried to stop him and stood in front of me.
It was impossible for the servants, who had no combat skills, to stop one of the strongest in this world.
'There's no one to help him either.'
The number of knights each house could operate in the capital was limited.
This was due to a special law enacted by the emperor after several assassination attempts.
Even if there were more knights, they wouldn't be able to handle a Sword Master like him.
I straightened my back and stepped forward in front of Wilhelm.
I could see his clearly displayed affection value above his well-dressed head.
It was close to zero, and I suppressed a laugh.
Wilhelm's brows furrowed at my laughter, thinking I was ignoring him.
"It's been a while, Lady."
"I said I never wanted to see you again, but you didn't listen, did you?"
"That day, you were just too excited and stepped back."
"I was extremely rational. And the one who lost control and tried to use violence that day was you, Sir Wilhelm."
The affection value dropped even lower at my words.
It seemed to be based on the bracelet's owner.
At least, when I touched Tatiana's bracelet, Daniel's affection value kept rising.
"That day... I made a mistake."
He apologized with difficulty.
Wilhelm was the first male lead to apologize to me after mistreating me.
"I accept your apology. Now, please leave."
I turned around, thinking I was done checking.
Wilhelm quickly grabbed my hand.
"Please reconsider the annulment."
He made an incredibly shameless request.