Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 80

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 80
* * *
Exactly five hours later, I stood pressed against the mirror, utterly captivated by my own reflection.
“Wow….”
It felt like déjà vu from the day I first possessed Yerenika’s body. I gazed at myself in the mirror with such intensity that I nearly drooled.
When I moved my hand, the reflection followed; when I turned my head, it turned as well. The woman in the mirror was unmistakably me, yet it felt surreal. My pale pink hair, which usually floated about in soft, wispy waves, now gleamed with such silken smoothness that it seemed it would slip through my fingers at the slightest touch.
The maidservant had woven my hair into an intricate braid, twisted it into an adorable knot, and let the rest cascade down to my waist. With every movement, the hair flowed like liquid silk along the curves of my body, shimmering with each step.
“Wow, truly the hands of a god….”
I stared at the maidservant who had styled my hair, my jaw hanging open. She beamed with pride.
“Hair of such a sweet hue becomes twice as lovely with just a little care. How is it? Do you like it?”
Like it? There was no need to answer.
I showered her with admiring glances before turning my gaze back to the mirror. The makeup itself was subtle. Given that my face didn’t suit heavy makeup or bold colors, I had settled for gently emphasizing my eyes and lips. Yet even this delicate touch brought my features to life with such refinement—it was nothing short of magic.
Indeed, even the smallest effort made such a difference. Not that my face wasn’t already lovely to begin with. In truth, I had rarely seen anyone more beautiful than Tezebia or Soleia Elad.
That sounds like boasting, but it is boasting. Still, after a year of rolling around in this face, I had grown somewhat numb to it. But now, properly adorned, I found myself falling in love with my own reflection all over again.
Was this how Narcissus felt?
“May I choose the earrings for you?”
Leria, practically vibrating with excitement, looked at me with hopeful eyes. I nodded eagerly.
“Yes, please.”
Leria, the youngest maidservant who had been my contemporary during my time at Bellirook Palace and who had just been released from confinement today to be assigned to the Imperial Palace, eagerly rummaged through the jewelry box that Madam Phila had brought, selecting gems with delight.
I turned away, unable to bear the sight of all those glittering jewels cascading from that enormous box. Heavens, how much must all of that be worth combined…?
“Since your dress is blue, how about these sapphire earrings? Or perhaps this delicately crafted cross-shaped earring would suit you well too.”
Leria chattered away, holding various options up to my ears.
[Oh, I like that one. The one she’s holding right now. The silver cross.]
Raulus chattered along as well. I shifted my gaze to the earring in Leria’s hand and was momentarily startled. A silver cross earring with a deep purple gem set in its center immediately captured my attention.
[I like that one. Go with that, little crumb.]
Raulus said with satisfaction. I looked at the cross earring for a moment before nodding.
“I’ll wear those.”
Silver and purple, and a cross. The perfect symbol of Belgot and the colors of Auredhian Belgot. For some reason, that cross felt like a talisman that would protect me today. I reached out and fastened the earrings on both lobes.
“Yes, beautiful.”
The earrings complemented my deep blue dress perfectly. I caught one final glimpse of myself in the mirror and broke into a radiant smile.
After all the twists and turns, my final four days in Belgot were about to begin.
* * *
“Have a wonderful time, Princess!”
Leria waved cheerfully. The lovely pink-haired Princess turned back and waved in return, then disappeared down the corridor with Countess Aiven.
The Countess, who was always so affectionate and kind, looked absolutely stunning in her party dress. And wearing the earrings that Leria had chosen for her made her even more beautiful.
Leria watched contentedly as they disappeared, then was immediately summoned by Roxanne, a maidservant of the Imperial Palace.
“Leria, I’ll tidy the Princess’s bedroom myself. You go help the laundry maids. I left the bedding to be washed, and it should be done by now.”
“Oh, yes!”
Leria, newly assigned to the Imperial Palace, answered briskly and spun around, hurrying down the stairs with quick steps.
‘The bedding. The bedding.’
The young maidservant’s mind held only one thought. Marienne had told her not to make mistakes at the Imperial Palace. She had also asked her to take good care of the Princess. First, I need to hurry and fetch the clean bedding.
Her footsteps across the grass were light and quick. Leria received the freshly pressed white bedding from the laundry maids without hesitation and immediately turned her direction back toward the Imperial Palace. Tap, tap, tap. Her footsteps remained light and cheerful, utterly unaware of what was about to unfold.
“Huh…?”
Suddenly, a shadow fell across Leria’s head, and she looked up. Her eyes widened as she recognized who stood before her. It was someone she had rarely encountered during her time working at the Imperial Palace.
“What’s your name?”
“L-Leria, ma’am.”
Of course, she knew the face. She couldn’t not know it. Leria quickly bowed.
“-!”
And that was the end of it. Leria didn’t even have time to scream.
* * *
The reception was held at Luxia Palace, where such imperial events and parties were typically hosted. Diego, summoned from the Temple, stood beside me today. I glanced at him awkwardly and muttered with embarrassment.
“I feel like I’m imposing on Diego far too much…”
“Imposing? Not at all.”
Diego smiled kindly.
“If I can be of any help to the Princess in any way, it would be my greatest joy.”
What are you doing, Raulus? Not bestowing another blessing upon this faithful priest? When I muttered this to myself, Raulus replied as if exasperated.
[That child has already received more than enough blessings. Overflowing with them since birth.]
“Still, such a remarkable priest you are…”
“Please don’t concern yourself with me. Truly. Rather, if there is anything at all that makes you uncomfortable, you must tell me without delay. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
Since Auredhian couldn’t be at my side today, Diego’s assistance was essential. I never knew when sorcerers from Soleia or Azekhien might strike at me.
This was my first and last appearance in this banquet hall, and I had no intention of staying long anyway. My plan was simply to show that the Princess of Lebovni was alive and well, then slip away at the first opportunity. So I just needed to endure these two or three hours.
I gazed around the hall, half-listening as envoys from Lebovni and Azekhien offered their greetings and recited letters of introduction from their respective rulers. So this was the main stage of Belgot’s social activities.
“It’s a beautiful hall, isn’t it, Princess?”
Clarisse asked with a smile. I nodded. The ceiling soared impossibly high, adorned with glittering chandeliers. Massive golden pillars carved with intricate patterns stood throughout, and purple curtains concealed the entrances to what must have been a dozen terraces. When I saw the wolf-shaped statues positioned here and there, I couldn’t help but smile. Raulus’s presence was everywhere in this palace.
[These things, with their eyes polished so bright. How irreverent.]
Raulus didn’t seem particularly pleased with them, but I stifled my laughter. When my eyes met Clarisse’s, I quickly composed my expression. Clarisse spoke in a somewhat determined tone.
“I’ll stay by your side today. As I promised before.”
“Thank you, Countess Aiven.”
I was truly grateful. I was already feeling awkward under the glances directed my way and stepped back slightly, laughing uncomfortably. Ugh, I really wasn’t accustomed to those kinds of stares. It was an ingrained aversion. Noticing my discomfort, Diego subtly positioned himself in front of me.
“Once the envoys’ greetings are finished, they’ll approach this way.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
I nodded, deliberately ignoring Sergei Lebanon, who was already staring intently in my direction. But Clarisse seemed to find something amusing in those words and covered her mouth with a small laugh.
“My, how affectionate.”
Sergei…?
The thought that that ruffian could be affectionate was appalling. I shuddered and turned my gaze toward the Imperial Throne. The greetings from Lebovni seemed to have concluded, as the envoys from Azekhien were now stepping forward.
Auredhian, reclining at an angle on the Imperial Throne, looked thoroughly bored even from a distance. With his eyes half-closed and barely meeting the envoys’ gazes, he appeared both irritated and exhausted. I found myself muttering without thinking.
“He looks frustrated.”
“Pardon?”
Clarisse asked in confusion. I laughed awkwardly.
“Ah, well, I just… thought that Your Majesty is human after all. It was just so obvious that you were bored.”
At my words, not only Clarisse but Diego Schmart and Aiven Count as well—all of them turned their gaze upon me.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————