I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 60

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 60
A rainbow arced across the rapidly clearing sky.
Once the lavish opening ceremony concluded—a testament to the Imperial Family’s authority—what remained was the obligation to present myself before the Emperor and offer my respects.
‘There’s no avoiding this.’
With Theodore’s escort, I waited for my turn before stepping forward at the sound of my name being called. The Emperor and Empress occupied the central seats, with the Imperial Concubine’s position slightly behind them.
“I humbly present myself before Your Majesty the Emperor, the father of the Empire and eternal heaven.”
I recited the greeting I had rehearsed countless times, bending my knee. Permission to rise came swiftly, and Theodore straightened with measured grace, placing his hand over his heart as he continued.
“My grandfather regrets his inability to pay his respects in person and has instructed me to convey his unwavering loyalty to the Imperial Family.”
“Ah, House Voltier’s guardianship of the Border is indeed a source of reassurance for the Empire. I confess it brings me great peace of mind to witness with my own eyes that you have a capable successor.”
The Emperor’s welcome toward Theodore appeared genuine, his eyes crinkling warmly as he smiled with affection. Standing at the threshold between middle and old age, he possessed a rather benevolent countenance, which allowed me to relax my guard somewhat.
“The abilities of House Voltier are surely a blessing upon the Empire. I hear you yourself distinguished yourself greatly at the Border last winter.”
“You are too kind.”
Whether the Emperor had genuinely feared the extinction of House Voltier’s bloodline, he offered several more words tinged with sincerity and encouragement. I prayed his attention would remain fixed solely on Theodore, but I felt a piercing gaze and found my eyes involuntarily shifting.
‘That woman…’
The beautiful golden-haired woman seated beside the Emperor—the Empress, Bianca—was regarding Theodore with a cool, penetrating stare.
“The mastery of such abilities rests entirely upon your own talent. Not all who possess legitimate abilities wield them with equal skill, after all. How fortunate Ludwig must feel to have such a capable and distinguished heir.”
I naturally averted my gaze downward to avoid meeting Bianca’s eyes, yet I quickly noticed her hand trembling each time the Emperor mentioned abilities and succession.
‘It would be wise to avoid entanglement with the Imperial Family as much as possible.’
I held my breath and waited for this moment to pass without incident. The Emperor had summoned Theodore purely to confirm House Voltier’s successor, and fortunately, his attention never turned toward me.
If this continued, I could simply leave. Just as I was beginning to feel relief—
“Your name is Claire, is it not?”
Bianca spoke. The cool demeanor from moments before had vanished entirely, replaced by the dignified and elegant bearing befitting Imperial blood.
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Lift your head and show me your face.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected demand, I raised my head with a bewildered expression. Bianca tapped her fingers against the armrest of her chair, her crimson eyes—those bewitching scarlet orbs—studying my hazel gaze intently. My face was reflected perfectly within those depths.
‘It’s as though she were appraising me.’
The inorganic expression unsettled me, as if I were being evaluated like a gemstone, yet I could not turn away once an Imperial command had been issued.
The awkward silence that stretched on for no short duration was finally broken by the Emperor’s hearty laughter.
“Ha ha! It seems the Empress was curious about the beauty of Theodore’s fiancée, who has captured his heart.”
At those words, the Empress let out a soft chuckle, withdrawing her hand from the armrest and leaning back leisurely in her chair.
“Indeed, you make quite a fitting pair.”
The tension dissolved in an instant, and a few more pleasantries were exchanged. Bianca, having apparently lost interest, addressed me no further.
Shortly after, I departed the Guest Hall with an uneasy expression.
* * *
“Participants, please collect your arrows from this station!”
“For safety and fairness, the use of abilities is strictly prohibited!”
The Hunting Grounds bustled with activity as the hunt drew near. Imperial servants hurried about assisting with the proceedings, while armed attendants warmed up their bodies.
‘I’m not adjusting well to this.’
I grimaced at the throng of people, barely managing to suppress the growing unease in my expression.
The Hunting Festival spanned three days of hunting, with victory going to whoever accumulated the highest score—which meant I would have to endure this crowd for three entire days.
‘No, wait. If I count the Hunting Festival and the ball afterward, there’s still more time.’
Melissa approached Claire’s side and gently gripped her forearm.
“You mustn’t leave my side.”
At Melissa’s earnest warning, Claire nodded obediently. She herself had no confidence whatsoever in enduring this throng without Melissa.
‘Still, it’s manageable for now.’
Claire gazed toward Theodore, who stood before the starting point in the distance. Even surrounded by a sea of participants, his silver hair gleamed with an unmistakable presence.
When their eyes met, he flashed a grin at her. Tense as she was, Claire could only stiffen, unable even to think of waving back.
‘I didn’t see them earlier, but the Lloyd Family must be somewhere in this crowd.’
The thought that her father’s relatives were mingling among the masses made her inwardly uneasy.
Soon, a bell tolled to announce the start of the Hunting Festival. As Melissa watched the eager participants disappear one by one into the Mountain, she opened her mouth.
“Now that the Young Master is no longer at your side, you must keep your wits sharp.”
Melissa noticed the gazes of the noblewomen who were watching Claire with unconcealed interest.
Before the event began, it had been simple enough to exchange light greetings while Theodore paid his respects to allied families, then remain at his back. But now that they were separated, things were different.
‘Like a pack of hyenas looking for any weakness to tear into.’
Melissa had witnessed many tender young ladies suffer wounds in battles of wit with noblewomen, their hearts closing afterward.
‘Miss Claire doesn’t seem that fragile, but one can never be too careful.’
She knew all too well how cruel those with a sense of superiority could become when they encountered someone who appeared weaker than themselves.
“At least the Imperial Family elders have departed, so that’s one less worry.”
Melissa exhaled in relief. The Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Concubine had promised to attend on the final day when the outcome would be decided, and had taken their leave. She had worried whether the Empress or Imperial Concubine might share the same pavilion, so it felt like a great burden had been lifted.
“Did you see earlier? The Imperial Family is practically living gods to the Empire. Making a slip of the tongue before noblewomen is on an entirely different level.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Melissa nodded and was about to lead Claire into the pavilion when—
“Ah.”
A familiar face appeared in the crowd.
Luxuriant golden hair and warm brown eyes. Lips parted slightly, as if the woman had also just noticed Claire.
‘The person I met at the Market. So she was a young lady from a noble house after all.’
A flash of joy crossed Claire’s eyes. She had thought she would never see this person again, and the prospect of reunion delighted her as she moved to approach.
‘Hm?’
Upon spotting Claire, Rosina Lloyd’s lips pressed into a tight line. Her face drained of color in an instant, despair seeping into her features with palpable intensity.
‘Why?’
At this unmistakable rejection, Claire’s body went rigid. Rosina Lloyd quickly erased her expression, conscious of those around her, and turned away, disappearing into one of the two pavilions.
“That young lady….”
Melissa’s eyes narrowed as she witnessed the scene unfold beside Claire.
‘Should you encounter anyone from the Lloyd Family, do not leave Miss Claire alone.’
Theodore’s warning from the previous night echoed in her ears.
‘Golden hair, warm brown eyes, a young lady around Claire’s age. Rosina Lloyd, perhaps.’
The look in her eyes had been far from ordinary. Melissa took Claire’s hand. Fortunately, the waiting area was divided into two pavilions, so if they entered a different one from Rosina Lloyd, they could avoid an encounter.
Claire, who had been frozen in bewilderment, soon collected herself and followed where Melissa led.
‘That’s right, she must have her reasons. I hid my face and name with Ebon’s ability anyway. It’s only natural she wouldn’t recognize me.’
When she had met that woman, she had been concealing her true appearance with Ebon’s power. It was only natural that the woman, unaware of Claire’s real face, would be flustered by her sudden familiarity.
It seemed she had unconsciously grown excited upon seeing someone whose coloring resembled her father’s in some indefinable way. Reflecting on her hasty actions, she entered the Pavilion.

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