Queen of Revenge - Chapter 10

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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 10
The Commander’s crimson eyes held a gaze that seemed to draw in all who beheld them.
Merely sitting beside them, his presence overwhelmed the room. He was the man who had slain demons—a feat unprecedented in history.
The Ambassador’s lips trembled as he forced an awkward smile.
“Haha, Commander, I doubt this is a topic you’d find pleasant. Merely idle gossip about the world.”
“Indeed, the prattling of old men confined to their chambers hardly makes for riveting conversation.”
“Confined to their chambers… What did you just say?”
The Ambassador’s face flushed with indignation.
Old men confined to their chambers? Every ambassador gathered here represented their homeland officially.
The Commander clicked his tongue.
“With age should come the virtues of prudence and humility. For instance, one might exercise the caution to glance around before speaking ill of others.”
“How dare you!”
“Or at least harbor the resolve that careless words might well tighten the noose around one’s own neck before opening one’s mouth.”
A chilling silence descended upon the hall.
Since entering, he had not spoken a word to anyone who approached. He had maintained an indifferent expression throughout, yet had he been listening to all the contemptuous whispers directed at me?
“There are matters best kept to oneself. However, I myself quite enjoy idle conversation. Do not overthink it.”
With that sharp warning delivered, the Commander smiled faintly. It was clear: if one lacked the courage to speak such things to one’s face, one should remain silent.
Before the frozen atmosphere could thaw, the Military Band resumed their performance.
The Diplomatic Corps straightened in unison. It was time for the nobility of Elovis and the Royal Family’s highest officials to enter.
The Golden Door swung wide open.
Led by Duke Valer, the most distinguished noble families of Elovis made their entrance.
Most of them were elders of the Royal Council, those who held voting rights in the assembly that determined matters of state importance for Elovis. All wore the white ceremonial robes designated for Foundation Day.
What followed was the most crucial moment.
Everyone in the hall rose to their feet.
The Military Band played a solemn processional. With the Royal Guard divided on either side protecting the Red Road, the King of Elovis and the Crown Princess entered the Grand Hall.
The Conqueror King who once ruled the Northwest Continent now bore the weight of age—his frame fuller, his hair touched with silver—yet the dignity forged through blood remained as formidable as in his youth.
The Crown Princess who stood beside him was breathtakingly beautiful. Together, they embodied the prosperity of Elovis itself.
The King took his seat upon the Throne, while the Crown Princess stood to his right.
With a single gesture from the King, the Military Band ceased their music. All in the hall waited for him to speak.
“I am grateful for your attendance here today. As you all know, we gather to celebrate the founding of Elovis, but equally, we do so that our nations might confirm our shared future.”
The King’s gaze swept across each member of the Diplomatic Corps in turn, lingering briefly upon the Commander.
“I express my gratitude and respect to the delegations who have accepted our invitation. We shall conduct the business of deepening our friendships in individual meetings to follow, but today, let us fully enjoy this joyous occasion….”
The King’s eyes narrowed, fixed upon something.
Following the King’s gaze, the guests exchanged puzzled looks.
The doors to the Banquet Hall had not yet closed.
Catherine, likewise noting the entrance, furrowed her brow slightly.
‘What is this? There should be no one else to enter.’
As if to directly refute that thought, the half-closed door swung fully open.
The silhouette that appeared within sent a wave of astonishment through the entire hall.
* * *
The moment Iolet entered the Banquet Hall, the entire venue fell into a silence as profound as death.
There was no grand fanfare from the Military Band announcing the Royal Family’s arrival, no standing guests—just a quiet entrance.
Yet every eye in the hall was fixed upon her. Not merely because of the princess’s beauty.
Someone murmured as if in a daze.
“The dress….”
As the princess walked toward the center of the Banquet Hall, her dress’s hem rippled luxuriously in waves.
Platinum blonde hair cascading down her back swayed with each movement of the fabric.
Catherine recognized her sister’s dress and nearly cried out.
‘How could she possibly…!’
It was the wedding dress she herself had personally selected and sent to Iolet.
She had chosen the most elaborate one specifically so that Iolet would stand out as the most radiant bride at her wedding to Count Castlaine. Yet the color was entirely different.
The pristine white dress symbolizing a bride’s purity had transformed into absolute black.
In any nation, there is one color that must never be worn at the Founding Day Festival—black, the color of mourning.
Not only the guests but even The King had his eyes wide open. A sense of crisis gripped her—this situation had to be remedied immediately.
“What do you think you’re doing at a time like this—.”
But Catherine could not finish her words.
The moment Iolet reached the chandelier, the dress transformed into an entirely different color.
The dress’s hue shifted with the angle of the light—from deep black to blue tinged with darkness, gradually becoming a deep and mysterious teal.
The fabric, which absorbed light and shimmered with blue tones, changed color depending on the viewing angle.
Surrounded entirely by guests in white formal attire, she stood out with unparalleled brilliance.
Moreover, she had entered after The King and the Crown Princess. It was an unprecedented occurrence.
Walking through the blue light, the princess reached the Throne and bowed deeply. Her etiquette was flawless.
“I offer my respects to Mother.”
Instead of The King, whose expression had darkened, Catherine rose to her feet.
Catherine descended the steps and embraced Iolet. Despite the affectionate gesture, her voice—audible only to Iolet—carried unmistakable anger.
“What is the meaning of this, Iolet? I don’t recall summoning you.”
“What do you mean?”
Iolet’s eyes widened in apparent confusion.
“I simply came because this is a ceremony I should rightfully attend. I followed the prescribed order of events.”
“The prescribed order?”
“Today is my wedding day, Elder Sister. I made my entrance according to the rehearsal we practiced beforehand. Is there a problem?”
Catherine swallowed a hollow laugh.
The order of events had already been changed three days ago.
Since the scheduled wedding ceremony had been cancelled, the entire Founding Day schedule had to be revised. But now?
“After all that commotion, the wedding couldn’t possibly proceed as planned.”
“But you never informed me of that.”
Iolet smiled brightly. It was that same vacant expression Catherine had seen days before.
“You were the one who repeatedly emphasized how important today is. I took care with my appearance to show proper respect to my betrothed, who lies ill.”
“That’s absurd. If wearing mourning clothes to the Founding Day Festival is your idea of respect—.”
“But you told me to revere the Count as a husband like heaven itself, didn’t you?”
The Banquet Hall fell into a silence as heavy as death while Iolet tilted her head with innocent curiosity.
“‘From now on, the person you must serve is not Mother, but Count Castlane. If you live as the wife of a count rather than as a princess, I’ll allow you to return within five years.’—that’s what you said….”
“I….”
“You definitely said that. Elder Sister.”
It had been a long time since I experienced such complete speechlessness.
As the banquet stalled, the ambassadors began to murmur restlessly among themselves.
The King issued an irritated command.
“Crown Princess. Return to your seat. The princess shall stand before Duke Valer.”
There was nothing to do but retreat for now.
Catherine bit her lip hard and turned away.
Within moments, the weary King beckoned the Black Eagle Knight Commander with a gesture.
“Proceed with the banquet. And summon Perein separately to confirm whether the princess truly failed to receive notice of the change in order.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Iolet grasped her dress and took her place at the very front of the noble procession.
Hundreds of eyes bore into me, and my entire body tingled beneath their gaze.
The protagonist always makes their entrance last—a timeless truth that held everywhere and always.
But had Lucian not been my guard knight, I would have been blocked at the entrance.
Had Bara not assisted with such skillful preparation, I would not have escaped ridicule.
Thanks to her efforts, my long platinum hair cascaded in beautiful waves, and Charlotte’s necklace gleamed against my neck, long and graceful as a deer’s.
The mysterious deep blue that draped my voluminous gown delivered a meaningful shock to those who understood its worth.
At least those gathered here would never forget the name Iolet.
‘I’ve succeeded in taking the stage. Now the real performance begins.’
Iolet straightened her posture and waited for the opening ceremony to conclude.

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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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