Chapter 157 (1/2)

Chapter 157: Chapter 157

As I didn’t wear such a dress normally, I felt strange about it.

Lina carefully let down my hair, grabbed half of it and turned it up with a silver hairpin made of large ruby. Then she grabbed the other curly half and combed it. Then, after my hair was shiny, she stopped combing with a satisfied expression.

I thanked her, then headed downstairs where Carsein was waiting.

“Hi, Sein.”

“Oh, hi.”

Carsein, dressed up in the 1st Knights uniform, stood up and approached me. The 1st Knights uniform, with its red badge on the black background and two red shoulder straps symbolizing that he was a full-fledged knight, matched very well with his hair.

When I saw the spear-shaped badge on his chest, I suddenly recalled what happened at the regular training. As I was smiling, lost in memories, Carsein looked at me up and down and suddenly circled around me.

What the heck is he doing? Is there anything wrong? I thought it was okay when I just looked in the mirror.

“What’s wrong, Sein?”

“Hmm, I can’t find fault with what our ancestors said.”

“Huh? What are you talking about suddenly? ”

“As they say, fine clothes make the man. You really look beautiful today. I was trying to look for something flawed, but failed.”

“What the heck…” I broke into laughter. I knew he was good at cracking a joke, but he had a way with praising, too.

Looking at me giggling, he said with a nod, “Good. That’s what I want.”

“Huh?”

“I mean your expression. Try to keep it like that, okay?”

“Ah…”

Was he worried about my expression because I might feel uncomfortable due to the pressure by the pro-emperor faction?

I looked at him with a pleasant surprise. I was very grateful for his consideration today.

‘Okay. Let me forget all the complicated thoughts. Like he said, let me enjoy the ball. I still have one year to go. ‘ I smiled brightly at Carsein.

“Okay, I will. Thanks for your concern, Sein. ”

“Good. Then shall we go, lady? ”

Carsein politely bowed, reaching out to me. After gently putting my hand on his big hand, I headed for the palace with him.

“Duke Lars’s second son Sir Lars and the Moon of the future, Lady Aristia Pioneer La Monique are entering the hall.”

I was always introduced at the imperial ball with the modifier ‘Moon of the future’ in front of my name.

I stiffened at such an introduction because I felt like it was the standard modifier showing others that I was the crown prince’s fiancee. I didn’t think much about it in the past because I always appeared with him at such events. So, I felt already pressured when the protocol officer didn’t omit the modifier.

‘Is it because the emperor or the pro-emperor faction intervened that the protocol officer used the standard modifier before my name, even though I am not the crown prince’s partner?’

I reluctantly turned up my mouth, conscious of others at the banquet. I stepped into the banquet hall with a ceremonial smile that I was quite used to by now.

“Oh Master, Aristia, welcome!”

“Hi, Frincia, hi Sir Lars!”

Sir Lars, dressed up in the 2nd Knights uniform, and his wife Frincia, approached us, with their arms intertwined.

Frincia with light purple eyes smiled brightly and said, “Aristia, your dress is very pretty. It really looks good on you.”

“Thank you, Frincia.”

“You must be ready for some stress today. I don’t know if I can be of any help, but I will do my best to help you. Please let me know whenever you need my help. ”

“Thank you, Frincia. Thanks for saying that.”

I smiled slightly at her warm encouragement.

At that moment, the protocol officer announced the arrival of today’s protagonists.

“The Little Sun of the empire, Crown Prince Rublis Kamaludin Shana Castina and Lady Jiun Graspe de Jena are entering the hall!”