Chapter 11

When she picked up the costume, Via had a terrible premonition.

"This is the dress that Her Majesty the Empress prepared for Seltyis, isn't it?"

"It is tailored in a different color from Prince Alec. I have been told that this arrangement is intended to add to the excitement of today's private banquet."

Via stared at the costume. It was luxurious and of high quality, with exquisite brocade embroidery on the collar and cuffs, undoubtedly a top-tier masterpiece.

"That's right. Please convey my deepest gratitude to Her Majesty the Empress."

After answering, Via beckoned to Seltyis, who was standing near the entrance, looking idle.

"Indeed, it is impressive."

Seltyis, who had moved closer from her position as a guard, agreed with a bright face.

"I have called Seira and Luna from the Jade Palace to help you change. It must be nostalgic, right?"

Seltyis, of course, could change on her own, but in the Crystal Palace, where formality was highly valued, doing so might lead to unforeseen comments.

"Please wait a moment. I think they will be here soon."

However, when Chief Lady Ameri heard this, she raised her fine eyebrows.

"We cannot allow people of uncertain background to approach the Crystal Palace."

Via felt a momentary irritation at what she perceived as an insult to the Jade Palace, but she managed to keep it off her face.

"Then, who will help the Second Prince change?"

"I will do it."

It was Yuria, the Chief Lady's daughter, who stepped forward.

"Surely not just this one person?"

Via smiled, subtly criticizing the Chief Lady for the insufficient number of attendants.

Until the day before yesterday, she had viewed Chief Lady Ameri favorably as a loyal lady-in-waiting to Alec, but after seeing her son in the Crystal Palace, she no longer trusted either Ameri or Yuria.

"Of course, I will as well."

"Assisting in the preparation of the Second Prince by the Chief Lady herself would be against the protocol."

Via calmly dismissed this.

"Eimi, can you help?"

Over the past few months, she had come to trust this maid. With Eimi present, the Chief Lady's daughter would not be able to act as she pleased.

A look of irritation flashed in the Chief Lady's eyes, but she could not openly oppose the reasonable words of the side consort.

After a moment's hesitation, she bowed her head and said, "Understood."

Leaving Seltyis and the two maids behind, Via left the room.

Stopping at the doorway, Via turned to the two guards who had followed her out and addressed them again.

"Adjutant Antore praised you as skilled and trustworthy knights. What are your names?"

The two young knights blushed at the smile from the beautiful side consort.

In their awe, unable to speak, Ebeck introduced them.

"They are Sezak Mayer and Beib Ghibalts."

"Thank you. Please take good care of Seltyis."

With a light nod and a flick of her skirt, Via headed to her own room.

She had appeared to greet Seltyis upon hearing of her arrival, but in truth, she would take longer to prepare than Seltyis.

She had already finished her hair and nails, so all that remained was to put on the voluminously draped dress, and to wear the tiara, necklace, and earrings.

As she turned the corner, Via noticed a man walking down the street.

"Edam Fork."

Before she knew it, she had called out to him. The man, who had been walking with his head down, stopped abruptly.

"What for?"

He began to speak unpleasantly, but then, perhaps recognizing who Via was from her attire, he approached quickly and knelt deeply before her.

"Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you."

Not knowing why she had called him or why she knew his name, Edam placed his hand on his chest and performed the highest form of bow.

"I heard you are the son of Chief Lady Ameri. Why are you here today?"

"My mother called me. She told me to greet Her Majesty the Empress after the private banquet."

Looking at Edam's attire, it was clear that his jacket was adorned with medals, and the lace at his collar was properly secured with jewels. It was a proper noble's formal wear.

"Do you have some business?"

When asked, Via was at a loss for words.

She could not directly ask if he had any connection to Lord Sezon.

"Nothing.

I apologize for stopping you."

Edam bowed in response to Via's answer and turned to leave.

Ebeck watched his retreating figure with a puzzled look.

"That's the son of Chief Lady Ameri. He has a gloomy face, as if he has pasted on a mask of misfortune."

Via, who was usually cautious, was taken aback by Ebeck's blunt words.

"I agree, but be careful with your words."

"You don't deny it, do you?"

Ebeck chuckled softly, lowering his voice.

In fact, Ebeck liked this aspect of the side consort. Despite her impeccable performance as a noblewoman in formal settings, her true self was completely different.

Her forward, bright, and warm kindness could be felt in her words and gaze, and being around her made one feel brighter.

He could understand why Prince Alec, who had never shown any attachment to any woman, treated this side consort with special care and called her to his chambers every night.

Incidentally, this information was relayed to Ebeck by his sister.

While the palace maids and servants would not leak information about events within the palace, the fact that the First Prince favored the side consort had become a secret rumor in the palace.

"Are you going to wear armor and a helmet, Your Highness?"

Ebeck's light-hearted comment made Via smile.

The tiara, studded with jewels, was heavy and, according to Via, could be considered a weapon. It placed a significant strain on her neck, and the weight of the necklace around her chest was not negligible.

"Yes, Ebeck. I am going to battle."

"But you won't lose, will you?"

Via, who was about to face the nobles who were waiting to take advantage of any slip to embarrass her, had to make an impression as a side consort without being overly humble or arrogant.

"Don't worry, I plan to be a constantly victorious general."

Via smiled, and Ebeck laughed, finding her response delightful.

"Still, that man earlier had a face that could be described as tragic.

He must be nervous about meeting Her Majesty the Empress."

As Ebeck brought the conversation back, Via thought to herself, as if he were about to kill someone, and suddenly something important flashed through her mind, making her stop in her tracks.

"Dark blue jacket with two star medals...?"

"Is something wrong?"

Ebeck's words went unheard. She had just realized a significant oversight.

When she saw Seltyis's costume, why did she feel uneasy?

If she had thought more deeply and carefully at that moment...!

It was only natural that she recognized it. In that terrible dream, Seltyis had been wearing that costume...!

She had thought it was averted fate.

She had forgotten to be on guard.

Nothing had changed. Seltyis would be killed by Edam, who was wearing that costume...!

"Seltyis!"

Via discarded her high-heeled shoes on the spot.

"Your Highness?"

There was no time to answer.

Lifting her dress with both hands, Via turned and ran.

The guards were at the door, but the room faced the garden. If someone opened the glass door leading to the balcony, it would be easy to enter from the outside.

Seltyis would be killed... by Edam in a blue jacket, who would stab her in the chest with a sword...

"Open the door!"

The two guards were taken aback by Via's disheveled appearance and stood frozen, not understanding what was happening.

"Move!"

Pushing past the two guards who tried to stop her, Via pushed open the door. At that moment, she thought she heard a thin scream from Eimi, who was in the main room.

"Your Highness!"

By the time Ebeck caught up, Via had already rushed into the main room, dodging his hand on her shoulder.

"Seltyis!"

A man's sword was raised above the frozen Seltyis.

Via screamed and instinctively placed herself between the two.

She felt a searing heat in her side.

"What are you doing!"

The next moment, Ebeck's roar echoed, and Edam, still gripping the blood-stained sword, was kicked away. The sword flew up and clattered to the floor.

"Prince Seltyis!"

The two guards who rushed in next protected Seltyis, standing in front of her.

Ebeck pressed his weight on Edam, pinning him to the floor and restraining his arms.

"Brother!"

Seeing another maid try to approach Edam, one of the guards lunged and twisted her arms, forcing her to kneel on the floor.

"Did you bring this man in?"

The maid, in pain, trembled and distorted her face.

Eimi rushed to Via.

"Your Highness, oh, what has happened... Please, hold on."

The side of Via's dress was stained with blood.

Eimi quickly tore the hem of her own dress and pressed it to Via's wound.

A thin moan escaped Via's throat.

Shaking off the guards, Seltyis rushed to her sister.

"Call for help! Hurry!"

One of the guards started to run out, but Edam shouted, "No! If you expose me, Prince Alec will be ruined!"

The room fell silent.

Ebeck, the two guards, and even the restrained maid were stunned by the unbelievable words.

"Don't say such nonsense!"

Ebeck, regaining his composure, growled.

"You not only harmed the side consort but also insulted Prince Alec."

However, the maid, who was restrained by the guards, also affirmed her brother's words, pleading in a tearful voice.

"Close the door and call only the physician for the side consort.

Please believe us.

If it becomes public, it will be Prince Alec who will be in a difficult position!"

Ebeck walked briskly down the palace corridor, trying to maintain a calm expression.

Upon learning that the prince might be involved in this incident, Ebeck immediately closed the door to prevent the matter from becoming public and ordered Eimi to call the physician.

The palace physician, who would keep the secret no matter what, would be the best choice.

He was heading to the prince's office. He had heard from Adjutant Antore that the prince would be finishing paperwork before the banquet.

"I have a report for the prince. Open the door."

The familiar guard, recognizing the urgency in Ebeck's voice, immediately connected him to the prince.

"What is it?"

Prince Alec was accompanied by Luitas Ladus, who looked at Ebeck, who had entered with a tense face, with wide eyes.

Ebeck carefully closed the door, ensuring no one else was present.

"Chief Lady Ameri's son attempted to kill Prince Seltyis. Side Consort Via, who shielded him, was stabbed and is unconscious."

"What?"

Alec's face changed, and he approached Ebeck.

"What do you mean! Is Via alright?"

The shock and anxiety in his voice were those of a man deeply concerned for a loved one.

This made Ebeck even more puzzled.

"Please, let me explain first."

Ebeck took a deep breath to calm his emotions.

"The man who stabbed the side consort said that it would be problematic for Prince Alec if this matter became public. He claimed that it would lead to the prince's ruin if it became known."

Alec and Luitas were frozen in shock.

Alec, unable to hide his confusion, muttered in a daze.

"What do you mean...?"

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