Chapter 18

As Alexei returned to the grand hall, he watched from a distance as Eleonora tenderly gazed at the small piece of custard pie she had cut and then took a bite.

She was a beautiful woman, entirely different from the demonic forest pie. Her manners and demeanor were those of a lady. However, the gentle look she gave to the custard pie was the same as the one she gave to the green, squishy-skinned pie.

What Alexei felt for her was not just nostalgia. He sensed something akin to a thirst he had never experienced before. Alexei did not understand what this emotion was.

In the grand hall he returned to, a large imperial magic stone chandelier hung from the high ceiling, illuminating the polished parquet floor. It beautifully highlighted those who were dancing the waltz to the orchestra's music.

When people noticed Alexei, they tried to stop dancing and bow, but he gestured with his hand to indicate that it was unnecessary.

As he watched them continue dancing with relief, Sergei approached Alexei.

"Your Majesty, this is a ball. Would you like to dance with someone?"

At this suggestion, Alexei frowned.

"You made it a ball on your own. I have no intention of dancing with anyone. If it was about finding a consort, wouldn't a tea party have been sufficient?"

"Yes, you are right. A tea party might have been fine. However, the first event the Emperor hosts must be the historic imperial ball."

"Hmph. Nonsense."

Sergei intended to somewhat dispel the image of Alexei, known as the Demon Emperor.

Just the sight of Alexei, with his fair beauty and well-built, muscular body in a black military uniform, was enough to have a significant effect on the nobles invited to the ball.

Only those who had fought alongside Alexei on the battlefield, a few castle servants, and powerful noble ministers knew what he looked like. However, they praised his abilities and revered him rather than his beauty.

Thus, Alexei's beautiful appearance had never been of any use.

Sergei believed that the new empire could not develop solely on fear, especially after the purge of the anti-imperialist nobles. Alexei was indeed cold and cruel. There was no reason not to use his beautiful appearance to counteract that fact.

"For today, it's fine if you don't dance. However, next time, please take someone's hand."

If he saw Alexei beautifully smiling and dancing with someone, he would appear more approachable. Imagining this, Sergei smiled to himself.

"Sergei, I understand what you want to do. However, I have no desire to change this empire."

This was Alexei's genuine feeling. Of course, Sergei was aware of this.

Alexei had lived only for revenge. However, he still had a long life ahead. Sergei wished for him to use the abilities he had cultivated for revenge for the empire's benefit.

Of course, he also wanted Alexei to be happy as a person, but as the empire's chancellor, he chose the future of the empire over Alexei's personal happiness.

"By the way, did you assign guards to Eleonora of the Purpureus Dukedom?"

Sergei's lips curved into a smile.

"Just a moment ago, I assigned three of your guards to her. Since it's you, Your Majesty, you can protect yourself even if the number of guards is reduced."

Alexei nodded silently.

The ball had become quite lively. The guests, realizing that Alexei was not the Demon Emperor they had imagined and perhaps influenced by the alcohol, were much more relaxed.

Alexei sat in a chair and watched the scene. Most of the young ladies he had met earlier in the hall had returned to the grand hall, but Eleonora was nowhere to be seen.

"Sergei, where is Eleonora?"

Seeing Alexei's concern for Eleonora, Sergei smiled smugly.

"Let's ask the guard knight assigned to her."

Sergei instructed the knight standing next to Alexei to check on the guard knight assigned to her.

During this time, Alexei, who was restless, crossed his long legs and sipped his wine.

After a while, the guard knight returned and reported to Sergei. Alexei overheard the report.

"What? She's already gone?"

The guard knight nodded and explained what had happened. Hearing this, Alexei's veins bulged in anger.

"Eleonora was splashed with wine and sent home. What were the guard knights doing?"

"Your Majesty, it seems that Eleonora's younger sister splashed the wine. It was not an incident. The knight assigned to her probably didn't expect a young lady of the duchy to do such a thing."

Alexei recalled the harassment he had endured as a child. From trivial to life-threatening, all of it had been painful for a young child. Thinking of his young self and Eleonora, he felt a pain in his heart, wondering if she was crying.

In the next moment, Alexei was surprised to realize that he was worried about someone else.