I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 45

Finally, after arriving at the Imperial Palace and spending a mostly uneventful day, the next morning greeted them.

True to form for an annex used only on special occasions at the Imperial Palace, the guest room was exceptionally splendid.

Is this what it feels like to sleep under silk bedding?

Edgar, who still hadn’t fully adjusted, finished grooming himself, scratching his head as he stepped out of the room.

Before officially participating in the ball, he had an event to attend with Ariel.

“Are you ready? Let’s go if you’re done.”

As usual, Ariel, who tended to dawdle through her morning routine, was already waiting in the hall.

With her personality wanting to get bothersome tasks done quickly, she likely chose efficiency over a bit of extra sleep.

The fact that Edgar was slightly late without saying anything serves as proof that she had come out far earlier than usual.

“Sorry for being late. We’re going to meet the Empress, right?”

“Yeah. The ball doesn’t have a set time anyway. You can take a break after we’re done, or join in right away.”

The group gathered early in the morning for no other reason than to have an audience with the Empress.

Before the debutante ball, all young ladies meet the Empress to receive congratulations on their entrance into society along with a small pendant.

Known as Viriditas, this pendant symbolizes that even a young lady who hasn’t come of age has officially become a woman through the debutante ball.

Some young ladies consider it an incredibly honorable experience just to meet the Empress and receive the Viriditas, but for Ariel, it was simply a bothersome obligation.

“I heard about it beforehand, but the schedule seems pretty hectic.”

“Who doesn’t feel that way? What’s the point of all this pomp and circumstance?”

Nodding at Edgar’s words, Ariel sharply criticized the day’s itinerary in a very disgruntled tone.

It was fine to create a space for entering society, but adding unnecessary ceremonies in between was the problem.

Being a pragmatist, she probably disliked this pointless fuss even more since it only burdened everyone involved.

“Oh, miss… even so, there are other people around…”

“Hmph, let them listen if they want.”

Listening quietly, Shuri hastily interrupted upon noticing the prying eyes around them.

But was Ariel really the type to care about such things?

Snorting dismissively, she shot sharp glances around her and strode out of the annex.

The warm spring air welcomed her like budding flowers ready to bloom, but her expression clearly said it wasn’t to her liking.

“Ed, when I go into the audience room, you can wander around the palace with Shuri.”

During the time of the debutante ball, most of the palace, except for certain areas, is open to the guests.

Surprisingly, many young ladies look to explore the palace at least once in their lives rather than just participating in the ball, which is why they made such arrangements.

“Will it really take that long?”

“I’m not sure how long it’ll be since it’s my first time. But standing around doing nothing isn’t better, right?”

“Hmm.”

Edgar wasn’t particularly interested in the palace.

From the start, he didn’t have a sentimental personality that could be dazzled by such grand architecture.

While he was willing to accompany Shuri if she wanted to explore, he had no desire to wander around bothering himself about it early in the morning.

“So, Shuri, what do you want to do?”

“I’m fine too. Besides, since our paths might cross unpredictably, it’s probably better for me to stay in one spot.”

“Do as you wish. It doesn’t bother me.”

Though he said that, Ariel felt a sense of pride swelling within her.

She thought Shuri would refuse, but she also believed Edgar might just ignore her and run off to explore.

Still, it seemed she had some awareness as an attendant.

For no good reason, her shoulders felt a bit tense.

* * * * * * *

So, after arriving at the palace, where she left the two outside, Ariel entered the audience room.

Kneeling down, she presented her respects, and a middle-aged woman sitting in the opposite place welcomed her with a smile.

That woman was none other than Beatria Helbenior, the current Empress of the Helbenior Empire.

Contrary to the imposing aura that comes with the title of Empress, she appeared to be merely a pleasant-looking lady.

“So you’re the young lady of the Robeheim family. I believe I saw you a few times during your coming-of-age years. Do you remember?”

Having met many nobles as Empress, the face of Ariel was rather familiar to her.

She remembered that Ariel had once carried the innocent gaze of a child and, astonishingly, was now standing before her as a proper woman.

Time flies, indeed.

“I vaguely remember, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for remembering. I would love to chat more, but I have other girls waiting, so let’s arrange a time to sit down later.”

Would a woman of her standing make a special arrangement for someone who was merely a daughter and not even the head of a noble family?

While others might think that was absurd, it was a different story for the heiress of the Robeheim family.

“You will officially step into society through today’s ball. There will be many trials and tribulations, but also meaningful encounters. May your future be filled with wonderful meetings.”

The social sphere isn’t just for fostering friendships.

Sometimes, it serves as a stage for political discussions and, at other times, for solidifying one’s own power.

The burden this girl had to bear as the only heir to a ducal family stepping into this world must be immense.

Thus, while offering her blessings for Ariel’s future, Beatria also comforted her regarding the challenges that lay ahead.

Not the type to completely disregard advice given by others, Ariel bowed her head deeply, taking Beatria’s words to heart.

Perhaps she was more attentive to her words because Beatria exuded a similar air to her mother, Helene.

“Would you come this way?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As she stood up at the Empress’s call, a woman who had been standing beside her came over to guide Ariel to Beatria.

She then revealed a pendant wrapped in soft cloth and carefully offered it to the Empress.

Grabbing it, Beatria slowly stepped down from her seat and placed it around Ariel’s neck.

“I hope you have a joyful day today. May you meet many people, experience new things, and learn a lot.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Ariel kissed the Empress’s hand as she expressed her gratitude and began to step back towards the entrance.

Lastly, as she stood tall, she tapped her left shoulder with her right hand, then placed her fist over her heart before bowing her head.

This was a salute passed down only within the Robeheim family.

It was a gesture reserved for the two individuals said to be the highest in the empire.

Seeing a gentle smile appear on Beatria’s lips as she watched, Ariel silently left the audience room.

As expected, a significant number of young ladies were waiting outside, chatting among familiar faces.

Since they couldn’t make too much noise right before the audience room, they were whispering softly, which irritated Ariel’s eyes greatly.

‘They must be gossiping about me, looking this way and whispering.’

She needed to find Edgar quickly to relieve this unpleasant feeling.

Of course, seeing that man’s face wouldn’t necessarily improve her mood, but it would at least be better than being alone in her irritation.

‘Where is he?’

However, no matter how Ariel looked around, she couldn’t catch sight of Edgar.

Usually, his bright red hair stood out easily, but today he was nowhere to be found.

Had he possibly gone off exploring the palace with Shuri?

While she had said it was fine for him to wander, if that were true, it would strangely make her feel a little bit upset.

‘Silly.’

Ariel shook her head, shaking off the negative thoughts.

He had come in the capacity of her attendant, after all; she had brought him along to show him a place that would be hard for him to visit otherwise.

And yet here she was, looking disdainfully at her friend who was enjoying himself.

No matter how petty she felt, that seemed almost akin to childishness.

‘Maybe I should explore the palace a bit too.’

It had been about three years since Ariel last visited the palace.

The layout was quite clear in her mind, but since she was feeling bored anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to take a look around.

There were certainly many places to see.

Just as she was about to turn and move her feet, a familiar male voice reached her ears.

“Ariel!”

‘Well, of course.’

He was indeed waiting for her.

Perhaps he had missed her just as she had failed to find him.

After all, what kind of person would wanders alone through the vast Imperial Palace without her?

A smile crept upon her face in gladness, but she quickly masked it, turning her body toward the source of the voice.

And there he was,

“Huh?”

Strangely, amidst other young ladies she didn’t recognize, she saw her childhood friend waving at her.

Thump.

Ariel’s heart suddenly started pounding.

A feeling she had never experienced before left her puzzled.

‘What’s this?’

Her fingertips began to tremble, and an uncomfortable knot began to rise from her chest.

Anger? No, it felt thicker and stranger than that.

It felt as if dark hands were rising from the depths, pulling her into an abyss.

It was a strange feeling that somewhat resembled what she felt when Edgar was chatting with Shuri, yet it was also different.

While that previous feeling was close to loneliness and alienation, what should she call this?

It was as if she wanted to ask why he was there. She wanted to shove him back to where he belonged away from those people.

Click-clack. Click-clack.

But before she could even figure out what this feeling was, her feet moved on their own, drawing her toward Edgar.

“Isn’t that the Robeheim princess?”

“Why does she look so angry? Did we do something wrong?”

The two girls flinched at the sight of Ariel approaching with fierce red eyes.

In stark contrast, Edgar wore a relieved smile, finally thinking he could escape this situation.

As his familiar face slowly approached her,

Wham.

Suddenly, Ariel grabbed Edgar’s hand, wide-eyed, her tone icy as she spoke.

“What are you doing here? You’re mine, so you should only be by my side.”

Having first sensed this feeling of possessiveness, she found herself at a loss for words.