Chapter 5. Baseless Rumors

As Grace remained silent, Valentina, growing impatient, began to urge her more.

“Besides, this is totally different from your usual style! Honestly, you don’t even like clothes like this, do you?”

“Well… that’s true.”

As soon as Grace agreed, Valentina let out a dramatic gasp.

“I knew it! Oh my gosh, look at this! I just held it up, and doesn’t it already look better on me?”

Holding the dress in front of her, Valentina glanced sideways at Grace’s reflection in the mirror.

“Don’t you think so, too?”

Her expression was expectant, hoping for agreement. But Grace, as usual, couldn’t readily comply and instead looked conflicted.

‘But still, this is the first dress Father gifted me.’

No matter how much she disliked the dress, she felt that, out of respect for her father’s thoughtfulness, she shouldn’t just swap it out.

Seeing Grace remain silent, Valentina slyly suggested,

“We’re about the same size anyway, so why don’t we switch? My dress is probably more your style.”

“Letty, I…”

“I knew it! I knew you’d think the same! I’ll go try this on, then! My dress is on my bed!”

Before Grace could finish, Valentina cut her off and rushed into the dressing room, as if her sister’s approval had already been a given from the start.

She hadn’t even agreed yet, but it didn’t matter—Valentina was unstoppable when she set her mind on something.

“…Sigh. Whatever.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Grace headed toward Valentina’s room.

* * *

“This time, I heard you made a child cry.”

“The child cried on their own.”

“So you’re saying you did nothing, and a child just started crying as you walked past?”

“We only made eye contact. That was all—just a glance.”

At Alexis’s words, Empress Amy pressed her lips together tightly.

After their parents passed away from illness, he was the only family she had left.

If things had gone the way they should have, she never would have sent her only brother to such a dangerous war.

<If I don’t go, it will only put you in a difficult position, Sister.>

<Even if that happens, it doesn’t matter. I’d rather endure hardship than lose you.>

<So that’s why you sent Maximus in my place?>

<…That’s not what happened, Alex. He volunteered—>

<I promise you, I will not die.>

<…>

<So please, don’t make me any angrier than I already am, Your Majesty.>

Amy could no longer stop Alexis from going to war after he firmly drew the line.

As a result, Alexis officially became the hero who led the war to victory. But in reality, he had lost his closest friend, contracted an inexplicable illness, and was now living recklessly.

As if protesting against her, the one who had sent his dearest friend to his death. Ignoring all royal decorum, he behaved as he pleased, drawing the ire of the nobility.

The only reason he was tolerated was because he was Empress Amy’s one and only brother.

Had it not been for that title, those who envied him would have long since dragged him down from his position.

‘This is all my burden to bear.’

The memory of that day made Amy’s heart ache. As she clutched her chest, Alexis’s expression softened.

“Is your heart acting up again?”

“It’s a chronic condition.”

“You should take better care of yourself, rather than worrying about me.”

“If you’re so concerned, why not get married? Now that I’m getting older, I’d like to see you start a family.”

“Anyone would think you were an old lady already.”

“Still so insolent. What I mean is, I hear marriage proposals keep coming your way. Is there really no young lady among them that catches your interest?”

At her persistence, Alexis let out a sigh, clearly annoyed. His response was indifferent.

“They only covet the inheritance they’ll receive once I die. Rumor has it I don’t have much longer to live, after all.”

“Who dared to say such nonsense to you? You’re not dying.”

“I’m just speaking figuratively. What other reason could there be for these endless proposals when, to my face, they call me terrifying and monstrous?”

“Alexis, don’t believe such foolish rumors. Your eyes merely turned red—that’s all. It’s not a curse, nor an illness. Even the doctors confirmed that.”

“Just today, a child pointed at me and called me the ‘Devil Duke.’”

“Shall I cut off that child’s fingers?”

“That would only make my reputation even worse.”

Amy stared at Alexis, stunned. They were talking about people slandering him, yet he seemed completely unaffected. As if it had nothing to do with him.

It was Amy who was truly enraged. The more indifferent Alexis acted, the more it tore her apart inside.

“I’m sorry.”

“Your Majesty should not bow your head so easily.”

“……”

“In any case, unless you want me to be poisoned by a wife blinded by greed, I suggest you stop meddling in my marriage. I’ll say it again—I have no intention of marrying.”

With that, Alexis emptied his teacup, signaling the conversation was over. Amy reached for him as he was about to leave.

“At least attend the upcoming Summer Rose Banquet. For my sake.”

“As Your Majesty commands.”

Alexis lightly kissed the back of Amy’s hand before stepping away, his expression adorned with a charming smile—so at odds with the cold conversation they had just shared.

Amy sighed as she watched her brother walk away. He looked perfectly fine, yet lived like a dead man. It was unbearably painful to witness.

* * *

Before she knew it, the day of the banquet had arrived. Grace carefully examined her reflection in the mirror.

Contrary to her concerns, Valentina’s dress suited her perfectly. The green gown, adorned with white lace, exuded both elegance and modesty.

As Grace smoothed out the lace folds with excitement and stepped out of her room, she was met with an exaggerated gasp from her waiting uncle, Frederick, who widened his eyes in admiration.

“Oh, my heavens! Grace, are you planning to blind all the men tonight? I thought an angel had descended from the sky.”

“You’re exaggerating, Uncle.”

“Exaggerating? Mark my words—by the end of the night, everyone at the banquet will remember you. As expected, you shine just like a true Helio.”

With a sly smile, her uncle kissed the back of her hand. The excessive praise flustered Grace, but deep down, she couldn’t help feeling pleased.

As she boarded the carriage with his escort, Valentina climbed in after her, pouting.

“Uncle, I heard everything. You told me before that I’d be the star of the banquet. But now, is it my sister instead?”

“Hahaha, well, it can’t be helped. Compared to your sister, Valentina, you’re still just a child.”

“I’m not a child anymore! I’m a full-grown twenty-year-old!”

Having just reached adulthood, Valentina clearly despised being treated like a child. Anthony, who had been listening, chimed in.

“You’re twenty, sure. But you still act like a kid. Uncle, why don’t you escort her instead? She’s bound to cause trouble at the banquet, and I don’t know how I’ll handle it.”

“Anthony! What kind of trouble do you think I’ll cause? You should be honored to be my partner tonight. You won’t get another chance.”

“Hah! You’re only saying that because you have ridiculous fantasies about finding some charming gentleman. Just don’t come crying to me, begging to be my partner next time.”

“Ugh, as if. Anyone would be better than you.”

“What did you say?”

As twins, Valentina and Anthony never backed down from an argument. Their uncle burst into laughter at the familiar bickering and intervened.

“Ahaha! You two still can’t go a day without fighting. But remember, behave at the banquet—many eyes will be watching.”

Both Valentina and Anthony pouted and turned away from each other, arms crossed.

By then, their carriage had entered the imperial palace grounds. A long line of carriages stretched ahead, and noble guests, adorned in colorful attire, stepped out one by one.

Grace also disembarked, lifting her gaze to the palace. The Emerald Palace, draped in roses, was breathtakingly beautiful.

“It’s lovely.”

She unconsciously admired the sight, taking in the dazzling scenery at the entrance.

Then, she sensed an abrupt stillness around her.

Turning her head, she saw a man stepping down from a carriage.

Dressed in a light beige formal suit, he was a familiar face.

Alexis von Václav.

The very man who had been at the center of controversy in the plaza not long ago.

The moment people saw him, hushed whispers spread like wildfire. Their reactions were unmistakably wary, but he seemed utterly indifferent.

He strode toward the entrance with an impassive expression, his presence parting the crowd like waves yielding to the tide.

Grace, standing beside Frederick, instinctively stepped aside.

She had assumed he would simply walk past them.

But instead, Alexis suddenly came to a halt—right in front of her.