Chapter 5 Part 3

Following that, a voice announcing the Emperor’s arrival rang out, and the music changed accordingly. All the nobles in the banquet hall looked towards Emperor Knezh and showed their respects.

Irina also reluctantly turned towards him and showed her respects, but in fact, she didn’t even want to see the Emperor’s face, so she was looking elsewhere.

Emperor Knezh looked around the banquet hall from the top of the stairs leading to it. Then, he spotted Irina and smiled, twisting the corners of his mouth as if satisfied.

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Irina felt his gaze directed at her, but she pretended not to know anything and looked at the wall beyond Emperor Knezh with a stern expression.

“Thank you for taking the difficult journey. As you know, this banquet is held to restore the honor of the Lehman family, whose prestige has been tarnished by false rumors, and the banquet has been graced by the presence of Lady Irina Lehman. I would like to ask for applause for the Lady.”

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“……”

As soon as the Emperor’s words ended, applause erupted from all over the banquet hall. Rather than genuinely comforting the family, the thought that they too had enjoyed the rumors that Irina could make gold made her angry.

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In the midst of all this, hearing the Emperor mention her directly, Irina felt goosebumps all over her body.

“I also wanted to invite Thomas Lehman, the head of the Lehman family, but I heard that he is in poor health after a series of events. I will formally invite him next time.”

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It’s disgusting.

Irina tried hard not to show the surging anger. Instead, she held the hem of her dress with both hands and bowed her head slightly to show her gratitude.

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“As this is a meaningful occasion to restore the honor of the Lehman family, I hope everyone enjoys the banquet.”

The Emperor added the last words and raised his champagne glass high. Then, following his actions, the nobles also raised their glasses.

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Irina also imitated them, even though she was distraught. No matter how uncomfortable she felt, there was nothing good about doing something that would stand out alone.

After a brief greeting, Emperor Knezh began to walk down the stairs.

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Irina watched his actions silently for a while, then gave a quick greeting to the three young ladies in front of her and quickly began to walk away. She realized that Emperor Knezh’s destination was herself.

She only wanted to run away with all her might, but she couldn’t possibly do that in front of the Emperor. Instead, hurrying her steps as far away from the direction he was coming from as possible was the last thing she could do as a noble lady.

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When she glanced back, she saw that Emperor Knezh was also quickening his pace and chasing after her. Irina hurried out of the banquet hall without even looking back.

Irina went straight out of the banquet hall and headed for the back garden. It wasn’t that the back garden was her destination, but it would be more appropriate to say that she ended up in the back garden as she went wherever her feet took her.

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“Haah…”

“What a sigh, Lady Irina?”

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Breathing in the outside air seemed to help her breathe better, so she was taking a deep breath when she heard a familiar voice that she now even missed.

“Rumpel!”

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Irina stepped through the garden trees. Sure enough, Rumpel appeared from behind a well-maintained tree.

“It seems you’re happy to see me.”

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“Rather…”

“Oh. I was happy to see the Lady, but I’m the only one who feels that way.”

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Irina hesitated, feeling somewhat embarrassed to speak directly, but then Rumpel muttered as if disappointed. At his dejected voice, Irina was at a loss, not knowing what to do.

“N-no, it’s not that… I’m happy to see you too, Rumpel! Really, it’s true. Rather, it was good. I’m glad to see Rumpel. I was surprised….. Anyway, Rumpel isn’t the only one who is happy, so don’t get me wrong.”

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“Really?”

“Of course… Ah.”

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Seeing the corners of Rumpel’s lips slowly curling up, Irina finally realized that Rumpel had said that on purpose to make fun of her.

The anger at being deceived was replaced by a second problem: shame. She thought she might have said too much about how happy she was to see Rumpel.

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“The dress is really beautiful.”

“Ah… …Thank you.”

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Surprisingly, the person who saved the embarrassed Irina was Rumpel. She was glad that he changed the topic to the dress so she could talk about something else.

He looked at Irina with a strange look in his eyes for a while. Trapped in his sparkling golden eyes, Irina swallowed hard as if heat was rising in her body wherever his gaze landed.

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After watching Irina silently for a long time, Rumpel looked at her and asked in a sweet voice.

“Lady Irina, how does it feel to come to a banquet hosted by another man wearing the dress I picked out for you?”

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“Well, that… …”

Of course, it was true that Rumpel had chosen the dress for her, and it was also true that she had come to the banquet hosted by another man, Emperor Knezh. But when Rumpel said that, Irina had nothing to say and could only move her lips.

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It felt like… he was jealous.

“Perhaps… Rumpel.”

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“Yes?”

“Are you… jealous?”

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“…… Who? Is it me?”

Nod.

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Irina answered with a nod instead of words. there was a look of bewilderment on Rumpel’s face.

At his uncharacteristic reaction, a sparkle flashed in Irina’s green eyes. She thought, ‘Even the great Rumpel can be embarrassed.’

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Rumpel’s usually pale cheeks even seemed to have a faint blush. Irina even had the frivolous thought that she wanted to make this man embarrassed more often in the future.

“Jealous? It’s absolutely not like that.”

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“They say strong denial is a strong affirmation.”

At Rumpel’s words, Irina barely held back a spreading smile. Then, Rumpel raised his voice.

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“Anyway, it’s not, Lady Irina. I don’t get jealous or anything like that. Not at all. If you felt that way, you’re mistaken. Got it?”

“Pfft, I understand.”

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Because of Rumpel, who even spoke faster than usual and snapped back, Irina finally couldn’t hold back and let out a small laugh. Of course, she quickly hardened her expression and hid any sign of laughter, but it seemed to be too late.

Because Rumpel was staring at Irina with wide eyes.

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“Why are you laughing?”

“Me? Didn’t you laugh?”

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“You just laughed. ‘Pfft’!”

Watching Rumpel get so excited and imitating Irina’s laughter made her feel better than ever.

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To be able to laugh while attending an unwanted banquet hosted by the cruel and heinous Emperor Knezh, in a situation where it was uncertain how he would put her in trouble. It would have been impossible if it hadn’t been for Rumpel.

Come to think of it, Rumpel’s strength had been a big help in enduring and holding on for the past few days. Apart from simply turning straws and stones into gold for her, it was thanks to Rumpel’s constant appearances that she was able to regain her composure when she was about to collapse. She couldn’t deny it.

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Irina looked at Rumpel with affectionate eyes, feeling a renewed sense of gratitude towards him. The setting sun bathed Irina’s green eyes with a warm red light.

“Thank you.”

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“… … What are you planning all of a sudden?”

Rumpel asked suspiciously. After all, Irina had been teasing Rumpel just a moment ago.

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But she was sincere when she thanked him. That’s why Irina smiled sweetly and took a step closer to Rumpel.

“There is no intention or anything like that. Don’t slander my pure heart.”

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“…Hmm. If that’s really the case, then Lady Irina, you can’t just express gratitude in words.”

“Then what is it? Ah, ah!”

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As Irina asked, a thought suddenly occurred to her and she rummaged through her bag. There was no way she would have brought gold coins with her to the banquet.

Irina worried if she should take off the jewelry accessories she was wearing.

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“Really… … Lady Irina, you have a cute side.”

Rumpel laughed as if he had figured out Irina’s intention to give him jewels, even though she hadn’t said anything. Then, with a smile on his face, he slightly tilted his head and slightly bent his waist to be at eye level with Irina.

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“Jewels… I want you to give me something better than that, Lady Irina.”

“What’s that… Ah.”

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“That’s right. I’m talking about the child Lady Irina will bear.”

The atmosphere suddenly became strange. Irina quietly looked at Rumpel with a face as red as the sunset.

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Rumpel grabbed Irina by the hand and pulled her into the back of the trees.

“Y-you want to do it here? What if people see us…!”

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“Are you still worried about that?”

“Ah…”

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Irina quickly understood what Rumpel was talking about and agreed.

It was Rumpel who had a history of making them invisible in the changing room so that others wouldn’t see them. So, even if they had intercourse here, they wouldn’t have to worry about anyone seeing them.

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“B-but… it’s outside.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

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“What’s wrong…”

Irina trailed off in embarrassment. It may be funny to be picky about the place now after already having sex in the changing room of Madame Resa’s salon, but having sex in the garden of the Emperor’s palace was an impious and lewd act that she had never even imagined.

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“It’s okay, I’m not going to strip you all off.”