It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 28

Without a chance to learn more about Giskal von Edelheit, ten days flew by in the blink of an eye.

It wasn’t an excuse.

Since entering Arne’s body, it had been the busiest ten days yet.

Having returned victorious from war, it was only proper to honor the soldiers’ efforts.

A grand victory celebration was scheduled to be held at the imperial palace following the triumphal procession. It was the natural course of events, but I only breathed a sigh of relief once the celebration was confirmed.

Had Erich’s ban on banquets—using me as an excuse—still been in effect, things could’ve gone terribly wrong. Thankfully, it had been lifted in advance.

I didn’t want to be resented by the noble ladies of the capital, let alone the soldiers who had suffered through war.

It was good that the banquet was happening, but what came after was the real problem.

I had never experienced a large-scale imperial banquet before, so I had been complacent—until reality hit me.

Banquets were battlegrounds for women. A war without swords, where one had to outshine others with dazzling dresses, expensive jewels, and stunning beauty.

I was speechless when I saw the dozens of dresses that Louis had commissioned from a famous designer in the capital.

“Lu-Louis? Didn’t we just try on one and decide for Lady Rosdel’s birthday banquet last time?”

“That was to be considerate of Lady Rosdel. I regret it now, of course. But the victory banquet is different. There’s no predetermined star. The star is chosen at the banquet.”

“Is that so?”

“Don’t worry about the budget. These dresses were made exclusively for Your Highness before the regular budget was cut. There are dozens more at the shop, but I only brought the most eye-catching ones. I’ll do everything I can to make sure Your Highness is the most beautiful star of the banquet.”

It was the classic image of palace life. When one imagines life as a royal consort, the first image is often of dancing gracefully at a lavish banquet.

Not living in constant fear of being discarded by the emperor.

Trying on a few dresses was nothing compared to threats to one’s life.

Fine, if that’s all it takes, I’ll keep trying until Louis is satisfied.

“Oh my, it suits you so well. Like the fluttering wings of a beautiful butterfly.”

“How about this one? Doesn’t it show off Your Highness’s slender figure perfectly?”

“The designer must’ve seen Your Highness’s red eyes and made this dress. The red hue is so radiant and alluring.”

Every time I changed dresses, gasps of admiration echoed around me.

Honestly, it didn’t feel bad. Who wouldn’t enjoy compliments? One maid spoke wistfully.

“It’d be even better if you saw yourself in the mirror. Are you really okay relying only on our opinions?”

“Mm, I want to make a decision with an objective view. Anyway, bring the next dress.”

I made up an excuse and changed the subject. I couldn’t explain to them why I avoided mirrors. Thankfully, Louis quickly brought the next dress, and another round of gasps followed.

But the more dresses I tried on, the more my expression twisted.

Five dresses were fine.

Nine were tolerable.

By the fifteenth, my throat was parched and my head was spinning.

Even pleasant compliments became tiresome. The repeated gasps were now annoying.

The remaining ten or so dresses felt like a burden.

“C-Can we stop now?”

“To be the best, you must endure!”

Had Louis ever been this firm?

“But it’s really exhausting…”

“Just a little more, please!”

Even the other maids sided with Louis.

In the end, I had to try on every single dress. And the final choice? The very first one I had tried on.

A pitch-black dress that gradually faded into red at the hem, like Arne’s dark hair.

…Why did I go through all that trouble?

Of course, the black dress with its red-tinted hem was stunning and suited Arne’s appearance perfectly.

I would wear it in front of countless nobles. And among them would be Giskal.

Finally, the day Giskal returned arrived, and I stepped forward wearing that dress.

Rosdel’s banquet had been grand, but it couldn’t compare to this victory celebration attended by all the nobles of the capital.

Standing on the platform above the crowd gathered at the palace gates were Erich, myself, and the other consorts.

We were there to welcome Giskal and his knights as they completed their triumphal march through the capital and approached the palace.

Thanks to our elevated position, I was spared from some of the nobles’ harsh gazes.

Rumor had it that I was still being blamed for ruining Rosdel’s banquet.

I glanced at Rosdel. As always, she looked down at the crowd with a graceful smile.

Our eyes met briefly, but she completely ignored me. Her elegant smile didn’t waver.

Beside her, Xenia looked displeased for some reason, her expression sour throughout. I quickly turned away to avoid provoking her and spotted the fourth consort, Marian Le Cinel. Marian stood quietly behind the other consorts, her head bowed so low I couldn’t even see her expression.

Marian Le Cinel.

I knew of her from the diary, but this was our first meeting.

Marian rarely left her residence, Maron Palace. She only showed her face briefly at official events. The social circles criticized her for neglecting her duties as a consort, but I understood her.

Given her circumstances, it was understandable.

Especially today.

Rosdel and the other three consorts were all from imperial noble families.

But Marian alone was royalty from a defeated nation. The princess of the Kingdom of Zaren, which Perlo claimed was the origin of the strange rumors surrounding Motus.

To me, Zaren was memorable because of Motus, but to the empire, it had long been a troublesome neighbor.

For over a hundred years, Zaren had been the only country to disrupt the empire’s borders.

Despite multiple military campaigns by the empire, Zaren never surrendered.

The empire only lost countless soldiers and its dignity. But two years ago, the Zaresden War finally brought Zaren to its knees.

Though the empire’s forces were losing at first, the tide turned with the Battle of Jantieu, led by Giskal.

It was a complete victory. The empire seized Zaren’s royal palace and replaced its throne.

They even demanded the legitimate princess of the former king—as a hostage. That unfortunate princess was Marian Le Cinel.

According to the diary, Arne and Marian barely acknowledged each other.

Even if Arne was the palace’s madwoman, she wouldn’t go out of her way to pick a fight with someone quietly staying in her own quarters.

Since entering the palace, Marian had kept to herself and avoided contact with anyone.

After learning about Marian, I wanted to greet her if I had the chance. She was the only one with whom I had a real shot at improving relations among the consorts—but more than that, I simply wanted to befriend her.

She was alone in this palace.

And I was alone in this world.

I considered visiting Maron Palace myself, but a sudden visit might cause misunderstandings.

Especially given Arne’s notorious reputation.

And Giskal, Arne’s brother, was the commander who conquered Marian’s homeland. A careless approach could backfire.

So I waited for a natural opportunity like today—but the timing wasn’t right.

I reluctantly looked away from Marian, and Erich, standing firmly at the front of the platform, called out to me.

“Arne, the gates are opening.”

Erich gestured openly for me to stand beside him. I felt sharp gazes from nearby.

When I hesitated, Erich took my hand and led me forward. The sudden touch nearly made me shake him off.

Thankfully, I only flinched slightly and avoided the scandal of rejecting the emperor’s hand in public.

Erich was already watching the massive palace gates being opened by ten guards. I fixed my gaze on the majestic sight.

Thump, thump, thump

As the gates opened, the sound of drums leading the triumphal march grew louder. The murmurs of the nobles below also intensified.

Finally, knights on black horses appeared beyond the gates.

Only high-ranking knights on horseback were allowed into the palace, but their presence was overwhelming.

All rode black horses, clad in black armor and helmets—they were the heroes of this victory.

The leading knight raised his hand, and the entire formation stopped simultaneously and dismounted smoothly.

The clanking of armor echoed grandly even from afar.

They all knelt on one knee before Erich, the emperor, and shouted:

“We offer this victory to the great Emperor of the Martania Empire!”

Erich nodded, and the nobles below erupted into applause.

The clapping continued until Erich raised one hand.

He looked around the crowd and slowly walked to the edge of the platform. Just before descending to greet the knights, he turned to me and asked:

“Would you like to join me?”

Erich extended his hand toward me.

There was no need to ask who he meant.

Among those proud knights in black armor, Giskal von Edelheit would surely be there.

I hesitated briefly, then placed my hand atop Erich’s.

With a smile, Erich began descending the platform with me.

Finally, as he reached the bottom, one knight stood and approached Erich…

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