Chapter 231

Chapter 231

Lucius the First praised his wife and Lady Stra stood up to bow to him. She replied, “You are too kind, your highness. I was only able to arrange this banquet thanks to Lady Tory; without her help, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”

Lucius the First turned to Lady Tory and praised her as well, “Thank you, Lady Tory. I am always so grateful that my two wives get along so well like sisters.”

“How could we be jealous of each other when we are so honored to serve you, your highness? And Lady Stra is so very kind that I have no complaints. I am just grateful to have you and Lady Stra by my side.”

The older noblemen began to congratulate the emperor on his good luck. They talked about his beautiful wives and prosperous kingdom, but Lucius the First did not feel lucky.

‘How come none of the annoying elders are dying?’

He hated the fact that his thoughts were turning negative. The servants began to serve the food and the guests laughed and enjoyed it. Poliana sat next to Tory. Lady Tory and Lady Stra sat at the seats of honor. Next to the emperor’s wives were supposed to be Duchess Luzo and Duchess Seki, but Poliana was given the seat of honor instead. Poliana greeted Duchess Seki awkwardly.

Next to Lucius the First was Duke Luzo and Sir Ainno. Those who were trusted the most by the emperor were allowed to sit next to him. In reality, Poliana should’ve been sitting next to Lucius the First, but because she was a woman, she was seated next to the other ladies.

Lucius the First didn’t even think that this was how the seating was going to be arranged. Poliana was just as surprised. In the previous feasts, men and women were seated together, but this time, Lady Stra made sure to follow the Acreian tradition. Since she knew how hard Lady Stra worked on planning this, Poliana didn’t dare to ask to get her seat changed.

‘But I want to sit with the men.’

Lady Stra talked happily with Duchess Luzo while Tory looked uncomfortable for some reason. Normally, she would’ve said a few kind words to Poliana, but today, Lady Tory was very quiet.

For example, Lady Tory would’ve said something like, “What a beautiful green dress you are wearing, Marquess. It is the exact shade of the emperor’s eyes.”

Normally, Poliana would’ve been happy to sit next to the emperor’s wives and chat, but today, Tory seemed unhappy. Poliana asked, “Lady Tory, are you alright? Are you not feeling well?”

“No, Marquess. It’s just that I am still very nervous…”

‘Nervous?’

Lady Stra interrupted their conversation, “Lady Tory has worked very hard to help me plan this party. That is why she’s so anxious; I think she’s anxious for me.”

Poliana nodded. “I think I can relate to that. I always get so nervous when I see my guards dueling with a guard from another division.”

Tory turned to Poliana and said apologetically, “I’m sorry I’m not acting appropriately. I can do better; I need to smile more.”

Tory smiled brightly. It was a perfect smile of a perfect lady, but Poliana didn’t like it at all.

“Lady Tory, if you aren’t feeling well, there is no need for you to fake a smile.”

“No, Marquess. This is my duty. When you were a lower-ranking knight, you had to always put on a smile in front of your superiors, right? This is the same thing. I must smile in public; that’s my job.”

It was indeed the same thing for everyone. Tory was right, but Poliana shook her head and replied, “But I don’t do that anymore, Lady Tory. I don’t smile if I don’t want to. You, Lady Tory, are the wife of the emperor and therefore you are not required to put on a smile unless you feel like smiling.”

With a sigh, Poliana continued, “And if someone forces or orders you to smile, then please tell me the name of that person. I will beat him or her up for you.”

Lady Tory giggled. People who forced her to smile? That would be pretty much every Acreian noble in the kingdom. Tory suspected, however, that if she told Poliana the truth, Poliana would really go after every Acreian noble. This time, Tory could laugh for real.

After the feast, the main portion of the party began. Lucius the First stood up and approached Tory as he offered her his hand. Tory took his hand gently and the emperor glanced at Poliana secretly.

Poliana looked different than usual today. Her hair, how a bit longer, was neatly arranged with oil. She was also wearing a refreshing green dress. Lady Siming was a truly talented dressmaker. The dress hid Poliana’s overly well-developed and muscular upper body. Poliana was also wearing a few simple jewels. Lucius the First loved Poliana no matter how she looked, but this feminine side of her made his heartbeat even faster today.

The emperor praised her generously, “Green suits you very well, Sir Pol. Are you planning to wear dresses often now?”

“No, your highness. I only wore it today to redeem myself from what happened a few years ago in this castle.”

Poliana stood up suddenly and began to dance by herself.

Three steps to the right, three steps to the left, turn forward and turn backward…

Her moves were graceful, proving that she could indeed walk and dance well in a dress. Lucius the First said to her, “I remember how you and Sir Donau were so brave that day.”

“I swear I didn’t bring any weapons today, your highness.”

Lucius the First gave up on his love, but this didn’t mean his feelings were gone. He would love Poliana forever and he would have to live with it for the rest of his life. The emperor knew he would die with this love and pain deep inside of his heart. Lucius the First smiled to hide his bitterness. Did Poliana know that even the most powerful man in the kingdom had to fake a smile sometimes?

Duke Luzo took his wife’s hand and walked to the dance floor. The other men began to move as well, trying to find partners such as their wives and fiances.

Poliana looked around, trying to find an appropriate dance partner. She proved to everyone that she could walk normally in a dress. Now, it was time to show that she could dance as well. Most of all colleagues were dancing with their wives, so Poliana decided to wait. If she waited patiently, she was sure one of the knights would ask her to dance eventually.

Today, none of the men seemed surprised to see her in a dress and wearing makeup. The men have changed just as Poliana has. She looked especially natural and decent today, and the other knights learned that a woman, even Poliana, could change without looking drastically different.

The first song was a very long one. Poliana was enjoying the music when someone offered her his hand.

It was Sir Ainno.