CHAPTER 121
Two days before the wedding, today's important events were a banquet and a puppet show.
The expressions of those heading to the imperial garden were tinged with curiosity.
They had expected tonight's event to be held in one of the three main gardens of the imperial palace.
The three gardens of Helterd Palace were the pride and symbol of the Empire, unmatched even on the continent.
However, they were being led down a completely different path, not the one that led to the expected gardens.
Unlike the open and expansive gardens, the path they were taking suggested the destination was much smaller in scale.
After a while, the representatives from other kingdoms stood before the entrance of a garden covered in vines.
A subtle, sweet fragrance wafted through the vine-covered wall.
Two neatly uniformed guards opened the garden's doors on either side.
“Welcome to the Garden of Light.”
Standing at the entrance, Baroness Rosalind and Sir Ted Chamblain greeted the guests, along with the attendants and maids who would be serving tonight.
The “Garden of Light,” which they had only heard of in stories, was said to be a gift from the Emperor to the Empress.
Exclamations erupted from various corners before the guests even crossed the threshold.
The scent at the entrance was a blend of jasmine and moonflowers, which only bloomed at night.
The sweet yet pure fragrance was so enchanting it was beyond words.
As soon as they entered the small garden, everyone began to envision a certain woman in their minds.
The Empress, with her cheeks flushed red, presented the Emperor with the simple robe she had made.
It wasn’t one of the bold, dazzling gardens that symbolized the Empire, like the sun…
It was a garden serene and pure as moonlight.
For some reason, everyone felt at ease and peaceful.
And soon, they understood why this garden was called the “Garden of Light.”
Although it was already a dark evening, the entire garden sparkled with a radiant light.
It created the illusion that tiny flower petals were fluttering in the air before their eyes.
Lanterns placed throughout the garden controlled the intensity of the light, illuminating the space.
Lotus-shaped porcelain lanterns, intricately crafted, were planted among the flowers in the flower beds.
The lanterns, shaped like lotus blossoms open to the sky, cast shadows over those walking along the flower paths, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
The shapes, patterns, and sizes of the lanterns harmonized with the flowers, grass, and trees, all of them delicate and beautiful.
“My word… It’s as if stars are falling from the sky.”
The crown princess of Chatel, unable to conceal her astonishment, pointed at the tall trees.
They were cypress trees surrounding the walls of the garden. The countless crystal lanterns hanging between the branches made it seem as though the stars from the night sky were descending along the leaves.
The delicate grass cradled countless round lanterns, glowing like jewels.
Mesmerized, people gazed around the garden as they walked to the tables where dinner was served.
“It feels like walking through a dream.”
“Did you see the crescent moon-shaped lanterns hanging from the lavender wisteria? They’re made of gold-plated bronze!”
“I knew it already, but the Emperor’s love for the Empress is truly extraordinary.”
“This place is so peaceful and cozy that it makes you never want to leave the garden.”
“Just imagining how beautiful it must be during the day makes my heart race.”
Everywhere they looked, they felt the Emperor’s affection and consideration for the Empress.
Even the paths between the flower trees and benches were undoubtedly designed with the Empress in mind.
To the south of the garden, they could see a small, lovely gazebo.
It was a space the Emperor had created so the Empress could avoid the hot sun in the summer and the cold winds in the winter.
People would never guess that the Empress enjoyed pleasant conversations with small animals in this very spot.
“If this garden somehow feels secretive, could it just be my imagination? Ho, ho.”
“You’ve taken the words right out of my mouth. At first, I was surprised by how much the garden matched the image of the Empress, but the more I strolled through it, the more it felt like I was peeking into a man’s heart for the woman he loves, and I felt embarrassed.”
“I thought the same. This Garden of Light, so beautifully pure like a fairy tale, keeps feeling like a secret rendezvous spot for lovers… My heart can’t help but flutter.”
“Even if I were to experience such love for just one day, I would have no regrets.”
Several queens and princesses from familiar kingdoms whispered, covering their mouths with fans.
They could almost see the Emperor leaning toward the Empress under the lavender wisteria right before their eyes.
When the image of his red lips meeting hers flashed in their minds, the queens all started fanning themselves at once.
“The Emperor’s possessiveness is quite intense, isn’t it? Ha, ha.”
“What do you mean by that?”
The kings and crown princes of several kingdoms, who were also touring the garden, asked, curious about the laughter of the King of Senfer.
The King of Senfer, who was approaching seventy, was renowned across the continent for his deep knowledge of various disciplines.
He had taught many of the heirs to the royal and noble houses, including those from the Empire.
The young kings and crown princes conversing with him now were also his former students.
“Look carefully at the design of this garden. The inside is perfectly crafted to be beautiful and peaceful, but it is thoroughly blocked from viewing the outside and from being viewed from outside.”
As the King of Senfer explained, his former students finally took a good look around.
“This garden is a metaphor for His Majesty’s embrace. A world full of nothing but beauty, holding the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars. However, once you enter this world, you can never leave. Because the garden’s owner won’t even realize she’s forever trapped here.”
As the King of Senfer’s words hung in the air, the kings and crown princes exchanged glances,
“Please take your seats for the banquet.”
Sir Ted Chamblain’s voice resounded through the garden.
Tables adorned with flowers and candlesticks were arranged around a semicircular stage.
This setup was to allow the guests to enjoy a puppet show immediately after dinner.
About fifty royals and high nobles from other nations began to take their seats.
Today’s invited guests were representatives from the most influential kingdoms among those who had arrived for the wedding.
At the center of the table, seats were prepared for the Emperor and Empress, with walnut-carved chairs placed side by side next to them.
Even though they were all called kings and queens, and even though their noble titles were the same, the hierarchy between kingdoms was clear.
The seating arrangement closest to the Emperor and Empress signified the status of the kingdom to which the guest belonged.
The further away from the Emperor and Empress, the lesser the influence of the kingdom.
The head steward and banquet attendants guided the guests to their designated seats.
Those who were seated close to the Emperor and Empress held their heads high.
Those who were seated farthest away, at the edges, struggled to maintain their composure, thinking of the representatives from other kingdoms who were anxiously pacing in their quarters, having not been invited to the banquet.
The Dowager Empress Natalia sat with the Crown Prince and Princess of her native kingdom, Seville.
As she took her seat next to the Empress, the Dowager Empress gracefully opened her feather fan.
It was then that a distressed voice came from beside her.
“My apologies, Your Majesty the Dowager Empress.”
When she looked up, the head steward was standing there with a troubled expression.
“What is the matter?”
“The seats for the Crown Prince and Princess of Seville are… at the fourth table.”
“What? Seville is my homeland! The Seville royals have always sat beside me!”
The Dowager Empress’s sharp voice rang out in the tranquil garden.
It was a voice that did not suit the peaceful setting.
“It is true that when Your Majesty the Dowager Empress was the representative of the Imperial Household, the Seville delegation received treatment befitting that status.”
A voice, just as strong, but lacking any emotional highs or lows, interjected.
Unlike the Dowager Empress’s agitated tone, this voice was strict but dignified.
Baroness Rosalind, who had given a slight bow to the Dowager Empress, met her gaze, which remained tense.
Baroness Rosalind had been the one to educate the Dowager Empress when she had come to Helterd from Seville.
No matter how formidable the Dowager Empress was, she could not treat her recklessly in front of others.
In a calm voice, Baroness Rosalind explained.
It was as if she were teaching royal etiquette to a student.
“However, with the Empress now in place, the imperial courtesy extended to Seville has been reduced by two levels, as is the custom of the Imperial Household, which Your Majesty the Dowager Empress knows well.”
The Dowager Empress’s hands, resting beneath the table, trembled.
All eyes were on her.
The Crown Prince and Princess of Seville, seated beside her, looked at her in distress, unsure of what to do.
It was as if the entire world had just been informed that Natalia, the Dowager Empress, was no longer the mistress of the Imperial Household of Helterd.
Arabelle had yet to solidify her position as Empress.
However, no one doubted that her power would soon grow immensely.
One only needed to look at the garden they were sitting in now.
It was clear how much the Emperor cherished and loved the Empress.
Now it made sense why the Emperor had chosen to invite the continent’s esteemed guests to this small garden.
He had shown, without saying a word, what the Empress meant to him.
As Arabelle’s power increased, Natalia would inevitably be relegated to the shadows.
The Dowager Empress had been notorious for extorting weaker royal families under the guise of Helterd’s influence, committing all manner of misdeeds.
No one pitied her. Instead, sly glances, brimming with schadenfreude, flickered beneath lowered lashes.
“As the elder of the Imperial Household, I hadn’t considered it.”
She attempted to smile, but her lips trembled.
Feigning indifference, the Dowager Empress nodded.
The Crown Prince and Princess of Seville, their faces flushed with embarrassment, stood up.
Though they appeared to have much to say, they meekly allowed themselves to be guided by the attendants to a seat four places further from their original spot.
The seat next to the Emperor on the right remained empty as the King and Queen of Senfer, along with their granddaughter, took their places.
Sir Ted Chamblain then escorted King Bergen of Laicanore to the seat beside the Emperor.
Baroness Rosalind whispered to the Dowager Empress.
“And today, the seat beside the Empress… has been designated for Lady Seymour of Bergen, by direct order of His Majesty.”
The Dowager Empress’s lips, which had been on the verge of letting out a shriek, snapped shut.
If she caused a scene here, she would only further disgrace herself.
The Dowager Empress deliberately raised her voice, ensuring everyone could hear.
“I shall yield my seat so that the Empress may enjoy the company of a young lady her age.”
Her benevolent words moved no one. Everyone knew that the Dowager Empress was being sidelined.
As King Bergen and Lady Tristiny took their seats beside the Emperor and Empress, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.
“So Laicanore really is emerging as a new power. To secure a seat beside His Majesty…”
“Now that Emperor Maxwell is married, every royal family will be vying for King Bergen’s favor.”
“Of course. That’s why several kingdoms brought their young princesses instead of their queens, didn’t they? Ha, ha.”
“But wasn’t Lady Seymour betrothed to King Bergen? I was sure that was the case.”
“Oh, that was just a rumor, wasn’t it? There was no mention of it anywhere on the guest list.”
Amidst the sidelong glances, Tristiny bit the inside of her cheek.
She focused her gaze on the crystal candlesticks in front of her to avoid locking eyes with Bergen.
At that moment,
“The Emperor and Empress are entering.”
The head steward’s voice rang out, and the imperial orchestra began to play a gentle melody.
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