Chapter 40
“You appear quite presentable.”
The prince commented as Cielo stepped down from the second floor, dressed in his formal uniform adorned with an emerald brooch. His long hair was styled to enhance both his outfit and his features.
“Your Imperial Highness, the 14th Prince, I apologize for my boldness, but I must request that you remain silent.”
He felt himself trembling, unsure if it was from anxiety or excitement. One thing was certain, he would be leaving the palace today. In fact, today marked the beginning of the founding festival.
Accompanied by the prince’s knights, he would be riding on horseback to the Central Grounds next to the prince, from where they would continue along the main road to the entrance of the Imperial Grounds.
He was lucky not to need any hands-on horseback riding lessons as he only had to grasp the basics of horse navigation. The calming inscriptions on the horses’ saddles made this process easier. Furthermore, the horses were trained to respond to a particular bell sound, which helped maintain a consistent parade.
All he needs to do is simply remain patient and behave graciously, much like the members of the Imperial Family.
‘Also, the Central Grounds… I’ve heard about it.’
Although it is called the Central Grounds, this area is not located at the actual center of the Imperial Grounds, as it is directly connected to the main entrance and exit. The term “Central” is mainly attributed to the fact that all operations within the Imperial Grounds take place in this area.
Konstantinos ignored him and instead looked at Dr. Happy, the only person currently in the West Wing. She is set off to leave tomorrow to go to her family and bring them to the capital city to enjoy the festival. Alistair was outside with the servants acting as Head Butler Tree to see them off. The knights who will accompany them are also in there already.
The prince actually changed his clothes in the main palace and only went to the West Wing to get him, whose hair was being styled by Dr. Happy.
‘He looks good.’
Cielo thought as he observed the prince, taking note of his polished look, with his hair neatly styled back.
Today, the prince wore his signature all-black outfit embellished with silver details and paired it with a green sash and a green coat slung over his left shoulder. An intricately crafted emerald brooch, shaped like intertwined trees, lent an air of sophistication that exceeded his memories. The only unique color on the prince was the shine of the golden ring on his left hand’s middle finger.
“We will leave now.”
The prince declared.
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”
Dr. Happy saluted formally to the Imperial Prince as Konstantinos and Cielo left.
Cielo felt a sense of unease and discomfort because of the overly formal behavior of Dr. Happy and the others. Nevertheless, he understood the importance of this month for the Empire and decided to keep his concerns about their treatment of him, as if he were a high-ranking official when he was only temporary, to himself.
As they left the West Wing through the only corridor connecting it to the main palace, the nearby servants paused in their tasks and offered a respectful bow to the prince. Their movements were fluid and practiced, a testament to years of service in the Imperial household.
The prince nodded in acknowledgment, his demeanor was regal yet approachable.
Once they passed the servants, he felt their eyes on him. It was only natural for their attention to be focused on him rather than the prince, as this was the first time he had shown his entire face, free from a shawl, hat, or sunglasses.
The sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating his features and casting a soft glow around him. His silver-white hair shimmered like spun silver, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost ethereal. His long lashes framed eyes that sparkled enchantingly in the bright sunlight.
As they walked down the corridor, he noticed the different reactions of the servants—some stared in awe, while others exchanged confused glances. He is used to being watched, but for some reason, wearing these clothes made him feel a bit embarrassed.
Cielo spotted Rene in the background, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him. However, she quickly collected herself and bowed to the prince. Her rapid response clearly demonstrated that she is a highly skilled maid.
As they made their way through the palace’s main entrance, the maids and butlers lined up to send them off. Alistair stood nearby, next to the carriage designated for their journey.
The carriage was a stunning creation, adorned in white and gold, featuring the Imperial family’s emblem—a pair of trees intertwined to form a magnificent singular tree. Its open design allowed the Imperial Prince to be seen by the public. He was nearly taken aback by its beauty, but having become accustomed to such luxury, he managed to keep his composure.
Two figures on black horses, decorated with black and green saddles, are at the forefront of the procession for the 14th Imperial Prince, leading the carriage. Their black and green uniforms signify that they are direct subordinates of the Emperor. He learned from Alistair the importance of uniform colors in identifying the affiliations of different individuals.
Following closely behind the carriage is a group of knights clad in uniforms akin to his, though less elaborate. Unlike him, they sport a silver cape draped over their left shoulder.
He flinched at the sight of a familiar gaze. It was none other than Dolion, one of the two leaders overseeing the knights of the 14th Imperial Prince during the procession.
The knights’ eyes widen in astonishment as they openly stare at him, probably because of the unique color of his hair. Cielo thought with pride that Dr. Happy’s product promotion was going exceptionally well.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to ignore the man and concentrate on the person in front of them instead.
Alistair, posing as Head Butler Tree, examined both individuals from head to toe before nodding in approval.
“How magnificent you look, my Imperial Prince.”
“Thank you for your gracious compliment, Tree.”
The two were acting as though one was a master and the other a servant, which was a stark contrast to their usual dynamic where Alistair seems to hold total authority over the prince.
As Cielo became absorbed in thought, Alistair turned to face him, urging him to stay still and focus on the situation at hand.
“You also present yourself very elegantly today, My Lord.”
“The commendation from Head Butler Tree fills me with joy.”
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Cielo answered gracefully and with a pleasant smile on his face.
He had never acted with such elegance before, causing him to wonder if it suited him.
“We shall be departing now.”
The prince announced as he boarded the carriage.
“““May Pietas bestow success upon this day.”””
Cielo was puzzled by the reference to Pietas of Loyalty and Father of Magic as he climbed onto the splendid white horse next to the carriage, which was decorated with a silver and black saddle.
‘Whoa.’
He almost panicked when the horse let out a huff but otherwise didn’t do anything more.
“Are you good?”
The prince asked with a raised brow.
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness. Thank you for worrying about this lowly one.”
He gave the man his fake smile.
Konstantinos only stared at him for a bit before instructing the coach to start the carriage. As told, the horse followed the carriage without being urged to. All Cielo did was hold the leather strap.
The servants who were left behind suddenly began whispering to each other.
“It can’t be… was that really that commoner?”
“His hair is beautiful. Isn’t that the dye that Dr. Happy released a week ago?”
“I’m sure it is!”
“Oh my, it’s beautiful! He’s beautiful!”
And so on.
They consistently discuss either the beauty of Cielo or question whether he is genuinely an ordinary person.
Alistair only looked at the two in worry as he ushered the servants to go back to their duties.
As they passed through the rose garden, he spotted Fisher in his usual spot by the fountain, comfortably seated next to Jane and a maid named Lor, who had yet to strike up a proper conversation with him. They were watching the procession unfold.
When the trio noticed Cielo’s gaze, they paused, seemingly pondering who he was and why he was looking at them. Cielo could tell that Fisher recognized him immediately, as the old man waved his arm slowly, a wide smile spreading across his face.
Fisher recognized him right away, while it took Jane and Lor a moment longer to place him. He noticed the instant their expressions changed in surprise, which made him chuckle.
‘I feel regretful…’
He had invited Fisher to join him for the founding festival, only to learn that Fisher would not be at the Haunted Palace for the entire celebration.
Instead of showing anger, Fisher seemed surprisingly cheerful about him leaving the palace. He realized that the old man’s intention was to make sure he had a good time, but Cielo couldn’t shake off a feeling a bit salty.
‘Fortunately, the prince has given me a single day off this month to spend with Fisher, and possibly with the others if they’re free.’
This was the best outcome he could have hoped for.
He waved at them before they vanished from his sight.
As the procession of the 14th prince neared the golden gates of the Haunted Palace, the gates began to open slowly. Cielo could already see a considerable number of soldiers dressed in green, along with knights in various colors, signifying their loyalty to different members of the Imperial family. Luxurious carriages were also seen moving steadily outside.
While they waited for their turn to enter, Cielo felt a rush of excitement at the thought of finally meeting Konstantinos’ half-siblings and stepmothers, especially the Emperor and Empress.
Unfortunately, because they were positioned 14th in the procession and each member of the Imperial Family was accompanied by a significant number of knights and soldiers, it was unlikely that he would have a clear view of any member of the Imperial Family during the parade. He could only make out their silhouettes.
The distance makes it difficult for him to clearly see the faces of the Imperial Family members seated in the golden carriages. Yet, he can’t help but notice the lavishness of their clothing, which seems to indicate a rivalry among them to outdo one another—a notion that likely holds true.
As he watched the procession go by, one thought kept nagging at Cielo’s mind.
That thought was…
‘Is this a parade or a funeral?!’
Why is it that everyone—soldiers, knights, and members of the Imperial Family—are all dressed in black? While the knights do incorporate other colors like gold, dark grey, and red into their uniforms, black remains the dominant color. This is especially true for the Imperial Family, who, like Konstantinos, wore entirely black outfits, accented by a green sash, an emerald brooch, and a golden ring on their middle fingers.
‘…I was excited to witness such a magnificent parade, only to find that every participant was dressed in the solemn color of black…’
Not even a speck of white in sight.
Tragic.
Of course, he knows that the parade isn’t meant for entertainment but to showcase the faces of the beloved Imperial Family to the people of the Empire and the people who attended the founding festival. Still, Cielo had hoped for a more lively ambiance, at the very least.
The atmosphere may become more lively once they exit the Imperial Grounds. The general public is less stuffy than the members of the Imperial Family, surely.
While Cielo was busy watching the parade with deep focus, he failed to notice several eyes staring his way. Even those taking part in the procession, including some members of the Imperial Family, struggled to resist the urge to steal glances at him.
Konstantinos, who has his left cheek resting at the back of his left hand, glanced at the oblivious Traveler.
Someone with silver-white hair, beautifully snowy eyelashes, wearing luxurious clothes while sitting down on a magnificent white horse—he looks like a painting that has come to life.
It is clear that he will stand out at this year’s founding festival. The nobles and royalty present in the empire are unlikely to look favorably upon this, and he will need to handle the situation, as this person is determined not to dye his hair black.
‘…How troublesome.’
Was the only thought that came to mind as he returned his eyes to the parade. It’s almost their time to go out and join the line.
When called to join the line, Cielo quickly surveyed his surroundings, taking in the scene before him. For the first time in six months, he had “officially” stepped outside the Haunted Palace, as he would say.
As they moved along with the procession, one thought struck him immediately: the Imperial Grounds resembled a sprawling city filled with the wealthy. The sheer size of this place was breathtaking. The map did not do justice to the true scale of the Imperial Grounds. It was one thing to see it on paper, with its neat lines and symbols, but to stand amidst it all was an entirely different experience.
How could the Emperor and Empress possibly manage such an extensive domain? It’s no wonder that other nations view this empire with caution.
When they reached the Central Grounds of the Imperial Grounds, they came across a massive statue at the center, shrouded in a black coating. He immediately identified it as the First Emperor, especially after knowing the empire worshiped this person. However, he was troubled by the halo above the First Emperor’s head instead of a crown. Is it that they viewed him as a deity, thus portraying him in this way?
The Central Grounds are expansive. The statue at its center is imposing, overshadowed by even larger and more intricately designed palaces that encircle it.
Alistair has informed him that the palace located behind the statue is called the Timeless Palace, which serves as the throne room where the Emperor receives dignitaries from different nations. The other palaces are important buildings that he chose not to talk about right now, as they don’t fit with his current priorities.
The band, lined up neatly along the roadside, began their march as the powerful sound of trumpets echoed across the Central Grounds. In the distance, the gate of Cielo gradually swung open.
“I have never said this to you…”
The prince’s voice cut through the din, drawing Cielo’s attention away from the festivities.
Cielo was taken aback by the prince’s sudden remark, which was directed at him. The prince has a habit of speaking only when spoken to, so it was all the more surprising that he took the initiative to start a conversation. Not to mention, he had been a source of headache for the prince for several months.
Oblivious to Cielo’s thoughts, Konstantinos glanced his way, his eyes holding a mysterious glint.
“Welcome to the Fides Empire.”
The corner of Konstantinos’ lips curled upward.
Cielo’s eyes widened as green and black petals rained down around them. His mind was blank, even though the prince had already averted his gaze, straightened his posture, and was now looking forward as the procession moved on.
The prince just offered him a sincere smile.