Blanche would have liked to ponder about that name more, but she didn't have the time right now. She had to respond to this Cedar instead of just staring at him with a frown. “It is wonderful to meet you, Your Royal Highness. I'm a little taken aback by the fact that you heard about me. I am not a person that would be important to the public, so I did not expect my name to appear much. There might be a few questions regarding me living in the royal palace, but that is everything special about me.” With this, she had hopefully avoided talking about the fact that she never wanted to see him again. Then why did this seem so familiar?
Cedar made a rejecting movement with his hand. “You don't have to be so modest. The whole capital, if not the whole nation, is talking about you. Everyone is curious about how my brother found a baroness somewhere and how well you two get along. Unfortunately, I did not interact much with him these past years, but even I heard about this despite not being allowed to leave the south palace. Still, it appears like I wasn't aware of everything. May I ask a small favor from you, Lady Blanche? I promise that it will not be anything that would inconvenience you.”
The concubine gritted her teeth as she fought her dismay about this request. She would just like to say no, but after not even bowing to the royal family, she had to be a bit respectful. “I can not give you a definite response before hearing what this might be about. But if it is not something that would demand unreasonable things of me, I will be to your assistance.”
Cedar's grin widened at that. “Thank you. Then...” He stayed silent for a moment and created an ominous pause with that. “Would you please give me your hand for a moment? There is something I would like to see.”
Immediately, every fiber in Blanche's being refused to accept this. She already hated looking at him, so there was no way that she would allow him to touch her. But refusing something simple as this when a member of the royal family had asked her was problematic. She turned her head to search her lover's gaze.
Theodore's expression was grim behind his thin facade of appearing calm, but he nodded at her. That meant that he wanted her to play along for now.
She swallowed at that and took one step forward. “If Your Royal Highness insists, I can only comply.”
Cedar came in her direction as well and extended his arm to her. “That is very kind of you. I can assure you that it will only take one second.”
Reluctantly, she put her hand in his. The skin he touched began to tingle, but it wasn't a pleasant sensation. Her whole body was on edge, and her instinct told her to run away. Blanche knew that feeling, as if someone had greeted her that exact way once already. She wanted to withdraw her hand immediately, but she wouldn't have the chance to do that now. She would only have to stand it a few more seconds, and it couldn't get any worse.
Her assumption proved to be wrong immediately.
Cedar lowered his head to stare at her hand, and before she could react, he had already bowed down to hint a kiss onto the backside of her hand. The motion was perfectly practiced as if he had done it a million times and it didn't mean anything to him. He was good at flattering someone like this while touching her so lightly that he barely had to accept skin contact. It was too familiar.
Immediately, a shiver ran down Blanche's spine, and it felt awful. Her chest hurt. She instinctively jolted her arm away, only to notice that the prince didn't let go of her hand. His hold had changed in an instant. It didn't look like his muscles were strained, so no one would notice, but he had a tight grip on her that almost crushed her hand. Her attempts to pull away would only make her look ridiculous, so she had to hold still and just glared at the top of his head.
When Cedar looked up at her, his smile didn't change. He still seemed as polite as before, but that was enough to make him look like he was taunting her for her pathetic reaction. “I can see that my brother is very fond of you. You should have hid it better. Welcome to the family. I hope that we will get along well.” He was whispering so that no one except for her should be able to comprehend his words. The meaning of what he said wasn't the issue though. It was rather the tone of his voice. It was far too sweet, too kind. This was too convincing for what anyone should deliver, all while he stared right into her eyes and seemed like he could make her agree to anything he wanted just by twisting her words for a while.
Blanche immediately revised her previous assumption. The prince was terrifying. Her hairs were standing on their ends, and the nausea from a few minutes ago came back with full force. She didn't care about looking disrespectful anymore. She whipped her head around to her lover to ask for help, only to notice that he was already standing directly next to her.
Theodore put a hand on his brother's shoulder while resting his other one on her hand to free her from Cedar's grasp. He gave the prince a smile that didn't cover the anger in his eyes before leaning forward and mouthing something that she didn't hear.
That was enough to make Cedar let go of her. He was still smiling and didn't show any signs of being shocked, even if he had definitely been threatened. He continued in a normal volume again so that the ones around them would overhear. “I apologize if that was rude of me. I merely wanted to show my appreciation after greeting a new lady in noble society and holding her hand. I hope that you forgive me for that, Lady Blanche. But I was able to confirm my suspicion now.”
The concubine didn't say anything and only pulled her hand to her chest. She was busy wiping over the skin that still tingled from his touch. If she had water and a cloth now, she would be really thankful. But it seemed like she would have to wait until the end of the party.
Theodore stayed directly next to her and made eye contact with her for a moment before replying. “And what could you possibly have noticed?”
Cedar turned to his brother with the same infuriating smile from before. “We already regretted not being able to attend Her Majesty's and your wedding. But I didn't know that you completely hid the second one from us too. So, you don't only have one beautiful wife but two ones. I'm a bit disappointed that you didn't tell us.”
Blanche looked down at her hand before freezing in place. She turned her head to catch a glimpse of her lover's hand and clenched her jaw.
They were wearing their rings.
That explained why Cedar had immediately started with something like this. Anyone would misunderstand that if they took a closer look, and he had just successfully made everyone pay attention to the concubine's head. That cunning idiot.
Blanche quickly covered the accessory with her other hand and searched Theodore's gaze. He didn't meet her eyes but continued to stare at his brother with an emotionless expression. He wasn't even saying anything to refute this even though Seraphina, and in the worst case Henry too, had heard Cedar's remark.
This made Blanche panic, and she hurried to correct this assumption. “Ah, no... This isn't... This was just a gift that doesn't mean anything.”
The prince let his smile falter for a second before raising the corners of his lips. He let out a drawn-out “Ahh” before responding. “I apologize. You wished to keep this private before announcing it formally. I'm glad. That means that I will be able to attend the wedding this time.” He was doing this on purpose, wasn't he?
Blanche wanted to reject that comment too, but when Seraphina stepped into her field of view, the words in her throat died down.
The empress stopped next to them and addressed the prince. “I do not wish to interrupt this conversation, but it appears to me that this is a matter that should be discussed in private.”
Cedar nodded to her. “You are right, Your Majesty. I sincerely apologize for speaking out of turn. I did not wish to prevent you from making a celebratory announcement. I believe that no one aside from the members of the Estien family heard me though. No one else should have noticed these rings either.” Was he making fun of them? He definitely was.
The empress lifted her chin and made eye contact with the prince while showing him her usual cold look, which seemed to be more threatening than usual. “To my knowledge, there is no such thing as an engagement being planned.”
Cedar averted his eyes at that. “I see. My apologies.” He was quiet for a moment before slowly turning to Theodore and pretending to pout. “Theodore, you should have told me. I made Her Majesty and Lady Blanche feel uncomfortable. You could have corrected me immediately. You didn't want me to misunderstand, right?”
The emperor lifted the corners of his lips while his eyes were full of disdain. “Weren't you the one jumping to conclusions? You should ask others before spreading the news about them. We're family after all. You can trust me to tell you the truth, but not all guests here are as close to me.” The way that he emphasized their relationship made it sound like a threat.
The concubine quickly glanced around, but it seemed like the rest of the people were too far away to have heard them. She relaxed a bit at that before the dowager empress stepped closer.
Camille eyed the situation with contempt, and her eyes stayed on Blanche for especially long. Then she turned to the emperor. “You truly are like your father.”
Theodore returned a smile. “Thank you. I don't deserve to be compared to the genius man that brought prosperity to our nation, but I will accept your praise.”
Camille's eyes narrowed. “I appreciate that you are giving your best to improve Artias' situation, but you haven't nearly reached the previous emperor's level of wisdom. I was referring to something else entirely.” She turned to the concubine, which made it obvious that she was comparing the other woman to Althea.
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Blanche felt anger welling up inside her. Was that woman truly trying to offend Theodore by saying something stupid like that? Staying quiet while that happened felt wrong, so the concubine could possibly try to refute in some way. Maybe she would be able to do deal out a few underhanded insults too. Right now, Camille was glaring at her, so she could speak up with the excuse of being indirectly addressed first. She risked making the dowager empress angry with that, but she wouldn't endure her lover being belittled.
Not when it was this woman.
It was almost like an instinct that Blanche immediately opened her mouth when Theodore was criticized. “I agree with Your Majesty. It would be unbefitting to compare Theo and the late esteemed emperor. After all, both are separate people. But I would argue that they have done an equal amount for the nation, and Theo is only at the beginning of his reign. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting the esteemed previous emperor, but from what I heard, he was a very competent and wise ruler. Many people say that Theo is similar to him in that manner, and I agree. After all, these are the fruits of the effort his father put into educating him. The late emperor always made sure that the right people were surrounding his heir from Theodore's early childhood on. He kept bad influences away and allowed Theo to spend time with wonderful, kind and caring people instead. Of course, that would make our current emperor a compassionate and intelligent person.”
Blanche forced herself to grin after finishing and looked at her lover, who was smiling at her. From the corner of her eye, she could see that Camille was upset because of these statements, so she avoided looking at her. Instead, she made the mistake of making eye contact with the second prince.
Cedar had an ominous smile on his lips. He just watched the concubine for a few seconds before laughing quietly. “I have to admit that I am a bit jealous, Theodore.” Using the other's first name usually suggested closeness, but when it came from him, it sounded like mockery. “To have someone that loyal on your side must be wonderful. Please tell me, when did you and Lady Blanche meet? You seem to have a very strong bond, so I'm curious.”
Theodore chuckled in return. “How should I put it? It must have been fate. We met in the pavilion, the one that is covered in ivy. You should remember it from when we were young. I see Blanche there during the night of my birthday party two years ago. The sky was clear with all the stars being visible, and the full moon was illuminating the garden. I left the ballroom to get some fresh air outside, and when I arrived there, she was sitting there all alone. We made eye contact, and it just happened. It almost sounds like I came up with that if I tell it like this. To be honest, it was a bit like a fairy tale. But everything happened exactly how I described.” He didn't even try to hide that he had seen that meeting as romantic, did he? That wasn't the worst part though.
Cedar's eyes widened to mirror awe. “That does sound wonderful. She has lived in the palace ever since then, hasn't she?” When his brother nodded, he continued while looking at the concubine. “It truly seems like a fairy tale. Say, Lady Blanche, how did you enter the palace back then? I was young when I last visited an event, but I am sure that I would have recognized you if I had ever seen you before. You aren't from a noble family of the capital, are you? Did you enter along with a guest?” His eyes pierced hers, and she quickly understood. Of course, Cedar would know about Sefare's plan. He was just informing the concubine that he was aware of her relationship with the intrigues that his mother was preparing. He was probably testing her to see how she would react when she was confronted with that.
But Blanche definitely wouldn't pale now or show her uncertainty. She put a hand onto her cheek and averted her eyes. “Unfortunately, I cannot answer your questions. This is due to the same reason that I am unable to give you my last name. This matter should not be discussed in public.”
“Oh, I see.” Cedar showed her another bright, sickening smile. “Then I will refrain from bringing it up until we are alone.” He didn't even need to change his intonation to make this sound like a threat.
Blanche surely wouldn't sit alone in a room with that person. “We'll see. If Theo is kind enough to accompany us, we might have a conversation.” She hadn't expected the prince to find that amusing.
Cedar's grin widened, but it still wasn't obvious whether it was truly real now. “You do seem to be very loyal to my brother. It's not very surprising.” He turned to the emperor. “You're lucky. Be careful, or someone might steal her away from you.” The sweet tone didn't make his words any better.
Blanche had to restrain herself from cowering behind her lover. She was glad that he was here right now. Otherwise, she would have started crying in this upsetting person's presence. Why was the prince so keen on making her wish to disappear into thin air?
Theodore seemed to be as displeased with those remarks as she was though. His smile faded a bit while his expression hardened. “Oh, Cedar. People don't work like that. A teddy bear or a music box can be stolen, but a person won't simply go along with a criminal's wishes. And even if that was the case...” He made a pause, in which his smile vanished completely. “Do you truly think that the emperor of Artias would let someone take away his treasure without a fight?”
Cedar acted like he was unfazed despite the threatening tone in his brother's voice. He laughed quietly before waving his hand around in the air. “That was a joke. Don't always be so serious. You really haven't changed from then. I'm a bit glad about that. After all, I was scared of missing out on my brother's growth as the emperor.”
Theodore replied in a calm tone. “You appear to be the same person from back then as well. That is, well, calming in a sense. Your thought process is still quite obvious, and your skill of talking yourself out of anything doesn't surprise me either. Even though I assumed that you would show up a bit later. In one and a half years or so.”
Cedar neutralized his expression for once. “You flatter me, but this wasn't truly our choice. We were merely freed from confinement because the investigation about that incident six years ago brought new evidence to light. I am very happy that we won't be treated like vile criminals anymore, but you probably suffered too. Being forced to believe that your closest relatives would be cruel enough to...” He shivered. “Do something as horrible as that. That must have hurt you too.” What a good actor he was. He genuinely looked hurt.
Theodore put on a sad smile. He looked down and put a hand on his chest. “Of course. You were just a child back then, but it was even more gruesome to me. Seeing proof that a person I trusted was involved in something like that broke my heart, much like letting you leave with the one I suspected. The first few months after that were horrible. Luckily, Blanche was there to help me. She came a bit after everything ended, but she was the one supporting me the whole time. Without her, I wouldn't have known what to do.”
The concubine almost choked on the air at that. Her lover had dropped countless small hints during the whole conversation, and the way that he had described their first meeting had been a bit too romantic too. But now he was being ridiculously open about the nature of their relationship, even though his wife was listening to them.
Blanche glanced to the side to confirm her guess and froze when she saw that the empress was chatting with Camille. Hopefully, Seraphina wouldn't change her mind about their enemies after a few minutes of talking to the dowager empress. The concubine actually didn't believe that since the heroine had asked her to remember her hatred not to get fooled by those people, but she still worried. But for now, she couldn't do anything except not letting Henry hear what the emperor had voiced in the past ten minutes. She turned around, only to find all the guests staring at them, and she let out an inward curse.
They had totally forgotten to greet the rest of the nobles, who just waited by the side to not interrupt the tense conversation between the members of the royal family.
Blanche whipped her head around and tugged at her lover's sleeve.
Theodore immediately stopped his staring contest with his brother and looked at her. “Is something wrong?” In comparison to the sharp edge his voice had carried before, his soft tone was even more obvious.
Blanche couldn't enjoy that properly now though. “We should greet the guests. They've been standing around alone for a while. They can only begin conversations and eat when you allow them to do so, which means that we should do that before they get impatient.” Like this, they wouldn't be forced to continue speaking to Cedar either.
Theodore looked around the room before nodding. “You're right. Let's go.” He was about to leave his brother behind without another word, but the prince stopped them.
“Would you spare one more second?”
Blanche stayed directly next to her lover when she turned around to the other man. She didn't trust that person one bit, especially since he wasn't addressing the emperor but her.
Cedar seemed much too happy when he spoke. “I apologize for making you uncomfortable earlier. Would you allow me to make it up to you by dancing with you later?” He didn't even like dancing or touching strangers. He was solely doing this to upset Theodore. As expected, it worked.
Before Blanche could even think about that dilemma, Theodore replied for her. “No.”
Cedar's smile didn't falter when he spoke up. “I know that you are the emperor, but not giving Lady Blanche a chance to make her own choice is rather unfair. From what said, you are in no relation to forbid her from dancing with another person.” That made it seem like he had expected this response and just wanted to show everyone here how protective the emperor got of his alleged guest.
Theodore unwillingly played along. He gave the obvious reply as he tilted his head to the side. “I thought me being the emperor gives me the right to control everything that happens within Artias. In addition, this is my palace and my event, so I should be able to make the decisions here. If you need any more reasons, I am happy to give them to you though.” He put on a fake wide grin. “During the last ball, Blanche danced with our esteemed cousin, Lord Vasquez. She didn't feel too well after that, so it seems like she can't stand spinning around for too long.”
Cedar tapped his finger on his chin. “Then we'll dance just for one music piece. Don't be so mean, Theodore. If you keep restricting a bird's freedom, it might fly away the next chance it gets. Allow her to reply herself. If she refuses-”
A third voice chimed in, and the concubine turned her head to the side to find Seraphina standing next to them.
The empress showed a calm expression, and her polite smile was nowhere to be seen. “During the last ball, Lady Blanche danced, and after that, she collapsed. Everyone here can testify about that. It should be clear that her body does not tolerate excessive movement for a longer amount of time. We do not know how much she would be able to stand, so we should refrain from forcing her to strain herself unnecessarily. At least until the royal doctor announces that she has fully recovered. Please show some consideration for her fragile health.”
The concubine was taken by that. Hadn't the empress just supported her despite all the impolite things Theodore had voiced over the course of the party? Had the empress interrupted her own conversation for that?
A look over Blanche's shoulder proved that Camille was still standing at the same spot as before with an extremely sour expression. She quickly faced the person in front of her again to avoid attracting the dowager empress' anger.
If Cedar was confused by Seraphina's attitude, he didn't show it. His smile weakened a bit as he responded. “I was not aware of that. My apologies. I did not mean to ask for something that would endanger Lady Blanche's health.” He turned to the concubine. “I don't doubt the royal doctor's abilities. But if you have any problems that he might not be able to treat, don't hesitate to approach me. I have connections to some well-known doctors in the capital. I could get you an appointment within a few days.”
Blanche felt sick to her stomach at this pretense of empathy. She shook her head. “I am very thankful for the offer, Your Royal Highness. Still, I have to reject it. I am more than content with the royal doctor's treatment, and I only need some rest to recover. There is no need for you to worry about me.” After all, they were enemies. They had to be enemies.
Cedar showed her a bright smile. “I fear that I won't be able to refrain from worrying. We are family now. Maybe not officially, but I'm not blind. So, we'll welcome you into our family with open arms.”
Blanche balled her fists at that. But she forced herself to breathe in and out before lifting her chin and replying. “I am uncertain about what you might be referring to. For me, as a mere baroness, it would be impudent to name myself a part of your family, wouldn't it? Besides, from what I heard, your definition of family love differs a bit from mine.”
Cedar should have reacted in some way to that, but he still kept his infuriating smile. “I see. That is unfortunate. I will give my best to change your mind, but of course, no one here wishes to make you uncomfortable. We can't let the Duremont family wait, so I will drop the subject now.”
Theodore already spoke up before his brother had finished. “I am a bit unsure about what you mean with ‘we’. Since we are the hosts, we will have to greet the guests alone. You may talk to whomever we already approached as you are only a guest too.” He paused and let out a small “Oh” before continuing. “Of course, I didn't wish to upset you with this statement. That was merely a reminder about the social norms during events. Please don't take it to heart.”
Cedar feigned surprise before giving him a dejected smile. “No, I understand. It is good for you to put social conventions above your own emotions. At least one member of our family has to be a logical person. Until later. It was fun to talk to you again, Theodore. I missed you.”
Theodore's smile widened a bit. “I missed you too, so I was glad to see you here. But I probably wasn't as affected as you. After all, my beloved family sent me a gift during the hunting festival. It was very fun to deal with that. Do be more subtle next time. The amusement was over way too quickly.” His voice continuously sounded more like a taunt.
Blanche could imagine what this was about. He had been attacked by a man that he had called his enemies' best fighter. That person had apparently worked for Camille and Cedar.
Cedar didn't seem too affected despite hearing about the death of one of his men. “I don't know what you could be referring to since I did not arrange for anything, but if it made you happy, I'm glad. You can be sure that I will give my best to amuse you even more in the future.” With that, he turned around and joined his mother, who had been waiting behind him with a furious expression.
Blanche would have liked to relax now, but for some reason, everything just seemed to hurt more as she stared at the prince's back.