I Won't Accept Your Regrets

Chapter 142

"His Majesty, Her Majesty, and His Highness the second prince are arriving!"

The herald's roar attracted the attention of all those present, and the large door swung open wide.

The first thing that caught my eye when I took the first step with Raymond was a gorgeous chandelier.

Many jewels shone from the ceiling in the Hall of Sapphires, the largest banquet hall in the Imperial Palace.

And down the stairs countless nobles watched us.

The Empress returned to her rightful place six years later.

It would be a lie to say that I was not nervous.

I took a deep breath and walked slowly down the stairs, arm in arm with Raymond.

The nobles immediately knelt down and expressed their courtesy.

I walked through their ranks, stopped in the center of the room, and threw Raymond's hand.

And at the same time, the imperial voice of the emperor rang through the hall.

"All stand up."

The nobles rose, and everyone's gazes turned back to us.

Envy, curiosity and secret desires. The looks harbored many emotions.

Yet their attention was not my pleasure.

Suddenly, I felt a grip around my palm.

Of course it wasn't Raymond.

Looking down, I saw Carlisle's tense face.

This was the first time he stood in front of such a crowd of people.

But you also need to get used to this.

I gripped his little hand tighter.

Carlisle's gaze turned to me, he smiled as if everything was in order.

Raymond spoke as Carlisle regained his strength.

"Today's reception, as everyone already knows, is a celebration of the naming of the empress and the crown prince."

Raymond turned to me and said.

"It would be wonderful today if the Empress announced the beginning of the banquet."

"Yes, your majesty."

I turned my head to the nobles.

"First of all, thank you very much for the fact that you are all gathered here to congratulate us on this momentous event. There were so many tight turns on the way until I got to this place, but now I am truly happy that the imperial family has finally found such stability. Enjoy your evening."

As soon as I finished speaking, soft music spilled over the place. I headed to the main seat with Raymond.

While we were sitting on golden thrones, the nobles approached one by one to bow.

But my father was the first to congratulate me.

"I sincerely congratulate His Majesty and Her Majesty on the reunion."

"Thank you, Duke Croft."

I answered cheerfully.

Helen accepted her father's gift. Meanwhile, the nobles continued their little ritual.

From the newly promoted Marquis of Paren to the Marquis of Celine, who has returned to the capital. They laid out piles of gifts to congratulate me and Carlisle.

After a long ceremony, I saw a certain man approaching and smiled at ease.

Jeremy, neatly dressed in a tailcoat, prepared a greeting according to the regulations.

"Duke Drua!"

Carlisle's exclamation made it clear that he was happy to see Jeremy. Although not everyone here shared this reaction.

Raymond, who had been silent all the way, suddenly opened his mouth.

"Duke Drua. The Duke's work still hasn't slowed down, but thanks for coming."

It was just a casual greeting, but Raymond's voice was somehow cold. Looking from the side, I saw displeasure on his face.

Raymond hated Jeremy.

It would be better to somehow separate them.

Knowing this well, I said carefully to Raymond:

"Your Majesty, since we have received our honors here, wouldn't we be better off thinking about the prince too?"

It was polite to come up with congratulations on the part of the nobility, but Carlisle had no friends of his age who came from the nobility.

It would be nice to take this opportunity and make friends with someone.

By the time Carlisle grows up, these children will inherit the titles as their family, and become part of the ruling class.

Raymond was a little surprised.

"Does the Empress wish to arrange it personally?"

"Actually, I can't wait to gossip with the ladies."

Raymond glanced at Duke Drua.

Looks like Ray was pretty unhappy about the prospect of leaving Jeremy and me alone.

"Please, Your Majesty, introduce the crown prince to the nobles."

However, I did not care about his complaints. Raymond needed to be discouraged from Jeremy.

So he sighed in defeat, got up from his seat and held out his hand to Carlisle.

"Prince. Come here."

"Yes, your majesty."

Raymond and Carlisle left hand in hand. I turned to Jeremy.

"Duke Drua, haven't seen each other for a long time."

"How are you, Empress?"

"Everything is going well. And for that I should have thanked you, but ... I was too busy. I'm sorry."

Jeremy shyly replied, before taking a break:

"But you sent me a letter. And I got a present from the phoenix, so that's enough."

"But I couldn't tell you personally. Thank you very much, Duke Drua."

"Your plan with the emperor went so smoothly. Wow ... And the first prince is also present today?"

At Jeremy's words, I turned to Edmund.

"If he hadn't come, this would have become even more shameful."

Edmund was standing not far from my place. The nobles showed discontent with him and avoided him.

I expected ridicule, but so far it has worked out.

"Whatever the adults do... I'm not going to drown the first prince either. At least I hope that his life as a prince can continue."

When I realized the situation and whispered it, Jeremy made a grimace for some reason.

He looked uncomfortable, but he also looked forward to the coming difficulties.

"Duke Drua?"

Jeremy smiled awkwardly at my call.

"Nothing. It was just that I wasn't particularly happy to see the first prince either."

"I just hope things work out over time."

"I hope everything will return to its place."

To the places?

"Haha, nothing. Well, I have to go."

Jeremy recoiled awkwardly, said goodbye as if it were urgent, and then left.

What are you doing?

I rose from my seat, watching his clumsy figure recede. And then I turned to the first prince, and not to the noble ladies.

"Edmund."

The first prince, who was now looking somewhere into the distance, turned at my call.

And, greatly surprised, he goggled his eyes at me.

Not only Edmund, but all the nobles around too.

It was revealed that his grandfather was plotting against the House of Croft.

As the daughter of Duke Croft, it can be assumed that I did not like the first prince much right now.

And there was even nothing wrong with that.

However, I was not going to feed the evil rumors.

"Your Majesty.

Edmund stopped in front of me and gave a shallow bow.

At that moment, I felt the eyes of aristocrats full of curiosity looking at us.

Then, as if for show, I went over and took Edmund's hand.

"Edmund, I heard you feel bad, but I'm grateful that you came to see me today."

I saw Edmund's black eyes shake at the sight of what was happening.

Edmund seems to have followed the same idea as the nobles.

Well, it would be strange if Edmund didn't think so. After all, the entire public, now without hesitation, threw accusations against the Sios family.

I gave strength to my hand so that the prince woke up.

A slight smile appeared on Edmund's numb face, as if his mind had returned to its place.

"Well, this is an evening in honor of Her Majesty and the Emperor. His Majesty cares a lot about me, and I could not miss such a reception, just because I am sick."

"If the prince says so, then I should also pay more attention to him in the future."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Do not forget that you can always rely on me and His Majesty the Emperor. If you have difficulties in life, come to the Empress's Palace at any time."

I deliberately raised my voice so that the nobles could definitely hear.

After all, what was said right now was a warning to the nobles not to cross the line.

"Thank you... Your Majesty."

"I will not become your evil stepmother," I said. "I promise."

Before releasing Edmund's hand, I whispered softly that only he could hear.

I left Edmund alone with my embarrassment and went up to the noble ladies.

"Your Majesty."

Noble ladies and young guys greeted me with bright smiles.

Looking around, the first thing I did was to speak to Marquise Paren, the most senior of those around me.

"Marquis Paren. We haven't seen each other for a long time."

It has been a long time since the Marquis of Paren arrived in the capital, but the wife of the Marquis sat quietly, and did not show her nose to the events of high society.

Thus, it has been almost ten years since I saw the Marquise's face.

"Your Majesty the Empress. I should have shown up a long time ago, but I was not feeling well. I apologize."

I have heard a lot about the long-standing illness of the Marquise.

One of the reasons why the Marquis Paren relinquished power and left the estate was his wife's chronic illness.

"It's useless. Isn't it grateful of you if you arrived at the appointment even in such a state? Rather, I didn't take care of you. I'll tell my court physician to find a cure for gout."

"Thanks."

The Marquis bowed to me after these words. But then she drew attention to me and asked:

"Your Majesty, your accessory is the famous black diamond, right?"