Ch.256Chapter 256 – The Princess’s True Heart

As the servant guarding the entrance to the banquet hall announced the arrival of Princess Karen, all eyes turned toward the entrance.

This wasn’t simply because the attendant who helped guests enter was announcing a new arrival.

She ranked second in the Gelebrio Empire’s line of succession.

Though openly rumored among the nobility to be the next likely emperor, she showed little interest in succession herself, which only drew more attention to her.

Karen Lucien Decatro Gelebrio Aurelius.

People’s gazes turned to the entrance because it was the arrival of the First Imperial Princess of the Gelebrio Empire.

“The atmosphere of the banquet was just warming up, but I wonder if my appearance has cooled things down.”

As Princess Karen appeared through the doors of the banquet hall, many noble men turned their attention to her.

But the moment they looked into her golden eyes—inherited from her mother—everyone who met her gaze realized one thing:

‘Princess Karen is not someone who will be satisfied with merely being a princess.’

The aura emanating from her eyes was not that of someone content with the position of princess.

Her gaze was exceptionally sharp and fierce, that of an heir to the throne who intended to challenge for the position of Emperor, the leader of the Empire.

Those who had grown up as nobles since childhood could somewhat understand why Karen had summoned them today.

For a member of the imperial family to ascend to the emperor’s throne, they absolutely needed supporters.

Takitar, the eldest son of Decatro IV, was the firstborn of the imperial family, the eldest brother, born to the empress, and was currently learning about imperial administration under Bergen Steiler.

Naturally, the nobles who had received guidance from Bergen Steiler considered Takitar, who worked alongside them, as the next candidate for emperor.

Many families had predicted that Takitar had the highest chance of becoming the next emperor, and since the other imperial family members showed no particular interest in the throne, they expected no conflict.

But that was merely their misjudgment.

The look in Karen’s eyes, who hosted today’s banquet, was not that of an ignorant, reckless child.

It was the kind of gaze one would expect from someone who had lived a long time, accumulated years of experience, and could overwhelm others with just a look.

“I believe you all know well why I have invited you here today. It is to celebrate those who have achieved great results through their hard work in their respective positions throughout the year.”

At Karen’s words, all the nobles gathered in the banquet hall began to applaud her in unison.

After the applause continued for a while and began to subside, Karen raised her hand to completely silence it.

“Thank you for your warm welcome. As you all know well, this country has faced many trials to reach where it is today. However, each time, talented individuals have appeared to help us safely overcome the crises and trials that befell our nation.”

Karen stood at the center of the banquet hall and swept her gaze over everyone gathered there.

“Just as your ancestors stepped forward to resolve crises when the Empire faced danger in the past, you who live today have also done your part in eliminating the Empire’s crises by achieving results through your best efforts in your respective positions.”

As Karen continued speaking, the eyes of the nobles gathered began to fill with emotion.

It was none other than a member of the imperial family, considered the most noble in the Empire, acknowledging their hard work.

People are most moved when someone recognizes their struggles.

Those gathered here had all done their best in their respective positions to help the Empire in whatever way they could.

Of course they would be pleased when someone expected to become the next Emperor praised their contributions.

“Therefore, you are the protagonists of today’s banquet. I hope that for this one day, you will eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”

As soon as Karen finished speaking, cheers erupted and the musicians began to play.

As the musicians played lively music, people dispersed and gathered again in small groups to converse.

Normally, when a princess appeared at a banquet, it would be proper etiquette to approach her and pay respects, but not now.

“It’s been a while, Marquis Pathos Severio. Almost two years, isn’t it?”

“It seems it has been almost two years since I last saw you, Your Highness.”

Karen had approached Pathos herself.

Among all those gathered here, excluding Karen, none held a higher title than Pathos.

While some might belong to families headed by counts, marquises, or dukes, those were titles held by the heads of their families, not their own.

However, Pathos had received his title personally, so as a titled noble, only Karen stood above him.

“The Academy’s Chancellor is here too, and even a guest from the Eastern Continent. I am Karen Lucien Decatro Gelebrio Aurelius, Imperial Princess of the Empire.”

“It’s been a while, Princess Karen.”

“Hmm. I’m not sure if this is the correct greeting here. Pleased to meet you, Princess. I am the Cheonma.”

While Regina greeted her with the proper etiquette of the Gelebrio Empire nobility, Cheon Hyeryeong maintained her unique manner of speech and made a fist-palm salute to Karen.

Others might have accused Cheon Hyeryeong of being disrespectful, but Karen was quite knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Eastern Continent.

“I am honored to meet the Cheonma, head of the Cheonma Divine Sect of the Eastern Continent. However, from now on, would it be acceptable if I addressed you as the Marquis Severio’s fiancée?”

When Karen returned the fist-palm salute, Cheon Hyeryeong was surprised.

It was the first time she had received a greeting in the Eastern style here.

“Do as you please. You are the host of this gathering, so your wishes should be respected.”

Pleased, Cheon Hyeryeong readily granted Karen permission to address her less formally.

With Cheon Hyeryeong’s permission, Karen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

‘That’s fortunate. I’d heard that the Cheonma is extremely proud and would destroy everything without hesitation if that pride were wounded…’

Contrary to her expectations, the Cheonma had readily accepted her informal address.

In her previous life, the Cheonma she had seen was nothing like this.

Back then, the Cheonma was… like a terrifying predator born with hostility toward everything.

But now? Wasn’t she more like a pet showing affection to its owner?

Yet she was still like a fierce beast when it came to eliminating threats to her master’s safety.

“Through Marquis Severio’s self-sacrifice, this country was able to completely eradicate the parasitic Demon Cult. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I once again express our gratitude.”

Karen said this while slightly bowing her head to Pathos in thanks.

“As a noble of the Empire, I merely did what I was supposed to do.”

“I see you also possess the virtue of modesty, one of the noble virtues. I truly see you in a new light.”

What exactly she saw in a new light remained Princess Karen’s secret.

In any case, although this was only their second meeting, Karen felt as if Pathos was someone very close to her.

And for good reason—in this timeline, the terrible and painful times she had been forced to endure previously had not repeated themselves.

And if one were to look for the reason why, it was because of the black-haired man standing before her.

“By the way, didn’t I mention that I would give you a gift?”

“It was written in your letter, Your Highness.”

Karen was delighted that Pathos remembered the contents of the letter she had sent.

“Is that so? The fact that you remember the contents of my letter is truly remarkable.”

It had been her daily experience that most people did not take her letters at face value but rather distorted the contents several times.

But the man standing before her did not do that.

He had taken her word at face value when she said she would give him a gift.

This man.

She liked him.

‘Perhaps it was this person all along.’

Karen thought that the person she had been searching for since she began her regression might be the very one standing before her.

‘There’s a limit to how many times I can turn back time through regression. If my thoughts are correct, everything will end in this cycle.’

Karen smiled as she looked at Pathos.

At the thought that he could help her end this endless cycle of regression, the Imperial Princess found herself strangely beginning to see him as handsome.