Chapter 92 - announcement
Luna and I followed Amy and Elena back toward the Empress’s side.
When we arrived, Mom, the Empress, and Isabella were already standing together.
Before we could approach them, Isabella walked toward us.
After receiving a small nod of permission from the Empress, she smiled and asked,
"So?"
"How was the banquet?"
"Did the two of you enjoy yourselves?"
I nodded.
"It was fun."
"I even made a new friend today."
Luna also nodded.
"Yes."
"Gray told me many stories about his past."
"I enjoyed listening to them."
A gentle smile appeared on Isabella’s face.
"Oh?"
"It seems the two of you got along quite well."
She looked between us before continuing.
"Mother wants to discuss something regarding the announcement."
"So please go and speak with her."
Luna and I nodded.
Isabella smiled and stepped aside, allowing us to approach the Empress.
The Empress noticed us and gently gestured for Luna and me to come closer.
Once we approached, she looked at both of us seriously.
"Gray."
"Luna."
"I am going to announce your engagement soon."
"This is an important decision."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"I know that, in the future, either of you may change your feelings."
"And if that happens, you can discuss it and make your own choices."
"However..."
"Before I officially announce it, I want to ask you one final time."
"Are both of you truly certain?"
The Empress’s expression softened.
"Seraphina and I have never wanted to force anything upon our children."
"If either of you feels that this is not right..."
"You can tell me now."
"Even at this moment, it is not too late to refuse."
Her words made it clear that this wasn’t merely a political arrangement.
She genuinely cared about what Luna and I wanted.
However, her expression became slightly more serious.
"But after the engagement is announced..."
"You cannot simply change your mind immediately."
"Even if, in the future, you decide that you are not suitable for each other..."
"You must remain engaged for at least one year before officially canceling it."
"That is the minimum responsibility I expect both of you to accept."
I quietly looked at Luna.
She looked back at me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I answered first.
"I’m fine with the engagement, Aunt Aurelia."
"I already said before..."
"I trust Mom’s judgment."
"And after spending time with Luna today..."
"I think she’s a really good person."
"So I have no objections."
"But whether you accept it or not is up to Luna."
The Empress smiled slightly before turning toward her daughter.
"Luna."
"Think carefully."
"This is your decision."
Luna remained silent for a few moments.
Then she looked at me.
After considering everything, she finally spoke in her usual calm and confident voice.
"I agree to the engagement as well, Mother."
A warm smile appeared on the Empress’s face.
She looked at both of us.
Neither of us had been forced.
Neither of us had hesitated.
We had both willingly made our decision.
"Alright."
"Then it’s settled."
We both nodded.
Afterward, Luna and I returned to where Amy and Elena were waiting.
The moment we approached, Amy looked at us curiously.
"So?"
"What did Aunt Aurelia ask?"
I answered honestly.
"She asked if we were truly certain about accepting the engagement."
Amy looked between Luna and me.
"And?"
"What were your answers?"
Luna calmly replied,
"We both agreed to it."
Amy’s expression remained perfectly composed.
But a faint sparkle appeared in her eyes.
"Oh?"
"You both agreed?"
"Hmm..."
"I understand."
"I understand."
My eyes twitched.
"What is that tone supposed to mean?"
Amy simply looked between Luna and me.
However...
Luna noticed her gaze.
A faint blush appeared on her face as she looked away slightly.
Amy immediately noticed.
The faint amusement in her eyes grew.
Elena, who had also noticed Luna’s reaction, couldn’t help smiling.
Neither of them said anything.
But their expressions made it obvious that they had both noticed.
⸻
The Empress slowly stepped onto the raised platform at the center of the banquet hall.
Almost instantly, the lively conversations throughout the room faded.
Every noble turned their attention toward her.
Silence filled the entire hall.
Everyone present knew that the Empress was kind and gentle toward those she cared about.
But she was still the ruler of the Empire.
No one dared to interrupt her.
No one dared to disrespect her authority.
The Empress calmly looked across the gathered nobles before speaking.
"Welcome, everyone."
"Thank you for accepting my invitation and attending this year’s Imperial Banquet."
Her elegant voice echoed throughout the grand hall.
"As many of you already know..."
"This banquet has been held for generations."
"It is a tradition that brings together the Empire’s greatest families."
"It allows the younger generation to meet one another..."
"To form friendships..."
"To build trust..."
"And to strengthen the bonds that unite our Empire."
She paused briefly.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"I hope all of you enjoy today’s gathering."
"After all..."
"The future of the Empire rests in the hands of the younger generation standing here today."
Her expression then became slightly more serious.
"However..."
"Before the festivities truly begin..."
"I have an announcement to make."
"I believe many of you will find it..."
"Quite interesting."
The moment those words left her mouth, the atmosphere changed.
Every noble quietly waited.
No one dared to whisper.
No one dared to interrupt.
The Empress then turned her gaze toward Luna and me.
She gently gestured for us to come forward.
Luna and I walked toward the platform and stopped beside her.
The Empress placed one hand toward Luna.
"What I am announcing today..."
"Is the engagement of my youngest daughter."
"This is Princess Luna von Valtherion."
Then her gaze shifted toward me.
"And her future partner..."
"Gray Starlight."
For a brief moment...
The entire banquet hall remained silent.
Then—
A wave of commotion spread among the nobles.
Many were shocked.
Some looked at me with curiosity.
Some looked at me with clear resentment.
Others genuinely smiled and offered their congratulations.
However, despite their different reactions...
No one dared to openly speak against the announcement.
They simply applauded and offered their congratulations.
From the side, Mom quietly observed everything.
She noticed every expression.
Every reaction.
Every hidden thought behind their smiles.
Meanwhile, a faint smile appeared on the Empress’s face.
She looked toward me.
Her eyes seemed to carry a simple message.
You have work to do.
The moment I understood what she meant...
A chill ran down my spine.
Fighting powerful opponents was something I understood.
Facing monsters was something I understood.
Even dealing with nobles who disliked me wasn’t a problem.
But this...
This was different.
The Empress wasn’t telling me to defeat them.
She was telling me something much more important.
Earn their respect.
Show them why the Starlight Family chose you.
Show them why the Valtherion Family accepted you.
Because from this moment onward...
Every action I took would not only represent myself.
It would represent both families.
I looked at the Empress again.
What I saw surprised me.
A sly smile appeared on her face.
For a brief moment, it was directed only toward me.
I blinked in surprise.
However, when I looked again...
Her expression had already returned to its usual calm and elegant state.
As if that small smile had never existed.
Then she turned back toward the gathered nobles.
"Now then..."
"Let us begin the main event of today’s banquet."
"The dueling area is officially open."
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"What better way is there for the younger generation to become acquainted with one another?"
"To form friendships..."
"To create connections..."
"Or even to understand each other’s abilities?"
She paused briefly.
"Through a good duel."
The Empress continued.
"The rules are simple."
"No killing is allowed."
"You may use real weapons, but no external artifacts or additional items are permitted during the duel."
"If both sides agree, you may also place a wager to make the battle more interesting."
She looked across the hall.
"With that said..."
"I will not keep you waiting any longer."
"The dueling area is now open."
"I look forward to seeing the strength of the younger generation today."
"However, remember this."
"No one is allowed to challenge someone below their own rank."
"You may only challenge someone of the same rank or higher."
"The choice is yours."
"If anyone violates these rules..."
"You will face the consequences."
"So choose your actions carefully."
She smiled.
"Good luck."
"And I hope everyone enjoys today’s duels."
As she finished speaking...
Her gaze briefly shifted toward me.
Only for a moment.
But I understood the meaning behind it.
That sly smile...
She had definitely planned this.
I kept my expression calm.
But internally...
I was speechless.
So that’s what you meant.
You weren’t simply announcing my engagement.
You were putting me on the spot.
The moment the engagement was announced, every noble in this hall now knew exactly who I was.
And now...
The dueling area was open.
I slowly looked toward the Empress again.
Her expression had already returned to its usual calm and elegant state.
As if that sly smile from earlier had never existed.
...She’s definitely enjoying this.
I sighed internally.
First Amy.
Then Mom.
And now even the Empress.
Why does everyone keep putting me in situations like this?
Still...
I couldn’t help smiling slightly.
If someone wanted to challenge me...
Then I wouldn’t back down.
After all...
I was the heir of the Starlight Family.
I couldn’t let someone disrespect my family and simply stand there.