Chapter 37. The evil tongues are not stopping

Before the reception at the Imperial Palace, Remesis was «a little» nervous. She thought long and hard about what she would say and what she would do. And eventually her head threatened to explode from overthinking.

Even though the girl convinced herself that she didn't care, she couldn't handle the emotions that came over her. «This is the first time I'll be attending an event like this…»

Despite being of noble descent and being the daughter of a grand duke, Remesis had never lived the life of an aristocrat. While her brothers and sister entertained themselves at soirees, the girl always stayed home alone. She had never been to a society party or anything of the sort. It all seemed foreign to her.

But now…

«I can experience it too.»

Truthfully, the emotions she felt were more of excitement and fear rather than joyful excitement. Remesis couldn't know, but she guessed how her people would receive her. It made her feel uneasy.

It was one thing for commoners who, though they believed in horoscopes, at least weren't so concerned about it. Feeding their families and harvesting their crops was of more value to the common people than the cursed origin of some girl from a noble family. But the aristocrats were another matter.

For them, leading mostly boring monotonous lives, washing their bones was like daily bread. At the thought of being judged by so many people of noble birth tonight, Remesis couldn't pretend that nothing bothered her.

Even before going out, she couldn't take away the slight anxiety. «I am strong… I am strong…» — these words that Remesis used to repeat to herself like a mantra, barely audible whispered from her lips.

Hannes, seeing that his little mistress' knees were shaking slightly, decided to cheer her up:

— Your Highness, don't worry. Everything will go well!

Unlike the girl, the expression on the man's face did not reflect much excitement.

Fortress Commander Nord was born and raised in the north, where most people despised the southerners and their culture. For this reason, it was the northern region that was the least influenced by the Astrological Order. Remesis became convinced of this when she lived in a northern castle. People despised her more not because of her cursed origin, but because she was related to the imperial family.

Because of this, the knight couldn't fully share her worries.

Someone who had never had to contemplate with his own eyes the oppression associated with an unfavorable natal chart had a hard time understanding what it was. Hannes still didn't realize the gravity of the situation. Most likely, he thought, the princess had the usual excitement before an important event. The girl did not dissuade him of her ideas. Why make the knight worry about her?

Remesis nodded to her protector with a faint smile.

— Thank you. I won't be here tonight, so you can rest.

This was another rule of the Imperial Palace. Servants were forbidden to accompany their masters in the banquet hall. So anyway, there was no point for the knight to come. Though he still insisted that he would wait for the girl in front of the main gate.

At the appointed time, Remesis went alone to the central palace.

The girl walked through the hallway and looked around.

«Everything looks so motley.»

As if to show off the pride of the imperial family, the high ceiling was covered in gold along with the murals on the walls done by the continent's best craftsmen. The palace's budget was decent as it absorbed the assets of the royal family and the four great families.

«I can't believe that amongst such luxury, Asil lived like a beggar… Although she is also a member of the imperial family after all.» — Looking at the interior of the palace, the girl involuntarily remembered her little wife.

Remesis tried to imagine how Asil would feel if she were here now? After all, she had probably never even been to the Central Palace. Remesis pondered this as she walked down a long corridor that seemed to never end.

Soon those unobtrusive thoughts faded away on their own.

Remesis stood before the enormous doors leading into the central hall. A geometric pattern fell upon her with a commanding figure.

— Her Highness, Princess Remesis Rania Asheloth, is here!

The doors swung open with a heavy thud, accompanied by the loud exclamation of a servant.

The banquet had not yet begun, and already large groups of nobles had gathered. Their gazes were immediately fixed on the girl. Most of those present were clearly shocked.

«…»

A stifling silence reigned in the hall.

Remesis, as she thought, felt awkward.

Usually, after the next guest was introduced, they were greeted, but no one approached her. The adult men and women looked at the child in silence, contempt evident in their gazes. Some ostentatiously began to whisper loudly.

She was the «foul stain of the grand duke's family» and «the wife of a cursed monster princess.»

Such a cold-blooded reception was more than obvious.

Remesis, who carefully hid her vulnerable nature, tried not to make a big deal of it. «I just need to get over it.»

She didn't feel such pressure when attending council meetings. That was because there was an official atmosphere and no one allowed themselves to make off-topic remarks. But here… Here it was different.

The girl was a small fish in the ocean among a pack of sharks.

It wasn't long before the sepulchral silence was replaced by conversations that grew louder and louder.

«Amazing… Isn't she still dead? Didn't those brats get chased away to the north?»

«That girl dared to come here. Does she really think she belongs to our society?»

«A princess? What a ridiculous thing to say. She should be grateful that the imperial family was gracious enough to give her a family name.»

This contemptuous whisper, which couldn't even be called a whisper, was spoken right in the presence of Remesis. It was as if she wasn't here or her presence didn't matter.

Remesis painfully dug her nails into her palms to calm herself down a little. It didn't matter that she had heard such unpleasant remarks constantly for two lives in a row now. Such things could never be painless. Still, the girl was not a doll, but a person with a living heart.

Most unfortunate of all, the adults didn't hesitate to insult the child.

Remesis had no idea that she and Asil were a popular topic for small talk. «Married» children from respectable families who had been bonded and kicked out into a forgotten land. Their story evoked pity and contempt at the same time. People praised the Grand Duke and the Emperor for successfully fitting their offspring into a situation like this.

It was as if they were just trash that had been taken care of.

In the crowd of guests, Remesis discerned familiar faces. Duke Carter, turned away from her, was chatting with his acquaintances, sipping wine. It was as if he was trying to disconnect himself from what was happening and the fact that she was his daughter. Michel, who was in the company of his peers, on the contrary, looked at her directly. You could tell by the look on his face: that he was quietly gloating.

Remesis sighed. Actually, she didn't expect any of her relatives to even approach her. Let alone speak. She had to deal with everything on her own.

After standing for a bit, the girl headed towards the corner of the hall. Since no one approached her, she could spend her time in peace.

«…»

Remesis stood alone at one of the tables. Even if she didn't want to admit it, her gaze involuntarily searched for one person. And it found one. The young head of the Order was surrounded by a crowd of people, and laughter and merriment came from here and there. Liana Daehsin was very popular in the social circle. It was not surprising. Since she would be the leader of the most powerful faction in the empire in the future, many people were eager to get along with her and get to know her now.

But that was not what was remarkable. Remesis stared at her for a while. But the girl never once turned around. There was no way she wouldn't notice that. The girl tightened her lips. «What does that mean? She's ignoring me now…?» Although Remesis had been doing pretty much the same thing until recently, it suddenly pricked her that Liana might be doing the same. She experienced conflicting emotions.

Perhaps it was because the heiress of the Order had been paying her a lot of attention lately. And now that it was abruptly gone, Remesis felt strange. Liana had been so persistent, after all, and had even sent her a gift.....

When Remesis realized what she was thinking, she slapped her cheeks.

«Bullshit! And what do I care? I've already decided I don't want anything more to do with her, haven't I?»

Coping with this momentary confusion, Remesis proudly strutted her chin as if nothing had happened. «So much for that. I'm on the contrary glad she's finally off my back!»

Remesis drank one milkshake alone. After spending some more time to herself, the girl waited until it was time for the members of the royal family to enter the hall.

— His Imperial Majesty, Her Imperial Majesty, and Her Highness the Crown Princess have arrived! — A servant took turns announcing the names of the empire's most revered family.

This spectacle was accompanied by wild applause.

The Emperor and Empress walked majestically on the red carpet. Behind them was a little girl with red hair and a chubby face. It was that precious Crown Princess blessed by a lucky star. Remesis held her gaze briefly on Asil's younger sister.

For some reason, it seemed to her that this girl was somewhat different from the perceptions she had before.

The Crown Princess nearly tripped over her mother's long skirts that dragged behind her. Julia reacted a bit annoyed, but didn't say anything. She continued to smile angelically, walking beside her husband and leading her daughter behind her. From the looks of it, the three of them looked like a perfect family.

Everything was going well until, just before he ascended the throne, the emperor suddenly staggered to his feet.

Even then, when Alexis had appeared in the hall, the girl had noticed the pallor of his face. And now he almost fell over.

«What's wrong with him?» — Before Remesis could think about it, the banquet hall had already begun to bustle.

— Your Majesty!

The Empress, who was nearby, immediately grabbed his arm. The servants were rushing towards them.

— Your Majesty, what has happened?

— Your Majesty, are you alright?

The chorus of voices became like the buzzing of a swarm.

The crowd instantly surrounded the emperor and Remesis could barely see him. The guests whispered excitedly. No one could figure out what was going on.

And at that moment.

— Allow me to speak.

The guardian of the Central Astrological Tower suddenly spoke loudly amidst the commotion. The robe adorned with the triune moon emblem automatically qualified him as an authority figure. Everyone immediately turned their attention to him.

— What's the matter? — There was silence in the hall and the empress frowned. Her consort was already being examined by a physician.

— Your Majesty, may I ask if His Majesty has been feeling well until recently? — Benedict Samuel suddenly inquired.

Julia looked at him uncertainly, but still dared to open her lips.

— Yes, everything has been fine,» she answered nervously.

— In that case, I think I know what's wrong.

The guardian's words caused a tense murmur in the crowd.

— Mr. Samuel, can you tell me what happened to His Majesty!

The old man seemed pleased with the attention.

— If His Majesty was in good health, and he suddenly became ill… There can only be one explanation. His Majesty had been negatively affected by the negative nodes.

Those present were shocked.

«…»

— And what's more, I know who they might have come from.

In the next instant, the old man's wrinkled finger pointed expectantly at Remesis. The girl remained silent. All eyes were instantly fixed on her.

— We all know how destructive negative energy is to positive energy,» he ranted, «A spoonful of tar is enough to dilute the honey. His Majesty is undoubtedly blessed by heaven: all planets and contours in his chart are harmonious. But… That is why even one affected planet can do considerable harm.

The silence in the hall was soon replaced by a heated discussion.

— Mr. Samuel, you are absolutely right!

— Inviting that girl to the banquet was a bad idea from the start. Her lousy card could bring harm to us all.

— For the sake of the safety of the guests and His Majesty, we'd better kick her out!

— Yes, kick her out!

Remesis couldn't take it much longer. She bit her lip silently. After only a couple minutes, the girl ran out of the hall with moist eyes.

«…»

Among all the guests, only one person looked at the escaped princess in her wake. Liana tightly clenched the glass in her hand. Her expression became darker than a cloud.