I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 199

There was a beat of silence in the hall, followed soon by the sound of clapping.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

The Chancellor, smiling broadly, clapped energetically, and several others, seemingly in the know, joined in. Tess would no longer destroy the palace, so the chancellor was genuinely happy.

Caught in the atmosphere, others in the hall began to clap as well.

Clap, clap, clap.

Familiar faces appeared among the crowd, from my father, who looked like he might cry at any moment, to Weathering, who managed a bitter smile.

Following the Emperor’s announcement, the ball officially started, and the stars of the first dance were the newly announced couple, Tess and I.

“Reminds me of old times, doesn’t it?”

Tess, unable to hide his pleasure, whispered.

“The day you promised to reveal the identity of the gem?”

“Yes.”

It’s strange to think that was already four years ago.

Just like back then, I stepped on Tess’s foot once, and he led the dance with a laugh.

There were friendly glances towards us but also many that criticized and even antagonized. I tried to ignore them as much as I did when I was young, but it was hard to ignore the stinging sensation.

“Ignore them, Euseniel.”

Tess, smiling, looked beautiful yet somehow empty.

“There’s nothing here that can threaten you.”

What I felt was the intangible gaze, but what was Tess seeing? Clear malice?

“Just look at me.”

I held his hand tightly.

“Look at me, Tess.”

Surprised, Tess’s eyes widened briefly before he smiled broadly.

“It would be nice if you were the only one in this world.”

However, his murmured words carried a chilling undertone. He fixed his gaze in my eyes, and we continued to dance two more songs together.

“Let’s make room for those debuting tonight.”

As we stepped off the dance floor, others hesitated to take our place. Eventually, established couples took over, and those who were supposed to debut tonight missed their chance to catch the audience’s attention.

I ended up causing trouble for those debuting for the second time. I couldn’t even argue if they criticized me.

Before I knew it, a large chair had been placed right at the bottom of the steps, nearest to the throne. It was clearly meant for me. Not wanting to sit there just yet, I found an excuse.

“I’ll go greet my family. I should say hello to my parents.”

As I hesitated, I threw a question at Tess, who seemed to want something.

“Want to come with me?”

“Sure.”

As we approached my family, my father predictably glared at Tess with fiery eyes.

“So, Your Majesty has decided to steal my daughter away!”

“Please understand, Duke.”

“Hmph, and what would you do if I caused a government shutdown over this brazen act?”

Tess smoothed things over with a gentle smile.

“Hopefully, the Minister of the Internal Affairs wouldn’t do that. It would surely cause the Chancellor a lot of trouble.”

“The Chancellor is in league with you. Of course, he should take responsibility!”

The nearby Chancellor winced and turned his head, but my father stared him down. Tess brought back my father’s attention.

“You have so much already.”

He was smiling, but it looked terribly bitter, and my father seemed to feel something similar.

“Just concede one thing to me.”

“Why does it have to be…”

My father faltered under Tess’s gaze, and next, my mother, who received his look, appeared cold.

“Duchess.”

“Don’t say anything, Your Majesty.”

It was almost an order, but Tess wasn’t angered.

“I’m not acknowledging you, but respecting my daughter’s will.”

“That’s enough for me.”

“…”

“Because what Euseniel wanted is the most important to me. If Euseniel loves me, if she stays by my side, that’s all I need.”

“…I hope your words are true.”

My mother responded with a stern tone, despite her pale face.

“You are a selfish being.”

It was as though she expected Tess to want more. As I glanced at him who was holding my hand, his expression was somber.

Even in such a situation, I felt grateful to my parents for not blaming me, while at the same time, I felt pity for Tess.

“We’ll live well. I’ll make sure the things Mother worries about won’t happen.”

If the cause for my mother’s concern and alarm was Tess’s pact with the devil, then controlling him was the solution.

…Looks like I’m not meant to be a good daughter after all. After all, I’ve decided to live with Tess.

I turned towards my visibly displeased sister.

“You’ll be the heir since Sister is joining the imperial family. Understand?”

“…What?”

One, two, three.

Gael blinked three times before her jaw dropped.

“No way! Do I have to continue with the headache-inducing studies?”

“Sister will help, but Gael, your shoulders will get heavier.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Gael’s astonishment, but I maintained a serious facade. Soon, Pyce, with a look of excitement, approached her, who was disheartened.

“Gael.”

Ah, Pyce. Ethyl’s brother, who likes my sister.

Had Gael noticed?

Over the past four years, Gael’s perceptions had sharpened to the point that she wouldn’t remember the past. So, she probably did.

If she hadn’t noticed, it would be because she was so deeply in love that she couldn’t see around her.

“Gael, shall we dance a song?”

“Yes.”

Pyce extended his hand politely, and our mother looked on with a pleased expression. My father, who had been standing dazed, suddenly turned towards Duke Bonart.

“What’s that about now!”

Accompanied with an angered word.