I’m A Doll, But The Tyrant Is Obsessed With Me - Chapter 133.1

Chloe’s Memorial Banquet

“Oh my, Countess Ellen’s dress is so beautiful.”

“Thank you, Viscountess Kernaagh. Actually, I thought a lot about whether I could wear such bright colors.”

“The Emperor ordered us to wear bright colors. In fact, he strictly ordered us not to wear black.”

“Still, it’s a memorial banquet, so I thought it might be too flashy.”

“You don’t have to worry. Look over there. Everyone’s dresses are in flashy colors.”

When the Countess looked at the direction the Viscountess was pointing, she saw that everyone was wearing brightly colored clothes, regardless of their gender. The Countess looked relieved as the scenery looked as if spring had arrived.

“I see. I feel relieved now.”

“By the way, what flowers did the Countess bring?”

“I brought chrysanthemums.”

The Countess showed a beautifully wrapped red chrysanthemum.

“Oh my, it’s the perfect time for the flower to be in full bloom and so pretty. I brought gerbera.”

The gerbera in the Viscountess’ hand was pink.

“The color is so pretty. I’m sure Her late Highness will like it.”

“Right?”

The Viscountess smiled contentedly.

The inside of the hall where the memorial banquet was held was decorated with a flower theme. Among them, the first thing that caught the eyes were the zinnia flowers on every pillar and table.

“I would have never thought it was a memorial banquet for the Princess who passed away.”

“That’s right. Plus, there’s such a peaceful and bright atmosphere. It’s something I couldn’t even imagine before.”

“Isn’t that all thanks to Her Majesty?”

“Yes. I heard that the person who planned all of this was Her Majesty.”

“There is no one as great as Her Majesty.”

“It is the blessing of the empire.”

With the Viscountess’ words, the Countess and everyone around her nodded. At that time, a trumpet sounded, and the attendant’s loud shout came.

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, Her Highness the Princess, and His Highness the Crown Prince enter.”

When the door opened, everyone in the banquet hall bowed their heads towards us. Perhaps because it was his first time in a place with so many people, Hayden, who was in my arms, whined. Fortunately, the whining soon stopped when I gently patted its back and soothed him.

On the other hand, Rachel was walking arrogantly, holding Declan’s hand, saying she had experienced it a few times.

“I would like to thank those who attended Chloe’s memorial banquet.”

Declan, who went up to the podium, glanced at those present and spoke calmly.

“We are gathering to remember Chloe, but I do not want to fill it with sadness. Instead, I hope you remember how much she loved this empire by doing the things she loved.”

As he raised a glass filled with champagne, everyone in attendance lifted a glass handed to them by the attendant.

“For the pretty and lovely Chloe. “

When Declan raised his glass with the chant, everyone chanted after him and drank the champagne in the glass.

“Enjoy the time.”

With those words, the orchestra started playing.

Starting with the performance, people one by one approached the picture frames hanging along the wall. People who lined up calmly placed the flowers they had brought under the picture frames.

“Dad, let’s go too.”

Rachel pulled Declan’s hand, who was quietly watching the scene.

“Yes, let’s give our greetings as well. Chloe will be happy to see you guys.”

Declan smiled slightly, holding Rachel’s hand and walking away. I also followed him, holding Hayden and a zinnia.

The picture frames hanging on the wall were portraits of Chloe.

In fact, there were only a few portraits of her left. What was currently on display was a new painting by a group of artists who reconstructed Chloe’s life. In the front were portraits of her up to the age of eight, followed by scenes of her in daily life—Chloe drinking tea, Chloe playing with a doll, and Chloe playing with Declan at the lakeside.

Thanks to this, the work period was longer, and it took longer than expected to hold the memorial banquet.

“Wow, pretty. Is this Auntie Chloe?”

Rachel’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Chloe’s portrait.

“Yes.”

A muffled voice came from Declan.

“The eyes are just like your dad’s. They’re pretty.”

With Rachel’s words, Declan touched Chloe’s eyes in the portrait. His longing was evident in his touch.

“Ray, you should greet your aunt.”

“He, hello. My name is Rachel Staufen. I’m glad to meet Auntie.”

Rachel lifted her dress and placed the flower she was holding under the portrait.

“Hayden should say hello, too. Say ‘Hello Auntie.’”

Hayden, who had not yet spoken, looked at the direction I was pointing and babbled something. I guided the child’s hand, which was holding the flower stem tightly, and placed it next to the flower Rachel had placed.

Hayden clapped his hands and laughed, in a good mood.

“Auntie, I will come to greet you again next year.”

“Me too, me too. I’ll come see Auntie again.”

As I said the greetings on Hayden’s behalf, Rachel stepped in and waved her hand at the portrait.

‘Chloe, thank you. For letting me meet Declan. May you rest in peace in heaven.’

I said, greeting her in my mind and turned my head to see that the corners of Declan’s eyes were slightly red.

He still couldn’t take his eyes off the portrait.

“We should see Chloe’s other paintings as well.”

“…We should.”

I had already seen the completed painting while preparing for the banquet, but this was his first time seeing it today.

Declan slowly admired the painting with eyes filled with emotion. Sometimes, he stopped walking and smiled faintly, immersed in the picture. He stood the longest in front of the last picture of Chloe holding the doll Erica.

After staring for a while, Declan took out a dagger that was large enough to fit in his hand. The sleek, white sheath without any decorations glowed under the chandelier light.

“Chloe, do you remember this? The only thing you left behind was the doll and this.”

The dagger was a gift from him to Chloe, who had just started learning sword skills. He was forced to leave for the battlefield not long after she died. On his way out, the only thing he could take from her belongings was a doll and this gift.

“Is there no way we could both survive?”

I could feel deep sadness and pity in the low, muttering voice.

Declan quietly closed his eyes.