Chapter 83
Tristan, circling the palace with the wyvern, landed on the balcony connected to the imperial library.
‘If the information isn’t here, I’ll just have to come get it.’
He judged that there would be no one in the library on the day of the banquet.
No, that was just an excuse.
The real reason Tristan had come here on the same day Maya was at the palace was purely personal.
Even if he couldn’t be by Maya’s side while she was in the palace, his desire was to at least be in the same space as her.
Just in case.
Just in case there came a moment when Maya needed him, he wanted to be there, pretending to reluctantly step in.
Of course, Tristan’s whereabouts were a secret from House Bayarden.
Doshen would never have accepted such a reckless act as sneaking into the palace.
But sometimes, you have to take risks to get what you want.
Since Reserfield didn’t know what Tristan looked like, even if he were caught, there was little risk of House Bayarden being implicated.
The balcony window of the imperial library was still open, meaning someone was inside.
Tristan moved swiftly and entered. The enormous space filled with tightly packed bookshelves resembled a maze.
“Who—”
Before the librarian he encountered could finish speaking, Tristan swiftly struck the back of their neck and caught the collapsing body.
“My apologies.”
He didn’t forget to offer a polite apology.
After all, he still had a conscience.
Tristan laid all the unfortunate workers who couldn’t attend the banquet on a sofa and put them to sleep.
Leaving the wyvern to keep watch, Tristan locked the door with the key he had acquired.
The security of the imperial library was surprisingly lax, revealing just how little Reserfield cared about this area.
‘It’s fortunate he won’t come here.’
Tristan began scanning the surroundings quickly. With limited time, he had to move cautiously.
***
After the emperor left, the nobles began to relax and enjoy the banquet.
It was normal for the emperor to leave his seat.
When he was present, it was as if they were walking on thin ice, so many were relieved by his absence.
“Lady Maya, it’s time to get ready.”
Doshen whispered with a meaningful expression as she stood beside Maya.
‘What does she mean?’
Maya, who had also tensed up, soon understood what Doshen meant.
People began lining up to greet Maya one by one.
It was only natural, as this was the first opportunity to acquaint themselves with the Grand Duchess of Bayarden.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
Doshen efficiently managed the situation.
“Please form a line. Her Highness will greet each of you in turn.”
Thanks to Doshen, Maya witnessed people lining up before her in an orderly manner at her first banquet.
Despite the size of the hall, it was remarkable how many people crowded towards her.
“Greetings, Your Highness. My name is—”
“Your Highness, I am—”
Countless people introduced themselves, dropping their names as they did so.
Some even requested to shake hands, clasping hers tightly as if hoping she would remember them.
Among them, Maya recognized some familiar faces.
The very people who had shunned and tormented her when she joined the imperial knights.
‘It’s disgraceful to be in the same order as you.’
‘Your skills are just a product of your bloodline.’
The same people who had been busy mocking her were now bowing their heads obsequiously.
‘All because of the name Bayarden attached to me.’
Even after witnessing Maya’s confrontation with House Pendragon earlier, they didn’t seem to mind.
Maya could clearly imagine how different the situation would have been if she were still a member of House Pendragon.
‘I was never this acknowledged even when I was the Captain of the Imperial Guard.’
Nothing about Maya had changed, but the world’s perception of her had completely shifted.
‘So this is the power of House Bayarden.’
Maya now painfully understood how important the honor that House Pendragon had lost truly was.
Despite being disowned, a desire to reclaim such honor as a member of House Pendragon began to grow within her.
‘But first, I need to finish these greetings.’
Since there was no one she particularly wanted to get to know, Maya listened to their greetings with one ear and let them out the other.
After the greetings were over, Maya was as exhausted as she would have been after a grueling training session—no, perhaps even more so.
The difference between something you’ve always done and something you’re learning for the first time was significant.
“You may want to consider leaving soon.”
Noticing Maya’s fatigue, Doshen spoke with a sympathetic expression.
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