The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 28

A few days later, a party was held to welcome Kaplan Bash to Heiban. Aslan was also invited to the party. While he had always dressed casually when Kaplan first arrived, he had no idea what to wear for a grand Florean banquet.

“What should I do? Florean style? Or Heiban style?”

A servant looked at Aslan expectantly. Although Aslan was a prisoner, it was an open secret in the Florean royal palace that he was the queen’s lover. As such, he was at a loss as to which national attire to prepare for tonight’s banquet.

“…Florean style.”

After much deliberation, Aslan replied. He wanted to express his choice of Lysian over Heiban. And he also wanted to impress Lysian.

As soon as Aslan gave his order, the servants swarmed around him, dressing him in various garments. The collar of the uniform was so sharp that it looked like it was cut straight down. Aslan, who would usually have rejected such fussy attire, obediently accepted their service today.

When he was finished, the servants exclaimed in delight. Aslan forced a smile, saying that Her Majesty would like it. He truly hoped so.

But as soon as Aslan entered the banquet hall, his hopes were dashed.

The hall was filled with beautiful people like flowers.

The uniform, originally designed to fit the slender physique of the Floreans, looked imposing on Aslan’s robust frame. He realized belatedly that he had done something ridiculous by trying to fit in. Suddenly, he felt short of breath.

But even if he regretted it, he knew that even if he could go back in time, he would still choose the Florean-style uniform.

People passed by, whispering and avoiding Aslan. In contrast, there was a place where people gathered, and at the center of it was Kaplan, also dressed in Florean attire.

Compared to Aslan’s thick muscles, which had been hardened on the battlefield, Kaplan, with his well-defined muscles, looked elegant in the Florean uniform.

The Floreans, who secretly despised the Heibans, were filled with a strange excitement and elation today. And the reason for that was undoubtedly the young prince’s bright and masculine appearance. Young noblewomen of Florea flocked around Kaplan like bees.

Aslan, who had always been proud of his sturdy physique and even mocked Kaplan’s thin muscles, was now ashamed of his thick muscles. He felt intimidated by the other people’s gazes. To hide his defeated feelings, Aslan raised a glass of wine.

“Her Majesty the Queen.”

Lysian entered the banquet hall.

The circlet on her head sparkled like a halo in the chandelier’s light as she walked gracefully. Her pale green dress was the color of tender new shoots that had absorbed the morning dew, and it suited her white skin perfectly.

She stood out among the beautiful Floreans. Lysian, seated on the throne, greeted Kaplan with a dignified voice.

“Kaplan Bash of Heiban, welcome.”

Only Aslan would know how the clear, solemn voice could sound so breathy. That fact calmed Aslan’s troubled mind somewhat.

Kaplan bowed gracefully in the Florean manner in response to Lysian’s welcome. For Aslan, who had always felt out of place when adopting Florean customs, the greeting was simply awkward.

He heard the other Floreans exclaiming in admiration at Kaplan’s perfect bow. Aslan glanced at Lysian. He hoped she wouldn’t appreciate Kaplan’s greeting.

As if answering Aslan’s prayer, Lysian merely had a nonchalant expression. She looked away from Kaplan and scanned the banquet hall.

For a moment, Aslan thought he was mistaken. Their eyes met. Aslan thought Lysian would quickly look away from him, but her gaze lingered on him. The musicians playing at the banquet hesitated, watching Lysian.

As if to erase the moment when their eyes had met, Lysian raised her hand and commanded indifferently, as if nothing had happened.

“Then, please enjoy the banquet.”

The string instruments began to play, filling the hall with sound. Aslan’s heart pounded for no reason at Lysian’s strange behavior.