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The social season had begun in earnest. Even to my ears—despite not having had a debut of my own—news arrived of various gatherings hosted by various people in various locations.
It wasn't that I had personally witnessed the schedules of those lavish and complex balls, tea times, or formal dinners with my own eyes. However, just by the few simple phrases Vasily used to summarize the scenery outside the castle upon returning from his noon stroll, I felt as if I had attended the parties myself.
“Sainturtu Street was packed with young men and women.”
“Different scents of perfume wafted by with every step; it felt as if the name tags of unknown young ladies were fluttering before my eyes.”
“Had I lingered for even a second, I would have been surrounded by the crowd and unable to move a single step. I am not exaggerating.”
If the Crown Prince, who had no fiancé, were to take a stroll alone down Sainturtu Street, even I would have been tempted to watch out of curiosity.
Today, everyone in the family—Father, Mother, Vasily, Tatyana, and Ivan—had spent a busy day. I alone spent my day exactly as usual, waiting for the sun to set. There was only one piece of news I was waiting for: the public prophecy at today's formal dinner.
However, before the sun had even set, a new imperial order arrived from Tatyana.
“Father told you that I should attend today's dinner as well?”
“Yes. It's because of Valentin. Originally, the prophecy was meant to be delivered to the Imperial Family as a whole, but it seems he changed his words to deliver them to individuals. I wonder what that man is plotting...”
Ah, a voice flashed through my mind like a bolt of lightning.
[Come to think of it, I failed to consider that part.]
Did I end up attending the dinner because Valentin 'considered' it?
Rather than happy, I felt uneasy. What could possibly be the reason for forcing me to sit in that stiff atmosphere, where members of the Imperial Family and high-ranking nobles sat facing one another?
While I was pondering, the appointed time of 7 PM arrived. Holding Tatyana's hand as she came to fetch me, I descended to the sub-hall, where a table for forty, tableware, and lavish fresh flowers were on display. The nobles, who had already enjoyed a brief round of conversation, were seated at the table, waiting for the food to be served.
“Oh! My daughter, Lara.”
My father, seated beneath the purple banner of the Novarov Imperial Family, beckoned to me. Forgetting the gaze of others, he pulled me into an embrace and rubbed his chin against my cheek. Did I like it? No, I didn't.
“How many times do I have to tell you? It prickles. Unless you're going to shave it all off, please stop rubbing your chin on my face.”
“Yes, yes. My daughter, we have many guests today. Do not be afraid, do not be intimidated; just sit by your father and eat your favorite blueberry ice cream.”
“What I like isn't blueberry, it's redberry. Tatyana is the one who likes blueberry!”
“It's all the same.”
Pouting, I took my seat alongside Tatyana.
The nobles across the table sent quiet greetings with polite nods. Once I, the final piece of the forty-part puzzle, had taken my place, Mother rang the bell to draw everyone's attention.
In that moment, I searched for Valentin. He wasn't paying any attention to me, engaged in conversation with the gentleman beside him.
'He changed the method of revealing the prophecy because of me, yet he doesn't even acknowledge me.'
What is he thinking? I don't know how many times I've had these kinds of questions regarding him.
“Now that everyone is gathered... as planned, before the formal meal begins, we shall first have Count Valentin reveal the prophecies he will bestow upon our Novarov Imperial Family.”
I thought it would be revealed once the meal had started and the atmosphere had warmed up, but it was happening immediately. For me, this was a relief. It meant I wouldn't have to sit there like a stone, unable to join the adults' conversation, and eventually nod off to sleep.
Soon, Valentin rose from his chair. Thirty-nine pairs of eyes turned toward him.
“First, I would like to express my gratitude once again to Cardinal Gracia, who has come from the Holy See to record today's prophecies.”
His start was polished.
At the natural courtesy, the white-haired old man sitting opposite Valentin gave a silent bow. Then, with his right hand below his chest and his left hand hanging by his leg, Valentin looked at the Emperor with an unwavering, upright posture.
He prophesied.
“Your Imperial Majesty, if Your Majesty maintains a firm center as the head of the Novarov Imperial Family, the Ohala Empire will remain peaceful and prosperous.”
Everyone held their breath. Next was Mother.
“Your Imperial Majesty, the safety of Your Majesty will be directly linked to the safety of the Empire.”
The subsequent prophecies followed naturally. My breathing quickened slightly from tension.
“Prince Vasily, Your Highness shall become the conqueror of an era who decides the fate of the Ohala Empire.”
“Princess Tatyana, Your Highness shall become the excellent right hand of Prince Vasily, who will ascend to the throne in the future.”
“Prince Ivan, you must certainly look around you. If you do not, you will lose precious things and regret it deeply.”
“Next.”
Turquoise eyes, flickering like candlelight shadows, turned toward me.
“Princess Larisa.”
It was my turn. I looked at him, forgetting to breathe.
However, Valentin's lips did not open. He pushed back his chair and walked slowly, passing behind my father to approach me from behind. Placing a hand on my shoulder, Valentin whispered in a tiny voice that only I could hear.
“Your Highness's future does not exist.”
I did not panic.
I simply couldn't understand Valentin's intention in delivering a prophecy I had already received through such a conspicuous action.
But when I pondered his whisper once more.
When I judged that there must be a meaning behind his decision to deliver it as a whisper specifically to me.
A beat late, I was able to grasp the true hidden meaning of the prophecy.
I die.
Suddenly, the conversation from that day came back to me.
[What about Ivan and Larisa?]
[Unfortunately, I did not see a future related to those two. To be precise, the expression 'there is no future' would be closer.]
The voice from that day also returned.
[You should never have been born.]
Could those words have meant that?
Within the next 17 years, before Vasily is executed as a tyrant. And within the next 17 years, before Tatyana and Ivan meet the future of death. My future was destined to end within that short span of time.
I turned my head to look at Valentin.
A chilling turquoise light, like the throb of the deep sea, shone gloomily as if piercing through my mind. Valentin examined my face without blinking once, then slowly straightened his bent waist. Subsequently, his stride as he returned to his place, as if nothing had happened, was beyond bold—it was leisurely.
[You said it yourself, that my future is 'non-existent.' Didn't that mean I could die long before Vasily does?]
[It did not.]
[Didn't you say earlier that it was possible?]
[That was a lie.]
I was utterly confused. It wasn't because that lie was actually the truth, nor was it because Valentin's demeanor—appearing perfectly fine after handing me a terminal sentence—was an eyesore.
Why? I wasn't sad.
I was simply curious. About the factor that caused all us siblings to die young. And about why he chose to whisper my death—which I had once dismissed as a lie—only into my ear, only now.
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