I Was Told 'No One Would Miss You,' So I Became the Empress of Another Country - Episode 28

Finally, the day of the engagement announcement arrived.

The fact that I was a candidate for empress had not yet been officially revealed, but rumors were already spreading throughout the empire.

In the grand hall of the palace, elegantly dressed imperial nobles gathered, eagerly watching to see whom Logan would choose.

With the help of my personal maids, I dressed in a gown with calm, refined colors.

Unlike the dresses I had worn in the kingdom, this one featured imperial designs, with elegant decorations tracing the line from my neckline to my shoulders.

My hair was loosely tied up, and the subtle sparkle of jewels shone modestly.

Above all, the single earring I had borrowed from Logan gave me strength and reassurance.

As I stepped into the grand hall, the nobles were already engaged in lively conversation, and the music played by the orchestra made the floor tremble.

Anxiety and nervousness tightened my chest, but if I acted uncertain now, I would only give Flora an opening.

I straightened my back and calmed my heart.

Soon, Logan appeared and gently took my arm.

His jet-black hair and golden eyes, his dignified presence—nothing about him had changed.

He escorted me toward the center of the grand hall.

“Everyone, thank you for gathering here today. I have an important announcement for the empire.”

His deep, calm voice echoed throughout the hall, instantly silencing the crowd.

I could feel my heartbeat quicken.

With all eyes focused on us, Logan did not let go of my hand.

“I, Logan Irving, as the Emperor of the Igleia Empire, would like to officially present my candidate for empress. Allow me to introduce Celestia Kreutzfeldt.”

At that moment, a murmur spread through the nobles.

Of course, the biggest shock was that I was a foreign noblewoman from the Kingdom of Lowell.

I could feel their eyes on me as they exchanged uneasy glances.

Despite the trembling in my chest, I maintained a gentle smile and gracefully bowed.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Celestia Kreutzfeldt, daughter of the Duke of Kreutzfeldt from the Kingdom of Lowell. I will do my utmost to be of service to His Majesty.”

A brief silence followed, and then a few nobles began clapping, gradually spreading throughout the hall.

Just as I was beginning to feel relieved, an unsettling voice rang out from a distance.

“Ridiculous! You were mine!”

A voice I knew all too well—arrogant and demanding.

I turned to see Leon standing there, his golden hair and green eyes burning with anger.

Beside him, Flora wore a seductive smile.

“Leon…!”

A terrible sense of unease gripped my chest.

He strode forcefully into the center of the hall, causing the surrounding nobles to step aside in shock.

Even though he was behaving so rudely in the imperial palace, Leon seemed completely unconcerned.

“Celestia, are you really trying to become the Empress of this empire? I won’t allow it. I will take you back!”

His selfish words froze the air in the hall.

Behind him, Flora smirked coldly.

“You were meant to be the Crown Princess. Pretending to rise in status here is pointless—you will fail soon enough.”

Her voice dripped with mockery and scorn.

But the imperial nobles were clearly troubled and outraged by their disrespectful attitude.

In this empire, such disregard for the emperor was not easily forgiven.

Logan took a slow step forward and glared sharply at Leon.

“This is the court of the Igleia Empire. You have been stripped of your title as crown prince—what right do you have to barge in here?”

“Hah! I am of royal bl00d. That alone places me above you, mere emperor or not!”

His arrogant words drew gasps and murmurs of anger from the nobles.

Logan closed his eyes briefly, exhaled, then fixed his gaze on Leon once more.

“…You are beyond disrespectful. Calling the emperor ‘mere’—if you do not learn your place, you will face appropriate punishment.”

His low, quiet voice carried a chilling anger.

The entire hall fell into tense silence, the pressure in the air becoming almost unbearable.

But Leon and Flora, ignoring the heavy atmosphere, continued to spout nonsense about taking me back and overthrowing the emperor.

“You abandoned our engagement on your own, and now you have the audacity to chase after me and behave like this…”

I felt a quiet fury rise within me as I looked at Leon coldly.

Even Flora’s provocative gaze no longer fazed me.

And so, what should have been a joyous engagement announcement turned into utter chaos.

Logan did not hide his anger, and he made it clear that Leon’s insolence would not go unpunished.

It was as if the long-standing conflict between me and Leon had finally reached its breaking point, creating a dangerous, volatile tension in the room.