Chapter: 248

An attendant came to the annex to escort Astelle.

Under the guidance of the attendant, Astelle went to the banquet hall which was at the center of the castle. It was quite the long way from the west annex; where Astelle was staying, to the banquet.

After walking for a while, they arrived at a large hall. Before entering, bright lights and soft music could be heard through the marble door.

‘Am I too late?’

It seemed that all the guests had already arrived.

Astelle went inside quickly.

The attendant announced her arrival.

“Lady Astelle has arrived.”

The banquet hall here was as large as the one in the imperial palace. There were many people present.

As Astelle entered, the large banquet hall suddenly became silent.

People looked at her in unison with surprise and curiosity.

As Astelle walked inside she could hear people gossiping.

“That person is……”

“Apparently, she is the former Empress……”

In an instant, Astelle became the center of attention. It was like being the host of a birthday or engagement party.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve received the attention of so many people.’

She left the capital as soon as she got divorced and hid in the countryside. Because of this, she never caught people’s eyes in the past six years, and then she appeared and joined the emperor’s tour.

‘Well, it deserves to be a topic of discussion.’

People’s eyes were on her, but Astelle didn’t really care.

‘What does it matter?’

I’ll leave soon anyway, and I’ll never see them again in my lifetime.

Astelle passed the center of the venue and walked to the window, receiving a lot of attention.

Curious eyes followed one after another, but since there was no one she knew, no one spoke to her first.

‘It is better not to talk to anyone. I didn’t come here to dance or make friends in the first place.’

Astelle spotted Kaizen’s place. She looked around, but Kaizen was nowhere to be seen.