The celebration of Felix's victory was now underway. As the princess, I had to attend, even though I was reluctant to go to the party.
Seeing Felix again left me with mixed feelings. I didn't know why, but I was afraid I still had feelings of love for him hidden in my heart—feelings that could make me waver.
I didn't want my goal of not marrying Felix to fall apart in an instant. I also didn't want the events of my previous life to happen all over again.
That was why I kept convincing myself that I could forget Felix and let him go. That way, both my life and Felix's could be saved this time around.
"Miss, the King is waiting for you in the sitting room," Nora said.
I nodded slowly. "All right, I'll be there."
I rose from the chair in my bedchamber where I'd been getting ready, then walked toward where my father was waiting.
Father glanced at me from in front of the door, a radiant smile on his face.
"You're so beautiful, my daughter. Even the angels would pale beside you," Father praised me.
"You're very handsome and dignified too, Father," I replied, unwilling to be the only one receiving compliments.
Father chuckled. "I'm far too old to be called handsome. But I'm glad I don't look too bad in your eyes," he said as he offered me his hand. I took his arm.
We walked to the entrance of the hall where the party was being held. As soon as we reached the doors, a knight immediately announced our arrival.
"Announcing the arrival of His Majesty the King and Princess Leonora in the banquet hall."
The banquet hall, which had been bustling moments earlier, fell silent at once as everyone bowed respectfully to the royal family.
Father and I walked slowly inside. There were nobles of every rank, from the lowest to the highest. Then my eyes locked onto Felix, who was also at the party.
His black hair gleamed as it was neatly styled, and his suit made him look incredibly handsome.
I immediately looked away, afraid my heart would waver at the sight of my former husband from my previous life standing there.
Father and I had now reached the royal throne.
All the guests raised their heads and looked toward us, waiting for the King's speech to begin.
Father cleared his throat before finally speaking. "Thank you to everyone who has come to celebrate the victory of our hero, Lord Felix Wade, and his companions. Lord Felix, please come forward."
Felix nodded and stepped toward the King's throne. Cheers and applause began to fill the banquet hall, accompanying his every step.
"Greetings to His Majesty the King, the sun of the kingdom, and Princess Leonora. I am Felix Wade, bowing in respect," Felix said as he lowered his head.
"Very well. Since you've made such a great contribution to the kingdom, I will reward you."
Father glanced at me, as though making sure I was all right. I gave him a small smile to show him that I was fine.
Meanwhile, the guests' faces grew tense, even though they already knew what the King would give Lord Felix.
After confirming that I was all right, Father gave a faint smile and turned back to the guests.
"I will grant you the title of Duke, along with authority over the Northern Territory," Father continued.
The guests immediately erupted into an uproar. There was no announcement of the engagement they had been promised. Felix, especially, couldn't hide his astonishment.
Meanwhile, I lowered my head in embarrassment. I'd been loudly proclaiming that I would marry Felix, and now it wasn't going to happen.
Whispers instantly filled the hall.
"Your Majesty, forgive me for interrupting. However, before we went to war, I heard that I would marry Princess Leonora. Is that not the case?" Felix suddenly spoke, startling everyone in the hall—including me, since I couldn't hide my bewildered expression.
Felix should have only needed to accept his reward without protesting. Especially since he didn't love me.
He should have felt relieved that the engagement wasn't being announced. But why did he look disappointed?
I truly didn't understand his behavior.