Chapter 59

Episode 59

“She’s truly beautiful. Stunning. I bet she’s even more stunning at night.”

The vulgar remark came from none other than Prince Arthur. He was known for being a master of disguise.

Holding a wine glass, he stood with Count Apellai, his eyes fixated on Lady Lucia as she entered the banquet hall.

He had met her as a child.

Seeing her again as an adult was a different experience. He had only heard rumors of her being the most beautiful woman in the continent, but seeing her in person exceeded his expectations.

He wanted to skip the formalities of the wedding and go straight to their wedding night.

“How did it go? I heard you spent some time alone together.”

Foreign Minister Apellai asked politely. Prince Arthur grimaced.

“It was strange.”

“Strange? What do you mean?”

“I tried to get a little closer, but she firmly rejected me. She’s colder than she looks. Does she not want to be a part of the Imperial Family? It’s the first time a woman has refused me.”

As he said, she was completely different from the women he had met before.

Most of them were eager to win his favor.

Even young married women with husbands wanted to catch his eye.

The reason was simple. It wasn’t just his looks it was Count Apellai behind him.

He might be the third prince, far from the line of succession, but one had to consider his political backer.

Unless he was a tyrant, he needed the support of officials and nobles to rule.

Count Apellai was at the center of it all.

He was the one who had brought a commoner woman into the palace, the woman who had caught the Emperor’s eye and given birth to Prince Arthur. Even in his illness, the Emperor still favored her.

So, Count Apellai had a grand dream.

He dreamt of the woman he had sent becoming the Empress Dowager, and Prince Arthur becoming the Emperor, with him pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

The Count smiled as he imagined the absolute power within his grasp.

“That’s impossible. You’ll soon be vying for the throne. When that happens, her lukewarm response will change.”

“I wish His Majesty would hold on a little longer.”

There was no filial piety in his words, only a desire for his father to live a little longer for his own benefit.

“Relax, Your Highness. There can be no mistakes this time. I want to remind you that the Lady is essential for your future and the future of the Empire.”

“I know. Enough with the nagging. Do you know how hard it’s been for me to control myself?”

“Someone from the Kalisto main estate has also arrived. The Duchess is also concerned about this matter, so there shouldn’t be any problems until the engagement.”

“You mean that Rosalyn woman? Is she really here for the engagement? I heard she’s staying at your mansion.”

Count Apellai’s eyes twitched, but Prince Arthur didn’t notice.

The aging Foreign Minister was displeased that his secret had been exposed.

But he endured it for the sake of the future.

“By the way, where are my brothers?”

“I’ve spoken to them, Your Highness. It would be an uncomfortable situation for everyone, so they decided not to attend. The second prince has an engagement outside the capital.”

“Hmph, fools. If I were them, I would have attended even if it meant putting on a thick face. It’s not often that so many officials and nobles gather in one place.”

“Look, the Lady is waiting. Let’s go greet her.”

Special banquets in the capital had special rules. The host had to personally welcome the most important guest.

So, Prince Arthur, with a smile on his face, approached the Lady with open arms.

“You look dazzling, Lady Lucia. The term ‘jewel of House Kalisto’ seems too modest. How about ‘jewel of the Empire’?”

“You flatter me, Your Highness. It’s an honor to be invited.”

“The honor is all mine. I’m grateful to have my future partner here with me.”

The prince’s attitude changed instantly. It was his specialty.

‘Being a scoundrel is no easy feat.’

I had been eavesdropping on the prince and the Count’s conversation from behind a pillar. I rejoined the Lady’s side as if nothing had happened.

Prince Arthur’s words weren’t an exaggeration.

The Lady was truly captivating. She shimmered under the lights, a radiant vision. Was this what it felt like to witness all the beauty in the world concentrated in one person?

Lucia took the prince’s hand and entered the banquet hall.

They headed towards the main stage.

Meanwhile, maids and servants circulated, offering wine to the guests. The nobles sniffed their glasses and commented on the aroma like sommeliers.

Then, a conversation caught my attention.

“They don’t seem to suit each other.”

“I agree. They’re both attractive, but there’s no harmony.”

Who would dare say such a thing so openly?

I turned around and was surprised to see Princess Beatrice and her attendant sipping wine.

“I feel sorry for Lady Lucia. To think she has to marry that scoundrel.”

Good job, Your Highness.

Please, speak a little louder.

“She’ll probably be discarded after a night, like all the others.”

A surge of displeasure welled up inside me.

It wasn’t directed at Princess Beatrice, but at the situation itself.

Discarded after a night?

I considered reviving my plan to ask the Lady to dance, but that would risk my head. I needed to find another way.

I had a new mission now: to do nothing until we left the capital.

Was there really nothing I could do within those constraints?

“What are your thoughts?”

It was Lady Rosalyn. I nodded politely.

“I heard you’ve served her for over a year. Shouldn’t you be looking for a new master? I doubt the Inspection Unit will be disbanded.”

“We won’t know until the marriage is officially announced.”

“Oh my? Are you suggesting that the engagement might be broken off? That would be quite disloyal.”

A passing maid offered a tray of wine glasses. I took one.

“I don’t see what benefits this marriage brings to the family.”

She didn’t respond. I glanced at her she was frowning.

“Aren’t you being too reckless? A mere honorary knight questioning the Duke’s decisions. No matter how capable you are, the Duke won’t tolerate such insubordination. Know your place… What? Are you mocking me?”

If I were easily intimidated by such threats, I wouldn’t have made it this far.

I had learned one thing during my time in this world.

It was important to have justification, and all justifications had to align with the family’s interests.

In other words, the family’s interests were justice.

“I’m more concerned about you, Lady Rosalyn. There are rumors about your stay at the Count’s mansion.”

“What? What are people saying?”

“I’m sure you’re aware of the risks. I’m offering this advice out of goodwill, so don’t take it the wrong way.”

Rosalyn blushed and turned away. Just then, Prince Arthur, standing in the center of the stage, raised his glass.

“Let us all raise our glasses.”

The nobles and officials raised their glasses in response. The Lady, standing beside the prince, also raised her glass.

She might seem calm on the surface, but I was curious about the mastermind’s true intentions.

“It seems today will be a joyous occasion. As you all know, I have promised to marry Lady Lucia of House Kalisto. Of course, I’m still waiting for her answer, but with so many people gathered here, I’m confident I’ll hear a positive response.”

Prince Arthur looked at Lady Lucia. She met his gaze and smiled faintly.

“To commemorate this day, I’ve prepared plenty of food and drinks. Please, enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content. This is an order from the prince!”

“Congratulations, Your Highness!”

“Best wishes!”

Congratulations poured in from all sides. The prince, filled with a sense of victory, grinned, toasted with Lady Lucia, and took a sip of his wine.

The Emperor wasn’t present at the banquet due to health reasons.

The first and second princes were also absent. They clearly saw Prince Arthur as a rival.

They were fools. They should have attended, even if the Count had persuaded them otherwise.

It was rare for so many officials and nobles to gather in one place. This was why emotions often clouded rational judgment.

“Prepare the music.”

At the prince’s command, a group of musicians carrying string instruments took their positions.

The officials and nobles cheered.

“It seems they’re about to dance.”

“I wonder what kind of compatibility they’ll show! They’ll make a wonderful couple!”

At ordinary banquets, anyone who wanted to dance could join the dance floor. But tonight was different. It was a performance for everyone to witness their compatibility.

So, only Prince Arthur and Lady Lucia were on the stage.

The guests crowded around, eager to get a closer look. Stairs were set up for those standing further back.

As the Lady’s escort, I had a front-row seat.

“May I have this dance, Lady Lucia?”

The two protagonists joined hands. The hall fell silent, and only the sweet melody of the music filled the air.

They took their first step.

*Thud!*

Their first step was out of sync. The prince’s expression betrayed his surprise.

It was unclear whether it was his mistake or the Lady’s intention.

Dancing was like a promise.

They communicated their next moves through eye contact and body language. A misstep from the start meant their compatibility was lacking.

“Is this okay?”

“I’m worried.”

“Everyone makes mistakes. Why are you making a fuss? Just watch quietly.”

The murmurs died down. The guests focused on the dance again.

But no matter how hard I tried to see it in a positive light, it was a mess.

The prince seemed distracted, his steps faltering. He even let his gaze wander from the Lady’s eyes to her cleavage.

And then, the climax.

The Lady gracefully spun and took a final step.

“Ouch!”

Her sharp heel landed on the prince’s foot. The guests gasped in shock. It seemed deliberate to me.

“I’m sorry. I was too nervous.”

“Ha… Hahaha. It’s alright. Everyone makes mistakes. We had a wonderful dance. Now, shall we talk about our future in front of everyone?”

All eyes were on them. Everyone knew the prince had proposed. What would the Lady’s answer be?

She turned towards the audience.

“…?”

“What’s going on?”

“What’s happening?”

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Lucia extended her hand. Directly towards me.