Chapter 87: The Demise of His Majesty (2)

He knew it was his duty as King, but he would like a reprieve this night.

Still, he straightened his expression and suppressed his desire to see her and turned on his heel to return to Rosemary.

'Hm? What happened why did you stop?' A male voice approached.

'Matthias.'

'Are you giving up on forced capture?'

His friend had been watching him; maybe from the start? He may have wanted him to stop, but Ernest also knew his friend was not so kind. He'd prefer not to be directly involved, sitting on the sidelines observing until the end. (Zuben; Matthias, just because he used deceit instead of rushing up, throwing her over his shoulder and running off into the night, does not mean it is not forced capture)

Matthias looked unworried at him, while Ernest's face was pale with tension.

Leticia is beloved wife was not beside Matthias, which was not unusual.

'Try not to look so relieved,' Matthias said, 'Letty is my lovely wife.'

Matthias knew that Ernest could not stand being near his wife. Ernest growled and turned away from his aggravating friend,

'Hm, is she a wife?'

'Hmm? Are you saying that again?' Matthias replied with a laugh, 'Well, Letty is human, I can't call her a pet now, can I?'

'Probably not.'

'Hmm, well it is a public arena after all, but there isn't a difference to me.' (Zuben: This is it? He thinks of her as a pet?)

Ernest pretended he didn't hear Matthias.

Looking around, he found Leticia immediately. As was customary at balls, she was surrounded by many good looking noblemen.

'Is it alright to leave her alone?'

All the men around Leticia had at one time proposed to her. And they may still be in love with her. Their actions disgusted him; they were slavering over Leticia, despite having respective wives and fiancées at the ball as well.

'As it is, I wonder if she wouldn't be poached soon.' Ernest said trying to incite Matthias.

'How interesting. Do you think I would allow that to happen?'

'No, I don't think so…'

At this moment, Ernest could tell Leticia was buying Matthias' anger. But the person herself was oblivious. She would pay for it later.

Ernest did not like her. Looking at the form that was made to be praised, he felt even more murderous. He should feel sorry, but he didn't. But she was his love's elder sister. But because of her, who would only be hurt, he would let her live a little more. (Zuben: Ya know she's your friend's wife as well, right?) 'You're anxious, aren't you? It will be alright.' Matthias said behind him.

Ernest turned to him and raised a brow. He turned back to where Leticia was holding court. Leticia was now talking to the wives and fiancées who had surrounded her before she knew it. Their behavior seemed unexpectedly calm, from his view.

But Leticia's shoulders began to tremble and she cast her gaze about like a frightened animal. The men around her noticed her change in behavior, and turned to look at their respective wives and fiancées with disdain, then turn back to console their beloved Leticia. (Zuben: Are Leticia's actions unconscious?)

She was poisonous.

She didn't even think that her actions were seen by the other noble ladies.

As it always was, Leticia never understood any situation. She looked around and caught sight of her beloved husband, and ran out of the circle of people, crying. She looked like a puppy who had found her master. Ernest tried to suppress the wave of nausea.

'Because she always runs to me in the end.'

'Is that so…'

Matthias had a calm smile.

Ernest wondered; was it attachment or dependence between his friend and his wife?

Or was this also a kind of love?

Either way, he wasn't one to criticize.

Rosemary was angry with him when he returned to her side. Over her anger, she had been worried. His sister complained, and Ernest promised to buy her whatever she wanted later as recompense. He stuck to his sister's side from then on.

It was now time for dancing, as the host of the party and as King, he was obliged to dance the first song. Seeing as he had no ladies he cared for, Ernest danced with Rosemary. Rosemary was satisfied that her brother cared for her, but in truth, it was only half of it.

His sister had an important mission.

Ernest looked for her as he danced with Rosemary. He quickly found her where he wanted her to be. He had changed the arrangement of the refreshment tables with his plans in mind. He wanted to make it easier for her to make the love potion. She was sitting in the corner of the large ballroom behaving surreptitiously. Perhaps she was convinced that no one was watching her while she mixed the love potion, and had begun to get read.

Ernest was relieved that he was able to safely watch her outside her wise vigilance. But just then, a shitty man came up to her.

What did he want?