Chapter 65

“Yes, Duke, you are correct.”

When Count Linoa took out the handkerchief where he blew his nose again and diligently wiped away his tears, a clammy sound came out.

“Wasn’t it the same decision that made you send Harvey to study abroad?”

I tactfully reassured the count again, avoiding splashes of water from the handkerchief.

“I’ll talk to the prince, so let’s think that we’re sending him abroad again this time and relax. There’s a way to buy him again after a few years, depending on His Majesty’s perception.”

I won’t be in the Empire by then, of course.

“If Harvey suffers a bit, and if he works with his own hands, he may return as a much more mature person?”

You have to work hard to learn the complexities of life.

I should recommend him to the prince of the East to become a servant of some eccentric knight. Like that, I patted the Count on the back.

“Thank you! Thank you, Duke……! As expected, the Duke is the only one to believe!”

The count tried to snatch my hand as if to shake it, but I quickly took my hand away.

“Haha, since it’s decided, I’ll do it right now! I’ll go talk to the prince.”

“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!”

I turned away from the groveling count and rushed right into the prince.

“Master.”

But Knoxus called me again.

“Why?”

“His Majesty’s eyes that are staring at this side are unusual.”

Knoxus was right. Cardan stared at us persistently.

I was able to find the cause without difficulty.

As it turned out, the Prince of the East continent arrived just in time. The look on his back and Cardan’s eyes staring at me alternately were terrifying.

“Ah…this must look like…….”

It’s as if I’m taking Cardan’s two men and holding them in my hand.

I stumbled for a moment in chills, but soon corrected my posture.

That doesn’t mean I can give up the prince.

At that time, as the prince made his way to me across the banquet hall,

A beautifully dressed young lady collapsed in front of the prince.

No, to be exact, she was about to fall into the prince’s arms, but then he stepped back, and the lady fell to the floor.

I recognized the young girl at once.

Lady Sherrington

“Ugh…”

Falling on the floor, she wept softly and wriggled her hands.

“Sorry, I’m sorry. I’m…….”

She is clearly asking the prince for help.

“That’s all right.”

The prince smiled politely.

I narrowed my forehead at the unexpected situation.

Why Lady Sherrington?

It wouldn’t be surprising if another lady made such a bold attempt to catch the prince’s attention. However, it weighed a bit on my mind that the lady in question was Lady Sherrington.

She was the daughter of Marquis Sherrington, who was executed while serving the Empress, so I felt uncomfortable.

It was even more suspicious because it was the lady, who had not participated in any social activities for a while and was staying at home, after the execution of the previous marquis.

I shook my head.

“I guess it’s the mood.”

There must be no lady who does not aim for the prince in this banquet hall. However, my suspicion was all because of the Empress who tries to hit the back of my head whenever she has time.

“At this rate, I’m about to get suspicious.”

However, as if to arouse suspicion, the lady raised her eyes pitifully.

“Ugh… Ankle…”

With tears in her eyes, she seemed to be trying so desperately to get up that she could not get up by herself.

However, the prince still passed Lady Sherrington, ignoring her hands flailing in the air.

“Well, I have something to do, so bye.”

And he strode toward me again.

As the prince got closer, I pulled on my jingling jacket for no reason and spread it out. I’m sure I’ll look the same.

“The Duke of Baloa, here you are.”

I quickly approached the prince, as I waved my hand towards Knoxus, who was trying to stand in front of me.

“Prince Lionel, I was just about to see you too. This is great.”

A beautiful smile spread over the prince’s delicate features when he folded his eyes.

As he bent down, his colorful blonde hair caught the light of the chandelier in the banquet hall.

“Can I ask a beautiful lady to dance?”

“Oh, yes! Of course.”

I paused as I tried to greet the gentleman in the same manner as usual.

After contemplating for a while, I awkwardly grabbed the edge of my jacket and bent my knees slightly, and the prince burst into a small smile.

With a smile, I also put my hand on his.

But I belatedly remembered that I didn’t even know the dance.

“Oh… It’s my first time dancing at a banquet, so I’m going to be very clumsy, is that okay?”

Fortunately, the prince smiled kindly as if it was okay.

“It’s an honor to be the Duke’s first dance partner.”

And he gave a short kiss to the back of my hand.

It was a gesture commonly made by a man as a gesture of gratitude for accepting him as a dance partner. However, the first time I experienced it, I felt a hot gaze on my back.

It’s…

As soon as the heat subsided, cool air came in and goosebumps came out on the back of my neck.

“Oh, my…”

It was not difficult to find the source of the cold gaze.

A pair of red eyes, deeper than blood, were watching us.

Cardan

He had a look I had never seen before. At first glance, he had the same expression as usual, but each muscle remained stiff.

It was difficult to determine whether his insensitive eyes were staring into space or staring at us.

But he turned around and left the banquet hall before I could even fathom his expression.

With a smooth step without any hesitation

It was only after Cardan’s back was turned and the banquet hall door was finally closed that I could finally take my eyes off him.

“……Duke……, Duke of Baloa…….”

I finally realized that the prince was calling me.

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry. What were you talking about?”

The prince looked at me with worried eyes.

“Are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“Not at all.”

I smiled lightly and shook my hand in a hurry, but inside I was chewing hard on Cardan.

Damn it, Cardan. It was the prince who approached first! Staring at me like I’m in the wrong. I’m the only one who feels wronged.

However, this opportunity could not be lost because of Cardan.

I smiled softly, making up a VIP-only response voice.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you because I was thinking about something else for a second.”

The prince followed my gaze for a moment and glanced at where Cardan left, and then smiled brightly.

“The waltz just started. It’s a relatively easy dance, so you’ll do just fine.”

The prince was right.

Whether his lead skills were excellent or the waltz dance was suitable for beginners, I could quickly melt into the music and take steps.

I think I’ll be able to dance in harmony. I’m starting to feel it.

“How’s your search for a partner coming along?”

“Well, I think I’ve got a glimmer of hope. It could be my own illusion.”

In response to his vague remarks, I chose to take a more active role.

“Prince, I’m a bit ashamed to say it myself, but Baloa is the best noble family in the empire in all respects, regardless of wealth, power, or diplomatic influence.”

“…….”

“Of course, I’m the one who put the Baloa in this position.”

Fortunately, the prince’s blue eyes sparkled with interest, despite an introduction that might have sounded arrogant.

“It’s embarrassing to say it again, but I’d like to say that my individual abilities are as outstanding as the background of my family. In addition, since His Majesty became the current emperor, I have served him as Prime Minister, and my loyalty to that person is second to none.”

I proceeded cautiously.

“If it’s the current situation in the East, I’m familiar with it. The fact that the current emperor has opened a new era by bringing down the corrupt former emperor, and that the seeds of conflict who supported the former emperor are still causing trouble from time to time.”

It is undeniable that the former emperor destroyed the empire on the same level as Cardan.

In comparison, the current dynasty was somehow leading the Eastern Continent transparently and faithfully.

Nonetheless, there was only one reason why the emperor’s political opponents, who could not be purged, continued to oppose him.

Legitimacy. That’s why they tried to form an alliance with the powerful West to consolidate their legitimacy so persistently.

The recognition of the Hithronian Empire, which boasts a deep history, would also satisfy the lack of legitimacy of the Eastern Continent emperor.

As a result, the Emperor’s political opponents would lose their reason to continue the attack.

I hit a wedge for the last time.

“If I persuade His Majesty, I think the alliance will be easy to achieve……. Let me ask you a quick question. How about a reliable helper with a solid foundation?”

Even though I confidently made the suggestion, I became nervous when the prince didn’t answer for a while.

“Duke Baloa.”

“Yes.”

I immediately replied, but the prince’s face was full of signs of trouble.

As expected, I’m doomed.

Soon the prince slowly opened his mouth.

“……As the Duke said, it is important to have money, ability, family, and political harmony with the empire…….”

But…?

Nervously, I awaited the prince’s next words.

“More than anything, I want to marry someone I like.”

Someone you like?

“A marriage built on sincere love, not just political interests like my father and mother.”

The word “love” froze my body a little.

I didn’t expect that at all.

I thought he came to form a marriage alliance with the Empire for purely political reasons.

What does he mean by love?

I stuttered a little in shock, but the prince skillfully led me.

However, the problem was that his touch no longer felt comfortable.

“In that sense…….”

The prince tilted his head slightly.

“I wonder what Duke Baloa thinks of me. As a man, not a prince of the East.”

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