CH 128

Helene had come to an evening party hosted by Queen Amelie and was walking around the venue with her father, Duke Bayen. Her subordinates, the quintet, have also entered the venue, but there is one person who is not feeling well.

Emma Valtek, who is usually too loud at a party, is under the weather. And both Helene and Duke Bayen know the reason.

The other day, Marquess Valtek was arrested for accusing an innocent business firm and for lashing out at His Majesty the King and His Grace the Prime Minister. If that’s all there was to it, it was still fine. They didn’t know that Marquess Valtek was doing something stupid and she got caught on her own, with no peril to House Bayen. But the problem lies elsewhere.

The capture of Marquess Valtek has likely exposed the money-making schemes of Duke Bayen’s faction. There were also reports of an increase in the number of people snooping around the faction’s members recently.

Duke Bayen’s faction was full of puppets made of the rebellious lower-ranking aristocrats, who would not join their faction even if they were invited, roped into investment fraud, and burdening them with debts to force their obedience. Surrounded by high-ranking aristocrats around them, they say, “It’s safe because our family invested in it.” and “See how much money we’ve made so far.”

Of course, the investment story itself is a lie, so there is no way that the nobles who were deceived and invested in it would make a profit. Part of the investment that was made to be paid by the first deceived aristocrat is returned as a dividend, saying that it has made a profit. Then, they persuade good investors that they will make more money if they invest more, and get them to invest large sums of money.

In the beginning, the victims feel that they’ve made a profit with the money that was disguised as a dividend, but considering the total investment amount, the money they put in is overwhelmingly larger. It would be profitable if all the investment amount was returned at this stage, but that is not the case. From here, the dividend will stop and you will be offered one after another that you should invest more to make more money. If they don’t have the cash right away, they make them borrow money to pay for it themselves.

The debt is just shuffled around on documents anyway, and the lent money is immediately invested in the investment scam, so the fraud’s pockets don’t hurt. The initial investment was all the profit of the scammers, and the initial investment to bear was untouched, so they didn’t lose anything. In this way, the victims are made to borrow money one after another so that they cannot go against it.

In fact, even if it is written on the document that the money borrowed in the investment story that has no real substance was used for investment, in reality, the money has not moved at all. Even so, only the debt becomes real because there are signatory documents and a deed of loan. They all pay the little money they do have and get saddled with debt using borrowed money they couldn’t even use.

After that, when they wanted a majority decision or some other matter that needed force of numbers, they would go to their debt-saddled victims and whisper into their ears, “You understand what you have to do, don’t you?”. Even without direct threats, those who would be ruined if they were told to return their debts had no choice but to follow.

There will also be people who try to get out of such a situation and pay back their debts. But it’s no loss for the scammers. In any case, the money that was not lent will be returned. Those who worked hard to repay the full amount and became free were just paying off debts that they didn’t have to pay and making a huge loss. Even if it is repaid and the number of puppets is reduced, a large influx of cash will come in. If it’s a puppet, it’s fine to replace them with someone else.

Duke Bayen’s Faction, who had made huge profits and increased their supporters through this fraud, had their situation completely changed when Marquess Valtek was arrested.

Many members of the faction were involved in the investment fraud that had already become the key point of Duke Bayen’s faction. If the investment fraud comes to light and they are charged for the crime, even Duke Bayen himself is in danger. The situation is not only a problem for House Valtek but a situation that could threaten the entire faction’s existence.

Duke Alto von Bayen, the Head of House Bayen, was bitterly looking at the members of House Valtek who were shrinking in the corner. He was doing everything he could to try and get some help at this evening party, at least until House Valtek was disposed of.

At that time, the hall was suddenly in an uproar. Attracted by the noise, Helene and Alto also turn their gaze toward the entrance. They found the sight so fascinating they forget to even breathe.

An angel walks by, dressed in a special lustrous light pink costume. People from the likes of House Bayen know that the material is silk, but it’s unbelievable that they use so much of it. They understand the value of silk and the difficulty in even acquiring it.

Silk can only be obtained by trading with the East. It is not something that can be obtained by accumulating money but can only be obtained by clearing various factors such as luck, seasonal timing, diplomacy, and negotiation skills. Obtaining silk in the Kingdom of Ploiss is a matter of chance, and it’s not like you can buy as much as you want because you have money and power.

The clothes made of such silk were very voluminous from the waist down and had a shape that they had never seen before. In addition, folds are sewn in many stages and fine embroidery is applied to the whole.

How much would it cost to prepare that outfit? And not only the simple cost, but also the means of getting the silk, and the luck of being able to get it when the silk was being traded.

All the other ladies and wives have traditional hairstyles, but only one has long blond hair that she wears without tying it up. Even the organizer, Second Queen Amelie, did not do such a thing, so they wondered what sort of guest thought it would be acceptable to do such a thing to their hostess.

Her long blond hair fluttered, and her pale blue eyes seemed to see through everything. Everyone’s eyes and focus were glued to the figure that walked calmly like a ruler who owned this venue.

“Flora…… Charlotte von Carruthers…?!” Helen screamed, glaring bitterly at her despised enemy.

She can’t forgive herself for being charmed by her, even for a moment. She was certainly dressed beautifully, but she could never admit that she’d been smitten by a country bumpkin.

“Ngh… that’s… Carruthers’s daughter…?” Duke Alto von Bayen mumbles.

She’s too charming. If someone with that sort of flair becomes a member of the royal family and shows a keen interest in diplomacy with the neighboring states interested in Ploiss, she would have a strong influence to exercise.

It does not please Alto. He wants to make his daughter the queen and hold full power in this country.

However, if he considers the country as a whole and as a noble who is part of it, there is no future where Flora is not made Queen. The whole kingdom loses if they keep Flora idle. With that thought, he understood why the people around him kept throwing their weight behind Flora. From now on, he can’t be too negative about Flora, either. Looking at that figure, you can’t say, “That country girl is unfit to be queen.”

And then… His Majesty and His Grace were not supposed to come to the evening party, but they suddenly appeared. Most of the guests were surprised at this, but only Flora and House Carruthers were unperturbed.

They knew it from the beginning. House Carruthers was informed already that King Ploiss and Duke Kreff would be visiting. That’s why they’re not surprised even if everyone else is. Alto felt like he was being shown vividly so, how special House Carruthers was in this event.

“Your Majesty, I heard that you would not be able to come today, but it is an unexpected pleasure to see you tonight,” Duke Bayen said.

“Hmm, I am glad to see you in good health as well, Duke Alto,” Wilhelm replied.

And though it was Duke Bayen himself speaking, that was all he managed to get with the King. King Ploiss exchanged greetings with the people who were gathering one after another, inviting only some of the high-ranking nobles, court officials, and ministers then withdrew to the waiting room to chat with them. Alto is not invited.

“Kuh…!” Alto hisses, clenching his fist as he watches the crowd King Ploiss invites to leave the venue with him.

“Father……” Helene said.

In terms of family status, there were many Houses below Bayen. Despite that, House Bayen was not invited to chat, and the lower-ranked people were invited and headed to the waiting room.

It’s miserable… far too miserable.

“Fuck…!” Alto hissed. “It’s because House Valtek did something so foolish!”

So he blames Valtek for his current situation. Normally, someone as high-ranking as Bayen should have been given an important role. Even so, the fact that King Ploiss made a surprise appearance and didn’t even invite Duke Alto to have a chat was probably of Marquess Valtek’s arrest and the scheme being exposed.

The whole faction came to be viewed with barely any weight by His Majesty because House Valtek went overboard with a personal grudge. No, maybe they will be charged with crimes as a criminal organization sooner or later. For that reason, this evening party where Alto planned to lay down the groundwork for turning things around is already coming apart before his eyes.

On the contrary, even though he personally greeted King Ploiss here and there, they only exchanged a few words. With this, House Bayen would be seen as nothing more than a minor concern by the Crown. Everything just keeps turning for the worst. It’s all because of Marquess Valtek’s stupidity.

“Helene……” Alto said. “Reconsider your relationship with the Valtek Marquisate.”

“–! …I understand, Father,” Helene said, nodding with an ugly smile.

It’s also Emma’s fault that they failed to burn Flora’s face in the first place. Helene doesn’t care for people or take care of her own, and she doesn’t need people from her faction to hold her back. Here, the thoughts of Bayen’s Father and Daughter became one, and the fate of House Valtek was decided.

After a while, His Majesty and the other guests seemed to have finished their pleasant talk and returned from the waiting room. Most people don’t realize it, but it’s clear that Second Queen Amelie and Duke Nassam aren’t feeling well. They were small and inconspicuous at the back of the venue, so it wasn’t noticeable, but anyone who did look could tell.

“I have news for everyone who gathered here tonight!” Wilhelm cried.

“””””…”””””

Everyone’s eyes were focused on His Majesty standing upstairs and raising his voice. That this party had been held tonight would finally be revealed, so everyone waits for the answer while speculating with each other.

“First of all, I hereby declare that Third Prince Ludwig will be the Crown Prince!”

“”””Oh!”””””

Here and there, you can hear voices saying things like “Like I thought…” or “No surprise there.” The fact that Ludwig is crown prince was a given. Since he was the eldest son of his first wife, Queen Elizabeth, everyone thought that this would be the case. It was just a question of when and where it would be announced.

The fact that it will be unveiled at an evening party hosted by Second Queen Amelie means that the Second Queen’s Faction has already given up all aspirations to the throne. Those who were in the Second Queen’s Faction’s second until now will probably do their best for Ploiss under Crown Prince Ludwig. Many people were thinking of switching factions as soon as the matter was officially settled.

“And I would like to formally announce Prince Ludwig’s fiancée,” Wilhelm said. “She will be Lady Flo—iiii…!”

““““Ooh…!?………… Oh?”””””

With that second announcement, the nobles turned into a roar as they thought it was finally time. Then, His Majesty stopped mid-sentence and was suddenly pulled back into the waiting room.

He had been grabbed by the earlobe and dragged back by Flora. The only one who could see it was Helene, who happened to be standing on the side where the King and his men were. There were others standing in a similar position, but no one else noticed.

Only Helene saw it. It’s obvious that Flora pulled King Wilhelm’s earlobe and dragged him behind herself…

“What was that? Do you mean that His Majesty will forgive her for doing such a thing?” Helene asked herself.

She can’t help but wonder if what she just saw really happened. Normally, if you were to do something like that to His Majesty the King, you would receive a considerable punishment even if you were a member of the royal family yourself. You can’t complain even if she’s executed if it’s at the level of a noble under the King’s power. Did she really just see that? No wonder Helene was confused.

And when His Majesty the King and Flora, the one who dragged him back, returned to view, the venue was buzzing again. What in the hell happened? They wondered why the announcement was stopped in the middle, but they watched with bated breath, hoping that the mystery would be revealed.

“Ah~…” Wilhelm sighed. “I’d like to announce that I will formally decide on Ludwig’s fiancée soon. We will announce it as soon as we find someone who is suitable to be the Crown Prince’s wife.”

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“”“Awww……”””

The voltage in the venue suddenly dropped, because they were not nominating someone tonight. If the engagement with the Crown Prince had been announced tonight, it would have become big news that shook the Kingdom of Ploiss. However, in the end, the fiancée was still in the process of selection, so no decisive information was released that day.