Chapter 191: Social Gathering (3)

Chapter 191: Social Gathering (3)

The nobles who belonged to the Upper Nobles Association, to put it nicely, came from long-standing prestigious families who placed importance on dignity and etiquette.

To put it badly, they were classists who had become inured to pure elitism.

It was obvious to tell just from the conversation going on at a table.

“Do you know the name of the man Marquis Bogut has personally invited, Sir?”

“I don't quite remember... Was it Campbell? That should be his family’s name, so I heard.”

“...This is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a name. By any chance, their rank...?”

“They are a Viscount Household, I believe.”

The men who were having such a conversation managed to maintain their dignity, but failed to conceal the sneer on their faces.

Meanwhile the people from other prestigious noble families who were sitting near that table also expressed their mockery in their own ways.

Some of them even took a step further and expressed something close to contempt.

“A Viscount Household... Then he must’ve come from a family who works in industries like farming or mining. He must have not been accustomed to... high society.”

Someone said as such.

Though he spoke those words with a concerned tone, he wore a dubious smile that didn’t match such a tone.

It was as if he was trying to show how a country bumpkin, who did not know their place and stepped into a place like this, would be treated.

“For inviting such a mannerless person, don’t you think Sir Bogut is also being excessive? Hopefully, that person won’t end up embarrassing himself. I’m genuinely worried for him.”

"Hardships do help people grow."

One of the men replied gently.

However, his following sentence was one that even discarded the last vestiges of dignity they had maintained.

“He must think he is a hotshot since he managed to associate himself with Her Imperial Majesty and the Chancellor without knowing his place as a member of a Viscount Household.”

“...You somehow sound resentful?”

“Well, I often think that I cannot hold Her Imperial Majesty or the Chancellor’s hands from a political standpoint... But, I do admire both of them as individuals. After all, they are the two pillars that supported the Empire.”

“I... Cannot deny that. Both women are also beautiful enough to cause the downfall of a country.”

“Her Imperial Majesty has the beauty that is akin to a bunch of roses blooming on a cliff, while the Chancellor has the elegance of an ice sculpture, always proud and cold—”

When the conversation turned to the Chancellor and the Empress, the atmosphere changed in an instant—it was as if the grown men were discussing their first love.

It was as if they were being sincere when they said that they ‘admired’ the Empress and the Chancellor earlier.

And so, the conversation, which was filled with compliments on the two women’s beauty, continued.

Until that person from a Viscount Household...

Showed up with the two women who held the most power throughout history in his arms.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Both the Empress and the Chancellor.

The two of them.

Were clinging to one man.

As if they did not want him to be taken away by the others. Each of them claiming ownership over the man.

“...Her Imperial Majesty?”

“...Her Excellency the Chancellor?”

The men uttered in disbelief.

Since they had just been extolling the Empress’ and the Chancellor’s beauty and noble purity just now, they seemed more shocked than they should be.

The Empress, who usually exuded a noble aura like a glass doll with her expressionless face, looked lively as she clung to the man’s arm.

Both the women whom they had just praised as overwhelming beauties...

Were clinging to a man, trying to win over him.

As if they were trying to make him love them even for a bit.

“...”

“...”

As the men's expressions stiffened upon feeling an unknown sense of defeat...

“How have you been, members of the Upper Nobles Association?”

In the silence that felt as if even the sound of someone swallowing dryly could be heard loudly, the Empress’ voice made through the Speech Synthesizer softly echoed.

“I came here because I heard my male ‘close friend’ is making his debut in society. No need for unnecessary formality, so enjoy your evening.”

“...”

“...”

Close— what?

After she made such a statement that made the listeners doubt their ears, the place was filled with silence once again.

The fact that the Empress, who was of marriageable age, used the term 'close friend' to refer to someone of the opposite gender suggested a lot.

Because she was practically declaring that he was a ‘consort candidate’.Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

At that moment, someone interjected with a cold voice, clearly affected by that statement.

“...Your Imperial Majesty.”

Sullivan, whose cheeks were twitching uncontrollably, said, sounding as if she was suppressing something.

“Please mind your choice of words. I implore you.”

“Is there any problem, Sullivan?”

“This situation itself is a problem.”

It was obvious that she was being ‘wary’ of the Empress.

“I am the first one who ‘has an eye’ on him, your words could cause misunderstandings.”

Those words sent everyone into a shock once again.

Even the Chancellor?

Has her eye on him?

“...Hmm.”

Hearing that, the Empress stroked her chin for a moment.

“What kind of misunderstandings exactly?”

At that moment, she promptly shut her mouth.

Maybe she felt what I was feeling as well.

This aura coming from my other side.

“...Sullivan, I was kidding. You don’t need to exude such a threatening attitude.”

“Are you really joking, Your Imperial Majesty?”

“...”

Instead of answering, the Empress took a whiff of the pipe while grinning. Seeing this, Sullivan’s frown grew deeper.

It’s a mess.

A total fucking mess.

While walking into the banquet hall, I broke out in a cold sweat.

To be exact, I was walking to a certain table.

There...

“As expected of you! This is why I’m your number one fan!”

Despite all this fuss.

Marquis Bogut clapped his hands while still wearing his usual expression.

“...”

He didn't even seem flustered.

As if he had predicted ‘of course he’ll do this much’.

“However, our esteemed guests here, please forgive me, but—”

His gaze lingered on the Empress and the Chancellor respectively before going back to me again.

As if I was more important than the two of them.

“I have something to say to you privately. Can you spare me some time?”

“...”

“...”

He said with a wink. Hearing that, the Empress’ and the Chancellor’s expressions turned serious at the same time.

They seemed to be trying to figure out what he was up to.

“...Your Imperial Majesty, Your Excellency the Chancellor.”

But I held them back.

“I’ll be okay.”

Not sure why...

But, I had a feeling that I needed to have a private conversation with this bastard right now.

The feeling was so strong.

Because I could sense something that was close to conviction in his gaze.

“Aiyaa, I was so surprised!”

That was what he told me when we got outside, at the terrace.

“So, when did you manage to seduce the two of them, Dowd Campbell? That was amazing—”

“...What do you want to tell me, Marquis Bogut?”

I cut him off before he could continue his cheerful words.

Now I could feel it.

The Empress said that this bastard had been interested in me.

But, even so, there was something that felt off.

There was just this weird anxiety. As if this bastard knew something I didn’t.

“Ahaha, don’t you think it’s a little bit too much and cold if we just get to the point immediately? Why don’t we talk about our lives first and—”

“...If you’re just going to talk about weird things, I’ll just leave.”

Well...

If he refused to say what he wanted, then he wasn’t worth dealing with.

I turned back towards the direction of the banquet hall. With that, I shoulda made my intention clear.

However...

“...Is Armin doing well?”

After I heard those words...

My footsteps halted.

“...”

This bastard.

What did he just say?

I looked at the Marquis with a stiff expression.

This was only our second meeting, but his usual grin was missing from his face.

Instead, he was wearing a rather serene smile.

As if he was recalling ‘nice memories'.

“...You.”

However...

When I saw that face, a chill ran down my spine.

I unconsciously let out a growl.

“Do you know my father?”

“Of course I do.”

The Marquis let out a grin.

“How could I forget about my dearest friend in this world?”

And such a sentence...

“After all, we used to compete over the same woman.”

Was what followed /genesisforsaken