CH 88

However, the Emperor’s assistance was too tempting to be cut off here and now.

If word spreads that the monarch himself is interested in these perfumes, Rosaleen’s works will become more famous than from any other advertisement.

It was also obvious that after such rumor, a whole army of those wishing to place an order would gather.

“If Lady Croft praises perfume, I will trust your work too. Milady Celine, please make me one bottle too. I will pay.”

“Oh no. How dare I take payment from His Majesty? I’m honored to accept your order, sire.”

“Come to think of it… The Marquis Celine recently returned from the northern regions. I ought to see how my vassal is doing.”

He spoke to himself, but his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear that message.

The nobles frantically exchanged glances, hearing distinctly how the Emperor’s heart suddenly warmed towards the Celine house.

And Rosaleen shook her head, too.

“We will be happy to meet you.”

“I should pay more attention to you in the future.”

After such words, there is simply no nobleman who would look down on Celine’s house.

And when the Emperor said that he would no longer abandon the faithful Marquis, the faces of the nobility lit up with tension.

While joy shone on someone’s face, fear settled on another, a beautiful waltz melody still sounded in the hall.

The caustic atmosphere has subsided. Invitations to dance were heard from the men.

The nobles, hand in hand with their partners, headed to the center of the hall, and the rest became obsessed with Raymond.

To be precise, on Raymond, Lisa and me, on our triangle.

If I hadn’t been here, Lisa would certainly have been dancing with Raymond.

However, since Raymond has now secretly sided with me, I was anxious to see who he will ask to dance.

Will Raymond turn to me, forgetting about Lisa?

It will be the juiciest gossip of the whole evening.

When I saw all the looks around, a mixture of expectation and interest, it seemed to me that I was returning to that party at the Sios house.

The only thing that has changed in the new situation is the absence of Jeremy, who saved me that time.

As I recalled how Jeremy suddenly reached for me that time, a pair of brown shoes stood in front of me.

Who could it be?

“Beautiful lady, may I ask for a dance?”

Playful voice and relaxed lazy tone.

I knew who it was without even looking at my face.

Jeremy.

At first I was glad, but soon I was overwhelmed by a feeling of embarrassment.

When did you come?

It was very similar to his last sudden appearance. Last time I was happy with his help. Today I just felt funny and strange.

Because Raymond was here.

But before the embarrassment subsided, I was even more amazed to see where Jeremy’s hand was headed.

Because his request was directed at Lisa, not at me.

Why Lisa…

I have had enough of the previous concerns. Do you invite Lisa to dance?

I didn’t understand why he was referring to Lisa, but it looks like Raymond was concerned with very different things now.

If Raymond knows who Jeremy is…

Even just the thought went dark before my eyes.

Have you thought of cutting a wedge between us? In the presence of the Emperor?

Jeremy bowed to Lisa, ignoring my gaze.

He didn’t take his eyes off Lisa.

Lisa, looking embarrassedly at Jeremy’s hand, slowly moved her lips.

“…Who you are?”

A handsome man with platinum hair suddenly appeared before her.

Her cold remark was understandable. Lisa doesn’t even know Jeremy. It was unpleasant when a stranger called for a dance.

“It seems like the first thing to do is name yourself.”

Raymond gave Jeremy a sharp look.

His eyes, close to hostility, quickly began to worry.

Here was the heir to the loyalist family of the deposed Emperor and the new Emperor. This mixture has never been good.

I looked at them in suspense.

By Raymond’s orders, Jeremy has already put his hand on Lisa’s shoulder.

“You look somehow familiar… Have we met somewhere?”

Raymond studied Jeremy’s face in detail.

That’s why he pouted.

Raymond didn’t know who Jeremy was. But once he met him at the party of Marquis Sios 6 years ago… Do you really remember him?

I didn’t want Raymond to know a single detail about Jeremy until Jeremy took over as heir.

But if Jeremy fully returned to the Empire, he wouldn’t be able to hide his identity forever. He would still have to meet with Raymond. And then he could at least try to prove that he’s different from his father the Duke.

Because Raymond had only contempt and a desire to destroy towards Duke Drua.

All prominent houses from the former Emperor’s camp were carved out. And only the Drua family survived. A family that has carried its banner since the days of the first Emperor.

This was because if Drua disappeared, then the legacy of the Empire would be lost.

They survived for this reason, but no one guaranteed them a free life.

Duke Drua, who supported the late Crown Prince, and Raymond, who hated that prince.

Even a child could understand that the relationship between them wasn’t warm.

If the Emperor finds out Jeremy’s status at this critical moment, trouble is inevitable.

In the worst case, he could have even dragged Jeremy to dungeon under any pretext.

If you don’t mention Drua’s name, then everything will be all right.

I thought of a way out and was about to speak, but Jeremy was quicker.

“He just…”

“Oh, excuse me, but where are my manners? I was so glad to see Lady Sios on the street that I forgot about everything in the world.”

Our gazes met.

No. Not now. Jeremy, you can’t.

The moment I looked at him desperately, Jeremy smiled and appeared before Raymond for a bow.

“I greet you officially. Your Majesty. I’m Jeremy Drua, Duke Drua’s son. ”

The moment Jeremy’s words ended, it became as quiet as a cemetery at night.

The moment Drua’s name was spoken, sighs were heard everywhere.

Raymond frowned.

“House of Drua?” he asked doubtfully.

Platinum hair and amber eyes.

It was a natural reaction. There was no sign of the black color, the symbol of the Drua family.

At first, I also didn’t think that Jeremy would become the heir of Drua.

“That’s right. And although I wasn’t fortunate enough to inherit the symbol of Drua, I’m the only successor to the Duke.”

Jeremy lowered his head and spoke in a heavy tone.

However, Raymond’s face went cold as ice.

The atmosphere was filled with fear. Everyone held their breath.

Raymond’s eyes burned with fire. Something is about to happen.

But Ray suddenly turned to me.

I had no choice but to stand firm under the barrage of incomprehensible emotions contained in those dark eyes in front of me.

What… why are you looking at me like that?

He looked at me for a while and soon returned to Jeremy.

“So, the heir?”

“Yes, sire.”

“It turns out that Duke Drua has a son.”

“Every day I’m grateful to His Majesty for his virtue.”

“My virtue? Haha. Yes, every dog ​​in the city laughs at the Drua family.”

Raymond openly snipping at him.

“But the truth is this: didn’t you save us from the destruction our house deserved? And that is your virtue that we are still walking in the world.”