Chapter 2 – Scheh’s Boutique (Part 9)

The baron’s daughter had appeared in a lavishly decorated dress. The pristine white gown complemented her pink hair, and the large emerald necklace around her neck harmonized beautifully with the color of her eyes.

As soon as the ladies saw Bellaruse’s face, they pursed their lips but then fell silent upon seeing Inferno escorting her.

“I agree with that sentiment.”

Inferno chimed in. Appearing with Bellaruse in front of a gathering of noble ladies and wives was essentially confirming their relationship.

“Your Highness, is it true that you have broken off the engagement with the Lady Asillious ?”

The young lady of the Marquis of Essent stepped forward. If Reubellina was rejected, she had a chance. She thought she was far superior to the likes of Bellaruse.

“That’s an unnecessary question.”

Inferno spoke with a stern expression. His implication that they should have already understood the situation silently made the nobles avert their gaze. They saw no value in retorting to Inferno, who so casually admitted to his wrongdoing.

However, something seemed off. Inferno was not clearly stating that the engagement had been broken, leading the nobles to suspect he had other motives.

Having witnessed the unsavory actions of the imperial family many times, the nobles held their tongues. While they did not know who the hosts of this banquet were, the thought of potentially witnessing more unsavory deeds crossed their minds.

“Inferno, don’t get angry at Marquis of Essent’s daughter for her ignorance.”

“Bella, being this kind only makes other women ridicule you.”

“I’m just a baron’s daughter.”

“But now you’re my woman, so no one can treat you disrespectfully.”

He firmly grasped Bellaruse’s hand and she blushed shyly. The lustful male nobles could not take their eyes off her captivating appearance. The infatuated lords eyed Inferno with envy. Bellaruse reveled in their gaze, tilting her head slightly.

As her pink hair cascaded down, swaying at her waist, the nobles’ eyes became hazy. This was the moment when the effect of Bellaruse’s efforts to charm the lords with her wit and eloquence became apparent.

Feeling the envious gazes, Inferno lifted his chin, brimming with a sense of superiority. He had never experienced this kind of attention when he was with Reubellina. Their long engagement had meant no one envied their relationship.

Enveloped in a feeling of exhilaration from the jealous stares, Inferno was about to step forward and speak when…

“The hosts of today’s event have arrived!”

The imperial servant announced.

***

Sipping tea calmly in the imperial palace, the Emperor was startled by the news and abruptly rose from his seat.

“The man who has rented the banqueting hall today is Grand Duke Speraum?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why am I only hearing this now!”

“We had submitted the paperwork when he came to report it earlier.”

“Paperwork?”

The Emperor hastily sifted through the stack of documents he had set aside. As the imperial ballroom could only be used with his approval, he remembered signing the papers, but the details had slipped his mind.

‘This is strange.’

The rental fee for the ballroom was substantial, so he would not have casually overlooked it. After all, anyone with that much money was a cause for concern.

“It’s said that Grand Duke Speraum squeezed out an excessive amount from the budget of the North to rent the banquet hall.”

“Oh, I see.”

It finally dawned on him. The Emperor hurriedly searched for the documents. Thinking that the North lacked the funds, he had assumed Tartenon would not be able to rent the ballroom.

“Wait, did he actually pay for it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Where would the North have that kind of money?”

“We’re investigating it.”

The Emperor was most wary of the Grand Duke of Speraum amassing wealth in the North. If they gained both military might and financial power, the imperial family would no longer be able to control them.

Seeing the Emperor’s expression darken, the chamberlain hesitated for a moment on whether to reveal the latest news. However, he decided it was better to inform him now, as the Emperor would surely learn of it later, causing an uproar.

“Uh, Your Majesty…”

“What is it now?”

The Emperor’s voice sharpened, disliking any hesitation or stammering. Pausing to catch his breath, the chamberlain clenched his fists and reported.

“There is news that Duke Asillious  and Grand Duke Speraum are heading towards the banquet hall together at this moment.”

“What? Why are they together?”

“Erm… The Second Prince is said to have brought up breaking off the engagement with the Lady Asillious at the previous banquet.”

“I already knew that much. The Chancellor and I have already discussed it. I thought he had already settled things with the Duke and formally apologized for the mistake of the breakup?”

“But the Second Prince has entered the ballroom with the daughter of Baron Zeraon.”

“That fool of a prince!”

The Emperor rose abruptly. He didn’t know if it would be embarrassing for the nobility to witness a member of the imperial family being humiliated at the palace banquet hall. However, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the Emperor to visit a venue that didn’t match his dignity.

The Emperor only attended gatherings of nobles with whom he had special relationships. If he were to step into the banquet hall now, it would be an acknowledgment of a close relationship with Grand Duke Speraum.

“So, Duke Grand Speraum is behind this?”

Seated on the throne with a heavy sigh, the Emperor muttered to himself. Thanks to the impulsive actions of the Second Prince, not only had his own dignity been compromised, but he had also made the mistake of empowering Grand Duke Speraum’s domain with Duke Asillious

“Bring the Crown Prince to me immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The chamberlain hurried out, and the Emperor’s eyes gleamed.

“I thought he would understand with just that much, but I must have overestimated my own child.”

If things continued this way, his previous words to the Duke would be meaningless. Reubellina was intelligent and discerning, making her suitable to be accepted into the imperial family. Dissatisfied with the current Crown Princess, the Emperor had planned to introduce Reubellina as the Prince’s consort, intending to grant her real power instead of the Crown Princess.

However, with Inferno appearing at the ballroom with Bellaruse, the Duke would not simply sit idly by. He was the type who would not tolerate such a thing even once, let alone twice.

“Is it inevitable that I must eliminate the Duke Asillious as well?”

Drumming his fingers on the table beside his chair, the Emperor was lost in thought when he heard the sound from outside.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”