Chapter 3 – Imperial Palace Banquet (Part 7)

Reubellina deliberately provoked Selena’s anger further. Although she had only seen Selena a few times, Reubellina was well aware of her personality through Inferno’s laments.

The wild mare of the imperial palace feared no one except the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince. The Princess wielded her beautiful appearance to monopolize the Emperor’s favor but had a shadowy side about her.

The fact that this Princess had come to the Duke of Asillious’s residence, the Emperor must surely know. And yet, leaving Selena unchecked must mean that there was some intention behind it.

‘If I defy the Princess, she will accuse me of blasphemy.’

That’s why Reubellina had no choice but to yield to Selena. If she recklessly moved, her father, the Chancellor, could be put in danger. Furthermore, Tartenon could also be harmed. That’s why Reubellina had summoned Tartenon.

‘He should be arriving soon… He came so quickly last time, but why is he taking so long this time?’

Reubellina was inwardly frustrated with the still-absent Tartenon.

Just as she was grumbling to herself that if they had agreed to a marriage contract, he should be doing his utmost to protect his future wife, Selena’s gaze on her changed.

“You really didn’t know?”

“I’m afraid I truly don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Reubellina responded with an innocently naive expression. Seeing this, Selena slowly lowered her hand.

“You really didn’t know?”

“Yes.”

“I was supposed to be engaged to the Grand Duke of Speraum.”

“What? Oh my goodness.”

Reubellina exclaimed, as if it was the first time she was hearing this.

“If it weren’t for that cowardly wench, I would have been the Grand Duke’s fiancée.”

“And who might that cowardly wench be?”

“Who else but Bellaruse Zeraon!”

“My goodness. That woman is really something extraordinary.”

Reubellina echoed Selena’s words. She approached Selena and firmly grasped her hands.

“I understand your feelings very well, Your Imperial Highness.”

Selena’s eyes widened at the suddenness of Reubellina’s behavior.

“The young lady Zeraon was having an affair with my fiancé, the Second Prince… Huhu!”

Tears began to roll down Reubellina’s cheeks. It was easy for her to cry. Her emotions were not yet fully resolved.

Seeing the weeping Reubellina, Selena was flustered.

“What? They had an affair?”

“You know how much I loved the Second Prince, don’t you?”

Reubellina cleverly avoided answering directly, and Selena, who had been completely swayed by her, nodded.

Reubellina frequently visited the imperial palace and had always gifted Selena with beautiful jewelry and hair ornaments, so Selena had a certain degree of goodwill towards her.

“I know.”

With Selena’s tone softening a bit, Reubellina enthusiastically nodded her head.

“Are you sure? Did they really have an affair?”

“Yes, it’s already a public fact. If it weren’t for the young lady Zeraon, I would have married the Second Prince.”

“Goodness! That vixen-like woman not only had Tartenon but also dared to lay her hands on my brother?”

Selena trembled with rage at Reubellina’s words. The Princess, who had been raised as a precious flower in the imperial palace, had a naive side, and Reubellina was well aware of that. Knowing that Selena would not pay attention to the previous topic if the subject was changed, Reubellina deliberately mentioned Bellaruse.

Moreover, Selena was a person who extremely detested those who committed infidelity and placed great value on pure love. It was only natural that she could not simply overlook the story of Bellaruse.

When Selena showed signs of wavering at her words, Reubellina cried louder.

“Huhu… Your Highness, I was wronged. I never imagined I would face such a thing.”

“Don’t cry.”

“Sob…”

“I’ll go and scold Bellaruse, so don’t cry.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

There was an odd silence between them for a moment, and they exchanged glances.

Selena smiled wryly, not likely remembering why she had come to the Duke of Asillious in the first place. Reubellina repeatedly expressed her gratitude to the Princess.

When Reubellina saw Selena off with her handmaiden, who left Duke Asillious’s place with a confident expression on her face, the ducal servants applauded her as she returned inside.

She bowed to their applause like a theatre actress, her expression steady as she made her way to the second floor.

Bowing like a theatrical performer, Reubellina acknowledged their applause, then her expression hardened as she ascended to the second floor.

“Is she completely gone?”

“Yes, she’s left.”

“Phew.”

At least that was fortunate. Without even entering the study, Reubellina leaned against the wall in the corridor and clenched her fist tightly.

“Do I have to endure this because of that damned man?”

She had managed to deflect it this time, but she would likely return soon.

‘At least I’m going to the North tomorrow.’

If she didn’t go to the North, she would have to face Selena again, and Reubellina instinctively knew that she wouldn’t be able to get away with it so easily.

‘I won’t be able to bring up that emotional crap then.’

If Bellaruse hadn’t made herself disliked by Selena, she wouldn’t have backed down like that. Reubellina gestured to the head maid. Understanding her gesture, the head maid approached, and Reubellina whispered to her.

“If any guests come, please escort them directly to the study.”

“Not the reception room?”

“Yes. I think the Grand Duke will be arriving soon.”

“Understood.”

After the head maid respectfully bowed and left, Reubellina stood there for a moment to collect her thoughts, then went into the study. She planned to get the paperwork done as quickly as possible so that she could leave tomorrow.

Immersing herself in work, a loud noise suddenly reached her ears.

‘What now?’

It seemed something had happened again, even before the headache caused by Selena had subsided.

If it were Tartenon, it wouldn’t be this noisy, so Reubellina furrowed her brows. Before she could get up from her seat and go out, the door burst open.

“Reubellina!”

Reubellina’s face crumpled as she saw the face of the person who had shouted her name. It was a face that annoyed her so much that she couldn’t even manage her expression.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of the Second Prince’s visit?”

“Second Prince? Are you going to address me like that between us?”

“Ha!”

Reubellina didn’t hide her bursting laughter. It was ridiculous.

She immediately realized the reason why Inferno had come here. This too was the will of the imperial family.

‘Reluctant to let me go, are they?’

They wanted to try and persuade her somehow, as the wealth of the Asillious family was too precious to let go.

Before Reubellina could say anything, Inferno spoke first.

“Why don’t we reconsider our engagement?”

‘Has he gone mad?’

The long-lasting unrequited love had ended as unrequited love. And yet, he was now suggesting reconsidering their engagement. He must have lost his mind to say such a thing.

“His Majesty told me to have you as the Princess Consort and have Bellaruse as my mistress.”

“…”

That was truly nonsensical.

Reubellina didn’t want to respond to Inferno’s meaningless ramblings, so she simply listened to him without saying a word. Interpreting her silence as something positive, Inferno spoke up more.

“So you’ll take the position of the Princess Consort and grand Bellaruse real power.”

“You’ve truly gone mad.”

“Yeah, I don’t even know what kind of nonsense you’re spouting.”

Just as Reubellina was about to spit out her harsh words in disbelief, a terrifying aura-filled voice came from behind. She and Inferno both turned their heads.

Tartenon, leaning against the doorframe of the study, had a grim expression. His blue eyes were flickering and growing darker.

“To tell the future Grand Duchess of the North to become the Princess Consort, and openly say you’ll have a mistress. I’ve never heard of such a thing, Your Highness.”

Despite the man in front of him being a prince, Tartenon didn’t care. As a swordmaster, the immense pressure he exuded made Inferno’s body tremble.

Reubellina looked away from the trembling Inferno.

‘Ugh, did I really used to like someone like that?’

Reubellina frowned as she crossed her arms. It was a pitiful sight, but she didn’t feel like showing any sympathy. Thinking about the past 10 years, sympathy was out of the question. The life of a doormat was enough until the broken engagement.

“Ren, it seems the Prince is a bit unwell.”

“Unwell?”

Reubellina nonchalantly treated Inferno as if he were ill.

“If that were not the case, he wouldn’t be telling me to become the Princess Consort, let alone have a mistress. You wouldn’t dare make such a suggestion if you didn’t intend to dismiss the Duchy Asillious.”

‘Or maybe he just sees me as a joke.’

Either way, she didn’t like it. She disliked tarnishing the reputation of the Duke’s household, and she also disliked having her own reputation damaged. If Inferno had come to this Duke’s residence with that purpose, she would not let it slide quietly.

As Reubellina’s expression grew grim and a cold glint in her eyes, a look of bewilderment spread across Inferno’s face.

‘Looks like things aren’t going as he expected.’

He moved his lips as if wanting to say something, but Inferno couldn’t bring himself to speak. Tartenon’s glare seemed to deter him. Reubellina suppressed a sneer and crossed her arms. She was willing to listen to whatever Inferno had to say.

“Aren’t you leaving? If you’re unwell, you should go. Or is it not your body but your mind that is unwell?”

Tartenon said, stepping aside, signaling that if Inferno didn’t leave immediately, he would forcibly remove him.