Chapter 36

“Yes. I said it. I thought it would be wonderful to have a banquet welcoming His Highness, the Grand Duke.”

“…….”

“It’s a great opportunity for all the nobles to see His Highness, isn’t it?”

Kahil’s true nature hadn’t yet been revealed to all the nobles. Only a handful of people in the Imperial Palace knew, and even those who had heard about it didn’t believe it.

“That’s right! That’s why I want a party!”

Already excited at the thought of the banquet, Kahil shouted. Was he thinking of the banquet as a meeting with his fans? Diana pressed her forehead at Kahil’s absurd request.

“Well… Unfortunately, a palace banquet isn’t something that can be held just because you want it, Your Highness.”

If Kahil became the star of the banquet, the ballroom would be thrown into chaos. Just imagining it made Diana’s head spin.

“A banquet in the Imperial Palace requires preparation. Above all, there’s not much time to invite the nobles. Some may not be able to make it.”

“That’s nothing to worry about, is it? It’s a banquet to welcome His Highness, so everyone will come.”

Indeed, since it was Grand Duke Kahil, even if the banquet was held today, plenty of nobles would show up. But there was one thing that absolutely couldn’t be done.

“More importantly, a palace banquet needs His Majesty’s permission. I doubt… His Majesty would allow it.”

There was no way Evan would host a banquet for Kahil, especially given his current mood.

“So, instead of a palace banquet, why not consider something else? Maybe a small, simple gathering with just a few people…”

“Oh my, why? I think His Majesty would allow it.”

“…His Majesty?”

“Yes. Very gladly.”

What was she so confident about? Diana looked at Sophia with anxious eyes. Meanwhile, Kahil, having finished all the cake at the table, waved his fork.

“I finished my cake. I want more.”

“I’ve already instructed them to prepare more. Please wait a little longer.”

Diana had become used to Kahil’s love for desserts and had naturally asked the attendants to bring more. Just then, the door opened and the attendants came in with a tray full of desserts.

“Excuse me. We brought the desserts you requested.”

“Come in.”

“Yes. But…”

“What is it? Is something wrong?”

The attendants glanced nervously toward the back. Through the gap, Evan entered the room.

“His Majesty has come as well.”

“His Majesty?”

Diana exclaimed in surprise at Evan’s arrival. Sophia and Kahil were in the office, but Evan didn’t react much, as if he already knew.

“How did you know to come here… Isn’t it working hours?”

“I saw the desserts being brought in and followed.”

Evan’s gaze turned to Kahil.

“No one eats so many desserts in the Imperial Palace except the Grand Duke.”

“…….”

“So. Why is the Grand Duke here?”

Kahil seemed even happier about the extra desserts than Evan’s arrival. Smiling at the new desserts in front of him, Kahil finally looked up and greeted Evan.

“Oh! Your Majesty! Hello!”

“…….”

Unlike the innocent Kahil, Evan didn’t greet him at all. Of course, Kahil didn’t notice the atmosphere.

“This is perfect, Your Majesty! I want to hold a palace banquet. Will you do it for me?”

“A palace banquet?”

“Yes. Since I came from the North, I should at least get a welcome banquet, right? Isn’t that right?”

With each word Kahil spoke, Diana’s expression darkened. With a request like that, it was obvious Evan would refuse. But instead, Sophia spoke up.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Isn’t it a wonderful idea? I agree.”

“…….”

“Think about it. It’s a chance to introduce His Grace to the nobles. Including the Daian Dukedom, to all the nobles in the capital. To show them his true self.”

Sophia and Evan’s eyes met. They were already communicating wordlessly. Evan spoke.

“That’s good.”

Evan’s quick decision left Diana the one surprised now.

“What?”

“Let’s hold a palace banquet. A welcome banquet for the Grand Duke.”

A welcome banquet? That would mean all the nobles would see Kahil’s true self… Oh no, could it be?

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, they say. For once, Evan and Sophia had joined forces, both smiling wickedly. Diana sighed at their evil smiles, while Kahil simply continued eating cake with delight.

*   *   *

“Fool? What do you mean by that?”

The nobles gathered before Arthur couldn’t hide their disbelief at the talk about Kahil. Excited by the news that Grand Duke Kahil had arrived in the capital, they had come to Arthur, but the story they heard from him shocked them.

“Just as I said. His speech, his actions—nothing about him resembles the person in the book. Not at all.”

Arthur shook his head, recalling the days Kahil had stayed at the ducal residence. There wasn’t a single thing he did well. The more they met, the more despair he felt.

“That bad? But surely there are basic manners expected of a Grand Duke…”

But the nobles who hadn’t yet met Kahil looked uncertain. They couldn’t quite grasp what kind of person Kahil was. Some even wondered if Arthur was exaggerating, though none dared say it aloud.

“Anyway, given that, what will you do now, Duke?”

According to the original plan, Arthur would have discussed Kahil’s engagement to Irene, forming an alliance between the Karbel Grand Duchy and the Daian Dukedom. But with the plan going awry in an unexpected way, the nobles looked to Arthur, waiting for his answer.

“The plan remains unchanged.”

“But His Highness…”

“Actually, this might be an opportunity.”

At first, Arthur had been overwhelmed by Kahil’s true nature, but now he saw it as a chance. In fact, offering the imperial throne was a sensitive matter, so maybe Kahil was better suited now.

Since Kahil truly believed he was the great man from the book, if Arthur persuaded him gently, he might accept being Emperor easily. His behavior could be corrected later. Yes, Arthur was slowly starting to see things positively.

“For now, since he’s at the Imperial Palace, I should call him back to the ducal residence. So that he’s out of the nobles’ sight as much as possible. Then…”

Arthur never finished his sentence. At that moment, the sound of someone knocking on the door drew everyone’s attention. Arthur’s brow furrowed.

“Sorry to interrupt, but…”

“I told everyone not to come here. What is it?”

“Yes, but an invitation arrived from the Imperial Palace. It’s urgent, so I had to come in.”

The attendant, bowing deeply at Arthur’s cold expression, approached and handed him the invitation. At the mention of an invitation from the palace, Arthur reacted.

“An invitation? What kind?”

“I’m not sure. But they said you need to respond quickly.”

“Fine, leave me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Arthur took the invitation from the attendant’s hand. Seeing the imperial seal on the envelope, his lips tightened. An unexpected invitation—he had a bad feeling.

“…Imperial Banquet Invitation?”

Arthur muttered as he read the first words inside. As he grasped the situation, he crumpled the invitation in one hand. The nobles, startled, asked,

“What kind of invitation is it?”

“They’re holding a banquet to welcome Grand Duke Kahil. At the Imperial Palace.”

“What?”

A welcome banquet for Kahil. All the nobles curious about him would surely attend. That meant Kahil’s true nature would be revealed to everyone.

How dare that brat…

Arthur’s eyes flashed with anger as he thought of Evan, who had once again disrupted his plans.