Chapter 42

As Sophia approached Irene, the people around them began exchanging glances. Their meeting was a source of interest for everyone present.

“Lady Christine.”

Irene accepted Sophia’s greeting, though it was far from warm.

“I didn’t expect you to come over to me, Lady Christine. What brings you here?”

“There doesn’t need to be a particular reason to come over, does there?”

Sophia responded to Irene’s question, glancing at Kahil standing beside her.

“Seeing you two together, you really do make a lovely pair. I heard you’re getting engaged soon? Congratulations.”

Irene was silent for a moment, perhaps surprised by Sophia’s compliment, but she still seemed wary.

“I see. Lady Christine, you and His Majesty looked wonderful together too, entering the ballroom as partners. So the rumors about you two being lovers were true after all. At the last social gathering, you denied it so strongly.”

“No, it’s just a rumor. His Majesty and I truly have nothing between us. I only became his partner because, thanks to the rumors, no other lady was willing, so I had no choice.”

“You don’t have to go out of your way to explain, but fine, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Even after all this time, the relationship between the two was still strained. Diana, standing nearby, noticed Sophia’s grip tightening on her fan. It was a precarious situation.

“Well, I’m not particularly eager to clear up the misunderstanding.”

But Sophia didn’t seem too shaken. Soon, she looked at Kahil, who was standing quietly beside them, and smiled.

“By the way, Your Highness, it’s okay for you to speak now.”

Irene’s eyebrows rose in confusion at Sophia’s words. But Kahil was different. As if he’d been waiting, Kahil’s previously stoic face lit up at Sophia’s cue.

“Really? I can talk now?”

*   *   *

Arthur and Philip entered the balcony of the ballroom. The thick curtains blocked out the noisy sounds of the banquet; everything was suddenly quiet.

“Lovely night.”

“…….”

“And a fine banquet, too. By the way, I heard about the engagement with the Karbel Grand Duchy. That’s really something to celebrate, isn’t it?”

Philip smiled and offered his congratulations, but Arthur’s face was completely twisted.

“…I’d prefer you not say things you don’t mean. You know the Grand Duke’s true nature as well as I do.”

“I heard a little about it from my daughter. But so what? It’s still the Karbel Grand Duchy. A union between two great houses. Isn’t that what the Daian Dukedom always pursued? Unless there’s some serious reason why His Highness’s difference between appearance and reality is a problem.”

Philip tilted his head, feigning innocence. Arthur bit his lip before speaking.

“I have something I’d like to ask, about your family’s engagement, Marquis.”

In fact, the engagement between the Imperial family and the Marquis family was even more influential than the one between the Grand Duchy and the Dukedom. Arthur tried not to show it, but it bothered him.

“Is it true? That there’s talk of an engagement with the Imperial family?”

Arthur had no choice but to ask directly, since Philip hadn’t expressed any opinion about the rumors of Evan and Sophia’s engagement. He didn’t like it, but it was unavoidable.

“Oh, you mean the rumors about my daughter and His Majesty. Yes, everyone’s been asking me if it’s true.”

“…So what did you say?”

“I said I would follow my daughter’s wishes.”

It was a deliberately vague answer. Arthur’s brow furrowed.

“You speak as if the issue of marriage with the Imperial family is trivial.”

“Not at all. How could I not know the weight of marrying into the Imperial family? But I respect my daughter’s wishes just as much.”

“…….”

“Whether she becomes Empress or anything else, I want to support whatever Sophia wants.”

Was that sincere or not? Arthur couldn’t read Philip’s true feelings behind his smiling face. Arthur spoke again.

“So, you say you want to support your child’s wishes. Then, what if Lady Christine wants to become the lady of our house? Would you allow the marriage, Marquis?”

A union between the Daian Dukedom and the Christine Marquisate would be a major event. Philip blinked a few times and then smiled.

“That’s quite an interesting scenario. Marriage with the Daian Dukedom.”

“…….”

“By the way, you brought your son to the banquet today, right? I recognized him instantly from afar.”

Philip replied, recalling the young man who looked just like Arthur.

“I don’t mind. As I said, I support Sophia’s wishes. If she wants to become the lady of the Dukedom, I’ll let her.”

That was Philip’s answer. Arthur realized that the Christine Marquisate’s neutrality was still intact. That was why, even with rumors of engagement with the Imperial family, marriage with the Dukedom was still possible.

At present, Philip neither denied nor confirmed the rumors. But he wasn’t taking an active role in the engagement either. In other words, the engagement with the Imperial family could break off at any time. Arthur understood this.

Christine would always move toward whatever benefited them most, even if it meant opposing the Imperial family.

“Alright then. I understand. I can accept your answer, Marquis.”

“Is that so? I don’t think I really answered much, but I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

With the situation with Kahil now unstable, Arthur saw new possibilities with the Marquis family. After all, Irene wasn’t his only child.

“I hope we can talk again in the future. What do you think?”

“I’m available anytime, as long as my schedule allows. As always, our house never turns away visitors.”

“Good. Then I’ll send someone to contact you later.”

With that, their conversation ended. Arthur turned to leave the balcony first. Philip asked,

“Will you stay in the ballroom?”

“No. I’ll leave the rest to Aaron and head home.”

There was no point in staying here—nothing good was going to happen.

Arthur thought of Kahil. For some reason, things were quiet now, but that calm wouldn’t last. Arthur’s main reason for coming to the banquet had been to meet Philip. Now that was done, there was no reason to remain. Watching Evan give a speech as Emperor to the nobles was not a pleasant sight for Arthur either.

“…….”

Arthur left first, leaving Philip alone on the balcony. Leaning quietly on the railing, Philip stroked his chin and murmured,

“This is getting quite interesting.”

As usual, Philip smiled with narrowed eyes, sensing the lively atmosphere inside the ballroom. Soon, he pulled back the curtain and left the balcony, entering the banquet hall where the mood was even more chaotic. Philip noticed that all the nobles’ eyes were fixed on one spot.

The faces of the nobles, all staring at one place, were filled with confusion, shock, and fear. Philip’s gaze followed theirs to the group standing in the center. And there, standing and smiling more brightly than anyone, was Kahil. Soon, his voice rang out loudly through the hall.

“It’s so nice to see everyone! Thank you for coming to my welcome banquet!”