Chapter 36

“I plan to petition His Majesty the Emperor to guarantee Feltrum’s autonomy more firmly. It seems he’s forgotten, so…” 

“…….”

“If you’re willing, I’d like you to accompany me, Sir Rufflo.”

Both Owen and Dario knew this wasn’t just a request for company.

“Young Earl.”

Dario sighed and straightened his posture, his expression turning serious.

His persistent refusals and indifferent attitude might have clouded his true feelings in fog.

He had to make his intentions clearer.

“I know that what His Majesty—the Emperor—did was wrong.”

It sounded positive at first, but Owen, knowing what came next, remained unmoved.

“Though it only concerns Feltrum, he endangered the welfare of the Empire’s people for his own petty interests.”

As soon as Dario finished, a knock echoed in the drawing room.

He stayed silent until the maid set down his teacup and warm water and left.

“But even if the Emperor’s power is weak, he’s still the Emperor. If I side with Feltrum and things go wrong…”

Trouble. Or worse than trouble was sure to follow.

“If I were alone, I’d help you regardless. But unfortunately, there are too many entanglements.”

It’s not easy.

Dario furrowed his brows, looking troubled.

“I hope you understand that I can’t step forward because I’m worried about them.”

Actually, those entanglements were somewhat helpful to him.

Not that he was really worried, but he used it as an excuse.

Even Owen couldn’t push him to help, given how the conversation was going.

“Hmm.”

Owen murmured.

“I fully understand your position.”

Dario wondered if Owen was finally giving up on persuading him.

“But what else can I do?”

Owen hadn’t given up.

“You’re the only one who was there. I have no other way but to persuade you.”

Dario sighed loudly, as if for Owen’s benefit.

“His Majesty calls me day after day, just because you are staying in the capital, Young Earl.”

Do you know how annoying and troublesome that is?

Dario finally revealed his true feelings.

“I’m just staying a bit longer since I’m here. He’s really a heartless person.”

Since the Emperor did what he did, Owen’s words were less than gentle.

“He started trouble without a plan, and for fear of being found out, he’s supported Feltrum more than necessary for the past fifteen years.”

If he could think, he wouldn’t repeat the same mistake twice.

Even Dario, who had suffered quietly under the Emperor, let slip some irreverent remarks.

“We never asked for support. In fact, we often wondered why he meddled so much in even small matters.”

Owen stood up as he spoke.

“Ah, are you leaving?”

Dario, his complexion noticeably brighter, asked. Owen looked at him—should I stay longer?

Dario closed his lips tightly, like a living stone.

“…….”

“…….”

“If you make such a face, even I feel hurt. Don’t worry. I’ll leave it here for today.”

Dario finally stood up from the sofa with him.

“Oh, and I must say this. As you mentioned, the Emperor is full of fears and worries.”

So until this matter is resolved, he’ll keep bothering you.

Dario answered indifferently.

“It’ll get better once you return to Feltrum, Young Earl.”

“I understand what you mean. But you’re mistaken.”

If I leave before things are settled, he’ll be even more anxious and bother you more.

Owen whispered quietly.

With no one else listening, why was he speaking so secretly? Dario felt uneasy.

“Anyway, thank you for meeting me despite my sudden visit.”

Dario opened the door without a reply.

“Take care.”

Dario personally opened the drawing room and front doors, politely urging Owen to leave.

It was a light gesture, like seeing off a relative who’d spent all day lecturing him.

“Yes. I’ll see you again soon.”

Owen, undeterred by the clear dismissal, cheerfully promised to return.

After confirming the door was closed, Dario turned away without hesitation.

Normally, he would have said, ‘Why should I do so much for Feltrum?’ but he softened his words.

Even if the harm wasn’t great, there were still citizens of the Empire affected by the incident.

He couldn’t bring himself to say such things as a noble of the Empire.

He’d taken three wide steps when the sound of the door opening and harsh sunlight poured onto his back.

He instinctively frowned and turned his head.

“……!”

He thought Owen had returned, but it wasn’t him.

The person entering through the mansion’s door was a servant from Wonton mansion.

Dario’s expression brightened instantly.

Seeing the bright yellow envelope, like forsythia in spring, he was sure it was from Fierra.

She was the only one at Wonton mansion who would choose such a lovely color.

Convinced it was for him, Dario smiled and reached out to the servant.

“It’s mine, right? Bring it here.”

* * *

To get straight to the point, the letter wasn’t for Dario.

It was from Fierra, but the recipient was Delia.

Looking at the envelope, it was clearly not just a letter asking after someone, but an invitation.

Dario forced himself to hide his surprise and asked bluntly,

<There must be one for me too, right?>

…but the answer came back without hesitation.

<No. There isn’t.>

He wondered if it was a tea party for ladies only, but it wasn’t.

It was Fierra’s first bazaar, held with her close lady friends, and the invitation.

Fierra’s ‘first’ bazaar. He hadn’t been invited to that meaningful event.

Did ‘I don’t like you anymore’ mean she didn’t even like him as a friend?

Or was it just part of keeping distance to quiet the rumors?

Or did she simply not want to invite him?

“At this rate, we’ll only see each other at each other’s funerals.”

He muttered a pointless joke, but couldn’t laugh.

It wasn’t a situation to laugh about.

The cool breeze wiped the sweat from his temples.

Even swinging his sword to clear his thoughts left him feeling more scattered.

“So cold-hearted.”

Dario muttered to himself as he walked down the outdoor corridor toward the knight order building.

In the past, she would have handed him the invitation first.

She would have asked him to come, and even if he promised, she’d have checked several times.

“My schedule was free yesterday.”

He couldn’t go now that it was over, but he still felt lingering regret.

He wanted to attend Fierra’s first bazaar.

He wanted to buy all the items she carefully prepared, donate generously for her success, and give her a bouquet of cute flowers.

But he never got the chance.

Suddenly, he remembered how Delia, who’d attended the bazaar yesterday, looked at him with pity.

Muttering, ‘Oh dear, what a shame, poor thing,’ over and over.

“Ridiculous.”

He’d spent all day in the training grounds, and had checked the front door repeatedly, hoping an invitation might arrive late.

But he wasn’t so down that he deserved such pity.

“Sir Rufflo!”

Dario, whose face was dark as if the lights had gone out, composed himself when he heard someone call him.

“What is it, Captain?”

Turning with a straight posture, Dario greeted Captain Ramil, who approached him with a relaxed attitude.