Chapter 75

Time passed, and the day of the Imperial Family dinner finally arrived.  

Johann’s expression in the carriage was extremely gloomy.  

“Your Grace, if anyone saw you, they’d think you were being sold off as a monster’s groom.”  

Samuel, sitting across from him, spoke up.  

“That would be better. I could just cut it down, then.”  

Johann answered with a grim look.  

“I’m looking into cases where Imperial Family engagements or marriages have been annulled, so please wait just a little longer.”  

In Samuel’s hand was a document containing a chronological record of the Imperial Family.  

“I’m sure there will be at least one precedent you can use, Your Grace.”  

He pushed up his glasses.  

“I hope so.”  

If the moderate way didn’t work, he would have to think of underhanded methods.  

Even if he had to do that, this time he was determined to break the engagement.  

‘At the very least, he didn’t want to stand before Lia as someone else’s fiancé.’  

Before he knew it, the carriage had passed through the palace gates and arrived at the Emperor’s main palace.  

“Then I’ll keep searching and wait, Your Grace.”  

“Alright. See you later.”  

Composing his expression, Johann got off the carriage and followed the Emperor’s attendant to the banquet hall.  

Unlike the banquet hall used for parties with nobles, the one used for dinners with direct relatives was smaller but just as splendid.  

‘Still as dazzlingly ornate as ever.’  

He had first come here on the day of the engagement ceremony.  

Even then, he had endured, barely suppressing his anger.  

Everyone except the Emperor and Interim Empress had already arrived in the banquet hall.  

“Johann, come in!”  

Matthias opened his arms wide and approached Johann.  

“Today will be tough, are you prepared?”  

He lightly hugged Johann and whispered quietly.  

“Of course.”  

Both the Emperor and Interim Empress would surely push for marriage with the Princess.  

‘He would have to defend himself desperately, after all.’  

After greeting Matthias, Johann greeted the Crown Princess and Lucia politely.  

Then he offered a perfunctory greeting to Patrizia and Florian.  

“You’re only cold to me.”  

“That can’t be.”  

“Hm, maybe that’s why I’m more drawn to you?”  

Patrizia curled her lips at Johann.  

“My sister really does enjoy pain, you know.”  

Florian snickered beside her.  

They were a pair of siblings he really didn’t want to see.  

Not long after Johann sat next to the Princess, the doors of the banquet hall opened.  

“The most radiant sun in the sky, His Majesty the Emperor, and the enchanting moon of the heavens, the Interim Empress, are entering!”  

With the entrance of the Emperor and Interim Empress, the attendant announced in a loud voice.  

Everyone rose from their seats and paid their respects.  

“It’s been a while since the whole family gathered. I’ve been remiss.”  

The Emperor stroked his beard and sat at the head of the table.  

His red hair, like Matthias’s, was streaked with white.  

The Emperor’s amber eyes swept over his children, granddaughter, and Johann.  

“Now, everyone, be seated.”  

Once everyone sat, the attendants began serving appetizers.  

“Lucia, are your studies in statecraft going well?”  

The Emperor asked his granddaughter with a genial smile.  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Lucia nodded slightly in response.  

“Tsk, ‘Your Majesty’? You should call me Grandfather.”  

The Emperor turned his head.  

Then he glared at his eldest son, who had called him nothing but ‘Your Majesty’ ever since the Empress Consort died.  

“Since you only call me ‘Your Majesty,’ even my only granddaughter is following suit, isn’t she?”  

A slightly irritated tone crept into his voice.  

“…My apologies.”  

Matthias, sitting closest to the Emperor, bowed his head slightly with a stiff expression.  

“Your Majesty, since the Duke of Blumhart is here, let’s let it go today.”  

Narcissa, sitting opposite the Emperor, softened the atmosphere with her gentle voice.  

“Hmph, for the Interim Empress’s sake, I’ll let it go today.”  

The Emperor’s gaze now turned to Johann.  

“Duke of Blumhart. It feels warmer and friendlier to see you here rather than in the council room.”  

“It is an honor for me as well, Your Majesty.”  

“You don’t visit often.”  

“My apologies, Your Majesty. Being responsible for a family makes it difficult to find time.”  

“That just means you’ve worked hard for your house and country, so no need to apologize.”  

The Emperor savored a sip of wine poured by an attendant.  

“But you’ve been coming to this banquet hall for some time now, and yet our Patrizia is still unmarried. It pains me.”  

He spoke to Johann again.  

“…I am ashamed, Your Majesty.”  

“I didn’t bring it up to hear that. When will you finally take my daughter?”  

He pressed on, still smiling.  

“My daughter hasn’t yet adjusted to the mansion, so it will be difficult for the time being.”  

Johann bowed his head slightly.  

“…First it was a sick younger sister, now it’s a suddenly-appeared daughter?”  

Patrizia, sitting next to Johann, snapped.  

“My apologies to Her Highness as well.”  

“What will you do for me if I patiently wait a little longer?”  

What trick is this?  

Johann’s eyebrow twitched slightly.  

“What do you want?”  

Since he couldn’t avoid it in this atmosphere, he decided to listen for now.  

“After tonight’s dinner, please stop by my palace for a moment.”  

The Princess smiled an unreadable smile.  

She was definitely scheming something.  

‘I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible, but now she was asking me to stop by her palace.’  

If he wanted to keep the Emperor from bringing up marriage again tonight, maybe he had to accept.  

“…Then I’ll stop by for a bit.”  

Having no choice, he accepted and downed his wine.  

“Tonight is wonderful. You’re agreeing to my request so willingly.”  

Patrizia clasped her hands together with an exaggerated gesture.  

Florian snickered beside her.  

“Duke of Blumhart.”  

Narcissa, who had been quietly focused on her meal, called him.  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

“I heard your house developed a new medicine.”  

“Yes, that’s correct.”  

“Ah, I heard as well. Duke of Blumhart, what kind of great mage do you have?”  

Johann hesitated, wondering if he should mention Lia’s existence.  

“I heard she’s Rafaella’s birth mother, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened.  

“Is that so, Duke of Blumhart?”  

Narcissa pressed him.  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Johann replied reluctantly.  

“I heard she didn’t attend the Academy. Who taught her?”  

Narcissa asked in a gentle tone.  

“I heard she studied on her own, without a teacher.”  

Finding it suspicious that Narcissa was pressing so hard, Johann lied.  

“…I see.”  

“Is that really possible, alone?”  

The Emperor shifted in his seat.  

“I’d love to hire her for the Imperial Mage Tower!”  

The Emperor shouted, glancing at Narcissa.  

Muttering “What a shame, what a shame,” the Emperor was distracted as the Crown Princess changed the subject.  

Johann silently thanked the Crown Princess.  

Thus, the dinner—which felt like an eternity for Johann and the Matthias family—finally ended.  

Johann followed Patrizia to her palace.  

“No need to make such a sour face. Once you see, you’ll probably like it too.”  

Patrizia’s eyes sparkled slyly.  

‘Like it? What nonsense is that?’  

Just before reaching the entrance to the palace, Johann suddenly felt dizzy and panicked.  

‘…I didn’t drink that much, so why am I so dizzy?’

He was rarely affected by alcohol, so it was strange.  

“Wow, looks like it’s taking effect already?”  

The Princess, who was at his side, supported him as he staggered.  

“Lean on me, Duke.”  

Patrizia pulled him closer into her arms.  

Johann grew more and more dizzy.  

His vision blurred and cleared repeatedly.  

And the scent of the Princess, so close—  

‘…It’s disgusting.’  

Just what had she…  

“…What did you do to me?”  

Johann asked in a hoarse voice.  

“What do you mean?”  

The Princess opened her eyes wide and tilted her head.  

“…Cut the nonsense. I asked what you did.”  

Johann grabbed Patrizia’s shoulders hard and demanded.  

“That hurts, Duke. You still have some strength left, I see.”  

Attendants pulled Johann away from Patrizia.  

He was unable to control his body properly because of the drug.  

Johann tried to shake off the attendants and stand upright.  

“I just put a little ‘love potion’ in your wine, that’s all.”  

Patrizia approached Johann with a light step.  

‘…Love potion?’  

The so-called ‘love potion’ was a low-grade magical drug, traded secretly and often used in brothels.  

Using it without the other’s consent was a serious crime.  

And she had put that into his wine?  

“You should’ve just given in a little.”  

“…You’re insane.”  

He staggered again as dizziness washed over him.  

“It’s all your fault.”  

She grabbed his shoulder and whispered into his ear.  

“……Shut up.”  

Johann harshly brushed off her hand.  

“What are you doing? Grab him!”  

The Princess turned and ordered the attendants.  

Strong attendants surrounded Johann.  

“…You’re out of your mind.”  

“After we spend the night together, none of your excuses will work anymore.”  

The Princess smiled slyly from behind the attendants.  

“The wedding should be held in the Grand Temple, according to tradition, right?”  

Johann shook his head, trying to clear his mind.  

“Ah, what dress should I wear?”  

Patrizia, eyes sparkling in ecstasy, gazed into the air and led the way toward the Princess’s palace.