Chapter 5 – Adaptation (Part 5)

Elysia couldn’t understand why the aristocratic supremacist Earl Kumaran wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Duke, who was a close aide to King Brunchia and held the position of the first administrative minister.

“Why does the Earl want to marry into the Duke’s family when he opposes His Majesty’s policies? From the Earl’s perspective, isn’t the Duke’s family practically an adversary? And this is just my speculation, but didn’t the Duke’s family avoid marriages that could threaten His Majesty? It seems unlikely that the Earl’s family wouldn’t have known this.”

Aaron looked troubled.

“While Earl Kumaran differed politically, he seemed to focus on the fact that the former Duke shared similar beliefs with the aristocratic supremacists. The former Duke was a conservative who disliked nobles mingling with non-nobles. Therefore, he had a positive view of the Marquis Orga’s idea regarding a noble trading company. This likely led the Earl to believe that uniting their forces through marriage could elevate the country to a noble-centered state.”

Elysia felt a headache coming on just from hearing this much. It wasn’t merely about having the best groom; it was crucial for them to create a superior world for nobles, which made the marriage proposal with the Duke significant, but it didn’t come to fruition. Therefore, she was already worried about what kind of attacks might be launched at her and the Duke during this luncheon.

‘It will be a fierce game of wits disguised as a friendly luncheon. Last time, I only had to deal with the Earl’s family, but this time, there will be many others curious about me…’

Unaware of Elysia’s concerns, Aaron continued his explanation.

“Then, continuing on, let me explain about the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carnelia Septimum is…”

Elysia felt overwhelmed by the endless explanations and just wanted to pretend to faint and fall asleep.

***

The luncheon for the administrative meeting delegates and their families, hosted by King Clois, was held in a sunlit location. 

Built similarly to the court banquet hall with steel frames and reinforced glass, this place had large windows from floor to ceiling, providing a full view of the garden outside. As a result, it felt as if one were dining in a well-tended forest.

Those invited to the luncheon were all seated around a large table, waiting for the King to appear.

Meanwhile, Elysia looked around at the attendees. Marquis Emilliano van Gottree, a professor at the Royal Academy and a friend of the Duke, attended alone. Although he was merely a scientific and technological advisor, the King had forcibly summoned him as punishment for frequently skipping meetings.

“You managed to skip meetings with all sorts of excuses, yet you showed up today.” 

When Cassius pointed this out, Emilliano replied.

“Isn’t it more beneficial for the country and His Majesty for me to dedicate my time to research rather than attending meetings? However, His Majesty insisted that I attend this luncheon, so as a loyal subject, I couldn’t refuse. Besides, there’s something different about today.”

When Emilliano’s gaze landed on her, Elysia realized that the “different” aspect was herself.

“In that case, you should have at least shown the courtesy of bringing a companion.”

Emilliano exaggeratedly feigned surprise. 

“You always went alone too, and now that you have someone to come with, you’re nagging? There’s an Eastern proverb about a frog not remembering its tadpole days, and it fits you perfectly.”

Elysia involuntarily flinched at the frog proverb, as it was a memory from her past life that felt too familiar. Meanwhile, Earl Kumaran and his daughter Sera looked at Emilliano with disdain, as if he lacked decorum.

On the other side sat the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carnelia Septimum, and a woman said to be her niece.

‘Minister Septimum. Her mother inherited a high noble title from the Sertlan Peninsula, but her father was a titleless Brunchian knight, so she’s sometimes called Lady Carnelia here.’

Elysia recalled Aaron’s teachings.

‘The maternal family of Minister Carnelia Septimum has traditionally married into the royal family or high nobility, possessing one of the continent’s most extensive intelligence networks. It’s colloquially known as the ‘Royal Marriage Candidate Factory.’”

After hearing this explanation, Elysia had a feeling that Minister Septimum would have shown considerable interest in Cassius. Aaron’s next words confirmed her suspicion.

‘She lost her husband early and has no children, but about a year ago, her niece from her maternal side came to live with her in Brunchia. She is likely to attend with that woman this time… Although it wasn’t a formal marriage proposal, she tried several times to introduce her niece to the Duke.’

Reflecting on Aaron’s explanation, Elysia had an ominous thought that this gathering of the court affairs meeting delegates might also become a battlefield for the daughters who had been rejected in marriage proposals to the Duke, and his current fiancée.

The niece brought by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Isis, was of mixed descent from the Sertlan Peninsula and the southern region of Brunchia. She had a very sensual figure and strikingly red hair that made her stand out wherever she was. Her presence was apparent regardless of location. She possessed a different charm from Sera, the Earl’s daughter, who had light hair, an elegant and reserved demeanor, and represented the traditional beauty of Brunchia. Her personality was also bold, as she laughed heartily at what others said or roughly brushed her hair back without caring about her surroundings.

‘Sera… don’t look at her as if she’s a barbarian. Even if you sit there pretending to be noble, your heart is more barbaric.’

Elysia inwardly cursed as she watched Sera glare at Isis with disdain.

On the other side sat the imposing Georg Lance, Minister of Defense, and his son. Like his father, the son, Bjorn, inherited northern blood, was tall, and had a handsome face tanned from sword training and faded wheat-colored hair.

‘He’s fully grown but seems a bit nervous.’

As Elysia observed the stiffly seated Bjorn, she smiled at him to signal him to relax when their eyes met. But Bjorn only turned even redder, all the way to his ears, and became stiffer.

‘He’s shy. How cute…’

“His Majesty King Brunchia and Princess Karinsa are entering.”

At that moment, with the introduction of the attendant, King Clois and Princess Karinsa entered the dining room.

Taking advantage of the confusion as everyone stood to pay their respects, Cassius discreetly dropped a pill into Elysia’s drink. Emilliano did not miss this moment.

As King Clois took his seat, he addressed everyone.

“Queen Agnes is meeting with a foreign delegation, so Princess Karinsa will join us instead. Thank you all for attending.”

While it was true that a foreign delegation had arrived, the Queen could have attended if the schedule had been adjusted. However, Princess Karinsa had insisted on attending this luncheon, and the King, unable to refuse his sister, allowed her to attend in the Queen’s place.

As soon as Princess Karinsa entered, she blushed and sparkled her eyes at Cassius. Elysia looked at her with pity. She wondered what was so appealing about the Duke that she couldn’t even control her expressions.

“I’m pleased to meet the Duke of Grendel’s fiancée today. I’ve heard you’re from the House of Serenze, and you seem to be a beautiful and dignified young lady.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty.”

As Elysia responded to the King’s compliment, all eyes turned to her. Sera van Kumaran looked particularly displeased, as if she found being at such an event very unpleasant. Princess Karinsa, who regarded her as a rival, appeared resentful, while Isis Septimum looked intrigued. With all these eyes on her, Elysia felt like she might get indigestion even though she hadn’t eaten anything yet.

“But it seems like you have a tough time with the Duke, who always has such an inscrutable expression.”

Elysia maintained a social smile without agreeing or disagreeing.

<< Thank you for noticing, Your Majesty! The Duke seems consistent even in front of you. I can’t figure out what this Duke is thinking at all! Can you understand him, Your Majesty? >>

Cassius flinched as Elysia’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind. He looked at Elysia, but outwardly, she was wearing an elegant smile.

“But Cassius… I mean, the Duke of Grendel’s consistent nature is charming. To assist him, he must have a cool-headed personality, right? If he can be with someone like that, I think I’d feel at ease for life.”

Elysia felt nothing but pity for Princess Karinsa, who was defending the Duke.

“I’ve heard the Ducal residence is very elegant and dignified. I’d love to visit sometime.”

Princess Karinsa subtly pleaded with the Duke.

“The Ducal residence is insignificant compared to the royal palace and unworthy of a visit from a princess of the realm.”

Cassius replied politely.

<< That’s right, Princess! Someone like you, who has spent a lifetime in the bright and splendid royal palace, wouldn’t last a moment in the Ducal residence, which is like a gloomy demon king’s castle. A good princess shouldn’t be interested in such places. Shoo, shoo. >>

Cassius’s hand almost slipped as he raised his glass. Even though it was her inner thoughts, she spoke as if addressing a young girl. Incidentally, Princess Karinsa was a year older than Elysia.

Emilliano, observing Cassius’s slightly off behavior since giving Elysia the pill, was curious.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen him so unsettled. What kind of extraordinary things is his fiancée saying to make this composed man act so uncharacteristically flustered?’

Meanwhile, King Clois was relieved that the Duke had refused the Princess’s visit and recalled the one time he visited the Ducal residence when he was very young.

‘It probably hasn’t changed much since the death of the previous Duke; if it’s still the same, it must be a gloomy place. Even the military academy would feel brighter than the Ducal residence. The daughter of Serenze will have to stay in such a place from now on? According to the report, the Serenze family may not be high nobility, but they seemed to have raised their children brightly and freely. Cassius wouldn’t care about that. His fiancée is to be pitied.’