13

Princess Eloise’s gaze moved slowly from Amelia to the Emperor, and then to Empress Abigail.

Before today’s banquet, Empress Abigail had sent word for the Princess to come to the Empress’s palace.

Even after the appointed time passed, the doors to the Empress’s palace remained closed. Instead, only the sounds of passionate lovemaking filled the air.

Although a servant announced the Princess’s arrival, the doors didn’t open. The increasingly loud moans, deliberately audible, were Empress Abigail’s warning and display of power.

Now that Liam had become the Second Prince, there was no longer a place for the Princess. Even now, the Emperor chose the Empress, not the Princess. So she should disappear.

‘Amelia de Leverun, I know your kind too well.’

Eloise’s lips moved slowly and languidly.

“Cornelia, keep a close eye on Lady Leverun. She’ll soon be making love more persistently with Lord Wayne.”

“Even with more attention on Lord Wayne now? Wouldn’t she be more careful?”

The Princess suppressed a laugh.

“Cornelia, you’re so innocent. If they were sensible people, they wouldn’t have started this in the first place.”

The Princess continued while handling the folic acid prescription.

“Since Cedric announced he wouldn’t get engaged to Lady Leverun, she must be quite upset. And now that Lord Wayne and Lady Ronia are solidifying their engagement announcement, she must feel like she’s losing everything. So the closer the engagement announcement banquet gets, the more desperately she’ll seek confirmation of love from Lord Wayne.”

The Princess moved her steps.

“It will be most disgusting right before the banquet is held.”

Cornelia, who had been with the Princess in front of the Empress’s palace today, had trembling eyes.

“I understand.”

“Yes, and Lady Ronia has done something interesting. Tonight’s banquet will be more and more enjoyable as it progresses. So let’s fix our attire a bit more before returning. To match this tiara.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

* * *

The Grand Duke of Renigrad tilted his glass. The strong scent of reta flowed down his throat, but his mind remained complex.

Cedric’s announcement today was an entirely unexpected move. He couldn’t forget the look in Cedric’s eyes when he briefly faced Lady Ronia. It was the gaze of a man, after all.

‘Besides, has Cedric ever wanted anything before? I think this is the first time.’

He always carried out the Grand Duke’s orders with an indifferent face, but not once had the Grand Duke seen Cedric desire something.

‘Did he like Lady Ronia that much? Cedric isn’t one to act thoughtlessly.’

He should have been angry about this arbitrary action, but somehow he felt pleased—perhaps because he too secretly liked Lady Ronia.

After all, when he heard the news of her engagement announcement with Lord Wayne, he had felt quite regretful.

He couldn’t sway the future of the North for a personal reason like finding a lady’s eyes appealing, so he had only sighed.

The Grand Duke let out a small laugh and slowly raised the corner of his mouth.

“As Grand Duke, I should resolve this situation, but somehow I want to cheer him on.”

At that moment, Duke Ronia approached the Grand Duke as he was tilting his glass. Having received the Emperor’s favor, he wanted to boast and intimidate his only real competitor, the Grand Duke of Renigrad.

“It’s been a while, Grand Duke. I heard you’re very interested in the imperial-sponsored trading company. As it happens, Ronia is also quite interested.”

The Grand Duke raised one eyebrow and turned to look at Duke Ronia.

“As Grand Duke, you must know that the Second Prince has been very ill recently. I sent a precious herb to His Highness, and perhaps because of that, His Majesty the Emperor seems to look favorably upon Ronia. Haha.”

Duke Ronia laughed cheerfully. When else would he get to speak like this in front of the Grand Duke of Renigrad?

“You seem to have high expectations today, but I hope you won’t be too disappointed. After all, the Ronia family will be selected for the sponsored trading company.”

The smile that had stretched from ear to ear froze at the Grand Duke’s following words.

“You mean the laccarine herb?”

“No, how could the Grand Duke know about that? It’s such a rare herb that even Ronia could only obtain a singed laccarine herb.”

The Grand Duke’s eyes gleamed at the Duke’s surprised and rambling words.

He clearly remembered when he called a physician, he was told that laccarine herb changes its properties to become poisonous when singed, so caution was needed.

At that moment, Arne’s words flashed through his mind like a vision.

「I hope you’ll be selected for the sponsored trading company along with the Leverun family. Though I still don’t think you’ll succeed if you work with the Leverun Trading Company.」

“Could it be? Amazing. Did she plan even this back then?”

If Duke Ronia gave a poisonous gift and the Grand Duke of Renigrad gave an herbal gift, the selection for the imperial-sponsored trading company was already decided.

“So that’s why the Second Prince is so late to this banquet held in his honor.”

A chilling thrill ran down the Grand Duke’s spine. Everyone was dancing in the palm of Arne’s hand, who wasn’t even present here.

‘What a truly brilliant child.’

The Grand Duke somehow felt that everything would flow exactly as Arne had said.

‘It might not be so bad.’

As the Grand Duke kept muttering incomprehensible words and burst into laughter, Duke Ronia retreated hesitantly. Just then, the trumpet sound announcing the Second Prince’s arrival rang out.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Duke Ronia, his eyes gleaming, immediately headed toward the Second Prince. Seeing Kale who had already attached himself to the Duke, the Duke said,

“Just trust me. Didn’t I tell you I sent an antidote to the Second Prince? That’s why His Majesty the Emperor is so favorable toward Ronia.”

“I only trust you, Duke Ronia. This business must succeed. You know that, right? I even borrowed money using the House’s documents as collateral.”

“Of course. It will go well.”

Kale felt relieved at the Duke’s assurance. Marquis Wayne had borrowed funds from various families, mentioning Ronia’s reputation. He even went to an underworld pawnshop, using his territory and mansion documents as collateral to raise funds.

“By the way, is Marquis Wayne safeguarding the business funds well?”

“Yes, of course.”

Kale answered awkwardly. Recently, he had dipped into the business funds to buy jewelry in an attempt to win Amelia’s heart.

To obtain high-quality jewelry that wouldn’t lose in comparison to Cedric’s, it had been necessary.

‘Anyway, once we’re selected for the imperial-sponsored trading company, I can quickly replace the money.’

Kale smiled awkwardly, but the Duke, who was only pursuing the Second Prince, didn’t notice. Duke Ronia pushed aside the nobles who were conversing with the Prince and stood before the Prince with a bright smile.

“I greet the Second Prince. I am Duke Ronia.”

At that moment, the Second Prince’s face contorted. He clenched his fist, glaring murderously at the Duke and Kale who were smiling detestably.

Not understanding what was happening, the Duke cautiously began to speak.

“I sent a gift to congratulate Your Highness the Second Prince on your appointment. Did you receive it well?”

“The gift…… I received it very well. What were you thinking when you sent such a thing?”

“For the future that awaits Your Highness the Second Prince.”

Second Prince Liam’s lips twisted deeper and deeper. As a strange tension flowed, the nobles’ eyes moved busily. Even the Emperor and Empress turned their heads to look at Liam.

Today’s banquet is a very important one. Everyone will judge and test whether Liam, who has become the Second Prince, is qualified to be the Crown Prince. He couldn’t give them any small excuse.

For instance, being critically ill from poison.

“I received the Duke’s gift with great joy. I will certainly remember you, Duke Ronia. Though circumstances aren’t favorable now, I will definitely return the favor.”

Second Prince Liam gritted his teeth and barely maintained a smile. It was a somewhat uncomfortable smile, but Duke Ronia beamed at the Prince’s response.

“Thank you so much! I’ve also brought a rare southern fruit that’s good for the health, thinking of Your Highness.”

When the Duke held out a box, the startled Second Prince reflexively knocked it away roughly.

As the fruits that spilled from the box rolled across the floor, silence fell over the hall.

The Second Prince’s gaze sank coldly. Now everyone could see. This was clear rejection and hostility.

“I hate rare southern fruits very much. That will be all.”

The Second Prince coldly passed by the Duke and Kale. The nobles’ mockery and murmurs followed.

Surprised, Kale questioned the Duke accusingly.

“You told me to just trust you, but what is this?”

Kale anxiously rolled his eyes. This business had to succeed.

He had taken all these risks because Duke Ronia said he had obtained an antidote for the Second Prince.

Feeling anxious, Kale grabbed the Duke and pressed for an answer.

“Did you do it properly? The deal with the Ronia family was because of this business. You know what happens if things go wrong, right? Everyone in the Empire will know what Lady Bianca has done!”

“I definitely got the antidote! I hadn’t heard that he hates rare southern fruits. There must have been some misunderstanding. Just wait. The Ronia family and the Wayne family will surely be selected for the sponsored trading company!”