Now, Go Ahead and Stamp It - Chapter 43

‘I wonder how it turned out.’

The sunlight breaking over the man’s back scattered in white over his hair.

His eyes, reflecting the pale dawn sky through his silver hair that caught the sunlight, were deep in thought.

His name was Crescent Istazio.

He was Kaiden Istazio’s half-brother, the second prince born of concubine Bellates Istazio, and had the Baroque Marquisate as his maternal family.

Crescent, unable to bear the boredom, was tapping his desk.

‘It’s about time….’

When will they arrive?

Just as he was thinking that, a knock sounded at the door.

Playing with his fingers that were supporting his chin, he brightened up and spoke.

“Come in.”

The door opened and a man entered.

The newcomer was Claudius Baroque.

He was Crescent’s cousin, bringing the news he had been waiting for.

“Waiting idly is tedious. How did it go?”

“They really did get divorced. Surprisingly, it proceeded peacefully.”

“What was the atmosphere like?”

“There seemed to have been some prior agreement, as there were no major conflicts. However, everyone except the parties involved seemed surprised.”

Crescent nodded knowingly.

“I see. What transpired to cause that? Krembell isn’t someone who would do that.”

“Well, wasn’t it a marriage for money from the start?”

“Right… money. Right.”

Murmuring to himself at Claudius’s words, Crescent clapped his hands and stood up.

“Prepare for an outing.”

“Right now, my lord?”

“Yes. It’s time for me to move. I’m going to Duke Tria.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare at once.”

Claudius lightly bowed his head and left the room first to make preparations.

“Now, let’s go meet the person of the hour.”

Humming lightly, Crescent picked up his coat and left his room.

* * *

As soon as Duke Tria entered, he hurried up the stairs, calling for his wife.

“Ashley!”

Though it was an informal address, they were known among the nobility as a rare loving couple, making such terms more familiar.

At the sound of him calling, Duchess Ashley Tria opened the door and came out.

“Dwayne, is something wrong?”

In response to her question, Duke Tria entered his wife’s room and spoke.

“Ashley, do you have any acquaintance with Lady Crient?”

At her husband’s urgent question, Ashley asked in an uneasy voice.

“Acquaintance… It’s a bit ambiguous. Is something the matter?”

“It seems His Highness Crescent wants to inquire about the recent divorce. If we host a party, will she attend?”

“Oh, of course. She’ll come for something like that.”

Ashley lightly stroked his cheek with a smile as her husband poured out his words with a hint of confusion on his face.

“Fortunately, there’s something I’ve already announced. I’ll send out the invitations today, so don’t worry. Is it very urgent?”

“A bit.”

“I’ve heard there are various issues in the country these days.”

She spoke with a worried face, and Dwayne gently embraced his wife.

“But we’ll be fine. Neither you nor I are without ability.”

“I know. Since it’s like that, a charity party will be suitable as a reason for an urgent gathering.”

“A charity party, that sounds good.”

Dwayne smiled, his eyes beginning to wrinkle, and lightly kissed Ashley’s cheek.

“But Dwayne.”

When she called softly, the Duke, who was leaving a kiss on her cheek, asked with a gesture what she meant.

“I think it’s right to take a friendly stance toward Crient… What do you think?”

“That name has been causing quite a stir lately. Still, it’s certainly a card we need to secure right now.”

“Isn’t it?”

Ashley smiled slightly and said.

“Alright. Then don’t worry, go in and wash up.”

She returned his kiss on the cheek.

* * *

The long May in the capital came to an end.

Ellen, now officially part of the Crient family, returned confidently to the Crient estate.

The warm embrace of her family welcomed her, as did the servants who knew her tastes.

The furniture she used since childhood, her favorite garden, and everything she loved.

Amidst all this, the subtle feeling from the first day of her divorce gradually faded, leaving only a sense of relief that excited her.

But just when she thought May would end quietly.

A letter arrived at the Crient estate.

“A letter?”

“Yes. It’s from the Tria family.”

Curious about the envelope placed on the tray the butler held out, Ellen immediately picked up a paper knife.

Opening the envelope revealed an invitation with luxurious silver foil.

“…A charity party? At a time like this?”

“You suspected it, but it really is a party invitation? When is it?”

“In three days.”

“That’s short notice.”

The butler frowned, seemingly troubled by the unexpected addition to Ellen’s schedule.

“It couldn’t be helped given the timing. Usually, they wouldn’t hold one at all.”

With some families possibly having already fallen, why bother?

Ellen considered various possibilities.

It’s unlikely they’re just gathering nobles for a simple charity event…

Ellen recalled the words the Duchess of Tria had left at the imperial banquet, promising to invite her once the divorce was finalized.

“…Am I the target?”

Ellen nodded to herself.

‘The Duchess seemed to have a rather positive view of me.’

It would be good if that were true, and even if not, it didn’t matter much.

She had expected someone to attempt contact.

“I’ll go in style. Of course, with our boutique’s work.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Go now and tell them to prepare with the head designer by today, and send the letters I’m writing to Sir Cheshire and the Crown Prince’s palace.”

“Understood.”

The butler took Ellen’s hastily written letters and left quickly.

‘This is perfect. I needed an opportunity to meet Marquis Avalanche anyway.’

If it’s a party inviting even the neutrals, that would be ideal.

The Tria family was the central force of the noble faction, so they could certainly host a large-scale party encompassing all factions.

Ellen put the invitation in a drawer and stood up.

“Sally. I’m going to the Crown Prince’s palace. Tell everyone to prepare.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Originally, she would have seen him once before leaving the capital, but given the circumstances, she needed to see him again today, even if it was a bit early.

* * *

“What? This evening?”

Kaiden was taken aback by the news from the Crient estate.

“Yes. You instructed us to prioritize the young lady’s visit as much as possible.”

“But to tell me when it’s just a few hours away!”

Kaiden, stunned by the crazy pace of events, shouted.

“Tell them to prepare dinner with care. The location… Yes, let’s do it in the garden. And…”

As he was pacing the room, muttering whatever came to mind, a knock sounded from outside.

“Your Highness, it’s Sir Coenheim.”

“Come in!”

At his permission, Sir Morris Coenheim entered and reported.

“A charity party is being held at the Tria family.”

To which Kaiden responded with a mocking laugh and raised his hand.

“They must be swimming in money.”

“Rather than that, it seemed they had another purpose, gathering the neutrals, including Crient.”

“Of course, of course. That’s how those snakes operate.”

As Kaiden openly sneered, he suddenly stopped as if struck by a thought and said.

“…The young lady’s visit today must be because of this, right?”

“Is Lady Crient scheduled to visit?”

“Yes. It seems she’s coming to inform me she’ll be attending the Duke’s party.”

“Do you need to grant an audience for such a matter?”

“Oh, we agreed to discuss things beforehand. It was my suggestion.”

“I see.”

Morris nodded at his lord’s words without further objection.

“It seems her goal is to stir things up again.”

“If she’s going to the party anyway, approaching it that way to gather information is advantageous.”

Kaiden sighed, rubbing his temples.

“I know, but it just worries me.”

“…Does it?”

Morris’s face turned odd, as if he had seen something very strange.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“No, you make that face when you have something to say. You have another complaint about me, don’t you?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Alright. I think I know what you want to say.”

“…….”

“Think about it. You and her have been in the same boat since birth, but you’re different. I can’t help but feel uneasy. I need to make the best impression on her.”

Morris didn’t understand why that anxiety led to the conclusion of needing to make a good impression, but he answered without wanting to argue.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Good. The chamberlain will have a lot of work from now on. You may go.”

“Understood.”

Kaiden spoke to the chamberlain.

“You heard, right? Prepare everything new and extravagant, from the lighting to the tablecloths. We need to lift the young lady’s spirits at dinner.”

“Lift her spirits, you say?”

“She’s probably planning to dash off to that party again. But should I send my person so easily into the jaws of those hyena-like bastards? Not a chance.”

“You mean to say we should prepare the atmosphere to persuade the young lady?”

“Yes. Everything should start with the utmost courteous reception.”

Your Highness, isn’t it ultimately your tongue that must achieve that persuasion?

The chamberlain also had words stuck in his throat, but he replied because saying them wouldn’t change what he had to do.

“I will keep it in mind.”

Even if he prepares, what won’t work, won’t work.

He hid those feelings and moved his steps.