Now, Go Ahead and Stamp It - Chapter 44

The appointed time finally arrived as the busy afternoon at the Crown Prince’s palace passed.

Kaiden went to the main gate himself to escort her.

The Crient family’s carriage, which had been approaching slowly from a distance, stopped at the main gate of the Crown Prince’s palace.

Kaiden approached the carriage door.

When the coachman got down and opened the carriage door, Kaiden greeted Ellen with a smile.

“You arrived just on time. Thank you for coming.”

As Kaiden extended his hand, Ellen took it and stepped down, saying,

“I apologize for contacting you so urgently, Your Highness.”

“It’s alright. I think the problem lies with those who sent the invitation so hastily.”

At his response, Ellen looked up at him with slightly widened eyes, surprised.

“You knew? Did an invitation actually reach Your Highness? I didn’t think that was possible.”

“It didn’t. I’m just well-informed.”

Ellen expressed admiration in a tone of newfound respect.

“I suppose all members of the imperial family with succession rights have their own confidants.”

“Well, something like that. Anyway, let’s go inside. I’m starting to feel quite hungry myself.”

Kaiden guided her to the banquet hall prepared in advance in the garden.

The dimming sun, the flickering scarlet candlelight inside the lanterns crafted by a master, and the silverware reflecting that light.

The banquet hall set up in the garden of the Crown Prince’s palace was quite beautiful.

“Oh my, it’s lovely. The chamberlain of the Crown Prince’s palace is quite skilled.”

“He is skilled, but I also paid attention to it.”

When Kaiden subtly inserted his contribution, Ellen chided him with a playful smile.

“What are you trying to say with such polite remarks?”

Kaiden glanced around cautiously and lowered his eyes slightly.

“The Tria charity party. Do you really need to go?”

“Pardon?”

“I would prefer if you took a little more time until your status stabilizes. I worry that you might be stepping into the arena too hastily.”

Ellen laughed, like he was saying something absurd.

“That arena is precisely my stage, Your Highness.”

“I know you’re not someone to be underestimated, but…”

“Then why do you say that?”

“But everyone will have their eyes on you.”

Kaiden spoke in a slightly aggrieved tone.

“Why deliberately enter the enemy camp? Wouldn’t it be better to avoid what can be avoided?”

“Your Highness. I’m going to keep an eye on others, too. My goal this time is to naturally approach Marquis Avalanche.”

“You mentioned that there were separate plans for Avalanche, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but there’s no need to throw away an opportunity that comes my way, is there?”

“……”

Perhaps having nothing to say to that, Kaiden’s mouth closed for a moment.

His eyes scanned the lower right and lower left once.

“Then.”

“……?”

“I’ll go with you. I’ll attend as your partner.”

“Oh, Your Highness.”

My goodness. Ellen rubbed her temples.

“That won’t do. If Your Highness goes with me, it will draw immense vigilance.”

“Wouldn’t that reduce the risk of harm?”

“Instead, Your Highness will also be exposed!”

Ellen shouted softly out of frustration.

“Did they expect an uninvited guest like me to come? Isn’t the invited lady more of a problem?”

“Who knows what they’ll do in excitement upon seeing you. If you insist, attend separately. I have no intention of going together.”

“I didn’t receive an invitation.”

“With your status, who would stop you if you forced your way in?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

He unconsciously agreed, then realized he was being led by her pace and exclaimed in disbelief.

“Miss, do you have a secretly stubborn nature?”

“Sometimes it’s more effective. Anyway, what’s not allowed is not allowed.”

“Damn.”

In the end, Kaiden muttered a low curse.

“Your Highness should prioritize your own safety. Today’s attitude is not good for you.”

“I’m valuing a precious person necessary for my safety. Do you think I don’t know that you will be pivotal in future matters?”

He spoke gruffly, slightly furrowing his brow as if frustrated.

“Fine. Then how about Sir Cheshire as your partner? You’ve been close since childhood, haven’t you?”

“Your Highness. It’s best if I go alone, if possible―”

“I understand why I’m not suitable, so I compromised with Sir Cheshire. There’s no need to attend without a partner. It will only make unnecessary people happy.”

Ellen started to find his meddling increasingly annoying.

But then she sighed, feeling the weight hanging near her nape.

Right. Considering this ring, such an attitude isn’t strange.

“…Alright. I’ll ask Ted.”

As she reluctantly agreed, he seized the opportunity and spoke quickly.

“No need to ask. I’ll send him on a mission, so he has to go if I tell him to.”

“Oh my. What tyranny.”

“That’s what he gets paid for. It’s not an unreasonable demand, just sending him on a brief business trip nearby.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Ellen shook her head at Kaiden’s confident attitude.

* * *

“They say Marquis Baroque has come.”

Crescent frowned deeply at the news of his maternal grandfather’s visit.

“What’s the reason?”

“How would I know?”

“…You go and meet him.”

Crescent said with a face full of disgust, as if just hearing about it was repulsive.

“Isn’t he someone who cherishes his grandson more than me?”

“Horrible.”

“If he’s coming personally, there must be something going on. Do I really have to go alone?”

“…Ha, what is he expecting?”

He exhaled irritably.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and go.”

Though he was originally high-handed, Crescent was particularly irritable now, perhaps due to his annoyance.

Claudius clicked his tongue as he followed his cousin.

The prince must be quite weary.

Crescent walked towards the reception room with light and graceful steps that betrayed none of his inner irritation.

Marquis Baroque, who had been waiting for him, stood up to greet him.

“Your Highness. I apologize for the sudden visit.”

“Never mind that. What’s the matter?”

Crescent asked for the purpose as soon as he entered, without even having him take a seat.

Because of that, the marquis had to continue his report standing.

But he didn’t mind and began to speak, bowing deeply.

“There’s a problem. It seems that the Crient and the Crown Prince have made some kind of deal, as the Krembell divorce case was concluded too easily.”

“A deal, you say?”

“A massive amount of grain support has begun in the Crown Prince’s name.”

Crescent’s face contorted.

“Grain? Where did he suddenly get such a supply?”

“We’re still investigating.”

“I see.”

He sank into the sofa in front of him.

Leaning back against the sofa, he covered his eyes with his palm.

“…At least it’s fortunate. I thought the country might falter due to the drought, but there seems to be a way to survive.”

“Your Highness. That’s a bit off.”

At Marquis Baroque’s denial, Crescent lowered his hand and lifted his head.

“What’s off?”

“The support is limited to regions that lowered their tax rates to the emperor’s initial demands.”

“What?”

“They say it’s to alleviate the tax burden, prioritizing relief for cooperative territories.”

“So he’s essentially taking care of only his people. Cunning.”

Crescent let out a sound of exasperation and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Thanks to that, there’s considerable resentment and unrest among the people. Some territories are on edge about what will happen next.”

“There’s no way that money suddenly appeared out of nowhere… Support starting immediately after the divorce was finalized, Crient must have been the backer.”

“That’s what I think.”

At that answer, Crescent glared at his grandfather with cold eyes.

“If we had gotten the information a little sooner, we could have been the ones to join hands with Crient.”

“I apologize. However, it’s true that their cohesion weakened because of Krembell, so…”

“That’s why you need to make an effort, Marquis.”

“……”

At Crescent’s pointed remark, the marquis fell silent for a moment before speaking.

“So I’m considering Claudius as a match for her.”

“A new match, you say.”

“Grandfather?”

Claudius, who had been listening quietly, asked in surprise.

“Not a bad idea.”

“Your Highness.”

Claudius called Crescent urgently, but he continued speaking instead of responding.

“Take Claudius to tonight’s charity party.”

“Yes, understood.”

“If that’s all, I’ll be going.”

“Please go in.”

The marquis bowed respectfully to his grandson, and Crescent immediately got up and left.

Claudius quickly followed his cousin and lord, Crescent.

“Your Highness. I haven’t even thought about marriage yet―”

“Neither you nor I can marry by choosing. You know that well.”

“I never thought the day would come when Your Highness would side with Grandfather.”

“I’m not siding with the marquis, I’m choosing the direction that benefits me.”

“Your Highness.”

Claudius caught up with Crescent with quick steps, calling him.

Crescent glanced at him as if it was unusual and said,

“You haven’t done this since you were older. You must be in quite a hurry.”

“You think it’s because it’s done in a hurry? My marriage is being decided so suddenly.”

“Life doesn’t go as planned. If it did, my half-brother would already be gone from this world.”

“…Oh, please. Crescent.”

“The time for playing friends is over, Lord Baroque.”

Crescent spoke in a low, deep voice, as if he would only tolerate such insolence once.

“It’s a decision. Think carefully about who will be the target of that vulgar marquis if you deliberately go against it.”

Claudius bit his lip and bowed his head.

“…Yes, Your Highness.”