Chapter 2 (Part 10)

At the same time, Ferrell rushed to Anthus after hearing the urgent words of the maids at Duke Rockbellion’s residence.

<Lady Loengrin has returned to the Earl’s residence!>

<I heard her tell the coachman to take her home as she got into the carriage!>

Ferrell had been meticulously preparing for an intimate dinner and a cozy date at the Duke’s residence for Yuliana and Anthus. But hearing that Yuliana had returned made Ferrell’s face turn pale.

He wondered what could have happened in the greenhouse, if something had gone wrong. An uneasy feeling crept in.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

“Master.”

“Yes, Ferrell.”

“The Duchess has returned to the Earl’s residence… What happened?”

“Yuli seemed quite startled when she went home.”

Ferrell looked at the excited Anthus, who had slightly swollen lips. The perceptive butler quickly realized what had happened between Anthus and Yuliana in the greenhouse.

“Well, there’s nothing for you to worry about, Ferrell.”

“Of course. This humble servant trusts you, Master. Haha. I was just wondering what had happened.”

Anthus hadn’t stopped Yuliana from running away. He knew she had fled in embarrassment and thought it best to give her some time alone.

“A little more temptation should do it.”

Anthus touched his lips.

He had never experienced such ecstasy in his life. His heart pounded wildly. The feeling of time stopping… If just a first kiss felt like this… he wondered if he would be able to handle the feeling if they got married. No matter how much he thought about it, Yuliana was too cute. Cute didn’t even begin to describe her.

<Surely……. You won’t avoid taking responsibility after taking my first kiss, Lady Yuliana Loengrin.>

<It was my first kiss too.>

<Since we shared our first kiss, we can take responsibility together. I want to take responsibility for you, Lady Loengrin.>

If she hadn’t run away… If she had continued kissing me… 

Anthus’s mind was filled with erotic fantasies.

To lose control like this… It felt pathetic. His heart felt like it had dropped to the floor and was being trampled on. He couldn’t stay sane.

“This time, I let her go…”

There won’t be a next time. From now on, I must tempt her relentlessly so she can’t think of anything but me. I must make her mind filled only with me.

“Ferrell, have there been any messages from Erzen and Alchemist Anton?”

“None, sir.”

“When did they leave?”

“Fifteen days ago.”

“Then they must be inspecting the northern dungeon.”

It would take time for Mercenary King Erzen and Alchemist Anton to inspect the newly discovered dungeon in the north and return to the Duke’s residence. There was plenty of time to tempt Yuliana.

“Ferrell, I have an important task for you.”

“Please tell me, Master. I will prepare it.”

“I plan to escort her and dance with her at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet soon.”

“Of course. You should. Please let me know if there’s anything you need.”

How envious he had been of Young Lord Beonar, who had escorted Yuliana to the banquets they had attended so far! He had spent many difficult days, torn between wanting to see Yuliana and jealousy, wanting to kill Beonar. But those days were over.

“I need Earl Loengrin’s permission.”

Anthus closed his eyes and tapped his index finger on the desk, deep in thought. There were three famous doting fathers in the Sirius Empire, and Matthias was the most extreme of them.

“Bring three bottles of whale whisker liquor.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll visit Earl Loengrin’s residence as soon as they’re ready. I plan to stay overnight, so don’t wait for me.”

Ferrell understood who the expensive liquor was for. Everyone knew Earl Loengrin was a famous drinker.

“Yes, sir.”

Anthus opened a magical space and took out a small bottle, his eyes gleaming. It was a potion he had requested from Alchemist Anton.

“It’s finally time to use you, ‘Strawberry Nose No More.’”

Satisfied with his plans, Anthus smiled, thinking about how to make Yuliana’s heart blossom even more.

* * *

Earl Loengrin was boiling with anger.

He had cherished and raised Yuliana, who resembled his beloved wife, Saint Rosaline. Although Emperor Rezeph had forced an engagement with Marquis Fedeurus, they had broken it off! Now, with no more expeditions, Matthias was delighted to have more time with Yuliana. And with the Crown Prince’s birthday approaching, he was looking forward to escorting Yuliana and enjoying the event.

It was said that happiness comes after hardship, but that happy time seemed very short.

The reason was Duke Anthus Rockbellion. On the day Anthus returned from the investigation team, he had stormed into the mansion, taking Yuliana for a supposed investigation meeting. Since then, rumors of them dating had been circulating, irritating him!

“If having one meal together means dating, then I’m a playboy!”

“Father, they didn’t just have a meal; they also watched an opera.”

“I should have invited them to have dinner at our residence that time. Yes, I had a bad feeling when Duke Rockbellion smiled at me! I was too complacent…”

He should have foreseen the rumors when they went out for dinner.

“This is my mistake for not anticipating this!”

“Father, calm down.”

“Louis, how can I calm down when your sister is about to be taken by a dragon?”

“Father, we need to think and act calmly in times like this.”

Louis clenched his fists. Anthus was a man with exceptional intelligence, wealth, power, and even strength. He always ignored women who approached him, spewing harsh words to keep them at bay. There were even rumors that he might like men because he lived alone. Yet, Anthus had escorted Yuliana to a restaurant where nobles dined, served her during the meal, and even enjoyed an opera together. Even someone with no sense would know they were dating.

“If it’s Duke Rockbellion… he must have known such rumors would spread…”

“That’s exactly my point, Louis!”

Anthus had used the investigation meeting as an excuse to date the innocent Yuliana. There was no other explanation.

“It’s clear that Duke Rockbellion is interested in our Lia, Father.”

“No… Marriage is out of the question… Dating is out of the question… Everything is out of the question! No matter how great the man is, it’s out of the question!”

Matthias knew Anthus wasn’t a bad marriage prospect, but he just didn’t like him. The feeling of wanting to oppose him no matter what! He represented the feelings of all doting fathers in the world, suffering in anguish.

“I will not marry off my daughter!”

Knock, knock.

“Master!”

“What is it, Leijin!”

“Duke Rockbellion has requested to see you, sir.”

“What? Me, not Lia?”

“Yes. He says it’s urgent.”

Matthias and Louis exchanged puzzled glances at Leijin’s words that Anthus had visited.

* * *

Matthias had planned to attend the Crown Prince’s birthday with Yuliana, linking arms and dancing with her, enjoying the event… But Anthus had ruined all his plans. 

“Hic… Our Lia… Beautiful Lia.”

“Oh dear, Earl, your glass is empty. Let me pour you another.”

Matthias’s mood had plummeted to rock bottom. It was due to Anthus’s sudden and bombshell statement.

<I plan to escort Lady Loengrin at this year’s birthday banquet.>

<Hahaha. Duke, only I can be my daughter’s partner.>

<You’re aware of the current rumors in the social circles, aren’t you, Earl Loengrin?>

Of course, I know! The rumor that you and my daughter are dating! 

Anthus continued, looking sympathetically at Matthias, who was glaring at him timidly.

<It seems you haven’t heard that Young Lord Beonar is spreading false rumors.>

Anthus quickly found out who was spreading the malicious rumors Yuliana had mentioned. It was Beonar.

<Did you say Young Lord Beonar?>

Matthias’s previously boiling anger suddenly cooled.

<Young Lord Beonar has been saying that no man will marry Yuliana. He says she will spend her life as a spirit master, serving the royal family like a dog and dying on the battlefield.>

Matthias felt a lump in his throat.

<If, by any chance, you and Lady Yuliana enter the ballroom together on the Crown Prince’s birthday, Young Lord Beonar will surely gossip about Yuliana with Lady Sophia, whom he is currently dating.>

<How insolent…>

<So, I have a suggestion to make.>

Anthus spoke in a soft voice to the enraged Matthias.

<I would like to escort Lady Yuliana at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.>

<Pardon?>

<It may sound presumptuous, but I am considered the top eligible bachelor. If I enter with Lady Yuliana, people will look at her with envy. So, please choose. Will she enter with you and receive pity, or will she enter with me and receive admiration…?>

<Could you give me some time to think, Duke?>

Matthias felt pressured by the sudden choice Anthus presented.

His eyes welled up. If Anthus escorted Yuliana, the rumors of them dating would be confirmed. His head began to ache.

<And as a gift for my visit, I brought some liquor made from the whiskers of a transparent whale. How about having a drink while you think about it, Earl Loengrin?>

Matthias’s lips trembled at the sight of Anthus’s gift. Liquor made from the whiskers of a transparent whale, which lives in the deep sea, is a rare treasure for a drinker.

<Did you say liquor made from transparent whale whiskers?>

<I brought three bottles.>

Louis, who had been watching their conversation, rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. The liquor made from transparent whale whiskers that Anthus brought was among the top five best liquors in Matthias’s life. There was no way he would refuse it.

<Since you, Duke, has brought such a fine gift… well… let’s continue our conversation over a drink.>

<Yes.>

<I haven’t agreed to anything yet!>

One drink. Two drinks.

Matthias, who initially said he would only have one drink, was long gone.