Chapter 5 (Part 8)

Anthus’s jealousy today was very fierce.

He was always flawless, perfect, elegant, and considerate. But she also felt his anxiety and restlessness. His honest expression of his feelings made him seem like a young deer being chased by a hunter.

Yuliana gently kissed Anthus’s head.

“Just twice.”

With those words, Anthus tried hard to hold onto his reason, which was about to run wild. He smiled happily at what she did for him.

As their sweet time in the powder room came to an end, Anthus spoke with a sullen expression.

“You’ll come to escort me tomorrow, right?”

The day after the Crown Prince’s birthday, a hunting competition is held. Male nobles from other empires and the empire can freely participate. While the men hunt, the ladies and young ladies have tea in the Empress’s tent until the men return.

“I’ll get ready quickly and go.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Anthus, wrapping his arm around Yuliana’s shoulder, got into the carriage heading to Earl Loengrin’s estate together.

* * *

After dropping her off at the Earl’s estate, the carriage headed back to the Imperial Palace. It was to meet Cloud.

“You’re so late! You’re probably the only one besides our Moca who has made the Emperor wait.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, Your Majesty.”

“What I’m about to say might be unpleasant for you, Yan.”

Cloud, who had been speaking sharply, relaxed his expression and spoke seriously. Anthus, sensing the unusual atmosphere, quietly sat down.

“Please go ahead, Your Majesty.”

“Before you arrived, Pope Rybid of the Holy Kingdom came to see me and said he would propose to Lady Yuliana Loengrin, to be his partner.”

Recalling the unpleasant memory of Rybid at the banquet, Anthus raised one eyebrow sharply.

“Is that so? I have a favor to ask of Your Majesty.”

“What kind of favor?”

Cloud nodded.

“Could you let it slip to Pope Rybid that the large pearl Yuliana has always wanted will be the first prize in the hunting competition? Of course, that first prize will be prepared by the Rockbellion family.”

“That’s not a difficult task. But what’s your plan?”

“I hope Pope Rybid will participate in the hunting competition.”

“Since the prize is something Lady Loengrin desires, the Pope will likely try his hardest to win and present it to her.”

“That’s the difference between me and Pope Rybid.”

Most women would be delighted to receive a prize from the man who wins the hunting competition, but Yuliana is not like most women. Anthus recalled how Yuliana had felt sorrowful and pained at seeing the dead animals at last year’s hunting competition.

“I will show you that my nine years of unrequited love were not in vain.”

“Indeed, is there anyone in the Sirius Empire who doesn’t know about your unrequited love for Lady Loengrin?”

“I’m satisfied that the truth, not just rumors, has spread so well. I will soon send a significant gift to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“It’s fortunate if you’re satisfied, but aren’t you uncomfortable being the center of gossip and the subject of people’s chatter?”

“I’m fine.”

“Spreading rumors is easy, but undoing them is very difficult.”

“Rather than having her honor tarnished by ridiculous rumors of two-timing, it’s better that I’m the subject of gossip. If the chatter stays within bounds, it’s fine, but if they cross the line regarding her… I won’t stay still.”

Cloud smiled at Anthus’s words.

“Yan… Are you not aiming for first place this year?”

“No. The person who will take first place is already decided.”

“Deciding the first place in the hunting competition as you please, you’re really something.”

Cloud couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Your Majesty need not worry. There will never be anything that brings disgrace to the Imperial family.”

“You’re quite something, but I trust you, Yan. If you need help, just say the word.”

“I’ll gratefully accept that help. But before that, is the matter I previously requested being handled?”

At Anthus’s words, Cloud tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“Princess Ophelia. Today, at the banquet, the ladies following Princess Ophelia picked a fight with Lia.”

Cloud sighed deeply.

“I’ve already scolded her severely and am looking for a suitable marriage prospect. I’ll send her far away soon, so please bear with it until then.”

* * *

Leijin was in a difficult situation due to an unexpected visitor early in the morning.

Because of the hunting competition, Matthias had left the house early. Louis had also departed early to escort Selenia. The only person at home was Yuliana.

Leijin, calmly leading the guest to the reception room, went to find Yuliana.

“Leijin, is it true?”

“Yes. It was someone we couldn’t stop.”

Leijin spoke with a very troubled expression.

“Pope Rybid G. Agathaine of the Holy Kingdom has visited the estate. He said he came to escort you and is waiting in the reception room.”

“I have no intention of being escorted by anyone other than Duke Rockbellion.”

Yuliana began to feel a slight headache. She felt that Rybid’s unannounced visit was quite rude. More importantly, as the Pope of the Holy Kingdom, the servants of the estate must have been very surprised.

“Even if you’re upset, you must endure it, my lady. He is the Pope of the Holy Kingdom.”

“I know. That great Pope of the Holy Kingdom… Leijin, tell him that I’m not ready and that he will have to wait a long time.”

“Understood.”

“Luda.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Go to Duke Rockbellion immediately and tell him that Pope Rybid has come to the Earl’s estate.”

“Yes.”

Yuliana had told Anthus that she would create a safe environment for the scared puppy. Thinking of her anxious and restless lover, she decided that meeting Rybid alone was absolutely out of the question.

“What an audacious man, this Pope.”

Yuliana unlocked the terrace door and rolled on the bed, waiting for Anthus to arrive quickly.

After a short while, the terrace door to Yuliana’s room opened cautiously, and Anthus entered.

“Yan!”

“I came as soon as I heard from Luda. I’m so glad I set up the teleportation.”

Yuliana carefully observed Anthus’s expression. Fortunately, he didn’t seem anxious, and she sighed in relief inwardly. In fact, Anthus seemed even more radiant today.

“Lia, you look beautiful today.”

Anthus spoke shyly, and Yuliana blushed at his words.

“Where is Pope Rybid?”

“Leijin said he is in the reception room.”

“Then I’ll go talk to Pope Rybid in the reception room, so take your time coming down.”

“Don’t get too angry.”

“I understand. Don’t worry.”

Anthus kissed Yuliana’s hair.

“You know I love you very much, right, Lia?”

“Yes. I love you too, Yan.”

Anthus kissed Yuliana’s cheek and hugged her tightly.

“I was debating whether to tell you about the Pope’s visit to our estate. But I didn’t want to see you upset like yesterday, so I sent Luda.”

“You did well.”

Yuliana gazed at the gently smiling Anthus. He brushed her hair away from her eyes and lightly kissed her forehead and the corners of her eyes.

“Then I’ll go to the reception room first. Take your time getting ready and come down.”

When Anthus, guided by Leijin, opened the door to the reception room, he found Rybid half-reclined on the sofa with his long legs crossed. He looked quite disappointed that it wasn’t Yuliana who had entered.

“Not… Lia…”

“Have you still not treated your ears?”

“My ears are perfectly fine, so there’s no need for treatment.”

Anthus smirked slightly. In fact, such careless behavior was to his advantage.

“Calling Lia by a nickname she hasn’t permitted… It’s a bit much.”

“Why are you here, Duke Rockbellion?”

Anthus didn’t hide his displeasure as he spoke.

“Lia and I are in a loving relationship. Naturally, I am free to visit the Earl’s estate. But why are you at my lover’s house, Your Holiness?”

Rybid, uncrossing his legs and sitting up straight, scoffed.

“You’re just lovers, after all. If you break up, you’ll become strangers.”

Rybid clearly chose his words to provoke Anthus. Anthus, glaring sharply at Rybid, leaned back on the sofa and spoke.

“We won’t break up.”

“You’re quite confident.”

“It’s not confidence; it’s certainty. No matter what curses or predictions you make, I don’t care. Lia is my woman.”

Rybid responded with a puzzled expression.

“Listen, Duke. No matter how much you shout that she’s your woman, the man who holds her hand and walks into the wedding hall in the end is the winner.”

“Haha. Your Holiness, you sure know how to spout nonsense.”

“Since dogs don’t make laughing sounds, my words aren’t nonsense.”

“Correction. You sure know how to bark like a dog.”

“No matter how much you provoke me, the daughter of the saint is destined to marry me.”

“Do you think I’ll let that happen? I clearly warned you in the name of Rockbellion, Your Holiness.”

“The name of Rockbellion? So what? Do you think you can do something to me, the Pope of the Holy Kingdom? Listen, Duke Rockbellion. If the Holy Kingdom decides, we can stop selling holy water and artifacts imbued with divine power to the Sirius Empire. Many people who need holy water will suffer.”

“I don’t care what happens to others. But don’t you think it’s quite childish to threaten to stop selling holy water and artifacts?”

“Didn’t you start with a childish warning?”

“Talking to you is frustrating. The more we talk, the more it feels like speaking to a wall.”

With those words, Anthus lowered his head deeply. Rybid looked at him curiously.

“Sniff…”

When Anthus raised his head, his eyes were filled with tears.

“Are you crying?”

Tears began to flow down Anthus’s cheeks incessantly.

“Your Holiness, you have many women around you! Lia is my unrequited love of nine years. I can’t live without her. Please don’t seduce my lover out of curiosity. I heard you have five lovers already… I’m begging you.”

The proud and defiant Anthus who had been glaring at him was gone. The Anthus who had harshly called him a barking dog was now crying and begging pitifully. Rybid was at a loss for words.

“Please, I’m begging you. Saying you won’t sell holy water if we don’t break up is too much!”

Rybid was taken aback by Anthus, who suddenly started crying and pleading.