Chapter 7 (Part 8)

Before long, the time for the engagement ceremony approached. In the wide outdoor hall of the Duke’s residence where the engagement ceremony was held, the beautiful sound of an orchestra resonated.

Anthus, uncharacteristically nervous, took a deep breath to calm himself. He heard the murmuring of people and turned his head to where they were looking.

“Lady Yuliana Loengrin is entering.”

Her beautifully styled golden hair and bright golden eyes were looking straight at him. The white dress shimmered with radiant jewels that sparkled with every movement, fluttering at the hem.

Anthus gazed at the approaching Yuliana in a daze. Yuliana also couldn’t take her eyes off Anthus’s handsome appearance. They drew closer and stood facing each other.

Anthus extended his hand. Yuliana placed her hand on his.

In a wedding, the groom waits for the bride and her father at the front of the platform, but in an engagement ceremony, the man escorts the woman from the entrance, walking together to the priest at the front of the platform.

“We will now begin the engagement ceremony.”

The priest displayed the engagement document sealed with the insignias of the Loengrin and Rockbellion families to the people, announcing the couple’s engagement.

“I love you, Yuliana Loengrin.”

At Anthus’s words, many of the female nobles in the hall let out small screams, and Matthias and Louis, seated, shed tears.

“It’s just an engagement, not a wedding… Why are these… tears…”

Louis comforted his father beside him.

People applauded. Amidst the loud applause, Yuliana whispered lightly to Anthus, who stood beside her, in a joking manner.

“It feels like we should kiss, Yan.”

As Yuliana spoke with a smile, Anthus’s gaze slowly deepened. He slightly bowed his head, aligning his eyes with Yuliana’s, and whispered softly.

“When you say such things, I can’t remain calm, Lia.”

The overwhelming warmth that was hard to contain swelled larger and larger, beginning to emerge from his heart.

“Yan… Surely… You’re not going to do it, right?”

“I really like the word ‘surely.’”

Anthus’s face gradually moved closer to Yuliana.

In her trembling eyes, Anthus’s red eyes seemed to read everything she was trying to hide, as if knowing what she was guessing.

“Life never goes as we plan. But I will overcome it with you, Lia. Will you be with me?”

“Of course.”

Anthus naturally leaned in and kissed Yuliana passionately. The people responded with even greater applause and congratulations. The engagement ceremony, lavishly and elegantly decorated, and the concluding kiss of the beautiful prospective Ducal couple, would be remembered in people’s minds as a beautiful fairy tale.

“Then, see you later, Lia.”

“Alright.”

Yuliana went upstairs with her maids to change into her dress for the banquet hall. Anthus changed into his uniform and went down to the celebratory banquet hall first.

“It’s not a dream. I held the engagement ceremony just as I wanted in my dreams.”

Anthus placed his hand over his swelling heart. Memories of the days he endured, contemplating for countless days to achieve his unrequited love, seemed to reward him now. Although it was just an engagement ceremony and not a wedding, Anthus’s smile wouldn’t fade.

“You look good, Duke Rockbellion.”

Upon hearing someone call him, Anthus slightly turned his head to see Rybid standing with a crooked smile.

Anthus’s smile didn’t waver upon seeing Rybid.

“Thank you for coming to celebrate my engagement with Lady Yuliana Loengrin, Your Holiness Rybid.”

Since it was his engagement ceremony, Anthus intended to show kindness by smiling at Rybid, no matter what nonsense he said.

“Receiving such an expensive invitation, I couldn’t help but come, could I?”

“I’m very pleased you came to congratulate us. Please enjoy yourself.”

Rybid, who found Anthus’s victorious smile so annoying, eventually said something inappropriate for an engagement ceremony.

“Don’t be too happy about the engagement. I’ll definitely take Lia to the Holy Kingdom.”

At those words, Anthus turned back to glare at Rybid coldly. No, he stared. He tried to maintain a kind smile but failed. It was the moment he realized he had been naive in thinking he could endure any nonsense on such a happy engagement day.

“The nickname ‘Lia’ is reserved for families and fiancé only. I’d appreciate it if you could observe some etiquette. Is talking nonsense at a happy engagement ceremony perhaps a hobby of yours?”

Anthus approached Rybid and spoke.

“Your Holiness, I heard you’re purifying the land contaminated by new monsters, but there’s been no progress.”

At the sudden change of topic, Rybid involuntarily swallowed. The land, contaminated by new monsters, did not return to normal even when sprinkled with holy water or covered with divine power.

“That’s… more like a curse than a monster…”

Anthus smiled.

“If you can’t purify the contaminated land, please return to the Holy Kingdom.”

“No, it’s being purified, so don’t worry, Duke Rockbellion.”

“If it is indeed being purified, that’s fortunate, Your Holiness Rybid.”

Anthus passed by Rybid, glaring at him coldly, then smiled with the face of the happiest man. Rybid stood in place, clenching his fist.

Aens approached Rybid.

“Your Holiness…”

“When we return to the Imperial Palace, send a reply to Princess Ophelia that I’ll meet her.”

“Understood.”

* * *

Before Yuliana came down after changing her dress, Anthus entered his private reception room. Theodore and Cloud, who had been guided by Ferrell earlier, were already seated.

“Your Majesty, didn’t you say you sent a letter to Theo only to ask about his willingness to marry?”

Cloud sighed deeply, holding his head.

“Yan, don’t get angry and sit down. From this moment on, I promise not to send such letters to Theo again. But who is the woman Theo has fallen for?”

Cloud quickly changed the subject.

“She’s a wonderful person.”

Theodore said, his ears turning red.

“She is the Lady Hatzbellua from the Carpen Empire.”

“Lady Hatzbellua… Could it be the hero lady who captured the pirates on the cruise ship?”

Cloud recalled reading about Lady Hatzbellua of the Carpen Empire, who had eradicated the pirates attacking the cruise ship and saved people’s lives.

“She’s intelligent and kind.”

Anthus and Cloud listened to Theodore’s praises of Lady Hatzbellua. They carefully observed Theodore’s face as he spoke with an excited expression. He looked happy.

“I’m glad you’ve found a good woman, Theo.”

“Yes.”

“Your Majesty.” 

Anthus called to Cloud.

“If, by any chance, Theo had said he would marry Princess Ophelia, I would have stopped it at all costs.”

“Haha…”

Cloud gave an awkward smile.

“Princess Ophelia had my fiancée attacked.”

Theodore sharply looked at Cloud as Anthus spoke.

“Your Majesty, is it true? I’m a bit disappointed that you recommended someone who endangered Yan’s precious person to be the Grand Duchess of Florence.”

“I thought since Theo is coming of age and Ophelia is lively, they would suit each other well… but you must see it as an excuse.”

From Cloud’s perspective, having Ophelia become Grand Duchess Florence would be politically advantageous. Anthus understood that.

“No matter how good the wine, if you pour too much, the glass overflows and ruins your clothes, Your Majesty.”

“I guess I was so distracted that I didn’t notice the wine overflowing the glass.”

Cloud raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said.

“Depending on who pours it, one can tell whether the wine was intentionally overflowed or if it was a momentary mistake, Your Majesty.”

“She’s a sister who pledged loyalty to me by selling her brother. I just wanted to show her the last bit of kindness. It just so happened that Theo was single, so I asked. Now that I know he has someone he likes, I won’t send any more.”

A moment of silence passed, and Theodore opened his mouth with a small sigh.

“But what is this new monster?”

“It’s a monster that doesn’t respond to divine power, like a walking corpse. According to Alchemist Anton, it seems to be a monster made with forbidden alchemy. The material is human corpses.”

“Is such a thing possible with alchemy?”

“Alchemist Anton said it’s possible if you have the corpse of a dead person.”

“I thought only dark mages did such things…”

“I thought so too.”

“That’s why she recently eradicated a human trafficking group managed by a dark mage in our Florence territory.”

“Human trafficking?”

Hearing Theodore’s story, Anthus nodded.

“That’s no ordinary matter.”

Knock, knock.

“He’s here.”

At the sound of knocking, Cloud asked Anthus.

“Is there someone else coming?”

“Yes. One of my trusted aides will be coming in.”

“Who is this trusted aide that you called to this place?”

“You’ll see, Your Majesty.”

The person who entered the room was Maxwell Fedeurus. Maxwell bowed politely as soon as he arrived.

“Young Lord Maxwell… Haha. Since when did you become the Duke’s trusted aide?”

Maxwell only smiled quietly.

“Since my trusted aide is here, let’s start a brief meeting.”

Anthus narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“Tomorrow, we’ll declare a territorial war against the Fedeurus Marquisate.”

Maxwell was surprised by those words.

“A territorial war…? What do you mean?”

Anthus continued, looking at Maxwell.

“I’m thinking of starting by destroying the diamond mine in the Ludmilans territory owned by the Fedeurus Marquisate, Young Lord Maxwell.”

Maxwell began to laugh aloud at Anthus’s words.

“I’m sorry for laughing, Duke. Have you mentioned the territorial war to my brother?”

“Of course.”

“That’s why my brother has been shut in his room lately. And since my father is unwell, I’ve been handling the duties in his stead.”

“It’s good news that he’s unwell.”

“He’s not going to pass away immediately.”

Maxwell had been beaten by a drunken Beonar. As a result, Seria took Maxwell to her palace and treated him.

After Maxwell left, the health of Marquis Fedeurus began to deteriorate. Beonar shut himself in his room, drinking, leaving all duties of the marquisate paralyzed. So Maxwell had no choice but to return to the marquisate to handle the work.

“And I found several secret ledgers my father kept. I’ll send them as a gift.”

“Good, Young Lord Maxwell. Once the territorial war is declared, the vassals of Marquis Fedeurus will gather.”

“Yes, most likely.”

“That’s when my gift will arrive.”

Anthus looked at Maxwell with a dangerous smile as he spoke.

“If you tell me specifically what the gift is, I’ll prepare accordingly.”

“Because of the debts Beonar has incurred, loan sharks will come looking for him. I’ve told them about you, so as long as you conduct yourself well in front of the vassals, Young Lord Maxwell, it will be fine.”

“If Maxwell becomes Marquis Fedeurus, I can entrust Seria to him with peace of mind.”

Cloud tilted his head and interjected into the conversation between the two. If Maxwell becomes the Marquis, and Seria becomes the Marchioness, the Fedeurus family will align with the Emperor’s faction rather than the noble faction.

“You really exceed my expectations. When did you come up with such a strategy?”

“Since nine years ago.”

Anthus opened a magical space and handed a piece of paper to Cloud.

“Your Majesty, please approve the declaration of the territorial war. Then, through this opportunity, you’ll be able to obtain what you desire.”

“From now on, I will be loyal only to His Majesty the Emperor.”

Maxwell approached Cloud and knelt on one knee. Cloud, seemingly satisfied, raised the corners of his mouth wide and laughed heartily.