Chapter 129

Some time later, on the day of Rudolf’s entry into the Kingdom of Arlo.

“Welcome, Duke of Rohitham!”

Karl greeted Rudolf with a broad smile.

Rudolf looked even more gaunt and irritable than during his last visit to the Kingdom of Arlo. His sunken eyes and slumped shoulders made him resemble a drenched sewer rat. Such a lack of dignity was unbecoming of a national representative.

But Rudolf had no choice. He was tormented by rumors about someone suspected of being Ludwig.

“The Marquis of Rowissum took him in, didn’t he?”

Despite searching everywhere, they couldn’t find a single strand of that golden hair, and it turned out he was right next door in the Marquisate of Rowissum!

Rudolf had been ignorant and had allowed him to reach the capital and draw attention. The frustration was eating him up.

They said he had lost his memory and wandered aimlessly. How had he avoided detection while lingering nearby, not knowing who he was?

The Red Crow had been on high alert about his movements!

“These incompetent fools!”

Rudolf fumed inwardly, forgetting that it was the Red Crow who had placed him in the Duke’s position.

The situation was so frustrating that he felt he should handle it himself. Hence, he had come to the Kingdom of Arlo in person.

He needed to see with his own eyes whether that young man was Ludwig.

He couldn’t sit idly in the Grand Ducal Palace.

Although the Red Crow promised to procure a portrait of ‘Adonis,’ Rudolf didn’t trust them. How often have portraits failed to match the real person?

If he personally traveled to the Kingdom of Arlo, the matter would be resolved quickly.

As his uncle, he would surely recognize Ludwig at first glance.

But what if that young man was indeed Ludwig?

“Naturally, he must be eliminated immediately!”

First, he would uncover the location of the ‘Sword of Rohitham’ that the Red Crow leader Adam so desperately wanted, then eliminate him. If Ludwig, the primary heir to the Grand Ducal throne, was discovered to be alive, Rudolf’s claim to the Grand Ducal title would be nullified.

He had obtained the Grand Ducal title by conspiring with dark magic, tainting his soul. He couldn’t afford to lose it now.

Absolutely not.

“I am pleased to meet you, King of Arlo. This is our second meeting, I believe.”

Rudolf forced a faint smile, trying to hide his complex emotions.

In line with the ‘friendship purpose invitation,’ Karl had prepared a lavish array of entertainment for Rudolf. However, Rudolf showed no interest in any of it and responded indifferently.

His mind was entirely occupied with thoughts of Ludwig.

He couldn’t wait to meet this ‘mysterious Adonis’ young man.

Yet, oddly enough, the young man who had been causing a stir in the capital’s social circles was nowhere to be seen today nor was Countess Balthus, who was said to be closely followed by him.

** * **

At the banquet.

At the table, set with sumptuous food, Karl unravelled his tale.

“Adonis is completely infatuated with Countess Balthus. Initially, she seemed troubled, but now it appears she has accepted his advances.”

“Is that so…”

“It’s quite a scandal: a disfigured divorcee, a neat young man with amnesia!”

As Rudolf felt his insides churning with anxiety, King Karl nonchalantly continued talking about Ludwig.

Rudolf was caught between the tension and unease, feeling nauseous. He couldn’t stop Karl from talking because he desperately needed information about ‘Adonis.’

Unable to respond meaningfully, he could only sweat coldly.

Karl observed Rudolf’s reactions and became increasingly certain of his suspicions.

“Your constant mention makes me even more curious about ‘Adonis.’ He could very well be from Rohitham, you know.”

In the extreme tension, Rudolf inadvertently spoke out and immediately bit his tongue.

He quickly glanced at Karl for his reaction.

“That’s possible. No one among the Arlo nobility recognizes him. Huh, why didn’t I think of that? He could indeed be from Rohitham.”

Karl picked up on Rudolf’s words with great interest.

“Come to think of it, the late Duke of Rohitham also had violet eyes. What a coincidence.”

Princess Idvina, who had been quietly sitting next to her brother, suddenly spoke up.

Rudolf was startled by his guilty conscience.

“Is something bothering you, Duke of Rohitham?”

Idvina asked with a faint smile.

“No, nothing at all.”

Sweat beaded on Rudolf’s temples.

“Considering his actions and choice of words, he must be of noble birth. As you said, he might indeed be from Rohitham.”

“I haven’t seen him yet, so…”

“He’s coming to see the play tomorrow, so you’ll surely meet him then.”

“Let’s hope he finds his rightful place, connected through his ties with the Duke of Rohitham.”

Rudolf gripped his fork and knife tightly as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

“When did you say the play was? Tomorrow… what time?”

“It’s at 1 PM, Duke.”

“I hope my question wasn’t inappropriate. I’m just so looking forward to the play.”

“I understand.”

Rudolf stared intently at the piece of meat on his plate, as if it were Ludwig Rohitham himself, and ate with a sense of battle.

Unaware that Karl and Idvina were exchanging glances.

** * **

The next day, shortly after noon.

Karl, Idvina, and Rudolf left the palace together to attend the premiere of ‘Hamlet’.

The beautiful, pearl-colored exterior of the amphitheater glistened in the sunlight.

Not long ago, this place was known as the ‘Crestwell Grand Theater.’

Now, it is owned by the Balthus Theater, with Marlena Balthus serving as the chief executive.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

This woman, in a lavishly adorned dress, had a radiant smile as bright as the dress’s color.

Rumor had it that she had a suspicious relationship with the young man suspected to be Ludwig.

“Are the preparations going well, Countess Balthus? This is the Duke of Rohitham.”

“An honor, Your Grace,” Marlena said with a graceful smile, curtsying elegantly.

But contrary to the rumors, the young man in question was nowhere to be seen. It was as if he had been hidden away thoroughly. Ever since Rudolf arrived in the Kingdom of Arlo, the young man had supposedly been holed up in the Rowissum townhouse, and today was no different.

The thought of returning empty-handed gnawed at Rudolf.

‘Would it seem suspicious if I start looking for him here?’

There was no time to dwell on this. Marlena, with a smile of hospitality, was leading the royal party to the best box seats.

“Since it’s a premiere, the actors might be a bit unpolished. But that’s part of the charm of the first showing, so please enjoy.”

Rudolf nodded absently. In truth, the play itself was of no interest to him. Marlena turned away, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

* * *

‘He looks like he doesn’t care about the play itself.’

But let’s see if he can maintain that attitude three hours later.

All backstage checks had been completed before Rudolf’s arrival. Ludwig’s security was also tightened, wary of any hasty moves Rudolf might make.

As a result, Rudolf was left anxious, unable to verify Ludwig in person.

‘Rudolf, you’ve waited long enough. You’ll meet him soon.’

I wondered what expression he would wear then. I waited in the theater lobby for today’s star to arrive. And in about ten minutes…

“Countess.”

Ludwig arrived, his usual bright smile on his face as he approached and kissed my cheek.

“You’re here?”

He had asked me to treat him comfortably for a while, as if he were still ‘Roche.’ He found it awkward when I addressed him formally. After some back-and-forth, we settled on a mix of formal and informal speech.

“Yes, the weather is nice today.”

“It is.”

I gently kissed his cheek in return, aware of the eyes on us. It was a bit embarrassing but also oddly satisfying. ‘Look! This man is mine!’ Such a desire to show off.

But indulging my desires under the guise of carrying out a mission could only go so far. It was time to truly focus.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

I led Ludwig to the box seat prepared for the theater owner, which I had carefully chosen. It was perfectly positioned to be visible from Rudolf’s seat with just a slight turn of his head.

I waited at the door to the box seat.

“Five minutes to showtime. All audience members, please be seated.”

After the announcement and counting to ten, I opened the box seat door wide and walked in leisurely, arm in arm with Ludwig. I cast a quick glance toward Rudolf’s box seat.

Despite King Karl trying to engage him in conversation, Rudolf had clearly been ignoring him, waiting for our entrance. His gaze immediately locked onto us.

The instant our eyes met, I could see his face contort with a mix of dismay and frustration.

“How do I look?” Ludwig asked beside me.

“Worth seeing.”

I replied succinctly. Ludwig spoke in a voice that could melt anyone.

“It’s going to get even more interesting soon.”

I agreed. Rudolf couldn’t hide his bleak expression as he continued to stare at us. But there was nothing he could do in such a public place.