Chapter 63

63. The Welcome Party (3)

“Marquis Flanders?”

The Marquis of Flanders threw the pipe he was carrying down the balcony.

“The noble Duchess calls me by my full name, and this is an honour.”

The Marquis of Flanders kissed the back of Adelaide’s hand. Goosebumps ran up her spine, and she angrily swatted her hand away, his sleepy eyes quickly turning sharp.

Sensing an unpleasant premonition, Adelaide tried to leave the terrace, but the Marquis stopped her.

“Where is the Duke? Are you here alone?”

“I stepped out for a moment because it was hot in the ballroom, but I seem to have disturbed you.”

“Disturbed? Nonsense. It’s not every day that the Duchess herself calls my name. If you’re not busy, why don’t you join me for a conversation?”

The man grinned, revealing his yellow teeth. It was rude and blatant flirting.

There was no way he could do this in his right mind, but how much Velido had he been smoking?

“Never mind. I don’t think the Marquis and I are in that kind of relation.”

Adelaide turned away, not bothering to hide her displeasure. How dare a member of Elkius’ people smoke a drug that was forbidden by law in the palace, let alone the Chairman of the Imperial Council.

“Why, don’t you like me?”

The languid voice behind her asked. Adelaide tried to ignore it, thinking of Callion.

“A mere marquis is not worthy of the attention of the woman of the two most powerful men in the Anatolian Empire?”

But the Marquis of Flanders was getting out of hand. Adelaide, concluding that ignoring him was not the answer, shot back in a sharp tone,

“There are many eyes on you, so be careful how you conduct yourself. As the Chairman of the Imperial Council, you should set an example and not bring shame upon yourself.”

“Ha?”

The man raised one corner of his mouth. The look in his eyes said, ‘How dare you do that? ’ Adelaide continued her words without stopping.

“I will overlook the insolence you have shown me, Marquis, but bear in mind that your imprudence is a stain on the honour of His Majesty, who has recommended you for the Chairman of the Imperial Council.”

“Oh, no……!”

It wasn’t worth arguing with him anymore. Adelaide turned on her heel and left the terrace.

“Adele, where have you been?”

Callion called after her as she returned to the ballroom. Adelaide replied nonchalantly.

“I went out on the terrace because it was hot.”

“You should have told me. Do you know how long I’ve been looking for?”

“It was because of the fur coat you gave me.”

As she pointed to the shawl draped over her shoulders, Callion cleared his throat in embarrassment.

The chandelier lights, the alcohol, and the dancing had drenched her, but she hadn’t removed the shawl. Callion smoothed out the loose, flowing shawl and shook his head.

“You shouldn’t.”

“You’re too much.”

Adelaide wiped her eyes, and Callion flashed his a sunny smile.

She laughed absentmindedly, but then her gaze met Elkius’s again. It was uncomfortable, even though he meant it to be.

Sure enough, Elkius walked over to them with his glass.

“Callion. Why is our guest of honour not enjoying himself?”

“I am enjoying myself, Your Majesty.”

“You don’t seem to be, so why don’t you drink up?”

“I have drunk enough.”

“Such a boring fellow. If you don’t like alcohol, you should at least stick to a woman.”

Elkius chuckled, looking quite drunk. Callion, unsuccessfully trying to keep a straight face, showed his displeasure.

“Well, with the Duchess being so lovely, it’s no wonder no other woman catches your eye.”

Elkius’ hand went to the nape of Adelaide’s neck.

“……!”

Startled, Adelaide craned her neck. Callion clenched his fist, and Elkius picked up her fallen hair.

“Your hair fell.”

“Ah… Th-thank you, Your Majesty.”

“The Duchess has beautiful hair.”

It was more mockery than compliment, but Adelaide only bowed her head shyly. Elkius turned away with a sneer as Callion’s gaze sharpened.

Bastard.

Adelaide looked at Callion with worried eyes. Deliberately trying to provoke him by reminding him that she was his woman.

“Your Grace, please let it go.”

“……I know.”

Thankfully, Callion managed to keep his temper in check. Adelaide surreptitiously took his hand, knowing she would have to soothe him when they returned to the mansion.

“I can’t wait to get back.”

“So do I.”

Callion smiled faintly, agreeing with her. But alas, the heat of the banquet did not seem to be cooling down anytime soon.

Haywards Changeling approached Callion, accompanied by a young man.

“Your Grace, Viscount Valyev would like to greet you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I am Aleksey Valyev.”

“Ah, nice to meet you…….”

Adelaide quietly withdrew from Callion’s side.

Throughout the banquet, Callion was frantically drawn to people, especially the nobles from the south, controlled by Haywards Changeling, who were eager to make his acquaintance.

The South is as marginalised as the West, of which Tiflis is a part. While the west, which borders the kingdom, has developed commerce, the desert south has struggled to find food.

Moreover, the drought has become more severe over the past few years, and many people have died of starvation.

Haywards Changeling appealed to the imperial court for help, but Elkius turned his back on the south for one reason or another. As a last resort, he turned to Callion.

The Haywards Changeling’s military is formidable, and if Callion can help him, he’ll have a strong ally. Though he has no place in it.

Adelaide pressed hard against her throbbing temples.

The lively banquet hall was filled with a nauseating scent of roses. Adelaide was aware of the prevalence of valerian among the nobles, but it was astounding to see Velido openly smoking even at the palace banquet.

Sickened by the smell, Adelaide rose to her feet, her stomach churning. She’s about to head out of the palace when she realizes that if she goes out on the terrace, she’ll see the same scene as before.

Crash! A sound of breaking glass came from behind her. Startled, Adelaide turned around to see the steward, who had been carrying a tray, kneeling in dismay.

“I apologize, Your Grace! I’m so sorry!”

Adelaide frowned at the servant, whose head was almost touching the floor. The wine bottle had shattered, soaking her dress with wine water.

“Are you hurt?”

Adelaide asked politely. The servant nodded cautiously.

“I-I’m fine. It was my carelessness… I’m truly sorry.”

“No one’s hurt, so that’s good. Now get up…….”

“Oh my, you should be more careful.”

A high-pitched voice cut in. A woman in a red dress turned to look at Adelaide.

It was Rosalyn Harper.

‘It’s her.‘

Adelaide thought. She had wondered why the experienced steward had collided with her in the wide palace corridor. It must have been Rosalind who pushed him.

“You’ve ruined an expensive dress. It probably won’t come off easily. What will you do?”

How childish.

This is how she took out her anger at not being allowed into the ballroom. It’s such an obvious ploy that she can’t help but sigh.

Adelaide glanced at Rosaline Harper, then spoke up.

“You’re here just in time. Clean it up.”

“…Are you talking to me?”

“Is there another maid here?”

“……!”

Everyone around the ballroom was a steward or maid, and Rosaline was the only maid.

“What are you waiting for? I said clean it up.”

“B-but, you…”

“You can wipe it with your clothes.”

Adelaide pointed to the red robe. Rosalyn Harper’s eyes burned brightly. Her stomach churned, but she couldn’t make a scene.

She knew Elkius would not forgive her.

“Make sure it’s cleaned up neatly before I return.”

Adelaide ordered arrogantly and strode out of the palace.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Once outside, Adelaide took a deep breath. The cold air seemed to ease her throbbing headache.

“Your Grace?”

Ignoring the lovers sharing secrets outside the palace, Adelaide descended the stairs when a familiar voice stopped her.

“Lucid.”

Lucid, who was being held by a strange woman, quickly ran up to her.

“Why did you come out?”

“I’m not feeling well, and I thought I’d take a walk.”

“Why don’t you come with me?”

“That’s okay, you’re busy.”

“What could be busier than escorting Your Grace?”

“I thought there was?”

Adelaide joked, squinting at the lone woman.

“Please don’t misunderstand, she’s just…”

“It’s fine. I’m just feeling uncomfortable.”

Despite the rumors circulating about her handling both Callion and Elkius, being seen walking with the son of Duke Lephisto could cause even more gossip.

Lucid gracefully backed off at Adelaide’s diplomatic refusal.

“I’ll inform His Grace. Please don’t go too far.”

“Okay.”

Adelaide roughly nodded at Lucid’s advice and headed towards the garden. Unlike the bustling banquet hall, the palace garden was tranquil. Adelaide sat on a secluded bench, calming her fluttering heart.

Even with her new status, attending the banquet was still difficult.

“Don’t act annoyingly, just leave if it’s too much.”

When was it?

The first palace banquet she attended after her father was made an Earl. Unable to bear the gazes of people pointing fingers at her, she had desperately begged Elkius for help. His response had been that.

Driven by a miserable and sorrowful heart, she had left the banquet and cried in the garden for a while. Someone had unexpectedly handed her a handkerchief.

“Use this.”

‘…….’

Afraid of revealing her distraught face, she couldn’t even thank the unknown man who handed her the handkerchief. When she finally raised her head after her tears had dried, the man was already gone.

‘I wonder where that handkerchief is…….’

She didn’t know who the handkerchief belonged to, so she didn’t return it, but she washed it and tucked it away in a drawer.

I’m sure it belongs to someone noble enough to attend an imperial banquet.

She had hoped that if they met again, he wouldn’t pretend not to know her, but considering they hadn’t met so far, perhaps he had forgotten.

Adelaide stood up from the bench, wishing she had asked for his name then.

It seemed that Callion wasn’t coming out. Considering the crowd waiting for their turn to talk to him, it would be difficult to leave.

And it would be rude to leave the Duchess alone for too long. Adelaide headed back to the banquet hall.

though she was worried about Callion’s pledge of allegiance, today turned out better than she had feared.

Despite staying secluded in Tiflis for a long time, the people’s trust in Callion hadn’t changed.

Elkius would be satisfied with Callion’s oath of allegiance covering up the affairs of the Regalias for now, and in the meantime, Callion might be able to discern who was truly on his side.

And as for the Velido…

“Ah!”