Count Cressida voiced his displeasure to Marquis Kuyper.

“If the Emperor continues like this, he’ll place the bourgeoisie above us. We must persuade him before that happens. I, for one, cannot say much myself because of my connection with the Empress; any words from me are easily misunderstood.”

Marquis Kuyper only smiled gently without adding much. Count Voyager spoke up.

“It’s time for Prince Frederick to step in. Prince Robert is dividing our hardline faction. Do you intend to leave him unchecked? Now is precisely when Prince Frederick should calm the senior advisors and persuade the Emperor. The Emperor won’t turn his back on Prince Frederick.”

Count Cressida, looking disappointed, said, “Prince Frederick is fully absorbed in his studies. The Emperor even appointed a tutor, so it’s unlikely he’ll break his seclusion.”

The Empress, like Count Cressida, repeated only that Prince Frederick was in seclusion and thus unavailable to meet with people.

Naturally, the hardliners observed Cressida’s reluctance to act and didn’t look upon it favorably. Therefore, they too had no intention of taking any action.

Prince Robert invited senior royals and nobles to meet with the Emperor and also ensured that anyone from the bourgeoisie could participate in gatherings if requested.

The Emperor understood Robert’s concerns. Not wanting to alienate the nobles too abruptly, he decided to follow Robert’s suggestions.

—

As a result, a gathering was arranged with the Emperor, some hardline nobles, and members of the royal family, including Count Cressida, the Emperor’s father-in-law.

With a warm smile, Count Cressida remarked, “I heard Prince Robert’s engagement ball was a great success. I understand His Majesty enjoyed himself as well.”

The Emperor smiled and replied, “I’ve never had so many conversations at a ball before.”

Marquis Melin, an elder member of the royal family and an orthodox noble, retorted with irritation, “That’s because they have no sense of etiquette. I doubt any of them knew that royal balls are not meant for that.”

The Emperor continued smiling, “I actually found it quite enjoyable, thanks to those who lacked decorum. The conversations seemed endless. Other nobles quickly adapted and joined in. I hope you’ll attend next time—I heard so many refreshing viewpoints.”

“Refreshing viewpoints?” Marquis Melin scoffed. “More like raw, unrefined talk.”

The Emperor laughed, “That’s true as well.”

The Emperor laughed off the senior nobles’ complaints and continued, “Next time, I’d like to arrange a meeting with some legal scholars. What do you think?”

Count Cressida responded, “Must we be involved? That kind of administrative work interests only those in the civil sector.”

The Emperor, ignoring Count Cressida and looking at others, said, “Otherwise, I’ll be meeting exclusively with the bourgeoisie for weeks on end. Wouldn’t that be unbalanced? So, I must ask you to join. Uncle, for the honor of the royal family, please attend. If any bourgeois behaves improperly, feel free to set them straight.”

Marquis Melin, pleased at being called “Uncle” for the first time in a while, replied with a contented expression, “Since you’ve asked me to discipline them, I shall. I’ll attend.”

The Emperor’s persistent smile made it difficult for the nobles to express grievances openly; instead, they played along with the Emperor’s mood.

Count Cressida chimed in occasionally but thought to himself, ‘Humph! He’s just trying to placate the old guard. As if that’ll work…’

Contrary to Count Cressida’s thoughts, the nobles didn’t reject the Emperor’s conciliatory gestures. Nor did they feel compelled to make strong protests.

For them, Frederick was still just one of the princes. Naturally, the Emperor was of utmost importance, and none of them wished to provoke his ire on Count Cressida’s behalf.

Count Cressida watched with bitterness as those who previously spoke harshly now fawned, eager to win the Emperor’s favor.

The Emperor’s approach with the senior nobles was relatively successful. Although he couldn’t change their minds, they would at least acquiesce to the royal family’s movement in line with the times.

Afterward, formal exchanges began between scholars in various fields and officials from the civil sector. Gradually, exchanges expanded across fields and ranks, accommodating the senior nobles’ sentiments while adjusting the pace. The royal court advanced steadily.

—

Public opinion of Prince Robert improved daily. With Prince Frederick’s absence, Robert drew more attention.

Many nobles were pleased with Prince Robert’s character and work style. He eased tensions from his engagement ball, gaining some favor and networking with orthodox nobles.

Naturally, the Empress was displeased with the situation. She repeatedly urged Count Cressida to find a way to check Prince Robert, who was capitalizing on Frederick’s absence.

Both Duke Wiscombe and Count Cressida were frustrated. The rise of Prince Robert in Frederick’s absence was a temporary problem that would resolve itself once Frederick reappeared.

However, Frederick seemed to think it was not yet the right time, as he continued to stay in seclusion.

***

Even as Prince Robert made strides at the ball, tensions between the Wiscombe family and Prince Robert persisted. Articles on the subject were now being published openly.

Most stories began with tales of Sophia, who had faced humiliation at Isabelle’s debutante event, and her connection to Prince Robert. It was almost as if the articles were educating their readers. And then, the bombshell arrived.

An article covered Philip’s rumored relationships with men.

The piece detailed how Philip was often seen at night, holding hands with a young man and entering a particular house in the Fourth District. It even included an anonymous interview with an old male lover.

The specific details and names in the article made it seem as if someone close to Philip Wiscombe had leaked the information.

As soon as the article about Philip’s relationships was published, suspicion turned toward Prince Robert. Everyone knew about the rift between Robert and the Wiscombes. Additionally, it was widely known that Robert and Philip, who had been longtime friends, had recently fallen out.

Seeing the onslaught of articles, Robert spoke to Vian.

“It’s obvious the Cressida is behind this, but we’ll need to investigate. Look into it. I doubt this will be the end of it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After Philip’s story, articles about Prince Robert started to surface.

They claimed that Robert was making ambitious moves and that he opposed the Wiscombes for some mysterious reason—unsurprisingly, to keep Prince Frederick in check.

Other articles subtly outlined Robert’s ambitions and recent accomplishments, while connecting them to Frederick’s seclusion and the delay of his engagement.

The narrative of an ambitious prince finally gaining recognition, Philip Wiscombe’s scandal, and Frederick’s withdrawal all intertwined to form a compelling conspiracy theory.

It painted Robert as someone who ruthlessly targeted Philip to threaten both Frederick and the Wiscombe family.

When Robert saw that the articles had escalated into smear campaigns against him, he shook his head.

“Those Cressida people have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into.”

Just then, Acel entered with an armful of newspapers and overheard Robert’s words.

“Pardon?”

Robert glanced at Acel before replying.

“Now that political news is filling the papers, the nobles’ private lives and political affairs have become open topics of gossip—courtesy of Cressida, no less.”

Acel, seeing Robert’s nonchalant expression, thought Robert didn’t really understand what was happening.

‘Yes, perhaps Frederick would be better suited than Prince Robert.’

Robert chose not to respond to the articles at all.

As a result, with the assurance of press freedom, the most political and sensational articles to date began flooding the media.

—

Philip stood firmly before Duke Wiscombe. The Duke, voice shaking with anger, spoke.

“I warned you to be cautious, but what is this now?”

Several newspapers and magazines lay spread out on the Duke’s desk. Philip looked at him and replied.

“I was cautious.”

“Then why are there articles? And what about these interviews? If you couldn’t properly keep those people in check, you shouldn’t have associated with them in the first place. Have you forgotten your promise to avoid causing further issues with your personal life?”

“I did my best to silence them… My apologies.”

“The articles claim Prince Robert deliberately leaked this. Is there any truth to it? Does Robert know about your preferences?”

“He has known for a long time.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me that from the beginning?”

“I was certain Robert would never betray my confidence.”

The Duke glared at Philip, who calmly responded.

“The Empress and Cressida couldn’t resist and leaked it. They’re targeting both Prince Robert and us, the Wiscombes.”

Despite the Duke’s fierce gaze, Philip continued.

“If Prince Robert had intended to expose my private life, he would have done so long ago. We’ve challenged Robert multiple times. Haven’t we been drowning in articles about our disputes? Doesn’t it seem like Cressida’s work to instigate fights among others while staying uninvolved?”

Hearing Philip’s words, the Duke stopped glaring and nodded.

“Of course. Only Cressida would think up such underhanded tactics. The media is saturated with articles about the Prince and us. What kind of bourgeois would dare this madness without powerful backing? Ha! And now they’re double-crossing us? Trying to keep us in check even as we block Prince Robert?”

“It seems that because the hardliners and we have been pressuring Frederick’s seclusion, Cressida has decided to target Prince Robert. Let’s just go along with Cressida’s intentions and pin the blame on Robert.”

“Are you really suggesting we follow Cressida’s plan? Setting up Robert as the culprit is one thing, but what about you? What about your honor?”

“Count Cressida will have to take responsibility for that. I’m certain that someone I know went to Count Cressida and blabbed about my affairs. I’ll find them, and they’ll pay the price.”

Seeing the Duke’s anger subside, Philip finally left the study, his palms slick with sweat.

As soon as he left the office, Philip headed straight to Isabelle’s parlor. Isabelle, watching Philip collapse onto the sofa as if exhausted, remarked,

“There must still be plenty of Count Cressida’s people around Frederick. He’s been worried that Count Cressida is behind the disappearance of one of his maids. He’s frightened and insists it’s not the time to make a move. No matter how much I urge him to come out, he refuses.”

“There are still Count Cressida’s people around? Frederick said that?”

“Yes. When I told him I was worried they might intercept notes from the Empress or Count Cressida, he managed to discover yet another of them. He’s not a complete fool, after all.”

“Good. He listens to you, and he’s not entirely naïve. Count Cressida has really filled the Empress’s and Prince’s circles with her people. Who else might be her spy?”

Isabel replied coldly,

“Even now, Count Cressida is trying to take us and Robert down all at once. We need to find a way to counter her. Every time Frederick doesn’t bend to their will, they’re going to find some fault with us.”

“No matter how clever Count Cressida thinks he is, he doesn’t seem to know what’s really important. That’s why Grandmother calls them a bumpkin from the south. Lately, there’s even talk that the Emperor accepts every proposal Robert makes. Since he came up from the estates, there’s been no mention of him going back down.”

Philip’s mind went back to all he’d lost over his trip to Ariel.

“Who would have thought the greatest blow would come from Robert moving to the capital…”

With a troubled expression, he continued,

“He’s pacifying the nobles’ complaints for the Emperor, basically acting as the Crown Prince. And our feud is all too real. I heard he even used Mother’s reputation to threaten us? Mother is suffering again, and she’ll take the brunt of this latest scandal.”

Isabelle nodded.

“Is that why you’re so angry? Are you worried Grandmother will blame Mother because your orientation was exposed?”

With a weary look, Philip replied,

“Say something to Grandmother, too. Tell her to stop tormenting Mother. She has no intention of replacing her with a new Duchess anyway. And you, don’t dismiss Mother either.”

“I get it. But it’s also true she provoked Sophia and escalated the situation unnecessarily.”

Philip sighed. His mother’s position remained precarious, especially within the Wiscombe family. The one who would suffer most from the article about him wasn’t him—it was his mother.

Philip vowed to take care of the rats around him and Cressida.

“I’ll deal with them personally.”