The deputy Baron of Oberon ignored the subordinate blocking his path and turned to Baron Oberon.

“I’ll seek help from Philip Wiscombe. Even Wiscombe wouldn’t dare refuse if we shower him with money.”

“Ridiculous! If he discovers not only that we contacted Saturn but also aided in their invasion, he’ll run for the hills.”

“Still, it’s worth trying. Do you expect us to just sit around and die?”

Baron Oberon scoffed.

“The fact that Wiscombe is here means he doesn’t intend to save us but to use us. Bring Philip Wiscombe to me. I want to hear what he has to say.”

The deputy baron hesitated briefly but eventually agreed to summon Philip Wiscombe. Even as he complied, he continued trying to persuade his father.

“There’s still no concrete evidence, as you said. It would be better for us if Saturn outright fails.”

Baron Oberon replied,

“If our plan succeeds, the family will survive, but the youngest will die. If we fail, the family dies while the youngest survives. Your task is to ensure success for the sake of your family.”

“How? Are you seriously considering taking the prince and the noblewoman hostage?”

Baron Oberon responded,

“Why not? Doesn’t it seem obvious why Philip Wiscombe has come to us?”

“Father! As you said, Wiscombe is cunning. The moment things go south, he’ll pretend he doesn’t know us. Why should we go to such lengths?”

“We’ve already betrayed Uranus. Our paths to survival are limited. Extreme measures are unavoidable.”

The acting baron shook his head.

“Have you gone mad? There’s no solid proof against us, only suspicions. We might lose the territory later, but that’s still a better outcome.”

“We’re doomed regardless. The only difference is whether we die slowly by strangulation or all at once. If that’s the case, we might as well bet on the option with the highest odds.”

The deputy baron’s face was filled with hesitation.

“For now, let’s hear what Philip Wiscombe has to say.”

This time, the subordinate quietly stepped aside and opened the door.

The deputy baron left to find his younger sibling.

***

Lord Oberon arrived to meet Philip Wiscombe. As if expecting him, Philip had already dismissed his servants and attendants. Seeing Philip still in his travel attire, Lord Oberon asked with a puzzled expression,

“Why haven’t you changed into formal attire yet? Aren’t you attending the banquet?”

Philip Wiscombe smiled and said,

“What about Creole?”

“The winter sea is rough. She encountered a storm.”

“Good, then.”

“You couldn’t have come all the way to Oberon just for that. Is it really about Prince Robert and Lady Gareth’s engagement? Lady Ariel was a fake anyway. Even if you’re rushing here, I doubt it will change anything.”

“I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. You know how anxious Father has been. You realize it’s odd how many people are flocking to Oberon, don’t you?”

Lord Oberon sighed.

“All this trouble just for Ariel. We should’ve left that wretched land alone.”

“There’s a salt mine there. Even Oberon’s wealth can’t overlook that.”

“Sure, but it’s not something we can simply take for free.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

Philip grinned slyly and began fiddling with Lord Oberon’s hand.

“Lord Oberon, why act like this between us? Since you’ve already joined forces with Saturn, you should see it through. There’s no turning back now.”

Lord Oberon brushed off Philip Wiscombe’s hand and said,

“I thought you’d say that. There’s someone who wants to meet you.”

Leading the way, Lord Oberon exited, with Philip trailing behind, glaring at his back. Despite his expression, Philip spoke in a soft, friendly tone,

“You’ve been quietly handling Oberon’s affairs, even while claiming to know nothing about them.”

“Just minor errands. I’m still being excluded. It’s not like any of this is mine anyway. I thought maybe I could secure Ariel’s domain, but seeing how things are unfolding, even that seems unlikely. Honestly, ignorance might be bliss at this point.”

Waiting near a tapestry stood the deputy baron. Lord Oberon handed Philip Wiscombe over to him without hesitation and left without looking back.

As Philip watched Lord Oberon depart, he turned to the acting baron and asked,

“Is it okay to sideline Lord Oberon like that? What if he later claims ignorance and washes his hands of this?”

The deputy baron replied indifferently,

“If that allows him to survive, then good for him.”

The deputy baron led Philip Wiscombe behind the tapestry. As he followed, Philip discreetly brushed the back of his coat.

***

A welcome banquet was underway for Prince Robert, Lady Gareth, and the young lord. The deputy baron, who should have appeared by now, was conspicuously late. Only Lord Oberon loitered near the banquet hall entrance.

Philip Wiscombe, now dressed in formal attire, approached Lord Oberon and said,

“May I have a word with you for a moment?”

Lord Oberon nodded awkwardly, his expression tense. As they entered the banquet hall, Sophia turned to Helen and said,

“Something seems off.”

“Could it be that the guests are too overwhelming?”

Sophia glanced at Lord Oberon, who appeared uneasy without the deputy baron by his side. In contrast, Philip Wiscombe seemed particularly composed, which made him stand out.

Philip Wiscombe pulled Lord Oberon to a secluded corner near the entrance of the banquet hall and spoke in a low voice.

“Has Baron Oberon or the deputy told you anything specific about their plans? Or anything at all? What did the deputy say after meeting with me?”

Lord Oberon raised his eyebrows and responded,

“Don’t ask me anything. I don’t know. If you’ve settled things with my brother, then that’s it.”

GrippingLord Oberon’s arm firmly, Philip Wiscombe said,

“Don’t know? Really? Is it you?”

Lord Oberon looked baffled.

“What are you talking about?”

“What am I talking about? I’m talking about that scandal about me, the gossip from the capital labeling me as your lover. Thanks to that, I’ve become the most infamous ‘degenerate’ in the empire. I don’t know what you’ve gained from Cressida, but it seems she’s already abandoned Oberon. No matter how much you pretend to be ignorant, you must know that Prince Robert and Gareth are circling Oberon like vultures. Do you think you can escape unscathed? As long as you’re an Oberon, you’re as good as dead.”

Lord Oberon desperately denied it.

“I really don’t understand what you’re saying, Lord Wiscombe.”

Philip Wiscombe stared straight into Lord Oberon’s eyes and said,

“The talks with Baron Oberon and your brother didn’t go well. Since they chose Cressida over Wiscombe from the start, I won’t hold it against them that I refused to help. But Lord Oberon, while you may be preparing to betray your father and brother, you’d better be ready for the possibility that they’ll betray you first.”

With that, Philip Wiscombe left for the banquet hall. Lord Oberon looked toward the hallway and entrance, still searching for the missing deputy of Baron Oberon.

“This is strange. Why hasn’t he come yet? Has he moved on his own? No way… Did he run off, leaving me behind?”

****

Sophia, Helen, and Sol were already in the banquet hall. Philip Wiscombe had also taken his seat.

Looking around the table, Sol remarked,

“This is truly incredible. At one table, we have two dukes’ heirs, a duke’s daughter, and even a prince. Helen, switch seats with me.”

Helen teased him, saying,

“If you want to enjoy dinner properly, don’t switch seats. You’ll just sit there staring. Besides, do you think Lady Gareth would like someone gawking at her while she eats?”

Though Sol pouted, he stayed in his seat as Helen had suggested. Helen then whispered to Sophia,

“Do you think he’s just excited because Lady Gareth is beautiful, or is this his first teenage crush? Either way, it won’t last long, right?”

“I don’t know. From what I’ve seen, the Finega family’s love lives are always straightforward.”

Helen grinned knowingly.

“You mean Ellie, don’t you?”

“Well, you’re not exactly typical yourself, Helen. I still don’t understand how you manage to torment Gunther so much yet keep him chasing after you.”

Helen laughed, looking somewhat embarrassed.

At that moment, Lady Gareth entered the hall escorted by Sir Gareth, followed shortly by Prince Robert. Everyone took their seats, leaving one conspicuously empty—the seat reserved for Baron Oberon’s deputy. All eyes darted toward the empty chair.

Lord Oberon gestured for the banquet to begin. Prince Robert leaned toward Sophia, who was seated beside him, and said,

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen my fiancée. It’s a great pleasure. Even though we live in the same castle, it’s so hard to meet. Weren’t you supposed to enter with me?”

“I only realized it after arriving. From now on, my role as a fiancée… well, you’ve heard what I said, haven’t you?”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard. Speaking of which, could we talk for a moment after the banquet?”

Sophia nodded in agreement.

In truth, Sophia had already half-abandoned Oberon due to the arrival of the Gareth siblings. All that remained was to cooperate with Prince Robert and the Gareth siblings to gain their favor and secure their help.

‘For Ariel’s sake, I need their goodwill.’

Prince Robert cast a glance at Sophia Ariel. The Sophia Ariel he had seen in the capital seemed entirely different from the one here in Oberon.

In Oberon, Sophia had always been mindful of Parma and had never played the role of Prince Robert’s fiancée—not even standing by his side.

Prince Robert thought that after tonight’s conversation, Sophia would change. He harbored a quiet anticipation.

‘If I suggest turning our contract engagement into a real one, how surprised will she be? She might even cry with joy.’

Waiting eagerly for that moment, Prince Robert stole glances at Sophia, who seemed unaware of his gaze. Her attention was focused on Lord Oberon, who looked anxious.

Helen, on the other hand, watched Prince Robert and Sophia with satisfaction.

‘Good. There’s still hope. It’s too soon to give up.’

Philip spent the entire banquet provoking Sir Gareth, who sat beside him. The guests’ attention, including Parma’s, was drawn to Sir Gareth and Philip. It was obvious that Philip Wiscombe was deliberately irritating Sir Gareth.

“Typical Wiscombe,” someone thought.

Philip asked,

“I heard you ran one of your men to death, Sir Gareth. Is that true?”

Sir Gareth replied with a calm smile.

“Run until you cough up your heart, I said.”

Sol’s eyes sparkled as he asked,

“What’s the benefit of running for so long? Is it about building stamina?”

Sir Gareth gave an approving look and replied,

“Exactly. A soldier must build their stamina and push their limits. My job is to drive them to the edge of their endurance.”

Sir Gareth then addressed Philip.

“Fortunately, that soldier survived and is currently eating in another room.”

Philip smiled and remarked,

“Of course, the standards for Sir Gareth are bound to be different. It’s just so… Gareth.”

The Gareth siblings’ gazes turned sharp, almost piercing Philip. However, Gareth, despite his menacing glare, spoke politely.

“The standards for ordinary people and exceptional soldiers are indeed different. I understand if Wiscombe knows little about soldiers or training. Every noble family has its area of focus, after all. Wiscombe seems to focus on rumors. All your questions revolve around gossip. I assume rumors, public opinion, and media are Wiscombe’s domain.”

Philip replied,

“Is that so? Well, Sir Gareth, you are such an enigma that it’s hard to discern truth from rumor. Perhaps you’re unaware of the atmosphere in the capital. These days, you can hardly hold a conversation without gossip or rumors. Even I’m unsure how the capital reached such a state.”

Sir Gareth locked eyes with Philip and responded,

“I believe I know.”

Prince Robert chimed in,

“I think I know as well.”

Sophia nodded, adding,

“I have a pretty good idea too. Isn’t that right, Lady Gareth?”

Parma replied,

“Idiotic knights, trashy novels, and some incompetent family trying to get involved where they shouldn’t. It started small but kept growing. Then they found themselves rolling in the mud. It made for good entertainment, though.”

Philip Wiscombe glanced at the group, who were now united in mocking him.

‘Fine. So you’re all on the same side. Then you can all die together.’