Chapter 120

Lionel calmly met the Crown Prince’s gaze, but he couldn’t hide his confusion.

Why? Why?

Did he make a mistake on the day he received the medal?

While countless thoughts swirled, the Crown Prince smiled at Duke Valentin, whom he had barely met before.

The Crown Prince, Theo de Rosenta, was a handsome man with short black hair and noble golden eyes. Though only in his early thirties, his demeanor carried considerable authority.

Leaving the seat for the Emperor empty, Theo sat in his place and leisurely looked around at the dukes.

“It’s been a while since we’ve gathered like this. Except for my uncle, I think I last saw all of you half a year ago.”

“I apologize for not visiting more often, Your Highness. Have you been well?”

Duke Shonel quickly responded to the Crown Prince’s words, smiling obsequiously. Then Theo’s uncle, Duke Baye, greeted him lightly, the elderly Duke Tours gave a blunt report on his recent affairs, and Jasmine explained Duke Bruyel’s health in a gentle manner.

When Lionel’s turn finally came, he was about to speak when the Crown Prince interrupted, as if he’d been waiting.

“Lionel de Valentin.”

The voice, calling his real name instead of his title, was quite weighty. Lionel, hiding his tension, looked at Theo calmly.

Theo continued, as if regretful.

“I’m very sorry you succeeded to your title. The Empire’s treasure leaving the army like this…”

Theo’s unhesitating praise made everyone pause in surprise. The only one whose expression barely changed was Lionel himself.

Lionel took a deep breath and responded, facing the inscrutable golden eyes.

“That’s too much, Your Highness. There are countless captains in the army more talented than me—including you, Your Highness, of course.”

“So modest, acting as if you retired because of age. Don’t pretend it suits you.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Lionel answered briefly and seriously, even to the Crown Prince’s teasing remark. Theo smiled, but the other dukes were quietly shocked.

‘His Highness likes that infamous, illegitimate Duke Valentin so much? Did they become close in the army?’

Lionel was just as surprised. He had served on the northern front, while Theo was mostly on the eastern front. They never met in the army, never worked together, and Lionel never received orders from the Crown Prince.

Why was Theo so friendly? Lionel searched his memories uneasily.

“The Emperor is entering!”

The attendant announced the Emperor’s arrival much louder than before. Theo immediately composed himself and stood.

Everyone waited as the Emperor, supported by attendants, walked in slowly. The Empress was absent due to illness, so the banquet hall doors closed after the Emperor entered.

Lionel observed the Emperor, who looked much more gaunt than two years ago. It seemed Theo would inherit the throne soon.

“Sit. All of you.”

The Emperor waved his hand carelessly and collapsed into his seat. At his signal, food began to enter the banquet hall.

With everyone silent, only the Emperor spoke, struggling to begin.

“In honor of Saint Hubert’s festival, I thank the pillars of Rosenta gathered here. Because of you, the Empire’s walls are strong, our territory…”

His voice lacked strength, but he managed to continue.

It was a tedious time, but Lionel sat calmly without showing boredom. Duke Shonel twitched his cheek trying to suppress a yawn, and Jasmine strained to keep her beautifully made-up eyelids from closing.

As Lionel lowered his gaze, he noticed an unfamiliar face. Thinking the Crown Prince was looking at him, Lionel lifted his head slightly and realized the woman sitting next to him.

The Princess was twenty years old. Her name was Priscilla. She had elegantly pinned black hair, just like her brother, and, as a royal descendant, possessed brilliant golden eyes.

With a porcelain doll-like youthful and lovely face, the Princess stared intently at Duke Valentin. The two had never met before, not even at the medal ceremony, since Priscilla was away from the palace due to illness then.

So, they were meeting for the first time today…

Lionel knew better than anyone what it meant when a woman gave such a direct gaze upon first meeting.

‘…This is troublesome.’

Lionel quietly avoided the Princess’s gaze, but then met the Crown Prince’s eyes. Theo smiled with satisfaction as Lionel looked at him diagonally. Clearly, he misunderstood something.

‘No, this is troublesome too.’

Lionel finally looked at Jasmine sitting opposite him. Seeing her desperately trying not to fall asleep brought him a sense of peace, and he inadvertently made a small smile of relief.

That brief smile left a huge impression on Princess Priscilla.

Anyway, Lionel spent the tedious time with the Emperor by watching Jasmine. Eventually, the Emperor started coughing and left the banquet hall with attendants, just as he had entered.

The day was ending, and the food changed from tea-time dishes to those suitable for a banquet.

Determined not to give Lionel a chance, Duke Shonel took a combative stance and spoke to the Crown Prince. Duke Baye, Duke Tours, and even Jasmine all focused on Theo.

The Emperor looked so frail that everyone instinctively sought power, looking up to the Crown Prince. Succession seemed only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, Lionel quietly ate and listened to the conversation between the dukes and the Crown Prince. He had no intention of revealing or asserting anything today. He planned to make an impression and wait for the right opportunity.

Besides, even without doing anything, the Crown Prince and Princess’s attention was already on him.

‘I don’t know what the Crown Prince wants from me. Has he heard something about me?’

Lionel recalled the situation before Theo entered and paused.

<Other nobles all think so. Duke Valentin is indirectly opposing His Majesty’s wishes, against war.>

But if that was why Theo was interested in him, he wouldn’t be smiling like that. There must be a more friendly reason.

Something else to talk about with such a smile…

<It’s because you hired a female artist.>

Clarette.

The moment Lionel thought of her, he froze. He quietly looked at the Crown Prince, holding the knife he had been using to cut meat.

He had been swept up in conversation with nobles and forgotten the most important thing.

How much the Crown Prince liked Clarette’s appearance.

The Crown Prince had obtained her portrait, praised it publicly, and displayed it in the best gallery. Of course, Theo was already married, but that hardly mattered.

If he wanted, he could do anything.

Lionel quietly put down the ornate silverware and wiped his mouth. His appetite vanished, and his blood felt cold.

He was glad he hadn’t touched the wine. From now on, he would never get drunk in front of the Crown Prince.

He needed strong self-control—at least until everything became clear.

At least, until he confirmed that Clarette had no place in the Crown Prince’s heart.

“Duke Valentin.”

At that moment, Theo called Lionel in a gentle voice.

Lionel slowly clenched his teeth to keep a calm face. As a result, his expression became blank, and the Crown Prince lightly suggested,

“Meet me again tomorrow. Here, at the same time.”

“It would be an honor, Your Highness. May I ask the purpose in advance?”

Jasmine made a hiccup-like sound and hurriedly covered her mouth at Lionel’s cold tone, which was nearly rude. Everyone knew he was being bold.

Theo, however, ignored the request with a generous expression.

“I’ll be waiting. Until you arrive.”