Chapter 87
#087. Preparing for the Climax
Baron Katangta shook his head without realizing it.
He couldn't believe it.
Before coming up to the capital for the Summer Ball, Baron and Baroness Katangta were filled with expectations.
It was the first time in their family's history that they were attending the Summer Ball, and they had even received a direct invitation from Princess Jade.
Yes, an invitation!
"The most absurd things always come from the lower ones. Make sure your subordinates keep their mouths shut, Baron. I don't want rumors spreading that I've been staying here for a long time. Do you understand?"
The Baron clearly remembered the Princess's secret order that day.
The awe-inspiring gaze that made him hold his breath, followed by the sweet invitation to the ball.
Because of that, he had firmly warned his servants for the first time.
But now, to say that they weren't on the invitation list! It was absurd.
Recalling the Princess's voice, the Baron took another step forward.
Under the scorching sun, the expression of the Imperial Palace Knight looking at him remained unchanged. Trying to shake off his shrinking heart, the Baron was about to open his mouth when.
"Baron, let's go."
His wife whispered, grabbing his sleeve from behind. Turning around, he saw his wife, her face flushed red, forcing a smile full of disappointment.
"Everyone's watching from behind."
Ah. Only then did the Baron realize the presence of his servants behind him.
The coachmen, who were a bit further away, might not hear this, but the maids right behind him had already heard him being rejected twice.
His dignity was already tarnished. Unexpected shame washed over him again. The Baron, his lips trembling, forced a smile and shrugged.
Then, as if it were nothing, he turned around.
"Well, since we're here, let's just look around the capital."
Until then, the Baron thought it couldn't be helped.
He was angry, but he thought that the Princess, who was really busy, might have just forgotten.
He thought that the best realistic option was to send a letter to Baroness Luhan, who was a nanny.
That's when he heard the voice of an Imperial Palace Knight from behind.
"It just shows how benevolent the Princess is, that even those with insignificant titles come looking for her like this."
The Baron's steps stopped abruptly. The Katangta Knight standing in front of the carriage, as well as the maids, turned pale.
But the voice from behind continued once more.
"There were countless people like that last year, weren't there? Country bumpkin nobles who think they can get into the ball just by saying their name."
A mocking laugh faded away behind the great insult, as if meant for them to hear.
Country bumpkin nobles. And the sight of the maids bowing their heads, not knowing what to do.
It was enough to ignite the Baron's heart, which he had barely calmed down. The Baron's face turned red and blue, and sparks flew from his eyes.
Before anyone could stop him, the Baron strode back and shouted, getting close to the Knights.
"What? Say what you just said again!"
.
.
.
"Baron, honey. Are you alright? Oh my, what's going on?"
The Baroness's sobbing voice faded away. The Baron let out a hollow breath and stared at the ceiling while lying down.
He didn't even remember how he got back to the lodging.
"Tch, spit. What a commotion from the morning."
The voice of the Imperial Palace Knight, who had pushed him away as if insulting him, echoed. The Baron clearly realized how he had been treated.
He had been driven out from the front gate of the Imperial Palace as if he were trash.
And that too, in front of his servants and his people.
Resentment, shame, and humiliation washed over the Baron. If he had been in his territory, he wouldn't have shown such a ridiculous sight.
What grudge did those Imperial Palace Knights have against him to insult him like that?
Once the thought spread, it continued to grow. The arrow also returned to the Baron himself.
What riches and glory was he trying to gain by leaving his territory and coming all the way to this capital? He just thought it was a good opportunity.
An opportunity for House Katangta to enter the central nobility. A chance to make an impression on the Imperial Family. The luck to experience the splendid ball that his wife had dreamed of so much.
Were his expectations presumptuous? The Baron bit his lip.
That wasn't it. He had clearly received an invitation from the Princess, no, from Princess Jade. But his proud House Katangta wasn't even on the invitation list.
This was the Princess's fault.
It was an impudent thought that he couldn't have imagined before, but now the Baron couldn't see anything.
Resentment towards the Princess spread like wildfire.
The Princess, as benevolent as a Saintess, the Princess who embraced everyone. The firm belief he had held in the Princess until now shattered into pieces.
The Baron closed his eyes. Tears slowly fell from the corners of his eyes.
Seeing that, the Baroness replaced her bursting heart with scolding words.
"Oh my, why are you crying? Let's go back to Katangta quickly."
That voice spread out the door. The servants, who were standing anxiously in the hallway, sighed simultaneously.
"What, what's going on?"
"What do you mean? The Princess just shat on the Baron."
"Shh! Watch your mouth. This isn't Katangta."
The coachman was startled and looked around at the maid's blunt words. But the maid didn't care and continued to complain.
"No, honestly, it's just between us, but we all know everything the Princess said at the mansion. No matter how well the Baron packaged it, she was so picky. The atmosphere at the mansion was so strict for those ten days."
"That's, but!"
"Even though it was food for the Princess, how could we supply such precious ingredients from Katangta? And what about the cleaning? The ladies-in-waiting were all noble, but do you remember how they treated our mistress?"
There was no way they wouldn't remember.
"Is this how you clean in the barony?"
"The food is terrible. It's food for Her Highness, so I wish you would pay more attention."
Every time they spoke sharply in elegant voices, the Baron and Baroness were at a loss, and that was clear in their minds.
Even the beautiful and elegant face of the Princess, who looked down on them as if they were beneath her.
"I really couldn't say anything at the mansion. So, I felt a little relieved every time I went grocery shopping and talked about it?"
"I'd like to hear more about that."
A quiet voice suddenly cut in. The servants, who had been freely talking about the Princess, froze as if they had seen a ghost.
Even the maid, who had been boasting and spouting nonsense because she was so angry, was terrified and quickly bowed her body. Her trembling voice spoke as if making excuses.
"Oh, sir. I was just spouting whatever came to mind. Please forgive me just this once."
"I'm not trying to blame you, I just want to hear about the facts."
The maid, who had tightly closed her eyes, slowly opened them. And she cautiously raised her head towards the nobleman who had suddenly appeared, as if testing the waters.
"It sounds like you have something to be upset about. I think I might be able to help you a little."
A handsome man with chilling silver hair. His cheeks were gaunt, but at a glance, he had a noble atmosphere. The other servants didn't say anything and just looked at each other.
But in the eyes of the maid, who had lived for quite a while, it seemed like the nobleman was telling the truth. The hesitant maid finally opened her lips.
"Can you really help us?"
"Of course. Tell me how long the Princess stayed in Katangta."
"That's not difficult. I remember exactly when she came and when she left."
At the maid's answer, the silver-haired nobleman, Jade Madeleine, nodded.
* * *
The time when the midday sun was shining down.
Leopold, who had just entered his office, sat on the sofa. And he roughly loosened his neatly tied tie.
The stuffiness disappeared a little, but he couldn't restore his already ruined mood.
A sharp breath burst out from his twisted mouth, as if he couldn't believe it.
A little while ago, the first meeting with the Heferti Delegation was a complete mess.
"As if a defeated country has any right to."
In the end, sharp words poured out.
Count Hagis inadvertently looked around.
But of course, the only people in this office were the Crown Prince, himself, and Duke Madeleine, who had come as a proxy for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Only then did Count Hagis, who had calmed his surprised heart, look at the Crown Prince. He could understand why he was so angry.
Leopold recalled the moment ago with fierce eyes.
"It's a shame. I wish you had attended on the first day of the ball."
After greeting them, Leopold had just said a routine word. But the answer that came back was somehow strange.
"We are sorry. We received sudden contact, so even though we rushed here, it took some time."
The words of the Heferti Delegation were all like that.
"...The scale of the delegation is not large."
"We are sorry, Your Highness. Heferti is still focused on post-war recovery. We have gathered as many people as possible to attend the Summer Ball, but we ask for your understanding for any shortcomings."
It seemed like they were being polite, but they were rude and strangely mixed with unpleasantness.
But Leopold tried to understand with a generous heart. How much would it hurt for the defeated country to attend the victorious country's ball?
But the real problem was that the delegation's attention was all focused elsewhere.
Eventually, when Leopold said a meaningful word, Duke Kiwel, the leader of the delegation, bowed his head and said.
"We are sorry, Your Highness. But, is Grand Duke Bikander coming?"
Did they want to see the enemy who had defeated Heferti? He was thinking that it would be worth seeing if they were trying to assassinate him in front of him.
"...It's a painful story for us, but it's good that you have such a great Knight."
"...What?"
At that moment, Leopold doubted his ears. Was the delegation referring to the Grand Duke?
"We only heard the rumors now that we are recovering. That Grand Duke Bikander never touched civilians."
"He also returned the prisoners with proper treatment. In that respect, it was still fortunate."
He didn't even want to hear about the Grand Duke's benevolent side, who was nicknamed the Slaughtering Demon.
He couldn't even manage his expression, but he couldn't ruin the first meeting with the delegation, so he barely managed to see them off.
Leopold gritted his teeth and burst into anger.
"Are all defeated countries so stupid and rude? To try to respect the person who defeated them. Well, that's why they lost."
But Duke Madeleine, who was sitting in front of him, didn't say anything. It was frustrating. Leopold tried to manage his emotions.
"...I heard that the Princess is in the capital, but she's still staying at the Grand Duke's Residence."
Only then did the Duke raise his head.
Seeing his shaking eyes, he felt a little better. It would have been nice if he had understood before he had to say it.
Leopold continued indifferently.
"I've been trusting the Duke and the Duke and continuing to entrust you with the work on Olivia, but I can't do that. As soon as the ball ends today, I'm going to bring Olivia into the Crown Princess Consort's room in the Crown Prince's Palace."
"Your Highness. What is that,"
The Duke's breath trembled. Leopold shrugged.
"I'm just bringing my fiancée a little earlier. Is that so surprising?"
