Ch#25

Episode 25

But the tension that had momentarily stiffened my body was soon hidden away without a trace beneath my skin.

It's not like I'm so naive that I can't properly control a single emotion in front of others.

I smiled nonchalantly and tilted my head in the opposite direction from Arpad.

"That's quite a peculiar taste you have? Is there something like that among the Madness symptoms caused by the dragon's blood?"

At that, a wrinkle formed on Arpad's smooth brow.

"You're making me out to be a human with cannibalistic tendencies."

"If not, then I'm truly relieved. But still, for someone who will become Emperor, having cannibalistic tendencies is a bit much, you know."

"Is that all I am, simply someone who will become Emperor?"

"What else is there?"

Arpad strode closer. He came so close that his boots practically nudged between my two feet.

If he had come just a bit closer, he might have pushed right between my legs.

There, Arpad whispered, almost pressing his lips to my earlobe.

"I'm also your husband."

A hot breath tickled my ear.

The muscles all over my body tensed tautly, and heat flushed hotly across my face.

Even though I had brushed off Arpad's meaningful remark as a cannibalistic reference.

Of course, I know well that his words could be interpreted in another way.

'In a... somewhat lewd sense.'

But I tried to pretend not to understand.

But then...

I didn't expect him to express it this directly with his body.

Arpad whispered softly.

"I don't know why you keep deliberately pretending not to understand."

"What am I pretending not to understand?"

Then, Arpad's hot fingers slid down the nape of my neck as he whispered.

"Even though you understood everything perfectly well..."

If it had a temperature, it would be hot; if it had a texture, it would be sticky; if it had a scent, it would be sweet.

He was a man like honey gathered by a hunter to lure and devour poor bees.

That's just how his very existence was.

The moment my tension reached its peak.

The main point finally came from Arpad's mouth.

"Is there really no connection between your promise to keep me from going mad and that earlier talk about Artanus's blessing?"

"...!"

The tension and heat that had swelled up as if about to burst deflated ridiculously in an instant.

I felt stupid for having nearly been seriously captivated for a moment.

'What foolish, idle thoughts in front of ‘this man’.'

'So it was just a handsome-guy tactic to uncover my secret after all. I almost got into big trouble by overreacting or getting carried away.'

Right. This man is good-looking but excessively dangerous. He's a human like a honeycomb full of honey, with a swarm of bees lying in wait.

I smiled serenely and shook my head.

"No. I already told you, didn't I? That it was a made-up story to get the Emperor to recognize the marriage."

"Getting the Artanoos Hall is good. That alone will be accepted as the Emperor's recognition."

He looked at me with a truly suspicious expression and asked.

"What on earth are you going to prove, and how?"

So he was going to interrogate me after all.

The prepared answer jumped right out.

Along with a wink.

"That's a secret."

"......"

Now it was Arpad's turn to deflate.

He sighed lowly.

"Is there anything about you that isn't a secret?"

"Of course there is."

"What is it?"

Now Arpad was glaring at me with arms crossed, his face full of distrust.

I smiled brightly and answered.

"The fact that I'm actually someone who lived in the future, died miserably, and regressed?"

Now the suspicion that had filled Arpad's expression was spreading into absurdity.

"I didn't know you could express 'I don't want to answer' in such a creative way."

"Well, you know. I do have a good imagination."

People absolutely don't believe stories that are too fantastical when told nonchalantly.

The reason I know this is simple.

'Because I've tried telling others about my regression before.'

Roughly two or three times.

And each time the result wasn't good.

So, this time I told Arpad on purpose, knowing he wouldn't believe it.

'To divert attention by telling a story he absolutely can't believe.'

Right. That's all.

There was absolutely no other intention or futile hope like that.

* * *

The news that the Emperor had given the Artanoos Hall to Hilia and Arpad quickly circulated throughout the Imperial Palace.

"Wait, then has His Majesty already acknowledged them?"

"After just one meeting right after entering the palace yesterday."

"Isn't the Crown Prince... no, Duchess Delphine more capable than we thought?"

"Or is it that His Majesty's arm bends toward his son after all?"

"Either way, is Duchess Delphine really going to become the Crown Princess?"

"There wasn't even a formal state wedding."

"I heard they already held a separate marriage ceremony and came."

The noblewomen gathered for a tea party at the Empress's palace were busy quickly turning their heads.

'Which side should we side with?'

'No, even so, Crown Prince Arpad could fall into Madness at any moment, so it's unsettling.'

'Let's watch the situation a bit first. Lending the Artanoos Hall definitely has significant meaning.'

One of them asked tactlessly.

"If His Majesty seems to have acknowledged it, then shouldn't we stop calling her Duchess Delphine?"

The one who answered this tactless question wasn't the noblewomen whispering among themselves.

It was Evangeline, who appeared as if the Empress's palace were her own front yard.

"Then how should we address Duchess Delphine, Madam?"

"Ah, Marquis Lady Lus. Hello."

"You should answer that first. How should we address Duchess Delphine?"

Evangeline's voice was filled with boiling anger that anyone could hear.

Nevertheless, this tactless lady just voiced her thoughts aloud.

"Well, of course, shouldn't we call her Her Highness the Crown Princess? Since she married His Highness Crown Prince Arpad."

At that, Evangeline silently glared at the thoughtless lady for a moment, then soon covered her face with both hands.

"Sniff, what should I do!"

"Wh-why are you suddenly like this, My Lady?"

"I feel so sorry and pitiful for my brother."

"...What?"

Then, the two young ladies who always followed Evangeline around like maidservants began chattering on their own.

"As expected, Lady Evangeline is so affectionate and considerate."

"That's right. The one suffering and struggling the most right now is none other than Grand Duke Ludwig, whose bride was stolen."

"But calling Duchess Delphine the Crown Princess... How much more do you intend to hurt Grand Duke Ludwig?"

Then Evangeline cried out, tears dripping from her large eyes.

"It's too much! No matter how much you want to flatter, with the victim right here!"

"That's right, Lady Evangeline. Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor hasn't publicly declared his permission yet, has he?"

"Exactly! Just because he permitted a party at the Artanoos Hall doesn't mean that's permission for the marriage!"

The atmosphere was turning strange.

Evangeline and the young ladies were pushing the tactless lady as a 'sycophant who insulted the victim to flatter.'

"No, I didn't mean it that way...!"

Evangeline cut her off ruthlessly.

"Mother doesn't like people who flatter for power."

Those who frequented the Empress's palace knew well what these words meant.

'This means she'll ban entry to the Empress's palace from now on!'

Naturally, the highest position among women in the Empire was the Empress.

Someone snubbed by the Empress could never be accepted in social circles.

Especially since Evangeline was currently the top power in social circles, called the highest flower.

She had been outed by her.

"P-please forgive me! Please give me a chance to speak directly to Her Majesty the Empress...!"

But Evangeline only turned her head coldly.

As if waiting, the Empress's palace maids approached and began dragging away the lady who had been outed by Evangeline.

"No! I'm telling you I didn't mean it that way!"

Struggling was useless.

The lady was mercilessly cast out and would never be invited to the Empress's palace again, nor to Evangeline's salon.

This was practically an exile from social circles.

Evangeline turned back to the noblewomen, smiling brightly as if the tears from moments ago were fake.

"Mother isn't feeling well today, so she commanded me to receive the guests in her place."

At that, the noblewomen quickly began flattering Evangeline.

"For us, just setting foot in the Empress's palace is an honor!"

"That's right! And to be able to see Lady Evangeline, called the golden rose of social circles—what an unexpected fortune."

"How is Grand Duke Ludwig doing?"

"The Empress cares for His Highness the Grand Duke so much."

Evangeline made a sorrowful expression.

"My brother seems to have the deepest emotional wounds. Mother seems worried about that too."

Then her green eyes flashed.

"So Mother said she thinks it would be too difficult to attend the banquet at the Artanoos Hall."

"...!"

The noblewomen understood the hidden meaning in these words.

'This means the Empress has ordered not to attend the party at the Artanoos Hall!'

This kind of silent command was issued throughout the Capital's social circles.

Those who defy it will soon be exiled from social circles.

* * *

News of the Empress and Evangeline's countermeasures against me ahead of the Artanoos Hall banquet quickly reached my ears.

'They're saying they'll ruin my party.'

Of course, there was (the thought of) absolutely no way I would just take it quietly.

Translator: Nox