Chapter 4.
However, the tension that had momentarily stiffened my body vanished beneath my skin without a trace.
I wasn't so naive as to be unable to control my emotions in front of others.
I tilted my head in the opposite direction of Arpad, smiling nonchalantly.
“You have quite a peculiar appetite? Is that also one of the symptoms of the Madness caused by dragon blood?”
At that, a crease appeared between Arpad’s smooth brows.
“You’re framing me as a man with a taste for cannibalism.”
“It’s a relief if you’re not. Still, it would be a bit much for a future Emperor to have a taste for cannibalism.”
“Am I merely a person who will become Emperor?”
“What else is there?”
Arpad took a long stride toward me. He stepped so close that the toes of his boots were practically wedged between my feet.
If he had come any closer, he might have pushed right between my legs.
Then, Arpad whispered, his lips almost brushing against my earlobe.
“I am also your husband.”
His hot breath tickled my ear.
The muscles of my entire body pulled taut with tension, and a sweltering heat rose to my face.
Even though I had tried to deflect Arpad’s suggestive remark by treating it as a joke about cannibalism...
Of course, I knew very well that those words could be interpreted in another way.
‘In a... somewhat erotic sense.’
But I had intended to feign ignorance.
And yet...
I didn't expect him to speak so directly with his body.
Arpad whispered softly.
“I don’t know why you keep purposely pretending not to understand my words.”
“What have I... pretended not to know?”
Then, Arpad’s hot finger grazed down the nape of my neck as he whispered.
“Even though you understood everything...”
If it had a temperature, it would be scorching; if it had a texture, it would be sticky; and if it had a scent, it would be sweet.
He was a man like honey gathered by a hunter to lure and devour a poor bee.
His very existence was like that.
The moment my tension reached its peak.
The main point finally came out of Arpad’s mouth.
“Is your claim that you will keep me from going mad truly unrelated to what you said earlier about the blessing of Artanus?”
“...!”
The tension and heat that had swelled as if about to explode instantly fizzled out absurdly.
I felt foolish for almost being seriously charmed for a moment.
To think such silly, idle thoughts in front of ‘this man.’
‘As I thought, it was just a honey trap to dig out my secrets. It would have been a disaster if I had overreacted or fallen for it.’
Yes. This man was good to look at, but excessively dangerous. He was like a beehive full of honey where a swarm of bees lay in wait.
I smiled serenely and shook my head.
“It’s unrelated. Didn’t I already tell you? It was just something I made up to get the Emperor to recognize the marriage.”
“Getting him to grant us Artanus Hall was good. That in itself will be taken as the Emperor’s recognition.”
He looked at me with genuine suspicion and asked.
“Just how on earth do you intend to prove it?”
I knew he was going to interrogate me.
The answer I had prepared in advance popped right out.
Along with a wink.
“That’s a secret.”
“...”
This time, it was Arpad’s turn to let out a sigh of frustration.
He lamented lowly.
“Is there actually anything that isn’t a secret to you?”
“Of course there is.”
“What is it?”
Now Arpad was glaring at me with his arms crossed, his expression full of disbelief.
I replied with a bright smile.
“The fact that I am actually a person who died miserably in the future and regressed?”
The suspicion that had filled Arpad’s face was now replaced by sheer absurdity.
“I didn't know you could say 'I don't want to answer' in such a creative way.”
“Well. I do have a good imagination.”
When people tell a story that is too far-fetched as if it were nothing, others never believe it.
The reason I knew this was simple.
‘It’s because I’ve tried telling someone else about my regression before.’
About twice or so.
And every time, the result was not good.
So, this time, I said it on purpose, knowing Arpad wouldn't believe it.
‘To divert his attention by telling a story he could never believe.’
Yes. That was all.
It certainly wasn't because of any other intention or futile hope.
* * *
The news that the Emperor had granted Artanus Hall to Hilia and Arpad spread quickly through the Imperial Palace.
“Wait, so His Majesty has already recognized them?”
“After meeting them just once yesterday right after they entered the palace.”
“Don’t you think the Crown Prince... no, the Delphin Duchess’s resourcefulness is better than expected?”
“Isn’t it more likely that his heart simply leaned toward his son?”
“Either way, is the Delphin Duchess really going to become the Crown Princess?”
“There hasn't even been a formal state wedding yet.”
“I heard they already held a private marriage ceremony before coming here.”
The noble ladies gathered for a tea party in the Empress’s palace were busy calculating quickly.
‘Which side should I take?’
‘No, even so, it’s uneasy since no one knows when Crown Prince Arpad’s Madness might flare up.’
‘For now, let’s watch the situation. Entrusting them with Artanus Hall is a significant gesture.’
One of them asked thoughtlessly.
“It seems His Majesty has recognized it, so shouldn't we stop calling her the Delphin Duchess?”
The one who answered this tactless question was not the whispering noble ladies.
It was Evangeline, who appeared as if the Empress’s palace were her own front yard.
“Then what should we call the Delphin Duchess, Madame?”
“Ah, Lady Luce. Hello.”
“You should answer the question first. How should we call the Delphin Duchess?”
Evangeline’s voice was seething with rage that anyone could hear.
Nevertheless, this tactless lady simply spoke her mind.
“Well, naturally, shouldn't we call her Her Highness the Crown Princess? Since she married His Highness Crown Prince Arpad.”
At that, Evangeline glared at the thoughtless lady in silence before covering her face with both hands.
“Oh, what should I do!”
“W-why are you suddenly like this, My Lady?”
“Because my brother is so pitiful and miserable.”
“...Pardon?”
Then, the two young ladies who always followed Evangeline like maids began to chatter on their own.
“As expected, Lady Evangeline is so kind and thoughtful.”
“That’s right. The one suffering the most right now is none other than Grand Duke Ludwig, whose bride was plundered.”
“And yet, to call the Delphin Duchess the Crown Princess. How much more do you intend to hurt Grand Duke Ludwig?”
Then Evangeline cried out, tears streaming from her large eyes.
“That’s too much! No matter how much you wanted to flatter, how could you when the victim is right here!”
“You’re right, Lady Evangeline. Besides, the Emperor hasn't publicly proclaimed his permission yet, has he?”
“Exactly. Even if he allowed them to hold a party at Artanus Hall, that doesn't immediately mean he’s permitted the marriage!”
The atmosphere was turning strange.
Evangeline and the young ladies framed the tactless lady as a ‘snob who insulted a victim just to flatter power.’
“No, I didn't mean it that way...!”
Evangeline cut her off coldly.
“My mother does not like people who try to flatter power.”
Those who frequently visited the Empress’s palace knew well what these words meant.
‘This means she’s going to be barred from entering the Empress’s palace from now on!’
Naturally, the Empress was the one who held the highest position among the women in the Empire.
One who was shunned by the Empress could never be accepted in social circles.
In particular, Evangeline was currently the most influential person in society, holding the position of the so-called 'top flower.'
She had been ousted by her.
“P-please forgive me! Please, at least give me a chance to speak to the Empress directly...!”
But Evangeline only turned her head away coldly.
As if waiting, the maids of the Empress’s palace approached and began to drag out the lady who had been ousted by Evangeline.
“No! I told you I didn't mean it that way!”
It was no use struggling.
The lady was cast out mercilessly, and from now on, she would not be invited to the Empress’s palace, let alone Evangeline’s salon.
This was practically a decree of exile from social circles.
Evangeline turned back to the noble ladies with a bright smile, as if her tears from a moment ago had been a lie.
“My mother is feeling unwell today, so she commanded me to greet the guests in her stead.”
At that, the noble ladies quickly began to flatter Evangeline.
“It is an honor for us just to set foot in the Empress’s palace!”
“That’s right! And to be able to see Lady Evangeline, who is called the Golden Rose of society—it’s an unexpected stroke of luck.”
“How is Grand Duke Ludwig doing?”
“The Empress cherishes the Grand Duke so much, after all.”
Evangeline put on a sorrowful expression.
“It seems my brother’s heart is wounded the most. It appears my mother is also very concerned about that.”
Subsequently, her green eyes flashed.
“That is why my mother said she finds it difficult to attend the banquet at Artanus Hall.”
“...!”
The noble ladies understood the hidden meaning behind these words.
‘She’s saying the Empress has ordered us not to attend the party at Artanus Hall!’
Such silent orders were issued throughout the social circles of the Imperial Capital.
Those who disobeyed would soon find themselves expelled from society.
* * *
Ahead of the banquet at Artanus Hall, the measures taken by the Empress and Evangeline against me quickly reached my ears.
‘So they’re going to ruin my party.’
Naturally, I had absolutely no intention (or thought) of taking it lying down.
Translator: Nox