Chapter 27
Chapter 27.
The moment the Mainyucor delegation, who had been observing the situation, entered afterward.
“Hoo.”
“Huh.”
Exclamations burst out one after another. The lanterns filling the ceiling illuminated the banquet hall dazzlingly.
The large round table had a similar appearance to any banquet hall, but the harmony of the carpet, draperies, and tablecloth laid beneath it was extraordinary.
It was neatly arranged yet possessed a sophisticated charm, and even the floral scent was subtle and not overpowering.
“It feels like we’ve arrived at the capital’s banquet hall. I never expected to receive such hospitality on an island.”
Led by Count Montioll, the stiff atmosphere of the Mainyucor delegation softened.
“Well, it’s nothing special.”
“……”
Except for one person.
The head seat at the large round table was Fernand’s, and the head seat opposite him was for Agatha and Enoch.
Agatha sat in the chair Enoch pulled out for her, momentarily aware of his presence.
She was supposed to be focusing on the task at hand, yet her attention kept drifting from behind her to Enoch, seated beside her.
Once the head seats were filled and the rest of the delegation took their places at the table, the banquet officially began.
Fernand raised his wine glass and proposed a toast.
“Now, to the eternal friendly relations between the Mainyucore Empire and the Roxbard Empire.”
“To that.”
Even as she smiled with the corners of her lips raised at the subtle word choice in the toast, Agatha focused all her attention on Enoch’s reaction.
As if his earlier reaction meant nothing, the man emptied his first glass without any response.
“Let us begin the feast.”
At Fernand’s declaration, all sorts of dishes overflowed onto the table.
It was a magnificent spread, including Mainyucore Empire cuisine, Roxbard Empire cuisine, and even dishes from the Eastern Continent.
Count Montioll, the chief official on the Mainyucor side, offered high praise.
“It seems the Marchioness has put a great deal of thought into the banquet. The manner of service and the variety of dishes show the consideration of a noble lady.”
“You are too kind. It was only natural to do so for the harmony of our two nations. And.”
Agatha continued her words, placing her hand on Enoch’s right forearm. The wedding ring on her left ring finger gleamed blue under the light of the ornate chandelier.
“I believe I was able to prepare better with peace of mind because my husband personally led the knights to welcome the delegation. It was a joy.”
She had no intention of letting Fernand provoke her husband further.
Regardless of Enoch’s reaction, condoning Fernand’s actions was absolutely not good.
Above all, even if Enoch was a man of excellent noble upbringing, one could never know the foolishness of men.
Since it was a matter related to her side, it was only right that she draw a line multiple times.
“Isn’t that right, Enoch?”
“……I merely did what I had to do. If it was of help to you, then it is even more of a joy to me.”
The moment he lightly kissed the back of Agatha’s left hand.
Fernand’s eyes, which had already been wearing thin with impatience, flared with anger. He had disliked the man intensely from the moment they met on the ship.
A few hours earlier, Fernand had headed to the deck with a bothered expression upon hearing that someone from the Roxbard Empire had come to greet them.
“We’ll be arriving at the island soon, why do you need to come out to greet us?”
“Although it is an unofficial visit, it is a proper procedure since Your Highness is present.”
Behind him followed his aides and the chief official, Count Montioll.
“And since the one who came to greet Your Highness is Marquis Aratus, renowned as a war hero, I believe it would be good to pay your respects.”
“What?”
It was only natural for Fernand, who had been walking along fine, to stop in his tracks.
Marquis Aratus!
That man was Agatha’s seventh new husband.
Fernand had practically flown to the deck, wanting to see the scoundrel’s hideous face.
There.
Flap—
The Second Prince experienced a profound sense of defeat as a man.
An overwhelming presence.
The man who appeared in military uniform, adorned with epaulets and a flowing cape, exuded an immense aura with every step.
He felt sick to his stomach the moment he saw him. The man he thought would be hideous was, in fact, a proper man, handsome in appearance, and possessed a formidable presence as a strong individual, which was deeply humiliating for Fernand.
What’s more, the man was looking down with indifferent eyes, as if he had no interest in Fernand whatsoever.
“I greet His Highness, the Second Prince of the Mainyucore Empire.”
He spoke so indifferently, making Fernand’s previous preoccupation with him seem utterly futile.
‘Insolent!’
Fernand, snapping back from his reverie, ground his teeth. He had picked fights with the man at every turn afterward, but it was already too late.
He had clearly lost in their first encounter!
And as if that weren't enough, Agatha was paying all her attention only to that man, which was maddening.
‘No matter how great he is, he’s not better than me, a prince!’
Hadn’t he said he was forced to participate due to pressure from his relatives?
Even though he had returned victorious and settled his family affairs, his background was clearly superior to the other man’s.
Besides, his family’s financial situation was still a mess!
“Am I not better than him?”
“What?”
“I asked if I am better than the Marquis, Agatha.”
Agatha stiffened her lips with displeasure. She had tried to put a stop to his provocations, but it was like hammering a nail only to have a metal stake hammered back.
“Your Highness. As I mentioned before, words that could be misunderstood—”
“I regretted it a lot after I divorced you, my wife.”
‘What is he doing?’
Agatha, as well as the retainers present and the Mainyucor delegation, were stunned into silence, but there was one person who finally spoke.
“If you are challenging me to a duel, then stand up properly and state your words.”
The man, who had previously brushed off any provocation indifferently, was no longer doing so.
“To Your Highness, who declared in a public setting that you desire my wife.”
With eyes as black as polished obsidian.
“I will gladly cross swords with you.”
Enoch smiled chillingly, as if to show off, kissing Agatha’s wedding ring.
No one present failed to feel the palpable, chilling killing intent that reeked of blood so intensely it made one’s skin crawl.
The knights of the Mainyucore Imperial Family, who were on guard at the banquet hall, placed their hands on their swords, and the Aratus Knights also gripped their sword hilts, on alert.
A situation on the verge of exploding.
Fernand, who had frozen for a moment, curled his trembling lips upward.
“It seems my words were misinterpreted. That was not my intention.”
“……”
The man did not move. Under his languidly fixed gaze, Fernand, who had been clenching his teeth for a while, slammed his fist on the table and stormed out.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Count Montioll, who was terrified, rose from his seat and quickly bowed his head.
“I apologize for His Highness’s rudeness on his behalf, Marquis, Marchioness. His Highness must have been suffering from excessive fatigue, so I ask for your generous understanding.”
“Why would the Count need to apologize? It simply shouldn’t happen again.”
“Indeed. His Highness will surely understand. I apologize for interrupting the banquet, but I have something to attend to, so if you’ll excuse me……”
“Ah, then we shall take our leave as well.”
“Hmm, I haven’t fully recovered from my fatigue and need to rest.”
Led by Count Montioll, who bowed his head once more, the Mainyucor officials disappeared one by one.
Eventually, even the retainers left, leaving only the Aratus Knights and the servants.
Enoch then led Agatha, whose hand he had been holding, to the bedroom. His thick, firm fingers, parting her slender ones, held hers as if to trap her.
“I misspoke.”
Passing through the corridor and up the stairs.
Agatha, who had instantly arrived at the fifth-floor bedroom, looked up at Enoch blankly. The moment the door clicked shut, the man enclosed her in his arms and looked down at her.
“It’s not that I misunderstood, but it would be a lie to say I didn’t care.”
“……!”
Their lips met. With a low breath, the man deeply explored her, and before she knew it, he had lifted her into his embrace.
Her eyelids fluttered. Was the emotion she felt then indeed jealousy?
“Do not be alone with the prince, Agatha.”
Agatha barely managed to move her flushed lips.
“I have never been alone with him.”
“Did you not board his carriage?”
“A maid was by my side. And it was you who did not stay by my side.”
The man’s eyes subtly contorted.
“I thought I would be alright too.”
But now I don’t think I can be, he whispered, kissing her again and delving deeper into the bed.
The night grew deep.
Fernand, who had stormed out of the banquet hall, was filling his empty stomach with alcohol.
“To misinterpret my true feelings!”
As he drank more, his reason waned, and his insides burned. Fernand believed the reason his stomach felt hot was because of the man who had taken Agatha.
“To dare pressure me, when he was lucky enough to marry Agatha!”
If Agatha hadn’t divorced multiple times, that scoundrel would never have had a chance.
The fact that Fernand himself was her second husband proved it.
“More wine, bring more wine!”
“Your Highness. You have already had a great deal.”
The attendant tried to stop him, but it was no use.
“I said bring me wine!”
“You must also consider your health. You have meetings starting tomorrow morning.”
“Are you also looking down on me?”
He flew into a rage and found fault with trivial matters, leaving the attendant with no choice but to yield.
As the bottles of wine he received increased, so did his simmering resentment.
“Does he think I’ll be scared if he challenges me to a duel?”
It was particularly unfair and infuriating that he had to retract the words he had spat out under the man’s killing intent.
“To dare oppress me, a prince! Like some upstart with no roots!”
