Chapter 18 - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

About four years and three months had passed since the shocking deviation of the Duke of Rashiane.

Even after that, Ruwellin often committed deviations that made his vassalsundefined hearts leap, but he never went back to the southern region ruled by the Hill family.

And in fact, the pure Duke of Rashianeundefineds deviations were at the cute level of a short walk, a day trip, or looking around the streets, so everyone gradually felt relieved.

Someone elseundefineds young master lives like a crazy man, addicted to gambling and alcohol, but our duke is so upright, how fortunate. Everyone thought so.

"Your Grace, an invitation from Her Majesty the Empress."

The young man, about to come of age, would turn eighteen after his birthday. Ruwellin Rashiane had grown up very well and was the best groom candidate, coveted not only by the Empireundefineds prominent families but even by foreign royalty.

It was only natural for the Empress to invite such a Duke of Rashiane to the spring banquet. Everyone was curious about the young Duke of Rashiane.

Of course, the Empress also had her eye on the duke as a groom for her precious youngest daughter.

undefinedItundefineds a bit bothersome.undefined

And Ruwellin was bothered by the Empressundefineds interest.

"Will you be attending the banquet?"

The butler who brought the invitation asked. Ruwellin skimmed the Empressundefineds extravagantly decorated invitation and answered.

"I suppose so."

"Yes, then I shall instruct them to prepare your formal attire."

"Alright."

"...Is there anything you wish to instruct?"

"Not particularly... Ah."

Ruwellin, who had been answering dryly, added as if he had just remembered.

"In blue."

* * *

Time passed, and it was the day of the banquet.

Ruwellin attended the banquet wearing the blue formal attire his vassals had diligently prepared.

As soon as he appeared in the banquet hall, he captured everyoneundefineds attention instantly.

His high-purity platinum blonde hair shone elegantly under the chandelier light, and his emerald eyes sparkled intelligently with ease.

As always, he was so unrealistically beautiful that he looked like a heavenly god appearing in human form.

Everyone clamored to get even one more look at him.

The Duke of Rashiane, His Grace the Duke, everyone rushed at him with eyes blazing, trying to get in even one word.

Fortunately, after some time, the feverish popularity subsided. Only then could Ruwellin wet his throat with champagne and catch his breath.

Free from the hectic conversations, he finally had leisure and could ponder what had been bothering him.

undefinedI heard they are attending today.undefined

Adrian Hyll and his younger sister.

* * *

Adrian Hyll and his younger sister appeared when the banquet was in full swing. Their attitude was as confident as if they were the stars of the event.

The people clicking their tongues at this display were only those from families close to the Duke of Rashiane.

Most nobles wanted to establish a connection with the twenty-year-old young Magic Tower Lord. Maintaining a smooth relationship with the Magic Tower brought quite substantial benefits.

Even the Crown Prince, whose position was precarious, seemed to be desperately trying to get close to the Magic Tower Lord, to a pitiful degree.

Moreover, the Crown Prince had been glancing from time to time at the Hill familyundefineds youngest daughter, who stood quietly beside the Magic Tower Lord. With eyes that clearly showed his intention.

"......"

Ruwellin felt a rather unpleasant feeling and wet his throat with champagne. Somehow, his chest felt tight. It didnundefinedt seem to be just because he had seen the Magic Tower Lordundefineds unpleasant face.

In fact, the strange fluttering had started the moment the Magic Tower Lordundefineds younger sister, that very Roznia Hyll, entered the banquet hall.

Ruwellin admitted honestly. Roznia Hyll was a stunning beauty. Even he, who had seen beautiful things in this world to the point of boredom, had his gaze stolen for a moment.

No, to be honest, it wasnundefinedt just a moment.

Ruwellin found himself unconsciously chasing after Rozniaundefineds figure. That girl he had seen in the rose garden four years ago was that very young lady. Roznia Hyll. The princess of the Magic Tower. He had known that fact for a long time already.

That memory from the rose garden on a sunny summer day remained a faint recollection for Ruwellin.

It occasionally came to mind and made him feel a strange sentimentality, but it never evoked any greater emotion than that. It was just a memory, nothing more.

Yes, but.

Why was that lady so eye-catching?

She must be about seventeen now. Her body, beginning to form distinct curves, was elegant as a swan.

Her limbs were slender, her hands small. Her white skin looked soft and pliable, and her slightly flushed cheeks were impossibly lovely.

Her rose-colored hair was delicately braided, revealing her slender neck. A neck that looked like it could be grasped in one hand.

When her pale ruby-tinted eyes sparkled as she looked around, cute curiosity peeked out from beyond them. Whenever her eyes met her brotherundefineds, she would slightly narrow her eyes and smile.

The moment he saw her smile, Ruwellin tightened his grip on his champagne glass. People kept talking to him, but he couldnundefinedt hear a word.

Although Ruwellinundefineds attention was absorbed by Roznia, he could clearly notice one thing.

She was receiving an excessive amount of attention in this banquet hall.

The ladies glanced at her like a jewel because she was pretty, and the men either felt a flutter of youthful excitement or, if ill-natured, their eyes gleamed with desire.

For some reason, Ruwellin found this maddeningly unpleasant. Not understanding why he felt so bad even though he was, he just kept wetting his burning throat.

Then, when the Crown Princeundefineds hand, minding his own business, reached out towards her, Ruwellin caught himself thinking he wanted to crush that hand.

It was insane.

He couldnundefinedt do this without being crazy.

undefinedWhy, on earth, am I.undefined

Ruwellin bit his lip, cutting off the thought. Meanwhile, Roznia Hyll hesitated for a moment, then took the Crown Princeundefineds hand.

The Crown Prince led her to the dance floor. The melody of a waltz rang out, and the bright chandelier light illuminated the two.

Ruwellinundefineds heart, staring at the scene, pounded wildly.

He wanted to run over right now and pull them apart.

People around them sighed, saying what a beautifully matched pair, but his heart felt the opposite. It was like being in a terrible nightmare.

Ruwellin felt as if something he had cherished and hidden away had been stolen. It was bizarre. The memory from that time, which had only remained a faint recollection, suddenly became vivid.

The scent of that rose garden that day, the waves of pinkish-red, the purple fountain and the white bench, the droplets falling from the lemonade glass, the girl in blue clothes fast asleep, holding a thin book in her fern-like hand.

That girl, my memory, that young lady. Roznia Hyll.

The secret rose garden of the Magic Tower, never before shown to the world. The precious younger sister the Magic Tower Lord had brought out as if to show her off.

undefined...Why.undefined

Why, Ruwellin thought. Why did you hide her so well all this time, only to bring her out now? Why didnundefinedt you keep hiding her?

Not knowing what he was thinking, Ruwellin turned his head towards Adrian Hyll. And then he came to his senses, slightly surprised.

Adrian Hyll was smiling as he glared at the Crown Prince as if he would tear him apart.

His eyes were extremely fierce, but only the corners of his lips were deeply raised. He was smiling like that.

"......"

Ruwellin stared blankly at Adrian, then moved his gaze back to Roznia and the Crown Prince. The waltz was nearing its end.

The hem of Rozniaundefineds blue dress spun around, spreading like a petal, then fluttered down. At that moment, the Crown Prince, as if supporting her waist, subtly groped her. That fucking bastard...

Ruwellin was startled by the curse he unconsciously muttered, but still couldnundefinedt take his eyes off Roznia.

His reason had completely lost control; at this point, it was a serious problem. But he couldnundefinedt help but look at her.

His gaze kept drifting towards her. He was restless, like someone who had left a precious jewel in the middle of a crowded street. The Crown Prince kissed the back of Rozniaundefineds hand.

The waltz ended, and the two faced each other beautifully, like a couple from a fairy tale. The Crown Princeundefineds lips lingered too long on Rozniaundefineds hand.

Ruwellin, as always, caught himself thinking. Should I really have him dethroned...

As his thoughts raced that far, Ruwellin instead became calm. It seemed he was in a state where, after going crazy, you come full circle and return to your original place.

It was unpleasant to feel a sense of kinship with Adrian Hyll, but he genuinely wanted to bring down the Crown Prince.

No, not just the Crown Prince. He wanted to block all the gazes that were stealing glances at Roznia.

Only then did it feel like he could protect it. That beautiful rose garden from that day, that memory.

But after the calm, confusion came again. Because his eyes momentarily met Rozniaundefineds as she looked around for her brother.

"......"

Her round eyes opened wide and looked straight at him. Ruwellin felt he would never forget the moment his own reflection appeared in her pink jewel-like eyes. He had that premonition.

Rozniaundefineds gaze lingered on Ruwellin for quite a while. Ruwellin read in her expression a hint of surprise, and also a slight admiration.

Her cheeks, looking at him, seemed redder than before. Ruwellinundefineds hand twitched, as if wanting to touch her adorably flushed cheeks.

Roznia took her gaze away from him without regret. The moment her gaze left, Ruwellin experienced a strange sense of loss, a kind he had never felt once in his life.

His hands clenched tightly.

Ruwellin thought. I want to hold that gaze a little longer.

But Roznia never looked at Ruwellin again at the banquet that day.

Adrian Hyll quickly left the hall with Roznia, and people gathered in groups to talk about the youngest Magic Tower Lord and his younger sister.

"Come to think of it, theyundefinedve reached marriageable age, both the Magic Tower Lord and his younger sister."

"Ah, is that so?"

When such a conversation suddenly reached his ears, Ruwellin nearly shattered the champagne glass in his hand.

People who saw the Duke of Rashianeundefineds hardened expression thought he must be disgusted by the Magic Tower people.

Someone, feigning concern, approached Ruwellin and said.

"Everyone is so blinded by the benefits of the Magic Tower that they forget the dignity of nobility and are busy chattering. Hill doesnundefinedt even have a title, and theyundefinedre an arrogant family that only wields power."

"......"

"The lordundefineds younger sister seems pretty and kind, so everyone is mistaken, but that lady is also a mage of Hill, after all. How can we expect morality and dignity from her..."

"That mouth."

Ruwellin quietly stopped him.

"Shut it."

The other person blinked blankly at the rough words, impossible to believe had come from the Duke of Rashianeundefineds mouth, and asked back.

"Ex...cuse me?"

Without answering, Ruwellin gave a slight nod and left the place with an indifferent expression.

The person left behind could only dazedly watch his retreating back.