Chapter 170

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Grand Duchess Lariesa's Misunderstanding
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Princess Auguste pouted, fiddling with the cuffs of her sleeves.

She was a princess with fair skin and pale, platinum-blonde hair.

Her features were small, delicate, and beautiful, yet she had a somewhat irritable air about her.

“Your Highness, the King’s marriage is not something you can prevent. His Majesty must produce an heir.”

Princess Auguste’s pretty brow furrowed in displeasure.

“But why does it have to be *her*? There are plenty of people in Gallico, and if status is the issue, there are northerners who share the royal bloodline. I don’t trust anyone from south of the Prinoac Mountains.”

“It is because it benefits the kingdom, is it not?”

The lady-in-waiting soothed Princess Auguste.

“Your Highness, they say she is young and has never properly debuted in high society. Besides, no matter how ridiculously arrogant those people are, looking down on the Kingdom of Gallico as unsophisticated, isn't she not even from the capital? By their standards, she’s a country girl. How could she possibly dare to disrespect you, the single most beautiful flower in Montpellier, the capital of the great Kingdom of Gallico?”

The tight line of Princess Auguste’s lips relaxed slightly. The lady-in-waiting repeated herself, as if making a vow.

“Even if a foreigner comes to the Montpellier Palace to become queen, she will never be able to defy you, Your Highness. I hear she doesn’t even have a proper family to back her.”

“You think so...?”

“Of course. Besides, are you not the one who knows His Majesty the King’s heart best?”

“...My brother can be a bit difficult.”

Anyone close to Philip IV knew of his fickle nature.

It was also a well-known fact in the Montpellier court that the king especially cherished his only sister.

When a fierce battle for the throne had erupted, she was the first to step forward, ousting her second older brother, Prince Louis, and pledging infinite loyalty to her eldest brother, Philip.

“Everyone in the Montpellier Palace knows that His Majesty the King favors you, Your Highness. If that foreign woman has eyes in her head, she wouldn’t dare treat you with disrespect.”

Princess Auguste nodded at her lady-in-waiting’s words, though her anger did not seem to subside.

“My brother doesn’t need another woman.”

She spat the words through clenched teeth.

“I’m the one who knows him best.”

* * *

The sole heir to the Etruscan throne, Prince Alfonso de Carlo, who was the subject of both fervent expectation and cold indifference, arrived at the Palais de Montpellier on a day in early June.

- “His Royal Highness, Prince Alfonso de Carlo, has arrived!”

As the herald’s announcement rang out, Prince Alfonso entered the main gate of the Montpellier Palace, welcomed by the resounding horns of the Royal Guard.

Over three hundred guards stood in formation on either side to greet the Etruscan prince, a blood-red carpet laid down the center.

Prince Alfonso’s white steed trod upon the red carpet, followed in order by the prince himself at the head, two high-ranking officials, his nine knights, and fifty of the king’s own royal guards.

At the end of the red carpet stood a high dais.

There, Philip IV himself had come out to greet Prince Alfonso.

“My dear cousin!”

He was a handsome young king with skin so fair it was almost pale and platinum-blonde hair, just like his sister’s.

He had a high forehead and nose bridge, and his eyes were deep-set, their irises the same blue-gray as Prince Alfonso’s.

But the color of their eyes was the only similarity between Philip IV and Prince Alfonso.

The young king of Gallico was acting impeccably friendly, yet there was something sly and serpentine about his expression.

He raised both hands and approached, embracing Prince Alfonso. Alfonso returned the hug.

Alfonso, in his silver armor, and Philip, in his red court attire, came together for a moment before parting.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, young cousin. Welcome to the Montpellier Palace. Make yourself at home, and stay as long as you like.”

For someone who had demanded the Kingdom of Etruscan ‘show sincerity in consoling the grief of a royal family that has lost a blood relative,’ Philip IV did not look sad at all.

The man who had lost his aunt showed not even a shadow of the sorrow that creased the brow of Prince Alfonso, who had lost his mother.

Alfonso replied slowly.

“I thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty.”

Philip IV answered with a slick smile.

“It may seem humble in the eyes of the Etruscan royalty, with its deep history and tradition, but the Montpellier Palace is a state-of-the-art structure, newly built. There will be much to see.”

He narrowed his eyes and said,

“We’ve also renovated the dungeons for imprisoning royalty.”

Prince Alfonso could not fathom Philip IV’s intention in saying such a thing.

Was he saying he wanted to lock up Prince Louis, who had lost the succession battle, in the new prison? Or was he saying he wanted to throw *me* in the dungeon?

Before the mood could turn strange, Philip IV continued.

“Besides that, there’s the new fountain garden and the deer enclosure. My sister, Auguste, isn’t here today, but she can give you a tour, so take your time looking around.”

Philip IV added another word.

“Auguste is a good girl. You’ll find her interesting when you meet her.”

“I see.”

Alfonso replied evenly as he slowly crossed the Montpellier Palace gardens with Philip IV.

“What is the schedule for the talks?”

He was here on the king’s orders to discuss a marriage alliance—that is, his own engagement.

‘Consoling’ his relatives in the Kingdom of Gallico was also part of his duty, but judging by the expression on this cousin he had just met, condolences for his aunt’s death seemed hardly necessary.

This was not a place he could grow attached to.

Truthfully, Prince Alfonso simply wanted to conclude matters quickly and return to the Kingdom of Etruscan.

“Hmm? The talks? Already?”

Philip IV replied in a casual tone.

“I’m going hunting next week. It’s an official event. I’ll be back in a week, so let’s schedule it for after that.”

Prince Alfonso’s brow furrowed slightly.

The Kingdom of Gallico had been notified in advance of Prince Alfonso’s arrival date.

And there could be no official event more important than a personal visit from the heir to the Etruscan throne.

No matter how important the hunt was, it was not impossible to have adjusted the schedule beforehand. If the events unavoidably overlapped, it was customary to prioritize the meeting with Prince Alfonso.

Philip IV clearly noticed Alfonso’s expression but pretended not to and spoke.

“For the Prince of Etruscan to personally visit our palace is an honor for our family! I promise you the finest hospitality, with lavish banquets and beautiful balls.”

Indeed, though he had only been here for a few minutes, it was clear the Montpellier Palace had prepared for Prince Alfonso’s arrival.

The formation of the guards, the king himself coming to the main gate to greet him, the colorful banners and decorations hung at the castle entrance, the palace gate, and throughout the streets.

“Our working-level officials will make contact first, I presume?”

“Let’s leave such trivial matters to our subordinates. You must be tired from your journey. Would you like to take a bath first? I’ll show you to your quarters myself.”

Philip IV personally escorted Prince Alfonso to his accommodations.

It was a suite of seven rooms, located in the very center of the castle.

Alfonso surveyed the quarters with a sharp eye.

It was luxurious and ornate, but accessible only through a single corridor. Located in the heart of the castle, movement would be difficult if that passage were blocked.

“It was recently renovated. Aside from the king’s chambers and the currently vacant queen’s chambers, these are the largest quarters in the Palais de Montpellier.”

“They are magnificent. I can feel my cousin’s favor in this grand reception.”

It was not an empty compliment. The room where Prince Alfonso stood was splendid, as if to display the pride of the Kingdom of Gallico.

Pleased by Alfonso’s praise, Philip let out a low laugh.

“Rest well. We will have a banquet this evening, and we shall see each other again soon.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

And that evening, Prince Alfonso had a ‘family dinner’ with Philip IV, Princess Auguste, Grand Duke Eudes and his wife, and Grand Duchess Lariesa.

The ‘family dinner’ was held in a peculiar atmosphere.

Philip IV dominated most of the conversation, and Prince Alfonso responded calmly.

However, most of the talk was unsubstantial small talk.

Grand Duchess Lariesa looked as if she might throw herself into his arms at any moment, her eyes blazing, but Grand Duke Eudes’s supervision proved effective.

Wary of her father’s gaze, Lariesa refrained from any reckless behavior and maintained her composure throughout the meal.

What was peculiar was the relationship between Princess Auguste and Grand Duchess Lariesa.

Lariesa could not hide her hostility toward Princess Auguste.

The hostility was so thick it could not be explained away as them simply not getting along.

The simplest explanation would be that ‘Grand Duchess Lariesa is jealous of Princess Auguste.’ It could also be seen as rivalry.

But Prince Alfonso’s question lay, rather, with Princess Auguste’s attitude.

It was not strange for Lariesa to act strangely. She was a loose cannon with terrible judgment.

But there was no good explanation for why Lariesa would see Auguste as a rival.

Shouldn’t jealousy or rivalry have some basis?

Auguste’s attitude toward Alfonso was remarkably plain. She showed not a single ounce of romantic feeling.

“Hahaha! It is truly a pleasure to meet you like this!”

“Indeed.”

On the contrary, Princess Auguste was so busy obsequiously catering to her brother that Prince Alfonso was all but an afterthought.

She did not even show the level of pleasure one might expect between relatives, which King Philip at least displayed.

A polite, business-like attitude—that was all.

“It is a blessing to have this opportunity. We shall arrange another gathering soon.”

“I am overwhelmed by your hospitality.”

“If there is anywhere near the palace you wish to visit, ask Auguste to take you.”

Princess Auguste smiled at Prince Alfonso.

But to Alfonso’s eyes, it was all too clear that she was merely being polite out of obligation.

However, sparks flew from the eyes of Grand Duchess Lariesa, who was already blinded by jealousy.

Grand Duke Eudes, who had remained quiet throughout the meal, glared at his daughter.

Lariesa had no choice but to lower her head and pick at her dessert.

“I would not want to impose.”

“Think of her as my proxy. When I am busy, speaking to Auguste is the same as speaking to me.”

For the first time that evening, Princess Auguste smiled with what seemed like genuine pleasure.

“I am happiest when I can be my brother’s hands and feet. Prince Alfonso, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.”

Alfonso could not refuse on the spot, so he bowed his head.

In any case, he couldn’t just summon a lady at all hours.

“Thank you for the offer.”

At that, Philip IV clapped his hands once, drawing the attention of the table.

“You must be weary from your long journey. It would be best for our cousin if we ended the evening early.”

“Of course. My brother is right.”

Philip IV rose from his seat. Everyone else followed his lead.

“Well then, cousin, travel safely. We shall see each other again soon.”

Alfonso nodded.

And from that day on, Prince Alfonso would not see Philip IV, the King of Gallico, for a very long time.