Chapter 27

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: Husband's Warning

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The Mainucor delegation, who had been glancing around cautiously, entered right after.

"Hooh."

"Heh."

Exclamations of admiration erupted one after another. The chandeliers filling the ceiling bathed the banquet hall in dazzling light.

The large round table resembled those in any other hall, but the harmony of the carpet beneath, the drapes, and the tablecloth was anything but ordinary.

They were neatly arranged yet exuded refined elegance, and even the floral scent was subtle without being overpowering.

"It's like we've come to a banquet hall in the capital. I never expected such a warm welcome on this island."

Led by Count Montiol, the tense atmosphere among the Mainucor delegates softened.

"Oh, it's nothing special."

"……."

Everyone except one.

The head of the large round table was Fernando's seat, with Agatha and Enoch seated directly opposite him.

As Agatha sat in the chair Enoch had pulled out for her, she became acutely aware of his presence for a fleeting moment.

She needed to focus on the matter at hand, yet her attention kept drifting from the back and side toward Enoch.

Once the head seats were filled and the rest of the delegation had taken their places at the table, the banquet truly began.

Fernando raised his wine glass and led the toast.

"To the eternal friendship between the Mainucor Empire and the Roxiba Empire."

"To that."

While subtly lifting the corner of her mouth at his careful choice of words in the toast, Agatha focused all her nerves on Enoch's reaction.

Contrary to his earlier response, the man showed no reaction whatsoever as he emptied his first glass.

"Let the feast begin."

At Fernando's declaration, the table overflowed with all manner of dishes.

It was a splendid spread including cuisine from the Mainucor Empire, the Roxiba Empire, and even the Eastern Continent.

Count Montiol, the Mainucor delegation's logistical head, offered high praise.

"It seems the Marchioness has put much thought into this banquet. One can sense the lady's consideration in the dining etiquette and the variety of dishes."

"You're too kind. It's only natural for the sake of harmony between our nations. And..."

As Agatha continued, she placed her hand on Enoch's right arm. The wedding ring on her left ring finger sparkled green under the brilliant chandelier light.

"My husband personally led the knights to welcome the delegation, so I could prepare with peace of mind. I'm delighted."

She had no intention of letting Fernando provoke her husband any further.

Apart from Enoch's reaction, tolerating Fernando's behavior was absolutely unwise.

Above all, even if Enoch was a man of exceptional noble refinement, a man's pride was something unpredictable.

Especially since this involved him directly, it was right for her to draw the line multiple times.

"Isn't that right, Enoch?"

"……I merely did what needed to be done. If it helped you, that's even more gratifying for me."

The moment he lightly kissed the back of Agatha's left hand.

Sparks flew from Fernando's eyes, his patience already wearing thin. He'd disliked the man intensely since their first meeting on the ship.

A few hours earlier, upon hearing that someone from the Roxiba Empire had come to greet them, Fernando had trudged to the deck with an annoyed expression.

"We're almost at the island. Why bother coming out to meet us?"

"Though it's an unofficial visit, Your Highness is aboard. It's only proper protocol, isn't it?"

His aides and Count Montiol, the logistical head, followed behind him.

"And the one who came to greet Your Highness is none other than the war hero, Marquis Aratus. It might be good to exchange greetings while we have the chance."

"What?"

It was only natural that Fernando halted in his tracks.

Marquis Aratus!

That man was Agatha's seventh husband.

Fernando had rushed to the deck almost flying, eager to see the brute's ugly mug.

And there...

Flutter—

The Second Prince experienced a bitter sense of defeat as a man.

An overwhelming presence.

The man who appeared in his military uniform, epaulets gleaming, mantle billowing with each step, exuded an immense aura.

Fernando's stomach twisted the moment he laid eyes on him. The man he'd expected to be merely ugly turned out to be a proper specimen of manhood—handsome, with the commanding presence of a true warrior. It was utterly humiliating for Fernando.

Moreover, the man showed not the slightest interest in him, bowing with indifferent eyes.

"I greet Your Highness, Second Prince of the Mainucor Empire."

Utterly dispassionate, rendering Fernando's prior awareness of him pointless.

'Insolent bastard!'

Fernando ground his teeth, snapping out of the memory. He'd picked fights with the man at every turn afterward, but it was too late.

He'd clearly lost at their first encounter!

And to make matters worse, Agatha was lavishing her attention solely on that man. It was maddening.

'No matter how impressive he is, he's not better than me, a prince!'

Hadn't he been forced to deploy due to family pressure?

Even if he'd returned victorious and sorted out his house, anyone could see Fernando's background was superior.

Plus, his family's finances were still a mess!

"Am I not better?"

"Pardon?"

"I asked if I'm not better than the marquis, Agatha."

Agatha stiffly tightened her lips. She'd hammered in a warning not to provoke, and here he was, doubling down.

"Your Highness. As I said before, words that could be misunderstood—"

"I regretted divorcing you a great deal, my lady."

'What's gotten into him?'

While Agatha and the attending retainers fell silent in bewilderment, and even the Mainucor delegation was taken aback, one person spoke up.

"If you're challenging me to a duel, then stand properly and say so."

The man who had ignored every provocation until now was no more.

"To say in a public setting that you covet my wife, Your Highness."

With eyes sharpened to a deadly edge.

"I shall gladly cross swords with you."

Enoch kissed Agatha's wedding ring pointedly and smiled chillingly.

No one failed to sense the bloodthirsty killing intent that made their skin crawl.

The Mainumconti imperial knights guarding the banquet hall placed hands on their swords, and the Aratus knight order gripped their hilts in alert.

A powder keg on the verge of explosion.

Fernando, who had frozen for an instant, curled his trembling lips.

"It seems my words were misconstrued. That wasn't my intent."

"……."

The man didn't budge. Fernando ground his teeth under the man's languid, fixed gaze before slamming his seat back and storming out.

"Y-Your Highness!"

The alarmed Count Montiol rose and hurriedly bowed his head.

"I apologize on his behalf, Marquis, Marchioness. His Highness must be overtired. I beg your understanding."

"What reason does the count have to apologize? Just ensure it never happens again."

"Of course. His Highness knows as well. My apologies for interrupting the banquet, but I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave..."

"Ah, then we'll be going as well."

"Mm, my fatigue hasn't lifted. I need rest."

Led by the bowing Count Montiol once more, the Mainucor personnel departed one by one.

Once even the retainers had left, leaving only the Aratus knights and servants behind.

Enoch took Agatha's hand, still clasped in his, and headed to the bedroom. His thick, firm fingers intertwined with hers, holding them captive as they walked.

"I spoke out of turn."

Passing the corridor and ascending the stairs.

They reached the fifth-floor bedroom in moments. Agatha dazedly looked up at Enoch. The door clicked shut, and he drew her into his arms, gazing down.

"I said I didn't mind, but that was a lie. It did bother me."

"……!"

Their lips met. Breathing heavily, he delved deeply into her as he lifted her into his embrace.

Her eyelids trembled. That emotion she'd glimpsed earlier—was it jealousy after all?

"Don't be alone with the prince, Agatha."

Agatha barely parted her flushed lips.

"I've never been alone with him."

"Didn't you board his carriage?"

"Jessie was with me. And the one who wasn't by my side was you."

The man's eyes twisted faintly.

"I thought I could handle it."

But now it seemed he couldn't. With that whisper, he kissed her again and burrowed deep into the bed.

The night deepened.

Fernando, who had stormed out of the banquet hall, was filling his empty stomach with alcohol.

"To misconstrue my true feelings!"

The more he drank, the more reason fled and his gut burned. Fernando blamed that man who had claimed Agatha for his burning insides.

"How dare a lucky fool who married Agatha by chance try to intimidate me!"

Had Agatha not divorced multiple times, that man never would have had a chance.

Just look at her second husband—Fernando himself, the Second Prince.

"More酒, bring more酒!"

"Your Highness, you've had plenty already."

The valet tried to stop him, but to no avail.

"I said bring more酒!"

"You must think of your health. You have meetings tomorrow morning."

"Are you mocking me too?"

When he flew into a rage and grasped at straws, there was no holding out.

With each bottle that arrived, his resentment swelled.

"Does he think I'd fear a duel challenge?"

He was especially incensed and humiliated by having to swallow words spat under that killing intent.

"To suppress me, a prince! That rootless upstart!"