Chapter 28

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 28

Chapter Title: The Drunken Prince's Intrusion

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Though he didn't usually do much exercise besides horseback riding, he had learned swordsmanship back in his childhood.

"Even so, I've completed all the lessons from the imperial swordsmanship master!"

He hadn't received praise for outstanding talent, but he'd never been called lacking either.

"I've got a pretty good win rate in spars, even if I've never seen real combat!"

Growing up as the empire's second prince in luxury, Fernando was always surrounded by companions who catered to his whims.

They would match his skill level in swordplay, and amid a string of draws, Fernando would occasionally lose or win.

So in his memory, he was a man who handled the sword quite well.

"If I hadn't let go of the sword, I could've taken down a punk like that in one go!"

His distorted memories swelled his confidence, bringing out a shameless audacity.

"That fool dares challenge a prince like me to a duel?"

Stabbing an imperial prince with a sword would spark a diplomatic incident right away.

Fernando raised his nose high, convinced Enoch's blade could never touch him.

"Exactly."

As the liquor flowed freely, Agatha's face began to float in his mind more than Enoch's.

"I need to clear up this misunderstanding."

She had been pretty even as a child, but she'd grown even more beautiful—and icily distant.

Fernando believed it was all because Agatha misunderstood him.

"If she knew my true feelings, she'd toss aside a guy like that and come back to me."

The thought that he was the man truly suited to Agatha repeated in his mind three times or so, igniting an uncharacteristic resolve.

"I have to see Agatha right now."

He shot to his feet, staggering as he moved, and the attendants who had been waiting for the prince to pass out rushed out in alarm.

"Your Highness, do you need anything?"

"Shall we bring more liquor?"

The attendants who had served Fernando for years recognized the dangerous glint of determination in his drunken eyes.

'We need to get him drunk enough to sleep.'

'If he goes out like this, there could be a huge incident.'

United in purpose, they tried to distract him, but the second prince's goal remained unshaken.

"Where is Agatha?"

His mind was filled from toe to crown with the determination to see Agatha no matter what.

"The Marchioness has likely retired for the night. Your Highness, it's late—please rest."

"It's not that late! I need to see Agatha right now."

Fernando staggered without balance but somehow flung open the door.

'This frustration is killing me.'

He had to vent his boiling emotions immediately.

"I'm the one who suits Agatha."

The layout of castles was similar everywhere.

Guest rooms were on the second floor, while the lord's quarters were higher up.

Finding Agatha's bedroom wasn't hard for Fernando.

Climbing the stairs, he'd spot decorations for noble ladies or touches from her personal maids—that was the target.

"Your Highness, you can't do this."

"Please, just maintain some dignity."

The attendants who couldn't lay hands on the prince's person, along with the imperial knights of Mainucor, pleaded desperately from behind, their voices echoing pitifully down the corridor.

"We greet the Second Imperial Prince."

"What brings you here, Your Highness?"

The commotion drew the Aratus knights guarding the lord's bedroom, who couldn't ignore it.

"If it's urgent, please wait in the drawing room. We'll send word inside."

Aratus knights, seasoned from years on battlefields, were largely immune to such overbearing antics from high-status folk.

Unsure how to handle Fernando's rudeness, they simply stood firm and blocked the way.

"Out of my way! Do you even know who I am?"

Even sober, Fernando had a knack for thuggish behavior; drunk to the point of barely standing, it was a spectacle.

"I have business with the Marchioness! What right do you have to stop me?"

He shoved past the knights indiscriminately, bellowing at the top of his lungs as he advanced.

"Agatha!"

"Your Highness, this is troubling."

"Agatha, come out for a moment! I have something to say!"

As those blocking him stamped their feet without daring to cover his mouth, Enoch opened his eyes.

The soundproof door let only muffled noise through, but he grasped that an unwelcome guest had arrived.

Before rising, Enoch checked Agatha in his arms. The woman with closed eyes was deep in slumber, showing no sign of waking.

If he went out and handled this now, it would be a peaceful night for her.

Without delay, Enoch rose and opened the bedroom door.

"I said let go! You insolent fools! Do I have to cut off your wrists to make you listen?"

The faint noise sharpened as it crossed the single door.

"My lord, you're awake."

Huber and the knights waiting in the outer chamber greeted Enoch with pale faces.

"The prince has come all the way to the door."

From the moment he'd set foot on the island, Fernando's overstepping antics had grated on Enoch—now it was beyond anger, into absurdity.

What should I do?

As he let out a hollow chuckle, the commotion grew louder. Enoch glanced back at Agatha still sleeping in the inner bedroom, then opened the outer chamber door.

"I said let go!"

The door swung open, and Fernando, mid-shout, snapped his head up.

"Why are you coming out of there, you bastard?"

His raised finger trembled with rage, but Enoch found it too ridiculous to even respond.

'No point reasoning with a drunken madman.'

Then he needed to handle those who would listen.

Enoch eyed the second prince's attendants and imperial knights stamping their feet behind him.

"You just watched as His Highness came all this way? Do you think blind obedience to orders is loyalty?"

His icy reprimand rang true, leaving them unable to lift their heads.

Even as his own men were shamed, Fernando's drunken rant continued.

"Agatha! Agatha!"

All his drunken energy poured into his mouth.

Enoch watched him call his wife's name relentlessly, then raised his own hand.

"Your Highness, you seem unwell. Allow me to assist."

Pretending to support him, he clamped Fernando's mouth shut and twisted his arm to subdue any resistance.

"Urk, uuurgh."

"Marquis Aratus! What do you think you're doing to His Highness?"

The imperial knights gasped, hands on their swords, but Enoch's gaze remained cold.

"Then will you escort His Highness to the bedroom yourself?"

"Th-that's..."

"If you can't, step aside."

With the ear-grating calls of Agatha's name silenced, Enoch's mood softened slightly.

"You have a schedule tomorrow, so you shouldn't overdo it. I'll take you to your room."

Enoch slung Fernando under his arm and strode forward.

"Mmph! Mmmph!"

He knew exactly which floor and room was assigned to the second prince.

Without guidance from anyone, Enoch dragged the subdued Fernando down the stairs.

"If you keep causing a scene, it won't end well for Your Highness. Be quiet."

Resistance continued en route, but Fernando couldn't escape Enoch's grip.

Whenever it grew fierce, Enoch twisted his arm harder and pressed on.

"Mmmph!"

Muffled cries leaked from the gagged mouth, but Enoch ignored them entirely. Like wrangling a wild bull, he hauled him to the prince's room.

"I have urgent business with His Highness. Stay out."

He blocked the frantic imperial knights and attendants from following, tossed Fernando inside, and shut the door.

"Y-you bastard! Are you insane?"

Rubbing his sore arm, Fernando spewed futile threats now that his mouth was free.

"How dare you drag me like this?"

Enoch clicked his tongue at Fernando's flushed face and the scattered bottles.

"You've completely lost your reason. Visiting a lady's bedroom in the dead of night—what am I to make of Your Highness's actions?"

Intending to ensure he never pulled this again, Enoch closed in on Fernando.

Fernando, bristling at first, fell silent under the killing intent glaring right in his face.

"Your Highness's interest in my wife is unwelcome."

Enoch glanced at the closed door, gripped Fernando's shoulder hard to remind him of the knights and attendants outside, and squeezed.

"Cease paying attention to Agatha. As you know, I favor the sword over words."

"Are you threatening me now?"

Instead of denying it, the pressure on his shoulder intensified. Fernando gasped for breath.

"Think it over carefully. And I hope you reach the right conclusion."

It would've been easier if he'd formally challenged him to a duel.

Unlike arguments, with the sword, he could end it perfectly without a second strike.

Enoch released the groaning Fernando with a long exhale.

Leaving the motionless, silent prince, he opened the door—to a swarm of imperial knights and attendants.

"Marquis Aratus."

"Have you finished speaking?"

They were itching to rush in and check on the second prince.

"His Highness is asleep."

The second prince needed time to consider his position. Enoch hoped no one would disturb it.

"Check on him in the morning."