Chapter 60

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 60

Chapter Title: The Welcome Ball

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Fernando slipped quietly out of the grand hall and was escorted straight to the annex palace.

By then, he was no longer hiding his displeasure.

No matter how you sliced it, he had come all the way to the capital where she resided, yet she hadn't even bothered to show her face.

He would get to see Agatha at the welcome ball soon enough, but even then, she'd be hanging off her current husband's arm.

"Well, I'm not the one who has to make a move this time."

"Pardon? Do you have any orders, Your Highness?"

"Nothing. Just lead the way."

The attendant, well aware of the infamous reputation of the Mainucor Empire's Second Prince that had spread across the continent, bowed deeply without a word of protest.

The quarters assigned to Fernando, Adan, and the Mainucor Empire delegation were not far away.

"This will be Your Highness's residence during your stay in Roxibard. If you need anything, please pull the gold cord at any time."

The staff, led by Count Montiol, were set to stay in the annex next door.

All except for one person.

After washing up and entering the inner chamber of the annex, Fernando bellowed at once.

"Where's Adan!"

Adan Mainyu, the imperial grandson who was the only one sharing the palace with him, entered Fernando's inner chamber.

"You called for me, Father?"

His snow-white silver hair and murky violet eyes.

Fernando glared at his son with clear irritation.

Adan Mainyu was truly a grating presence.

His existence had been discovered, leading to his divorce from Agatha and earning him stern looks from his father the emperor.

There was only one reason he had brought Adan along this time.

To use him in persuading Agatha.

Fernando had been harshly reprimanded by the emperor over the previous negotiations, making it hard for him to pull off the same stunt again.

Clicking his tongue briefly, Fernando spoke.

"You were born and live off my grace, so you ought to be of some use to me."

Adan bowed his head meekly, as if in agreement.

"I brought you for one reason alone. The marquis won't be on guard against you, so get close to Agatha by any means necessary and sway her heart. At the very least, when she divorces next time, make her think of my face—convince her I've changed. Got it?"

He himself could no longer approach Agatha, but Adan was different.

Even if any schemes were exposed, it didn't matter what happened to Adan.

And if backlash reached him, he could simply pin all the blame on Adan.

"It was because of you that I got divorced, so if you have any conscience, you'll do at least this much. Right?"

"......"

"Answer me."

"Yes, Father."

Fernando shot a glare at Adan, who bowed deeply, then waved him off dismissively.

"Get out."

Adan, who hadn't lifted his head properly even once, finally raised it after exiting Fernando's room.

"Bring me some liquor!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The attendants, who had been watching him with pity, sprang into action. As he moved away from the room, the gazes of the imperial knights assigned as Fernando's guards followed at a distance.

As always, just one attendant and one knight.

Once alone with the only two who had followed him since childhood, Adan twisted his lips.

"Father hasn't changed a bit, even coming all the way here."

"Don't let it get to you, Your Highness. Endure this once more, and a life of glory awaits you soon."

"Exactly. Father has no idea what I'm really thinking."

The attendant and knight bowed deeply. Adan stared at Fernando's quarters for a moment longer before turning away.

To even meet once with Agatha Noblesse—the emperor's eldest daughter, heir to the Noblesse dukedom, and lady of the Aratus marquisate—he needed to gather information.

"Do you have any orders, Your Highness?"

Adan sought out an attendant from the Roxibard side, not Mainucor. His own attendant made a polite request.

"Might we see the guest list for the welcome ball?"

"It's no trouble, but may I ask the reason, Imperial Grandson Highness?"

Adan twitched at the corners of his mouth for a split second but forced back the smile.

Imperial Grandson Highness.

In the Mainucor Empire, it was a pleasant title rarely heard outside his own attendant and knight.

"His Highness the Prince is curious. He wondered if there might be any nobles he knows here in Roxibard."

"Understood. Wait in your quarters, and I'll bring it right over."

Waiting in his assigned room, Adan soon received the list without issue.

"......There it is."

Finding Agatha's name within, he rubbed his finger over it.

The plan he had devised back in the Mainucor Empire filled his mind.

If only the welcome ball would come sooner.

The imperial ball, doubling as the welcome for the delegation and the first social event of the autumn court season, was held in Phaerias Hall, the grandest party venue in the palace.

The entire garden connected to the massive hall was adorned with golden roses.

Sculptures carved from jewels poured chilled wine from every corner.

In the sky, yellow leaves—the imperial family's symbol—shone like stars in the night.

The banquet hall, to which the emperor had not just allocated but lavished gold, glittered like a treasure trove.

Gasps of admiration rose from the nobles stepping out of carriages lined up before the palace.

"My goodness, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Crown Princess Consort must have put in so much effort."

"It's been ages since a foreign delegation visited, so they're probably showing off the empire's grandeur."

"The visitor this time is Second Prince Fernando Mainumconti, right? That notorious playboy......"

"Shh."

As someone hushed the speaker, the attendant's booming voice rang out across the outdoor and indoor halls.

"Marquis Aratus and Marchioness Aratus!"

Agatha entered Phaerias Hall gracefully on Enoch's arm.

For a fleeting moment, her gaze landed on the noblewoman who had just gossiped so carelessly.

The flustered nobles scattered in an instant.

Her close allies approached, matching her status, with knowing smiles.

"It's such juicy gossip; hard to keep mouths shut."

"Can't be helped. Anyway, it's been too long, Lady Iris, Lady Kate, Lady Vanessa, Lady Sylvia, Madam Shallet. How have you all been?"

"With all the recent rumors flying around, we've been having quite the entertaining time."

On one side gathered Agatha's inner circle, on the other Enoch's growing faction from court, forming a large cluster.

Among them was the house of Count Tear, who had provided crucial supplies during the recent territorial skirmish.

"Greetings to Marquis Aratus and Marchioness Aratus."

"Welcome, Count Tear, Lady Tear."

Agatha greeted them with a smile.

The house of Count Tear, owners of the empire's largest granary region, had continued supplying grain steadily to Enoch's territory even after the skirmish, solidifying ties with the Aratus family.

Lady Tear's face lit up at Agatha's warm reception.

"It's been so long, and to be welcomed like this is an honor, Marchioness."

"Call me Agatha, Lady Tear. Come to think of it, I've been wanting to send you an invitation to my salon, and now we get to make proper introductions at the imperial ball. Would you visit next time?"

"Really? I'd be thrilled, Lady Agatha."

The delighted Lady Tear clasped her hands in joy, while Count Tear watched with a pleased expression.

The count made a courteous request to Enoch.

"Marquis. Might I join you for the upcoming hunt? As a memento of my wife's friendship with the marchioness, I'd like to show you a spot teeming with prime game."

"Now, now, Count Tear. Mind your manners. I was just about to ask the marquis to let me tag along on the hunt."

"Then come together. While we're at it, I'll share my favorite hunting grounds with Count Meckellen too."

Hunting was the flower of the autumn court. After the first imperial ball, the palace-sponsored hunt would commence, and with the Mainucor delegation present, it promised to be grander than ever.

"No need to go one at a time. There will be plenty more hunts ahead, so let's not quarrel."

The two counts jumped at Enoch's firm rebuke and shook their heads vigorously.

"Marquis, we weren't quarreling. Just a slight difference of opinion."

"Exactly. How dare we squabble in front of you?"

Enoch nodded lightly and beckoned a passing attendant for a glass.

"Champagne, Agatha?"

He offered the low-alcohol champagne. As Agatha, whose throat was parched, smiled and took the glass—

"Duke Neuta, Dowager Duchess Neuta, Duchess Neuta, and Lady Neuta!"

The attendant announced the arrival of her sixth ex-husband and the Neuta trio, fresh from their self-imposed seclusion.