Chapter 130

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 130

Chapter Title: Clash at Rosario Tower

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Rosario Tower, the supreme decision-making body where those holding voting rights in the State Council gathered.

Families whose histories predated the nation's founding, those clutching wealth that never ran dry no matter how much they spent, owners of armies in the millions—only the sly old politicians who truly moved the country could set foot in this place.

"Five years ago, the great drought and typhoon stripped Ballua territory of its function as farmland. Under William Ballua's tyranny, uprisings are breaking out everywhere. We need someone with the capacity and prestige to bring them to heel."

At Count Wiltro's words, the pockmarked old noble twisted his lips.

"If we're judging by prestige alone, no house rivals the Wiltros, who pour effort into poor relief every year."

"No need for false modesty. When the people have lost all faith in their lord, don't they need a figure of noble prestige? I could quell the chaos in the territory."

Marquis Suheil, arms crossed, let out a scoff.

"There are precedents aplenty for absorbing the lands of fallen lordly houses into neighboring domains. Ballua borders my own territory. I know the lay of the land well enough to restore order swiftly for the folk."

"That's only for petty holdings under a hundred thousand pyeong. Ballua, though, is a vast march of thirty-three provincial noble houses. By national law, the fate of such a domain rests with His Majesty's decree."

"Then what's the point of this council? We need only await His Majesty's judgment. In Imperial Year 21, after the house of merit fell, Rosario Tower voted and annexed by precedent."

As tempers flared and voices rose, someone rapped the table—tap, tap—and interjected.

"Whatever this council decides, conveying the nobility's will to His Majesty falls to the Five Great Ducal Houses. We should hear from those directly involved."

The nobles' eyes turned to the two figures at the head of the table: Duke Duvered and Duke Marsu.

Duke Marsu wore his usual kindly smile.

"Let's hear from Duke Duvered first."

Duke Duvered, who had watched the proceedings with a bored expression, finally spoke.

"A bunch of bullshit from every last one of them."

The chamber froze in an instant.

Theodor Duvered slowly scanned the flustered nobles before continuing.

"Is there even one soul here gathered for Ballua's people? You've all come charging in, blinded by greed."

"Mind your tongue, Duke Duvered! How dare you claim a noble puts self-interest above the starving masses!"

Count Wiltro's voice trembled with rage as he upbraided him, but Theodor Duvered only chuckled.

"Drop the act—we all know the score. You're after Ballua's monopolized tech and the empire's finest fleet built on it."

"Duke Duvered!"

"Then why not turn Ballua's data and fleet over to the palace and limit the agenda to their blighted lands?"

The room went deathly quiet once more. Eyes closed, Theodor lightly massaged his temple.

"Don't cloud the issue. This is an auction house, plain and simple. Who'll pay top coin for Ballua's tech and fleet."

The nobles groaned but offered no rebuttal. As the mood darkened, Theodor turned to Duke Marsu.

"It's between you and me, so let's wrap this up quick."

"Afraid not. That fleet's got my interest too."

"What greed at your age. Bid what you will—I'll top it by one."

"Oh dear. Can't yield now."

The eyes of Theodor Duvered and Igor Marsu locked in the air. Razor-sharp.

At the great lady's urging, I took a brief rest in the lounge before returning—and my eyes went wide at the sight of a familiar boy.

"Young Master Yohan."

"Yeah."

Yohan approached with his usual blank face.

"What brings you here?"

This was the epicenter of the capital's social gusts—not somewhere Yohan, studying at the overseas academy, would drop by.

Yohan stared at me for a long moment before murmuring slowly.

"...Passing by."

"Passing by?"

It was in a shopping district, sure, but way out on the edge. And with security tight as befitted a haunt of the powerful madames.

'Not the kind of place you just pass.'

As I blinked, the great lady at my side covered her mouth, shoulders quaking.

"Yes, pure coincidence."

Laughter colored the end of her words, so I cocked my head, but Yohan greeted her nonchalantly.

"I hope I'm not intruding."

"Duvered's eldest an intruder? Never."

She had a point.

Society scorned the uninvited as boors, yet no one here minded Yohan's arrival.

The young ladies couldn't peel their eyes off him; even the elder madames watched us with avid curiosity.

Yohan was the genius who'd skipped theology prep straight into the continent's top academy. Any parent mad for their kids' schooling couldn't look away.

And as Duvered's confirmed heir, unmarried at prime age to boot. Drool-worthy prey for parents with daughters.

The stares grew oppressive, so I clutched Yohan's arm and whispered.

"You've greeted Auntie—head back now."

"Why?"

"You hate crowds. This place is jammed."

"Fine."

He winced at the fanatic stares and added.

"Think of it as penance."

Penance-worthy?

'No way he came just for me?'

Everyone else with parents, me solo with Auntie—did that nag at him?

'Nah...'

Right then, the gathering's hostess tittered and offered her seat.

"Since you're here, chat over tea. You rarely grace society—everyone's dying to ask questions."

'Especially if you'll mesh with my girl!' came the unspoken nudge.

"Like meeting a celeb. We see your little brothers at parties, but never the eldest."

"You've been out more lately, though—the First Prince's birthday, the mock battles. Ah, my daughter bowed to you at the mock battle."

I fretted Yohan might snap.

But then.

"Le-Leila Nelcock. Pl-Pl-Pleased to m-meet you...!"

"Yohan Duvered."

He greeted her back!

Eyes bulging, the great lady chuckled at me.

"You've a fine brother, miss."

"...You came on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yohan Duvered's far more considerate than he looks."

Then Yohan called.

"Leblain."

"Yes?"

"Here."

He patted the seat beside him.

Unlike Henri or Ishak, little time together, few words, wild rumors—Yohan felt tricky.

But reflecting now, he'd tended me more delicately than them.

The realization brought a warm flutter to my chest.

I giggled and said.

"Young Master Yohan, have tea."

"..."

"Darjeeling, Assam, orange pekoe..."

"Why still 'Yohan-nim' for me?"

"Huh?"

"You don't with Henri and Ishak?"

"I use their names?"

"No honorific."

I blinked; he muttered "...Fine" and reached for a cup. Only then did I 'aha!' and nod.

"Brother Yohan."

"..."

His hand froze midair.

'Wrong?'

Overjoyed he liked me, went too far?

Wilted, I fidgeted my fingers.

"Just Yohan?"

"...No."

"Huh?"

"Like 'oraboni'."

A faint smile played on his lips as he spoke.

'Wow...'

Smiling transformed him.

Blank-faced Yohan echoed Dad, icily intimidating—but this smile was pure gentleness.

'First time seeing it... Huh?'

Glancing away, I startled.

"Haaa..."

"Siiiigh..."

The young ladies sighed as one; even madames gazed at Yohan with utter delight.

'Duvered miss.'

'Miss Leblain.'

'Child of Destiny!'

Express lane to the Duvered young masters!

We'd heard the duke's kin doted on their new daughter, but half-doubted it.

Would those blue-blooded monsters truly cherish a daughter—or sister?

Figured ulterior motives. Until Yohan's smile!

Every eye locked on Leblain slurping the juice Yohan handed her.

"Miss Duvered, fun opera's running. We own the capital's biggest theater. Care to join me...!"

"Opera's ancient. Got two cute deer at home. Like critters? Visit ours...!"

"We do jewels. Got a gem perfect for you. Please take it—come with me...!"

Heavier pursuit than at the party entrance.

Leblain flinched at the courtship frenzy.

Even she, veteran of every battlefield under the sun, flustered by those blazing eyes.

"Uh, well..."

As she stammered, her comm stone blinked.

'Saved!'

"Ah, incoming call. Back soon!"

Leblain bolted to the corridor.

'Yohan's a total heartthrob.'

Sighing, she activated the stone.

"Yeah. What's up?"

Rosario Tower must've been ablaze over Ballua territory.

Hearing Duke Duvered and Duke Marsu had proper friction, the kid groaned.

'Cash grab in the end. If Marsu pushes like this, tough for Dad to fund the water rights buyout...'

"Got it. Keep eyes peeled..."

Mid-sentence, footfalls echoed from the hall's end—Leblain cut the call quick.

"Silver hair, blue eyes, handsome as a portrait, I tell you!"

"No boy matching that downstairs."

"Impossible. Salon party's just the mothers' gathering or downstairs bash. Nowhere in mothers'... What?"

Chatting as they approached, Elizabeth Nodelli scowled fiercely.

"Why the stare?"

"Thought you'd left already."

"Hmph. Why should I slink off like I'm dodging? If anyone's out of place, it's the unfit miss."

"Still see me as filth, huh."

"Orphan commoner—ain't you?"

Eyes viciously upturned, Elizabeth closed in on Leblain.

"Straight talk: I hate you."

"Mutual."

"Utterly repulsive. Clueless to your station...!"

That instant.

"Leblain."

Elizabeth went rigid at the boy emerging from the party hall.

Silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty.

Her prince in a heartbeat!

"Pri... N-no, Young Master! Hello."

She dipped a shy curtsy.

"Brother Yohan."

...What?

Elizabeth turned to stone at Leblain's words.