Chapter 39
Everyone looked perplexed at the unexpected answer, but Hans was relaxed.
“She must be the only girl who still has her neck intact after scarring the crown prince’s face.”
Hans smiled and looked at his sister. Rose knew that Hans was punishing her this way.
Well, she had done something that could have had their whole family beheaded.
“Hans?”
She looked at her brother resentfully with her eyes, as if to ask why he was mentioning such a useless thing, but Hans said satisfactorily with a glass in his hand.
“Don’t worry about it. Fortunately, I feel like she’s doing a good job here. Cheers to His Majesty Maxim and Her Majesty Rose!”
“Hmm.”
“……”
The Chancellor and Ayla raised their glasses with a look of dismay at Hans’s words.
“By the way, how long are you planning to stay here? There must be a lot of inconveniences because it’s different from Solstern.”
Mrs. Katrina seemed worried about Hans, but actually, she wanted him to go back soon.
“Thank you for your concern. Ma’am, I know it’s uncomfortable, but since I’m here to see my sister, I’d like to stay here for some time. You’ll give me permission, right?”
“Ah… yes. Of course, you don’t need to ask for my permission.”
Rose couldn’t even focus on her meal because she was worried about what Hans would say throughout the meal.
Likewise, the chancellor and his wife decided to shut up as they realized that the consequences would worsen the more they spoke.
Meanwhile, Hans Etoile and Maxim Lancert were watching each other and having an invisible war of nerves.
That’s how the most awkward and uncomfortable dinner in the world ended.
Maxim looked at Jansen as he frowned. Investigations had already shown that Ayla was deeply involved with the soldier that tried to hurt the Empress.
However, it was difficult to pinpoint whether she had anything to do with the incident or not, although the letters the maid gave him could prove Ayla’s involvement.
“Does Ayla know you have this?”
“I’m not sure.”
Maxim sighed and held his head.
“Tell the maid to stay next to the Empress and not tell anyone about this matter.”
“She’s already the Empress’s maid.”
“That’s a relief.”
“What are you going to do with Lady Ayla?”
Jansen asked because he knew that punishing Ayla was not such a simple matter.
There could be a war and his relationship with his relatives could be irrevocably ruined, so he needed to be careful.
“I’ll take care of that. Don’t say anything until I’ve settled it.”
“Okay.”
Maxim walked to the window to cool his head.
“I don’t like it.”
Jansen quickly turned his head when he heard his master muttering something. Through the window, he could see Her Majesty and Lord Hans walking leisurely in the garden.
“It’s annoying.”
“Pardon?”
“That man is annoying.”
“Ah.”
Jansen answered soullessly because he thought he needed to respond. He was also doubtful whether his master had ever liked anything in this world.
Maxim squinted and stared at Hans Etoile. He didn’t like him ever since he first saw him in the reception room.
He always had a friendly expression and a relaxed smile, but his sharp eyes, which seemed to easily pierce his opponent, could not deceive him.
Maxim knew right away that he wasn’t a pushover.
“Although he is the second son, he will inherit the title and become head of the Etoile family.”
Jansen explained adequately.
“How come? What about the eldest son?”
“The eldest son, Ian Etoile, is said to have been studying abroad for a long time to become a priest. He didn’t seem to have any interest in being the head of the family in the first place. He is said to be the youngest bishop ever and is so trustworthy that he is even called the next generation cardinal.”
“What a bizarre family.”
Maxim snorted.
He turned his head to see the siblings outside the window again. Rose was talking to her brother.
Hans’ appearance, smile, platinum blonde hair, and excellent figure were sure to receive people’s admiration. He had something delicate that the rough and tough guys of Helevant didn’t have.
The maids, as if they were hypnotized, passed by him with looks of admiration, while the soldiers and knights stared at him with disapproval.
“I never dreamed that you would come here.”
“I’m here to see if you’re alive or dead.”
Rose nodded with a smile.
“Are those two… okay?”
She didn’t dare to talk to her parents directly because she felt like a sinner. Hans gently stroked her head after seeing his sister’s discouraged look.
“Yes, I think they’ve decided to accept the fact that you’re married.”
Rose looked bitter because it was as if her family had given up on her.
“Yes, that’s a relief.”
“By the way, I was surprised about Maxim Lancert.”
“What about him?”
“He looked very different from what I expected, but of course, he looked unlucky.”
“Why do you say that? Is it because he looks better than you?”
“What are you saying? It’s just that he didn’t look as rough as the men here.”
Again, Rose grinned at her brother’s words. She knew that those words contained 1% favour for Maxim. It’s because he didn’t say any harsh words like he did when it was regarding Cassiax.
“Is he nice to you?”
Rose nodded slightly without any expression.
“If you’re regretting it, go back with me now.”
“No. I don’t regret it.”
Rose said firmly without a moment’s thought, but Hans looked at her with worried eyes.
Rose merely smiled brightly and took Hans’s hand again.
“I’ll show you a really nice lake.”
It’s been a long time since a ball was held in the imperial palace. The ball was hosted by the Emperor, and all the aristocrats and ministers of Solstern attended.
“Oh, Countess Audrey! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
The noble wives flocked to Audrey.
Marquis Tricia bit her lips when the women who had just been surrounding her left one by one for Mrs. Audrey.
In the absence of Countess Audrey, she dominated the social world, and now it felt like the true queen of the social circles had returned.
Tricia, who was left alone, clenched her fist and endured the desolate air around her.
She was just a fake, who was pretending to be the queen, and when she lost her place, she was restless.
Fortunately, today’s a good day. It was the occasion where Crown Prince Cassiax would announce his marriage.
This was why all the aristocratic families of Solstern gathered in the imperial palace, and even Count Jared and his wife, who had been absent for a while, attended.
She brought her glass to her lips and smiled satisfactorily.
It was much easier for her to handle the Montana family than the Etoile family.
Sasha, her cute niece who was sent to the Crown Prince’s Palace, was already doing her job well.
Tricia thought that the Emperor’s consent to wed the Crown Prince to the Marquis Montana family was merely a political decision for the sake of the imperial family’s stability.
Compared to the Etoile family, the emperor’s intention was clear. Nevertheless, she was satisfied.
‘That innocent and timid Lady Muriel won’t fall for a playboy like Cassiax.’
When the weak Crown Princess enters the game, it’ll be easy for her to control her. Everything was going her way.
After a while, the Emperor appeared, and the nobles greeted him with courtesy.
“You must already know why you’re all gathered at this place.”
The hall was buzzing after the Emperor’s remarks. Cassiax, who was next to him, merely nodded and smiled. Everyone looked at him as he reached out his hand.
Muriel, whose face turned beet red, approached Cassiax with joy. She gave her hand to the Crown Prince and Cassiax kissed the back of her hand.
Everyone who was there was astonished to see this scene.
“The lovely Lady Muriel has accepted my proposal. I’d like to share this good news with everyone here.”
Cassiax smiled at the people while holding Muriel’s hand.
His smile was obviously attractive, but the atmosphere was cold for a moment.
It was because Lady Muriel, the Marquis Montana’s daughter, was supposed to go north. Rose Etoile had gone north on her behalf and now she’s filling Rose’s place as the Crown Princess.
“Oh my…”
“Wow…”
“That’s too much. I can’t believe it’s Lady Muriel.”
People began to whisper to one another. The nobles carefully looked at the Etoile couple with an astonished look.
“Congratulations on your wedding.”
“Lady Muriel would definitely be a great crown princess.”
Meanwhile, there were also aristocrats who had already approached Cassiax and the Emperor as they offered their congratulations and flattery. The other aristocrats stood in line waiting for their turn.
Finally, it was the Etoile couple’s turn.
“Congratulations on the marriage of His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Muriel.”
“Congratulations.”
The Etoile couple said respectfully. The atmosphere was very awkward.
Of course, not long ago, their daughter was predicted to be the Crown Princess instead.
They just couldn’t believe that their daughter was in the north instead of Lady Muriel, who people used to sympathize with for being a scapegoat.
The nobles looked at them as they wondered how much pain the couple must be experiencing.