Chapter . 35
Rhiannon’s splendid entrance always made one marvel without end. She never missed a moment advantageous to herself, a moment to receive everyone’s attention all at once.
Even though the hem of her dress was so long, she moved with a speed as if demons were attached to her heels. Although the Lauderdales positioned everywhere at this banquet must have informed her of the situation via artifacts.
“Indeed, it is just like the always harmonious Armatia Imperial Family.”
That was the first thing she said after exchanging greetings with us. The Empress was a person who was not ashamed in the slightest while lying.
She spoke so confidently that people could not bring themselves to say the fact that the Empress herself was the cause of the Imperial Family not being harmonious.
“Since Prince Desmond’s banquet became an opportunity for his older brothers to strengthen their friendship with each other, how can I not praise it?”
The Empress, who ignored completely the fact that we were fighting or that she herself had actually opposed her son’s decision to hold a banquet for me, was truly formidable and allowed no counterarguments.
“That is correct. Prince Leontes was so moved by Prince Desmond’s devoted loyalty that he even invited him to the banquet I am hosting. This is also a joyous matter.”
Grimiati spoke as if Desmond had made a pledge of loyalty to me, and also as if I were on the same side as the Duke. A pair perfectly matched; I wish they would just date. The future Emperor permits it.
“Ah, I am becoming curious about what kind of banquet it is too, Duke.”
The Empress smiled. Amidst rumors that the names of those who attend the Duke’s banquet for the Mother Empress end up on the Empress’s kill list. The Duke also responded with a smile.
“If you are curious, would you come personally?”
“If you recommend it so fervently, there is no reason for me to refuse.”
It seemed the two would date soon as I intended. In that case, I should actively support it.
“Isn’t that so, Desmond?”
The Empress looked at her son who had secretly intended to go to the memorial banquet for the former Empress.
Of course, he didn’t even have a chance to answer, but her tone made it a fait accompli. Since this banquet itself was an act against the Empress’s will.
Desmond’s face turned pale. However, I, his half-brother, granted him mercy befitting an Emperor.
“It seems there are many matters for Her Majesty the Empress and my maternal cousin to discuss. Is there a need to wait until the next banquet? So as not to disturb the two of you, how about we four brothers take some time for ourselves?”
Then the Empress and the Duke looked at me with piercing gazes.
“Why do you decide that on your own?”
Maximilian said disapprovingly. Although we are brothers, he really had no tact.
“Then Brother, you may remain here. Since I have no adult looking after me, I cannot join the conversation between the two, so I merely expressed my intention to converse amongst brothers!”
“Hahaha! Prince Leontes, as expected, we are of one mind! I am in the same situation!”
Alexander burst into laughter. Pretending to be young when he’s an adult.
“Though, it would be better for the First Prince and the Youngest Prince to stay quietly by the side of the two adults they rely on so much. Shall Prince Leontes move to another place with me?”
It was fortunate that he played along well.
“You still cannot distinguish where to step in, Marquess Steiner.”
Maximilian glared and swatted away Alexander’s hand reaching out to me. If it were me, I would have twisted my body to avoid the touch. I wish he wouldn’t interfere in ways that aren’t my style.
“I had something to discuss with my brother anyway. If you want to intervene, keep your manners.”
What kind of manners is it to insist on something I never even heard of, let alone agreed to?
“Let us move now.”
I spoke before Maximilian could act like the host of the gathering.
“The owner of this residence is still me. I will arrange a place.”
Desmond’s eyes flashed. This time, I didn’t ignore him on purpose. I was also busy because of my brother.
“Does not younger brother have to attend to Her Majesty the Empress?”
Alexander said with a beaming smile.
As the host of the banquet, Desmond had to stay by the side of the imperial family member of higher status.
Actually, it would be better for us, who are also imperial family members, to do so, but it’s been a long time since I was treated as a Prince by the Empress.
The Empress’s gaze fell on Desmond. Desmond’s cheeks flushed red.
However, his gaze turned to me, not the Empress, and then Rhiannon’s gaze also turned toward me.
‘I’m constantly being misunderstood as causing a rift between mother and son.’
In that case, I have no choice but to turn the misunderstanding into fact.
“Please forgive this unworthy son. I am merely trying to grow into an excellent person as the Mother Empress wishes.”
Desmond spoke as if appealing to his mother, but he wouldn’t back down. Because I will treat him as a child who cannot let go of his mother’s skirts.
“Ah, what a commendable Youngest Prince. You must be truly proud.”
It was the first time I saw Grimiati speak so softly to Rhiannon. They were already dating.
The Duke, who didn’t care even when Maximilian accepted my proposal abruptly without consultation, continued speaking amidst a stark contrast between his attitude and the Empress’s.
“However, as Prince Desmond also knows, it is not a matter for him to decide alone.”
Judging only by his speech, he was Rhiannon’s loyal subject. The prelude to the second court romance in Grimiati’s life was rising.
“Grimiati, direct your unnecessary interference to the First Prince.”
Desmond sharply insulted the Duke. Maximilian sneered.
“If you dislike interference, behave so as not to receive it.”
“I was merely concerned that Brother might be jealous since I am receiving the Duke’s excessive attention all to myself.”
“The talk is getting long. Marquess Steiner and I will go ahead first. You two follow gradually.”
Before my brother could refute, I drove in a wedge. No matter how fun a dogfight is, I had to rescue Michelon first. Only then would I also join the dogfight.
At my words, Steiner came and stood by my side, and Maximilian moved his feet first. Desmond looked at Rhiannon.
Rhiannon nodded slightly. It was a permission she wouldn’t have given if Desmond hadn’t properly attacked the Duke and Maximilian.
“I am worried that immature ones who have not even reached adulthood yet might commit reckless acts among themselves.”
“In that case, Your Majesty the Empress, do you have any separate words for me, the guest of honor of today’s banquet? Please speak now.”
Rhiannon stared piercingly at me speaking politely. So what? It’s not my fault that I have better manners than your son.
“I merely praise you for not being arrogant despite receiving divine favor, and knowing how to use it for the country and for others. I believe you will continue to make wise decisions in the future.”
Saying that, Rhiannon looked down at us. It’s truly amazing how she does that when she is shorter than us.
“I only hope you do not get swept away by youthful bravado. For fate is fickle.”
Is that a hint that she will become my goddess of fate? At this point, she’s cherishing me.
While being watched by the Empress and the Duke, who prayed for our failure with all their might, I immediately moved my steps. The three who were glaring at each other soon followed.
Sir Rolf tried to follow, but I gave him a look. Because the other three didn’t bring their escort knights either.
In fact, being alone was still comfortable, but I was worried about leaving Sir Rolf alone. Because my brothers’ knights started surrounding him and thrusting wine glasses at him behind our departing backs.
“You are quite something, Leontes. To express dissatisfaction in this way because there is no one to take care of you. Though it is not that I do not understand your feelings, but would it not have been resolved if you had held my hand earlier?”
As soon as we settled in Desmond’s bedroom, Maximilian spoke arrogantly.
“Quite something, the joke is excessive. Did you think I would not know your intention to find out the location of the dragon egg from me as the Duke instructed?”
I retorted sharply. Maximilian, who was about to lie down on Desmond’s bed as if it were his own, and Desmond, who was about to stop him in anger, froze in an instant, unable to hide their flustered looks.
“Leon—”
But his role was already over. Whether he exits on his own or not.
“Marquess Steiner! Was it not you who told me to be wary of the First Prince’s faction!”
I was already grabbing my half-brother’s flowing blonde hair. The two long-haired men older than me among our brothers; I want to cut their hair off along with their necks as an example.
“For you to approach me first, and then conspire with others behind my back regarding the revelation about the dragon egg! It is the first time I have seen Her Majesty the Empress and the Duke in such harmony. To the extent that they did not deny it even when I hinted openly if they had much to discuss!”
“Prince! It is a misunderstanding! It is absolutely not so!”
Alexander shouted. In fact, he was really angry, but he seemed to be barely holding back, thinking that I, being new to banquets, misunderstood the high society conversation hidden like a needle inside a silk glove. Also because the relationship between the Empress and the Duke is a sensitive issue for me.
Of course, it is a misunderstanding, since I am framing them.
Understanding Alexander fully, I pretended not to hear and immediately pounced on Desmond.
“Desmond, I will not interrogate you. Because it is clear that among us, you are the only one who did not know about the fact that Her Majesty the Empress and the Duke tried to pressure me to draw out the revelation about the dragon egg!”
With this, the two long-haired men could not protest saying it wasn’t true regarding being falsely accused.
Ever since I discovered the holy relic, their thought was indeed that if I had such an ability, be it divine revelation or whatever, shouldn’t I discover a dragon egg rather than something like a holy relic? Many courtiers thought so too.
I just attacked first regarding that point, adding misunderstanding and false accusations.
In such a situation, to say no, it’s a misunderstanding, it’s just something Mother and Uncle plotted on their own, we didn’t know?
That would only amount to admitting they are greenhorns and fledglings who know nothing even when their mom or guardian causes trouble behind their backs.
Rather than looking like that in front of their younger brothers, the two’s pride chose to just take the false accusation. Even now, they were grinding their teeth and veins popped out on their foreheads, but they couldn’t refute.
“…Do not conclude as you please. What do you mean I didn’t know?”
Just in time, the youngest’s pride burned up.
“Why do you think I followed Brother’s proposal? Instead of plotting behind the scenes like the other brothers, I came personally instead of the Mother Empress to discuss that matter directly with you, didn’t I!”
“…What Marquess Steiner said about not joining hands with me was nothing more than common check, but it is your fault for falling for it. Did I not warn you earlier that he would stab you in the back?”
Subsequently, Maximilian expressed virtual agreement with my words. Because rather than clearing up my misunderstanding, he wanted to attack the bastard who dared to tell me to be wary of the First Prince.
“Just seeing him approach you on the day of the audience, I guessed it. From next time, keep in mind the fact that he will come to me after speaking with you.”
Actually, double-dealing was a characteristic of the bastard faction.
Like that, my brother drove Alexander into a corner in tune with me, even though I didn’t ask him to. Is this the synergy of biological brothers?
‘Not great.’
In fact, Maximilian disliked Alexander for a different reason than Desmond. Because there were always people who regretted that such a capable figure couldn’t become a Prince.
“Marquess Steiner always craves the Mother Empress’s attention.”
Desmond also joined in. Our four brothers, fair in not hating each other any less just because we are biological brothers.
“Prince Leontes, why would these people attack me? It is all because they are jealous of the Prince’s attention that I am monopolizing.”
Then the Sword Master, no longer angry, smiled flashing his canine teeth.
“With that outstanding imagination, if you had held a pen instead of a sword, you would have built a monument of literature; it is a great loss for bards.”
“I understand well the desire to assume others are jealous of you because you are always jealous of others.”
Two Princes immediately launched a joint attack, but the bastard just laughed more pleasantly.
It was more fun than a play, but Michelon was waiting. I spoke firmly.
“Whatever tricks the three of you are pulling, do not think of driving me into the danger that follows the revelation about the dragon egg. Because I have absolutely no intention of finding the dragon egg!”
Since I already found it.
So, bring me another Imperial Order to overturn the Imperial Order imprisoning Michelon. Until then, I won’t budge an inch.