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Chapter 52
And that’s not even the real problem. Alexander being a total scumbag isn’t the issue.
The problem is that during the coronation, one unnamed female extra dies. Luckily, I’m a named extra, so I shouldn’t be the one dying. But still…
It’s ominous! That place is dangerous! If I go, something will definitely happen!
Conclusion: I. Don’t. Want. To. Go.
I turned to Ecor.
“Butler, isn’t this the kind of letter I should be happy about receiving? I mean, it’s an invitation to the palace.”
Frederic didn’t look the least bit excited either. I was beyond confused. Ecor hesitated to speak.
“Butler, why do I feel nothing but dread? Is there any way to not go?”
He gave me a troubled smile, eyebrows slightly knit.
I quickly thought of something.
“Oh! I’m no longer a duke’s daughter, right? Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for a disowned noblewoman to attend the coronation?”
Yes! See, I can think fast when I need to! If I point out that I was kicked out and stripped of my title, maybe they’ll cancel the invitation themselves.
Before Ecor could answer, Frederic cut in.
“No. You have to go. If you don’t, it will be considered defying the emperor’s order.”
“Well… in that case…”
His expression was firm.
“I guess I’m going.”
In this world, the emperor is the absolute ruler. You have to go. If you make him dislike you, your already precarious neck might roll.
And I remember—if the emperor doesn’t like you here, he can literally just have you beheaded. That’s how messed up this setting is.
I sighed heavily. Ecor spoke in a comforting tone.
“According to the imperial registry, you are still listed as a daughter of House Plerin.”
“Ah, I see. So… how many people from Shyro were invited? From the looks of it, it seems like all the young ladies, young lords, and nobles are invited.”
That would’ve been good—if there were a lot of people, I could blend into the crowd.
“Only four people.”
“What?”
“To my knowledge, only four invitations were sent.”
“This is… bad.”
I looked from the letter in my hand to Frederic’s face. If it was just him, me, and two others… that was far too few.
A chill ran down my spine.
“Don’t tell me the other two are…”
Ecor slowly nodded.
“Young Master Leo and Lady Charlier.”
“…!”
I set the letter on the table and buried my face in my hands.
No wonder I felt so fresh this morning. Cold chills never lie. Something was definitely coming.
“Why… just why?”
Something was bound to happen. In romance-fantasy logic, there would be trouble—lots of it. And the imperial palace was notorious for being a den of schemes and danger.
Ugh… I haven’t even cashed in the profits from the trade ship yet. I haven’t saved enough either.
I lifted my head and looked at Frederic. His face was blank, but I could tell—
He’s worried too.
While staring at him, I thought of a question—rude, but tempting to ask. I was still hesitating when Frederic spoke first.
“Don’t you think it’s strange? At an event where only dukes’ sons and daughters are invited, a baron’s son like me was invited too.”
“….”
That was exactly what I’d been wondering. I felt caught, but I couldn’t exactly say, Yeah, you’re totally beneath the rank here!
Frederic’s expression was grim.
Yeah, I think it’s strange too. But for now, there’s nothing we can do.
Better to go and see what’s going on than refuse and risk losing your head.
“My lady, please keep the letter safe. You may need to show it to enter the palace.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you, Ecor.”
I folded the letter neatly and put it back in its envelope. Thinking my neck might be attached to that envelope made me handle it with extra care.
“You and the young master will need to leave in a week to arrive at the palace on time. I’ll have the carriage ready for that date.”
“Okay.”
“Yes, thank you, Butler.”
The mood was serious—it felt like Frederic and I were soldiers heading into battle.
And maybe our camaraderie will deepen.
—Growl.
My stomach rumbled loudly, breaking the solemn air. Ecor excused himself to prepare breakfast.
Frederic rolled his eyes as if to say seriously?, picked up his letter from the table, and stood.
Well… whatever happens, I need to eat first!
Embarrassment aside, I wanted breakfast. If I was heading to the warzone that was the palace, I should eat well.
At the same time.
Leo stood in front of his father’s office, an imperial letter in one hand.
I can’t let those illegitimate nobodies take my place. This letter is my last chance.
—Knock, knock.
He knocked firmly. At the summons to enter, he strode in.
“What do you want?”
Duke Marbo, his father, glanced at him with irritation, eyes returning to the papers in his hand.
“Speak quickly. I’m busy.”
His tone was laced with annoyance.
“Father. Please give me another chance.”
Leo thrust the imperial letter in front of his father’s eyes.
“What is this! Such disrespect—!”
The duke began to swat it away, but paused when he saw the imperial crest.
Slowly, he raised his head to look at Leo. Leo met his gaze with a proud, confident expression.
“I’ve been invited to the coronation of Prince Alexander Pignon, soon to be emperor.”
“Wha—Why would the palace send you such an invitation?”
Leo’s smile turned crooked.
“Good question. Why not you, Father? Why would they invite me—the disinherited heir of House Marbo?”
His smirk twisted into something icy.
—Thud.
Leo set the imperial letter down loudly on the pile of documents his father had been reading.
Time for a real talk.
A chill radiated from his eyes.
“I’ll have to confirm this with the palace. A disgrace to the family like you shouldn’t go there.”
The duke muttered, but Leo stared right through him.
“Father. A disgrace? Does our family even have any honor left to disgrace? If people knew what House Marbo really does…”
“You—you insolent… what are you saying!”
Leo picked up a paper from his father’s shelf and began reading aloud.
“Expense report. Shipping fee for the trade ship: 100 lucs. Goods payment: 10,000 lucs. Wow, 10,000—what could possibly be so expensive, Father? Among the goods we send to the empire, what could be worth that much?”
“You—give that back!”
The duke lunged, but Leo held it high, far out of reach.
“Father. I want what’s best for our family. And since I know everything now, stop pretending I don’t.”
The duke’s face froze.
Seeing his father caught off guard sent a thrill through Leo. A sly satisfaction welled up.
“You… you little…”
The duke’s face flushed red as he panted in anger.
“That’s why I’m telling you—I’ll only do what benefits our family. I know exactly what goods we’re smuggling to the empire. I can handle this business, Father.”
He emphasized “Father,” eyes wide with burning ambition.
The duke stared for a while before finally backing down.
“What do you want?”
Leaning back in his chair, the duke set his quill in the ink pot.
Leo rubbed his hands together, then pointed to the imperial letter.
“I’ll go to the palace. While I’m there, I’ll secure tangible results for our business. Then, take me back as your heir.”
The duke clasped his hands, speaking with half suspicion, half hope.
“What exactly do you mean by tangible results?”
“The exclusive rights to supply our product. As far as I know, other families each have a share of the market. I’ll eliminate the competition and secure the monopoly.”
“Hmmm…”
The duke rested his chin on his clasped hands. It was a good proposal—if Leo got the monopoly, they could raise the unit price of the curse orbs they supplied. The empire would still need them, no matter the cost.
The calculations ran quickly through his head, and he grinned like a toad.
“Fine. Do it, Leo.”
Leo’s smile was bright—almost pure—despite having just negotiated over black magic dealings.
“Then I’ll do my best, Father.”
He carefully folded the letter and slipped it into his inner pocket.
“Wait.”
The duke stopped him as he turned to leave.
“How did you even find out this information? I thought you were a fool who got pushed aside for a dying House Plerin. This is top-level information, with a solid proposal and strategy. You couldn’t have done this alone. Who’s helping you?”
“Hahahahaha!”
