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Chapter 14
Has Anyone Ever Committed Adultery?
Walter’s answer was so brisk that it almost felt mechanical.
Russell scratched his short hair at the monotonous response, as if Walter were simply stating that the sun rises and the moon sets.
It wasn’t like before, when he’d been uneasy because he didn’t understand Walter’s intentions.
No, to be honest… he still didn’t fully understand.
“He said he would marry Her Imperial Highness, the Fourth Princess.”
Since the tea gathering at the palace, Walter had shown no meaningful action for several days. He had stopped visiting Empress Dowager Katarina, and he refused to respond to Regina’s persistent invitations.
If he had shown some sort of movement, gossipmongers would have focused on him and made a fuss.
But this ambiguous behavior had a clear purpose.
“People stay quiet when a sword is actually at their throat.”
The moment a person talks the most is not when they are sure the blade will cut their neck. It is when the sword has emerged from its sheath but it’s unclear where it will strike.
Walter used this exact point, making gossipers put Regina and Odette on the same scale.
In other words, he began having people compare the two directly.
“Quite remarkable.”
Regina, who ruled the social scene backed by Empress Katarina, and Odette, who had hardly attended any public or social events since childhood. Comparing the two on the same level was, in fact, absurd—at least until Walter created a situation that positioned himself in the middle of their rivalry.
“Wouldn’t it be an overwhelming victory for the Third Princess? She has been meeting Duke Ertman consistently, and she said the Duke was very kind.”
“But if that were true, would he have carried the Fourth Princess away like that? Moreover, the Duke himself admitted to having a secret meeting with the Fourth Princess.”
“That was just a happenstance—they happened to be on the same terrace at the time. The Fourth Princess mentioned it herself. Besides, everyone knows the Third Princess is exceptionally beautiful. How could anyone compare her with the Fourth Princess?”
“Well… I don’t know. But… from what I saw, the Fourth Princess is also quite a beauty. She may not catch the eye like the Third Princess, but any young man in his prime would find it hard to resist her charm. I suppose Duke Ertman might be one of those men.”
Wherever one went, conversations dissected and evaluated Regina and Odette under the guise of refinement.
Members of the imperial family were more like symbols displayed in a showcase than individuals, which made people compare them without hesitation.
As a result, Odette’s previously unnoticed status naturally rose.
“She was mainly known as a delicate beauty who triggers protective instincts.”
If Odette had simply been brought to attention, people would have whispered that she didn’t belong at that level.
But now, no one found it odd to compare Regina and Odette. Even if Walter married Odette, there would be little room for ridicule, as it would hardly seem an overreaching match.
“Well, that’s good so far.”
If the situation were only this, Russell wouldn’t have been particularly uneasy.
The problem was…
“That Count Clovis…”
Russell clenched his eyes, recalling a few days prior.
-Did you enjoy the tea gathering, Your Excellency? Did your conversation with the person you mentioned go well?-
Russell had voluntarily kept his mouth shut. He didn’t even need an answer to understand the situation.
“Damn… it’s ruined.”
Walter was not the type to openly show his feelings. Yet the expression of irritation on his face clearly indicated that his conversation with Odette had ended poorly.
It wasn’t just Russell who noticed; Walter’s subordinates, sensing the tension, also kept quiet and exchanged meaningful glances.
“But he seemed so cheerful when he left…”
“What the hell happened?”
“Did someone attempt to assassinate the Emperor at the tea gathering? Otherwise…”
Only Russell knew the full story; most others had no clue.
Amid the mixture of confusion and tension, Walter spoke slowly.
“-Have any of you ever committed adultery? Or taken someone else’s lover?”
“-…Pardon?”
Impossible. Everyone present had spent their lives as knights, with romantic experiences little different from Walter’s.
Among them, adultery? Out of the question.
Walter, realizing this a beat too late, glanced over the dazed faces and clicked his tongue.
“-Enough.”
The subsequent order was for them to keep track of Count Clovis, Louis Clovis. Others followed the order without understanding Walter’s intention, but Russell, perceptive as ever, caught on.
“It seems Her Imperial Highness, the Fourth Princess, is involved with Count Clovis.”
The problem… was that a small misunderstanding had occurred in the process.
“How did His Excellency end up marking the Fourth Princess, who already has a lover, as a marriage candidate…”
Of course, Russell assumed it was purely for political reasons. He didn’t think Walter had any personal feelings for Odette.
As a result, he felt a small sense of human sympathy for the Fourth Princess, whom he hadn’t even seen before.
And that wasn’t all.
Knock. Knock.
A light knock sounded on the door behind the puzzled Russell. Without waiting for permission, the door opened slightly, and a cheerful voice called out.
“Duke? I heard you were here.”
Soft beige hair cascading to her back. Pink, round eyes reminiscent of a rabbit.
Not the kind of beauty that would make anyone turn, but her charming presence caught attention as she stepped lightly into the room.
Russell’s face stiffened at the sight of her.
“…Miss Elodie, you may not enter the Imperial Office without permission.”
“Hmm, but I did knock. Isn’t that enough?”
“It’s not—”
“Never mind. There’s no harm in entering now.”
Walter’s words brightened Elodie’s face.
“Thank you, Duke!”
Her smile was radiant like sunlight, while Russell’s expression darkened. That charming girl was the main cause of his frown.
“Elodie Montuar.”
She was the daughter of Viscount Montuar, one of the vassal families serving the Duke Ertman, recently brought to the capital for a debut in society.
To be blunt…
“His Excellency requested it.”
It was common for provincial nobles without connections in the capital to ask the heads of their high-ranking patron families to arrange social contacts. The Montuar family had sent a portrait of Elodie, requesting a place for her to debut socially under the Duke Ertman.
-Since we need to find a place in the capital, let’s arrange a chaperone and have her stay there. By chance, the Marquise Grimoire, acquainted with the previous Duke, is looking for a young lady to accompany her niece, so…
-No, Ertman will handle it. Bring her here. She can stay in a separate residence.
“-…Pardon?”
Seeing her portrait, Walter had made this sudden decision. Russell had doubted his seriousness at the time, but Walter truly allowed Elodie to stay with the Ertman household, showing leniency as long as she did not cross boundaries.
“Why?!”
Some subordinates even whispered that Walter might be infatuated with her. Considering Walter and Elodie together, it did create quite the picture.
“Enough greetings. What’s the matter?”
“I’m thinking about decorations for the dress, but it’s too difficult. Look at this. Does the blue ribbon suit it? Or maybe the yellow one?”
“Well, if you can’t decide, buy both and attach whichever you like.”
“But Montuar’s finances aren’t good. We should save where we can. We’ve already exceeded the budget.”
“Then Ertman will cover a few dresses. Choose freely.”
Elodie’s eyes widened and she squealed.
“Thank you so much! I can’t repay you, but I’ll show the finished dress to Your Excellency first!”
Elodie’s cheerful demeanor contrasted with Walter’s usual cold expression. Despite his sharp reputation, next to her he appeared indifferent rather than harsh. He even treated her gently.
No wonder the subordinates were excited about them.
“You don’t need to show it first. Your debut has been scheduled, so I was going to tell you anyway.”
“…Really? When?”
“Two days from now.”
“Already? So soon?”
“Indeed. Count Xavier is hosting a grand ball. Considering Xavier’s extravagance, no larger event will happen this season. It’s the perfect occasion for your debut.”
“…Then I must consult the designer immediately! See you tonight!”
Elodie nodded hastily and left, convinced by Walter’s reasoning. Russell sighed, shaking his head at her carefree and unrestrained behavior.
“His Excellency might have reasons, but… can she really manage her debut like this?”
Russell knew the customs of nobility well and thought it impossible.
“With only two days to prepare, how could Elodie handle such a grand ball like Xavier’s?”
Walter snickered.
“You worry too much. She’ll do better than you think.”
“How can you be so sure? She seems far from ready.”
“My concern isn’t the debut.”
“Then…?”
“Didn’t you just see?”
Walter’s hand, resting under his chin, twirled a pen mechanically.
“At least when it comes to seducing men, she’s quite skilled, isn’t she?”
