IGMU 19

Chapter 19

Marco’s eyes widened in shock at the calm remark.

“What?”

She likes Franz? That Eila Kralens?

More than that, he was startled by the idea that she was even interested in men at all. From what he had seen, she didn’t seem to have any interest in men whatsoever.

He was confused, but Franz was not the type to lie or joke about something like this, nor did he have any reason to. So it had to be true. And yet Marco was still stunned. It showed just how big a shock it was.

“……”

For a moment Marco was speechless, searching for words—then suddenly burst out laughing.

“Hahahahaha.”

Passersby glanced at him, but he didn’t care.

It might have looked rude, laughing like that at someone, but Franz didn’t seem bothered at all.

“Haha.”

Things were turning out more interesting than expected. Even if it was unlikely, if Franz truly put his mind to it, winning this year’s club trophy would be easy.

And what about Andrew, who already thinks he’s won?

There was nothing more entertaining than watching an underdog overturn a sure victory. That was the best kind of excitement.

“Franz, you’re really lucky. No matter how good people say you are, there’s no one else like you in the world.”

At Marco’s amused praise, Franz let out a faint smirk. He could easily guess what Marco was thinking, but he didn’t bother responding.

“So what now?”

“Who knows. What am I supposed to do?”

Franz’s answer was simple.

“Well, it’s not like this is your first time dealing with something like this. It’s not exactly new, so there’s nothing for you to do anyway.”

Marco nodded as if agreeing, though his own thoughts only grew more complicated. And a question surfaced in his mind.

Has Franz ever paid attention to all those admirers?

There was no need to think hard. The answer was no. Absolutely not.

For now, no one could predict what kind of impact Eila would have on Franz—or what kind of ripple effect she might create. Even Franz himself was no exception to that uncertainty.

Of course, she might end up having no influence at all. But if she did?

Then things might become truly interesting.

* * *

“Welcome, Your Highness. Did you have a good meeting with the Countess of Winston?”

Butler Murray greeted Franz as he arrived.

Murray was a handsome man who had been described as such even in his youth, and now in middle age he still carried that refined appearance. Having started as a footman chosen for his looks, it was only natural. From footman to butler, he had perfectly passed through handsome youth, handsome middle age, and now handsome old age. Of course, his abilities were beyond question.

As he returned the greeting, Franz walked in an elegant stride.

“She’s as strict as ever. Still insisting I get married the moment she sees me.”

“It is because she truly cares for you.”

“I know.”

His voice was soft, carrying warmth, with a faint smile lifting his lips. There was affection in his gaze.

Even as a man, Murray couldn’t help but admire him. It was easy to understand why the prince was so overwhelmingly popular.

After being betrayed by someone he trusted and having his sincerity trampled, the prince could no longer accept new relationships. As someone who wished for his happiness, Murray found it deeply regrettable.

He sincerely hoped the prince would meet a kind woman who would genuinely love him.

Servants lined both sides of the entrance hall and bowed respectfully as Franz passed.

He acknowledged their greetings and headed upstairs. His first destination was the office, where Hans was waiting outside the antechamber.

“Welcome back.”

Hans did not ask about what had happened that morning. It wasn’t that he wasn’t curious—he simply chose to trust him.

“Mm.”

As Franz entered the office, the first thing he saw was a leather organizer placed on the desk. It sat neatly beside a pile of documents on a silver tray, along with a gift box from Aunt Sylvia.

Franz narrowed his eyes slightly at it, then quickly looked away.

“These are the documents requiring your approval. They must be completed before the ball at Duke Morris’s estate today.”

“Mm.”

The ball hosted by Duchess Morris was, in name, a welcome event for the Countess of Winston, but in reality it was a royal-level gathering attended by high-ranking nobles, central aristocrats, and even lower nobles seeking connections.

Such banquets and receptions were frequent, held for business and social purposes. That was why Franz was constantly receiving invitations.

The parties he attended were not merely social occasions. Men sought new business opportunities through him, while women tried everything to catch his attention.

Thus, the social world overflowed with people trying to connect with him. His schedule was so packed with balls and gatherings that he barely had time to breathe. He could not attend everything, but he never missed important events.

“And this is the briefing material for tomorrow’s hotel meeting. It contains the events planned by the hotel during the Rose Festival. All rooms at the headquarters hotels are fully booked through the final day of the festival.”

Hans placed a heavy stack of documents on the desk. Then he approached Franz, who was removing his cravat and jacket, and took them from him. At that moment a servant entered with afternoon tea, placed it on the desk, and left.

Franz loosened a couple of buttons on his shirt and collapsed into his chair.

“What time is tomorrow’s meeting?”

“Eleven o’clock.”

“Understood. You may go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Ah, wait.”

Just as Hans turned to leave, Franz stopped him.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

Franz quickly wrote a letter, sealed it, and handed it to Hans.

“Deliver this letter and gift to Aunt Sylvia.”

“Yes, understood.”

Hans bowed and left the office. Franz remained alone and began reviewing documents.

For some reason, he couldn’t focus well that day, and it took him quite a while to finish. Only after signing the final document did he tug lightly on the bell cord. Soon Hans returned.

“You called for me, Your Highness?”

Franz handed him the signed documents and sealed replies.

“And have these materials reviewed again.”

“All of them?”

“All of them. Tell them to come up with fresh ideas instead of the same old routine events. I don’t pay them that much to work lazily. If they want to keep their jobs, they’d better do it properly.”

Hans felt a chill at the sharp pressure in his voice. And yet it wasn’t his neck that felt threatened—but it still felt that way.

“Yes, Your Highness. Understood.”

Hans quickly gathered the documents and left.

As silence returned to the office, Franz leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes with his fingers as exhaustion washed over him.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

His elegant fingers drummed steadily on the desk.

Then suddenly—tap—it stopped.

Franz slowly opened his eyes and looked at the leather organizer pushed to one side.

He stared at it for a long time, then pulled it in front of him.

“Should I open it… or not?”

If he didn’t, curiosity would suffocate him. If he did, his conscience would.

Strange curiosity and instinct urged him on. Franz remained lost in thought for a long time.

Suddenly, Eila—flustered and restless in front of him—came to mind.

From afar, she had seemed like someone with an unremarkable face, barely noticeable. But up close, her almond-shaped eyes were gentle, framed by thick lashes. Her lips, nervously bitten, were soft and faintly full, tinted naturally red. Even her brows were dark and defined.

Her features were striking even without makeup—perhaps that was why.

She wasn’t the kind of beauty that made men at the club go wild. And yet, their exaggerated reactions became somewhat understandable.

He wasn’t sure why he had ever thought of her as plain. But even so—so what?

“How should I handle this…”

Franz tapped the leather organizer lightly, thinking.

“Maybe she’s realized it by now?”

What would she do?

That reaction would probably be quite entertaining.

Taking her belongings had been a sudden impulse—but leaving the letter had not been. Even so, he still didn’t understand why he was doing this.

He glanced at the clock on the wall. The small hand pointed to six.

Franz made up his mind and locked the item inside the safe.

Knock knock.

Hans entered the office.

“Your Highness, it’s almost time to depart. You should prepare immediately.”

“Very well.”

Franz nodded, and Hans signaled the attendants. The servants moved in disciplined coordination to assist him.