🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 27
At the very moment the delegation from Mayneucor, who had been carefully observing, entered after them—
“Hooh.”
“Huh.”
Exclamations of admiration broke out one after another. The lanterns filling the ceiling illuminated the banquet hall brilliantly.
The large round table resembled those in other banquet halls, but the combination of the carpet beneath, the banners, and the tablecloth was far from ordinary.
Everything was neatly arranged yet stylish, and even the floral scent was subtle and not overwhelming.
“It feels like we’ve arrived at the capital’s banquet hall. I didn’t expect to receive such hospitality on the island.”
Led by Count Montial, the stiff atmosphere among the Mayneucor delegates relaxed.
“Well, it’s nothing special.”
“……”
Except for one person.
The seat of honor at the large round table was for Fernand, while the opposite seat was for Agatha and Enock.
Agatha sat in the chair Enock had pulled out for her, acutely aware of his presence for a moment.
Even though she needed to focus on the event, her attention kept drifting toward Enock beside her.
Once the seat of honor was filled and the rest of the delegation took their places, the banquet officially began.
Fernand raised his wine glass and led the toast.
“To the eternal friendship between the Mayneucor Empire and the Roxbard Empire.”
“To that.”
Agatha smiled subtly at the carefully chosen words in the toast, but her full attention was on Enock’s reaction.
Contrary to her expectations, he drained his first glass without any visible response.
“Let the banquet begin.”
As Fernand declared this, the table overflowed with food.
It was a lavish spread, featuring dishes from the Mayneucor Empire, the Roxbard Empire, and even the Eastern continent.
Count Montial, the Mayneucor delegation’s chief officer, praised the arrangement.
“It seems the Marchioness has taken great care with the banquet. One can see her consideration for the guests in the dining arrangements and the variety of dishes.”
“You flatter me. It was only natural to do what was necessary for the harmony between our countries. And…”
Agatha reached over and placed her hand on Enock’s right arm, finishing her sentence. Her wedding ring on her left ring finger shimmered blue under the luxurious chandelier lights.
“My husband personally led the knights to welcome the delegation, which allowed me to prepare everything calmly. I am genuinely pleased.”
She had no intention of letting Fernand provoke her husband further.
Regardless of Enock’s reaction, allowing Fernand’s behavior was unacceptable.
Besides, although Enock was a man of noble refinement, she could never predict his temper.
Since this involved her directly, it was only right that she set boundaries repeatedly.
“Isn’t that right, Enock?”
“…I only did what was necessary. If it helped you, then that pleases me even more.”
The moment he lightly kissed the back of Agatha’s left hand, sparks of anger flared in Fernand’s eyes. He had disliked the man intensely from the first time they met on the ship.
A few hours earlier, Fernand had gone reluctantly to the deck upon hearing that the Roxbard Empire’s delegation had come to meet them.
“We’re about to arrive at the island; why do we have to go greet them again?”
“Though it’s an unofficial visit, Your Highness’s presence warrants proper protocol.”
Behind him were his aides and Count Montial, the chief officer.
“And the one who came to greet Your Highness is the renowned war hero, Marquis Aratus. It would be wise to greet him in return.”
“What?”
Fernand stopped mid-step.
Marquis Aratus!
He was Agatha’s seventh new husband.
Fernand had practically flown onto the deck, eager to confront that scoundrel’s face.
There…
Flap—
The second prince experienced an intense sense of defeat as a man.
An overwhelming presence.
The man appeared in full military attire, cloak billowing, exuding power with every step.
Fernand’s stomach twisted at first sight. The man he had expected to be despicable turned out to be a proper man—handsome, commanding, and impressively strong—a humiliating realization for Fernand.
Moreover, the man showed no interest in him, bowing politely but with detached eyes.
“I greet Your Highness, the second prince of the Mayneucor Empire.”
His words were delivered with such indifference that all of Fernand’s previous attention to him seemed futile.
‘Infuriating!’
Fernand ground his teeth, snapping back to the present. He tried to provoke him later, but it was too late—he had lost clearly from the first encounter.
And on top of that, Agatha gave all her attention to that man, driving Fernand insane.
‘No matter how impressive he is, he’s not better than me—the prince!’
Wasn’t he forced into battle by family pressure?
Although he returned victorious and restructured his family, his background was objectively superior.
His family’s finances were reportedly still in disarray!
“Am I not better?”
“Excuse me?”
“Am I not better than the marquis, Agatha?”
Agatha tightened her lips, displeased. Fernand tried to warn her not to provoke him, but it backfired spectacularly.
“Your Highness, as I said before, such words may be misunderstood—”
“I regretted divorcing my wife greatly.”
‘What is he saying?’
Everyone—Agatha, the attending aides, and the Mayneucor delegation—was stunned, except for one person who spoke.
“If you wish to challenge me to a duel, then stand properly and say it.”
The man who had ignored every previous provocation now did not move.
“You dared covet my wife in a public setting, Your Highness.”
With eyes sharp as blades:
“I will gladly meet your sword.”
He kissed Agatha’s wedding ring demonstratively, a chilling smile on his face.
Everyone sensed the deadly intent, the air thick with the scent of blood.
The Mayneucor royal knights guarding the banquet and the Aratus knights had their hands on their swords, tense and alert.
It was a situation on the brink of disaster.
Fernand’s lips trembled as he ground his teeth.
“I must have been misunderstood. That’s not what I meant.”
“….”
The man did not move. Frustrated, Fernand slammed his way out.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Count Montial jumped up in panic and bowed quickly.
“I apologize for his rudeness, Marquis, Marchioness. It seems Your Highness was overly fatigued; I hope you can forgive him.”
“Why should the count apologize? Let this never happen again.”
“Of course. Your Highness is aware, I assume. I must excuse myself briefly during the banquet for some matters…”
“Then we shall take our leave as well.”
“Mm, I must rest as I have not yet recovered from fatigue.”
One by one, the Mayneucor officials departed, led by Count Montial.
Finally, when only the Aratus knights and servants remained, Enock led Agatha by the hand to the bedroom. His large, firm fingers entwined with hers as if to hold her captive.
“I misspoke.”
They passed through the hallway and climbed the stairs.
In no time, they reached the fifth-floor bedroom. Agatha stared blankly at Enock as he enclosed her in his arms the moment the door closed.
“I won’t say you misunderstand, but lying about not caring—it was a lie.”
“…!”
Their lips met. His low breaths mingled with hers as he drew her fully into his embrace.
Her eyelids twitched. Could the emotion she felt earlier have been jealousy?
“Do not be alone with the prince, Agatha.”
She barely moved her flushed lips.
“We were never alone.”
“Did you not ride in his carriage?”
“My maid was with me. And you were the one not by my side.”
Enock’s eyes twisted slightly.
“I thought I could handle it.”
But now, he whispered, he couldn’t, and pressed a kiss on her as he sank into the bed with her.
Later that night
Fernand, who had stormed out of the banquet, was drowning his frustrations in alcohol.
“To misconstrue my true feelings!”
The more he drank, the more reason abandoned him, and his anger burned. Fernand blamed Enock, the man who had claimed Agatha, for the heat in his gut.
“How dare he pressure me when I am lucky enough to be married to Agatha!”
Had Agatha not divorced so many times, that man would have had no chance.
Even Fernand himself, as the second prince, had been her second husband.
“Bring more wine!”
“Your Highness, you’ve already had plenty.”
His attendants’ protests were useless.
“Bring the wine!”
“You must think of your health; there are meetings tomorrow morning.”
“Do you take me lightly?”
In a fury, he seized any excuse to vent. Each bottle of wine poured only fueled his resentment.
“Who would fear a duel if I challenged them?”
What he had been forced to retract in restraint felt especially unfair.
“How dare he suppress me, the prince! Such an insolent man!”
