WPVMVA 45

The atmosphere around the two men grew icy in an instant, and nearby nobles held their breath, watching the silent standoff between the two half-brothers. Daniela looked up at Ashid with a troubled expression.

‘Seriously, this man! Why does he always have to provoke people like that?’

Adrian had been raised like a sheltered prince in a greenhouse. This recent broken engagement must’ve wounded his pride and honor deeply.

Even if Ashid knew all that, there was no need to poke at that very wound in such a public setting.

Daniela wasn’t unaware of Ashid’s deep inferiority complex and misplaced resentment toward Adrian, but this was neither the time nor place for it.

‘Aggravating the male lead like this helps neither you—the villainous duke—nor me!’

She needed to defuse the situation quickly.

With that in mind, Daniela tugged on Ashid’s uniform sleeve. As he turned to look at her, she met his gaze and spoke firmly.

“…That’s enough, Your Grace. I’m sure His Highness the Crown Prince will handle things in his own way.”

“What?”

“Who knows? Maybe he’ll meet an incredibly wonderful woman soon, just like fate.”

Like the original novel’s female lead, Camellia, she added inwardly.

Ashid and Adrian’s expressions both changed drastically at her words.

Ashid blinked in a daze for a moment, then let out a short, dry laugh.

‘So she’s saying Adrian’s destined one isn’t her?’

He wasn’t sure why she said that—maybe she still had lingering feelings for Adrian but was too scared to be honest about them. Maybe she feared being judged.

Regardless, Ashid found her attempt to draw a clear line with Adrian—no matter how casually worded—somewhat satisfying. He shrugged and replied,

“You’re right. I suppose I was being needlessly nosy.”

“…!”

“My apologies, Adrian. That wasn’t my intent. I’m sorry.”

But Adrian didn’t immediately accept the apology. He simply stared blankly at the two of them. Or rather, he wasn’t in the right state of mind to even register it.

Fate?

To be honest, he had never once thought of Daniela as his fate. Accepting their engagement and trying to overlook her flaws had been a matter of duty—his way of keeping the promise his mother made.

At least, that’s what he had thought.

So why did her words make his heart suddenly sink?

Why, when she denied being his fate, did he feel a sudden urge to say that wasn’t true?

Adrian felt confusion rising again. A tangled mix of emotions that felt like his, yet didn’t, tormented him.

He kept his eyes fixed on the two of them, as if doing so would somehow help him identify what these feelings were.

“Ahem. If I may… shall we put a pause on this little sibling squabble?”

Duke Lambert approached the trio with a pleasant smile, then turned to Daniela and spoke gently.

“You must be hungry, Your Grace the Duchess. If you’d like, I can have our house’s special aperitif brought out right away.”

“Y-yes! That sounds delicious!”

Daniela eagerly agreed, seizing the opportunity. The Duke turned to Ashid and Adrian with a knowing look and added,

“Since the Duchess is ready, won’t you both please take your seats?”

With that firm but gracious suggestion, Ashid and Adrian each took their seats.

At the Duke’s signal, the head butler and the servants began to bring out the dishes in sequence.

Daniela was overwhelmed at the sheer number of forks and knives arranged in front of her, but she quietly followed Ashid’s lead, picking up her utensils and beginning the meal.

Every dish was so delicious that it was exhausting to keep expressing how good everything was. Ashid, watching her eat with full concentration, leaned over and asked softly,

“Is it good?”

“Yes. Is it not to Your Grace’s taste?”

Daniela covered her mouth as she spoke, chewing and swallowing the last bite. Her cheeks puffed in and out like a squirrel enjoying a winter treat.

Ashid thought the sight was strangely endearing, though he masked his thoughts behind a brusque tone.

“Anyone watching might think I’ve been starving you.”

Without another word, he transferred all the untouched food from his plate onto hers.

“A-ah, it’s fine! I’ve had enough. Please eat, Your Grace.”

Daniela quickly shook her head, trying to stop him. The sight of them together looked so tender that Adrian, watching from across the table, visibly darkened.

For the first time in his life, the food on his plate tasted not like a fine meal, but like chewing rocks and weeds.

After the formal dinner ended, Duke Lambert guided the guests to a lounge adjacent to the banquet hall.

The spacious room featured walls lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, magnificent paintings, a grand fireplace, and a piano. Soft couches were placed throughout for guests to sit and chat.

Unlike the imperial princess’s party, the nobles now seemed to gather mostly by gender.

As Daniela hesitated, unsure which group to approach, the Duke’s daughter, Lady Eugena, approached with a bright smile.

“Good evening, Grand Duchess Alveric! Would you care to join me for a card game?”

I don’t even know how to play poker…

Daniela hesitated. But before she could answer, Ashid stepped smoothly between them and replied to the young lady in a courteous tone.

“Apologies, but my wife is not feeling well today. I’m afraid a long card game might not be suitable for her.”

“…Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”

“In apology for this discourtesy, allow me to formally invite you to our estate next time. Would you be willing to join us then, my lady?”

“I’d be delighted! Well, I won’t keep you any longer then. Excuse me!”

With a cheerful curtsy, the young lady blended into a group of noblewomen. Daniela let out a sigh of relief and whispered,

“Thank you, Your Grace. That really saved me.”

“…It’s nothing.”

“But still… why are you staying with me instead of mingling with the other nobles?”

Though only a few minutes had passed since they entered the lounge, Ashid had already turned down several nobles—including Duke Lambert—who had tried to draw him into conversation.

Daniela was puzzled and asked directly. Ashid replied bluntly.

“Because who knows what might happen if I step away.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Whenever I leave you alone, something noisy always happens. If I want to prevent that in advance, I’d better not leave your side.”

“…Could you not talk like I’m some sort of troublemaker? Don’t worry about me—go mingle with the other nobles.”

Daniela shot him a side-eye, but Ashid merely shrugged and stayed firmly beside her. His sharp gaze kept drifting toward Adrian, who was chatting with Duke Lambert but occasionally glancing in their direction.

Meanwhile, in the western part of the Empire—at the ballroom of the Duke of Rodion’s estate.

True to its reputation as one of the most powerful noble houses in the Empire, the Rodion mansion hosted one of the grandest ballrooms in the land. Tonight, it was filled with imperial relatives and nobles enjoying a dance party.

Most of the attendees were either related to Empress Katrin or Crown Prince Adrian—or firmly on his side.

The hosts of the party were, of course, Duke Rodion and his nephew, Marquess Cadogan.

As Duke Rodion sat at the head of the ballroom and chatted with fellow nobles, he turned toward Cadogan with a sour expression once the guests moved on.

“The Crown Prince is still at that bastard Lambert’s estate, isn’t he?”

“It seems so, Uncle.”

“…Damn it! Even if he was upset about what happened that day, how could he skip your invitation and attend Lambert’s dinner instead?”

“Exactly! Even if he absolutely had to attend Lambert’s dinner, he should’ve come here right after it ended!”

Marquess Cadogan nodded emphatically, scanning the noble ladies gathered at the party.

Duke Rodion, well aware of his nephew’s intentions, drummed his fingers on the armrest in frustration.

At that moment, Simon, the Duke’s head butler, approached and bowed respectfully.

“My lord.”

“Is it the Crown Prince?”

Duke Rodion’s eyes lit up with hope, but the butler shook his head.

“Count Cyril Olburn has arrived.”

“…!”

“He requests an audience with you. Shall I bring him in?”

Without hesitation, Duke Rodion stood up and replied,

“What kind of question is that? Bring him in at once!”