NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35
“Master of the Tower, I’m sorry. I should leave now.”
Selleana suddenly stood up from her seat.
“I apologize for being rude, following my brother’s example… I need to settle things and return.”
“
Uh,
Lady?”
“I’ll come back another time.”
Without waiting for Rakrensius’s response, Selleana left the office.
There was no need for you to come… Rakrensius swallowed the words he couldn’t utter.
* * *
“No, Milady…! If you were going to return, you should have informed us in advance…!”
“Well, I’m not really back. Where’s my eldest brother?”
“Young master is currently in his office.”
“Thank you.”
It was an hour later at the Duchy Elard on the outskirts of the capital. Directly coming from the Magic Tower to the duchy, Selleana bypassed the butler and briskly climbed the central staircase inside the mansion.
“Should I inform the young master of your arrival?”
“No.”
“Madam is going to the Countess Hozenberg’s tea party today and won’t return until dusk…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll leave before then.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
The butler, old enough to be her great-uncle, sounded desperate, making Selleana halt her steps.
“Aiven.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Sorry, but today I’m only here to see my brother, and then I’ll leave quietly.”
“Milady…”
“I’m here to scold my brother, understand?”
The butler sighed deeply at her firm words.
Knock, knock, knock.
With the sound of knocking, the door to the office swung open.
“So, about the reorganization of the guards this time… Lea?”
“Lea, you’ve come.”
Surprised by the sudden visitor, two men sitting in front of the coffee table looked up. The room’s owner, Theonis, and his visitor, Peredo.
“Charten, could you give us a moment?”
“Yes, Milord.”
“What’s this, you? Suddenly? Brother, did you know she was coming?”
Unlike Theonis, who guessed the situation from Selleana’s stormy face, Peredo was merely puzzled.
“Lea, calm down. Won’t you sit?”
“Do I look calm to you?”
“You should be.”
At her elder brother’s stern look, Selleana swallowed her anger and sat next to Peredo. Though she sat down calmly, Selleana’s amber eyes were fiery. Theonis pressed his temples.
“You’ve seen the fifth prince, I see.”
“You, this reckless one…!”
“Don’t mess with my friend! What does it matter to you who I befriend?” Selleana’s blunt outburst left the two Elard men frozen.
“Friend…?” Peredo was bewildered, wondering if he had heard correctly.
“Peri, you must know too from Deren’s report… The fifth prince approached Lea during the birthday banquet.”
“I approached him, remember?”
“Since then, she’s been visiting the Magic Tower every other day, so I went to warn him.”
“Good job.”
“What do you mean good job!”
Selleana exploded when Peredo nodded along with her brother’s explanation.
Deren was really there too…!
Deren was one of Peredo’s men assigned to watch over Selleana. It seems that, indeed, her father and both brothers’ men were all keeping an eye on her during the birthday banquet.
“How embarrassing, really! Because Duke Ansi is a member of the imperial family, you’re cautious about him, telling me to be friends or not. Is this how Elard maintains its dignity?”
“I’m more curious. What’s so good about that fallen prince that you’re causing trouble with your brothers?” Peredo ruffled his purple hair roughly.
“It’s not about being good; he’s a good conversational partner. You’ve met him, big brother, you should know.”
Theonis’s eyebrows twitched at being suddenly mentioned.
“We got to know each other because I had business at the Magic Tower, but personally, I think there’s a lot to learn from him, just like Doli or Rosi.”
“Lea. You’ve only known him for a short time. How can you be so sure? Moreover, friendship between men and women is rare…”
“Did you say that to Duke Ansi too?”
“…”
“About men and women being different, huh?”
Theonis clamped his mouth shut. His expression wasn’t one of shame but of irritation at his sister pointing out the obvious.
Selleana couldn’t bring herself to understand. “It’s really rude. Friendship can exist between humans regardless of gender. How can you so expertly denigrate someone’s sincerity?”
“Hey, have you ever befriended any nobleman before?”
“I just never wanted to be friends with anyone! If you weren’t my brother, do you think I’d bother with you?”
“Huh.” Peredo regretted intervening, not even getting back what he put in.
“Lea.” Listening to his siblings argue, Theonis spoke calmly. “I’ll admit that he’s a good person, but we can’t form a friendship based on that alone, right?”
The word he meant ‘we’ was Elard.
“The consideration of who the other party is. Whether associating with them benefits Elard or not. You know we must always weigh that. And in your case…”
“How many times do I have to say it? I won’t marry the crown prince, okay?”
The brothers’ gazes sharpened.
“Besides, the Duke Ansi wants to be completely free from political strife.”
“People say a lot of things…”
“Really.”
Seeing Selleana’s firm gaze, Peredo closed his mouth with a dissatisfied look.
“I told you I made a request to the Magic Tower, right? In return, I promised to solidify the crown prince’s succession. To ensure Duke Ansi doesn’t get unnecessarily involved in factional fights.”
It was time to ask how she would accomplish that, but no response came from her brothers. They were already surprised that Selleana had made such a strategic decision. Reading their thoughts, Selleana swallowed a bitter smile and continued.
“Our goals align with the Duke Ansi’s. To strengthen the crown prince’s succession even more. If you wish, I can ask for permission from Duke Ansi to show you the relevant clause in the contract we made.”
Though she couldn’t show the content related to Collin.
Theonis and Peredo’s expressions became solemn. Taking that as a sign they were listening, Selleana drove the point.
“Besides, Elard’s support for the crown prince won’t be so weak as to be shaken by just me, right?” Saying “just me” left a bitter taste, but it was time to speak at their level.
After a moment of silence, Theonis sighed and began to speak. “Alright, Lea. I admit I was wrong to meddle in your friendships rashly.”
“Brother!”
Theonis emphasized “friendships.”
“I hope your judgment is right.”
“I am.”
“But.” Theonis pulled out a letter. It was an elegantly decorated invitation to a social gathering. “If you’re moving with Elard’s interests in mind, you won’t neglect your duties as an Elard.”
Selleana’s duty. To actively participate in social gatherings as an unmarried woman and build influence. Theonis placed the invitation on the table and pushed it toward Selleana with his fingertips. Her eyes froze upon seeing the envelope.
[Invitation from Count Rondel.]
“The third prince of Laten wishes to forge ties with Elard.”
Why is the main male character from Michi’s original story here?
* * *
A few days later, at the Rondel’s townhouse. The entire garden was adorned with subtle lighting, centered around a grand, elegant fountain. It was a garden party hosted by the Rondel family to celebrate the stay of the third prince of Laten, inviting all of the nobility.
Really, no one from my family came. They usually stop by for a bit.
Was it some kind of punishment? Selleana attended this party alone, representing Elard. Since the purpose of the third prince of Laten’s stay was suspicious, Michi couldn’t join her, leaving her completely alone.
“Lady, thank you for coming! Every time you visit, our garden seems to shine.”
“It’s been a while, Lady Rondel. How have you been?”
Mellisa Rondel, who was persuaded by Agnesia’s eloquence to give up Michi eight years ago, greeted Selleana with the brightest smile.
“Oh my, Lady. Your monocle is so pretty…”
“Thank you. Round glasses don’t suit me, so I came up with this idea. I hope the third prince isn’t displeased.”
“It doesn’t matter what the dress code is when the Lady is here. I thought it would be uncomfortable to wear glasses that I never used, so I made a brooch like this.”
Mellisa Rondel pointed to the brooch pinned to her left chest and smiled shyly. It was made of two round pieces of mother-of-pearl joined together.
“Oh my, that’s really cute. Is it Ellin’s work?”
“No, it’s from Jeromne! It seems Jeromne’s craftsmen are the best at working with mother-of-pearl.”
As Selleana and Mellisa laughed and chatted, Selleana struggled to hide her stiff smile. This was because the dress code for this garden party was ‘round glasses’. The very ones Michi dropped during the birthday banquet, which the third prince of Laten picked up.
Insane, really…