chapter 51
“Um… that’s…”
“No, just give it here. Hand over that document.”
Polius asked, then snatched the papers straight out of the employee’s hands.
He flipped through the pages in a hurry, and the contents were…
“A copyright lawsuit?”
“It says the copyright of the play belongs not only to the Belderte family, who owns the troupe, but also to the scriptwriter and director…”
Indeed, the <13th Knight> production Polius was preparing this time was going to copy the old play exactly as it had once been performed.
That way, he could perfectly recreate the nostalgia of the past.
Besides, the lines and direction from decades ago were still excellent.
“Ah, so that’s all it is. Whatever. They’re both commoners, aren’t they?”
Polius tossed the papers aside with a snap. The tension vanished from his face.
“Commoners must be living pretty comfortably these days. Since when do they file lawsuits against nobles so boldly?”
Despite the employee being a commoner, Polius made no attempt to lower his voice.
There had been a time when he was considerate of others, and even compared favorably to his taciturn half-brother Damian… but that was long gone.
No one at the count’s estate, including Head Maid Terada, called Polius a “good person” anymore.
His kindness and gentle attitude had existed only because he had room in his life to be generous.
Ever since Melanie left, he’d been too busy taking care of himself.
“Once the urgent matters are over, I’ll crush them slowly.”
Those commoners were lucky he was distracted by the launch of Red Sun right now.
“At first I felt a little regretful about dissolving the troupe, but looking at this… good thing we split up. They’re biting the hand that fed them. How dare they.”
It wasn’t like Polius had no idea about copyright laws.
But they were commoners—and when commoners sued nobles, it was rare for a proper judgment to even happen.
So even while preparing the <13th Knight> play, he hadn’t cared at all.
The only commoner Polius cared about was the actor, Robio Tamdae.
“Don’t bother reporting annoying things like this to me. Just handle it on your own. Hm? Should I really waste time worrying about this?”
“S-sorry, my lord.”
Commoners couldn’t win such suits anyway. As long as he ignored it, it would go away.
“The trial… It won’t even start until after the video stone goes on the market?”
After Red Sun launches, everyone will be obsessed with <13th Knight>, lawsuit or not. Polius could simply ignore everything.
“Why is everyone so annoying today?”
With that, Polius erased the lawsuit from his mind. He didn’t even bother telling Josephine.
We did file the lawsuit, but this wasn’t the time to escalate things.
“I know you’re worried, but please just trust me and wait a little.”
I comforted Director Chillen and Writer Meiren.
‘The trial will only happen after the Red Sun business launches anyway.’
And if word spreads that we filed right before launch, it’ll sound like we sued because we were scared of <13th Knight>.
That would make it look like we were insecure and grabbing onto copyright for no reason.
“Yes, President. We trust you.”
Thankfully, both of them showed complete confidence in me. Thanks to that, I could focus on what I needed to do now.
Even excluding the lawsuit, there was an overwhelming amount of work.
[We’re being rushed to hurry up and finish the video stones… but they don’t seem interested in inspecting the actual ones going to market.]
This was a report from the mage manufacturing the stones.
[Polius and Lady Yngda are still meeting, but they’re awkward. But she hasn’t given up on him yet.]
This message was from Lady Martis.
After reading both reports, it was clear that Josephine was extremely on edge.
‘Hmm. Lady Yngda just glanced at a few sample video stones and called it done? Too naive.’
Sure, they’d both seen the play many times and understood the story, but everyone else wouldn’t.
They should be testing thoroughly, checking details repeatedly, improving it over and over.
Business exposes everything. They were being far too lax.
Both the mage and the interpreter were hired by me, so I wasn’t worried about sabotage.
I continued reading Lady Martis’s message.
[Watching the two of them argue right next to me is hilarious. I’m eating popcorn inside, but I have to pretend to look serious, and it’s exhausting…]
She stayed by Polius’s side, giving bizarre advice and ruining his relationship with Josephine.
Lady Martis was an excellent spy.
‘If they’re fighting, they can’t communicate properly, and the video stone project will be low-quality. They should be united, not falling apart.’
Still, if Lady Yngda hadn’t given up on Polius, something might happen at today’s ball.
I didn’t want to attend social gatherings until my engagement to Tower Master Damian was official—but there were limits.
I was still a noblewoman, after all.
Today was the Seraphina Festival, where all unmarried noble adults gathered.
It commemorated the saint who blessed lovers in times of war. If I didn’t attend, it would basically tell everyone, “I’m a hopeless fool no one will marry.”
‘I don’t understand why marriage is mandatory. Nobles are ridiculous.’
At least I could attend with Tower Master Damian as my partner, so I wasn’t worried even if I ran into Polius.
But… once I actually arrived at the ball, Polius was the least of my problems.
As expected from a festival full of unmarried nobles, there were new lovers forming everywhere.
There was even a rumor that couples who met here stayed together for life.
Unlike normal noble banquets, which were elegant and formal, today’s Seraphina Festival was bright and lively.
Maybe because everyone had just reached adulthood…
Or because so many were desperate to find a spouse.
“Oh my, are you going to confess today?”
“But confessions are scary…”
“Don’t be like that. If not today, when will you ever get the courage?”
People were glancing at each other, testing the atmosphere.
Whispers that would normally feel unpleasant instead felt sweet and fluttery.
But… to me, this atmosphere was not pleasant at all.
I had expected attention, yes… but this was excessive.
“Lady Clotilde, you are here! I’ve been waiting.”
“Even the Angel of Love would bow to you, Lady.”
I froze on the spot, goosebumps crawling over my entire body.
‘Not just an angel… the Angel of Love? Did I hear that correctly?’
And the young nobleman saying it had never spoken to me before.
The atmosphere of the ball was far more blatant than I anticipated. It was suffocating.
‘Well, aside from my poor health, I am top-tier bride material. Actually… some nobles might like that I’m not healthy.’
Yes, I broke up with Polius.
But I hadn’t made a formal announcement about my engagement to Tower Master Damian.
So, quite a few young noblemen seemed to think this was their opportunity—and approached me shamelessly.
“Lady Clotilde! I enjoyed the video stone so much.”
“Oh, thank—”
“The home theater was incredible. Would you honor me by visiting my ducal estate to see it?”
“Then please consider my estate as well—”
“No, not with other men. Just the two of us.”
“And who are you to demand a private viewing with Lady Clotilde?”
So loud. So annoying.
And I could guess exactly whose idea this was.
I glanced toward Lady Yngda.
The socialite known as “the flower of society” was watching calmly, even though I had become the center of attention instead of her.
‘She must have whispered that “whoever marries Lady Clotilde becomes the next duke.”’
There was no other explanation for why so many nobles suddenly had the confidence to rush at me all at once.
‘Wow… I haven’t felt this in a while.’
I let out a small, silent laugh.
Like I was no longer a person, but a staircase leading to the dukedom.
I used to feel this all the time before my engagement to Polius…
Recently, I really had become soft, staying next to Tower Master Damian.
