~Chapter 16~
“Then, see you again.”
“Indeed.”
After sending Sonnet off, Pierre leaned back into the carriage seat.
He didn’t like crowded places, so the mental fatigue hit him hard.
However, unlike past social seasons, he didn’t feel any reluctance this time—thanks to his subordinate.
“She’s a strange woman.”
To love his sister without controlling her.
The Edenrosa family curse, inherited from his great-grandfather, dictated that one could only love a single person blindly.
Many people admired it, hoping to be part of that love, but they probably never imagined what such a family would actually be like.
‘I wish you had never been born.’
‘Ah, father… father—’
He showed suffocating possessiveness and jealousy toward the one he loved.
But anyone else? They were all enemies.
Hating, liking—everything was under control.
That’s the way he had been raised.
Until recently, before coming to the capital, he had lived that way continuously.
“Let’s see if she truly doesn’t lose her balance, as she claims.”
That was why he had taken interest in her family—they seemed different from his own.
‘By observing how she treats her sibling, I can see if she might overstep in the name of emotion.’
“Insulting the Edenrosa family? A duel is required!”
“What… what did you say?”
“You’ve tarnished my honor! A duel!”
“Eh?!”
About two weeks later, after ten wins in ten duels, I had become utterly obsessed with dueling.
Truly insane.
“Sonnet’s reasoning is sound.”
Pierre supported me like a fellow madman.
“Do you need anything?”
“No. I’m fine… You’ve been taking care of me well.”
“If anything makes you uncomfortable, tell me. You have that right.”
“Yes.”
“By the way, how’s Miss Mabel?”
“She’s doing well. This time, she wants to attend her friend’s tea party.”
Additionally…
‘You let your sister be quite free. In strict households, children couldn’t even go out.’
‘Angels aren’t meant to be tied down—No, that’s not it. If you just protect what’s necessary, letting her have freedom is only natural.’
He asked about my educational approach:
‘Does she like freedom?’
‘I make time to be with Mabel every day. How could I not care for her?’
‘Indeed. Seems like a harmonious family.’
He also asked about schedules and household matters:
‘Does she know what my sister likes?’
‘I probably know better than Pierre. But why?’
‘Nothing.’
Seeing how often he asked about Mabel, I wondered if he was developing an interest in her. My child was certainly adorable.
“Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
“Really? Is that okay?”
“Yes. Being kind to a lover’s family and listening to them isn’t strange, is it?”
“Oh, then Mabel has quite a few appointments. Could you adjust the schedule?”
“Appointments? She hasn’t even debuted as a young lady?”
“She has many friends. She’s quite popular, remarkable really.”
As I smiled, Pierre gave me a curious look.
“…Indeed. Impressive. Free-spirited.”
He often looked at me that way.
“Today is the Cartier Marchioness’ ball, right?”
“Yes. That should be the last social event of the season. By now, no one should suspect anything.”
“Understood.”
Once this ends, I can spend more time with Mabel. Excited, I moved along.
“Welcome! Young Marquis, you too.”
“We’re glad you came.”
“Long time no see, and you, Marquis, too.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
The Cartier Marchioness’ event, hosted by the Marchioness Damia Cartier, was practically a birthday party.
Naturally, those close to her attended, mostly allies of the Second Prince.
Among them, we felt out of place.
After a round of greetings, we sat on a secluded terrace, and he asked:
“Sonnet. Are you aware of the power struggles in this country?”
“Roughly? Not in detail.”
“Understandable. You come from a neutral family, so you might not know.”
The princess was secretly supporting the First Prince with allies. I just smiled quietly.
“Let me explain. As my lover, you need basic knowledge.”
He kindly pointed out several key figures at the ball:
“The author of these moves is Count Lumière. Undoubtedly the third-in-command of the Second Prince faction.”
“Third-in-command?”
“Yes. Second-in-command is the father of the Marchioness we greeted. First-in-command? Need I say—it’s the Second Prince’s mother.”
“And the Second Prince?”
“He visited during the day. Lucky we didn’t meet. He’s desperate to pull me into his faction.”
He explained that he deliberately created this moment to avoid trouble, holding my hand as he guided me.
“No need to make a scene here. Just a few dances, then we leave.”
“Understood. Let’s go.”
I danced, now quite accustomed to the steps.
[Skills: Basic Etiquette, Intermediate Magic (3rd Circle), Intermediate Swordsmanship (Aura User)]
‘Without the etiquette skill, I’d be in trouble.’
About two weeks and a few days ago, before my first social debut, the second month’s settlement window opened.
Alongside the title [Young Marquis’ Lover], my fame stats appeared.
‘Since it was three years ago, the title is [Young Marquis’ Lover], not [Marquis’ Lover], so the fame effect is slightly lower…’
Also, the first-time title skill unlock (1 use) allowed me to acquire the etiquette skill.
Thanks to that, I could navigate without any noticeable flaws.
“The ballroom is so noisy.”
“Yes… I have to agree.”
The orchestra played grandly, and many whispered. Conversations from this close weren’t audible, but the noise was undeniable.
“Recently, a rumor has unsettled the Second Prince faction.”
“A rumor?”
“That the Second Prince isn’t of royal blood.”
…Ah, the princess must have fed this info to Mephisto to spread quietly.
Evidence is shaky, so no direct action yet, just groundwork.
“That’s absurd.”
“Yes. He resembles the Emperor. Utterly ridiculous.”
I suddenly recalled that the Marchioness’ family supported black magicians. I wanted to investigate.
“Just one more song.”
Pierre wanted to leave quickly, so I wouldn’t have time to investigate alone.
Then, something caught my eye.
“…Huh?”
“Why?”
Through the staff moving around the ballroom, I saw a familiar face.
“Wait, Pierre. That way.”
The problem? It was one of the black magicians.
As the music ended, I cautiously approached.
Could I prove they were black magicians?
Should I make a move?
They circled once, heading outside.
As the music ended, I said:
“Pierre?”
“I… just needed to use the restroom! Go on ahead to the carriage!”
“Sonnet!”
I stealthily moved along the corridor.
“[Stealthy Footsteps]!”
I cast a spell to conceal my presence, worried about being detected.
“[Whispers of Wind].”
I also cast a spell to broadly hear sounds. Only then did I feel safe.
Claiming I had a stomachache meant I could move about freely for a while.
There were small rooms along the corridor…
-Oh no! Not here!
-No one’s coming!
…I overheard things I didn’t want to hear.
Finally, at a corner room, voices emerged:
-Is that the object?
-Yes. Definitely.
I pressed myself to the wall, hiding.
Since they were black magicians, normal attack magic might fail. My body skills were my only option.
‘I left my sword.’
I regretted not bringing at least a small dagger.
I pressed my head to the door.
Should I rush in?
Then, someone grabbed my shoulder.
“Sonnet.”
“Eek…?!”
Startled, I instinctively struck with my elbow to their chest.
It didn’t hit. He gently caught my arm.
“…Pierre?”
“What’s going on? I saw you use magic. Did you discover something?”
[Stealthy Footsteps] would have no effect now, as he already saw me.
He had been watching, suspecting something.
At that moment, I heard the black magicians:
-Prepare for spatial teleportation.
-Yes.
“No!”
Finally, a lead!
“Sonnet?”
Could it be that they had set up a spatial magic circle inside? Activation takes about three minutes… limited time.
I quickly calculated.
Whatever the “object” was, it seemed illegal, exchanged secretly.
If I rushed now, I could catch them in the act.
With sword master Pierre, we wouldn’t be easily beaten.
Alright! Let’s do this!
I grabbed Pierre’s sleeve.
“I’m going to subdue those inside! Please help!”
“What?”
Before he could respond, I kicked the door open.
The locked door flew open effortlessly under the skill of a trained knight.
“Ugh?!”
“What?!”
Boom—several magicians attempting spatial teleportation were crushed by the door.
I stood atop the door to prevent them from getting up, then shouted:
“Freeze! Police!”
