~Chapter 75~
Time passed, and the day of the royal family dinner finally came.
Inside the carriage, Johann looked gloomy.
“If anyone saw you now, they’d think you’re being dragged off to marry a monster,” said Samuel, sitting across from him.
“I’d actually prefer that. At least I could just kill the monster and be done with it,” Johann replied grimly.
“We’re still looking into cases where royal engagements or marriages were annulled. Please hang in there a bit longer,” Samuel said, holding a document filled with royal timelines.
“I’m sure we’ll find at least one case that’ll work in your favor,” he added, pushing up his glasses.
“I really hope so,” Johann muttered.
If nothing worked through proper means, he was ready to try even petty tricks.
He had to cancel this engagement somehow.
‘I don’t want to face Leah while still engaged to someone else.’
Soon, the carriage passed the palace gates and arrived at the Emperor’s main palace.
“I’ll keep searching while you’re inside, Your Grace,” Samuel said.
“Alright. I’ll see you later,” Johann replied, masking his emotions as he got off the carriage and followed the Emperor’s attendant to the dining hall.
Unlike the large banquet halls used for noble parties, this room used for family dinners was smaller, but just as lavish.
‘Still as blindingly flashy as ever,’ Johann thought.
He’d first been here on the day of the engagement ceremony, struggling to hide his fury then too.
Everyone except the Emperor and Empress was already present when he arrived.
“Johann! There you are!”
Matthias greeted him with open arms.
“It’s going to be a rough night. Are you ready?” he whispered while hugging Johann lightly.
“Of course.”
Johann knew the Emperor and Empress would try to push the marriage talk again.
‘I’ll have to fight it with everything I’ve got.’
After greeting Matthias and his wife, Johann politely bowed to the Crown Princess and little Lucia.
To Princess Patrizia and Florian, he gave a cold, emotionless nod.
“Oh, how cold you are to me alone,” Patrizia commented.
“Of course not,” Johann said flatly.
“Hmm, maybe that’s why I like you more,” she smirked.
“You really do enjoy suffering, don’t you?” Florian giggled next to her.
Johann found the two utterly unpleasant.
He had barely sat down next to Patrizia when the doors to the hall opened.
“His Majesty, the most radiant sun in the sky, and Her Highness, the glorious moon, enter!” an attendant announced loudly.
Everyone stood to greet them.
“It’s been a while since we all gathered like this. I’ve missed it,” said the Emperor as he sat down, stroking his beard.
His red hair, just like Matthias’, was now streaked with gray. His amber eyes swept over his children, grandchild, and Johann.
“Go ahead, sit,” he said.
Once everyone was seated, the attendants began serving appetizers.
“Lucia, how’s your studies in imperial leadership going?” the Emperor asked with a kind smile.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Lucia answered with a small nod.
“Tsk, ‘Your Majesty’? You should say Grandpa,” the Emperor frowned.
He shot a glance at his firstborn, who had referred to him only formally ever since the late Empress died.
“You keep calling me ‘Your Majesty’, and now our only granddaughter’s doing it too,” he said with a hint of anger.
“…My apologies,” Matthias said quietly with a stiff expression.
“Your Majesty, since the Duke of Blumhardt is here tonight, maybe let’s not dwell on this,” said the Empress, Narcissa, trying to smooth things over.
“Hmph. For the Empress’s sake, I’ll let it go,” the Emperor said.
Then his gaze turned to Johann.
“Duke of Blumhardt. It feels more pleasant seeing you here than in the council chambers.”
“I’m honored, Your Majesty.”
“You rarely visit.”
“I’m sorry, sire. It’s difficult to make time while managing my household.”
“That just means you’ve been working hard for your family and this country. No need to apologize,” the Emperor chuckled, sipping his wine.
“But you’ve been coming here for a while now, and Patrizia’s still unmarried. It troubles me,” he said with a smile still on his lips.
“…I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“I didn’t bring it up to hear apologies. When are you finally going to take my daughter?”
Still smiling, the Emperor pressed gently.
“My daughter hasn’t fully adjusted to the household yet, so I’m afraid it won’t be possible for a while,” Johann replied, bowing slightly.
“…First, it was your sick sister. Now it’s a surprise daughter?” Patrizia shot at him.
“I apologize to you too, Your Highness.”
“If I wait patiently, what will you offer me in return?” she asked with a strange tone.
Johann’s brow twitched.
What is she playing at?
“What do you want?” he asked.
There was no avoiding it now, so he decided to hear her out.
“Come visit my quarters after dinner,” she said with an unreadable smile.
Definitely scheming something.
‘Ugh, I already want to get out of here, and now she wants me to go to her palace too?’
Still, if going would keep the Emperor from bringing up marriage again tonight… maybe he had to.
“…Fine. I’ll stop by,” he said reluctantly, taking a big sip of wine.
“Tonight is wonderful. You agreeing to my request so easily,” Patrizia said dramatically, grabbing both his hands.
Florian chuckled beside her.
“Duke Blumhardt,” the Empress, who had been quiet until now, called out.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I heard your house developed a new magic medicine?”
“Yes, we did.”
“Oh! I’ve heard about that too. What an amazing magician you must have,” the Emperor chimed in.
Johann hesitated. Should he mention Leah?
“I believe the mother of your daughter created it, didn’t she?” the Empress pressed.
The Emperor’s eyes widened.
“Is that true, Duke?”
“…Yes, Your Highness,” Johann finally admitted.
“I heard she never went to an academy. Who taught her?” she asked softly.
“She didn’t learn from anyone. I was told she taught herself,” Johann replied, lying — the questions were making him suspicious.
“…I see.”
“What? She learned all that on her own?”
The Emperor was shocked.
“If it were up to me, I’d hire her into the royal mage tower!” he exclaimed, glancing at Narcissa.
The topic finally changed thanks to the Crown Princess, and Johann silently thanked her.
The dinner — which felt like an eternity to Johann and the royal couple — finally ended.
He followed Patrizia to her palace.
“No need to look like you’re chewing dung. You’ll like what I have planned,” she said with a sly sparkle in her eyes.
‘Like hell I will,’ Johann thought.
Just before reaching the palace entrance, Johann suddenly felt dizzy.
‘I didn’t even drink that much. Why am I so lightheaded?’
“Oh, wow. Looks like it’s kicking in already,” Patrizia said, supporting him as he staggered.
“Just lean on me, Duke,” she said, pulling him close.
His vision blurred in and out. Her perfume overwhelmed him.
‘…So disgusting.’
What the hell did she—
“…What did you do to me?” Johann asked, his voice hoarse.
“What do you mean?” she replied innocently.
“…Cut the crap. What did you do?” he growled, grabbing her shoulders tightly.
“Ow. You’re still pretty strong, huh?” she smirked.
Attendants pried him off her. Johann tried to fight back, but the drug made it hard to stand.
“I just added a little ‘love potion’ to your wine,” Patrizia said, strolling closer.
‘…Love potion?’
That disgusting, shady magic drug?
It was something usually used in brothels, and using it without consent was a serious crime.
And she put that in his wine?
“You really should’ve just given in sooner.”
“…You’re insane.”
His head spun again.
He staggered.
“It’s all your fault,” she whispered into his ear, holding his shoulder.
“…Shut up.”
Johann shoved her hand away furiously.
“What are you waiting for? Grab him!” She ordered the attendants.
Large men surrounded Johann.
“You’ve completely lost it.”
“After tonight, all your excuses won’t matter,” she sneered behind them.
“I think a traditional wedding at the Grand Temple would be perfect, don’t you?”
Johann shook his head, trying to stay conscious.
“Ohhh, what dress should I wear?” Patrizia said dreamily, walking ahead toward her palace.
