Chapter 107……..
Unlike me, who could only force an awkward smile, Idris took it a step further.
“Feeling relieved at seeing me like this… I suppose it’s my great sin that, at this age, I still haven’t found a suitable match.”
…It seems the young master and his wife are perfectly in sync.
Perhaps noticing my awkward position between them, Her Majesty the Empress intervened with a smile to ease the situation.
“Oh, of course, I don’t mean to pressure Lady Leticia. If the Duke feels hurt, just tell me—I’ll find a better man for you.”
“It would be difficult to find a man better than me in the empire.”
“No matter how good a man may be, what use is he if he can’t win the heart of the woman he loves? You must continue to make an effort, Duke.”
I had thought Her Majesty the Empress was just endlessly kind.
‘She can subtly apply pressure when she wants…’
It was around this moment that I began to think that perhaps the real power in the empire wasn’t the Emperor, but the Empress.
When the maid brought in the tea, the two who had been subtly pressuring me fell silent.
Before the flow of conversation broke completely, I brought up what I had been about to say to Idris earlier.
“Um, Your Majesty the Empress, and Idris, I have something to say.”
Both the Empress and Idris turned their gaze to me simultaneously.
“I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also be attending this hunting festival.”
“That’s right. His Majesty even provided him a horse and a riding instructor.”
“It might be presumptuous of me to say… but would it be better if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn’t attend this hunting festival?”
At my unexpected suggestion, both the Empress and Idris looked at me with surprise.
I explained further.
“I’m still concerned that the person behind the attack during the founding festival hasn’t been caught yet.”
“They must be waiting for another chance, of course.”
The Empress nodded, as if agreeing with my speculation.
But what she said next was not what I had expected.
“Thank you for worrying about Ludian. But I don’t think I can accept that suggestion.”
Her Majesty calmly began to explain why she could not agree with my opinion.
“First, it is unacceptable for a royal to skip an event organized by the royal family just because of potential danger. That would undermine the dignity of the crown.”
“….”
“Second, it might actually be more dangerous for Ludian to stay alone in the palace.”
Only then did I realize the possibility I had overlooked.
‘Since it’s an event hosted by the royal family, naturally the royal guards would all be focused on the hunting grounds.’
Then, just as the Empress said, the palace itself would be more vulnerable.
“And the third reason…”
After taking a sip of her tea, the Empress set down her cup and continued.
“Lady Leticia once said that Ludian is more careful and prudent than others his age.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Do you know why Ludian developed that personality?”
Now that I think about it, it was indeed remarkable.
A mere five-year-old already able to gauge risks and make judgments in every matter.
Seeing my confused look, the Empress explained.
“The biggest reason is innate temperament, of course. But more importantly, it’s because he was taught that way—he’s a child who will one day become Emperor.”
“….”
“Throughout his life, there will be countless dangers, and he can’t just hide every time.”
I could only agree with her words.
‘Even if Deon disappears, threats against Ludian can appear anytime, anywhere.’
He cannot simply hide every time.
“Of course, as a parent, one wants to hold the child in their arms and protect them from every danger…”
“….”
“But an Emperor cannot do that. He must care for and protect countless people.”
At that moment, Idris’s childhood came to mind.
The time when he had to act as a shield to protect the then Crown Prince, the current Emperor…
And the Emperor, who had grown up safely without knowing his beloved younger sibling was used as a shield.
Perhaps this is why the Emperor and Empress do not hide Ludian.
“I always remember that Ludian is first and foremost the future ruler of this country, before being my child.”
“….”
“That is the weight of the crown he must bear. And Ludian understands that weight better than anyone.”
“….”
“Telling a child like that to hide for fear of danger would be an enormous blow to his pride.”
Suddenly, I remembered how proud Ludian was of being the Crown Prince and future Emperor.
‘Indeed, I shouldn’t disappoint a child excited to show off his riding skills at the hunting festival.’
Convinced by the Empress’s words, I smiled faintly and nodded as if admitting defeat.
“Then there’s no choice. We must serve him as best we can.”
I glanced at Idris, who nodded confidently.
And so, the afternoon tea ended.
A peaceful afternoon.
The sharp voice of Feidan echoed through the quiet office.
“Count Chloel returned to his county?!”
“Yes…”
“Ha… I should have seen this coming when he started selling that strange fabric.”
Feidan pressed his heated forehead in frustration, muttering curses.
A few days ago, the fabric incident at Boutique Blanc had been widely reported in the newspapers.
No matter how they tried to stop the press, it was useless.
Even if they silenced the reporters, they could not stop the guests who were present that day from talking.
Once the article broke, even minor complaints from those dissatisfied with the quality of the clothing began to surface.
Public opinion escalated uncontrollably.
Moreover, since so many clothes had already been made in advance, all the raw materials were used up.
Even if they wanted to make new garments, they needed more raw materials and time.
Unable to act, Boutique Blanc quickly declined.
The first to notice the worsening situation were those involved in the business.
“Sir, the Usia trading guild demands the balance payment by today.”
The merchants who had supplied raw materials after receiving advance payment now demanded the remaining funds.
“What? Didn’t they already get their money a few days ago?”
“Few days ago, it was the Likan guild.”
Feidan bit his lip and slammed his desk.
But hurting his hand did nothing to solve the problem.
“Tell them we’ll pay next week.”
There was no immediate way to secure cash.
Selling land or goods would also take time.
Just then, as Lockhard responded reluctantly, there was a knock and the butler’s voice was heard.
“Sir, someone from the Rumada guild has arrived. What shall we do?”
At the mention of that name, Feidan startled and looked out the window.
A carriage had stopped in front of the mansion gates.
The Rumada guild—operated by Deon.
After the news of Boutique Blanc spread, the first person to demand repayment from Feidan was Deon.
“I assumed that someone who had led the Duchy of Farnese would surely succeed in this venture… I overestimated you, it seems.”
“…I apologize.”
“One cannot stay on a sinking ship. I feel sorry for your situation, but I do not do business out of sentiment. It would be best to return the funds you borrowed.”
“Your Highness, I cannot pay that money now. Just a little more time, and somehow I will—!”
“Then at least pay the interest.”
“I… the interest?”
“Compared to the principal, it is a small amount. If you can’t even pay that, why should I continue to support this venture?”
And today was the day the interest was due.
Feidan hurriedly closed the curtains and shouted to the butler.
“Tell them I’m not home due to business, have them come another day!”
The butler withdrew, leaving only Lockhard and Feidan in the office.
After sighing and muttering curses for a while, Feidan spoke.
“Lockhard. Send someone to capture Count Chloel.”
At this moment, only two people existed in his mind:
The Count who sold him the fabric…
And Leticia…
The one responsible for all of this.
