Chapter 115
The capital’s social scene was in an uproar.
Although it lasted only a single day, the impact of Duke Halbern wandering everywhere with stickers on his cheeks was enormous.
No one knew where he had gotten them, but by the next day, young ladies across the social scene appeared with sparkling stickers artfully placed on their cheeks.
Some noblewomen even joined in, sitting with stickers adorning their faces, and everyone sensed that this was the next morning’s trend.
“The Duke is truly a genius. How did he come up with such an idea?”
“With this new accessory, putting on makeup will be so much more fun.”
“I’ve already bought several kinds of stickers. Some are even sold out in the capital. Hohoho.”
Because stickers were not typically in high demand, many shops had already run out of stock.
In response, Duke Sperom grumbled, “Why is this even becoming a trend?!” yet hurriedly joined in by creating a team to sell the stickers.
However, the news that caused the most stir in the capital was not just that…
A scandal involving Valer, the Albrecht Times’ “#1 Most Eligible Bachelor for Ten Consecutive Years,” and Mehen, the “#2 Most Eligible Bachelor for Seven Consecutive Years.”
Surprisingly, public opinion in the social scene remained steady.
Perhaps it was because rumors had already spread at the founding festival’s royal ball that Duke Halbern had called Mehen “darling” in private.
“I knew it…”
“So it was the legitimate spouse…”
“It was Mehen, wasn’t it…”
Everyone seemed to accept it as inevitable. Even though the newspaper publishing this story was a notorious yellow press, known mainly for social gossip and unreliable rumors.
“I think they make a wonderful couple.”
“Yes, seeing them side by side is really heartwarming…”
“I support their love!”
These were the relatively open reactions of young ladies.
“Mehen being involved in such a scandal… this is the end of days.”
“Of course Duke Halbern must have done something wrong.”
“Still, I hope their true friendship endures for a long time. Hoho.”
These were the warmer responses from the more knowledgeable noblewomen.
“No, how could our Duke be involved in such rumors!”
“If Mehen knew, he would strike the floor in anger.”
“Mehen met the wrong lord—what a hardship this is!”
Thanks to the overwhelming male nobles who supported Mehen, there was no major backlash.
Rather…
“What?! They were… that close?!”
Duke Sperom felt utterly confused.
“Impossible, Simon. Pull yourself together,” said Duke Muvisk with a sharp remark.
And as for His Imperial Majesty…
“Valer… that brat…”
He finally realized that the “wife” had been Mehen all along, and that he had been mocked for some time.
On the second-floor balcony of a coffeehouse on the busiest street of the capital, bustling with the founding festival, a man of gravity unmatched by the lively surroundings tossed aside the newspaper he had been reading.
The front page contained a photograph of Duke Halbern, with his beauty impossible to convey even in photos, adorned with stickers.
Behind it was the gossip-laden scandal coverage.
“Seems like a charmed life.”
A twisted smile revealed his clear discomfort.
Though disguised as a mage, his silver hair and deep green eyes could not be concealed.
A blessing bestowed only upon the royal family of the Southern Empire:
“As long as this lineage continues, I shall eternally bless the land you inhabit.”
Now forgotten, even the divine message remained only in the sanctuaries of the royal family.
Grand Duke Locke of the Southern Empire, Ludwig, who had killed his insane brother and installed his nephew on the throne to assume the regency, furrowed his brows and glared at the lively streets of Albrecht’s capital.
Behind him, like a shadow, stood a man.
“You’ve arrived, my lord.”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t have to come in person.”
“I decide that.”
His subordinate read the displeasure hidden in the arrogant reply and immediately fell silent.
The relationship between the Albrecht Empire and the Southern Empire was not bad, but at a time of delicate diplomacy, an unofficial visit from the Southern Empire’s regent, Duke Locke, was potentially problematic.
Yet the subordinates could not refuse him, for he was Duke Locke.
“What of Duke Edikels?”
“He seems to have caught wind of things. He sent an urgent message and has been prying about your whereabouts. Shall I handle it?”
“No, let it be for now.”
Ludwig was indifferent.
However, he remembered the efforts Duke Edikels had made.
“There’s nothing they could do anyway.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
He admired the determination of a man willing to walk into a lion’s den to prevent war.
“What of the investigation?”
“Here it is.”
Ludwig picked up a teacup and skimmed through the report.
It contained a brief investigation into Duke Halbern’s movements. Though elusive, the report included all the basic information.
“A daughter he suddenly brought along, Ira…”
Ludwig had not paid much attention to Valer’s daughter before—not out of lack of interest, but because no information had been allowed to reach him.
This time, had the news of Duke Halbern returning from the Northern Castle not reached him, he would not have cared.
“Curious timing.”
It coincided with Sione’s disappearance.
Ludwig lowered his gaze as he noted the overlapping dates.
The foolish face in the article made his perfect brows crease in irritation.
“A daughter…”
For some reason, he suddenly felt he wanted to see Duke Halbern’s daughter.
A person he had never cared about now piqued his interest simply because Duke Halbern had returned and appeared to care.
“Let’s see if you can be happy.”
The smiling face in the article annoyed him.
“And here I am, trapped in hell.”
Even on the sunlit balcony, he felt as though imprisoned in a distant abyss.
Even now, if he closed his eyes, he heard the faint voice of someone intermittently whispering a name in the dark.
“Valer…”
Ludwig opened his eyes, his expression icy.
“Duke Halbern’s true love is ‘this man’?!”
His gaze shook as he looked at the newspaper’s front page that had hit Halbern Manor like a storm.
Why such an article…
Even after seeing this shocking news, the child-care group remained unshaken, in fact, they were in heated debate.
“Are they really dating? Well, that explains calling him darling.”
“But Mehen never called him that. He always hits His Excellency, doesn’t he?”
“Maybe he’s just embarrassed.”
No, these children were speaking recklessly about things that would make Mehen choke if he heard.
“But the two of them clearly have a bond others can’t enter.”
“They have to, right? His Excellency raised Mehen, after all.”
“Mehen says he’ll stop but never actually does.”
“True, even though he has enough wealth to quit.”
Yuni and Rena began a heated debate about Mehen’s true feelings.
I let their words drift in one ear as I set the newspaper down, sighed, and suddenly froze at the door.
“Yuni, Rena.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Miss, why?”
Be quiet.
Yuni and Rena, puzzled, looked at the door just as I had.
And then…
“Eek.”
“Mehen!”
“When did you get here…?”
Mehen entered the room today with a radiant, gentle smile.
“You were having an interesting conversation.”
“No, we were just…”
“Just happened to…”
Seeing the frozen, flustered child-care group, he sighed again. Unlike them, Mehen’s smile became even warmer and softer, like a spring day.
“It’s fine, we’ve already filed a complaint.”
“Eh?!”
“Against us?!”
Seeing the trembling group, Mehen shook his head.
“This newspaper.”
“Ah.”
“And the reporter.”
“Ah!”
“And…”
“And?”
“Duke Halbern.”
“….”
Mehen smiled coldly.
“Everyone, watch your words.”
The child-care group said nothing.
I could only let out a long sigh.
