Chapter 10

“You should lose that frown.”

The man paused from sipping his glass of wine and looked up. There was a woman in front of him, her eyes full of laughter.

“This is a party, Duke Rowen.”

The duke’s expression, as the lady had indicated, hardly suited the festive ballroom. With his neat, silvery hair and refined appearance, the young duke boasted a proud and noble bearing. Deep wrinkles, however, were etched on his forehead that hardly suited his age.

“This is why no one dares to be around you.”

Actually, hardly any of the guests dared to approach him because of his exalted status—the duke was one of a handful of the highest-ranked and most esteemed nobles in the empire.

His name was Claude Rowen, and he was chief justice of the imperial courts as well as the new leader of one of the empire’s oldest duchies—one of only five, to be exact.

“I’m fine without anyone approaching,” said the duke pointedly.

The woman ignored his hint and promptly sat down next to him. He, however, couldn’t complain, as his beautiful new companion also belonged to one of the aforementioned five duchies. She was Minas Abrott, the empire’s chief diplomat and head of the Abrott duchy, which ruled in the eastern region.

“If you dislike this so much, why didn’t you stay in your little western corner instead of coming all the way here?”

“It’s not a matter of preference,” said the duke curtly. “It is a matter of duty. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have even stepped foot into the central region.”

Minas snickered at his remark. Although the empire as a whole fell under the emperor’s jurisdiction, the territory was divided into five spheres of influence, each under the control of duchies that served the imperial family—Floyd in the north, Rowen in the west, Abrott east, Bormio south, and Calabria in the center.

Claude despised Duke Calabria particularly, and as one could not travel to other regions from the west without going through the center (or using illegal routes), he was famous for never leaving his territory if he could help it.

“Well, I’ve brought you a rather titillating tale,” said Minas conspiratorially.

“I’ll pass in advance if it’s one of your usual tasteless jests,” said Claude sharply.

“Oh, it’s much better than that,” said Minas, lifting her finger and subtly pointing. “Do you know why Duke Calabria is currently fretting over there like a worried puppy?”

Claude looked toward where she indicated, and as she’d said, Duke Calabria was restlessly pacing around instead of sitting at his leisure, as was his usual habit.

“Why is he doing that?” asked Claude, peering over at him, now intrigued.

At the same time, he heard another voice at his side.

“May I hear the reason as well?”

It was the wizened old Duke Bormio, executive official of the emperor and steward of the south. Although his two peers were young enough to be his children, old Arthur Bormio remained very respectful.

Minas invited him to sit and said, in an excited but hushed tone, “I hear that our revered knight commander isn’t in attendance tonight.”

This prime piece of gossip garnered a rather subdued reaction from the two lords.

“Perhaps he has some duty,” said Claude, sounding disinterested. “He’s bound to show up eventually.”

“If he had some official responsibility, then there’s no way the duke would be looking so agitated,” retorted Minas.

“Perhaps there’s a different reason. But the count will surely be present tonight,” said Arthur in a low voice, smiling at them genially. “This birthday festival celebrates the princess’s official coming-of-age. Count Calabria must be aware of what it represents.”

Everyone expected that this was when the princess would announce her betrothal to the count, and all the nobles present had dutifully prepared engagement gifts as well as the usual birthday tokens. The price of gemstones had skyrocketed in recent weeks as the shops had been emptied by the fervent nobles, eager to gift the princess with a memorable piece.

“I believe that something has happened. Something entirely unexpected,” said Minas, undeterred by their lack of interest.

“Do you have any evidence?” asked Claude.

“It’s female intuition!” she snapped.

Claude immediately looked dismissive, and even the well-mannered Arthur looked skeptical.

“Well, if you believe it to be so, Duchess Abrott...” he said politely.

“I swear, it is!” hissed Minas. “You wait and see.”

Surprisingly, her theory seemed more and more plausible as the hours passed and Ryan remained nowhere to be seen. The dance, which should have started ages ago, had been pushed back several times, and even the princess’s expression had begun to sour.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” exclaimed Minas triumphantly to their table.

“I don’t think it’s something to celebrate...” Claude bluntly muttered.

He was right—the situation was growing rather alarming. At this point, someone had to ask the princess for a dance, if only to avoid spoiling the festive mood of the party. Unfortunately, not a single person volunteered, as they had all been informed of the princess’s intended partner.

Minas sensed the slight panic beginning to overtake the guests and turned to Claude. “Shouldn’t you ask the princess for a dance?”

Claude, who also detested dancing, frowned immediately.

“Why me?” he asked.

“It’s the princess’s birthday festival,” she pointed out. “She needs a partner who’s at an equal level. You’re the only young, unmarried duke with a high enough status.” Minas looked around the crowded ballroom and said, a tad wistfully, “If only Duke Phaedra were here tonight. I heard he was in the capital... But I guess he didn’t attend.”

Claude’s expression darkened when he heard the name Phaedra.

“Why do you put me in the same breath as a man from that unseemly family?” he complained.

“Duke Phaedra is much better than you, Claude,” said Minas. “He is a superior dancer, and he is extremely handsome.”

In truth, Claude was also justly famous for his beauty and wouldn’t have compared unfavorably next to the other duke. Minas, however, enjoyed riling Claude up, getting vengeance for how he usually ignored her.

“Phaedra is also the top mage in the empire and an acknowledged alchemist,” she added slyly. “Ah... If only that man were here, he’d salvage the situation immediately and bolster the princess’s honor.”

Before Minas could finish speaking, Claude slammed his goblet down on the table and got up in disgust. “Even if that false, debauched duke were in attendance, he wouldn’t have dared ask for the hand of our imperial princess.”

Claude smoothed out his suit and strode toward where Aileen held court.

Arthur glanced at Minas, who was grinning victoriously. “You are adept at manipulation, my lady, as befitting our chief diplomat.”

“You can control him like a puppet as long as Phaedra is mentioned,” she remarked cheekily.

The two of them shared looks of satisfaction as the princess was finally led into her first dance on the arm of Duke Rowen of the west. The guests privately heaved a sigh of relief, but Arthur still looked perturbed.

“Count Calabria needs to attend this party before the night comes to an end,” he said.

Minas nodded, but she privately thought there was no chance of the count showing up tonight. She knew that something was happening, and her intuition had never been wrong yet.

I do hope this all continues to be so... intriguing. With eyes full of anticipation, Minas Abrott lifted her glass and toasted the princess.

* * *

Eleanor stood frozen, unable to speak. What did I just hear? He’d... fallen for her? She’d expected to never see him again, but now... She was completely unsure how to react.

“Wh-wh-what do y-you mean...” Eleanor sputtered. “H-how... All of a sudden...”

She was so shocked that she couldn’t form a complete sentence. Was he perhaps teasing her? She recalled one of their conversational exchanges before getting lost in his bed and managed to say, “D-didn’t you laugh when I warned you not to fall for me?”

Ryan nodded. “I wasn’t laughing because you said that. I only laughed because of how adorable you looked, when your face turned so red with embarrassment from saying it out loud,” he said softly.

He smiled again as if he, too, were recalling the memory. She felt her face heat up as his violet eyes softened, and he gazed at her with shy affection.

I... I don’t think he’s joking... Eleanor tried her best to deny it and quell her rising panic. No... It’s not possible! There’s no way he would fall for me. When... How?!

They’d only met the one time, after all, shared an awkward forced conversation, and then spent a night together out of sheer physical desire. Perhaps what had triggered his interest was...

“You know, I... don’t like Christopher Hansendale’s book,” she declared.

Ryan looked confused at her sudden pronouncement. “But you said...”

“I only used it as a starting point for conversation,” she said crisply. “After I researched your interests.”

It was a lie, as she had grown so immersed in the book that she hadn’t noticed the time passing as she’d read. Although it was a thick volume, she had actually finished it while waiting for Ryan to appear.

Ryan looked slightly put out, but answered, “I have no intention of forcing you to read it, my lady. Rest assured.”

So it wasn’t because of the book? Then... had he taken a liking to her body? Perhaps he was so enthralled by his first experience that he’d fallen for the first woman who’d graced his bed.

“Then is it because we slept together?” she asked directly.

Now Ryan’s face grew red.

“I... enjoyed it greatly,” he said delicately, after a moment of hesitation. “However, that is not the only reason.”

His voice was quiet and bashful but was still full of unmistakable sincerity. The blush on his cheeks also made him look incredibly appealing, and Eleanor hesitated. Did she dislike this? No... What was happening to her? Truthfully, she wasn’t sure how she felt. Well, whatever, it wasn’t important.

“So you’ve fallen for me...” she said, biting her lip. “Even if you have, what on earth do you think could happen?”

She thought she’d stump him with this question, but Ryan answered without hesitation.

“I would like to formally court you.”

Eleanor’s mouth dropped open.

“Do you honestly think that’s... possible?” she asked, flabbergasted.

“Why not?” He seemed genuinely puzzled by her reaction, and her brow furrowed.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, my husband is dead and I am a widow,” she said, carefully pronouncing every word.

Ryan blinked as if he were thinking this over, but said, “Then... Isn’t it allowed for us to be together?”

What in the world was going through the man’s head? I am a lowly, widowed country baroness... And you are the continent’s most eligible bachelor!

Eleanor was utterly floored by his reaction. There was no possible way the two of them could enter an official relationship. She was a former commoner and had been forcefully wed to a convicted baron. He was eventually to become the most powerful duke in the whole of the empire.

They were both nobles, but the gulf between them was as wide as the seas. They were too far apart in status, so much so that they did not even receive invitations to the same parties. The one night they’d spent together meant nothing in the face of such a reality. The people around them... They would never tolerate it, nor let her get away with it.

And the princess is involved... The princess, who was doted on by her father, was in love with the duke and possessed a fortitude of will unbroken by any obstacle in her path. The thought of Ryan, declaring to the princess that he was unable to return her affections as he favored a commoner-turned-minor-baroness over her, sent chills down her spine.

The emperor might honestly send me to the gallows... She was akin to a speck of dust when compared to the princess. A minor noble, unable to pose even the slightest threat. They could charge her with anything they wished, be it a fabricated crime or some lurid scandal.

She had no desire to jeopardize her future by engaging in a dalliance with someone with whom she had no future. I must send him away from me.

Finally, a clear plan formed in her brain—there was only one thing to do in order to save her own life. Perhaps if she could speedily strip him of any notions of romantic feeling, he would go to that ballroom and leave her blessedly alone.

How best do I do this? Ryan’s expression was practically reverent as he gazed at her, and it was evident that he wouldn’t give her up easily. She would need to utilize her ultimate weapon.

“If you truly wish to be with me...” said Eleanor, using the magic words that were guaranteed to chase any man away. “...then you must lend me some money.”

Ryan’s expression stiffened. “Money?”

He looked surprised, and she inwardly cheered. It seemed to be effective. She held out her hands imperiously.

“Yes,” she said in a brazen manner. “Money. There’s a dress I wish to buy, and I need money for it immediately.”

She might as well fully lean into the persona of a spoiled, ungrateful fortune hunter.

“I spend my money on whatever I wish,” she said carelessly. “So I was about to steal some but heard that there was money to be made by making your acquaintance. Hence, why I was at your estate that night.”

He continued staring at her, eyebrows raised slightly.

“I wanted to squeeze some funds out of you before running away, but I got swept up in my usual habit of seducing men and ended up leaving without the money. What a shame, eh?”

That’s right—I’m a flighty, extravagant woman, who speaks in a crass manner.

She was sure that he would soon flee from her side, and Ryan stood there for a moment, then said slowly, “I don’t possess any money on me at the moment.”

He did not look pleased, and there was a long silence between them.

“Would you prefer that I go?” he asked.

Finally, she was getting through to him, but although she felt a sense of relief, she also felt the stirrings of disappointment. Well, it was all for the best...

Yes, exactly, please go... Please don’t fall for such an unsuitable woman next time.

Eleanor was bidding him farewell in her mind when he said, “Shall I leave and then return with some money for you?”