Chapter 121: Scandal
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: Scandal
Ruri spoke as she watched Valdrova, who was visibly vibrating with excitement.
“Since Lord Ferda is the host of the banquet, the role of the hostess is equally vital.”
— Hostess... You mean Us?
“Yes.”
— Hmm...
Valdrova lowered her head. No matter how much she longed to attend, she became timid the moment the spotlight turned toward her. Ruri, of course, saw right through her nature.
“Lord Ferda is scheduled to perform a dance there.”
— A dance?
“It is called a waltz. It is a dance where a man and a woman move in perfect unison. It is a basic requirement for the nobility.”
— A man and a woman together...
The man would be Ferda, and the woman would be her.
Just imagining them as a pair made her heart race. Because of her massive size, the thumping of her heart echoed like a drum through the chamber.
— What if We say We cannot go...?
“Then Lord Ferda will simply dance with another partner.”
— Ugh...
Valdrova fell into deep thought. The mere thought of him dancing with another woman was more painful than her anxiety. She had to attend, no matter what.
— Then, what if We go wearing Our armor...
“That is impossible.”
Fearing she might suggest shrinking the armor’s size, Ruri spoke more firmly than usual.
“Above all, wouldn't it be difficult for Lord Ferda? He would have to lead a partner over two meters tall. Furthermore...”
— Furthermore?
“If you were to accidentally step on his foot, his bones would be crushed. If your plan is to leave him crippled, I shall support it, but I assume that is not the case?”
— Of course not!
In her dragon form, her armor alone weighed hundreds of kilograms. The fragile Ferda would never be able to withstand that. Valdrova nodded, realizing the logic in Ruri’s words.
Watching her struggle to decide, Ruri spoke again.
“Not attending is also an option.”
— Do you truly mean that?
“Yes,” Ruri replied. “You are the Aspect of Fire and Power, Master. You are an immortal being who does not easily reveal yourself to humans, so it is better to maintain an air of mystery.”
— ...Is that so?
Valdrova nodded with a series of "hms," as if she had found a convenient excuse.
Ruri knew that if left to her own devices, Valdrova would only hide further. Ruri was the attendant who had served her longer than anyone else; she knew exactly which buttons to push.
“I forgot to mention one thing, however.”
What Valdrova didn't realize was that this was a strategic retreat designed to force her three steps forward.
“Are you aware that Olivia Arken arrived today?”
Valdrova’s body stiffened. She knew the woman was called the Golden Rose of the Empire and was immensely popular with men.
And Ferda was a man.
— We are aware, more or less.
“Did you see her when she arrived?”
— We were working, so We did not.
“That woman came and personally tutored Lord Ferda.”
— Are you saying she danced with Our fiancé?
“Yes. They held hands and practiced the waltz without music. For nearly four hours.”
— Four hours...
Valdrova had already felt a prickle of jealousy hearing that Ferda had held the woman's hand. But dancing? And for four hours? A man and a woman, alone, for four hours.
Valdrova’s inner world turned gray and gloomy.
“Do you know what that means?”
— What?
“It means Lord Ferda wants to dance with you, Master.”
Her restless mood vanished, replaced instantly by soaring excitement. Valdrova fluttered her wings uselessly, huffing out clouds of steam.
Then, Valdrova’s body began to shrink. Her scales receded into smooth skin, and her form finally transformed into that of a beautiful woman. She was a woman with gentle eyes that seemed ill-suited for the Aspect of Fire and Power.
With a look of grim determination, she spoke.
“I... I want to try that 'Wallop' thing!”
“It is a 'Waltz.' Though, considering your temperament, a wallop might be more accurate.”
Ruri was inwardly satisfied. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
“I shall teach you the dance.”
“Huh? You know how to dance?”
“I didn't originally, but I learned.”
Ruri had watched them practice for four hours. In that time, she had mastered every movement and detail. While Ferda, the one actually being tutored, couldn't even get his feet right, Ruri had memorized it all.
One thing was certain: Olivia Arken was an excellent teacher, and Ferda was a hopeless klutz.
“Please imagine that I am Lord Ferda and take my hand.”
“But Ferda isn't this small...”
“That is why I asked you to imagine it, Master.”
“O-oh, right. Sorry...”
Realizing she had unintentionally offended Ruri, Valdrova looked down as she lightly took the maid's hand.
This is Ferda’s hand...
Once she focused on the thought, it really felt that way. The hand that wrapped around hers so warmly. The hand that made her heart flutter and her nerves tingle just by looking at it.
Ferda’s hand.
CRACK—!
Or rather, what used to be a hand.
“Eek!”
“...”
“Fe-Ferda! No, Ru-Ru-Ruri!! Is your hand okay? What do I do? What do I do?!”
The victim remained silent while the perpetrator spiraled into a total panic. Ruri stared blankly down at her hand. Her fingers hung limp, devoid of any strength. Looking at it, Ruri realized something.
Practicing the waltz wasn't the immediate priority. She let out a heavy sigh.
“First, let us practice controlling your strength.”
She had to prevent the murder Valdrova was bound to commit on the dance floor.
* * *
The planners Olivia promised to send from the Empire arrived. They brought several luxurious carriages and began preparing for the banquet and events. They didn't just focus on the castle; they put their full effort into ensuring everything in Hestia Village would be a success as well.
Since Ferda only had to worry about the budget for the Start of Spring Festival, everything was proceeding smoothly.
“These are letters of greeting from all across the Serdes Continent.”
Ruri poured a box full of letters onto the desk. It was enough to drown in.
“That’s a lot.”
“This is the result after filtering them. I’ve narrowed it down to about 400 people, considering regional influence and growth potential.”
“Did you do this all by yourself?”
“I wouldn't have finished in time if I had. I did it together with Miss Mori.”
No wonder her skin looked so radiant. Only 250 people could attend the Start of Spring Festival. It was Ferda’s job to filter out the remaining 150.
Ferda began reading through the letters.
— I sincerely support Regent Ferda Valdrova’s construction of Hestia Village. I am...
They were filled with praise for Hestia Village—which they hadn't cared about before—and appeals regarding their own noble status. Every letter subtly included a sentence wishing for the success of the festival to signal their desire to attend.
Every single one was like that.
“There is one more letter, but this one is more of an outlier.”
Ferda was puzzled by the word "outlier," but he understood as soon as he saw the sender.
“It’s from House Yurei.”
“What do you think?”
The duchy had been saddled with massive debt after losing the war. The peasants, exploited by that debt, had come to Hestia Village for freedom and survival. From Duke Yurei’s perspective, Ferda was no different from a kidnapper.
“It seems better to let them attend...”
Duke Yurei was the biggest victim. If Ferda didn't send an invitation because the situation was awkward, it would only give the Duke an excuse to play the victim further.
“Besides, even if we host them, it will likely be the Duke’s son who attends.”
“True.”
The Start of Spring Festival was a celebration of the coming spring. By principle, it was a social gathering for the youth—unmarried and young. Because of that, Olivia Arken was excellent bait. People within the Empire might see her often at tea parties, but for those outside the Empire, she was a figure they could barely hope to catch a glimpse of.
The plan is moving along smoothly, which is a relief.
He hoped things would continue this way without any hitches. But as is often the case, the world did not move according to his wishes.
BANG!
The door was thrown open with force. Despite the aggressive sound, a petite girl walked in. Abandoning her usual maid-like composure, Ruri strode toward Ferda and asked:
“Have you been running your mouth off somewhere?”
Ferda blinked, wondering what had gotten into her. “You’re being quite aggressive.”
“I have received information that makes me feel both pity and spite in equal measure.”
She handed him a telegram. Ferda immediately understood her anger. Even he felt a surge of absurdity and rage as he read it.
“A rumor has spread across the entire Empire that the Regent of Valdrova and the Imperial Princess are having an affair. What are you going to do about this?”
* * *
When Olivia first said she was coming to Valdrova Castle, Ferda had considered several bad scenarios. Out of all the possibilities, one had been his greatest concern.
A scandal.
While there were cases where a young lady might inevitably stay at a man’s house, it usually wasn't considered a big deal because vassals and knights strictly guarded them. However, the more beautiful the gem, the more a tiny scratch stands out. And the higher the status, the more one is shaken by even the smallest rumor.
It’s especially bad for Olivia.
It was her duty as a princess to maintain her conduct with such decorum that no suspicion could arise. To those who adored her, Ferda Valdrova was now an enemy. If their relationship soured because of this, it would be catastrophic.
But more than political calculations, one face stood at the forefront of Ferda’s mind.
“Does... she know about this?”
Ruri answered calmly, though her voice was thick with suppressed rage.
“She doesn't know yet. But she will find out eventually.”
“...”
What would happen when Valdrova found out? He felt like she might actually kill someone. He wanted to rip out his own heart, which was pounding with anxiety.
“Whew...”
Ferda took a deep breath. Getting angry wouldn't solve anything; he had to act.
“I need to have a word with her.”
He had no choice but to contact the Imperial Palace and speak with Olivia. Since she was at the heart of the Empire, she would know how to handle such a situation.
— It’s just light gossip.
Unlike the anxious Ferda, Olivia was composed. Since she knew the importance of reputation better than anyone, he didn't think she was being foolish. Ferda asked for her reasoning.
“Light gossip?”
— Think about it. Did we do anything there that could be misunderstood?
“We did not.”
— I didn't stay overnight, and we were only in the drawing room. The Knight Commander went outside, but there were attendants inside, weren't there?
“There were.”
— And Ruri Silverwind has sworn loyalty to Lady Valdrova. Of course, if that loyalty includes overlooking an affair, the story changes—
“If he had done something that foolish, I would have ripped his head off.”
Ruri cut in savagely. She didn't specify whose head, but based on her gaze, Ferda was definitely on the list. Despite the interruption, Olivia countered without losing her poise.
— As expected of a loyal subject, what a powerful response. We have witnesses; that is enough.
Hearing her explanation, Ferda’s anxiety eased slightly.
— Still, the fact that the rumor spread at all is a headache. It could serve as fuel for hostility toward you, Regent.
“That is exactly my point. That is why I contacted you.”
— Oh my, do you need my advice?
“In any case, you know more about this field than I do, so I must listen to your counsel.”
— Hmm~ So you’re saying you need me.
Olivia let out a playful chuckle.
— In that case, how about this? At the banquet, ask me for a dance.
No matter how he thought about it, that didn't seem like a solution.
“And then what happens?”
— I will politely refuse you.
“Doesn't that just make it look like I got dumped?”
It would be interpreted as him having some level of romantic interest in Olivia. He didn't want Olivia to be the only one coming out of this looking good.
— My, to think you’d say that. Do you view my image as something akin to a witch, Regent?
“Not at all.”
Having actually met real witches, he considered her an angel in comparison.
— Don't worry. As the host of the party, you have a duty to mingle with the ladies who don't have dance partners.
“The Flower of the Empire would hardly be without partners. Does that duty even apply to you?”
— You really don't know anything. I don't dance with just any man.
Hearing that, Ferda understood. Olivia summarized the plan for him once more.
— As the host, dance with the other ladies first, and then approach me. It shouldn't look like you have feelings for me, but rather like you are fulfilling your duty as a host. If you phrase it that way, I will refuse the dance.
“Is that enough?”
To Ferda, the fundamental problem remained unsolved. How could that single situation explain everything?
— Yes. You don't even need to offer an explanation. In fact, speaking of it might only cause more trouble. Time will naturally reveal it to be nonsense.
“What makes you so sure?”
— I can tell just by looking at your eyes.
“My eyes...?”
— You’re always trying to act all serious, but you’re a terrible actor, you know. Just do what you always do.
Olivia had suddenly insulted him, but he couldn't find a retort.
— Anyway, this is just light gossip, so don't overthink it. I must go now. Even this conversation might spark more rumors.
“Yes. Thank you for the advice.”
Ferda cut off the telepathy and stared up at the ceiling for a moment.
“Ruri.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what she meant by saying she knows just by looking at my eyes?”
Ruri met Ferda’s eyes. Her expression was strange, as if asking how he could even ask such a question.
“I know.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a secret. But as the Princess said, it will be enough.”
“Hmm...”
I see.
Relieved, Ferda leaned back into his chair.
“Is your mood better now?”
“...No.”
This was one thing, and that was another. Ferda could not tolerate this situation. Who was the bastard trying to test him?
The starting point was likely the Knight Commander.
He was the Emperor’s man, not Olivia’s. But he probably wasn't the mastermind. The rumor must have spread to various people while he was reporting to the Emperor.
I have to find them.
He had to know what their goal was. No, actually, the goal didn't matter. He simply had to destroy them.
With that thought, Ferda pulled something out of his drawer.
It was a black hood.