Chapter 102
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102
“It was a top-tier ceremonial sword Father specially ordered for my fifth birthday, and that fearless punk…”
Dave muttered under his breath. He didn't stop demeaning Ferdinand, calling him a ‘bastard’ and a ‘brat,’ but internally, he was starting to regret his actions.
Was that guy always that strong?
Earlier this morning, Ferdinand had left for the battlefield.
He had volunteered.
It was said that along the northern border, barbarians were still constantly looking for opportunities to pillage and harass the citizens of the Empire.
Though the north was desolate, many citizens had lived there for generations, and uprooting their lives was no simple matter.
Above all, the Brillant Empire was the preeminent power on the Spring Continent.
To move its citizens because they were losing to mere barbarians would be a massive weakness, an invitation for other nations to look down on them.
Every year, the Brillant Imperial Family selected elite knights for subjugation campaigns, but because the barbarians far outnumbered the knights, completely wiping them out was difficult.
And Ferdinand was going to that cold, barren place where life and death hung in the balance?
At first, Dave thought it was a stroke of luck. Even his mother, Empress Carmi, was so delighted that she enjoyed a small celebratory feast.
I went to see him early this morning, intending to mock him.
“Brother, is there any need to leave so early? Why not attend the party Mother is hosting today before you go? Many ladies will be there, and oh! I heard the direct descendants of the Frezier family are attending as well.”
It was a well-known fact that Grand Duke Asis Frezier had been at the forefront of criticizing the marriage between Empress Carmi and Emperor Alexander.
Thus, Prince Dave had ‘deliberately’ emphasized that the Frezier direct line would be in attendance.
He wanted to remind Ferdinand that he truly had no allies left.
That even the few he had were disappearing.
Dave had worn a dark smirk, hoping to see that loathsome, expressionless face crumble under the weight of isolation.
“I plan to dance with a direct descendant of the Frezier family myself.”
Ferdinand, who had been checking his sword while treating Dave like a speck of dust, paused for a moment.
For the first time, he actually turned to look at Dave and asked, “A direct descendant of Frezier?”
“Yes! Tulia Frezier. Mother recommended her, saying someone of her status wouldn't be too far beneath my own.”
Dave felt a surge of exhilaration as he spoke.
It was a jab intended to mock Ferdinand, who had been forced into an engagement with a mere adopted child of a vassal.
However…
“I suppose that young lady will at least enjoy a good dance before she leaves.”
Dave never imagined he would receive such a cold, mocking retort.
“I hear your dancing is exceptional. They say you spend more time at balls than you do at the training grounds.”
“…!”
Dave’s face turned a mottled red.
Ferdinand wasn't wrong, but no one in the Empire had ever dared to throw such words in his face.
Not even his mother or father!
Yet, he felt too intimidated to scream as his temper dictated. It was always like this, even though Ferdinand was much smaller than him and a ‘defective product’ due to his Divine Power Disorder.
That gaze, like a bird of prey scanning him from head to toe.
Those expressionless red eyes filled with cold contempt.
He’s going to leave for the battlefield just like that after turning my stomach?
Since his mother’s Head Maid was in charge of the Crown Prince’s luggage, playing tricks on him would be child’s play!
And yet, he was furious. It was a feeling of total defeat, man to man.
“Since you’ve come to see me so early, shall we have a quick sparring match for old time’s sake?”
“What? A sparring match?”
“Yes. A duel.”
Dave momentarily doubted his ears.
He barely managed to suppress the grin that threatened to split his face.
What a windfall!
Ferdinand wouldn't dare lay a finger on him anyway.
He wouldn't want to give Dave’s mother a convenient excuse by treating him poorly.
But Dave was in a different position. As long as the Emperor and Empress took his side, whatever happened could be swept under the rug.
Besides, Ferdinand was about to embark on a long journey.
If he suffered even a minor injury during this duel, the rough road ahead would make his life miserable.
Dave chuckled inwardly.
Just imagining it was incredibly satisfying.
Following proper etiquette, Dave politely declined Ferdinand’s request for a duel a few times.
Even as he did so, he was already adjusting his grip on his sword.
But the result…
“My—my leg! I think my leg is broken!”
Was a total defeat.
His leg throbbed at the slightest movement, and eventually, a servant had to go and bring the imperial physicians.
Even after the diagnosis that it wasn't a break but severe muscle swelling, Dave did nothing but scream at the top of his lungs.
That lunatic!
He would have preferred a clean break; instead, the bastard just made the muscles swell?!
Because of this, he couldn't go to dance, and his face was a mess from tumbling around, so he couldn't even show his face at the party!
“That cursed bastard!”
Dave summoned Empress Carmi’s Head Maid again and roared.
“Cut that guy’s travel expenses in his luggage by half!”
“Her Majesty the Empress has already ordered it so.”
“Remove half the servants, too!”
“There are hardly any servants to speak of. Her Majesty has already ensured he can’t even take a single lowly commoner as an attendant, Your Highness.”
“Right. That’s my mother for you…”
His anger seemed to subside slightly, but seeing even the Head Maid dressed beautifully for today’s party made his blood boil with envy.
“What about Tulia Frezier?! That woman?!”
“Yes, she has arrived. She is already conversing with Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Bring me a mirror!”
Dave despaired as he looked at his reflection in the mirror that was hurriedly brought to him. If he went out to the party looking like this, the ladies would surely laugh at him.
“Isn't there somewhere high up where I can sneak a peek?”
“Th-that would be against Imperial Etiquette…”
“Shut up! I just need to look secretly! I want to see Tulia Frezier’s face properly!”
Of course, there had been that unpleasant incident at the White Tower.
But could he really say he’d seen her properly then?
He had only seen her looking like a drowned rat, so disheveled he hadn't even realized she was a direct descendant of the Frezier family!
Since she might become his wife, didn't he have every right to see her adorned in her finery?
“I… I understand.”
The Head Maid knew all too well that once Dave started being stubborn, there was no stopping him.
“You must only watch quietly.”
“I know, I know!”
Following the Head Maid to a back room on the second floor of the hall, Dave bit his lip as he looked down at the hall overflowing with sweet champagne and beautiful refreshments.
He should have been the one standing there, receiving the admiration of all the ladies.
And then…
“Ah.”
He gasped involuntarily.
“Is that lady… Tulia Frezier?”
She was incomparable to the rain-soaked mess he had seen before.
Dressed in a stunning gown adorned with various jewels, Tulia Frezier was a peerless beauty who stood out even among the crowd of nobles.
Even the multicolored tulips decorating every table in the hall seemed like mere seasonal props meant to make her shine.
When she grew up…
She’ll be even more beautiful than Mother.
Even more so than Empress Olivia.
Since portraits of past Emperors and Empresses were kept through the generations, Dave had seen Empress Olivia’s portrait.
Empress Olivia had certainly been a legendary beauty.
His mother, Empress Carmi, was also beautiful enough to be praised by the public, but to be honest, Empress Olivia was more Dave’s type.
Furthermore…
Compared to his mother, a woman of humble origins who had been a maid—and about whom rumors still circulated that she had deliberately seduced the Emperor to steal Empress Olivia’s position…
The Freziers were a truly prestigious family.
Dave couldn't take his eyes off Tulia’s face.
“Ahem.”
He spoke to the Head Maid.
“Head Maid.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“When the party is over, could you quietly invite Tulia Frezier to my garden? Alone.”
“Pardon? But Her Majesty the Empress…”
“I’ll speak to Mother myself, so just extend the invitation politely.”
“You mean the young lady alone?”
That would be… a bit difficult.
Unaware of the Head Maid’s concerns, Dave brought up Empress Carmi.
“In any case, Mother hosted this party because she wanted me and Lady Tulia Frezier to build a rapport.”
The Head Maid was troubled, but as a mere servant, there wasn't much she could do.
Especially not in front of the reckless Dave, the brat of the Imperial Palace who had been spoiled rotten under Carmi’s wing.
“I understand, Your Highness.”
Dave hurried back and barked at his servants to groom him properly.
“Your Highness. Why not cover the injured areas with a dark-colored veil?”
“…A veil?”
Under the servants’ hands, he even donned a black silk veil pinned with a bright blue sapphire that accentuated the color of his eyes.
It hid his split lip, created a mysterious atmosphere, and since only his eyes were visible, he looked much more handsome.
“I’ll give her a half-hearted apology for the previous incident and gift her some suitable jewelry.”
Since Tulia wasn't his fiancée or wife yet, he felt it was a waste to give her anything too valuable.
After ordering a servant to pick out a few medium-quality gems, Dave sat at a table in the pre-prepared garden and waited.
As expected of a day carefully chosen by Empress Carmi, the weather outside was magnificent.
Just as thirty minutes had passed.
The Head Maid came running back, out of breath. Dave didn't even stand up, merely craning his neck to ask.
“What about Tulia Frezier? Is she coming?”
“Th-that is…”
The Head Maid squeezed her eyes shut and spoke.
“I was told she has already departed.”