Chapter 39
Chapter 39
The hellish Spartan training that felt like it would never end finally came to a close.
And at last, the day of the decisive battle dawned.
The regular banquet that marked the opening of the Empire’s social season.
This was not some leisurely gathering where nobles simply ate and enjoyed themselves.
It was a political arena—one where families displayed their authority and prestige to the entire Empire, and gathered influential nobles to strengthen their factions.
Because of that, the Empire’s most prominent high-ranking nobles continued to arrive at the mansion’s main gate in an endless procession of luxurious carriages.
“……Welcome, Count. We deeply appreciate the effort you made to travel all this way.”
“Oh ho, Lady Frisia. This year’s banquet is truly splendid as we—hm? And who is this young man by your side?”
“Ah, allow me to introduce him. This is my fiancé. He is from a noble family of the distant East……”
Frisia pressed herself a little closer to my arm as she introduced me, as if subtly showing me off.
The warmth of her body reached me through our arms, and her voice seemed to tremble ever so slightly…
But outwardly, she looked every bit the perfect noble lady.
Standing beside her, I was perfectly dressed from head to toe, executing the greeting that had been drilled into me hundreds of times by that strict old butler.
Shoulders straight. Gaze gentle.
And on my lips, the most elegant and composed smile that capitalism could buy.
“Welcome, Count. You must be weary from your journey. I hope you enjoy a comfortable time here.”
“Oh ho! A noble from the distant East! No wonder your bearing is so extraordinary!”
…
“Oh my, goodness… Lady Frisia truly has remarkable taste. What a beautiful and handsome pair.”
The noblewomen passing through the entrance covered their mouths with their fans, murmuring in admiration.
‘So in this world too, nobles only value what money polishes up… figures.’
Even as I sneered inwardly, I kept a warm smile on my face.
That was when—
“Oh, L-Lady Frisia…….”
A familiar man approached from the lively entrance.
Greasy hair, a red rose in hand—
It was Baron Drake, someone I had encountered not long ago.
Cold sweat instantly ran down my back.
‘Tch… I knew he’d come, but this is nerve-wracking…….’
The only person here who might recognize me.
If he did—
This entire act would collapse on the spot, and my hefty pay would vanish into thin air.
“Baron Drake. Welcome. Allow me to introduce you—this is the man I have pledged my future to.”
Frisia tightened her grip around my arm, deliberately emphasizing it as she spoke.
“Y-Your fiancé…? So the rumors were true?!”
Drake’s gaze slowly, resentfully turned toward me.
The distance between us was only a couple of steps.
Close enough to clearly read each other’s expressions.
His sharp eyes locked onto my face.
‘Don’t recognize me… don’t recognize me… don’t recognize me…’
As my muscles stiffened, his lips began to tremble.
“C-Ck…….”
He tried to speak, but failed, his clenched fist shaking instead.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t a trace of recognition in his eyes.
Well, it made sense.
There was no way he would imagine that the dirt-covered nobody he’d seen crawling around before would now be standing here, dressed in a luxurious suit.
He looked between me and Frisia, then his face crumpled with defeat, his eyes reddening.
“C-Congratulations…… Truly…… what a damn handsome man you are……!”
With a trembling voice, Baron Drake forced out his congratulations before turning away and fleeing toward the corner of the hall, holding back tears.
‘…He really didn’t recognize me? Is his eyesight a joke?’
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
One major concern was gone, but my job wasn’t over yet.
…
Whenever my posture slipped, Frisia would discreetly pinch my side.
When I nearly stumbled during a step, the head butler would appear out of nowhere and lightly guide my back, turning it into a smooth movement.
The mansion staff signaled directions to me with subtle glances.
It was perfect teamwork.
A few unexpected situations arose, but I managed to handle most of them with quick wit.
‘Just a few more hours… and it’s over….’
These suffocating noble formalities and fake conversations would soon be behind me.
In my hands would be a heavy pouch of money.
And I could finally escape this miserable life at rock bottom.
‘Stay sharp until the end. Almost there, Nasus.’
Just as I steeled myself and lifted the corners of my lips—
The noisy chatter of the banquet hall suddenly died down, as if the tide had withdrawn.
Even the lively waltz from the musicians came to a halt.
The nobles parted to the sides like the Red Sea.
“……Sir Nasus.”
At some point, the head butler had stepped behind me, his voice lower and heavier than usual.
“She has arrived.”
“Excuse me? Who?”
“The young lady of the ducal house. A central figure of the Empire—and the most important guest of tonight’s banquet.”
A ducal house.
At that single phrase, I felt Frisia’s grip on my arm tighten.
Even she, always so composed, was tense.
‘What is this pressure…?’
Creeeak—!
The massive central doors of the mansion opened slowly with a heavy groan.
But the first to appear was not the young lady herself.
Hair slicked perfectly back without a single strand out of place.
A flawless black tailcoat without a speck of dust.
A precise, silent stride.
The ducal household’s personal butler entered first, exuding a presence so overwhelming that even Frisia’s head butler would have to bow his head.
In an instant, the atmosphere froze.
In the suffocating silence, the butler scanned the hall with cold, predatory eyes, as if searching for any threat before allowing his master to enter.
His movements were flawless, his composure unshakable.
‘Damn… that old man’s aura… he looks like he’s buried a few people.’
I swallowed dryly, maintaining my posture.
A presence rivaling a knight commander.
Just what kind of person did it take to command someone like that?
His sharp gaze swept across the nobles one by one…
Then locked directly onto Frisia—
And me beside her.
Our eyes met.
I returned the gaze with a perfect noble smile, just as I had been taught.
And then—
“…?”
The butler’s face suddenly twisted.
The same composed, icy expression crumbled instantly.
Like someone who had just seen a ghost crawl out of a grave.
“W-What……?!”
A strangled, bizarre sound escaped his mouth.
His eyes bulged, his shoulders trembling violently.
‘What… what’s wrong with him? Did I mess something up?’
Before I could react, he spun around as if possessed.
Then, toward the guards and attendants waiting outside—
“B-Block her!! Close the doors immediately!!!”
“…Sir?”
“Didn’t you hear me?! Under no circumstances must the young lady enter!! Stop her no matter what! If you can’t stop her, throw your bodies in the way!!!”
Every noble froze mid-motion.
Even Frisia looked completely stunned.
“S-Sir! What are you— Ah, m-my lady?! Something seems to have happened inside, so please—”
“Move.”
A cold, chilling female voice cut through the chaos from beyond the doors.
“If you dragged me all the way here in that rattling carriage, the least you can do is honor the agreement we made. Don’t you think, old man?”
With that irritated voice—
The heavily built guards and attendants were shoved aside as if by an invisible force.
“M-My lady! I will explain everything, so please just return—!”
Ignoring the butler’s desperate pleas, someone stepped into the hall.
“Hah? After coming all this way, you think you can block me? Let’s see what you’re so desperate to hide.”
Silver hair cascading like a stream of starlight.
Skin as pale as snow.
Eyes like a frozen lake, devoid of emotion.
Her beauty was so perfect it stole the breath away.
Clicking her tongue, she brushed past everything in her path and stepped into the center of the hall.
“What could possibly be worth all this trouble—”
Her gaze swept lazily across the room.
It passed over Frisia—
Then stopped on me.
“……”
Time seemed to freeze.
Her steps halted completely.
Her eyes trembled violently, like a sea struck by an earthquake.
Her lips quivered.
“…Nasus?”
The name that left the lips of the ducal lady—
Was mine.