Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Stealing What Others Covet (4)
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He knew what Cain and his friends had discussed with Abel. It was also he who poured unwavering support and wealth into the Gioven Club.
"......In truth,"
Cain hesitated for a moment. His pride stung at the thought of confessing the truth honestly.
"I didn't make any proposals."
Cain's words flowed out naturally in the end.
"We merely had a brief chat as the eldest sons representing our families."
A hint of arrogance laced his fluid tone.
"There wasn't anyone worth bringing into our fold. My friends agreed unanimously."
"You saying something like that? That's a first."
Carlo looked at Cain again, somewhat surprised.
"Pulling someone to our side is a fine strategy, but it's not essential."
He extended his hand and patted Cain's shoulder lightly.
"I'll trust your judgment."
"Yes, Father."
Carlo's endorsement gave Cain a fresh surge of confidence.
'That's right. I didn't make a mistake.'
What did it matter if he'd lied to his father? The end result was the same—Abel Kindriel wouldn't be joining his club.
Cain didn't realize it yet, but this was the first time in his life he'd lied to his father.
And lies are hardest the first time; after that, they become exceedingly easy.
"But Father, are you all right?"
Cain lowered his voice, asking with concern.
"What do you mean?"
Carlo lowered his voice in return.
His face showed no difference from usual. But Cain, as his son, noticed his father's complexion was paler than normal.
And that the cause was anger.
"Your complexion...... doesn't look great."
"It's just fatigue from the long meeting. Don't worry too much."
Carlo smiled kindly and offered him a drink.
"More importantly, isn't this a fine spot? Forget about your old man and enjoy yourself."
"......Yes."
Cain nodded and took the glass his father offered. The way he drank was elegant, like a painting come to life.
The nobles around them couldn't hide their admiration.
"Young Lord Cain is as refined as ever."
"If only my daughter had been born a bit sooner, I might have arranged a betrothal."
"Haha, easy for you to say."
They showered him with honeyed words, as they always did.
Cain usually brushed them off, but today, those words soothed his wounded pride.
"......Thank you."
Cain smiled with genuine satisfaction. And that smile deepened amid the nobles' ensuing gossip.
"But that youth, Abel? Utterly hopeless."
"Birds of a feather, as they say. Stiff as a board, just like his father."
Those chattering away were all nobles who'd been put in their place by Abel during the meeting. They glanced warily at Carlo while badmouthing Abel vigorously.
"Judging by his behavior, he must've thrown his etiquette book out the window as a child. And he dares act like that in a meeting?"
"There's a time and place for speaking. Babbling without a thought—truly unpleasant."
"So I'm trying to forget whatever nonsense he spouted. Once this meeting's over, we'll never have to see him again."
Their minds were all aligned.
They hoped Carlo's mood would improve and he'd forget the bombshell Abel had dropped earlier.
"Haha."
Carlo merely chuckled softly, saying nothing. He simply tilted his glass to his lips.
A trickle of cold sweat ran down the nobles' backs. They couldn't fathom what Carlo was thinking.
"Ha, hahaha......"
"Y-Yes. Young Lord Cain, what did you think after observing?"
In the end, they awkwardly tried to change the subject.
Cain swept them with a meaningful glance. During the long meeting, he'd done a great deal of thinking.
"For one, it was quite fascinating."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Carlo finally showed interest in the conversation. Cain looked at his father and continued.
"I got a rough sense of how the empire's agriculture, commerce, and many other affairs operate."
"In that short time? Haha. The boy has spirit."
"Yes. It made me realize anew the importance of lords who govern the empire's people. And just how much you handle, Father."
Carlo's stiff lips softened slightly.
"The lad's saying the right things."
"So, on another note, this thought crossed my mind."
Cain's eyes gleamed like polished gems.
"Someday, I want to participate in this meeting with full confidence."
In Cain's mind lingered the image of Abel, who had seemed more assured than anyone.
Standing at the center of the conference hall, overwhelming the other lords, confidently voicing his opinions—Abel Kindriel.
He wanted to stand in that spot instead. No.
'I could have done it better.'
It was a thought and declaration he never would have made in the past.
"I won't disappoint you, Father."
Cain's resolute tone carried an ironclad conviction that he would make it so.
"......My son."
Carlo felt his chest swell with emotion as he looked at his son.
His boy, who had once gazed at this conference hall with mere curiosity and wonder, had matured so much in such a short time.
No father could ask for greater joy.
"Yes, my son."
Carlo swallowed the lump in his throat.
"What do you think I prepared this position for?"
"Father......"
"It was all for you. Someday, without fail......"
He wanted to say he'd hand over the entire empire, everything, to him.
But the time wasn't right yet.
Carlo squeezed his eyes shut, biting back the words on the tip of his tongue.
'Not yet. The time hasn't come.'
Moreover, today's meeting might delay that process slightly.
He had to pass the empire to Cain in its most perfect state.
"......It will be as you wish."
For now, that was all he could say.
'For now.'
But soon, very soon, he could say something different.
So Carlo thought. And vowed.
He shot a venomous glance sideways. There sat Abel, gleefully devouring various foods.
'I'll never let a punk like you take it from me.'
He was yielding graciously this time, but it didn't mean eternal defeat.
It was then. A faint commotion stirred at the banquet hall entrance.
"You can't enter here......"
"His Majesty......"
The frantic voices of attendants trying to stop someone reached them.
"What is it?"
"What's going on?"
All eyes turned to the entrance.
Bang!
The double doors flew open roughly, and someone strode in.
"Pr-Princess!"
The attendant's desperate cry revealed her identity.
"-!"
Cain, who had been watching the entrance since the stir began, flinched in surprise.
A jet-black dress lavished with premium satin fabric adorned her. Exquisite accessories decorated her slender neck and arms like a deer's.
Her ebony hair, as if cut from the night itself, was half braided up, the rest cascading like a waterfall.
Nestled in its midst were delicate, flawless features—perfect without a single blemish.
Amethyst eyes, shimmering hypnotically, scanned the hall.
"Princess Violet!"
The attendant who followed, panting, had clearly failed to stop her.
"You can't come in here!"
"Is there any place in this imperial palace I can't go?"
Princess Violet retorted sharply. She strode boldly to the center of the banquet hall.
"Your Majesty."
A smile, painted on her wax-doll face, bloomed.
It calculated that her father wouldn't chide her sudden appearance and brimmed with confidence that her charm would melt the emperor.
"Oh, my daughter."
Sure enough, no displeasure crossed Emperor Theodore's face at the hall's center—only a radiant smile.
He gazed at the princess as if beholding a cherished treasure or prized ornament.
"What brings you here? Shouldn't you be off amusing yourself by now?"
It was a jab at how she usually holed up in the casino at this hour.
"Oh, Your Majesty."
Princess Violet replied without a change in expression.
"When I heard Your Majesty held an important meeting today, how could I just play around?"
She gestured to the attendants behind her.
"I've brought a restorative drink. Please, partake so you don't wear yourself out."
"Hahaha!"
Emperor Theodore burst into hearty laughter.
"I can't win against my daughter."
He wrapped his large hand around Princess Violet's shoulder.
"To think of your father like this—I'm overjoyed beyond measure."
"Please cherish my devotion to Your Majesty. But first, have a glass."
"Very well, hand it over."
Emperor Theodore downed the drink Princess Violet poured in one gulp. It was a picture of deep affection and warmth.
"......Good grief."
If it didn't even look like a father-daughter bond, that was a minor issue.
Carlo clicked his tongue, alternating glances between Emperor Theodore's face and Princess Violet.
"Truly a mad old coot. How does he maintain that face at his age?"
Emperor Theodore was around Carlo's age. Yet no faint wrinkles like those on Carlo's face marred his skin.
Carlo sought out foods and ingredients famed for health and youth, but he couldn't match Emperor Theodore.
"Isn't that right?"
He hoped his son would at least pay lip service to his side.
"......"
But no reply came.
"Cain?"
Carlo turned to find his son wearing a dazed expression.
"......Cain."
"Ah, yes."
Called again, Cain finally snapped out of it. He turned to his father with an embarrassed face.
"Sorry. I was lost in thought."
"Hmm."
Carlo noted his son's ears had turned faintly red.
"Does the princess catch your eye?"
"Yes? No, what—!"
Cain denied it vehemently, but Carlo's insight was sharp.
"Well, she is lovely. She takes after her mother, the famed peerless beauty."
"Ah, the Empress."
Cain's gaze remained fixed on the princess, even as he answered blankly. Carlo chuckled at the sight.
"Didn't you see her at the casino yesterday? She was probably there around the time you went."
"Yes? The princess?"
"Indeed. Princess Violet is infamous for her casino obsession. If she's not in the palace, she's almost always at the casino."
"Is that so? But I......"
Cain furrowed his brow slightly, rummaging through yesterday's memories.
'The princess was at the casino?'
Everyone at the casino wore masks. But he doubted he'd miss someone of her noble beauty.
Especially those mesmerizing lilac eyes— the kind you couldn't forget after one glance.
"Well, you must've just missed each other."
Carlo dismissed it casually and beckoned Cain.
"Come along."
"Yes?"
"Such a bore."
He chuckled fondly at his endearing son.
"With the First Imperial Princess gracing us in person, we should pay our respects, no?"
It was a remark that seemed to peer straight into his son's heart.