164. Hands Targeting the Merchant Guild
“You look so dashing!”
At the maid’s exclamation, Berge examined himself in the mirror.
The suit had a clean feel blended with just the right touch of flair. It fit perfectly and allowed free movement.
“Not bad.”
The suit itself wasn’t the problem. It was the banquet hall he had to wear it to.
To think he’d been saddled with playing the role of a human partner—something utterly out of his wheelhouse.
As he sighed, Ernan entered. Catching her glance, the maid hurriedly excused herself.
“You look handsome. How about me?”
Ernan spun around gracefully.
Her sky-blue dress complemented her snowy white hair strikingly.
“Not bad.”
“Right?”
“I won’t actually have anything to do at the banquet, will I?”
“Of course not. Just stay by my side. I’ll handle the rest.”
Well then.
“It’s time.”
She extended her hand first. Berge took it.
“Shall we go?”
“Let’s.”
The prestige of a banquet depends on the host.
And on who attends.
Royal banquets sit at the pinnacle, judged by the power wielded.
In that sense, this banquet’s stature was exceptionally high.
Hosted by Duke Heinz, the kingdom’s foremost noble, with the kingdom’s second prince and his wife confirmed to attend.
Many had shown up hoping to snag scraps from the marriage alliance with the Hessen Kingdom.
But not everyone’s interests aligned that way.
“Did you hear? An invitation went to the First Star Palace too.”
“So even Crown Princess Ernan will be coming.”
Crown Princess Ernan Hildean.
The invitation had reached the kingdom’s hottest topic, and rumors of her recent private dinner with a man had rocked high society.
Everyone wondered if she’d bring Hero Hillun Kargil as her partner—or this new figure named Pail.
“Even so, surely she’ll come with Hero Hillun?”
“But they say the crown princess’s own knight went out to greet this Pail personally. They dined together and he’s staying at the palace, so they’re clearly not just casual acquaintances.”
Viscountess Orian whispered behind her fan.
“I heard he’s part of Hero Hillun’s strike team.”
“Yes, so it’s no surprise they know each other.”
“Then really?”
“We’ll know once we see who she brings tonight, won’t we?”
Annoying.
Ovest Hildean, the kingdom’s second prince, savored his wine while listening to their chatter.
He didn’t like it. The name on their lips should’ve been his, not Ernan Hildean’s.
“You don’t look pleased.”
“Just your imagination. Shall we continue the conversation?”
“I quite enjoyed chatting with those agreeable folks. But how can I revel alone when Your Highness looks so glum?”
“This gathering was prepared for you.”
“We’re in the same boat, Your Highness. What’s there to hide?”
Right, they were.
Ovest turned to meet his counterpart’s eyes. Peria Hessen, second princess of Hessen Kingdom—now his wife.
“If you overheard their whispers, you can guess.”
“Understood. The nobles of this land seem awfully fond of the crown princess.”
“Indeed.”
Ovest disliked his half-sister.
Both were children of the World Tree, born through that cursed grand ritual to survive.
Both had endured near-abusive training to mature into capable adults. He outmatched most kingdom knights, and countless royals couldn’t touch his shadow.
But everything changed with Ernan Hildean’s birth—ten years his junior.
The king’s favor shifted to her.
And the king’s favor meant the tide. Slowly but surely, noble support drained from him to Ernan Hildean.
No one who hasn’t lived it could ever understand that anguish.
“Ease your expression. Everyone’s watching.”
A gentle hand softened his hardened face.
“The past is the past. Look at them. They talk of the crown princess, but their eyes seek you out, don’t they?”
She was right.
This banquet had two main goals.
To debut Peria Hessen in Hildean high society, and to mingle with those eager for trade between Hessen—under his lead—and Hildean.
Though he’d stepped back for a breather, moments ago he’d been surrounded by nobles discussing just that.
“See? They’re all waiting for you.”
“...Me.”
“Rise and meet their expectations. Talk of Ernan is just idle diversion while you’re away.”
“...Ernan’s no pushover.”
But.
“This time, you’re right.”
Ovest stood. Nobles who’d been eyeing the second prince and his wife began approaching one by one.
That’s when it happened.
“...Rightful Hildean’s...”
Flowery, verbose flourishes followed. Everyone instantly knew who’d arrived from the content.
The doors creaked open slowly.
“...Crown Princess of Hildean, Ernan Hildean, and her partner, Lord Pail Craftin, enter!”
The hall fell utterly silent for a moment.
Every head turned as one in that direction.
Click-clack.
Heeled footsteps shattered the quiet.
Platinum hair cascading to her waist, amethyst eyes, porcelain skin paired with sky-blue dress and jewels.
Ernan Hildean was the same as ever.
Radiant yet refined.
Elegant yet pure.
Graceful yet noble.
“Beautiful.”
“As expected of the crown princess.”
Men were drawn into her allure; women succumbed to the atmosphere.
So they were a step late.
Their gazes lingered on Ernan before shifting to her partner.
But.
“Ah.”
Viscountess Orian let out a gasp.
Flaming red hair caught the eye first. Ruby-like eyes burned with unyielding depth, his pale skin contrasting sharply with the impeccable black suit—refined to perfection.
“...He’s handsome.”
The viscountess’s pupils glazed over.
Ernan and Berge walked slowly, basking in the stares. The crowd parted. At the end stood Ovest Hildean and Peria Hessen.
“Long time no see, brother.”
“‘Long time’ feels off.”
“Then let’s call it a formality.”
“I thought you’d bring Hillun Kargil.”
“I brought someone just as good.”
Ovest’s gaze turned to Berge.
“Who are you?”
“My partner, Pail.”
“I didn’t ask you.”
“Pail Craftin.”
Berge gave his fake surname and bowed slightly.
“I’m Ovest Hildean.”
“An honor to meet Your Highness the Second Prince.”
“Never heard of Craftin.”
“Not a Hildean birth name, so that tracks.”
“May I ask your occupation?”
“I run a modest trading company.”
“How modest, I wonder. No ordinary man could edge out Hillun Kargil for Ernan’s arm.”
“Brother, that’s enough.”
“Just overly excited to catch up.”
“Excited? That word’s lost all meaning to me.”
“You were captive to the Demon King for quite some time.”
The crown princess and second prince’s eyes clashed.
“The mood’s heavy. Aren’t you two supposed to be close siblings?”
Then Peria Hessen stepped in to lighten the tension.
“It’s been a while, Crown Princess. Since the wedding, right?”
“Good to see you. Seems you’re settling into unfamiliar Hildean lands with my brother just fine.”
“The second prince treats me well, so I’m adapting.”
“I see.”
“Your beauty dazzles as always, Your Highness.”
“You as well.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“I’m not done.”
Ovest doused the warming atmosphere.
“Pail Craftin, I’ve heard of your reputation. Didn’t know the surname, though.”
“Is that so?”
“The mana owner who drove Akan’s mages to despair, was it? Care to let me glimpse it?”
“Brother, that’s rude.”
“I’m speaking to Lord Pail.”
“Regrettably, not at a banquet.”
“Not even at the second prince’s request?”
“The crown princess’s, maybe.”
Ovest’s lip twisted.
“Impressive. Pride to match the fame.”
“You flatter me.”
“I see why Ernan chose you over Hillun Kargil. But.”
“Yes.”
“That’s Akan’s tale, no? Here in Hildean, do you truly think you outshine Hillun Kargil?”
Frankly, it pleased him.
He already knew the king was pushing for Ernan and Hillun’s marriage. If it happened, his position would narrow further. He had to block it somehow—and Ernan was sabotaging it herself.
Pleasing, yet her motives eluded him, breeding unease.
Why was Ernan discarding her tie to Hillun Kargil? He needed to know to act.
“Who knows. At least in Hildean, I doubt I’m better than Hillun Kargil.”
But.
Berge leaned in close, inserting his face between the prince and princess.
As they flinched, he whispered.
“But better than you and your princess wife, at least.”
The prince and princess’s faces crumpled hideously.
He’d expected the second prince and his wife to explode, but they controlled themselves better than anticipated.
Subsequent nobles interrupted, preventing further talk. Time passed, and the banquet ended peacefully(?).
“I’m gonna die.”
Surrounded by nobles, forced to play gentleman against his will—sweat drenched his back.
Inside the carriage, Berge shed his coat in relief.
“I was shocked. Didn’t expect you to say that.”
“Only spoke up because he poked the bear. Nearly snapped that damned prince’s neck.”
Berge used casual speech even with Stars or third princes—respectfully polite at best.
But not this time. He’d twisted his whole body, barely suppressing surging revulsion to act the courteous human.
For Ernan. To avoid embarrassing her.
That final jab was his utmost compromise.
“If you hadn’t dragged me along, you wouldn’t have been in that spot.”
“Never crossed my mind.”
“Now we wait for the king’s reaction?”
“Yes. Showing up sealed it—he’ll react.”
“That woman.”
“Woman?”
“Hessen’s princess, right? Snake eyes. Don’t underestimate her.”
“I know.”
Ernan fiddled with her dress jewels.
“Sent people to Hessen for intel. She fought the first prince—current crown prince—to the end for succession.”
“Lost?”
“Yes. Lost everything. But ambition doesn’t vanish. She’s the one pushing Hessen-Hildean ties.”
“Using that to sway nobles and bolster the second prince’s faction.”
“Exactly. Hessen’s crown prince backs her. Aims to be Hildean queen.”
“Any countermeasures?”
“No ties to trading companies, so nothing solid.”
Ernan’s base: king-loyal nobles, mages, knights.
“Mages?”
“Spirit summoners count as mages. I’ve mingled with them since childhood.”
“Knights?”
“Knights crave strong rulers. Not just that—I built fame subjugating foes young.”
“Second prince?”
“He tried too. But most knights back me over him. Confident there.”
“So the military’s mostly yours?”
“Moderately. And Hildean commoners are fiercely patriotic. Brother’s Hessen play will backfire badly.”
Ernan spoke confidently.
“Don’t you have a trading company?”
“Got a royal one years ago. No talent for commerce, so handed it off.”
“Secured Traparta Union companies for the third prince: White Rose and Hyacinth Guilds. Trade with them?”
“When’d you snag those?”
“Checking the sword.”
“Impressive maneuvering. I’ll set talks.”
“Do it.”
Then Berge frowned, opening his subspace for the communication orb.
“Who?”
“Aman.”
The orb glowed, revealing the face.
“Big trouble!”
“Trouble?”
“The Black Toad Guild formally protested, claiming we stole their artisans and tech.”
“Empire’s backing them—demanding return of kidnapped artisans, mana cannons, and all profits!”
“...!”