Chapter 36 - Bombshell Declaration
"...Young Master, are you really going to do something this insane?"
It had already been a day since I'd confided my plan to Kania. As I dressed for the ball where Clana's fiancé would be decided, she approached me, bringing up the topic from yesterday.
After our argument last night, I hadn't slept a wink and had dragged myself to class. Since then, I'd been brushing off her concerns. But now, with her blocking the doorway and even emanating a black aura, ignoring her again seemed like it would cause a real problem.
"So, should I just sit back and watch Clana get engaged to some worthless scum?"
"That's true, but..."
Kania trailed off at my reluctant admission, then sighed and spoke up.
"Clana must have her own plans. She might resolve it herself..."
"Kania, have you finished investigating all five of Clana's fiancé candidates?"
"...Yes."
"Then recite them from the first one."
Hesitating for a moment, Kania pulled out her notebook and flipped through it.
"Yes... The first candidate is the head of a marquis house, currently 53 years old. He has three sons and one daughter..."
"...Next."
"The second through fourth are no different from you, Young Master. Of course... as a villain."
"And the fifth?"
"He's notorious as a lecher, and the rumors say every woman who's passed through his hands ends up ruined..."
"Enough. You can see why I'm doing this, right?"
As I grimaced slightly, Kania cleared her throat and replied.
"I'm just worried about you, Young Master."
"It's fine. This isn't my first rodeo."
"The opponent is the imperial family. Even if we're the Starlight family, said to be the empire's flying bird..."
"...Don't worry about that."
Kania tilted her head at my firm tone.
"Even if things go wrong, the imperial family won't touch our house directly."
"...Why not?"
"Our ancestor, the hero from a thousand years ago, made oaths with the imperial family."
Kania looked puzzled.
"...Do those still hold power?"
"Whether they do or not, we'll find out soon enough."
I finished with a confident smile, and Kania slammed her notebook on the desk, pouting.
"So, how do you plan to clean up the mess?"
"Well... do I even need to?"
As I scratched my head, Kania clutched her forehead and shook her head.
"Young Master... I can't tell if you're brilliant or just foolish."
"Foolish, obviously. There are so many people more brilliant than me."
"Sure, whatever you say."
Her resigned gaze made me chuckle for some reason.
"Kania, I like your perfect, rigid butler side... but I also think your honest moments like this are pretty charming."
Her expression hardened, and she hurriedly apologized.
"I'm sorry, Young Master. I overstepped..."
"It's fine. From now on, relax around me. Don't hold back your true self."
"Is that so? Then..."
Kania smiled brightly for a moment, then scratched her head awkwardly.
"But thinking about it, I feel more comfortable this way."
"Why?"
"I've maintained this demeanor since I was young... Letting it go makes me anxious instead."
"Hmm..."
I watched her sheepish expression, then quietly made a suggestion.
"How about we go out together sometime soon?"
"Pardon?"
"Things a normal girl your age would do—I know a few..."
Kania gave me an incredulous look.
"I know those things. It's not that I don't know; it's not like I can't do them."
"Right, it's not ignorance. So let's do them together."
She stared blankly at me for a moment, then understood and bowed her head.
"Th-that... you could do with Clana or Perloché."
"Clana's too busy these days, and sticking with Perloché too much would be a bad influence on you."
"But if we're caught together, it'll cause huge problems."
"...You're my servant and butler. What's the issue?"
I tilted my head, and she looked at me like it was obvious.
"Young Master, don't you have to commit villainy?"
"If I act like I'm seducing you and you act disgusted, problem solved. We do it all the time."
"That's true, but... no, that's not the point!"
Finally, she lifted her head, cheeks flushed.
"Why go so far for me?"
"Well..."
I smiled faintly at her.
"You've put up with me since we were kids. I've always hoped someday I could make it up to you."
"........."
As I gazed wistfully, she bit her lip before speaking softly.
"So... when?"
"After this ball and the raid incident."
"Yes, understo..."
Kania nodded quietly, then suddenly frowned and raised her voice.
"Wait, that's not the issue right now! So, how will you handle the aftermath?"
"Like I said, I'm not planning to."
"What does that even..."
"I'll let the fallout from the incident I cause buy Clana time to gather her strength. That's why I'm doing it openly at the ball instead of secretly."
"You're serious?"
"Yeah. It protects Clana from those scumbags and boosts my infamy."
Sighing in defeat, Kania sat beside me on the bed with a resigned smile.
"If the empire's nobles were all like you... things wouldn't be this bad."
"...Who knows."
She gazed at me warmly.
"I believe they wouldn't."
"Thanks."
"Shall we head out, then?"
We rose from the bed, left the dormitory, and headed to the waiting carriage outside.
"Have you thought about how to handle Serena?"
"...Ah."
We discussed the puzzle I'd puzzled over all yesterday without solving.
......
"The first son and acting head of the Starlight family, Frey Raon Starlight, enters!"
As Kania and I entered the ballroom where the ball was in full swing, all eyes turned to me.
"...You're drawing a lot of attention, as expected."
"Starlight, after all."
I'd always been a major figure and someone to watch at parties, but tonight's scrutiny was even more intense. As the Starlight first son and acting head, the attention was on another level. The family's prestige in the empire was that overwhelming.
"Like a pack of wolves spotting prey."
As familiar faces, bribe-givers, and slight acquaintances swarmed us, Kania whispered with a weary expression.
"Kania, can't you brainwash them all?"
"...Black magic isn't omnipotent."
I murmured softly, and she sighed in response.
"...Kidding."
Forcing a wry smile, I began dealing with the people now right in front of me.
"Sorry about your father. I should visit sometime."
"For the empire's pillar, the benevolent Starlight head, to collapse... such a tragedy."
"...Thank you for your concern."
I shot death glares at the tactless ones asking about Father, thanking them formulaically. Sensing my mood, the nobles got to the point: polite requests and bribes.
"Thank you all for your interest. But this isn't the place."
After sweating through minutes of empty formalities, I desperately tried to escape, even using my rarely employed refined speech for villainy.
"My mailbox is always open. Why not continue there?"
Dismissing their bribes and requests formally, they let me go with disappointed looks.
"...Annoying bastards. Desperate to cozy up."
"Indeed."
"Keep all their bribes and requests. They'll be useful later."
"Understood."
Rationalizing the ordeal as gathering evidence for future empire cleanup, I headed for food, sweating profusely—but...
"Hello, Silver Prince?"
"Got a moment?"
"We're having tea. Join us, Frey?"
Now, a swarm of young ladies surrounded me.
"Uh... sorry, I'm starving."
Exhausted from noble experts, uninterested in these mere children, I made an excuse and tried to leave, but they blocked me, smiling flirtatiously.
"Perfect! We have imported sweets and desserts!"
"But isn't crashing a ladies' tea rude?"
"You fit right in with us, Frey!"
"...Sigh."
Escalating would risk my lecher image, so I forced a smile.
"Fine. I was trying to hold back today, but oh well."
The ladies squealed, and with dead eyes, I shuffled along, planning to hype the mood briefly and escape—
"Ugh."
"Ow."
"Eek?"
Suddenly, they clutched their stomachs, sweating coldly.
Tilting my head at the sudden turn, Kania, who'd been quietly beside me, spoke softly.
"I've heard many got sick from foreign sweets lately... Did you ladies eat some too?"
The ladies' brows furrowed; they staggered and bowed hastily.
"W-well... we'll be going..."
"Frey... tea next time..."
- Gurgle!
"...Eek!"
They fled in panic.
"Kania, investigate those sweets' brand. Something suspicious..."
"Young Master, infuse some Star Mana into my hand?"
As I eyed them suspiciously, ordering an investigation, Kania cut me off, asking for Star Mana.
Still overflowing from the superior mana potion, I channeled it casually—then she grabbed my hand.
"Kania? What are you—"
- Sizzle...
"...No way?"
Smoke rose from our clasped hands; I gaped at her.
"I've had stomachaches lately... so I know how to induce them."
"What if you're caught?"
"It's a one-time curse. Unless Perloché checks right after they visit the restroom, traces will be hard to find."
"Still..."
Grateful for her help and trusting her skill, but worried, I started to protest—then shut up at her resolute expression.
"Let's go."
"...Yeah."
She smiled satisfiedly and walked ahead; I scratched my head, following. For some reason, I'd felt like a cornered rat lately.
......
"Young lord, no drinks today?"
"...Not feeling great."
"Oh dear! If even you skip alcohol, it must be bad."
Escaping the power-hungry wolves and kidnapping ladies, now young lords tempted me with drinks.
'Just one sip...'
I love alcohol. Father called it the root of all evil, but my line of work made it inevitable. Now, with sky-high mental strength, it barely buoys my mood—but that little lift is precious. Though I rarely savored it, faking drunken rampages after half-bottles.
"Can't today. Rain check?"
"Anytime!"
Needing to appear sober for tonight, I waved off the disappointed drinkers and headed for snacks, finally—spotting an intriguing scene afar.
"...Princess, who will you choose among us?"
"Give us a hint?"
"Ahem, I'm old, but better than these pups."
Clana was surrounded by her candidates.
"You'll know soon enough. So wait and..."
"Come on, tell us?"
Clana grimaced disgustingly, trying to leave, but one reached for her arm with a sleazy voice—the lecher.
"How rude."
"Ah."
She slapped his hand away forcefully; he frowned briefly, then smirked.
"For now, we're just candidates, so you can brush us off. But once engaged, brace yourself."
He ogled her greedily; the others followed suit.
"...Ha?"
Turning sharply, Clana fled—spotting me watching quietly. She sneered.
"...Pathetic, right?"
"........."
I just stared; she passed coldly.
"If you'd kept our old promise, this wouldn't happen."
I winced; Kania approached from afar.
"...What'd she say?"
"Nothing."
Dodging, Kania and I headed to the center—the main event was starting.
"His Imperial Majesty, Lycan Solar Sunrise, radiant sun of the empire, and Empress Lamie Solar Sunrise enter!"
Waiting quietly at the center, the lights dimmed; attendants shouted.
The emperor and empress entered side by side.
- Shaa...
Radiant Solar Mana poured from the emperor; everyone bowed.
"...Hng."
Vulnerable to Solar Mana, Kania grimaced; I hurriedly emitted Star Mana to shield her.
"Ngh."
Star Mana blocked most, but its anti-black magic nature made her sweat; I secretly held her hand, infusing life force.
"Rise."
After sustaining her, the emperor withdrew his mana, sat on the prepared throne, and declared solemnly.
(I'd kept my head up—Starlight and Moonlight needn't bow to the emperor. I hate noble pomp, but perks like this? Love them.)
"I've summoned you to announce the Third Princess Clana's fiancé—as you know."
The front-row candidates' eyes gleamed.
"The selection method... Yawn..."
Glancing irritably at them, he yawned, rubbed his eyes, and continued.
"Lamie, explain instead."
Overcome by chronic apathy, he yawned nonstop; the empress smiled and took over.
"Originally, Third Princess Clana would choose... but that seemed problematic."
Attendants shouted:
"The empire's little suns enter!!"
The first prince, first princess, second princess entered; pale-faced Clana followed last.
"Choosing a lifelong partner requires care. So, we—the empress and little suns—decided for her."
Clana trembled, head bowed; the princesses giggled.
(The prince, like his father, looked bored.)
"Now, we'll announce Third Princess's fiancé—chosen by us."
Rising, the empress descended slowly toward the candidates.
They gulped; all eyes fixed.
"...Hmm."
Savoring the attention, she strolled past: balding old marquis, flushed drunkards—stopping before one.
"...Heh heh heh."
The lecher who'd groped Clana.
"Grk, grk..."
Clana bit her lip bloody, trembling.
"Hear ye! The fiancé of our empire's Third Princess, Clana Solar Sunrise, is...!"
Ignoring her, the empress smiled to declare—but
"Wait! Your Majesty!!"
"...Hm?"
I shouted after a deep breath; she paused, frowning at me.
"Lord Frey? What is it?"
"Something to say."
Parting flustered nobles, I headed onstage.
"I don't know what you want, but read the room..."
Ignoring her scowl, I ascended; guards rushed, but the emperor waved them off intrigued—true to his thrill-seeking apathy.
"...What is this?"
Safely onstage, I knelt before Clana; nobles murmured, royals panicked.
"Clana Solar Sunrise."
Silence fell; grinning, I dropped the bomb.
"I've admired you since long ago."
Everyone froze.
"Wh-wh-what..."
Clana stammered in shock; smiling, I dropped another.
"Thus, by our oath, I formally propose here and now."
The ballroom erupted into chaos.
......
Meanwhile, the moment Frey dropped his bomb.
"............What?"
Late-entering Serena gaped at the stage.
In her hand fluttered a love letter she'd written en route.