Chapter 522: The First Prince
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 522: The First Prince
Celicia picked up a wine glass and went to deal with the high-ranking nobles who were swarming around her like a pack of wolves. Muen, however, took the opportunity to retreat into an inconspicuous corner, using the excuse of needing to touch up his makeup.
He shared the same thought as Ariel: staying by Celicia’s side at a time like this would inevitably make him the center of attention. If that happened, both his subsequent actions and his eventual escape would become much more difficult.
Moreover, hiding in a corner while the room was crowded allowed him to blend in. If he remained too prominent, Ariel would likely realize at a single glance that he was the "beauty" she had met before.
The mere thought of Ariel scurrying over to him and excitedly calling him a "beauty" sent a shiver down Muen’s spine.
At a time like this, it was better to keep a low profile.
Muen picked up some food from the buffet table and pretended to eat earnestly while secretly observing the entire hall.
Although things had deviated slightly from his original plan, he had ultimately succeeded in infiltrating the ball.
Now, for the next step...
*
"Prince Andrew, the intelligence you requested has arrived."
In a private room, Andrew rubbed his weary face and took the report handed to him by a subordinate.
"Muse Rudorn... is there really such a person?"
"Yes. After verification, Count Rudorn does indeed have such a daughter. However, due to a long-term illness, Miss Muse has rarely been able to leave her room. It is said that she received personal treatment from Princess Celicia herself, which allowed her to become mobile again."
The bright magic stones cast a silhouette of a man in a wheelchair against the wall. The man, whose skin was a sickly, pale white, explained the contents of the report with a smile. If Ariel were here, she would have recognized this subordinate working for Andrew instantly—it was her eldest brother, Orlando, who was widely believed to have completely lost his right to the Bugard inheritance.
"Heh, she’s lucky to have caught my sister’s eye. Though with a face like that, she certainly has the credentials."
After a cursory glance at the documents, Andrew tossed them aside with zero interest.
Since he knew his sister wasn't up to anything overtly suspicious, he didn't care to investigate further. The mountain of national affairs currently on his plate already had him at his wit's end; he truly had no energy to waste on such meaningless trifles.
He had never realized that handling these matters would be so exhausting. But he only had to endure for a little longer. Once he had total control over that throne, many things would no longer be so troublesome.
"Should I go and test the waters further? After all, it is quite suspicious that Princess Celicia would bring a companion to the ball," Orlando suggested.
"Go ahead and arrange it, but mind your manners. We still need my sister’s support for now, so try not to offend her yet." Andrew rubbed his temples.
"Understood. I shall go at once—"
"Wait. Give me some medicine first."
Andrew suddenly stopped Orlando as he was about to wheel himself out.
"Medicine? Your Highness, but you’ve already—"
"Stop talking. You have it on you, don't you!"
Andrew snapped his head around. A moment ago, he had been refined and elegant; now, he was as fierce as a beast that had lost its mind.
Beneath his collar, dark veins pulsed violently. He looked as though he were enduring some unbearable agony.
"Give it to me! Now!"
"Yes..."
Orlando pulled a small vial from his coat and handed it to Andrew with both hands in a respectful gesture.
Andrew snatched it away, his expression flickering with a distorted, frantic excitement.
There were only three pills inside the exquisite vial. Andrew swallowed them all at once, gulping them down like a starving man.
"Your Highness, you know the current situation. That medicine is very difficult to obtain now. Please, try to exercise some restraint," Orlando advised helplessly as he watched Andrew consume the entire dose.
"Shut up. That’s for you to worry about. Do I really have to teach you how to procure it?"
After taking the pills, Andrew leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. His furious expression gradually smoothed out, replaced by an indescribable, intoxicated bliss, as if his very soul were experiencing a wave of comfort and tremors.
The veins beneath his skin stopped pulsing and returned to normal.
Orlando remained silent, watching the scene play out. However, the respectful and humble look in his eyes had already shifted into undisguised mockery and contempt.
"Prince Andrew, it seems Prince Albert has arrived."
A short while later, a waiter’s voice came from outside the door. Andrew snapped his eyes open and stood up, a burning fighting spirit igniting in his gaze. His previous exhaustion had vanished completely, as if it had been wiped away.
"Excellent. Let’s go meet my 'lucky' big brother!" Andrew sneered.
"Yes. Your Highness will surely emerge victorious."
Orlando lowered his head, speaking with a smile that seemed both respectful and sincere.
*
"Your Highness, the First Prince has arrived."
Someone whispered into Celicia’s ear. Celicia, who was currently exchanging pleasantries with an amiable old Count, apologized and ended the conversation. She turned toward the area of the hall where a commotion was brewing.
Amidst greetings that ranged from curious and respectful to fawning, the crowd gradually parted. A figure that stood out like a crane among chickens approached slowly, leaning on a silver cane and supported by a maid.
He was a man who bore a thirty-percent resemblance to Celicia. His features were handsome and soft, and his long silver hair was tied back in a casual ponytail, making him look sharp and clean.
Unlike Andrew’s sharpness—which, though somewhat restrained lately, was still hard to hide—this man exuded an aura of pure refinement.
He wore a gentle smile, responding to every greeting with understated words. Occasionally, he would use a small gesture, but every movement was executed in a way that made no one feel slighted. He was as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Seeing the First Prince in this state, some people looked delighted, while others frowned silently, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Even more prominent were the noble girls of marriageable age. As they watched this unmarried First Prince walk toward them with such grace and elegance, those who had once looked down on this "brain-dead" prince now stared at him with the eyes of hungry wolves.
Even some of the married noblewomen inadvertently showed a hint of being smitten.
Celicia took all of this in silently, noting the shifts in people's expressions. Then, before Albert could be swarmed by the lovestruck noble girls, she took the initiative to greet him.
"Good evening, Big Brother Albert."
"Ah, Celicia."
Albert quickly reached out to steady Celicia as she curtsied, smiling as he said, "Between siblings, there is no need for such formality."
"I am your sister, but I am also a Princess of the Empire. If I am too casual, it would only invite ridicule from others."
Celicia gave a polite smile, though to the onlookers, it still seemed somewhat cold.
"I simply didn't expect Big Brother Albert to still remember me. I thought I would have to introduce myself during this meeting."
"Ha, you joke, Celicia. Although I was tormented by a brain ailment before, I still retain some blurred and jumbled memories of the past. I’ve simply recovered from an illness; I haven't become a different person."
Albert pointed to his head and said jokingly, "At the very least, I have a very deep memory of my family."