Chapter 31

The social circle is a silent battlefield. The goal of the nobles has always been to exert significant influence within it, and they naturally considered it a given to attend various gatherings without fail to achieve this. Influence was not merely a matter of pride or honor. Those who wielded great influence in the social circle naturally attracted information and people. Standing at the center of the social circle meant enjoying more privileges than other nobles. Privileges were limited, and the number of people who could enjoy them could be counted on one hand, so everyone resorted to dirty tricks and plots to monopolize that small pie. A prime example of this was Balhail Eilsford. He took advantage of the fact that Lord Altear, the lord of Eilsford, rarely engaged in social activities, gradually expanding his influence among the eastern nobles. If any unfortunate event were to occur in Eilsford, the influence Balhail had built up in the social circle would protect him. The reason he invited Altear to this meeting was also to increase his own influence. Objectively speaking, Altear was not someone who easily won people's favor. While his appearance was undoubtedly impressive, his overall demeanor was cold, and his personality was taciturn, which often inspired fear rather than affection. In such a situation, Balhail could easily make Altear look like the worst person in the world with just a few words.

'Besides, this time, I needed to lure Altear and his wife out.'

Only then could he target the countess, whom he had not yet dealt with before the wedding. Eilsford Castle was a fortress perfectly protected from external intrusions. Ordinary assassins were no match for Eilsford's knights, who could easily handle even terrifying monsters. If the expedition was unfavorable, one had to draw the opponent onto one's own territory. In this sense, the social circle was truly Balhail's home ground. However, the atmosphere of the eastern nobles' meeting was flowing in a direction different from Balhail's plan from the very beginning.

"Have you heard that story? Lord Eilsford caught a dragon that appeared in the Remblu region, all by himself."

"Really? A dragon that even a whole knightly order would find hard to catch, and Lord Eilsford did it alone?"

"That's right. His sword skills have been famous for a long time. Don't you remember? There was a lot of noise about a prodigy who could shake the empire in the east."

"Yes, now that you mention it, I remember that rumor."

"Lord Eilsford's talents were buried because he didn't engage in social activities, but he is undoubtedly a capable person."

"Then we might get to see Lord Eilsford's hunting skills today, since he caught a dragon?"

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it."

Before Altear arrived, the hunting ground was filled with stories about him. It was said that a great magic stone mine was discovered in the Eilsford region, that he recently acquired an excellent orchard, and that he got married to a lady from a powerful viscount family in the capital. The topics of the nobles, who gathered in small groups to chat, were all about Eilsford.

'This can't be left as it is.'

Balhail clenched his teeth inwardly but maintained a gentle smile as he naturally joined the nobles' conversation.

"By the way, I heard that Lord Galad, who was involved in that matter, fell ill. That's why he couldn't attend this meeting."

"Lord Galad?"

The nobles showed interest in Balhail's story. He sighed as if in regret and glanced at the nobles' curious eyes. What mattered to them was an interesting story, not the truth. And Balhail was skilled at using this to his advantage.

"Lord Eilsford threatened Lord Galad, saying he would ruin his territory if he didn't hand over the orchard. He released a lot of monsters to threaten him, and... that precious orchard..."

"Wait, monsters don't follow human control. How could Lord Eilsford do such a thing?"

"Lord Eilsford has been hunting monsters for a long time to make money. He knows more about monsters than anyone else..."

"Indeed. Eilsford's main source of income was monster hunting."

"Yes. It's also a bit strange that monsters appear whenever he needs money. It's said that he received a huge sum as a reward for slaying the dragon in the Remblu region. Perhaps Altear..."

Balhail suddenly trailed off and waved his hand as he observed the people's reactions.

"Ah, no. I shouldn't have said that. Such a story is inappropriate. I shouldn't have mentioned my family's secret..."

"Oh, I remember. Sir Balhail is from Eilsford."

The phrase 'my family's secret' made the people exchange glances with sparkling eyes. Balhail's words sounded like 'the Eilsford family knows how to control monsters.'

"Only the servants of the devil can control monsters..."

As a voice filled with fear spread among the people, the nobles who had been enthusiastically sharing stories about Lord Eilsford as a hero fell silent. Reverence and fear were a fine line apart. Now, in people's stories, Altear would be a servant of the devil who controlled monsters, not a great dragon slayer. Balhail opened his mouth with a sigh to drive the point home.

"Actually, my father said that the previous lord's death by fire was due to the misuse of the devil's power..."

But before his story could reach the people's ears, the entrance to the hunting ground became noisy.

"Wow! Look at that carriage!"

At someone's exclamation, everyone's gaze turned to the entrance of the hunting ground. There, a snow-white carriage stood like a painting. The carved patterns were adorned with luxurious gold, and the two horses pulling the carriage were beautiful white horses.

"That's definitely a carriage made by the Lind workshop."

"A single carriage costs at least 4,000 gold?"

"Wow. 4,000 gold?"

"Such a carriage... Could it be that the prince has arrived?"

The visit of the third prince, Orca, who was said to be recuperating in a quiet region due to his frail health, was another hot topic of this meeting. However, contrary to the nobles' expectations, the person who got out of the carriage was not Prince Orca. The door of the white carriage opened, and a woman with pink hair, dressed in riding attire, appeared with the help of a knight. Her long hair was braided to one side, and her flawless, snow-white face exuded a delicate and ethereal aura. The nobles, overwhelmed by her beautiful and elegant presence, stopped their murmurs and stared at her. Sensing their gazes, the woman's eyes met the gathered nobles. She exchanged eye contact with the nobles leisurely and gave a faint smile, causing the men escorting the ladies to gape.

'Who is this beauty?'

A greedy look soon appeared on Balhail's face, which had been momentarily lost in admiration.

'A woman I've never seen before... Who could have brought her as a mistress?'

The social circle is very small. The eastern nobles know each other's faces and names, so a new woman appearing meant she was a mistress of some wealthy noble.

'If she's wealthy enough to bring such a carriage, it could be Baron Carson?'

Baron Carson was a 70-year-old frail old man. If she was the mistress of such an old man, she would likely be a cheap woman driven by greed, making her easy to make his own. However, Balhail's plan to seduce her was quickly shattered by the appearance of a black-haired man beside her.

"Oh, isn't that Lord Eilsford?"

People were startled and began to murmur again.

"Then the lady is..."

"The lady who came from the capital, Lord Eilsford's wife, I suppose."

'What? This woman is Altear's wife?'

Balhail's eyes widened in shock. He had thought Altear's wife would be ugly and deformed, but she was so beautiful?

'This can't be true.'

But Balhail's shock did not last long. After all, everything that belonged to Altear was supposed to be his. The title of Lord Eilsford and the wealth he had newly acquired would all be his.

'So, the lady is mine too.'

Balhail let a sinister smile slip as he scanned the pink-haired woman from head to toe.

'Originally, I planned to kill her somehow...'

But this is a different story when it comes to such a desirable object. Balhail quickly revised his thoughts and swallowed his vile smile. * * *

'Oh, oh, oh, what do I do! Everyone is looking at me!'

As soon as I got out of the carriage, everyone's gaze was on me. Facing so many eyes is too difficult for someone as shy as me, and cold sweat trickled down my back. I didn't know where to look and glanced around the gathered people, swallowing hard.

'This, this can't be! First impressions are the most important when meeting people!'

They say no one spits on a smiling face.

'Just smile.'

When you don't know what to do, just smile. I forced a smile, lifting my trembling lips. But it didn't look good, and the gathered nobles gaped in disbelief.

'Sniff, sniff. I've ruined my first impression.'

As I shed silent tears, a cold hand gently wrapped around my shoulder from the side. Turning my head, I saw Altear looking at the nobles with his usual expressionless face.

"You don't need to be nervous."

"I'm not nervous. I'm just unfamiliar..."

"People call that being nervous."

Altear chuckled and replied to my words, but his face suddenly stiffened as if he had noticed someone in the crowd. It was hard to gauge his mood from his usually expressionless face, but after observing him closely during our daily tea times, I could now read his emotions a bit better.

'This face...'

Hatred? Disgust? It was a very negative emotion. Altear, who was generally indifferent, rarely showed such negative emotions towards anyone.

'Ah, it's like when he dealt with Lord Galad.'

Lord Galad was said to have fallen ill with resentment after losing his orchard. Since he wouldn't appear at the meeting, it must be someone else making Altear feel this way.

'Who is he looking at?'

Following Altear's gaze, I turned my head and saw a man standing there, looking at me. The moment our eyes met, he smiled and bowed slightly. I reflexively returned the bow, and his smile deepened.

'Ugh, this feels bad.'

A chill ran down my spine, and Altear, who had been looking at the man, quickly turned his gaze back to me.

"I forgot to mention that it might be cold in the forest."

"I'm not cold."

"If you're not cold, why are you shivering? You're too fragile, so it's better to be careful."

"But I'm not that fragile..."

But Altear had already signaled to Cain to bring a coat.

'I don't understand why he's making such a fuss.'

I grumbled inwardly, but I couldn't stop the smile from forming on my lips. Being cherished by someone feels so good. However, before I could fully savor this feeling, the sound of a carriage approaching from a distance caught my attention. Turning my head, I saw a black carriage adorned with gold stop behind our carriage. The appearance of the luxurious carriage made the people murmur again. My heart was just as restless.

'Oh... this carriage...'

I had seen a similar carriage in a novel.

'The carriage that the third prince, Orca, used to travel around the regions under the pretext of recuperation!'

As I confirmed my guess, the door of the carriage opened, and a man with a neat appearance appeared. Silver hair, crimson eyes. The man, who was smiling softly, was...

'Sure enough, it's Prince Orca.'

The appearance of such a significant figure made my shoulders shrink.