Chapter 81

It was purely by chance that I met the viscountess while going to retrieve the watch I had left behind, but my subsequent actions were tinged with personal motives.

‘She probably noticed it too.’

Although she tried to act calm, the viscountess’s face, with her large eyes rolling and constantly checking my reaction, made Orka involuntarily chuckle. The viscountess is not a fan of mine. Rather, she feels uncomfortable and wary of me. But she always avoids difficult questions with the excuse, "Because I’m a fan!" The nobles respect Prince Orka and want to make a good impression on him because he is royalty. However, their respect only went so far. It was respect and fear for the "royalty," not for Orka as a person.

‘But that woman… somehow seems to fear me not as royalty, but as myself.’

From the first time we met, when I stayed in the Eilsworth manor, and even when we ran into each other on the streets of the capital, I always felt her eyes scrutinizing "me."

‘Today will reveal whether that’s just my imagination or not.’

Today, all the royals, including the emperor, were expected to attend. Since all the high-ranking officials were attending to celebrate the emperor’s silver jubilee, observing how the viscountess interacts with them would provide the answer. That’s why Orka was looking forward to today in many ways.

‘Actually, I’m not the type to follow my curiosity.’

Sometimes it might seem like I follow my curiosity, but the ultimate goal is always practical. Unlike my brothers, who can pursue their interests leisurely while still securing their share, Orka had to focus solely on practicality to barely get his share. Yet, the viscountess was purely intriguing.

‘Or is it not so pure, since Altair Eilsworth is essential to my plans?’

Orka had been observing Altair Eilsworth for a long time, mainly because of his military prowess.

‘I heard he’s a heartless monster hunter.’

This was said by one of his subordinates who had seen him fight, so it was likely not false information. However, the actual Altair was very different from what Orka had heard. The only thing that matched was his terrifying appearance and large build, which could make people shiver just by looking at him.

‘To think he’s a man who dotes on his wife…’

If his wife were just a beautiful woman, Orka would have been disappointed and erased her from his plans. But the Viscountess Eilsworth was not just beautiful.

‘Of course, she is beautiful.’

Orka recalled the viscountess’s wide-eyed surprise when she received the pink rose from him. A skilled noblewoman would have accepted the flower gracefully, but the viscountess was flustered like a young girl.

‘She doesn’t seem to be a cunning woman at all.’

Where did her talent for decorating the Eilsworth manor and her meticulous hospitality come from? And how did she manage to win over a heartless monster hunter? There were many mysteries, but the conclusion was clear.

‘To move Altair Eilsworth, I need the viscountess.’

Originally, he planned to ally with Altair in exchange for aiding the Eilsworths’ difficult situation. However, the sudden discovery of a mana stone mine made the Eilsworths financially secure, and as long as the mine didn’t dry up, they would never be in need again. Poverty was almost Altair Eilsworth’s only weakness. The next was his low title? But since he didn’t care about titles or fame, the appearance of the mana stone mine made him an almost flawless person. In such a situation, the viscountess was the only thread to manipulate Altair Eilsworth.

‘Even though she knows I’m a prince, she looked like she could kill me with her eyes.’

Orka recalled Altair’s sharp gaze, like a cornered cat, when he handed her the pink rose, saying, "I like pink." It was a gaze that clearly saw him as a threat.

‘A little envious, too.’

One can only guard someone so fiercely when they are entirely theirs. Orka had no one he could be that certain about. While lost in these thoughts, Orka arrived at the grand ballroom.

"His Highness, Prince Orka the Third, has arrived!"

As the herald announced his entrance, the nobles bowed in unison. Of course, it was a formal gesture, and no one approached him to speak casually. This was partly because Orka spent most of his time outside the capital and was not close to the capital nobles, but also because he was not important enough for them to court. Orka was used to this treatment.

‘The Eilsworth viscount and viscountess haven’t arrived yet, it seems.’

Calmly taking his seat, the first and second princes, who had arrived earlier, clicked their tongues.

"Arriving later than your elder brothers. I thought you’d be late even after your father."

"Anyone would think you’re the eldest brother."

Orka smiled and bowed slightly, despite the disdainful head-shaking.

"I apologize. As you know, my body doesn’t always follow my will. I’ll be more careful in the future."

"In the future?"

The first prince sneered, drawing out the words.

"Will there even be a future for that? You’ll be traveling for health reasons again soon."

"Exactly. Leaving all the royal duties to our parents and us… you’re quite the master of delegation."

Despite the continued criticism, Orka’s expression remained unchanged.

"It’s all due to my shortcomings."

Seeing Orka’s humble demeanor, the two princes turned away, satisfied, just as the herald announced new arrivals.

"Viscount Bain, Lady Melissa, and the Viscount and Viscountess of Eilsworth from the Eastern Empire!"

The famous Eilsworths! The rumors about Eilsworth had already spread throughout the capital, so when the herald announced their arrival, the conversations among the gathered nobles came to an abrupt halt. The grand ballroom, which had been filled with murmurs, fell silent. In this silence, the people Orka had been waiting for appeared. Leading the group were Viscount Bain and Lady Melissa, followed by the Eilsworth viscount and viscountess. However, Altair’s towering height made him stand out even more. Dressed in a neat formal suit, Altair’s cold and intimidating presence was balanced by his upright posture and steady gait, giving him an air of solemnity. The young ladies whispered in excitement, "Wow, where has such a handsome man been hiding?" but then noticed the lady on his arm and gasped. Her warm pink hair, which stood out against the viscount’s all-black attire, looked even more charming. Her sky-blue dress, matching her eye color, added to her graceful and elegant appearance, leaving no room for criticism.

‘Indeed, a couple that draws attention.’

They seemed completely unaware of it. Orka smiled at this thought. Meanwhile, the nobles, who had been watching, began to gather around the couple. Viscount Bain and Lady Melissa, who had arrived with them, were pushed to the side of the ballroom by the crowd. Lady Melissa, who had always been the center of attention at any event, looked annoyed, and Viscount Bain cleared his throat uncomfortably. The two people at the center of the attention, especially Viscountess Nadia, were… understandably very nervous. ***

‘S-so many people…!’

I worried that the cold sweat trickling down my back might soak the beautiful dress Maria had helped me put on. The nobles who had gathered were diverse. Some thanked me for the gold lilies, some inquired about our well-being, and some openly mentioned the mana stone mine. Despite the variety, they all showed goodwill towards Altair and me, the Viscount and Viscountess of Eilsworth. People with hostility are scary, but people with goodwill are not. Still…

‘It’s overwhelming…’

I had chosen to draw attention by spreading rumors and had come to the ball with great resolve, but human nature doesn’t change easily. Moreover, the ballroom was even more crowded than I had imagined, as all the nobles of the empire, not just the capital, had been invited.

‘Don’t be scared, Nadia!’

Whenever the attention became too much, I clung to Altair’s hand to steady myself. Remembering that he was by my side helped ease my tension.

"Viscount Eilsworth."

At that moment, a voice caused the crowd around us to part, making way for the speaker. The dignified middle-aged man who appeared was unfamiliar to me. With a build as imposing as Altair’s, I would have remembered him if I had seen him before. However, Altair already knew him and bowed familiarly.

"Greetings, Duke Bioskes."

‘Bioskes?!’

The emperor’s father-in-law! The most influential duke in the empire!

"There’s no need to be so formal. We’ve already exchanged many letters, so you feel like an old friend."

"I appreciate your kind words, but I also want to show respect to someone I admire."

"What? Admire? Ahaha!"

Duke Bioskes laughed heartily, seemingly pleased with the flattery. He clearly liked Altair. I was surprised by this unexpected turn of events. It wasn’t just that Altair had made a significant connection I didn’t know about.

‘Duke Bioskes… this person…’

The one ‘Altair’ had beheaded and hung on the city walls in the novel! He was a crucial target for purges due to his strong military power and was killed more cruelly than anyone else.

‘Why do these two seem so close…?’

The plot has changed, but this is an extreme shift.