Chapter 92

* * *

Meanwhile, the young nobles who had moved to their seats were getting to know each other for the debutante ball.

Since this was an occasion to showcase their status in front of many people, it was beneficial for their families to know each other.

However, their attention was focused on one person.

A small boy sitting alone, quietly reading a book. Damian.

The son of Duke Schuetz and his adopted son from the Cleyder family was one of the significant topics of interest among the nobles.

One was a famous war hero, and the other came from the family that owned the largest trading company in the empire.

Individually, they were already impressive families, but now they had become one. No one could even guess how powerful they would become.

Even if the emperor was watching, they still wanted to maintain some connection, however small...

But the child remained silent, reading his book.

His expressionless face and the somehow cold aura around him made it impossible to approach him rashly.

Through his curly hair, his blue eyes were visible.

Despite his delicate appearance, the white hand holding the book was covered in scars.

'What did Duke Schuetz do...?'

Perhaps because of this, the young nobles shivered with an inexplicable chill.

His expressionless face and the somehow cold aura around him made it impossible to approach him rashly.

Then, someone said,

"Really can't stand it anymore."

A young noble grumbled irritably and stood up from his seat.

It was Alphonse, the son of Count Cromer.

The Cromer family, who had their territory in the west, owned a trading company under their name.

While they couldn't compare to the Cleyders, no one could match the speed at which the Cromers produced goods.

This was due to the workers who worked tirelessly.

However, recently, employees had started moving to the Cleyder side one by one.

Without workers, they couldn't supply goods. They might lose both customers and employees.

After much deliberation, Count Cromer heard about Damian.

'A lowly slave as the son of Duke Cleyder.'

Count Cromer thought of a plan.

'My daughter is about the same age as that lowly slave.'

Why not marry them?

Perhaps they could even challenge the Cleyders and Schuetz.

Although he had already taken in a woman, a mere orphan could be easily disposed of.

So, Count Cromer used all his influence to force Alphonse into the debutante ball.

'But I have to be cautious just for that weak boy.'

He looked like a girl, and it was questionable if he could even hold a pencil properly.

He even doubted if he was really the son of Cleyder.

Alphonse sneered.

'So, my thoughts were right.'

Duke Schuetz must have found a son to swallow up the Cleyders.

The excuse of a friend's son was ridiculous. It made him laugh.

If he really cared about his son, he would have arranged a marriage with a good noble family.

'But why did he bring in a commoner woman?'

Still, that woman had a beautiful face. He had never seen a more beautiful young lady at the ball.

If things went well as his father planned, taking her as a concubine later wouldn't be bad.

'But I need to break his spirit first.'

Alphonse looked down at Damian with a sneer.

"Since you don't seem to know, let me inform you that this is not a reading club."

Despite his attempt to maintain some etiquette, Damian didn't budge.

"Can't you hear me?"

As his tone became more irritable, Damian finally looked up.

His blue eyes were calm as he stared at Alphonse.

It meant, 'Say what you have to say quickly and get lost.'

Ha, he laughed hollowly.

"You have no sense of refinement. Were you taught to speak to people like this?"

"…You're not even human."

"What, what did you say?"

Damian's low voice made Alphonse's anger boil.

"Ha! I knew it. It seems Duke Schuetz doesn't even teach basic manners."

The other young nobles' faces hardened at his unthinking criticism.

They exchanged glances, wondering if they should intervene, but no one dared to step forward.

Feeling their tacit approval, Alphonse shouted confidently.

"Am I wrong? If Duke Schuetz truly cherished his son, he would have given him a proper education."

"…"

"He would have arranged a proper marriage with a reputable family, not with a lowly orphan—"

Thud!

Suddenly, the view changed with a dull sound.

Thump!

The ballroom ceiling filled his vision as he fell flat on his back like a drunk.

Soon, excruciating pain followed. It seemed he had been kicked and fell.

'W-When did he...!'

He hadn't felt any movement!

Alphonse scrambled to his feet, feeling the floor with his hands.

Damian looked down at him with a cold gaze.

Alphonse's body stiffened.

It was the look of a hunter about to slaughter his prey.

"…You're not even human."

The boy's words from earlier echoed in his ears.

He realized too late.

Sometimes, hunters let their prey go as a warning.

He should have run then. The second attack wouldn't happen.

"Y-Your Highness… Shouldn't we talk first?"

He took a step back, but the polished floor slipped under his sweaty hands.

Damian looked down at him calmly.

He had experienced something similar before.

When Baron Salome slandered Ellie, Damian had poured hot tea on him without hesitation.

Thanks to that, they uncovered Salome and Vintia's plot.

However, the duke had called Damian aside and said,

"I won't allow you to fight recklessly. Public opinion could turn against you."

Damian knew this.

But he couldn't stand by and watch anyone who hurt Ellie. That was all.

Still, Damian nodded obediently.

The duke was the only adult he trusted.

"—Of course, this applies only to humans."

Damian looked up at the duke's words.

"If it's a creature worse than an animal, it's fine to kill it. Class dismissed. You can go now."

"Y-Your Grace! What are you saying!"

Ante, the duke's aide, tried to intervene, but the duke looked indifferent.

At that moment, Damian blinked in confusion.

And today,

"Hey, son."

Before leaving for the palace, the duke called Damian aside and said,

"The palace is full of things that aren't human."

"…"

"My teachings are accurate."

If Ante had heard this, he would have been shocked, but he didn't even blink.

"Do you remember what I said when we first met?"

"…You said I would return to my rightful place."

"Yes, that's right."

His frowning face and downward gaze were more terrifying than ever.

"If you lose your spirit, Ellie will lose her strength. There's nothing more useless than a husband who isn't proud."

"…"

"Isn't a son-in-law's love for his father-in-law natural? I have to care too."

His gruff voice added to the effect.

Other children might have burst into tears, but Damian didn't.

"Stay strong."

"…"

"You don't need to care about others' opinions. You're just reclaiming your rightful place."

He could feel the affection in the duke's voice.

"Come back safely."

So, Damian couldn't help but smile.

'The duke is right.'

The palace was full of things worse than animals.

They schemed and plotted to tear each other apart.

If the target had been him, he wouldn't have stepped forward. He didn't even care about others' opinions.

'But Ellie...'

Ellie was not someone to be spoken of lightly.

As Damian's face turned cold, Alphonse's mouth opened and closed.

"Your Highness, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Let's talk—!"

Then, Alphonse fell silent, gasping for breath.

Behind the small boy, blue aura swirled.

Even a seasoned knight couldn't easily control aura.

But this boy emitted aura without even holding a sword.

This was a level only achieved by those who had reached a certain realm.

'How can such a young child...!'

Alphonse's face turned pale.

"My father said—"

A thin, cold voice slipped through his lips.

"Creatures worse than animals should not be left alone."

Then, a sound like a beast's cry echoed.

* * *

In a corner of the palace, a small commotion was heard.

"I told you, I don't know."

A servant sighed.

Philip, who served the Empress's palace, was speaking.

"What gem are you talking about? I've never seen it."

His posture was so slanted it was almost disrespectful, but it looked natural.

The reason was the First Prince, Fabian, standing in front of him.

Philip, who served the Empress's palace, had no obligation to be kind to Fabian, the son of the deceased empress.

'Already busy with debutante preparations, and now this...'

Fabian often asked the servants of the Empress's palace or the Second Prince's palace about lost items.

'How many times has this happened? He should take care of his own things.'

"I'm sorry, but I'm busy, so I'll be going now."

"I'm not asking you to find it. I just want to know if you've seen the Second Prince with it—"

"Why don't you ask the Second Prince directly?"

Fabian shut his mouth.

He already knew Matteo had taken it. If he could ask directly, he would have done so long ago.

But Matteo wouldn't return his mother's keepsake