Chapter 14
"Hm hm..."
"N-no... we didn't say much."
"We were just talking for a little while."
The noble ladies, conscious of Brillie, slowly backed away.
Brillie approached Alter with a gentle smile on her lips.
Then, sticking close to Alter's side, she merely shot them a cold glance.
"My fiancé is attending this gathering for the first time, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't put any pressure on him. You understand how I feel, don't you?"
"Of course. It can be tough if it's your first time."
"Looks like we were a bit too talkative."
"Th-then, perhaps we should give you two some space?"
The noble ladies quickly vanished, following the now-chilly atmosphere.
Only then did Brillie relax and check Alter's condition.
"Are you okay? You're not having a hard time or anything, are you?"
"I'm fine. I'm just sitting here, after all."
"If you feel unwell, tell me. We'll go back right away."
In truth, Brillie hadn't wanted to bring Alter to a social gathering.
He would have to interact with many people at once and be exposed to a chaotic environment.
That could make Alter uncomfortable or suddenly worsen his health.
She had simply respected his wishes because Alter himself had said he wanted to participate.
'It's not easy. The chatter from all sides makes it hard to stay focused.'
Of course, Alter had expected the atmosphere at a social gathering to some extent.
But theory and practice were worlds apart, and it wasn't easy to adjust to such a strange environment.
He could only relieve the pressure with someone like Lang or Brillie at his side.
'But if I don't do this much, I'll never get to meet the crown prince.'
Most of the noble ladies paid great attention to the crown prince, but Brillie didn't even glance at him.
Because of that, until about the middle of the story, Brillie and the crown prince could not become involved in any way.
He needed to prepare like this in advance to raise the odds of encountering the crown prince.
'All I can do here is...'
"The crown prince is entering!"
At the sudden announcement, the hubbub in the banquet hall faded to silence.
No one moved; all eyes were fixed on the hall's main entrance.
After a moment, the sound of armor clinking echoed in, and the escort knights began to walk in first.
"Show your respect to His Highness, the crown prince!"
As the call rang out again, the nobles bowed their heads in unison.
Most of the escorting knights lined up near the entrance, but among them, the select elite strode in confidently.
A man draped in a splendid cloak led the elite knights and came to a slow halt.
"I wonder if I've been disrupting your enjoyment."
The crown prince of the Agnes Empire, Velder Root Celestion, scanned his surroundings and murmured coldly.
Originally, it was customary to give advance notice to the host before arriving at a social event, but this time, he decided to attend on a whim.
But no matter where he went, an escort always followed, so the end result wasn't much different.
"Ah... not at all, Your Highness. We are honored by your presence. Please, enjoy yourself as much as you like."
"I shall. I'd like to be alone for a while."
"Yes, I will arrange a space for you right away."
The host replied politely and hurriedly called over the butler and maids.
The crown prince was a guest among guests, someone who could elevate the entire gathering just by attending.
But since he'd said he wanted to be alone, an appropriate and private space needed to be set aside for him.
"... I seem to have spoiled the mood. All the food and drink here today are on me. Please enjoy them to your heart's content."
Velder spoke dryly and stepped forward.
To bear the imperial blood meant he had to display generosity befitting that status.
Of course, all the funds would come from the imperial family, but for the crown prince, it was only natural.
'It's about time I found a spouse. Wouldn't a political marriage just be boring?'
Velder took his seat at the table, showing no hint of unease.
The escort knights stood quietly behind him.
The attendant who served Velder distanced himself, awaiting further orders.
'Looks aside, I wish she'd be a bit bolder.'
Velder had already investigated several potential crown princess candidates.
But none had appealed to him, and he'd even refused noble ladies recommended by the emperor on the spot.
Since there was still time, he intended to look around more and find a woman who could truly become his partner.
'They're all too much the same. Shouldn't someone try to be a little different?'
A maid serving at the event approached Velder's attendant with a tray.
The attendant poured wine into a prepared glass and discreetly took a sip.
In case someone tried to poison the crown prince, it was standard for the attendant to taste it first.
'The social world is so insincere and hollow. How am I supposed to do anything in this kind of place?'
The attendant accepted the tray and set a glass in front of Velder.
Then, gracefully, he took the bottle and began to pour.
Velder gazed down at the moderately filled glass, then picked it up with care.
'It's the same no matter whom I marry... hmm?'
As Velder tilted his glass, something caught his eye.
White hair neatly tied back, delicate eyes traced along fine skin.
Nobles gathered around, and even the next Swordmaster was standing by this person's side.
"... Chamberlain."
"You called, Your Highness?"
The crown prince's personal chamberlain glided over and bowed.
The personal chamberlains served only the crown prince, upholding his dignity at all times, and performed only tasks relating to him.
They followed the crown prince's orders faithfully—and, if need be, would give their lives for him.
"Who is that noble over there?"
"Which noble do you mean...?"
"The young man with white hair and an elegant appearance... or maybe I should call him a boy?"
"Hmm..."
The chamberlain found the noble Velder indicated, but couldn't answer right away.
Highly ranked or famous nobles were easily recognizable, but anyone else required checking the guest list.
On top of that, he had a rather unfamiliar look, so perhaps he was a noble from outside the capital.
"You don't know?"
"My apologies. I will find out immediately."
"Hmm... that is strange. With a face like that, it's hard to believe I wouldn't know him."
Velder watched the young man, curiosity gnawing at him.
With such remarkable looks, anyone's name would get around.
But if even the chamberlain didn't recognize him, he must truly be making his debut in High Society tonight.
"The next Swordmaster is clear, but... who is that lady in formal dress beside them?"
"That is Brillie Illenat, the second daughter of the Illenat dukedom."
"Illenat? Ah, right. They did say that side's young lady wields a sword."
Velder belatedly recalled the name and looked toward Brillie.
Such a beautiful lady was showing her prowess as both knight and swordswoman.
It was something he usually paid little mind to, but now, he found himself growing interested.
"... Ah! I think I know who that noble is now. He must be Alter Radiant, the youngest son of the Radiant Grand Duchy."
"Radiant... isn't that the family of the Northern Grand Duke?"
"That is correct."
"What is a child of the grand duke's house doing all the way out here?"
"I am told he is engaged to the second daughter of the Illenat family."
"So that's why those two are together?"
"Yes. They are promised to be wed."
Upon hearing this, Velder felt an odd curiosity take root.
Political marriages between noble houses were common enough, but for a grand ducal house and a ducal house to unite was quite rare.
Moreover, Alter Radiant's appearance was so striking it was impossible to look away.
"Bring that noble to me. I wish to speak with him personally."
"As you command."
The chamberlain bowed lightly and left.
Velder watched Alter for a while, then took another sip of his wine.
'It would be a waste to leave a face like that unattended. I want him by my side.'
* * *
Alter tried to answer the crown prince's summons alone.
However, Brillie cited his health issues and insisted on following immediately.
The chamberlain, though at a loss, reluctantly led both of them to the crown prince.
"... I called for just one young lord, but a beautiful lady has come with him."
Velder looked at Alter and Brillie and murmured indifferently.
There must have been a reason for coming together.
Besides, he couldn't treat Duke Illenat's daughter carelessly, so it seemed only right to allow her to remain.
"My fiancé is weak and I cannot leave him alone. I think it's only right for me to stay with him."
"Ah, is that so. In that case, I'll heed your advice, my lady."
Velder didn't argue and offered them seats.
If she was concerned for her fiancé, that alone was reason enough to make allowances.
On top of that, her tone and presence were so bold that he found himself growing fond of her.
"I'd like you to remain just as you are for a moment."
As soon as the two took their seats, Velder stood up at once.
Then, approaching Alter, he began to inspect him carefully.
Alter didn't understand the action, but for now, had no choice but to sit quietly.
"Hmm... You said you were 18?"
"Ah... yes."
"You look much younger for someone who's 18."
"I hear that a lot."
"How poor is your health?"
"It's quite bad. If I push myself, I could get severely injured."
"That bad? Then it must be difficult even to go out."
"Yes. Thanks to my fiancé accompanying me, I am able to get around a little easier."
Alter answered calmly and cautiously looked up at Velder.
Golden hair lustrous with color, eyes a highly restrained pale green, a dignified yet emotionless impression.
He certainly fit the definition of a handsome man, and from his speech and bearing, an air of solemn authority radiated.
"That's a shame. I was thinking of appointing you as a royal attendant."
To be appointed as a royal attendant, one had to prove both noble blood and personal qualifications.
The basic requirement was to be from a count's house or higher, and to possess both suitable looks and professional abilities.
Most important of all was that only trustworthy nobles could fill such a role, after a series of rigorous screenings.
"That would be far too much for me. In this state, I'd only inconvenience Your Highness."
"That's exactly why it's a pity. It's someone like you who ought to serve by my side."
"...?"
Alter found Velder's statement odd, but couldn't bring himself to ask further.
People often praised his looks, but to Alter himself, he just looked pale and unwell.
If he showed up in the imperial house looking like this, he would probably get harshly rebuked.
"Still, I have no intent of forcing you. Even as the crown prince, I wouldn't trouble the grand duke's child."
"I am honored by your consideration."
"You probably can't drink... and there must be many foods you can't eat, too?"
"Just as you say. If I eat the wrong thing, I could get sick, couldn't I?"
"You must get tired easily. I wish you a swift recovery."
"Even saying so means a great deal. Thank you."
Only then did Velder step away from Alter and return to his seat.
He'd heard Alter's situation, but he still couldn't help feeling it was a shame.
Brillie, too, seemed quite bold and he wanted somehow to draw her into his circle.
'I find them both pleasing. Is there no way I can keep them by my side?'
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Does the crown prince swing the other way?
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】