Chapter 72
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 72
Should anything go wrong, the Empire would face an enormous loss—the permanent loss of a family wielding the power of water.
Thus, not only the Emperor and Crown Prince, but numerous nobles had tried to dissuade him from his departure, yet their efforts proved entirely futile.
'Does he have a penchant for inviting trouble upon himself?'
I thought he was truly a man who made life difficult for himself in every conceivable way.
"I appreciate your concern. However, my decision remains unchanged."
"Ahem. Then I shall say no more."
"Yes, thank you. By the way, would it be possible for me to have a private conversation with Lady Belita?"
"Belita, you say?"
Why on earth would he ask that?
I shook my head subtly at my father, ensuring Cain Maxius wouldn't notice.
It was a silent plea for refusal.
"Yes, because I failed to properly conclude the carriage incident, I wish to speak briefly with the lady. Would that be acceptable?"
I felt Cain Maxius's gaze upon me, but I kept my eyes fixed on my father.
"Why would you need to speak privately when you could discuss it here?"
'As expected!'
My father had said the same thing when he returned from the meeting regarding the carriage incident last time.
He mentioned that Cain Maxius had taken his side in the matter, making everything proceed smoothly.
And in doing so, he had even addressed Cain Maxius by his proper name, rather than the dismissive way he usually called him.
So I had worried whether my father's feelings toward Cain Maxius had softened, but he was truly my father after all.
'Of course it wouldn't.'
"...I understand. Then I shall speak here."
Cain Maxius quickly resigned himself and turned to address me.
"Lady Belita, did you interrogate Owen Est that day?"
"Yes, I did."
"What did he say?"
"He claimed to know nothing about the incident."
"I see. Did he say anything else?"
"Well, actually..."
I paused for a moment and glanced around my surroundings.
The music flowing from the instruments and the cacophony of countless conversations within the Banquet Hall created an overwhelming din.
It made it difficult to concentrate on our discussion.
'I dislike being alone with him.'
Yet there was no helping it.
Public matters were public, and private matters were private.
Allowing personal feelings to interfere with my duties was something I could never permit myself to do.
I glanced at him briefly before turning my gaze toward my father.
"Father, Mother, I need to have a word with the Duke. This place is far too noisy for a proper conversation."
"Ahem. Very well. Go ahead."
"Yes. Let's go, Duke."
With my father's permission granted, I decided to lead Cain Maxius to the Terrace.
Just then, members of the Byon Duchy were entering the Banquet Hall.
Byon Duke, Adela,
and....
Aiden Byon.
Adela and Aiden Byon were looking at us.
Aiden Byon looked absolutely magnificent today.
He was so perfect in my eyes that I couldn't even recall what had happened with Adela just moments before.
"Let's go, my lady."
"Ah, yes. Let's."
As Cain Maxius urged me forward, I turned away, pretending not to notice the burning gaze fixed upon me.
Then I entered the empty Terrace with Cain Maxius.
As I stepped onto the Terrace, the cold night air brushed against both my cheeks.
The crisp breeze helped clear my mind just as I was about to lose myself in thoughts of Aiden Byon.
"My lady."
"Yes, so let me continue with what I was saying."
I forced myself to dispel the image of Aiden Byon that kept surfacing in my mind and focused on my conversation with Cain Maxius.
"On the day we interrogated Owen Est, Aiden Byon came by but had to leave early due to other matters."
"Aiden Byon, you say?"
"Yes?"
Ah, the form of address.
That day, Adela had corrected my way of referring to them, so I decided I should no longer address them so casually.
That's why the formal title "Aiden Byon" had naturally slipped from my lips instead.
"Aiden Byon is the correct way to address him, isn't it? Is there a problem?"
I countered his question with an unruffled expression.
"No, you're right. Please continue."
I noticed Cain Maxius's expression brighten pleasantly.
Like someone with keen perception, he seemed to have grasped something.
But whatever Cain Maxius thought no longer mattered to me.
So I simply continued with what I had been saying.
"So I interrogated Owen Est alone, but he suddenly had a seizure and I couldn't continue."
"A seizure?"
"Yes, he thrashed about and then immediately lost consciousness."
"Did you discover the cause of the seizure?"
"No, but there are several suspicious points, so I think I'll need to investigate him further once I return. That's why I've already given some orders to the knights of the Investigation Team."
"I see. I wish I could have helped as well. It must have been difficult for you to manage alone."
Instead of answering, I shrugged my shoulders up and down to indicate disagreement.
"Well, I believe I've said all I needed to say to the Duke, so I'll take my leave."
"Lady Belita."
Just as I was about to step away from the terrace, Cain Maxius called out to me urgently.
"Yes?"
"The reason I joined the Monster Subjugation Force was because of you."
"What? What do you mean?"
I stared at him with bewilderment, asking what he meant.
"I couldn't bear to let you go somewhere out of my sight, especially somewhere so dangerous, all alone."
Even as I listened, I was so exasperated that I found it absurd.
Looking at this man, he seemed to enjoy playing the role of a romantic.
Two years ago, when he confessed his feelings for Adela, he casually handed over the Diamond Mine to me.
And now what?
He's saying he joined for my sake?
Did he really think I'd be delighted to hear such a thing?
"Duke Cain Maxius."
I called out to him with an expressionless gaze, making it clear that I was utterly unmoved by such words.
"Do I appear so weak to you?"
"...No."
"Do I seem like someone who needs to be protected?"
"...No. I simply wish that you wouldn't suffer even a single hair on your head."
"I, like you, am a member of the Byon Duchy. And I am the next head of the House of Fire. I am not so weak that I need someone to protect me."
"I understand. But my feelings—"
"No, if you truly intend to join the Monster Subjugation Force because of me, then please reconsider. If you mean to burden me in such a way."
"That is not my intention. If I've wounded your pride, I apologize."
Cain Maxius apologized to me politely, but I had no desire to accept his apology.
"I'll take my leave now."
I promptly exited the terrace.
Then, glancing around, I quickly found my parents.
My parents were engaged in conversation with other nobles.
I approached where my father and mother stood.
"Mother, Father."
"Belita, have you finished your conversation with the Duke?"
"Yes."
"Belita, do greet this person. This is—"
It was at that moment.
My mother was just about to introduce me to the noble standing before us.
The doors opened, and the herald's commanding voice, which dominated the entire hall, resonated throughout the Banquet Hall.
"His Imperial Majesty Emperor Christian Winston Balteus, the most radiant sun of Balteus and the most noble, has arrived. All present, show your respects to His Majesty!"
It was the announcement of the Emperor's arrival, the host of this grand banquet.
The Banquet Hall fell silent in an instant.
The nobles who had been conversing in small groups ceased their conversations and bowed their heads toward the Emperor.
Following the Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, and several others who appeared to be members of the Imperial Court entered the hall.
All the nobles rose and greeted them with proper courtesy.
As the Emperor took his seat at the head table, the Empress sat beside him, with the Crown Prince and others seated below.
My parents and I took our places and gazed upon the Emperor.
"I am grateful for your presence this evening, gracing this occasion with your distinguished company. Above all, how can the Imperial Court not be moved by your unwavering loyalty to the Empire? Therefore, we cannot remain idle. The Crown Prince shall personally command the Monster Subjugation Force. You must follow the Crown Prince to the Northern Border, rescue the Empire's people, and demonstrate the strength and enduring prosperity of the Balteus Empire to these abominable creatures."
As the Emperor concluded his address, all the nobles rose to their feet and cried out loudly, wishing eternal glory upon the Balteus Empire.
"Long live the Balteus Empire!"
"May the Balteus Empire endure forever!"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org