Cecil, who had taken a seat in the corner of the reception room, expressed his misery with his whole body.
Though Arthur and Rene did their best to comfort him, his crushed self-esteem, shattered by a single word and a sneer, was not something that could be easily rebuilt.
Even after he had put his clothes back on, the confidence and arrogance that had once defined him were nowhere to be found.
<Lucy, you might not understand since you're a woman, but the issue of size is a very sensitive topic for men.>
I know that too!? I’ve only been a woman for a year! How could I not know how much a comment about size can hurt!?
<So this is entirely your fault.>
‘You think I wanted to talk about someone else’s... that!?’
I definitely thought that to myself! But that was as far as it went!
I swear I never intended to talk about anyone’s sensitive areas!
No, seriously. Who talks about something like that, about their private parts, out of nowhere!?
I might be losing myself to the Mesugaki skill, but I still have common sense!
I wouldn’t say something inappropriate without any ill intentions!
From my point of view, this whole situation is an accident! An accident!
‘Anyway, it’s not even that small!’
I only saw the silhouette, but I still had enough confidence to think it wasn’t bad! Why is he suddenly so insecure!?
<...How do you know about size? >
Oh no! I made a slip-up!
“Let’s move on and stop talking about Prince Peanut.”
As soon as I tried to change the subject, another disaster unfolded.
I didn’t expect my nickname for him to catch on!
"...Brother, hand me the sword."
"Little brother! Calm down...!"
"Small? Me?"
"That's not what I meant! And why would you say you’re small?!"
“This is right. Little brother, the only small thing here is that kid, not you.”
“Do we really have to keep talking about this!? Can we stop now!?”
Joey, blushing furiously, screamed, and the men awkwardly cleared their throats as they returned to their original positions.
Seemingly angry, Cecil continued to glare at me, but I deliberately avoided his gaze.
Even though I wasn’t sure I’d lose, it wasn’t right for me to destroy him after I made the mistake in the first place.
It was a slip of the tongue, but if I started throwing punches, I’d really be the villain here!
“Anyway, so what about—”
“Alright, let’s leave the employer alone. Prince Rene, did you visit the Kurten family?”
Karya naturally shut my mouth and took the lead in the conversation.
“Yes. The Kurten family is nominally part of the 1st Queen’s faction, but they’re closer to being neutral. There’s room to persuade them depending on the circumstances.”
It’s true that they aren’t as much a part of the 1st Queen’s faction as they are supporters of the late king.
Compared to the other noble houses that have placed their future on Rene, they are much more open to persuasion.
If we can convince the Duke of Kurten that the king’s corpse is being used for the 1st Queen’s ambitions, he would be more than willing to rebel.
"And the Duke of Kurten has an interesting hobby. There’s no worry about being rejected at his door."
If it's a hobby...
"Is it gambling?"
Joey cautiously asked, and Cecil nodded.
"Doesn’t matter what it takes. He says, put whatever you have on the line and fight. If you win, he’ll give you what you desire."
A classic line from a gambling manga villain, but the difference with the Duke of Kurten is that he accepts defeat. He’s an aristocrat who values honor despite his strange beliefs.
“I heard only a few have won in that gambling game.”
“I know. I never intended to win. I just went first to leave the rest to my brother.”
Cecil had lost as expected but didn’t accomplish his original goal.
He couldn’t find any trace of corruption anywhere.
“As you advised, I tried everything, but it was impossible.”
“I figured as much.”
“Of course, it’s impossible. There’s no corruption there.”
Karya answered the question.
"That guy’s just really lucky."
"Just lucky, but the odds work out like that?"
"And he’s absolutely sure of his luck. That’s why he respects those who beat him at gambling. He believes that unless the great gods are favoring someone, he can’t lose."
This isn’t far from what I know.
Because of this belief, the Duke of Kurten’s treatment of those who beat him in the game was laughable.
Once you hit a certain level of luck or acquire specific skills, it was standard practice to visit him and take some of his possessions.
I’ve always gotten help with that in the game.
"Other strategies? I’ll try to come up with a solution, but this pure luck... that’s hard."
"What’s so hard about it? He’s just an old man who gives away money when you play with him."
And it looks like I’ll be getting help again.
What a great sucker... I mean, Duke.
“I’m going to go have some fun with the Sugar Duke.”
“What?! Wait a minute! Lucy! You might end up like Prince Cecil if you’re not careful!”
“Charging in without thinking is reckless! Lucy Allen!”
“Both of you are right! We need to make a better plan and then move!”
What do they think of the Duke of Kurten?
Even if he is like that, no way would he act that way toward a girl his granddaughter’s age.
Even in the game, I stayed within reasonable limits when playing as a female character.
<You must feel guilty about your mistake, but calm down!>
‘I’m fine, really?’
<My bad! Please forgive me! I’ll rethink it!>
"Lucy! That’s not okay!"
“Listen to this big guy! Do you really want to show your beautiful body to some old man?!”
"Miss!"
"Miss!"
No, it’s fine! Nothing like you’re imagining is going to happen!
You perverted idiots!
[Do not go to the Kurten family.]
Why are you acting like this, too?!
I’m not going to lose in a game of luck!
The Duke of Kurten, who had recently won against Prince Cecil in a bet, smiled as he remembered the prince’s persistent nature.
Even though the heavens had favored this old man, it didn’t mean that what the second prince had shown was meaningless.
In the past, he had been desperate to hide his impatience, but now he had become someone fitting for his position.
It truly was a joyous occasion.
Thanks to that, I ended up doing something childish. I should have refused his offer.
Even if he comes back later, I don’t plan on helping, but I’ll hear him out.
Even if it’s against my beliefs, I can’t just sit by and watch the 1st Queen walk down the wrong path.
Thinking of the 1st Queen from when she was younger, the Duke of Kurten sighed and chuckled as he looked at his reflection in his teacup.
"Duke Kurten! May I ask you something?"
"Come in."
The butler, looking completely flustered, entered the room. It seemed that whatever had happened was more serious than just the princes coming back for another challenge.
"What’s going on?"
"It’s hard to explain. Please look outside the window."
"Outside?"
Following the butler’s words, the Duke turned his head and, upon seeing who was approaching, nearly dropped his teacup.
“Did they declare war on Allen?”
The first to appear was Benedict Allen, whom the Duke considered the strongest knight in the continent, along with his knights.
There weren’t many of them, but they were all formidable.
When Allen’s monsters moved, it could only be compared to the outbreak of war.
"No, you know Sir Allen’s nature."
"Then..."
Karya. I heard she reappeared, but seeing her in person for the first time meant something was calculated behind this.
“What’s this?”
"...They came to stop the young lady of the Allen family."
"What?"
All of Allen’s knights followed them just to stop a single young lady? They didn’t come to threaten with force?
"Isn’t the young lady of Partlan here with the three princes? It’s not a dangerous situation."
"Wait, so the young lady of Allen came to gamble with me, and everyone else followed to stop her from making that decision?"
“Yes. That’s correct.”
"Have I gone senile? Am I hearing things?"
The Duke of Kurten had lived longer than any other among the five dukes of Soladin. He had seen enough to not be easily surprised.
However, even he couldn’t grasp the current situation.
"I guess I’ll have to go out."
"Shall we prepare for battle?"
"No. Forget it. Don’t do anything. If blood is spilled, it will be irreversible."
As the Duke of Kurten emerged with his children and followers, Prince Rene bowed respectfully.
"Sorry for the sudden visit, Duke Kurten."
"It’s no problem. I’m happy to receive interest from a soon-to-be-dead old man. Thanks to you, I’ve gotten to see that child’s face again."
Benedict bowed respectfully in response, but strangely, his gaze was cold.
When have I ever done anything to offend him?
"However, considering the circumstances..."
I don’t know what this is, but assuming he’s holding a grudge...
Why all this pomp and circumstance? Is he trying to threaten the 1st Queen into not acting hastily?
Maybe he's here to pressure others so they can’t change their minds when things go south, or maybe, as originally thought, he came for a show of force.
"I’d appreciate an explanation."
Regardless of what happens, I won’t be easily accommodating.
Kurten respects the strong, but he doesn’t bow to cowards.
"What is it we’re doing?"
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"We came because the Sugar Duke promised to grant us any request if we played with him."
The Duke of Kurten froze with his mouth open.
The Sugar Duke? Is he talking about me?
"Wait! Lucy Allen!"
"Lucy, please listen to me!"
"Lucy! Please!"
"Miss!"
The serious scolding I was getting made me realize what had just happened. Did they really all come just because I stopped a single young lady of Allen!?
"Duke Kurten, it’s been a while."
"...Karya. Could you explain the situation?"
The Duke of Kurten had seen many things throughout his long life, but this was beyond his understanding.
"You sent Prince Cecil out in the nude. After seeing that, the others mistook it as your way of treating all challengers."
"What kind of slander is that! Am I crazy?!"
"I tried to explain, but... it’s been impossible to make them understand."
"Your Highness! Benedict Allen! Young Lady Partlan! Is this really true?!"
The Duke of Kurten shouted in disbelief, and the named individuals quietly stepped back.
"Prince Cecil should’ve explained properly! I tried to stop him!"
"...I’m sorry. I didn’t have a chance to explain."
"I didn’t think that this would lead to such a misunderstanding."
The Duke of Kurten, his face strained, sighed deeply and then invited his guests inside.
"So now, are we supposed to entertain the Sugar Duke as well?"
"Young Lady Allen, what does the title 'Sugar Duke' mean?"
"Well, what do you think it means?"
"I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s a good meaning."