Chapter 96: [Chapter 096] Visitors
*Noticed*
- The translation isn't accurate and the language used is considered informal or "messy".
Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.
- It's recommended to add this to your reading list to stay updated.
- Readers are encouraged to support the original creators by purchasing the official version when it's available.
- There are links provided to support the translator financially.
- Readers are asked to enjoy the fan translation quietly and avoid causing any trouble or seeking attention.
That's all, happy reading everyone!
*********************************************
"Just in time, I heard that Epero and Victor came to visit."
I ignored Roardnes's expression, which suddenly turned sour, and allowed them to visit.
"How strange it is to see my bodyguard more difficult to meet than His Majesty the Emperor. Should I say thank you for showing your precious face?"
"Are you alright? How is your body?"
Their appearance was quite a spectacle.
A huge bouquet of flowers and several jewel boxes, which were clearly not Epero's own opinion, were passed from the hands of the knights who were escorting them to Steward Noh.
"Thank you for coming all this way. I actually have something to ask you."
"Do you usually make your bodyguard do errands?"
"Epero."
Roardnes, who was standing behind me, called his name as a warning at Epero's words, which were full of malice.
Epero looked as dejected as a puppy with its tail between its legs, but soon raised his nose and followed me into the reception room.
Victor looked around the reception room.
"What is your request? I don't want to work hard since I'm in my homeland for the first time in a long time."
I showed Epero the list of words that Roardnes had extracted from Blier's diary.
Epero, who had frowned for a moment, read it with his eyes held high and burst out laughing.
"If you want to study a foreign language, ask the prince."
Of course, I didn't care which one, so I immediately turned my attention to Victor. Unlike Epero, Victor took the list directly and buried his nose in it, reading it diligently.
"...Epero, come here."
Roardnes's cold voice pierced Epero, who was lounging lazily in a chair and scanning me up and down.
Epero, with a startled expression, straightened his back and walked over to Roardnes, who was leaning casually against the doorway of the reception room.
****
Epero had his own grievances.
The woman's voice, promising to let him stay in Ronta, had haunted him for days.
When he immediately reported it to his mother, Empress Grace, she was surprised but also frightened.
Epero felt his heart soften as he saw Blier wiping the sweat from her forehead, but he couldn't bear to look kindly upon the woman who had filled his mother and himself with anxiety.
However, as soon as he made eye contact with Roardnes in front of him, his mouth shut tight.
Roardnes was looking down at him from his slanted position, just as he had when he warned him not to be rude.
"I would appreciate it if you could explain the meaning of this Elacon language or its name."
"The name of an herb. That's all. Is that right, you?"
"...Yes. It will help if I know what this is."
Hearing Blier and Victor whispering, Epero complained to Roardnes.
"Aren't you trusting that lady too much, brother?"
Epero spoke lightly, but he meant it.
Standing at the door with Roardnes, he watched Victor and the noblewoman having a serious conversation inside the reception room and twisted his lips.
He and Victor had come here after being rejected many times. Because of Roardnes, who was stubbornly acting as a protector.
He had also heard the news from Ronta and knew about the scandal between his brother and the noblewoman.
"I don't think it's normal for that lady to be looking for strange medicines. Brother, you should be careful..."
"Just do as you're told, Epero."
"..."
Roardnes's face was full of worry as he cut off his words decisively.
Epero felt a sense of resentment, as if the woman had taken away the affection his brother had never given him properly.
"If you behave yourself and cooperate with the lady, I will also help you stay here."
How could Roardnes say such a thing!
"...Even if it goes against His Highness the Crown Prince's will?"
"..."
Roardnes's closed lips, which never left Blier's gaze, were the answer itself.
The belief that a noblewoman he had never seen before could allow him to stay here, unlike Roardnes's promise to help, gave him a completely different level of confidence.
Epero suppressed his overwhelming heart and guessed that Roardnes, who had always prioritized the Crown Prince Bardednal, had changed slightly due to this woman's incident.
As soon as Victor and Blier finished their secret plotting, Epero pulled Victor to leave.
Blier, who seemed quite satisfied with her conversation with Victor, came out to see them off despite her ill health.
"We'll have to pretend to be friendly for now, Madam. Even if it's because I'm afraid of my brother."
Epero spoke in a half-joking tone, clearly conscious of Roardnes who was standing a little distance away.
Blier opened her eyes wide and nodded with a faint smile. Epero soon lowered his voice.
"But Madam, you should clearly distinguish between friends and enemies. My enemy is the Crown Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince whom you serve."
It was a sarcastic remark intended to mock Blier's ambiguous behavior of maintaining superficial friendships, but instead of being taken aback by his words, Blier grabbed her aching side and laughed.
Her thin shoulders trembled slightly as if she were trying hard to hold back her laughter, and Blier held out her hand to Epero.
Epero, who had inadvertently taken her hand, was drawn towards her as she gradually pulled him towards her.
"My goal isn't just to make my lord a friend, Your Highness."
"?"
"I told you that I wanted to distinguish between enemies and friends. If Your Highness becomes my friend instead of my enemy, who knows? I might be able to eliminate Your Highness's enemies."
What a suspicious woman.
Epero's body stiffened at her nonchalant statement about possibly eliminating his lord, and he stood there for a long time even after Blier had moved away.
That seemed to upset Roardnes, and he was soon chased out of the Count's residence.
****
The second visitor was Noura Jusetta.
As soon as Noura saw Roardnes, she stiffened and bowed her head deeply.
Since I had a lot to ask Noura, I sent Roardnes out of the reception room.
When I urged him to leave, a slightly resentful look appeared on Roardnes' face, but that was all.
Noura watched us bickering at the door of the reception room with a strange look, but as soon as I sat down in front of her, she changed her expression as if nothing had happened.
"Her Highness the Crown Princess sent me to check on you personally."
Noura didn't waste time on useless talk. I mean, nothing like polite greetings that weren't sincere from Doris.
"Unfortunately, because of the carriage accident on the day of the wedding with His Highness the Crown Prince, Her Highness is in a bad mood."
How could she be upset when she was the one who caused it?
"What does that have to do with the wedding day?"
"His Highness was so worried about you that he postponed the wedding."
Noura checked my complexion and wetted her dry lips with her tongue.
"Things are developing strangely. People are starting to say that the attack on you, Madam, is actually related to the missing woman case."
"What?"
I asked in bewilderment. Wasn't this case already closed with Noevian Trovica being named as the suspect?
"Since it happened in the middle of the capital in the early evening, some people might think so. There are some similarities, aren't there? The middle of the capital, a woman, missing, words like that. The more interesting thing is that His Highness the Crown Prince has fueled those doubts."
"His Highness?"
"As if he had been waiting for it, he declared a state of emergency and postponed the wedding for more than a week."
While saying it was interesting, Noura looked sick. Even without seeing her, I could imagine how upset Doris was, who usually showed her emotions to Noura without any filter.
But as soon as I heard those words, I couldn't help but scoff.
If I had died that day, wouldn't it have been a perfect night for Doris?
She would have gotten rid of the troublesome Blier Acacia and had the long-awaited wedding with the Crown Prince.
But since I'm alive and the wedding with the Crown Prince has been canceled, how angry she must be.
'It's like she's fallen into her own trap.'
Noura watched my face as I smiled.
"But what's strange is that people are even saying that the missing woman case might actually have a different culprit. Some people are worried that the Duke was accused too hastily and given an excessive punishment that was tantamount to exile."
"Well, I guess that's possible. He was suddenly banished to the north."
"So, I heard that His Majesty the Emperor also recognizes the seriousness of the matter and plans to summon Duke Noevian to the upcoming Emperor's birthday celebration and see him in person."
I stiffened at the sudden mention of Noevian.
"So, if you were planning to attend the birthday celebration, you should probably take it easy this time, Madam."
Noura advised me with a slightly worried look.
I felt a tingling sensation in my hands and feet.
Clenching and unclenching my fists, I felt a twinge in my side and smiled at Noura, as if to say I was okay.
"Thank you. But I definitely plan to attend His Majesty the Emperor's birthday celebration."
****
The attempted kidnapping of Adrien took a new turn.
Rumors about Noevian Trovika being behind the missing women cases had subsided, and a new rumor began to circulate that it was actually Roardnes's scheme to eliminate his uncle.
Although the Emperor dismissed it as nonsense, due to his accumulated image, some people even spread rumors that Roardnes had to drink the blood of women because he couldn't drink the blood of monsters on the battlefield.
This was especially true because he had been showing his face more often in recent months, and his handsome appearance had become widely known.
The rumor was that the secret to having such a beautiful appearance, even for a man, was the blood of women.
It was a ridiculous rumor that wasn't even funny, but the problem was that some people actually believed it.
This was especially true for the common people, who saw Roardnes as a royal family member with a terrifying image associated with monsters.
Roardnes himself was so used to these rumors that he didn't care, which made Adrien even more upset.
Regardless of the situation outside, he focused on nursing her, repeating Adrien's words that she wanted to get closer to him.
And so, the day of the Emperor's birthday celebration, the biggest annual event in the Empire of Ronta, arrived.
***********************************************
Cheer me on 😍🤗🤩!!!!!!!!
Your votes, comments, and treats will really motivate me. You can treat me via
Trakteer: trakteer.id/gurujadul/tip
Saweria: saweria.co/ibuibujadoel
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/guru_jadul