Chapter 103
A silhouette was moving silently on the roof of a building in the spacious Imperial Palace compound. The silhouette was moving lightly as if ridiculing the patrolling knights of the Imperial Palace. Finally, the silhouette arrived on the roof of a certain desolate building.
Hwing.
The building was tall, and the cold breeze struck their face. Of course, the face hidden beneath the dark hood of the robe they were in was imperceptible because there was nothing else illuminating the roof other than moonlight.
- Aim for the moment when he is dancing and drunk in the mood. You only have one chance, and if you fail...
A voice hummed in their head, and the figure burrowed their frigid fingers deep into their pockets. Their fingertips remained cold even though they were deep in his pockets, and the sensation of coldness, which had become more familiar than anything else, reminded him that he was still alive.
“So I’m still alive…”
The ambiguous voice of the figure echoed.
The figure seemed to be contemplating deeply.
The birthday banquet would be a horrific event filled with screams rather than cheers.
Amidst the dreary darkness, two blue eyes could be seen shining calmly beneath the hood.
***
Many noblemen complimented Charles’ appearance, but Charles was already feeling nauseous even though she had just arrived at the banquet hall. Everyone was staring at her, and she knew that they were talking about her family.
After all, the Pontier Family was currently in decline. Their prestige brought about by her father as one of the five dukes of the Avalon Empire seemed like a joke now.
‘I can’t run away. This is for my father, so I have to be brave. My father is having it worse than me.’
Charles bit her lower lip and started moving confidently into the throng shortly afterward.
The center of the banquet hall was particularly boisterous.
“Who does she think she is? Her family is in decline, yet she still has the face to dance?” Natasha mumbled. It seemed that she didn’t like how Lady Charles immediately stole the spotlight just as she arrived.
Natasha purposely spoke a bit louder, and she covered her mouth and giggled before saying once more, "Hehe, Duke Pontier must have much burdens to worry about. Perhaps Lady Charles should render some help.”
Natasha nudged the man next to her.
“...”
Charles noticed the gaze of a young man who looked like an inverted triangle, and she stared menacingly in the latter’s direction.
The son of Marquis Crombell, Gehog, returned Charles’ stare in kind and stared at her menacingly.
‘What’s her deal?’?he thought.
Gehog’s expression turned ugly as he turned to look at Natasha. Natasha shrugged, seemingly astonished.
At that, Gehog frowned, but his eyes gleamed brightly afterward.
“She must be here to show everyone that her family is still standing strong. The moment she showed any weakness, their reputation will be swallowed whole.” Gehog commented.
“My goodness,” exclaimed Natasha, as she deliberately covered her mouth with a hand and feigned a look of astonishment.
Gehog made a sidelong glance at Natasha before looking at Charles once more.
“She has grown prettier since the last time I saw her.”
Gehog flashed a sleazy smile similar to that of the ‘polite’ Pigge earlier.
“She’s like a trophy, and seeing that face, I want to ravish her completely.”
Gehog was lost in thought as he watched Charles come close and closer to them.
However, a fat man approached Charles before she could come close to the center of the banquet hall.
“Hello?”
Charles turned toward the source of the voice.
Pigge had only been greeting nobles for obvious reasons, and he had a pleasant smile as he said, “I am Count Shibre's eldest son, Pigge set Shibre.”
“Ah, Count Shibre’s son.” Charles nodded. She looked as if she understood.
It was critical to keep one's eyes wide open and read the currents around in the current family scenario, which was no different than war.
Charles knew that her family’s situation was akin to being in a war, so she knew that she had to keep her ear to the ground. She had to know which powerful noble family could become their friends. She had no other choice, she had to do so for their survival.
As such, Charles gracefully lifted the hem of her dress.
“I am Charles di Pontier. It’s a pleasure to meet the son of the illustrious Count Shibre.”
Pigge's grin widened at Charles’ introduction.
The way Charles moved made her look like she wasn’t the young lady of a declining duchy.
Each and every move she made displayed grace, and when it was paired with her stunning looks, it rendered everyone speechless. Every man's eyes were on her.
‘Even if a rich man goes poor, he probably still has food to last for three years. A duke family does live up to their name.’
Pigge secretly squeezed his fists hidden in his sleeves as his heart madly pounded against his chest. Possessiveness and lust emerged from the depths of his soul.
‘I want this woman to be mine.’
It was a completely different kind of emotion compared to what he felt when he saw Natasha.
Right now, he was being urged by his body rather than his family.
‘I want to see how the men here will react, and she’s quite pretty and suitable as a concubine.’
Pigge instantly brushed his thoughts aside. He smiled and said, “Rumor has it that the daughter of Duke Pontier is one of the top three beauties in the empire. It seems the rumor wasn’t just a rumor, after all.” Pigge let out a somewhat eerie laugh with sparkling eyes before continuing. “By the way, I’m sure you’re hurting. I mean, considering your family’s situation and all that.”
At that, Charles imperceptibly trembled. However, she maintained her poker face and responded with a smile, “Thank you for your worries, Young Master Pigge. Yes, as you said, we’re in a dire situation, but I know that it will be resolved soon.”
“Aaah,” Pigge exclaimed. The glow in his eyes became a bit brighter just then. It was all because he noticed Charles' sight glancing in the direction of the banquet hall’s center. No, more specifically, she glanced at Marquis Crombell’s son—-Gehog.
With a grin, Pigge stared at Gehog as well and whispered to Charles, “If you’re planning to do it that way, then I can assist you.”
“Yes?” asked Charles with wide eyes.
Pigge continued in a low voice. “It’s just as I said. My family just recently uncovered heaps and heaps of mana stones. That means money—the most crucial thing in a war. Between your family and my family, who knows what we could achieve?”
Pigge actually said something profound despite his ulterior motives.
With that, the bait had been set.
The Pontier Family would definitely find it hard to refuse his suggestion.
There was a high chance that she wouldn’t turn him down.
No—Pigge was a hundred percent confident that she would agree.
‘My share of the mana stones is only ten percent, but it should be enough. The Pontier Family will slowly recover as well after securing a highly profitable business. If the Crombell Family finds trouble with us, we can just let them have a minor share of the pie too.’?
Pigge briefly revealed a malicious smile. Afterward, he stared at Charles, who kept her mouth shut.
“Would you please allow me to accompany you, Young Lady?”
“That’s…” Charles let out a little sigh after briefly staring at Pigge’s hand.
“Thank you for the thought but… I’m afraid I have to decline.”
“Yes?” asked Pigge. He seemed both confused and doubtful.
“Money is very important, but our family has more problems than that. I don’t want to trouble the Shibre Family as well and cause any unnecessary losses.” Charles sighed and bowed once again.
She seemed unbothered by the fact that Pigge’s nobility rank was technically lower than hers because she still spoke politely to him.
“I appreciate Young Master Pigge’s thoughts.”
“...”
At that, Pigge's expression slowly distorted as he stared blankly at Charles with his jaws shut.
Charles’ voice repeatedly rang in his ears, and he couldn’t hear anything other than her rejection.
As such, Pigge's inferiority complex finally reared its head.
“Are you unaware of your situation, or are you simply too prideful to face reality?”
Pigge’s voice sounded like the buzzing of a mosquito, but it pierced Charles' ears. After all, she was standing directly in front of him.
“What did… you just say?” asked Charles, seemingly astonished.
“I said that you’re much too prideful for a woman in a dying family.”
“...!” Charles' eyes widened.
“You’re shocked? I finally understand why the Pontier Family is declining. It's all because they have a daughter like you.”
“Don’t you dare talk to me like that!” Charles shouted.
Pigge swept his gaze around the banquet hall and eerily smirked, “It should be you who shouldn’t talk to me like that, Lady Charles. After all, no one will help you here.”
“What are you…”
Charles stared straight at Pigge, and the latter explained, “No one here wants to offend Marquis Crombell, so none of them will dare to talk to you. I’ve also heard that your family has lost more than seventy percent of their commercial districts, right? Don’t forget that money is what brought you here, and your father’s only talented with money. Unfortunately, your father’s talent has gone to the dogs, and what can you even do? You’re much too arrogant and prideful for someone who has practically nothing to boast about.”
Charles clenched her fists so tightly that her nails were driven into her palms.
She wanted to retort, but she had no idea what to say.
After all, Pigge was stating facts.
‘But I can’t show them any weakness...’
As such, she pushed it down. She pushed down the tears welling in her eyelids, she had to tolerate it and endure.
After all, she was the eldest daughter of Duke Pontier, Charles di Pontier.
“Now, make a wise decision and take my hand. Not many people would be willing to help you, Lady Charles,” said Pigge with a smirk. He extended his hand once more.
Gehog had been intently observing the situation from a distance, and he chuckled at Pigge’s words and actions.
“This is fun… Hey, dance with me for a while.”
“I will grant you the honor of touching me because you’re the great Crombell’s son.”
Natasha grabbed Gehog's hand and chuckled as if she was having a great time.
Meanwhile, Charles slowly raised her head while trembling all over.
“I—” she started.
However, a high-pitched shout exploded from a corner of the banquet hall just as everyone’s gazes landed on Charles.
“You—it’s him!”
“Hey, Senna! Why are you shouting?” A young lady from a viscount family stared at Senna with a puzzled look.
However, she noticed that Senna was looking somewhere else.
Senna raised a quivering finger and pointed while ignoring her.
“It’s him…”
“Who the hell are you talking about?”
Everyone turned and followed Senna’s finger.
“Ah!”
Immediately afterward, they exclaimed.
There stood a young man over 180 cm tall with a body that looked like the gods themselves had sculpted him. His hair was in a rare dark blue color that looked practically black, and it harmonized with his deep dark blue eyes that seemed darker than the abyss. His pointed nose and sharp features aroused images of the goddess of beauty, and he was truly more attractive than any man Senna had ever seen.
The young man eventually arrived in front of Charles and Pigge, who shared the same blank expression as the rest of the crowd.
“You are...”
“Lady Charles di Pontier.”
“Yes?”
Charles stared at the young man's face in awe as a deep voice that complemented his features came out of the young man’s mouth.
“Will you grant me the privilege of dancing with you?”
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