While preparing for the dinner party, Lilian was examined from various angles regarding her physical condition.
Experts versed in magic and medicine succeeded in officially confirming the existence of a link between Lilian and Damian.
It was a declaration that seemed like an increase in lifespan, but Lilian’s face became worried for some reason.
“What’s wrong?”
Damian, on the other hand, was so full that he wondered how many times he had been this happy in this life.
For Damian, who suffered from being crazy in love, it was very satisfying to be able to die with Lilian.
On the other hand, Lilian loved Damian but she was perfectly normal.
“Don’t you know how terribly weak I am? Realizing that His Highness’ life depended on mine…”
Lilian was afraid. However, Damian didn’t understand Lilian’s fear.
There were things he feared more than her death.
“I don’t really want to survive in a world without you.”
The vassals exchanged resigned glances at the familiar development.
In order to leave this place quickly, Sir Philly hastily explained the rest of the results.
“You don’t have to worry too much about that, Your Highness. As long as there’s a connection with the Grand Duke, Her Highness can escape from the extremely fragile state you used to have.”
Sir Philly, the wizard, could sense it. Unlike before, now, even if they were in the same space, he could feel Damian’s mana being transmitted to Lily in real time.
“Is that possible?”
“I don’t think it makes much sense to discuss whether it’s possible or impossible. Because it’s happening right in front of my eyes.”
It made sense.
Cautious Lilian confirmed one last thing.
“What kind of adverse effect will it have on His Highness…”
“That can’t be, never.”
Sir Philly strongly denied it. Damian was too extraordinary for anything to happen.
“To be honest, compared to the total amount of mana His Highness has, it’s equivalent to pumping a cup of water from the sea. Tier Infinity means that.”
From Sir Philly’s point of view, if someone tried to kill Lilian, there’s a high probability that she wouldn’t die. Immediately, mana will flow from Damian through the link and heal her injuries.
“So you can stop worrying.”
“Even if you say so…I’m still a bit bewildered.”
She honesty is. All Lily felt was slightly better than usual.
But…
“I’m glad we could tie together, wife.”
Damian acted cute with an ecstatic expression.
Seeing him like that, the prudent Lily started to wonder if it wouldn’t be good.
This is a bit like. After thinking about it, Lilian finally found a suitable analogy.
‘I think I know what it feels like to steal a lover’s heart.’
Lilian understood the feelings of possessing a powerful man as a favored concubine. It was a bit inappropriate for such a husband, a powerful person second only to the emperor.
“Since you’re my sweetheart, will you let me into your bedroom?”
Either way, the parties involved were delighted. It was a very Damian-like impression.
***
Soon it was the day of the dinner party.
On the surface, it was a dinner party for the electors hosted by Madam Lilian of Hemenlinna.
Indeed, the Grand Duke and his wife came out to greet the guests.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation. I will guide you to your seat.”
Lilian had only recently appeared on the capital’s social scene, and she greeted the guests with the gentle and calm demeanor she was already known for.
No matter what each of their thoughts were, the electors welcomed Lilian with a smile.
Among them, the curious wive’s gazes would linger on the Grand Duke.
In the banquet hall, a round table was placed instead of the generally used long table.
It seemed to have been arranged in consideration of the fact that the electors, whose relationships weren’t clear, would gather.
“Hm, that’s surprising.”
“Since Madam Hemenlinna is a member of the imperial family, she should be able to occupy the top seat…”
Giving up the right to enjoy it and arranging a round table that gave the feeling of equality to each other as much as possible gave a good impression to the proud electors.
The wives whispered to each other.
“As I’ve heard, the Grand Duchess is no ordinary person.”
“Also resourceful, I heard that His Highness was captured by the new Grand Duchess, doesn’t that seem to be true?”
“I know, right. If it was like the past, what would all these meetings be like? But it wasn’t enough that they invited us, to even come to meet…”
“His Highness said that he did everything he wanted, so indeed.”
The young couple’s gossip was perfect for unwinding the atmosphere among people whose positions were ambiguous.
Thanks to that, it wasn’t very friendly, but the atmosphere was relaxed enough that there’s nothing to be upset while eating.
Around that time, the Grand Duke and his wife, along with the Elector of Ikanan and his wife, who arrived last, entered the banquet hall.
However, when the four people filled the empty seats at the round table, one seat remained.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!”
In an instant, everyone couldn’t believe it as Matteo appeared at the dinner table.
“I meet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Matteo was dressed in a white uniform lined with gold thread. It was modeled after the ceremonial dress that Emperor Idoel most often wore at official events.
The old electors had a gut feeling.
‘It’s intentional.’
Unlike his childhood when he was like a small sun, he was now a prince who subtly gave off a cynical and unsettling impression.
The Crown Prince didn’t prefer to participate in meetings, initiate meetings, or show his presence. Many people withheld their support since he’s not taking the initiative to become Emperor.
Such a person appeared, wearing clothes that reminded them of his deceased father, and even smiling lightly.
It meant only one thing.
The prince had decided to become the emperor.
Elector Castana’s keen eyes looked over his grandson. Seated next to him, the only person who didn’t have a partner at this conjugal gathering – Cedric crossed his arms and thought.
“I see…have you finally made up your mind?”
He received word from his sister in advance, but seeing it in person was surprising.
He seemed to have to move as requested in advance.
Cedric let out a small sigh so that no one would notice.
Matteo sat down in the empty space as if it was natural.
It was a round table with no distinction between the seats of honor, but with Matteo sitting down, it felt like the center of gravity was shifting to that side.
“Thank you all for accepting my invitation.”
If this place had been Matteo’s invitation, some people might not have accepted it.
Responding to the invitation of the Grand Duchess in the presence of the Emperor only gives the impression that they’re ‘weighing the scales’. But it was clear that accepting Matteo’s invitation would mean more than just weighing.
People clicked their tongues.
‘Now that I see it, he’s quite cunning.’
They got hit, but it wasn’t bad. He had the qualities necessary to become an emperor.
“I didn’t know that His Highness the Crown Prince would have something to say after gathering us together.”
“It’s up to you what you say. I just wanted to serve a meal to the people who are working tirelessly for the sake of the empire.”
The skill of giving back generously and cunningly even with somewhat sharp words was really not bad.
The crown prince beckoned, and the attendants began to deliver food. Under the direction of Mrs. Maureen, the Grand Duchess’ kitchen did its best.
“Can this flower be eaten as well?”
“Oh my, it changes color when the sauce is poured.”
An exclamation burst out and the tense atmosphere was relieved. Instead of directly confronting the electors, light conversations such as asking how they were doing began to flow around the wives.
“Anyway, I’m here alone. His Highness the Crown Prince is not the only one.”
No political conversation. Touching sensitive issues should be done after the meal.
Naturally, the arrow became about the Elector of Turin, and also about the empty seat next to him.
Lilian interjected appropriately.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has a fiancee. My older brother doesn’t even have one.”
The young Grand Duchess sighed in self concern, and the older wives burst into laughter.
“Do you use to worry about your little sister like this, Marquis Turin?”
“Today, for Her Highness, we will step out and look. Is there anyone else you have in mind?”
Just teasing for a change of mood.
The attitude of the older women was strangely enthusiastic. The Elector of Turin, to put it in slang terms, was the biggest sale in the current marriage market.
‘It’d be nice if I had a chance to recommend my family’s child.’
‘Even if it’s not necessarily that, it’ll be an interesting topic if you dig up a word or two about the intentions of a person whose insides are hard to understand.’
Pretending not to notice the enthusiastic gaze, Cedric calmly replied.
“I’m still thinking about it. It’s difficult to ignore the maintenance of the predecessors any longer.”
“…!”
The electors forgot their faces and opened their eyes wide.
‘The Elector of Turin intends to find a marriage partner?’
It was a more interesting answer than expected. That lofty perfectionist Elector of Turin, Cedric Islar, was the best groom anyone with a daughter wouldn’t want to miss.
He was an outstanding figure, possessing genius-level swordsmanship belonging to Tier High, and was already an elector.
In addition, the Islar family was rich in history and the younger sister, the Grand Duchess, was the most influential person who was loved by the Grand Duke, who was like a living war god. Although she’s rather young, she has the kind of position and charisma that’s hard to touch even in the capital’s social circles, so it’s clear that she’d be a good protection for her sister-in-law.
That’s not all.
‘Turinians are as good as rocks for their stubbornness, but they’re decent people to marry…’
At least, they weren’t ones who’d fool around with their spouses.
The minds of the electors, especially those of Tirana and Bishkek, both of whom had daughters, became complicated.
Cedric’s blue eyes turned to his sister. His sister returned a soft smile as if he’d done well.
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