DYBAR - Chapter 87 < Preparing For The Climax >

DYBAR - Chapter 87 < Preparing For The Climax >

Do Your Best And Regret

Viscount Katanta shook his head unconsciously. 

He couldn't believe it. Even before coming up to the islands for the summer banquet, Viscount Katanta was full of expectations. This was their first time attending a summer banquet in the family's history, and they were even invited directly by Her Highness the Princess. 

Yes, an invitation!

"Noisy noises always come from below. The Viscount must properly control the entry of those below him. Don't let people spread the word that I stayed here for a long time. Do you understand what I mean?"

The Viscount clearly remembered the Princess's secret orders that day. From the majestic gaze that took his breath away to the sweet banquet invitation that followed. For that reason, for the first time, he issued a strong threat to the employees. But now he's not on the invitation list! 

It was ridiculous. Remembering the Princess's voice, the Viscount took a step further. Amidst the scorching heat of the sun, the expression on the imperial knight's expression as he looked at him indifferently did not change. 

It was when the Viscount was trying to shake off his shrinking heart and was about to part his lips.

"Viscount, let's go."

The Viscountess whispered behind him, holding his sleeve. When he turned around, he saw his blushing wife trying to smile with her disappointed face.

"Everyone is watching from behind."

Ah. Only then did the Viscount realize the existence of the servants behind him. Even though the knights who were a little distance away couldn't hear this, the maids right behind them had already heard the rejection twice. 

His face had already been ruined. An unexpected feeling of shame came flooding back to him again. Pursing his lips, the Viscount smiled and shrugged his shoulders. And as if it were no big deal, he turned around.

"Well, since we're here, let's just take a look at the institutions."

Until then, the Viscount thought there was nothing he could do. He's sorry, but he just thought that Her Royal Highness, who was really busy, might forget. The best thing he could do realistically was to send his letter to her nanny, Baroness Rujas. 

It was then. The voice of an imperial palace knight was heard from behind.

"Really. Her Royal Highness is so merciful that even people who don't even have a title come to visit you like this."

The Viscount's steps suddenly stopped. Not only the knight of Katangta who was standing in front of the carriage, but even the maids turned pale. However, the voice from behind continued once more.

"Weren't there countless people like that last year? Country bumpkin aristocrats who know how to get into a banquet if you just tell them their names."

As if to be heard, the sound of giggling faded away after the loud insult. A country, bumpkin nobleman. And even the sight of the maids bowing their heads, not knowing what to do. 

It was enough to set the Viscount's heart on fire, which he had barely calmed down. A spark flashed in the Viscount's eyes as his face turned bright red. Without anyone to stop him, the Viscount turned around at his heels and walked up to the knights, shouting. 

"What? Tell me again exactly what you said!"

"Viscount, honey. Are you okay? Oh my, what is happening?"

The Viscountess's crying voice became distant. The Viscount let out a sigh of relief and looked at the ceiling as he lay down. He couldn't even remember how he got to his dorm.

"Hey, hey. What kind of fuss is this this morning?"

The voice of the imperial knight who was pushing him away as if insulting him rang out. The Viscount clearly realized how he had been treated. He was thrown out in front of the main gate of the imperial palace as if he were being cleared away. And that too in front of his employees and residents of the territory. 

Resentment, embarrassment, and shame overtook the Viscount. If he had been in the territory, he wouldn't have seen such a funny sight. What on earth do these so-called knights of the imperial palace have against him to insult him? 

The thoughts that once spread out continued to bite each other. The arrow also went back to the Viscount himself. Why did they leave their territory and come to this island to enjoy wealth and fame?

He just thought it was a good opportunity. An opportunity for the Katanta family to enter the central nobility. An opportunity to make a mark on the imperial family. The good fortune of experiencing the luxurious banquet that her wife had dreamed of. Were his expectations presumptuous? 

The Viscount bit his lip. It wasn't so. He was definitely invited by Her Highness the Princess, or rather, the Princess. But his proud Katanta family is not even on the invitation list. This was the Princess's fault. It was a thought so absurd that he could not have imagined it before, but now the Viscount's eyes could not see it. 

Resentment toward the Princess spread like wildfire. She is a benevolent Princess like a Saint, a Princess who embraces everyone. The firm faith he had in the Princess until now was shattered. 

The Viscount closed his eyes. Tears slowly fell from the corners of his eyes. The Viscountess, who was watching this, replaced her bursting anger with words of encouragement.

"Oh my, why are you crying? Go back to Katanta quickly."

The voice spread outside the door. The employees standing restlessly in the hallway sighed at the same time.

"What is going on here?"

"What's going on? Her Royal Highness threw poop on the Viscount."

"Shh! Be careful what you say. This is not Katanta."

The coachman was startled by the maid's bold words and looked around. But the maid didn't care and continued her complaints.

"No, honestly, it's a conversation between us, but you all know that Her Majesty the Princess said all kinds of things at the mansion. No matter how well the Viscount packaged it, she was very picky. The atmosphere at the mansion became so solemn over those ten days."

"That's true, but!"

"No matter how much food Her Royal Highness will eat, how does Katanta supply such precious ingredients? What about cleaning? Don't you remember how they treated our lady-in-waiting, all of whom were noble nobles?"

There was no way he couldn't remember.

"I guess cleaning is done here and there in the Viscounty Territory, right?"

"The food is terrible. This is food for Your Highness to eat, so I hope you pay more attention to it."

Because every time he spoke sharp words in a noble voice, what the Viscount and Viscountess were at a loss for was clearly visible in their minds. Even the beautiful and elegant face of the Princess who looked at them as if she were looking down on them.

"I really can't talk about it in the mansion. So, I told you this every time I went grocery shopping, and it made me feel a little relieved."

"I'd like to hear more about that."

A low voice suddenly intervened. The servants who were talking about the Princess with ease froze for an instant as if they had seen a ghost. He was so angry at that moment that even the maid, who had been talking nonsense and being angry, caught her fear and hurriedly bowed down to him. 

The maid said, her voice shaking and shaking as if she was making excuses.

"Oh my,  I just said whatever came out. Please forgive me just this once."

"I'm not trying to blame you, I just want to hear the facts."

The maid, who had closed her eyes tightly, slowly opened them. And as if she was secretly watching her, she raised her head towards the nobleman who suddenly appeared.

"From what I heard, it seems like something unfair happened. I think I can help a little."

A handsome man with cool silver hair. Although he had gaunt and thin cheeks, at first glance he was a man with a noble aura. The other servants said nothing and just looked at each other. However, in the eyes of the long-lived maid, it seemed like the nobleman was telling the truth. The hesitant maid finally parted her lips.

"Master, can you help me?"

"Then. If you could tell me how long Her Highness stayed at Katanta." 

"That's not difficult. I remember clearly when she came and when she left."

The silver-haired noblewoman, Jade Madeleine, nodded in response to the maid's answer. 

*** 

Time in the midday sun. 

Leopold, who had just entered the office, sat down on the sofa. And he neatly undid his tie with rough hands. His feeling of stuffiness disappeared a little, but he couldn't restore the already broken mood. 

A sharp breath came out from between the twisted mouth, as if in shock. A little while ago, the first face-to-face greeting with the delegation was truly a mess.

"On the subject of a defeated country."

In the end, sharp words poured out. Count Hodges looked around without realizing it. But of course, the only people in this office were the Crown Prince, him, and the Duke of Madeleine, who had come along on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

Only then did Count Hodges shake off his surprise and look at the Prince. It was somewhat understandable to be angry like that. Leopold recalled a moment ago with one of his eyes.

"It's a shame. I wish I had attended the first day of the banquet."

After saying hello, Leopold only said a few courtesy words. But the answer that came back was somehow strange.

"I'm sorry. We received the call suddenly, so even though we rushed there, it took some time."

That was exactly what the Heferti delegation said.

"The size of the delegation is not large."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. Because Heferti is still working on post-war restoration. We ask for your understanding that although we have gathered as many people as possible to attend the summer banquet, it is not enough."

It seemed polite, but it was rude, and even strangely unpleasant. But to that extent, Leopold tried to understand with an open mind. How much it hurts to be a defeated country attending a banquet for a victorious country. But the real problem was that the delegation's attention was elsewhere. 

In the end, when Leopold spoke solemnly, the Duke of Kiwell, the leader of the delegation, bowed his head and said,

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. By the way, is Grand Duke Vikander coming too?"

Does he even want to see the enemy who caused Heferti's defeat? 

It was a time when Leopold thought that if someone was going to attempt an assassination in front of him, it would be worth seeing.

"It's a painful story for us, but we hope you enjoy such a great knight."

"What?"

At that moment, Leopold couldn't believe his ears. Is the person the delegation is referring to now the Grand Duke?

"I only heard the rumor now that it is being restored. It is said that Grand Duke Vikander never touches civilians other than knights. The prisoners were also sent back with fair treatment. In that respect, I was still fortunate."

Leopold didn't even want to hear about the benevolent side of the Grand Duke, who was nicknamed a killer. He couldn't even manage his facial expressions, but he couldn't ruin his first greeting with the delegation, so he barely finished sending them off. 

Leopold gritted his teeth and burst out in anger.

"Are all defeated countries really that low and ruthless? They want to respect the person who defeated them. Well, I guess that's why they lost."

However, the Duke of Madeleine, who was sitting in front of him, made no reply. He was extremely frustrated. Leopold struggled to contain his emotions.

"They say the Princess is in the archipelago, but she's still staying at the Grand Duchy."

Only at those words did the Duke raise his head. Seeing his shaking eyes, Leopold finally felt relieved. It would be better to understand before speaking.

Leopold continued indifferently.

"I have trusted the Duke and little Duke to take care of Olivia, but it won't work. As soon as today's banquet is over, I plan to bring Olivia into the Crown Prince's room in the Prince's palace."

"Your Highness, what is that?"

Conrad's breathing was trembling. Leopold shrugged his shoulders.

"It means I'm bringing my fiancee a little early. Is this really that surprising?"