Rumble-
The hall of Fairias was suddenly in an uproar.
Although Duke Neuta had appeared sober at the last Imperial Ball last summer, there was no noble who did not know that he had been walking around in a haggard state for several months after his divorce from Agatha.
In the midst of all this, the women of Neuta, who were said to have provided the clue to the divorce, emerged from their seclusion.
The Duke Neuta family was a prestigious and long-standing family that played a central role in the court and social circles, so many nobles flocked to them.
At the same time, eyes began to focus on where the Aratus family and the Neuta family were.
This fall's social scene was a veritable festival of the affluent.
Agatha slowly closed and opened her eyes.
'Come this way.'
If you don't intend to cut the board, I will refrain, but if not, I will come here to declare war.
As expected, the ladies of the Neuta Duke's house, who had exchanged greetings with the nobles and were accompanied by their entourage, began to approach her.
“Oh my, it looks like the rabbit is really going to run at you.”
Mrs. Iris's jokes caused laughter to erupt everywhere.
When she heard that sound, Duchess Neuta's eyes fluttered open.
'It seems like your personality is still the same.'
Enoch, who had narrowed the distance between them that had become loose due to socializing, quietly stared at the same place as her.
It seemed like he was going to step forward at any moment, even though he was slow and somewhat tense.
Agatha smiled and opened her mouth.
“It’s okay. This is a battlefield limited to social circles.”
“But, Agatha.”
“If you come out, it will spread all the way to the palace.”
Of course, they'll still win, but they have to avoid it escalating into an all-out war.
“Do you trust me?”
“...”
While Enoch was being comforted, his aides and servants stepped back slightly, giving Neuta room to approach.
Old Lady Neuta, who had come closer, opened her mouth.
“It’s been a long time, Marchioness Aratus.”
For a moment, the nobles held their breath.
What will Agatha Nobilis answer?
Agatha smiled and waved her fan.
“It’s been a long time, Duchess Neuta.”
“I have heard good news from you, Madam. This time, your second ex-husband, His Highness the Second Prince of the Mainukor Empire, has come to visit the Empire?”
“You seem to have become quite indifferent to the news during your eight-month absence from the social world. It is not news about me, but good news from the Empire that His Majesty is pleased with. The Mainukor side sent a delegation to sign a trade agreement with the Eastern Continent. Have you not heard about it?”
“I think the capital was more in an uproar over the news of Madam than over the agreement.”
“Oh, you are more sensitive to personal news than to national interests. I am worried about the future of the Foreign Ministry, which Duke Neuta is in charge of.”
Madame Neuta suddenly opened her eyes and intervened.
“Isn’t it a bit strange that Madam is worried about my son’s future? Could it be that you still have feelings for Neuta...!”
“I am sorry to hear that your health has been deteriorating. What I am concerned about is the future of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and this is truly a great pity.”
As Agatha looked down worriedly, worried voices came out from here and there.
“Perhaps His Excellency the Duke of Neuta is thinking the same as the old lady and the grand lady? Shouldn’t we ask His Excellency about this...?”
“That’s what I mean. I guess you’re not interested in the agreement.”
“By the way, His Excellency is still the same. I wonder if the rumors about Lady Agatha’s divorce were true...”
The nobles, with their mouths covered by their fans, chattered as if they were nothing. As the commotion spread through the hall, the face of the old lady Neuta, who was trying hard to contain the commotion, slightly distorted.
The sharp gaze of the old lady stopped Lady Neuta and Young Lady Neuta' from leaving at that moment.
“What are you doing here, Grandmother, Mother, Sister?”
Duke Theodore Neuta appeared, breaking through the nobles' defenses.
Surrounded by his entourage, he noticed the commotion too late. He belatedly surveyed the scene and rubbed his furrowed brow.
"Duke."
As soon as Madam Neuta opened her mouth, Theodore shook his head.
“It’s okay. I expected it.”
The eyelids of Lady Neuta, the grand dame, and Young Lady fluttered.
It wasn't that he was blaming them, but rather, his actions as if he had been liberated were shocking them.
“But today, the Mainukor Empire’s delegation is attending. Please move now. Grandmother, Mother, Sister.”
Theodore, who had been absentmindedly looking at the nobles except his family, also greeted Agatha and Enoch.
“Then, have a nice time. Marquis Aratus. Marchioness Aratus.”
Agatha, who had been greeting each other lightly, covered her mouth with her fan.
He still side with his family, but, he knows.
'It seems like it's changed a little.'
And that attitude was actually causing more serious damage to Madam Neuta, the grand lady, and Young Lady.
'It was an unexpected harvest.'
It seemed as if the fire was coming out of Young Lady Neuta's eyes as she followed Theodore away.
The moment when Agatha willingly meets his gaze and smiles faintly.
“You are still the same, Marchioness.”
An unfamiliar yet familiar voice caught her ear.
“It’s been a while.”
Agatha opened her eyes wide. He was unexpectedly Leonard Schinger, Agatha's fifth ex-husband.
“Your Excellency the Marquis?”
“I heard news of your marriage.”
Enoch's jaw muscles tightened slightly.
Leonard Schinger, with his red hair pulled back to reveal his tall face, was looking at Agatha in his black eyes before moving towards Enoch.
“This must be Marquis Aratus. Nice to meet you. I am Marquis Leonard Schinger.”
He held out his hand in a most noble manner. Enoch slowly took it.
“This is Marquis Enoch Aratus.”
Leonard was the only one of Agatha's ex-husbands with whom she ended things without a falling out.
It's not because they were born unable to have children, but their lukewarm married life wasn't so bad.
However, his appearance at the palace ball was a strange one. He had hardly left the territory since that 'inspection'.
“It seems like you haven’t been to the capital for a while. What brings you here today?”
“Isn’t this year’s palace ball particularly large and grand? There are also things to take care of...”
Leonard said, introducing the young man standing next to him.
“I think this is the most appropriate place to introduce my successor.”
“Hello, Marquis Aratus, Marchioness Aratus. This is Ed Schinger.”
Ed Schinger, who looks similar to Leonard Schinger, greets them with a nervous expression.
'You brought in two.'
Of course, it was a natural choice to succeed the Schinger family.
“He is the smartest child among the collateral blood relatives. He will be a worthy successor to me.”
“I see. That went well.”
“We will be seeing you often at court from now on. Please take good care of me, Marquis Aratus, Marchioness.”
After seeing the two, Enoch slowly nodded his head, his chill subtly subsiding.
“See you at court, Marquis of Schinger.”
Agatha smiled and nodded.
“Of course, Marquis. If you need my help with anything, please write to me anytime. You are welcome to do so.”
“Thank you, Marchioness.”
The moment Enoch's eyebrows moved slightly.
Phew-
The sound of a thick horn rang out majestically through the hall. It was the arrival of the Emperor and the Imperial Family, as well as the delegation from the Ferdinand and Mainukor Empires.
“His Majesty the Great Sun of the Roxbad Empire, King Warmila II, Her Majesty the Eternal Moon of Roxbad, Empress Margaret Roxba, His Highness Crown Prince Anthony Roxba, the Little Sun of Roxbad, Her Highness Crown Princess Elizabeth Roxba, the Little Moon of Roxbad, and His Highness Fernand Mainumconti, the Second Prince of the Mainukor Empire!”
“I guess I should be going now. It was nice meeting you, Marquis Aratus, Marchioness Aratus.”
Leonard glanced at Enoch for a moment, then gave a quick greeting and left, taking the two of them with him.
Agatha soon knelt on one knee as she watched the royal family enter alone.
Across the hall, standing before the high throne, King Warmila II opened his mouth.
“Raise your head.”
The Emperor's face was noticeably pleased.
“As you all know, today marks the beginning of the first autumn ball and an opportunity to strengthen ties with the Mainukor Empire.”
Fernand and the Mainukor Empire delegation bowed their heads as they caught the Emperor's gaze.
“I hope you all have a great time. Now, let’s begin the first autumn palace ball.”
The waiting orchestra played a beautiful melody.
As always, the Crown Prince went down first and began the first dance with the Crown Princess.
It was just as Agatha was sizing up the time to join the opening of the Autumn Palace Ball.
Fernand was coming down the steps of the palace, intending to take part in the first dance.
He could hear the nobles whispering around him.
“His Highness Fernand, he is truly a very handsome man.”
“His Highness, I am sure he would be worthy of being chosen as Lady Agatha’s husband. A man with such an appearance is not common even in our empire.”
“Have you heard the rumors about the Mainucor Empire’s delinquents?”
“But it’s understandable that he is so handsome and has such a high status.”
It was a generous judgment. It was understandable, because on the surface, the Crown Prince of the Roxbard Empire, Anthony Roxiba, was of a similar family.
'You should know that you're not as cute as Anthony.'
Agatha covered her mouth with her fan and smiled crookedly.
The hall of Fairias was suddenly in an uproar.
Although Duke Neuta had appeared sober at the last Imperial Ball last summer, there was no noble who did not know that he had been walking around in a haggard state for several months after his divorce from Agatha.
In the midst of all this, the women of Neuta, who were said to have provided the clue to the divorce, emerged from their seclusion.
The Duke Neuta family was a prestigious and long-standing family that played a central role in the court and social circles, so many nobles flocked to them.
At the same time, eyes began to focus on where the Aratus family and the Neuta family were.
This fall's social scene was a veritable festival of the affluent.
Agatha slowly closed and opened her eyes.
'Come this way.'
If you don't intend to cut the board, I will refrain, but if not, I will come here to declare war.
As expected, the ladies of the Neuta Duke's house, who had exchanged greetings with the nobles and were accompanied by their entourage, began to approach her.
“Oh my, it looks like the rabbit is really going to run at you.”
Mrs. Iris's jokes caused laughter to erupt everywhere.
When she heard that sound, Duchess Neuta's eyes fluttered open.
'It seems like your personality is still the same.'
Enoch, who had narrowed the distance between them that had become loose due to socializing, quietly stared at the same place as her.
It seemed like he was going to step forward at any moment, even though he was slow and somewhat tense.
Agatha smiled and opened her mouth.
“It’s okay. This is a battlefield limited to social circles.”
“But, Agatha.”
“If you come out, it will spread all the way to the palace.”
Of course, they'll still win, but they have to avoid it escalating into an all-out war.
“Do you trust me?”
“...”
While Enoch was being comforted, his aides and servants stepped back slightly, giving Neuta room to approach.
Old Lady Neuta, who had come closer, opened her mouth.
“It’s been a long time, Marchioness Aratus.”
For a moment, the nobles held their breath.
What will Agatha Nobilis answer?
Agatha smiled and waved her fan.
“It’s been a long time, Duchess Neuta.”
“I have heard good news from you, Madam. This time, your second ex-husband, His Highness the Second Prince of the Mainukor Empire, has come to visit the Empire?”
“You seem to have become quite indifferent to the news during your eight-month absence from the social world. It is not news about me, but good news from the Empire that His Majesty is pleased with. The Mainukor side sent a delegation to sign a trade agreement with the Eastern Continent. Have you not heard about it?”
“I think the capital was more in an uproar over the news of Madam than over the agreement.”
“Oh, you are more sensitive to personal news than to national interests. I am worried about the future of the Foreign Ministry, which Duke Neuta is in charge of.”
Madame Neuta suddenly opened her eyes and intervened.
“Isn’t it a bit strange that Madam is worried about my son’s future? Could it be that you still have feelings for Neuta...!”
“I am sorry to hear that your health has been deteriorating. What I am concerned about is the future of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and this is truly a great pity.”
As Agatha looked down worriedly, worried voices came out from here and there.
“Perhaps His Excellency the Duke of Neuta is thinking the same as the old lady and the grand lady? Shouldn’t we ask His Excellency about this...?”
“That’s what I mean. I guess you’re not interested in the agreement.”
“By the way, His Excellency is still the same. I wonder if the rumors about Lady Agatha’s divorce were true...”
The nobles, with their mouths covered by their fans, chattered as if they were nothing. As the commotion spread through the hall, the face of the old lady Neuta, who was trying hard to contain the commotion, slightly distorted.
The sharp gaze of the old lady stopped Lady Neuta and Young Lady Neuta' from leaving at that moment.
“What are you doing here, Grandmother, Mother, Sister?”
Duke Theodore Neuta appeared, breaking through the nobles' defenses.
Surrounded by his entourage, he noticed the commotion too late. He belatedly surveyed the scene and rubbed his furrowed brow.
"Duke."
As soon as Madam Neuta opened her mouth, Theodore shook his head.
“It’s okay. I expected it.”
The eyelids of Lady Neuta, the grand dame, and Young Lady fluttered.
It wasn't that he was blaming them, but rather, his actions as if he had been liberated were shocking them.
“But today, the Mainukor Empire’s delegation is attending. Please move now. Grandmother, Mother, Sister.”
Theodore, who had been absentmindedly looking at the nobles except his family, also greeted Agatha and Enoch.
“Then, have a nice time. Marquis Aratus. Marchioness Aratus.”
Agatha, who had been greeting each other lightly, covered her mouth with her fan.
He still side with his family, but, he knows.
'It seems like it's changed a little.'
And that attitude was actually causing more serious damage to Madam Neuta, the grand lady, and Young Lady.
'It was an unexpected harvest.'
It seemed as if the fire was coming out of Young Lady Neuta's eyes as she followed Theodore away.
The moment when Agatha willingly meets his gaze and smiles faintly.
“You are still the same, Marchioness.”
An unfamiliar yet familiar voice caught her ear.
“It’s been a while.”
Agatha opened her eyes wide. He was unexpectedly Leonard Schinger, Agatha's fifth ex-husband.
“Your Excellency the Marquis?”
“I heard news of your marriage.”
Enoch's jaw muscles tightened slightly.
Leonard Schinger, with his red hair pulled back to reveal his tall face, was looking at Agatha in his black eyes before moving towards Enoch.
“This must be Marquis Aratus. Nice to meet you. I am Marquis Leonard Schinger.”
He held out his hand in a most noble manner. Enoch slowly took it.
“This is Marquis Enoch Aratus.”
Leonard was the only one of Agatha's ex-husbands with whom she ended things without a falling out.
It's not because they were born unable to have children, but their lukewarm married life wasn't so bad.
However, his appearance at the palace ball was a strange one. He had hardly left the territory since that 'inspection'.
“It seems like you haven’t been to the capital for a while. What brings you here today?”
“Isn’t this year’s palace ball particularly large and grand? There are also things to take care of...”
Leonard said, introducing the young man standing next to him.
“I think this is the most appropriate place to introduce my successor.”
“Hello, Marquis Aratus, Marchioness Aratus. This is Ed Schinger.”
Ed Schinger, who looks similar to Leonard Schinger, greets them with a nervous expression.
'You brought in two.'
Of course, it was a natural choice to succeed the Schinger family.
“He is the smartest child among the collateral blood relatives. He will be a worthy successor to me.”
“I see. That went well.”
“We will be seeing you often at court from now on. Please take good care of me, Marquis Aratus, Marchioness.”
After seeing the two, Enoch slowly nodded his head, his chill subtly subsiding.
“See you at court, Marquis of Schinger.”
Agatha smiled and nodded.
“Of course, Marquis. If you need my help with anything, please write to me anytime. You are welcome to do so.”
“Thank you, Marchioness.”
The moment Enoch's eyebrows moved slightly.
Phew-
The sound of a thick horn rang out majestically through the hall. It was the arrival of the Emperor and the Imperial Family, as well as the delegation from the Ferdinand and Mainukor Empires.
“His Majesty the Great Sun of the Roxbad Empire, King Warmila II, Her Majesty the Eternal Moon of Roxbad, Empress Margaret Roxba, His Highness Crown Prince Anthony Roxba, the Little Sun of Roxbad, Her Highness Crown Princess Elizabeth Roxba, the Little Moon of Roxbad, and His Highness Fernand Mainumconti, the Second Prince of the Mainukor Empire!”
“I guess I should be going now. It was nice meeting you, Marquis Aratus, Marchioness Aratus.”
Leonard glanced at Enoch for a moment, then gave a quick greeting and left, taking the two of them with him.
Agatha soon knelt on one knee as she watched the royal family enter alone.
Across the hall, standing before the high throne, King Warmila II opened his mouth.
“Raise your head.”
The Emperor's face was noticeably pleased.
“As you all know, today marks the beginning of the first autumn ball and an opportunity to strengthen ties with the Mainukor Empire.”
Fernand and the Mainukor Empire delegation bowed their heads as they caught the Emperor's gaze.
“I hope you all have a great time. Now, let’s begin the first autumn palace ball.”
The waiting orchestra played a beautiful melody.
As always, the Crown Prince went down first and began the first dance with the Crown Princess.
It was just as Agatha was sizing up the time to join the opening of the Autumn Palace Ball.
Fernand was coming down the steps of the palace, intending to take part in the first dance.
He could hear the nobles whispering around him.
“His Highness Fernand, he is truly a very handsome man.”
“His Highness, I am sure he would be worthy of being chosen as Lady Agatha’s husband. A man with such an appearance is not common even in our empire.”
“Have you heard the rumors about the Mainucor Empire’s delinquents?”
“But it’s understandable that he is so handsome and has such a high status.”
It was a generous judgment. It was understandable, because on the surface, the Crown Prince of the Roxbard Empire, Anthony Roxiba, was of a similar family.
'You should know that you're not as cute as Anthony.'
Agatha covered her mouth with her fan and smiled crookedly.
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