Deccarno's eyes, which flashed brighter than the jewels he had seen in the daytime, corrected his words. In fact, from the Emperor's point of view, it is not bad for the Duke of Theses to marry such a subordinate. However, since his authority and power were on a par with his own as the Emperor, he did not need to give his wife power.
That was half the reason why he ignored his only sister's pleas.
If the two of them were good, there was no reason to stop them, but even Duke Theses didn't even care about the Princess. To be honest, he could see that it was annoying. Therefore, when other nobles targeted O'Hara after her downfall, the Emperor smiled inwardly.
'Who in the world would like a man who doesn't even like a Princess?'
Anyway, he didn't know anything like this, and he laughed at the boisterous aristocrats. A Duke he knew would never abandon his marriage partner first.
It was a different matter from what he could understand.
"By the way. I don't know how Young Lady O'Hara is doing. It's the weekend soon, so the party will continue for a few days, but she's going to be stuck and alone."
"...What did you say now?"
"What? They said they were curious to see how she was doing."
It was extremely rare for the Duke of Theses to lose his words and ask back. The Emperor was surprised by this and gave a quick answer, but it didn't seem to be the answer he wanted. Deccarno's muttering voice was as dry as the desert of the West.
"...It's already the weekend?"
"Even if I don't complain so much, I'll go back to the imperial island tomorrow."
The Emperor, who guessed the Duke's expression, quickly emptied his glass. The schedule was unexpectedly long, but it was the Duke's responsibility, not his fault. The polarity of the aristocrats with daughters who tried to keep him at all costs ended up wasting one more day.
"So who said you were so good?"
"Your Majesty."
"You don't have to make that impression because you know it's not fun. You didn't even pretend to know that Bellona was crying and complaining about your face."
That was why the Emperor was in such a good mood during this trip. Whether he cried or not, it was his business, and he was just happy that the Duke made a loss-making deal. In fact, he would have tried to appease any piece of land or the state's business rights, but for some reason, the Duke only demanded a landscaping project for a park whose name he did not know.
'I heard that even monkeys sometimes fall from trees.'
It was surprising that the Duke of Theses sometimes did unprofitable business. Of course, traveling with the Emperor himself would show that the Theses family was still alive and well, but that was not a perfect calculation either.
'Well, it's not my job to point it out.'
He hummed secretly. In any case, thanks to the Duke's incomprehensible choice, he handled the Emperor's prestige and his inability to stand up for his position at once.
It was the Duke of Theses to kept up with the discipline of the reckless Eastern aristocrats and warned them not to be distracted. The Emperor was giggling at the unexpected achievement, and the Marquis bowed his head.
"In gratitude for Your Majesty's visit, I would like to dedicate the gems I have mined for the first time in this mine."
"Really?"
"Herna, come and show me your gifts."
The Marquis called out to his daughter as if he had been waiting for her. She was just waiting for an opportunity, and she bent her knees in front of the Emperor with a brisk stride. Then, when the jewelry box was opened, the fairy lights spread everywhere.
"I prepared as sincerely as I could, but I don't know if you'll like it."
"Whenever I like it. Very good. This kind of gemstone is rare even in the capital, isn't it, Duke?"
"..."
The Emperor picked up a large diamond and admired it. The Marquis's daughter, who was secretly aware of the Duke sitting next to him, was also full of anticipation.
"The purple diamond you are holding represents eternal power and power."
"Is that so? Then I must have it."
The Emperor jokingly rubbed the diamond. As her explanation of the gems continued, the Interest in the hall grew.
"The value of such a high purity of sapphire is as good as a diamond. It means pure beauty."
"Then what is this? It doesn't seem like a big deal."
"Ah, that's Kaliat."
She smiled and lifted the black mineral that caught the Emperor's gaze. Compared to the other jewels next to it, it was very insignificant, but there is no way that such a thing can be listed as the Emperor's real product.
"It's the most popular among ladies these days. It's harder to find than diamonds because of how popular they are as gifts."
"What kind of gemstone is it?"
"I don't know that yet, Your Majesty. It's literally a gemstone."
"...I can't understand a woman's heart."
The Emperor laughed and funnily shrugged his shoulders, and laughter flowed everywhere. The only person who did not laugh here was Duke Theses. Instead, his gaze, which had been indifferent the whole time, somehow rested on her hand.
"Does it, mean something else?"
"Oh... Yes. In fact, these gemstones are usually used when proposing marriage."
The Duke's first words made her cheeks red. She wanted to say one more word to him.
"Even though we don't know anything now, it means that we will spend the rest of our lives together and discover the true value."
"...I see."
"It's popular here, so when it's time for birthdays or marriage proposals, gentlemen come here the most. It would be difficult to find such a perfect gemstone if it weren't here."
"..."
Unfortunately, the Duke didn't say anything more. Instead, the gaze of the water slide stone became deeper. The Emperor was the first to notice that something was wrong, and he looked at him intimidatingly.
"Why, do you want to give it to her?"
"I'll buy it."
"No, I don't. That's fine. It's not fun."
The Emperor waved his hand, saying no. If the Theses of the world showed Interest in something first, it could not be overlooked. The Emperor tilted his chin at him and smiled with a smirk.
"How about staying here with me one more day since it's too late?"
"..."
"Of course, it's not free."
The emperor pushed the gemstone toward the Duke and waited for an answer. The Emperor had high hopes that the Duke would do business again after the last time. The Duke's gaze was fixed on the black stone.
***
"Kirion. What are you doing here?"
Evangeline stood up from the gravestone, and her body staggered greatly. Kirion, dressed neatly in a black suit in the rain and wind, quickly approached and supported her arm.
"Are you okay, Eva?"
"Oh... How do you get here?"
"That's not the point."
Kirion, holding up his umbrella, quickly drew her closer. He then took off his uniform and put it around her shoulders, and sighed.
"After you canceled the appointment last time, I sent someone to the Duke to wait for you to see what happened. You're not the kind of kid who cancels appointments like that."
"Kirion."
"But that's right. How can you be alone in a place like this..."
Kirion looked around and rubbed his forehead with one hand as if he were feeling excited. Nevertheless, he did not forget his duty to come here. He approached the tombstone and finished his short silence by making a sign of the Holy Name.
"...Thanks. Thank you for coming here. My father will be pleased."
"Do you really think the Count would do that?"
"Kirion."
"I don't know. Eva, why do you have to be alone in a place like this?"
"..."
"Why is that man your fiancé so great that he doesn't even show his face? Does this make sense? What do you see yourself as?"
His voice was quite loud, not like Kirion's, who was always very friendly. She thought she was a little harsh, but her heart didn't subside easily.
"Even if there is a problem in your family... Eva? Are you okay?"
"...Hmmm."
Finally, he was complaining again, and then he saw her face, bowing her head. Her face was stunned beyond simple sadness. Kirion was surprised to see her trembling lips and led her out of the graveyard.
"Let's go! Come here!"
"I'm sorry, Kirion."
"If you're sorry, you shouldn't be doing this. There's our carriage over there, so let's get on and talk."
She didn't even have time to answer. In fact, he was right that she didn't even have the strength to resist him. Standing on her own two legs, Evangeline was led by Kirion into a blue carriage parked outside the cemetery.
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