ALL NOVEL Chapter 50
The social circles were abuzz with rumors that Selleana was courting someone. It was inevitable, given that she had publicly mentioned having a lover at the emperor’s birthday party.
The imperial family had argued that Selleana needed a reason to wish to marry someone else.
Anyone sensible would know they wouldn’t approve easily…
Yet, it seemed the ‘lover’ Selleana had alluded to without specifying had started to receive a barrage of gifts from her recently. Although the recipient remained shrouded in mystery, Elard, keeping close tabs on Selleana’s every move, knew the person she chose was the fifth prince.
“Father, please calm down.”
“…Alright.”
Theonis, who had listened to the report with them, sighed deeply.
“Andy.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Call Lea immediately.”
* * *
When Selleana entered the duke’s office, the duke sat at the head of the parlor table with Theonis beside him. Selleana quietly took her seat opposite Theonis.
“Liam.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Count Liam Norman, the duke’s aide, instructed the knights outside not to let anyone in, then took a seat beside Theonis.
Count Norman is present for my matter?
This signified her father considered her issue as part of his official duties. Selleana swallowed a tiny thrill.
“So, Lea.” The duke leaned on the armrest, pressing his temples before speaking with difficulty. “Let’s hear it. What exactly is your plan with the fifth prince?”
“Father…!”
“Let’s first hear what Lea has to say.”
“What plan could there be? Selleana simply—”
Huh
, Selleana looked at Theonis incredulously, as if astonished.
As expected, relationships with siblings may be closer, but with parents is even more.
Last time, her mother had supported her, and now her father was asking for her opinion first.
Had it been before, I would have been scolded outright.
It was good she had stood up for herself once.
“Since you’ve all called me here, skipping formalities… Yes, I proposed a betrothal to the fifth prince.”
“Lea Elard…!”
The duke’s hand moved from massaging his temple to covering his forehead. Theonis glared at Selleana as if he could devour her.
“As I’ve said before, it wasn’t my initial intention to approach him.” Selleana met Theonis’s gaze as she continued. “But as I got to know him and interacted, he seemed quite suitable.”
“Suitable means.”
“First, concerning the imperial dignity that the imperial palace worries about. No issues there. In terms of status, he is not beneath me at all. Moreover, unlike the crown prince, he communicates well with me and respects me a lot.”
“You say he respects you, yet he continually rejects your advances.”
Theonis’s tone was incredibly soft, but Selleana knew he was restraining his anger. He was also aware that Rakrensius had rejected all of Selleana’s gift offensives.
“He’s acting this way because he knows you and Father would react like this. He’s trying to convince me that becoming involved with him would not benefit me.”
“At least he has a conscience.”
Selleana frowned at Theonis’s terse reply. “Yes, about that part where it ‘won’t benefit me.’”
Duke Elard, having composed himself, looked at Selleana. Her golden eyes shone darkly. “What do you think?”
“My thoughts…” Selleana narrowed her eyes.
Rakrensius had never elaborated on why being associated with him could be dangerous for her, only that it could bring her harm. Yet, he hadn’t completely pushed her away, so Selleana hadn’t taken it too seriously.
“He seems to worry that being associated with him, given his contentious position within the imperial family, might bring me disadvantages.”
“
Hmm
.”
“You seem well-informed.”
The men of Elard looked satisfied, to Selleana’s chagrin.
“I heard the main reason you’re wary of my association with him is because of Duke Langton.”
“That’s right… That man sees the combined support of the crown prince and empress factions for Pavellian as the imperial faction growing too influential and seeks to counter it.”
Duke Langton, the leader of the Parliament faction, has historically been at odds with Elard, leading to natural animosity between the two houses.
“So… what if we make the first move?”
“Make the first move?”
“What if we take the fifth prince under his wing? As I mentioned, the fifth prince wishes to avoid political strife and desires peace. Our original agreement was to strengthen the crown prince’s faction for that purpose.”
“To make it seem as if he supports the crown prince… Is that what you mean?”
“Yes. Then Duke Langton couldn’t use the fifth prince’s name to sway public opinion needlessly, right? We’d form a tie with the imperial family, I’d be happy, and we could keep checking the Parliament faction. Isn’t it all good?”
“
Hmm
…”
“…”
The father and son of Elard fell into thought.
“Liam. What do you think?”
At the duke’s call, Count Norman adjusted his glasses. “Firstly, everyone except the Parliament faction accepts that the fifth prince desires personal peace and has no interest in politics.”
“That’s true.”
“He’s right, Father. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the imperial palace to enter the magic tower.”
Huh? You talk like Rakrensius is a dangerous figure when trying to dissuade me?
“The biggest reason the fifth prince is frequently mentioned in the Senate is due to the national treasure he possesses. Its exact nature isn’t known…”
The treasures acquired by the emperor or his successor during their childhood are widely known as a matter of course. But it was different for other direct descendants. While not taboo, revealing their treasures could threaten their safety.
“So, it’s crucial first to understand exactly why the imperial family restrains the fifth prince.”
“Indeed… Even after allowing him into the imperial family, His Majesty has neglected him, making his intentions unclear. Until he entered the magic tower, everyone thought him to be deficient.”
Tsk
, the duke clicked his tongue, displeased that the imperial family had misled its subjects.
“Perhaps, Lady, you could inquire about His Highness’s treasure?”
“His… treasure…?”
“There has never been a case in history where an imperial member was restrained solely because they possessed a relic-level treasure. Therefore, it’s highly probable his relic is quite special. Something that could rival the shield of the first emperor possessed by the crown prince…”
“We can’t guess without a public list of treasures.”
“Right. First, we need to clarify why the fifth prince is being restrained.”
Of course, this was a bit of bluster in a scenario where Rakrensius hadn’t accepted her proposal…
You don’t think he’ll outright reject me, do you?
Just like Selleana herself thought. No matter how unstable his position was, it was a matter concerning a prince, and acting as if they held the upper hand was very Elard-like.
I do want to know why the tower master is acting this way.
“Alright. I’ll look into it. In return, I hope you’ll just watch whatever I do for now.”
“Aren’t we doing that already?”
“Didn’t you prepare my application for the selection and even stamp it with the duke’s seal?”
“
Ahem
,
cough
…”
At Selleana’s remark, the Duke of Elard couldn’t hide his discomfort. He didn’t trust his daughter.
Separate from adoring and loving her as a ‘lark,’ he regarded her as no different from any Nepelsian noble lady who enjoyed the adoration of people at social gatherings. Therefore, while coordinating with the imperial family about her participation in the selection, he prepared an application form as a last resort. He still believed becoming the crown princess was the best path for Selleana.
But since Lea insists she can’t be happy with the crown prince and can live well without becoming the crown princess… what can I do?
The duke grudgingly replied. “…I get it. I’ll discuss this again with the imperial family.”
“Father, you should prepare for the possibility, shouldn’t you?”
“However.” Duke Elard dismissed his son’s prudent advice and looked at Selleana. “Return to home.”
“What?”
“You being out there makes it easy for unsavory types to disregard you.”
* * *
“
Ah
, I’ve missed you, my bed.”
It was the next day. Selleana flopped onto her bed in the east wing of the duke’s manor, chuckling to herself. When she had left home, it was midsummer, but now her bed was covered with a fluffy fall quilt.
“Coming home does have its perks. It’s more spacious here.”
“Except for your freedom, right? Isn’t that so?”
“That it is.”
Knock, knock.
“Milady, may I enter?”
“Yes, come in.”
The butler, Aiven, entered at the knock. He had been beaming ever since his lady had finally returned home.
“Milady. The crown prince has sent a gift.”
“The crown prince?”