Chapter 48
“That won’t do. What are you planning to do with our Delly at night?”
“It’s not like we can only do things at night.”
At Alferen’s suggestively murmured words, Adrian’s expression turned fierce.
“You, you—stay away from our Delly!”
“But Delly’s the one who wants to meet me.”
“Whatever! I don’t like it, so don’t come near her!”
“I’m afraid I can’t comply with that, Adrian.”
Having politely expressed his refusal, Alferen rose from his seat.
“I need to go pick up Delly.”
“Where do you think you’re going? I’ll go first.”
The two men, bickering back and forth like that, headed off to fetch Rodellia—and that’s when they saw it.
Cesare Barnard throwing flirtatious glances at Rodellia.
And then.
“Thank you for escorting me. It was disgusting meeting you, and let’s never cross paths again!”
Rodellia, having delivered her thanks, fled as fast as her legs could carry her.
“Hah, no need for us to step in.”
Adrian leaned against the wall, beaming with pride at Rodellia.
His giggling body trembled with laughter.
“‘It was disgusting meeting you, and let’s never cross paths again.’ Pfft. Isn’t our Delly just too adorable?”
Meanwhile, Alferen’s expression was far from pleased.
“You go on ahead.”
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the smile faded from Adrian’s lips.
“Where are you going?”
In response to Adrian’s question, Alferen shot him a chilling glare.
Even without asking, it was clear he was ready to bury someone alive.
It was an impressive killing intent, especially knowing the target was the crown prince.
Adrian let out a sigh.
“You’re already pushing yourself too hard. Provoking the imperial family any further won’t do you any good.”
At those words, Alferen’s eyes sank deeply.
“…You knew everything.”
In truth, Adrian had known that the reason Alferen hadn’t broken off his engagement all this time was tied to his father.
Alferen would often disappear without a word, and when he returned, he always reeked of blood.
And now Adrian knew it was because of tasks the emperor had assigned him.
So when Alferen announced the broken engagement, Adrian had been the most surprised. He’d wondered if Alferen had found a way out, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
And once he learned that the reason was Rodellia, Adrian could no longer stand in the way of the two.
“Of course. It’s not like we’ve known each other for just a day or two.”
Adrian gave his shoulder a light tap.
“So you stay put. I’ll handle that bastard myself.”
I don’t have to worry about the emperor’s gaze, after all.
At his friend’s steadfast declaration, Alferen let out a soft chuckle.
He’d been sulking the whole time, but now that they had a common goal, he was back to his usual self.
Alferen truly cherished them. The Peris siblings, who had appeared like a ray of light in his life shrouded in dark clouds.
But saying something like that would make them too smug.
Alferen retorted dryly.
“Acting all cool.”
“I’m repaying you for that random punch you threw earlier.”
“Not really. It was like a cotton fist anyway.”
“Hey, my mom’s from the Fire Fist lineage. What’s with this?”
As they bantered like that, they arrived in front of the theater.
“I’m sorry, but the performance has already started, so entry is not possible.”
The usher fidgeted nervously, blocking their way.
The two men had no choice but to stand obediently in the hallway and wait.
They weren’t the type to cause a scene by forcing their way in, and besides, they had things to discuss.
Alferen asked.
“So, how do you plan to take him down?”
“Well, you see…”
As their lengthy scheming session was drawing to a close.
Rodellia, who had bolted out like an arrow the moment the performance ended, stopped short at the sight of the two getting along so amiably.
After quickly scanning them up and down, she let out a deep sigh.
“Hah, what a relief. I thought you’d gone off to duel because of me.”
From her expression, it seemed she hadn’t been able to focus on the opera at all.
Adrian approached, taking her hand and acting all sly.
“Our Delly got way too immersed in the opera. So, who did you bet on to win? Obviously your big brother, right?”
Then Alferen, who had taken her other hand, chimed in.
“Anyone can see it’s me. Right, Delly?”
Far from dueling, the two—who had been plotting to humiliate the crown prince—were now casually checking each other without a care.
With both hands captured, Rodellia thought to herself.
‘This familiar pattern. They’ve made up!’
She’d been worried because the cold war had dragged on so long, but thank goodness.
As if she’d never been anxious, Rodellia brightly exclaimed.
“Mm, great! To celebrate you two making up, Delly’s treating!”
At her leading tug, Adrian and Alferen followed along obediently.
Adrian muttered.
“I want beef.”
“Bro, have you no conscience? Asking your unemployed little sister for beef.”
“But our Delly’s a rich unemployed one.”
Well, that’s true.
Rodellia, who hadn’t even broken even, turned her gaze to Alferen.
“What do you want to eat, Ren oppa?”
Her voice was even softer than when speaking to Adrian.
In response, Alferen replied smoothly.
“I’m full just watching Delly eat.”
Delivering the textbook lovey-dovey boyfriend response, Adrian wrinkled his face in disgust.
“What’s with him?”
Witnessing his little sister and best friend’s romance right before his eyes hit him with overwhelming force.
And seeing his precious little sister looking surprised and fluttered made his appetite vanish completely.
“My stomach suddenly feels off.”
“So you’re not eating beef?”
“I have to eat it.”
As if to say, what kind of nonsense is that, Adrian gestured toward the restaurant.
“Shall we go, Your Highness? We’ll escort you safely.”
At his shameless response, Rodellia pulled up the corners of her mouth.
Now it finally felt like things were back to normal.
* * *
After Cesare returned to the country.
Nanael was spending an uncharacteristic period of self-restraint.
It was because the emperor had suddenly visited and ordered her to reduce her external activities.
‘Rosaria has many concerns. Now that Cesare is back, be more mindful of your conduct from now on. Cut back on luxuries for the time being.’
It was a decision made solely due to her mother’s overzealous worries.
Everyone knew how much the emperor cherished the empress.
And riding on that favoritism, her mother was increasingly revealing her ambitions.
“Hmph. The love of the century has arrived.”
The returned Cesare was acting like a solid ally, standing shoulder to shoulder with the crown prince.
All while plotting to strike him down from behind.
On top of that, he still couldn’t shake his old habits, bringing in courtesans every night.
Rumor had it he made women with green eyes wear pink wigs.
It was obvious whose substitute they were, which made Nanael immensely amused.
“Things aren’t going well, huh.”
The infamous playboy Cesare, who supposedly could seduce any woman.
He seemed to be struggling quite a bit with a noble lady raised like a hothouse flower.
Anyway, that son who’d been pampered in his mother’s arms was the problem.
At this rate, he’d just be a hindrance.
For the first time in a while, Nanael pulled up the corners of her mouth as she headed to the drawing room.
There, a woman waited, looking thoroughly tense.
Upon spotting Nanael, she awkwardly stood and paid her respects.
“Jessica of House Miranda greets Her Imperial Highness Nanael Barnard, the star of the empire.”
Her slightly intimidated face showed she had no idea why she’d been invited here.
It made sense, since she’d left for convalescence due to illness about eight years ago and hadn’t set foot in the capital since.
Before that, her family had been quite prominent in the capital.
Nanael observed her. On the surface, Jessica looked ordinary, but her eyes revealed a deep desire for advancement.
A noble who couldn’t settle in the capital was as good as eliminated.
No one would be more desperate than her, having tasted power once only to lose it in an instant.
Handling ladies with such ambitions was child’s play for Nanael.
Especially when it came to tormenting someone who got on her nerves—she was dead serious about that.
Nanael stood before her and greeted.
“Welcome, Lady Miranda. Thank you for accepting my request. I heard you weren’t well— are you feeling better now?”
The reason Nanael had summoned Jessica Miranda to the capital was singular.
Once, she had been the closest friend to the Peris duke’s daughter, but now they were estranged.
