Glenn clenched the dagger hidden at his waist and took a step forward. His expression was serious.
… Could it be?
Isabelle, anxious, grabbed the opposite hand of Glenn and sent her blood energy flowing.
As their blood magic exchange deepened, the things they could sense through the blood energy increased. For instance, the current physical or vague emotional state of the other.
“Ugh…!”
A fierce emotion coursed through the palm.
Dark, dense, sticky, and foul—like ancient hatred dredged up from the depths of the soul.
“J-Just a moment—Your Highness!”
Was Oswald the target of such intense resentment?
They already knew each other?
Many questions surfaced, but action took precedence. Hastily pulling his hand, fortunately, Glenn stopped walking.
“Wait! Your Highness, please look at me for a moment.”
“Hm? What’s this—?”
Oswald too began sensing something off. Although it took him a moment longer to notice, it was because Glenn’s murderous intent was quietly seeping out.
“Count—“
“Step back!”
The count’s bodyguards had already moved up to block his path.
At the same time, the surrounding nobles began whispering among themselves.
“What’s going on? What’s the matter?”
“Why are the guards acting like that all of a sudden?”
Nedian also quickly rushed over and stood in front of Glenn.
“…Sir Doren, no matter the grudge, this isn’t the place.”
He quietly spoke with a calm but icy expression as he glared at the count’s guards. His hand resting on the hilt of his sword seemed ready to draw it at any moment.
“Count? This is His Highness Glenn, the Grand Prince of Lepent.”
Isabelle spoke to the count to somehow calm the situation.
Using force against the Empire’s envoy at a ball?
If this escalated, all plans could be ruined. It absolutely had to be stopped.
“… Ah, I’ve heard of him. But that glare is quite intense. Do you harbor some grudge against me?”
“No, it’s not that, but His Highness is just—”
“Do you have a grudge or not?”
A low, heavy voice.
It was far from Glenn’s usual calm tone. A suppressed voice that seemed to dredge up some deep, dark grudge.
Faced with such openly hostile approach, the count frowned.
“What exactly is going on—?”
“Count, His Highness has been exhausted since this morning. That’s probably why he’s acting this way.”
Isabelle, struggling to maintain composure, kept using her blood energy to soothe his emotions.
“Is that so?”
Glenn remained silent.
His fingertips trembled, and his heart pounded uncontrollably.
One more step.
The dagger inside his clothes was already secretly gripped.
If he took one more step, he could slit that pig’s throat in an instant.
Yes, right now, that damn—
“Prince Glenn?”
Isabelle’s urgent voice forced Glenn to turn his head and meet her gaze. At the same time, her blood energy firmly restrained his steps. The blood energy, which had spread throughout his body, gently soothed him.
“…Huff.”
With a short breath, the fierce emotion simmered down.
“…My apologies.”
A brief apology.
Glenn immediately turned and disappeared to one side. Isabelle did not miss the opportunity and loudly called out.
“The royal family of Ariane sincerely welcomes the Empire’s envoy, Count Oswald! Please enjoy yourselves comfortably.”
Hurriedly, she scanned the crowd until she found Tessa and Amelia. They quickly clapped their hands in understanding. Gradually, other nobles began joining in.
“…Hmm, thank you.”
“Yes, then I will take my leave for a moment—”
“Ah, Princess Isabelle. Would you do me the honor of dancing a song with me?”
As Isabelle was about to follow Glenn, the count requested a dance.
It was not uncommon for important guests to dance with the host at the party’s entrance. But here, “important guests” referred to royalty from foreign lands.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood to dance today.”
“…What? The Empire’s count, an envoy no less, is refusing my request?”
What nonsense is this?
Does he really think he’s some sort of royalty?
Moreover, accepting or refusing a dance request is purely a lady’s prerogative. No one can dictate it.
Isabelle frowned slightly and shook her head.
“…As I said, I’m just not in the mood. Excuse me.”
She bowed slightly and immediately turned away.
“Wait! Then how about dinner later? It would be beneficial for the princess’s side to build ties with the Empire’s envoy, wouldn’t it?”
Hah, such foolish talk.
Getting close to Empire nobles here would only breed resentment. Considering the causes of the previous war, it’s obvious. But that idiot apparently didn’t know something so basic.
Isabelle ignored him without responding. She was distracted by the emotions that had risen along Glenn’s palm earlier. The expression she saw was similar to when her father had ranted about the Empire.
Feeling an inexplicable unease, she quickened her pace.
Count Oswald watched Isabelle’s retreating figure and muttered.
“…Arrogant brat.”
How dare she humiliate an imperial noble like that?
Is she too young to understand, or just naive?
When an imperial count shows kindness, it’s only natural to accept the dance or the toast.
“Her appearance is exactly my style.”
A beauty like that was rare even in the Empire. Especially with such sharp, captivating eyes—he had never seen that before.
Anger burned within.
Is there no way to handle that arrogant brat?
Oswald glanced at his guards.
“Hey, listen up. I need a favor.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It’s about Princess Isabelle. I need information on her.”
“Huh?”
One of the knights’ eyes widened.
They were being asked to spy on the royal family of another country?
“Well, I want to approach her diplomatically. Just find out quietly. Also… that Grand Prince she was close to earlier—investigate him too.”
“…Understood.”
“…Hmm.”
The more he thought about it, the more outrageous her appearance was.
It truly suited an imperial count.
A gloomy lust flickered in Oswald’s eyes.
***
The next day, the third day of the ball.
Glenn’s appearance in the hallway seemed fortunately more composed.
“Sorry, Princess. I didn’t mean to—”
“Are you feeling better now?”
“…Yes, thanks to you.”
He had become sensitive recently, making it hard to control his emotions. She didn’t press for details. With an important matter ahead, she didn’t want to worry him unnecessarily.
“…That’s a relief.”
Isabelle didn’t ask further.
Though curious, she didn’t want to pry. If it were important, he would tell her when ready.
They walked toward their destination, naturally discussing the next plan.
“Besides Marquis Edmund, how many nobles are attending the banquet?”
“Two, maybe three. So including myself, His Highness, and Marquis Edmund, there will be about five or six.”
Both had been invited to the banquet hosted by Marquis Edmund. Glenn, having already heard from Isabelle, understood the purpose behind the invitation.
“They’ll probably talk a lot to provoke me.”
“Exactly. His goal is to break the alliance between Arian and Lepent.”
Even though he knew this, going was unsettling.
Glenn felt a strange emotion.
“Don’t worry too much. Once your father arrives, everything will be settled.”
Isabelle had already done her part as the strategist. The banquet was a place where Glenn played the role of bait. The hunter, Contract, would also appear at the end.
“Still, you have to be prepared. Edmund is a very annoying man.”
Clearly irritated, Isabelle frowned.
This was surprising to Glenn. She rarely spoke so openly.
“Is that so?”
“Unlike Count Raoul, he won’t confront openly. He’ll use more subtle methods. It’s annoying.”
“Noted.”
“Based on his personality and the information I leaked, he’s likely to try to provoke you like this.”
Her concerned advice continued.
Soon after, they arrived at the banquet hall.
***
As befits a banquet hosted by a noble family, the table was lined with all sorts of luxurious dishes. Glenn even saw some unfamiliar varieties. At times like this, he simply followed Isabelle’s lead.
Except for initial greetings, Glenn remained quiet. So the conversation mostly flowed between the marquis, his noble guests, and Princess Isabelle.
Then at some point, Edmund’s gaze turned to Glenn.
“Hm, Prince Glenn. How is it? Does the food suit your taste?”
“Yes, thanks to you, I’m experiencing rare delicacies.”
“Ha ha, good to hear. But may I say… surprisingly, your table manners are excellent. Honestly, I’m impressed.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you receive such education in the principality as well?”
There was a subtle nuance, yet the question was not rude.
“I have learned, but it’s quite different from Ariane’s. I studied the Empire’s methods separately.”
“Impressive. Lepent tends to dislike anything related to the Empire, right?”
“Even if they dislike it, you have to learn what’s necessary.”
“Oh, very admirable. After all, as the heir of the Empire’s closest vassal state, you have an open mind.”
The “closest vassal state.” His tone carried a subtle condescension toward Lepent.
Glenn’s eyes twitched.
This was a more blatant question than before.
But this was still a slip-up he could overlook.
Glancing sideways, Isabelle looked tense, probably worried he might explode.
Glenn forced a smile and responded calmly.
“Hm… It’s not because it’s a vassal state. It’s simply my personal interest.”
“Ah… I hope I haven’t offended you. If you are displeased, I apologize.”
Marquis Edmund politely offered an apology. An outsider would consider him a refined and courteous man.
But Glenn recalled Isabelle’s earlier advice.
“Subtle and annoying… I think I know what he means.”
Though his words sounded like an apology, the faint sneer on his face and tone suggested mockery. Quickly apologizing was likely a tactic to say, “I apologized, so if you get angry here, it only makes you look worse.”
Glenn brushed it off, and Edmund glanced discreetly at the nobles beside him.
… Is it beginning?
“Ha ha. Very good, Prince. By the way, I have a personal question about the principality. May I ask?”
What was his name again? Marquis Edmund had introduced himself, but Glenn couldn’t quite remember.
At that moment, Isabelle whispered softly.
“Dowenel Viscount.”
“…Yes, please ask, Viscount Dowenel.”
She thanked him with a subtle look and encouraged the question. The man with an imposing presence smiled faintly on one side of his mouth.
A clear sneer.
“I’ve heard Lepent eats orc meat. Is that true? Ha ha, I just can’t help being curious.”
… What an insolent brat.
Glenn’s brows furrowed deeply, anger building inside him.