Episode 139: Wait (2)
Rosalind, who was standing next to Giselle, spoke quietly with a smile.
“Haha, the Baron is very popular.”
Jiselle shook her head with a tired expression.
“This kind of popularity is a fad. I feel like I’m getting burned by the hot gazes.”
“I’ve confirmed that my illness has improved today, and I’ve even heard the announcement that my father has become the Baron’s guardian, so I’m sure you all won’t stay still. You’re all shaking right now, so I’m sure you’ll be able to endure it.”
“That’s why I said the banquet was okay. Now it’s going to be even more famous.”
Rosalind smiled faintly at the sight of Giselle grumbling.
There are few occasions like this banquet where you can build diverse connections across factions and hierarchies.
But the more I looked at him, the more I found him to be a strange person, truly bothered by such a precious position.
“Still, you should greet those who come to see the Baron.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Jiselle let out a disgruntled sigh.
No matter what, the star of this banquet is Giselle.
Since we have joined hands with the royalist faction in earnest, we should greet each other at least once while we are on the same boat.
Since all the people who represent the royal faction are gathered at this banquet, it is good that there is no need to visit each and every one of them… … .
The question remained which of those people to greet first.
‘There are three major factions.’
Even if they are part of the same royal family, there cannot be no factions.
They came together because they had the same goal of fighting against the Duke, but their interests and tendencies could not all match.
Jiselle glanced at the people representing each faction.
‘I am acquainted with the Earl and Countess of Ailsburgh.’
The faction led by Meriel holds sway over the capital’s upper class.
It is a gathering of nobles who are second to none when it comes to money.
‘That’s the Earl of Villeneuve Norton… … .’
He is the eldest son of the kingdom’s prime minister and, as the chief justice of the capital, represents the kingdom’s officials.
As this faction dominated the law and administration, its political power was bound to be formidable.
‘The Marquis Maurice Macquarie has arrived.’
The kingdom’s chief security officer and commander-in-chief of the kingdom’s military.
This faction was responsible for the actual military power of the royal family, and most of the commanders of each army followed the Marquis of Macquarie.
‘The Marquis of Branford is so powerful that such big names are attending the banquet.’
Most of the high-ranking nobles who controlled the kingdom’s administration, military, and finances were gathered here.
These were the real powers that moved the powerful nation of Rutania.
It was a good thing that the support was strong, but at the moment, I was resentful that the Marquis had so much influence.
“Phew… … .”
A long sigh escaped Giselle’s mouth.
It was obvious that whoever I greeted first, the other person would feel embarrassed.
Since each of them had great power, if they were hated, they could become a nuisance in the future.
When Meriel met Giselle’s eyes, she covered her mouth with her fan and smiled.
It was obvious that he was curious to see how she would act.
‘Oh, it’ll be fun for the onlookers.’
Jiselle shook her head and looked to the side.
Count Villere Norton, who had been whispering something with the mayor of Cardenia and the Minister of Protocol, smiled at him when their eyes met.
Everyone in the capital knew that he loved his niece Rosaline. Perhaps it was because Giselle had cured Rosaline of her illness that he felt good about her.
On the other side of the villen stood the bearded Marquis Maurice Macquarie, with his arms folded.
‘Oh, it would be a pain in the ass if a person like that got upset.’
The Marquis of Branford also did not mediate in any way, as if he was watching Giselle’s choice.
‘Ah, you really do all sorts of things. Yes, you do it, you do it.’
Jiselle made her decision and took a step forward. All the nobles watched her tensely.
Jiselle greeted Count Ailsver politely. Although the real power is Meriel, Count Ailsver is the head of the family to the outside world.
“This is Baron Fenris. I ask for your kind consideration in the future.”
“Oh, right. I’m the one who needs your help. If you need my help in the future, just let me know.”
“thank you.”
Count Ailsburg smiled happily.
He was evaluated as being one step behind the leaders of other factions.
But it was Giselle, who was pushed by the Marquis of Branford, who greeted him first.
This was a great saving of face for him. It was a gift more valuable than any gold or silver treasure.
So much so that you can forget all about the twisted mandragora roots.
“Hahaha, my little brother is really loyal.”
Jiselle shrugged as Meriel smiled, gently fanning herself.
“Shouldn’t you not call me that in public?”
“So what? Anyway, thanks for saving our face.”
Jiselle sighed and grumbled.
“What’s wrong with that guy’s reputation… … Ah, I’m really tired.”
“But if you’re going to settle down in the capital, you’ll have to get used to it. This time too. We’re grateful, but my little brother will be quite annoyed from now on.”
Maryel covered her face with her fan and pointed towards Maurice with only her eyes moving.
He was glaring at Giselle without hiding his displeasure.
“Ahem!”
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Maurice coughed loudly as if to let Giselle hear.
‘How dare you ignore me, who holds the kingdom’s military might in check!’
It was unpleasant to be associated with a faction like the Ailsburgh family, who only had a little bit of money, but I could never have imagined that I would be pushed down in their priority list.
“Is it because you’re a country bumpkin who runs a business? You guys get along well.”
“But if he has a brain, he will come to find you the second time.”
The nobles nearby tried to appease Maurice.
But despite her efforts, Giselle spoke to Billore next.
Billow greeted him with a constant smile, seemingly unconcerned that he was second.
“Thank you so much for treating Rosalind. Her mother was worried and heartbroken, but thanks to you, we are relieved of a lot of stress.”
“I feel fortunate that things are going well.”
“I also heard what you asked of the Marquis. I will do my best to resolve the slave trade and tax issues as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
As he watched the two people talking, Maurice’s face turned red and he kept blowing out his nose.
What a great disgrace it is to be pushed to the back, when all the influential nobles of the capital are gathered here!
As Giselle approached belatedly, Maurice frowned and threw barbed words at her.
“As the son of a changeling count, it is only natural that he should come to me first, as the commander-in-chief of the kingdom. I guess you don’t know what’s important, since you are a northern country bumpkin?”
“I still have many shortcomings. Please teach me more in the future.”
As Giselle passed it off leisurely, Maurice became even more angry and ground his teeth.
“Don’t be so cocky about the Branfords pushing you. I can kick out the likes of you whenever I want.”
“I will try to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
“I will watch.”
Giselle returned to her seat, leaving the growling Maurice behind.
“Ahem!”
Maurice drank again and again without hiding his displeasure.
I was already dissatisfied that the Marquis of Branford was supporting a country bumpkin, but after meeting him in person, I disliked him even more.
Other nobles were busy trying to comfort Maurice, who was grumbling.
“I think it’s because I’m friendly with the Countess of Ailsbury.”
“Aren’t the Earl of Norton and the Marquis of Branford related by marriage? Baron Fenris must have been the same.”
People slowly moved away, keeping an eye on Maurice’s displeased expression.
Although the banquet was intended to introduce Giselle, it was also an opportunity to network and build friendships with other nobles.
Rosalind lowered her voice and asked Giselle, who had returned to her seat and was drinking water.
“Is the order intentional?”
“… … I just went wherever my heart took me.”
“Hehehe, I didn’t see that.”
“It’s true.”
“Yes, that suits you too, Baron.”
The conversation between Giselle and Rosaline did not last long.
As the atmosphere loosened up a bit, the nobles who had been watching gathered around the two.
“Nice to meet you, Baron Fenris.”
“This is a small gift.”
“Please take care of me in the future. I… … .”
The nobles rushed forward to greet Giselle. Some even gave her gifts.
Of course, Jiselle did not refuse and accepted them all.
Of course, they don’t do that because they truly respect Giselle.
There was a subtle contempt in their eyes.
‘Don’t show off, you country bumpkin. I’ll give you a good beating later.’
‘On the subject of cheap business.’
There was no one who truly acknowledged the sudden appearance of Jiselle.
Most of those who approached Giselle were those who wanted to use him in order to somehow establish a connection with the Marquis of Branford.
Jiselle also knew that atmosphere, but she didn’t care.
There’s no need to waste your energy on people who don’t mean anything to you.
‘Ouch, I’m dying of annoyance. I want to go back quickly and rest.’
But I couldn’t go back here because it was too much of a hassle.
Now, I had no choice but to kill time by being moderately polite to the nobles.
Even if Jiselle doesn’t care about things like her reputation, that doesn’t mean she deliberately belittles others, but rather that she doesn’t necessarily stand up to build a good reputation.
After the nobles finished greeting each other, the young ladies of powerful families came rushing in.
To them, Giselle was a very good prey.
Rather than marrying a strange man for political gain at the behest of the head of the household, it was a much better choice to control the country bumpkin in front of you and live with him.
‘He doesn’t come from a good family and is a country bumpkin, but he’s still a resident, right? He’s young and has a good face.’
‘The conditions are a bit disappointing, but since the Marquis of Branford is pushing for it, I don’t think it will be ignored.’
So everyone was busy surrounding Jiselle and talking to her.
“Your Majesty, do you have a fiancé or… a loved one?”
“no.”
“So, do you have any plans to get engaged or date someone?”
“no.”
“Hey, that’s a must have! You’re good at joking too.”
“no.”
Jiselle answered vaguely, looking as if she was dying of annoyance.
But that seems to have come across as a fresh charm that is different from other men.
The girls laughed out loud and continued asking questions.
At one point, Rosalind was pushed back by the young ladies and covered her face with a fan and gritted her teeth.
“Let’s be patient, let’s be patient. Today is a good day… … But these rude people!”
Some people were happy, some were jealous, some were gossiping, and some were curiously looking at others. It was a sight not much different from a banquet for ordinary nobles.
That was until an uninvited person showed up.
The attendant guarding the door called out someone’s name in a trembling voice.
“… … Your Majesty, please eat!”
Stop.
As soon as that name was heard in the banquet hall, everyone who had been chattering wildly instantly shut their mouths.
“… … Did I hear that correctly?”
“Hey, no way. I must have misheard.”
People stared at the door with forced smiles.
Exactly… … Exactly… … .
A middle-aged man with a gaunt and wiry appearance slowly entered the banquet hall.
He had one leg so bent that he was using a cane.
But the aura the man exuded was so strong and powerful that it more than covered up his physical flaws.
Exactly… … Exactly… … .
The banquet hall was silent and only the sound of canes filled the room.
The Marquis of Branford furrowed his eyebrows as he glared at the incoming man.
Jiselle’s expression hardened as soon as she saw his face.
Jiselle suppressed the murderous rage boiling deep inside her.
‘That guy… … .’
In reality, it’s my first time seeing it, but I’ve heard that name countless times in my past life.
A man who was called ‘the crippled devil’ by his enemies due to his cunning and wicked schemes.
‘Count Raoul Josef!’
He, the Duke of Delphine’s closest confidant and the Duke’s family’s chief of staff, appeared at the banquet hall of the prince’s political enemies.
