“Episode 47”
In this place, the only impeccably clean-faced Romeo first shook hands with Celestian. He had the same color as Daphne, but his golden eyes were distinctly different in feeling.
“Hello, little brother.”
He sat down opposite Romeo and looked around. The dealer, with his straight-cut mustache, dealt the first card. Celestian folded without betting until the fourth round.
Many men had the mentioned expression, with kiss marks scattered around. Some proudly displayed their disheveled appearance, puffing thick cigars without bothering to tidy themselves up.
Celestian still tapped Daphne’s cheek with his index finger as if her lips were still there.
Passionate and indifferent conversations between men and women ensued, with a mix of high and low tones. Celestian felt like washing his ears, but he just kept his mouth shut.
In the games that had been played so far, Romeo had won. Celestian, roughly estimating the situation, checked his cards and bet five black chips.
“It seems like the Viewcater lady is attending the wedding. And she’s accompanied by a rebel.”
Celestian’s head turned. As always, the topic of conversation rose to Daphne Viewcater, who was envied by women and feared by men. Her audacity to challenge everyone, including the prince’s cousin, was remarkable.
In bachelor parties, discussions like this were allowed as long as they stayed within the party and were forgotten afterward.
Until last year, the gossip about the feud between the Viscount and the Baron was the hottest topic.
Today, as it was the prince’s party, nobody mentioned the prospective princess.
The common target now was Daphne, accompanied by Celestian Teriosa, his chief of staff. Perhaps even Romeo Rodriguez would be the last one to attend the bachelor party.
“The prince must have seen a lot of women crying.”
“Haven’t we seen it too? At banquets, by the lake, everywhere. She cries whenever she appears.”
Celestian paused for a moment. Folding, he glanced at the person who had just murmured.
“Not me?”
There was no light in Celestian’s green eyes.
It was common for Daphne’s name to come up in such low conversations. If she hadn’t been qualified until then, she was clearly different now. Celestian participated here as her lover.
“Hmm.”
Celestian’s chest tightened a bit.
“Why did she come to the feud’s wedding? Is she planning to stir up trouble?”
“Well. It’s a well-known fact that she’s the craziest woman in the Viscount.”
“Your Excellency Teriosa.”
Celestian looked at the person who addressed him. He was a man with a completely exposed forehead, the husband of Viscount Weirz.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Viscount Weirz.”
Strictly speaking, he didn’t use the full title when calling a commoner a viscount. He was a good-looking man who could charm women, but he was a life player.
“What are we doing now, reading third-rate gossip magazines?”
Celestian took a sip of whiskey from the square glass and raised an eyebrow slightly in response.
“Do you know that the Viewcater lady was originally engaged to the prince?”
“Oh, I forgot. It was quite a fuss. We chased after her like that last year, but how could the Viewcater lady follow the cousin?”
“She’s been famous since she was young. I was afraid she’d follow us even to the Libian battle.”
“At least until she breaks her legs. No, even if she does, she’ll still crawl after him. How scary her determination is.”
Endaiwin, a royal family member, said.
“Endaiwin, I agree. Daphne has always been like that. She makes a big deal out of even a minor leg injury. She often turns even her own misfortune into money. Well, nothing has changed from before.”
Oscar was the grumbler. Celestian’s eyes turned in his direction.
“Should I tear him apart…?”
Leaning on his chin, Celestian thought languidly. They hesitated at his indifferent green eyes, then quickly laughed and raised both hands. The topic changed swiftly.
“Everyone, even the prince, can’t match His Majesty’s elegance. My darling, upon seeing Prince Romeo for the first time, praised His Majesty’s appearance until her mouth dried up.”
“Oh, I guess I should cover my face when I go out.”
Romeo chuckled and pretended to pat his face with his gloved hand.
“That too, seems to be a trend among gentlemen of Vion.”
“Her temperament is as fiery as her hair color, Miss Viewcater.”
“I wonder what she’s like in bed.”
Finally, the attention turned to Celestian. He still leisurely pushed chips into the pot.
Men enjoying themselves while chewing on women who receive love is nothing new. It’s just disgusting.
Once again, call, raise, raise, call…
“What does Viewcater see in her? My wife keeps pestering me to get a portrait done.”
“Even that witch… hmm, surely she’s just kept as a substitute.”
Dull eyes passed over the prince under the lights. Celestian scratched his cheek. Romeo, already fed up with the endless banter, shook his head.
Easily flipping cards and effortlessly collecting chips, Celestian’s amber eyes glowed red under the yellow lights. Since his initial bet, Celestian had been stacking various treasures brought in by other gentlemen under Daphne’s name.
“Teriosa… Ah, should I call you Your Highness?”
Even if he were to indulge, he had amassed not only black chips but also blue and red ones. As the men continued to talk as if they were fine with losing that much.
“No, it’s better to call me by the nickname that’s making headlines in the newspapers.”
“Ah, the Crimson Witch’s government.”
Everyone laughed lowly.
“The prince probably hasn’t seen anyone crying either… So there’s not enough time to make that arrogant woman laugh.”
“She could easily lose a limb if she’s not careful.”
“There’s a rumor that she never sleeps, you know? What do you think? Care to speak candidly?”
“Hmm?”
Celestian finally glanced up at the faces that were speaking. Several faces froze in a relaxed smile, as if they hadn’t heard or were intentionally ignoring him. Romeo paused before shaking his head, unable to stop himself.
“Erosion of affection with Miss Daphne. Whether it’s always a cold war or a hot one…”
“Ah, my princess.”
His voice was pleasantly low. The men turned to look at the platinum blonde rebel. Celestian, lost in thought, released his chin and slowly flipped a card.
“She cries every night, saying she loves me.”
With a light grip on his clenched fist, Celestian brought it to the corner of his eye and pretended to squeeze out tears.
“And then when she faints, there’s not enough time to console her.”
He hesitated on whether to continue speaking or not.
Having everything while being in a position of having nothing, yet having the luxury of having already obtained a woman.
“Whether our current situation is a hot war or a cold war, it’s impossible to gauge.”
