“Episode 48”
The rest of the table had almost lost, and when Celestian won two victories, Romeo had already conceded and quit playing.
“It seems Duke Theriosa has fallen deeply for Miss Viewcater?”
“Ah, truly passionate… hmm.”
Several men adjusted their postures momentarily. Despite not being much, it seemed they all noticed in an instant.
‘Why do even these fools notice things in an instant, but Daphne remains oblivious.’
Celestian again grazed beside his lips. As he removed his hand, a trace of rouge from Daphne appeared on his index finger. Seeing the momentarily surprised golden eyes, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
“But Duke Theriosa was originally fond of Miss Priscilla.”
A man sitting right next to Celestian muttered. But his words were cut off by the sound of a glass shattering on the floor.
“Duke! What are you doing?”
After the clear cracking sound, the returned green eyes were still hidden under folded eyelids. Even under the orange light, Celestian wanted to stick something on the reddish-blue face of the man. He managed to restrain himself.
“Oh, sorry. My hand slipped.”
Apologizing gracefully, Celestian flicked his head. Unable to raise his voice loudly to someone of higher status, he bit his molars once.
“Duke, are you drunk?”
“Well, maybe.”
Twirling his glass in hand, Celestian added, “I’m curious. Where does such trashy gossip come from? Fantasies?”
“You didn’t know? Your distorted love stories are spread throughout the kingdom.”
Celestian tried to remember what he had done to Priscilla.
‘Hmm, did I kill all the people in that household…?’
It seemed like he might have done it sometime, but this time it wasn’t really his own doing.
So, really. It was a matter of not adding anything bad, nor putting his foot down.
With all the momentum leaning toward Celestian, the direction of the conversation was also filled with the unassuming pride of these people. They were trying to somehow bring Celestian down and elevate themselves.
“You don’t hold back even when my sister is listening.”
Celestian raised his head twice, then faced his brother sitting opposite. Romeo was watching the situation with interest, as if he had dug a well in his left cheek.
“Romeo, what would you do if I had feelings for her?”
Celestian asked with a sly smile. Romeo tilted his head to the left.
“For my brother?”
“Yeah. Me.”
“Hmm, I doubt that.”
The brothers laughed like boys. They didn’t seem like hostile enemies as rebel and heir. Everyone inside was bewildered.
Oscar, who was next to him, finally brushed off the fragments and alcohol from his trousers, then quickly got up from his seat. And without leaving the table, he added one more thing.
“Prince, as you may know, Amber Green has put forth a marriage proposal to Prince Ajenthar.”
“Oh, really? I didn’t know.”
Romeo’s brow narrowed.
“If she refuses to go, even if you have to drag her by force… After this banquet is over…”
“Is Ajenthar positive about the war with Therios?”
Celestian added with a bored tone. Everyone stirred at the word “war.”
“On what grounds does the Duke make such remarks? He shouldn’t forget that even the Prince is present here.”
Romeo raised his hand as if to say not to mention it. Celestian scratched his chin and casually discarded the cards he received from the dealer.
“So Therios, not Sekradion, you said. If he wants to forcibly take my lover, I’ll have to accept too.”
“Is there something hidden on that ghost island? Oh, surely you wouldn’t really mobilize ghosts for warfare. I’ll inform His Highness of your intention.”
“Oh, Oscar. It’s just a joke. That’s the charm of a bachelor party.”
Romeo nodded as he brought the whiskey glass to his lips.
“Is the Duke joking about war?”
“I think you all take it too seriously. As His Grace said, such stories are part of the charm and rules of a bachelor party.”
Romeo sided with Celestian again. Celestian, too, spoke up as if he had an ally.
“If not, from the moment the topic of Denver came up, you would all have been torn to shreds like broken glass scattered on the floor… You’d have had nothing to say.”
Celestian whispered playfully. But his words stuck in the ears of all the men present.
“People who are already doomed can’t speak, right?”
The Duke shrugged with an innocent look of not knowing anything.
