The knight’s demeanor was far from disrespectful. His manner of speaking was refined enough to belong to a noble, and his deep voice was very pleasing to the ear.
Yet, Duke Eisen instinctively shrank back.
“W-what gives you the right to tell me what to do…?”
“A noble duke like yourself shouldn’t be wandering around soaked and making a spectacle.”
“…”
“Your Grace will catch a cold if you stay wet. So, please.”
Brantley spoke slowly, emphasizing each word with a low voice. And Duke Eisen was surprisingly docile.
“I was planning to leave anyway!”
He hurriedly departed as if in a trance.
Brantley watched his father’s retreating figure with a cold gaze.
***
The Emperor looked at the man sitting across from him.
He excitedly spoke to Viscount Munich in the Eastern Continental language, as he wasn’t proficient in Berg’s language like his older sibling.
“Prince Palleta expresses his deep gratitude for being invited here today.”
Palleta clasped his hands together and bowed his head.
The Emperor laughed warmly like a benevolent grandfather, hiding his true intentions.
“We are always seeing the second prince speak as the leader, I should have a chance to speak with Prince Palleta too.”
Palleta bit his lip upon hearing the Emperor’s words through Viscount Munich.
It was clear he didn’t appreciate Gallota always acting as the leader.
Naturally, since he and Gallota were competitors for the throne, he must have been anxious about Gallota receiving all the attention.
“To me, it seems Prince Palleta has a lot of potential.”
Palleta nodded vigorously at the Emperor’s words.
The Emperor inwardly scoffed at Palleta’s inability to hide his feelings. He continued to flatter Palleta as they conversed, filling the audience chamber with laughter.
“Prince Palleta, you must have faced many difficulties. I hear there are bad rumors about you in your homeland.”
The Emperor referred to the rumors spread by the Second Prince, saying that the Fourth Prince had assassinated the crown prince.
Palleta’s smile disappeared.
“Because of those rumors, the Eastern Emperor might not recognize the true value of the fourth prince. From what I see, the fourth prince has the qualities of a ruler.”
Palleta responded fiercely, and Viscount Munich translated with a troubled expression.
“Your Majesty, Prince Palleta says he doesn’t care about those rumors and thanks you for your concern.”
“Translate what he said accurately.”
The Emperor’s command made Viscount Munich flinch and translate again.
“He says not to make foolish attempts to drive a wedge between him and his brother.”
“No matter how foolish they may appear, a prince is still a prince. They know not to reveal weaknesses where it matters.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. Palleta was taken aback and looked at Viscount Moenich.
“However, one cannot hide his innate nature. When an overly tempting bait is placed before them, their eyes will inevitably darken with greed.”
The Emperor’s warm smile belied his cold words. As if on cue, the audience chamber doors opened.
“Right on time. I thought you might be a bit late since you were meeting the Duchess of Moltke this morning.”
The Emperor beamed with a genuine smile, unlike the one he showed Palleta.
Palleta turned around in confusion. Recognizing the person standing at the door, his jaw dropped.
“Hello, Prince. I’m Hanelope von Reinhardt.”
***
I sat down next to my grandfather with a cheerful smile. But I felt Palleta’s gaze fixed on me.
He must be preoccupied with trying to understand why I was here. I needed to strike again before he could gather his thoughts. But it was grandfather’s turn to make a move.
“My granddaughter wanted to see the prince.”
Palleta body was shaking with surprise.
“It’s the first time Hanelope has ever expressed a desire to meet a man, so I was surprised too. But it’s better for her to choose someone she likes than for some ridiculous man to take her away.”
Palleta’s eyes widened as he listened to the translated words. He was looking at me as if his eyes would pop out.
I covered my mouth with my hand and smiled, appearing bashful.
“Now, shall we have a proper chat?”
Grandfather said in a warm tone. His tightly clenched fists under the table were evident, but I pretended not to notice.
***
Our plan was successful.
Palleta was filled with false hope. The hope that he, not Gallota, might marry the Emperor’s granddaughter. The illusion that he might catch the Eastern Emperor’s eye instead of falling behind Gallota.
In his excitement, Palleta let slip things he shouldn’t have. He ended up divulging all the information he knew about Gallota.
“You really didn’t have to see me off, but thank you,” Palleta said, blushing.
He was leaving the palace after his audience with Grandfather, and I was escorting him across the wide, beautiful garden.
Once he realized I could speak some Eastern Continental language, he started speaking in it, and we were communicating more comfortably.
He seemed unfamiliar with dealing with women as he rubbed his hands together while speaking.
‘He’s probably only dealt with women he could treat as he wanted to.’
Though he was better than Gallota, Palleta was still no different in his promiscuity.
I hid my disdain and smiled demurely, “I wanted to see you off.”
I walked slowly on purpose.
‘By now, the news should have reached Gallota as well.’
We reached the outside of the palace where Palleta’s carriage awaited.
“Haha, you’re very kind. How should I repay you?”
“It’s alright. I just…”
Suddenly, a glittering object caught my eye. It was a pendant necklace around Palleta’s neck.
‘Why does it look like a linker?’
Linkers are pendant-like objects. It was really similar to the ones I had seen. The only difference was that it was kept impeccably clean.
‘Moreover, the Eastern Continent and Berg have vastly different cultures. Could such a similar design appear?’
Unless it wasn’t made in the Eastern Continent.
‘An ancient artifact or sacred relic.’
In other words, it could also be a linker.
‘Could Grouser be sealed in there?’
“I have many rare treasures from the Eastern Continent. I’ll send them to you as a gift tomorrow.”
“No, it’s alright!”
Palleta’s face crumpled, perhaps thinking I was drawing a line.
“I want a more meaningful gift.”
“A meaningful gift?”
“Yes. I’d like to receive one of the items the Prince is possessing.”
Palleta then laughed foolishly, “Ah, it would certainly have more significance as a token than some common jewel.”
Interpreting it his own way, Palleta began searching his body.
I pointed directly at the pendant hanging around his neck with my index finger.
“I want this.”
“This necklace?”
Palleta’s expression turned hesitant.
“This was given to me by His Majesty, so…”
He hesitated, fidgeting with the pendant.
‘The facts it looks just like the linkers. It might really be…’
At that moment, Palleta clicked the pendant open.
“!”
“It may look pretty on the outside, but as you can see, there’s nothing special inside. It’s just treated as a treasure because it was found in an ancient temple site. You probably thought there was a big gem inside.”
“It doesn’t… matter. I actually prefer it this way.”
Palleta looked at me with surprise.
“Since His Majesty the Emperor of the Eastern Continent gave it to you, it holds significant meaning, right? If you give me something so precious, it will hold great significance. After all, this will return to the Eastern Continent eventually.”
“Return to the Eastern Continent? What do you mean… Ah!”
Palleta’s mouth stretched into a wide smile as if he had realized something.
“Of course! If you marry me and go to the Eastern Continent, this pendant will return there with you.”
“…”
“With that meaning, even my father would be pleased to give you the pendant.”
I only smiled without responding.
Palleta handed me the pendant without hesitation. Not only did he give it to me, but he also kindly placed it around my neck. His excited breathing on the back of my neck made me feel uneasy.
Just then-
“Palleta!”
I heard Gallota’s angry shout from somewhere. Gallota was storming towards us from the end of the garden.
He saw the pendant on my neck and gritted his teeth.
Palleta confidently approached Gallota.
Brantley, who had been quietly following us, whispered to me.
“I’ll drive them away so they can fight among themselves without dragging you into it.”
“Will that be alright?”
“Don’t worry. Talot has been watching over us from nearby for a while.”
“I’m asking about you, not me.”
Brantley looked stunned as if he hadn’t expected my concern.
His handsome face gradually turned red.
“I’ll be fine. I… anyway, Talot!” Brantley stammered and called Talot.
Talot, who had been hiding outside the palace walls, immediately appeared.
He was waiting for Brantley to call him.
“Make sure to protect Her Highness well.”
“Are you entrusting her to me?” Talot asked in doubt.
“I trust your skills.”
“Brother!” An emotional Talot approached Brantley.
But Brantley, looking annoyed, pushed him away and ran towards Gallota and Palleta. He said something to the men that made both of them move to another place.
I stared at the now happy Talot.
“Do you admire Sir Knight that much?”
“Of course!”
Talot immediately answered as if a button had been pressed.
“I’ve been wandering as a mercenary since I was young, but I’ve never met anyone like him. His skills, his character, even his pure-heartedness…”
“Pure-heartedness?”
I asked, surprised by his words.
“What do you mean by pure devotion?”
“What else could pure devotion mean for a man? It’s the unyielding dedication for the one he loves.”
