98. A Beast Whose Territory Has Been Invaded

The royals, nobles, and aristocrats across the continent knew him, so his appearance was only natural.

There was even speculation that he might have financial ties to the Raphelios imperial family.

When the Duke of the eastern continent, who was the subject of many rumors, made his entrance, the banquet hall buzzed with excitement.

“Goodness, isn’t that the famous Duke Valtazar of Rugbeljet?”

“I thought he’d be an old man with a big belly, but he’s actually such a handsome man?”

“And his physique! He looks even bigger than the imperial knight captain, who’s known as the best swordsman in the Raphelios Empire!”

“Isn’t he still unmarried?”

The young noblewomen blushed and whispered among themselves, making Roselia feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

Then, as if he had immediately spotted her amid the crowd, Klaus looked directly in her direction.

Caught off guard, Roselia flinched but couldn’t look away.

For a moment, the noise and the people around her seemed to fade, leaving just the two of them standing in the banquet hall.

“Roselia?”

Johannes’s call snapped her out of it. Realizing she had been staring at Klaus, Roselia quickly turned her head.

“I’m sorry. I need to step out for a moment.”

Leaving Johannes behind, Roselia hastily exited the banquet hall. But she froze in her tracks when a familiar yet unexpected voice stopped her.

“I figured you were some nobleman’s daughter. Fancy meeting you here again.”

Leaning casually against the entrance of the hall was Prince Asif of Benuve, flashing her a mischievous smile.

“Did you get that painting?”

“Painting…?”

Only then did Roselia recall their previous encounter, where she had tried to purchase a painting. She responded awkwardly, “Oh… no. I couldn’t get it. I was told it wasn’t for sale.”

“Hmm… is that so? Want me to get it for you?”

Startled by Asif’s unexpected offer, Roselia looked at him with suspicion.

“What? Why would you…?”

“So you figured out I’m a prince.”

Asif’s red eyes glimmered as he spoke leisurely.

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Curious?”

Asif smirked as his enchanting red eyes narrowed slightly.

“The scent I caught from you…”

Roselia’s face stiffened in shock.

At that moment, a cold, biting voice cut through the air like fate’s intervention.

“What kind of conversation is this, away from the others?”

Like a black panther guarding its invaded territory, Klaus strode forward with a sharp, predatory gaze, silhouetted by the light of the banquet hall.

“Oh, the famous Duke Valtazar?”

Asif feigned surprise with exaggerated ease, but Klaus didn’t spare him a glance. Instead, he walked straight toward Roselia.

Grabbing her wrist, Klaus pulled her closer, as if to separate her from Asif.

“Let’s talk outside.”

His tone was more forceful than usual, causing Roselia to frown as she resisted his grip.

“I have nothing to discuss with you, Your Grace.”

Watching their tug-of-war with great interest, Asif finally stepped forward, blocking Klaus’s path.

“Hey, the young lady said no, didn’t she?”

Klaus finally met Asif’s gaze, his expression icy.

“This is none of your concern.”

“Looks like your preferences lean that way after all.”

Asif’s deliberate provocation was clearly aimed at riling Klaus, whose expression turned deadly.

“My preferences are none of your business, Prince Asif.”

Despite knowing Asif’s status as a prince of Benuve, Klaus showed no hesitation in expressing his hostility. Asif raised an eyebrow, smiling lazily.

“I usually don’t bother with other people’s affairs, but I happen to share a certain connection here.”

At Asif’s mention of a “connection” with Roselia, sparks flared in Klaus’s eyes.

Meeting Klaus’s fiery gaze, Asif’s eyes, despite his relaxed demeanor, glinted with defiance.

Roselia, who had been watching the two with a mix of irritation and exasperation, sighed deeply and took a step back.

“I have no business with either of you, so I’ll be going back inside.”

Without a second glance, she turned and walked away. Asif was left momentarily dumbfounded.

“Wha…?”

Unlike Asif, Klaus seemed unfazed by Roselia’s reaction. With an indifferent expression, he followed her back into the banquet hall.

Left alone, Asif ruffled his hair in frustration, muttering to himself, “I tried to help, and she just walks away. That stings a little.”

Leaning back against the wall, he let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh as he stared in the direction Roselia had disappeared.

* * *

As Roselia entered the banquet hall, she looked around to find Johannes.

Not far away, she spotted him engaged in conversation with another noble.

Thinking it best not to interrupt unnecessarily, she decided to wait until Johannes finished his discussion.

Her gaze wandered and landed on Prince Aaron, who was sitting alone, almost like an isolated island.

Approaching him was Princess Tania, the daughter of Lady Sabina.

Despite their sibling relationship, Aaron’s expression showed not joy but discomfort and fear.

“My dear Aaron, do you know how much your elder sister cares for you?”

“…”

“Your sister is so proud that our little Aaron will soon ascend as Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Sister…”

With an exaggeratedly sweet smile, Princess Tania looked down at the young prince, who was barely tall enough to reach her waist, her tone dripping with mockery.

“So, Aaron, as someone who will soon take on the grand role of Crown Prince, don’t you think it’s time to show some maturity?”

Her suggestive words caused Aaron to look up at her anxiously.

“Maturity…?”

Tania extended one of the two champagne glasses she held toward him.

“Here. Let’s toast together, my dear brother.”

“This is…”

Staring at the unmistakable liquid in the glass, Aaron’s eyes darted around nervously.

Behind Tania, young noblemen, led by Alphonse, chuckled.

Unlike the others, Alphonse watched the scene with an indifferent expression, as if he were merely an observer.

It was clear that they intended to force the young prince to drink and create an opportunity to find fault with him.

Even Aaron, with his limited experience, seemed to grasp that Tania’s approach was far from friendly, judging by his distressed expression.

“Surely, my dear brother isn’t going to refuse his loving sister’s offer of a toast?”

Feigning a hurt expression, Tania made her demand, leaving Aaron to lower his gaze uneasily.

“But Her Majesty the Empress told me I’m still too young for alcohol and should stick to fruit juice…”

“Oh, Aaron. Soon, you’ll be Crown Prince. Are you planning to stay sheltered under Her Majesty’s skirts forever? A Crown Prince should be a model for everyone.”

With a sly smile, she pushed the glass toward him.

“Look around, Aaron. Everyone here except you is drinking champagne.”

“That’s…”

At that moment, Roselia stepped in, blocking Tania’s attempt to force the champagne on Aaron.

“Your Highness, I’ve brought the drink you requested.”

With a gentle smile, Roselia offered Aaron a glass of orange juice.

Caught off guard, Aaron accepted the glass and looked at Roselia, his lips parting slightly.

“You’re…”

Tania, having lost her chance to humiliate Aaron, scowled and snapped sharply.

“Who are you to interfere? A young nobleman I’ve never seen before, without an ounce of tact?”

Even the Crown Princess of Rugbeljet would have spoken respectfully, no matter the rank of the other party.

But Tania, merely because of her title, openly insulted someone without even knowing their status. Roselia’s brows furrowed in irritation.

“I stepped in because I do have tact.”

“What?”

Tania let out an incredulous scoff, her voice rising in agitation.

“Do you even know who I am?”

“Princess Tania of the Raphelios Empire, if I’m not mistaken.”

“And you dare speak to me like that? Who are you, then? Which noble family do you belong to?”

Sighing at Tania’s typical display of arrogance and immaturity, Roselia answered calmly.

“I’m not a member of any Raphelios noble family.”

“Then what are you? Some servant brought along by the nobles?”

Even if she were a servant, there was no reason to address her so rudely or ignorantly.

The higher one’s position, the more humility and respect they should show to others.

Watching Tania’s unchecked arrogance, Roselia replied firmly, her face stiff with displeasure.

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am a guest of the Marquess of Euciliod, attending this banquet as the Viscountess of Bernas from Rugbeljet.”

“A noble from Rugbeljet?”

At that moment, a young lady standing behind Tania like a handmaid cautiously whispered to her.

“Your Highness, I’ve heard that Rugbeljet has an aristocracy so ancient and esteemed that even dukes and marquesses defer to families like the Bernas.”

“Silence! What’s so special about Rugbeljet’s aristocracy? This is Raphelios, and I’m the only princess here!”

Tania yelled at the girl sharply, then turned back to Roselia with an arrogant smirk.

“Countess Bernas. Are you aware that your behavior toward me is a grave insult to the Raphelios imperial family?”

Though she altered her tone after learning Roselia’s status, her arrogance remained unchanged. Roselia sighed deeply and met Tania’s gaze with resolve.

“The rightful heir of the Raphelios imperial family is Prince Aaron, as I understand it. Forcing him to drink alcohol, especially when he is underage by imperial standards, seems far more disrespectful, does it not?”

“W-what…!”

Tania’s face flushed red with embarrassment and rage as she opened her mouth to retort.

But before she could speak, her gaze shifted behind Roselia, and her expression changed, her cheeks reddening for an entirely different reason.

“Oh… I must’ve gotten too excited because it’s such a joyous day.”

Confused by Tania’s sudden change in demeanor, Roselia turned to see what had caught her attention.

Standing silently behind her was Klaus, his presence unmistakable.

Roselia’s face stiffened as her eyes met his.

TL/N: LOl the title of the chap feels cringe ‘A Beast Whose Territory Has Been Invaded’

 

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