Chapter 113
After finishing his private audience with the Emperor, Laszlo headed straight for the Marquisate of Celestine.
Barbara welcomed him warmly, but she couldn’t help but wonder why he had come so soon after their last meeting.
“Marquis, though in a different form, the time has come.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have requested a pardon for Idel from His Majesty. He has granted it, and it will be announced during the Emperor’s birthday banquet.”
Barbara took a deep breath at the mention of Idel’s pardon.
How long had she wished for this?
However, her expression did not brighten.
“I have longed for Idel’s pardon as well, but considering recent developments, I question whether now is the right time.”
“Everyone seems to share that concern. If Idel is pardoned, I will have little justification to keep her bound.”
“That is correct. But seeing as you’ve pushed forward with this, I assume you have a plan?”
Laszlo lowered his voice as if the real discussion was about to begin.
“Of course. There is a one-month grace period after the pardon is announced. During this time, I ask that you act as Idel’s guardian.”
“If I become her guardian… what about you?”
Faced with the unavoidable question, Laszlo felt as though he were standing before Idel’s mother.
But for this plan to work, he needed the cooperation of both Dimarcus and Barbara.
“Please, don’t be too shocked. I…”
Laszlo calmly explained the rest of his plan.
Frankly, he wouldn’t have been surprised if Barbara had stood up and grabbed him by the collar. But her reaction was unexpectedly composed.
“I see… That would certainly be beyond their expectations. Even if they realize it later, the grace period would prevent them from invoking parental authority.”
“Are you saying you support my plan?”
“At the moment, I don’t see a better alternative, so I suppose I have no choice.”
Though she wasn’t entirely satisfied with the plan, she was willing to help for the sake of immediate necessity.
Laszlo felt relieved just by that.
“Thank you. To be honest, I was prepared to get slapped.”
“If you had laid a finger on Idel while she was your prisoner, I would have opposed you without hesitation. But I now acknowledge that you are a gentleman. And I understand that this is for Idel’s sake.”
Barbara, who had regained her usual composure, began discussing the details of the plan.
She pointed out aspects Laszlo had not considered, and thanks to her insights, his plan became even more refined.
Before they knew it, the two of them found themselves gazing at the sunset outside the window.
“I have a feeling that Idel’s situation will become the catalyst for the conflict between the Emperor’s faction and the old noble faction.”
“It will. They likely seized on this issue with that very intention.”
Barbara let out a deep sigh and spoke quietly.
“Please… protect Idel until the end.”
There was only one answer Laszlo could give.
“Of course. You have nothing to worry about.”
The Emperor’s birthday banquet was held on December 20th.
Since no grand celebration had been held the previous year, this year’s event was larger in scale. With the new year approaching right after the banquet, the capital was filled with excitement.
Flags from various nations lined the main roads, and red ribbons on streetlamps delighted the children. For the adults, the temporary reduction in taxes and the abundance of goods distributed by the royal family made their dining tables richer than usual.
“This year-end feels generous. If only they’d cut taxes like this for even a month each year, we’d have nothing more to wish for!”
“Exactly. With lower taxes, I could buy my kids a new set of clothes and fill their bellies with bread.”
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
Amid the growing voices praising the Emperor and the royal family, the imperial banquet gathered all the nobles, making it a grand affair.
However, with so many people in one place, uncomfortable reunions were inevitable.
Laszlo was no exception.
“Oh my! It’s been a while, Count.”
At the sound of a familiar voice, he had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, when he turned around, there she was—Angela.
And she was clinging to the arm of her infamous fiancé, the subject of much gossip.
“Good evening.”
Laszlo barely suppressed the urge to retort that they weren’t on speaking terms and responded indifferently.
Angela’s fiancé looked visibly displeased.
Leandro Bilbro, wasn’t it? There was oddly little information about him…
After Angela’s engagement was announced, Dimarcus had personally ordered an investigation, but very little was found about Leandro, which in itself was suspicious.
Laszlo decided to test the waters and extended a greeting.
“It seems this is our first meeting. I am Laszlo Chrysus.”
“I am Leandro Bilbro. But as I’ve heard, your manners towards ladies seem quite lacking.”
It was rare for someone to be this openly hostile upon first meeting. Even political adversaries usually maintained a polite façade.
That only made Laszlo more intrigued.
“In what way have I offended you?”
Laszlo deliberately took on a provocative tone, and Leandro was quick to react.
“A lady greeted you first, yet you neither bowed nor even tilted your head. Where in that can one find proper etiquette?”
“My, I regret that it came across that way. However, if I had bowed and kissed Angela’s hand, wouldn’t that have upset you even more?”
“Why would it?”
“I assume you are aware of whom Angela first proposed to?”
Leandro’s face turned red at that.
But Angela, ever the seasoned veteran of the social scene, remained completely unfazed.
“Oh dear! I never expected you to remember that. I thought you had no interest in me, considering how you so coldly rejected me.”
But Laszlo was not one to back down.
“I always keep an eye on both my allies and my enemies.”
The atmosphere instantly grew tense. And it wasn’t Laszlo who had nothing more to say.
“Well then, I hope you both enjoy the banquet.”
With a formal bow, Laszlo turned away, leaving Angela’s face devoid of its usual smile and Leandro seething with hostility.
After Laszlo departed, Leandro tightened his grip on Angela’s shoulder and whispered darkly.
“I promise you, Angela. The moment I ascend the throne, I will ensure that man suffers the most excruciating death possible. Without fail.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it, Leandro.”
Angela, flashing a sweet smile, tightened her hold on him, solidifying her resolve for revenge.
You’ll regret ever looking down on me, Laszlo Chrysus.
As countless thoughts, glances, and hidden intentions intertwined, the guest of honor for the banquet finally arrived.
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress enter!”
With the herald’s booming voice, the grand hall doors swung open and trumpets blared.
Dimarcus, radiating charisma even in his lavish attire, commanded the reverence of the assembled nobles, who bowed in unison as though in the presence of a god.
Though he often displayed a playful side to Laszlo, in this moment, he was the absolute ruler of the vast Pisphera Empire.
As the Emperor and Empress took their seats and the nobles straightened, the banquet hall grew silent. It was time for the Emperor to speak.
“I appreciate you all for attending my birthday banquet. The past two years have been tumultuous, and I regret that the royal family has been unable to host such grand gatherings.”
Dimarcus glanced toward Isaac and the other power holders of the three great noble families.
They undoubtedly understood the implication behind his words, but he knew they would ignore his warning regardless.
This war was inevitable.
The three great families desired power beyond the Emperor’s, while Dimarcus would rather die than become a mere figurehead.
Still, today was a day of celebration, not a time for conflict.
“Tonight’s banquet is a rare occasion for me to personally entertain you. So eat, drink, dance, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest!”
Despite his words, the festivities did not begin immediately.
Following tradition, speeches celebrating the Emperor’s birthday were given, and gifts from foreign envoys were presented.
Finally, at the end of it all, the list of individuals granted special pardons in honor of the Emperor’s birthday was announced.
Under the previous Emperor, such announcements would have garnered little interest. However, since Dimarcus took power and intensified punishments for noble criminals, the families of prisoners now listened intently.
Some on the list were already expected to be pardoned due to exemplary conduct or political dealings, but others had been awaiting their fates until the last moment.
“The total number of pardoned individuals is fifty. After a one-month grace period, if no further crimes are committed or uncovered, their full legal status will be restored.”
A tense silence filled the hall as Dimarcus began reading the names.
Occasionally, sighs of relief or murmurs of joy broke the stillness.
“And the final name on the list is…”
Thank you, Rumi! So excited to see what’s coming!