Episode 31
The news that Ludwig had submitted formal documents for the official succession to the royal family spread throughout the system, signaling a direct breakthrough against the opposition of the Elder Council.
I went downstairs to read the Imperial Gazette that Nella had brought.
‘Sure enough, it’s becoming quite a spectacle of historic proportions.’
There seemed to be twice as many articles as usual, making the daily newspaper thicker than ever.
Had there been such great public interest recently?
[House of Karsian, the stage for a power struggle.]
[The identity of the victor who caused a sensation in the Karsian hunt.]
[Imminent succession to the Ducal throne!]
[Only half of the Karsian territory’s residents welcoming….]
Every page of the Imperial Gazette was filled with information about Karsian without exception.
With the momentous movement of the colossal power stage, there was a flurry of media coverage.
Fortunately, the articles were favorable to Ludwig.
Recent issues arising from conflicts between the direct and collateral branches, which had caused a great uproar, once again resurfaced, which worked in favor of Ludwig, the legitimate successor.
However, there were noticeable discussions regarding the stance of the Elder Council and the residents of Karsian regarding the succession.
While succession was an internal matter of the noble families, the loyalty of the residents was a crucial issue.
Frequent uprisings could be seen as a problem with the lord, leading to investigations of corruption by the royal palace.
Rumors circulated about the royal palace intensifying investigations into noble corruption to strengthen royal authority, even fabricating corruption where there was none to suppress dissent.
Above all, the Karsian Elder Council had a close relationship with the royal palace.
Opposition from the Elder Council meant that even if Ludwig became the Duke, he could be pulled down at any time.
“In that case, Ludwig’s method of wiping out the Elder Council in the original work was much neater.”
In the original work, despite carrying the label of a dictator for wiping out the Elder Council and becoming the Duke, Ludwig actually performed well in managing the territory.
The Karsian territory had long been plagued by corruption within the Elder Council, causing various problems, but Ludwig garnered the support of the residents through transparent governance.
Moreover, he also provided appropriate compensation to the residents who had been directly or indirectly harmed by the Elder Council.
There was no doubt that he would be a good Duke.
‘But the fact that opposition to the succession already occupies half…’
It meant that a significant number of people had been bought off by the Elder Council.
‘But Ludwig won’t just sit back and watch.’
I glanced at the gossip column tucked under the large headline articles.
It was an article carrying rumors about the social circles, gossiping about the romantic rendezvous between the Dreynian heiress and the Karsian Duke.
“Romantic rendezvous? Can such a thing even happen in a forest teeming with monsters?”
Since the small articles were usually consumed as mere entertainment to attract the public’s interest, I didn’t pay much attention and covered the newspaper with a sigh.
Nella placed the tea on the table with a satisfied smile and said, “The Karsian Duke’s affairs seem to be buzzing everywhere. Despite being so busy, why do you think he wants to spend time with you?”
“He said it’s a reward for being his partner.”
“You don’t really believe that, do you?”
“Well?”
“He’s just trying to find an excuse to see your face again!”
“….?”
Nella had a considerable liking for Ludwig.
She had not only saved me from assassination but was also deeply impressed by Ludwig’s appearance when he escorted me to the recent Duke’s residence banquet.
“A person as refined as the Duke, I’ve never seen anyone like him in my life. When he reached out his hand to you, it was like a painting…”
While Nella unfolded the pink wings of her imagination, another maid, Viéte, who was standing beside her, also chimed in.
“That’s right! Do you know how captivating the Duke’s gaze was?”
“…How was it?”
“It’s hard to express in words, but it felt like he was completely enchanted by you? His gaze was so unforgettable that I couldn’t sleep at night!”
As the young girl spoke, the maid beside her smiled awkwardly and interjected, “It’s because Viéte has been reading a lot of romance novels lately… Please understand, miss.”
“Wouldn’t Bell also have understood if she were there?”
“Tsk, Viéte. You shouldn’t speak like that in front of the miss.”
Viéte had been my maid since childhood.
Having seen each other for so long that it didn’t feel awkward to say they grew up together, I could understand why Bell, who had recently become my maid, was embarrassed by Viéte’s casual speech.
Above all, Viéte had also accompanied me to the Karsian banquet.
Since attending the banquet, Viéte’s flights of imagination had become even more extravagant.
“Well, there was this hoodlum, or rather, this cheeky fellow who dared to throw punches like he was out of his mind, all while getting angry like it was his own business.”
“Oh my, did such a thing happen? How dare a crazy rascal like him raise his hand against our miss…”
Nella wiped away her astonishment at the unfamiliar story.
“That’s not all. To prevent him from harassing you again, the entire floor where you reside was cleared out. Guards were stationed at the stairs, too!”
Guards? This was the first I’ve heard of it.
“And he even carefully applied ointment to your almost bruised wrist himself… That’s when I became certain.”
With a confident expression, Viéte said to me as she sipped her tea.
“Without a doubt, the Duke has an interest in you!”
Her demeanor was so resolute that I almost believed her on the spot.
Of course, based solely on Viéte’s account, it seemed plausible.
However, as someone who remembered Jenah and Ludwig from the original work, who shared a sticky love, it was unfamiliar to me.
Friendly gestures and interest in the opposite sex weren’t necessarily indicative of affection.
Jenah and the male leads would stick to each other at any chance they got under the guise of healing, but perhaps it stuck in my mind because I read that part diligently.
Compared to that, wasn’t our relationship just the right amount of friendly and cordial?
Seeing my still uncertain expression, Viéte said, “Well… There’s a way for you to confirm it yourself.”
“A way for me to confirm it myself?”
With a gleam in her eyes, Viéte whispered something in my ear.
* * *
In front of the Drenehian mansion, a carriage engraved with the Karsian crest was parked.
Upon seeing Ludwig, who was tidying his appearance in front of it, I quickened my steps.
“Ludwig, you’re here first! Did you wait long?”
“No, I just arrived.”
Perhaps it was because of the unusually clear weather, but Ludwig, dressed in a suit, seemed to shine even more.
Or maybe it was because he heard something strange from Viéte earlier.
The carriage facing Ludwig and me was headed towards the capital.
Ludwig handed me a blanket, as if anticipating that I might feel cold due to the chilly weather.
“Although it has a warming charm, the interior is quite chilly. You’ll feel much better if you cover yourself with this.”
“Oh, thank you.”
It was already chilly due to the sudden drop in temperature.
Since awakening to the power of water, there had been some physical changes, one of which was becoming more susceptible to the cold.
As I looked at Ludwig, who naturally exuded kindness, he asked, “Is there something on my face?”
Yes, there is. Handsomeness in abundance.
The slight fatigue around his eyes, perhaps from staying up late for work, made him look even more like a weary prince.
I had heard that the Hiltens were genetically blessed with beauty, and Ludwig’s presence was a prime example of that.
Without answering, I gradually leaned my face closer to Ludwig’s.
Our gazes collided in mid-air.
As the distance narrowed and silence stretched, a sense of confusion flickered in Ludwig’s eyes.
At the same time, my cheeks turned so red that they were noticeable even to my ears.
“S-Sierra?”
“Oh, there’s a small leaf stuck here. Just a moment, let me remove it…”
As I said that and reached out, the carriage lurched abruptly.
“Oops…!”
Unable to steady myself, I almost fell backward, but Ludwig quickly wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Are you okay?”
Ludwig’s face was right in front of mine.
Startled, I widened my eyes as I found myself enveloped in his tight embrace.
“I’m fine.”
Even after I managed to say that, Ludwig remained motionless.
“Ludwig, you can let go of me now…”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Only then did Ludwig, who had been as stiff as a rock, release me.
“Wow, that was a surprise. It’s unusual for something like this to happen in a carriage with anti-jostling magic…”
“The road seems quite rough. We should instruct them to prepare the road better next time.”
Huh? Was he suggesting paving the road just because it jolted once…?
I was bewildered by his suggestion.
“More importantly, let’s finish what you were going to do.”
Ludwig pushed my face closer to his.
“The leaf, please remove it.”
“….”
Ludwig looked at me with a playful glint in his eyes.
He knew.
He knew that there was no leaf on my face.
Inwardly, I cursed Viéte.
