Walter’s decision to participate was not just to restrain the Imperial Consort Dowager’s faction; he had another intention.
⋙“Most of the knights participating in the tournament are swordsmen who have unlocked their auras or awakened magical powers. It’s a tournament where participants are permitted to unleash their full power, so the heads of the family don’t send ordinary knights.”⋘
According to Vane’s explanation, magic could be used legally during the tournament.
In many ways, it was better for Walter to participate, as he had to quickly reach the awakening and pass them on to the child.
『 I’m just getting ready.』
Edith knew that he stayed in the main building to study etiquette and liberal arts classes, but that wasn’t all.
Walter learned how to control magic from Franz and Vane in a special space made of magic stones.
⋙“If you do it like this, even if you use magic excessively, you won’t suddenly vomit blood or experience severe pain. It may not be possible to stop a magic outburst, but…”⋘
Thanks to the intense training, he no longer suffered from nosebleeds or extreme pain no matter how much magical power he used.
It was quite important for Walter to be able to use his magical powers without any disruption in front of Edith.
『 I need opponents who can give their all in the tournament.』
If he encounters an opponent who forces him to use magic enough to reach the level of awakening, he would be able to share the magical power with the baby in Edith’s womb as quickly as possible, and after that, all he had to do was focus on solving the problem of his magic outburst.
As he checked his plan once again, a relaxed smile formed on his face, and those surrounding him naturally moved on to the next topic of conversation.
“If word spreads that the Little Duke will participate in the Swordsmanship Tournament, the young ladies will be busy embroidering handkerchiefs.”
“Haha, after the New Year’s celebration, you’ll be busy with wedding talks.”
“Wedding talks?”
“Of course. You think hot-blooded men only want glory after participating in a swordsmanship tournament where they could get seriously hurt?”
Walter was contemplating whom he might encounter and how he would win the tournament. But it was also apparent that knights and nobles entered the tournament with romantic pursuits in mind.
“Everyone, regardless of age or gender, admires heroes.”
“Besides, the tournament is overseen by the Emperor. No lady would refuse a marriage proposal from someone who has received the honor granted by the Emperor.”
When the Little Duke of Lexion showed interest in marriage discussions, those around him began subtly asking questions to discern his preferences.
They knew very well that for the prosperity of their own family, there was no surer investment than connecting their family to House Lexion as the Little Duke was of marriageable age.
“By the way, did I mention that my younger sister is in charge of a welfare project?”
“My sister has a great eye for art and has already discovered several outstanding artists. It would be an honor to have the opportunity to introduce her in the future.”
Among those who secretly tried to introduce their relatives, some took a more active role.
“By any chance, Your Grace, do you have a preferred type of lady?”
“Type of lady?”
When Walter heard that, a scene came to mind.
⋙“Well then… undress.”⋘
“…”
Walter felt like his body was heating up as he remembered the Fourth Lady who had made his heart sink to the ground with just one word.
He had a hard time defining his preferences. Walter wondered if he enjoyed hearing the commanding voice of the lady he served, who secretly slipped away and commanded him as if she were pleading.
『 If I answer like that, I’ll probably be treated as someone with strange sexual desires.』
Walter passed the question with a smile and slightly looked away.
Then he noticed Edith glancing at him, curious about the conversation related to his own marriage.
──────────✿◦•
As the number of people trying to talk to her gradually dwindled, Edith moved to the drawing room once again, escorted by Cassius.
Benjamin, who had received her invitation and attended the banquet, was waiting there.
“Thanks for coming, Benjamin.”
“I should be the one thanking you for the invitation. Even my editor-in-chief was so surprised when he heard I was invited that he was speechless.”
Benjamin, who had taken an extended leave at the risk of losing his job by staying in Fortrion to cover the affairs of the territory, found himself in an unexpected heyday.
Upon returning, he discovered that people in the capital were curious about the stories of Fortrion Territory, so he was assigned to write a feature article in serial format.
Merchants who realized that Fortrion had a friendly relationship with Lexion asked him for brief advice on the territory and paid him a huge consulting fee.
“I was the only one who could unravel Fortrion’s affairs, so they even doubled my salary.”
“That’s a relief. You have been rewarded for all the hard work you have done to help me.”
Edith knew that Benjamin deliberately refrained from divulging certain details.
If it were another journalist staying in Fortrion and conducting in-depth coverage, that journalist might have added unconfirmed and provocative information to sell to the newspaper. However, Benjamin wrote only the article with information based on facts.
“If it had been another journalist, they might have created a provocative novel by weaving together Nicholas’ sexual preferences and the stories of his wives.”
“Those who would do such things probably wouldn’t have the passion to go all the way to the distant Fortrion for coverage.”
Thanks to Benjamin’s in-depth reporting, those who had no connection to Fortrion, let alone correspondents, had no choice but to copy and edit his articles.
Benjamin also knew that his role was important for the image of Edith and Walter, so he paid attention to each and every word to ensure that malicious editing was impossible.
Thanks to this, it felt a little heartbreaking for Benjamin to see Walter’s heroism receiving attention, trying to bring about a generational change in Fortrion, plagued by tyranny, but he couldn’t help it.
It was literally true that the man who designed everything behind the scenes was the hero of Fortrion.
“Anyway, the special article was a huge hit, so I think it’ll be okay to take it easy for a while. So, if you have a favor to ask, feel free to ask me.”
Benjamin was not foolish enough not to know that he wasn’t on the same level as Walter, the stableman, or Walter Isaac Lexion, the Little Duke of Lexion.
But he also knew that, having worked as a journalist in the capital, he could provide other forms of assistance that she might need.
Edith thought for a moment and spoke to him in a low voice.
“Benjamin. You’ve also covered about the Gerturks before, right?”
“Yes, it’s the Imperial Consort Patricia’s family. The Count and his wife, one son, one daughter, and the younger brother, Gilbert Gerturk, living in one manor…”
Edith had been reading newspaper articles about House Gerturk for several days until her eyes became dizzy.
However, Benjamin, who actually conducted the investigation, knew more than she did.
『 I have to find out exactly how Elizabeth is tied to Gerturk.』
Once she discovered something suspicious, she could be able to dig deeper. Edith listened to Benjamin’s words with a cautious expression on her face.
──────────✿◦•
The news that the Little Duke of Lexion would personally participate in the Swordsmanship Tournament quickly spread throughout the entire capital.
“I heard he’s a very handsome man.”
“After the tournament, he’ll probably receive countless marriage proposals.”
Not only the people gathered in the shopping streets but also the servants working in the Imperial Palace were busy talking about Walter.
“My friend says that if you invest in a company that has deep connections with Fortrion, you will benefit greatly.”
“Well, I’m sure the Little Duke would also like to repay Edith Fortrion for her favor, right?”
“As long as Lexion’s honor is intact, he will help her in any way…”
The palace servants, who had been talking a lot, suddenly closed their mouths when they noticed someone approaching from afar. It was the Imperial Consort Patricia; she had been in a bad mood since early morning after hearing the news of House Lexion’s Heir’s social debut.
She pretended not to hear the greetings from the servants to avoid giving a malicious impression, but her insides were twisting.
『 Participating directly in the tournament would mean challenging House Gerturk’s pride.』
By challenging her family, he means challenging her, the Imperial Consort who gave birth to the imperial heir.
Moreover, Viscountess Carter had recently been making noises about Lexion looking down on her, which she claimed was an insult to the Imperial Consort, so Walter’s decision was even more annoying.
Unable to contain her irritation, Patricia walked quickly to her palace.
There, standing in a stiff posture, was Aizen, who had answered her call earlier in the morning. He bowed his head.
“Greetings, Your Highness, who will soon become the ruler of the empire.”
Normally, Aizen’s mild flattery would have made her feel better, but Patricia was literally heated from head to toe.
She gritted her teeth and glared at Aizen, who had once been her bodyguard.
“If you had properly handled things when Walter was just a stableman, I could have been pleased with your greeting just now.”
“… I apologize.”
“Wasn’t it you who said you wanted to avenge the comrades who were killed by the aristocratic faction by killing the man Nicholas Fortrion had kidnapped?”
Aizen knew Patricia was the type to release her anger on others and confirmed her authority by gently scratching the insides of those who could not challenge her.
Therefore, he kept his mouth shut even more. But to Patricia, it seemed like he was protesting silently.
Tap―
Patricia put a small glass bottle down on the table.
“This is a poison handcrafted by the mages I employ. If people with magical powers drink this poison, their bodies will suffer serious damage.”
“…”
“As the Imperial Consort Dowager, I’m giving you two choices. You can either drink this now, or you can go to the tournament as a knight and feed this to Walter.”
Aizen knew the pressure that Count Gerturk would put on him if he did not follow Patricia’s orders. Perhaps it would not end with him resigning from his position as the leader of the assassination squad.
As a commoner who rose to success solely based on his skills, he did not have the strength to stand against Patricia.
Furthermore, considering it as an opportunity to take revenge on Walter, who had mocked him by capturing his subordinates and dropping them at the Duchy of Lexion, it was not a command he could refuse.
“I will follow your orders, Your Highness.”
Aizen bowed his head to avoid Patricia’s cold gaze.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
