Chapter 57
“The Princess has instructed me to convey that your presence is absolutely required,” the driver gently urged Debert, who seemed reluctant to get into the car.
Debert was well aware of what this invitation signified.
The official celebration was to begin the night after the troops had arrived. And the host of the first night of this official celebration was Princess Raphnel.
Celebrating the end of the war with the charming Princess’s welcome had become a tradition in Nexus.
“Where should I go?”
At that moment, a shout of “Wow!” was heard. Soon after, the noise of the crowd singing and the sound of firecrackers lighting up the sky became chaotically intertwined.
Debert got into the car without waiting for a response, the slight furrow of his brow and the sigh he exhaled conveying his fatigue.
The princess’s banquet was open to everyone in Wayne, but a secret banquet known only to society members was held in Raphnell’s greenhouse garden.
Raphnel had tended to the garden, day after day, for this one day. The rarest flowers in the world had all been brought to Raphnel’s garden, and the moment they became fashionable, she ruthlessly displaced them from her domain.
It was a truly lavish garden.
Debert opened the window, already feeling the cloying floral scent. The biting winter wind stung his face as it swept through the moving car, but his expression remained indifferent to it all.
Another night without Beth had begun.
Just another night.
* * *
“I greet you, Princess. How is it that you become more beautiful with each passing day?”
“That can’t be true, Ronald Beck.”
“The most precious gem of the Wayner imperial family must be Princess Raphnel herself.”
“You’re too kind. There are so many lovely young ladies here.”
Raphnel caressed her blushing cheeks as she responded to the man’s flattery. With a single gesture, the faces of the men surrounding her brightened.
Manipulating men with her tongue was Raphnel’s innate talent. She was grateful to have inherited this from her mother.
The greenhouse garden, oblivious to the night, shone brighter than the stars in the sky.
The white wisteria trees entwined around the glass ceiling like a celestial river, and in the centre of the greenhouse, a soft melody accompanied the rising fountain, captivating the guests.
Raphnel leisurely savoured her own creation as she took graceful steps.
Whenever she walked, men approached to speak with her, and the excited young ladies also showered her with praise, eager to be closer to the Princess.
Raphnel stood in the centre of the greenhouse, where she could oversee the entrance. The invited guests were already pouring into her bustling garden, all unmarried children of the most prominent noble families in Nexus.
“This garden is truly beautiful, Princess.”
“The faces gathered here are even more beautiful than this garden.”
Raphnel allowed a subtle smile to grace her lips.
You are flattering me. There are so many beautiful ladies here.”
The men wished for chaste yet beautiful wives, while secretly maintaining multiple mistresses, and the women hoped to secure the side of a man with wealth and power, regardless of their own family’s standing.
Under the pretext of celebrating and comforting the end of the war, this was an opportunity for them to freely explore one another.
That was the purpose of the Princess’s greenhouse garden banquet.
“He’s about to arrive,” Belle whispered to the Princess. Unlike in the Princess’s chambers, she was dressed the same as the other maids, her plain face blending in as her hair was neatly tied up.
“He’s already here.”
The corner of her crimson lips curled upward.
With each light step, the delicate flowers carpeting the ground were crushed underfoot.
“You don’t know how anxious I was when I thought you wouldn’t come.”
It was a much more gentle voice than when she spoke to other men.
Debert approached, fastidiously buttoning up his loosened suit. From his neatly combed fringe to his composed brow and indifferent gaze, the man before her was no different from the one she had seen on the battlefield, save for the absence of his military uniform.
“You look so dashing as always, Your Grace.”
This was the only sincere remark she had made all evening.
He was a man whose appearance alone satisfied her, though not in a sexual manner.
Just as one feels content looking at a beautiful painting or tenderly caressing a rare flower, her interest in him was of that degree.
And that man’s eyes had fallen on that Beth girl. It was truly a pity that his aesthetic sense had decayed so.
“Debert…?”
“You look lovely as well, Princess.”
“Not at all.”
Raphnel stepped up to Debert’s side as if it were only natural. With a nod, she conveyed her intention to escort him, and Debert discreetly offered his arm.
“Oh, who do we have here! Debert!”
“Duke Debert, what a pleasant surprise to see you here! It’s been so long. Remember me? We went hunting together a couple of years ago-”
“Debert! You’ve returned alive!”
“It’s an honour to see the Duke of Cliff.”
The elegant Princess and Duke entering the garden were greeted with a flurry of salutations.
They were the ones who had found every excuse to avoid the battlefield, claiming illness, being the sole heir, or having seizures at the sound of gunfire. Shamelessly, they were eager to gain even the crumbs that fell from Debert.
“I’ve been wanting to discuss business with you.”
“Our family has been in the mining business for generations, you know.”
Aware that the Cliff family’s military supply business was growing ever larger, they couldn’t afford to miss this rare opportunity to meet the elusive Debert Cliff.
“Debert.”
Raphnel gently tugged at the lapel of Debert’s coat, his arm still linked with hers.
Debert’s gaze, which had been indifferently surveying the figures before him, lowered to her.
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’ll go check on the young ladies for a bit.”
Debert simply unlinked his arm, as if he had been waiting for this. Raphnel smiled unfazed, despite the irritation bubbling within her.
“Then, enjoy your conversation.”
No one dared to object to Raphnel’s behaviour, acting as if she were Debert’s wife. Only a few dim-witted men eyed the Princess with a wistful expression.
“It’s so good to see you again, Debert.”
“I’m glad to see you as well.”
Debert’s expression grew even colder after Raphnel stepped aside. His attire, from the shirt to the suit and the cuffs, was impeccable, but an odd rawness emanated from him.
Debert carelessly popped the champagne bottle cap on the side table. The white foam burst out like fireworks from the shaken bottle neck.
“Ack! Damn it!”
“What are you doing?”
A few men, their suits and shoe tips splattered with the spilled foam, shook their clothes in an unsightly manner and stomped their feet. The unexpected commotion drew the gaze of the young ladies.
Stifled chuckles could be heard here and there.
The flushed men glared at Debert, but quickly averted their eyes at the icy aura emanating from him.
“My apologies.”
“Yes, yes! It was an accident, Duke Debert!”
A cheerful voice interjected.
“Ah, Prince Arthur!”
The people greeted Arthur with delight.
“Please forgive him. He was just rolling around in the dirt a few days ago. Please have some pity on him.”
“There’s nothing to forgive.”
Arthur shrugged at Debert. The dishevelled morning face had disappeared, and he was impeccably groomed.
“It’s good to see you all.”
He didn’t forget to greet the group of young ladies gazing at him adoringly.
“See, Debert? Try greeting them like I did, instead of just standing there sullen.”
Arthur slung his arm over Debert’s shoulder.
With the two most envied men in the empire seemingly allied, the confidence of the other men visibly deflated.
“How have you been, Arthur?”
“Me? Just living the life of a privileged prince. I heard you went to your estate to recuperate, but how did you end up here?”
“Haha… I’m feeling better, you see.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you’d die before I arrived in Wayne, struck by some grave illness.”
Arthur guzzled the champagne straight from the bottle, chuckling.
Raphnel, standing at a distance, frowned at his uncouth behaviour, but he pretended not to notice. He needed to vent his temper somehow to feel alive.
“Any interesting news in Wayne?”
Arthur swivelled his head, seeking an appropriate topic.
“Interesting news, you say…”
One of the socialites thoughtlessly glanced at Debert. Noticing the look, Arthur noisily placed the champagne bottle on the side table.
“Not some vulgar gossip.”
His voice lowered.
Arthur ran his fingers through his dishevelled golden hair, looking tired.
“Something I can laugh at, you know.”
“Ah, I heard a renowned orchestra from Britain has come. One I’ve never even heard of before-”
“Tell me.”
The socialite’s words were abruptly cut off. The interjection had come from Debert.
A chilling vibrancy flickered in Debert’s eyes, which had seemed dormant. The socialite swallowed hard. It was clear that he had seriously mistepped somewhere.
“Without lying. Can you tell me the news you first thought of?”
“Ah, no. I was just-”
“Truthfully. Can you tell me the very first thing that came to your mind?”
Debert grabbed the champagne bottle, offering it to the hapless prey before him. The short socialite’s trembling hands gripped the bottle.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I was just-”
“Go on.”
The socialite squeezed his eyes shut. Since Debert was determined, there was no escape.
“Well, um, I heard you… brought some vulgar woman back from the battlefield… but that’s definitely not what I said! It’s just a rumour, you know how meaningless gossip can be.”
The excuses tumbled out.
Debert simply nodded along, patiently listening to the tedious explanations. Arthur watched Debert with a stern expression.
Contrary to his concern, Debert’s face was lit up, as if he had heard an entertaining piece of gossip.
“Debert…?”
“Did you hear that?”
Debert chuckled, gesturing towards the socialite.
“Coming back to Wayne, I seem to be hearing all sorts of stories.”
He lifted the glass on the side table, genuinely amused.
Emboldened by Debert’s surprisingly receptive reaction, the previously tense men began to chuckle, trying to appease him.
“To the Cliff family!”
“To Nexus!”
As the night deepened, the toasting glasses were raised higher, and the music grew louder.
Everyone entangled like beasts, drinking themselves silly, scattered across the garden.
Debert unsteadily rose from his seat. No one was there to support him as he occasionally stumbled.
Swaying like a drunk, he continued until he reached the shrouded gates of the imperial palace. Occasionally, someone frowned at the sight of the dissolute nobleman.
But the moment he stepped out from behind the impenetrable golden gates, Debert slowly straightened his hunched back. His measured stride was impossible to believe of an inebriated man.
Debert moved towards his destination, his composure unruffled.
