Chapter 52
“Mm… haa… ah…”
Her lips, glossy with his saliva, were released, and Kasselard’s hot lips pressed against her cheek and temple. While Ephinia panted to catch her breath, Kasselard whispered in a sweet voice.
“I like you, Ephie. I like you so much.”
“Ah…”
The breath he blew against her ear, his voice, felt excessively stimulating. When Ephinia struggled to push him away, he let her go this time, then looked at her, as she tried to put distance between them, with eyes filled with heavy desire.
“Really…”
The way he deliberately licked his own lips while looking at her also felt strangely suggestive. Her face flushed bright red, and when she turned her head away, Kasselard stuck close to her again.
“Your heart’s beating so fast. Right? So cute~”
She didn’t know whether it was because he was a Transcendent who could hear her heartbeat, or because they were pressed together so closely that he could feel it. Ephinia glared at him and turned her head away.
She told herself her heart was racing simply because of what they had just done. It wasn’t because she liked a man like him.
Life wasn’t that simple, and she wasn’t a fool.
She was still safe.
* * *
Will Baroness Linier be alright?
It was a thought that came to Fleur even before she arrived at the ballroom. Though her rank was one level lower, she was also in the position of guiding a Transcendent two levels above her, so she felt sympathy for her.
Kasselard was a far more rude man than Hylian.
That had been proven well enough by his behavior at the imperial event that had been no different from Ephinia’s debutante ball. Even if she wasn’t a young noble lady, it had been a situation shocking enough, and Baroness Linier hadn’t even had proper family at her side.
And weren’t all the people around her simply those trying to push her toward the Crown Prince?
‘I can’t say I’m uninvolved either.’
She was in a slightly freer position than her husband, who was the Empress’s nephew, so she could at least allow herself such thoughts. She pitied the girl and wanted to take care of her in any way she could, but… Hylian kept her completely occupied, so it wasn’t easy.
“What are you thinking about right now?”
They had entered the ballroom, received greetings from various nobles, and were dancing in Hylian’s arms. Since she was used to her chronically weak body, there were only certain dances Fleur could perform. They were mostly dances where she could lean against her partner and remain supported by him.
“I’m thinking about Baroness Linier. Did His Highness apologize to her for that matter?”
“Hm…”
Hylian looked at Fleur with an ambiguous expression. She sighed, thinking she already knew the answer. Moving apart with the rhythm of the music and then drawing her back into his arms, Hylian whispered.
“Perhaps he isn’t able to be honest yet.”
“He doesn’t need to be, does he?”
“He’ll improve soon enough. He went to see her himself today, after all.”
“I feel so sorry for the Baroness.”
He didn’t show it, but Hylian didn’t particularly like Fleur being close to other women either. He simply endured it because she liked it. Being disliked by Fleur would be truly painful for him.
“Would it be too selfish of me to say that a moment will come… when His Highness gives her even greater affection?”
“Of course that’s selfish.”
Hylian smiled and gently brushed Fleur’s cheek with his fingertips. She glared at him, but she didn’t shake his hand away.
“It may be unfortunate for the Baroness, but it’s necessary for this country.”
“I hope His Highness realizes that.”
“There will be compensation for the Baroness.”
He couldn’t say it openly here, but the Emperor was already preparing to grant her the title of Countess. This was also a necessary condition to make her the future Crown Princess, and he was carefully suppressing the nobles’ opposition.
“I hope that’s truly for the Baroness’s sake.”
At Fleur’s knowing, reproachful gaze, Hylian gave an awkward smile. It was exactly as she feared, but if the Baroness ended up pleased, wouldn’t that be enough?
After all, she would become the Crown Princess. From the moment Kasselard began moving actively, it was already as good as decided.
Whether Baroness Linier herself wanted that position… was another matter. But since it concerned the safety of the Crown Prince, her personal happiness or will would be easily trampled.
‘Comforting her will be Kasselard’s responsibility.’
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