Imprinted with the Obsessive Male Lead - Chapter 37

On the outskirts of the capital. On a night where the bright full moon had risen, no different from the night before. In a dense forest of evergreen coniferous trees that never lost their greenery throughout the four seasons, the black carriage Chase was riding sped along. His only companion was Anthony.

In the distance, the Imperial Crown Prince’s ballroom castle came into view. The large and splendid castle, perched atop a cliff, was still some distance away, yet it emitted a brightness like broad daylight.

The carriage ran at a steady, swift pace and arrived at the castle entrance. Exactly nine o’clock. There was not the slightest error in the timing. As he stepped down from the carriage, the Imperial Crown Prince’s secretary bowed his head as if he had been waiting.

“Grand Duke, welcome.”

Chase, who received the greeting with a slight tilt of his head, asked,

“His Highness?”

“He is waiting in the Royal Room.”

After lightly straightening his clothes with a neat, economical gesture, Chase stepped forward.

“Let’s go.”

With a small gesture, he declined the gatekeeper who was about to announce his arrival, then strode inside with his long legs. The party was already well underway. Holding glasses in their hands, reeking of alcohol, and chattering noisily in a state of moderate drunkenness, the people filling the space all turned their gazes toward him.

A tall height that stood out even among countless people, a sturdy build. Hair neatly swept halfway back. Handsome features and clear skin. A relaxed yet composed gait. The overwhelming presence that only he possessed was more than enough to draw everyone’s attention.

Amid burdensome gazes and admiring remarks pouring in from all sides, Chase casually swept his eyes across the interior out of habit.

The lobby, decorated in white to match the pure white building, was adorned with a splendid spiral crystal chandelier stretching from ceiling to floor, and at the center of the hall, lavish foods were laid out across long tables. From the moment the night ball began, the sound of instruments and laughter had not ceased. It was a night dazzling enough to hurt the eyes.

“Your Grace, I will take my leave.”

Anthony whispered quietly from behind. Though Chase gave no reply, as if it had been arranged beforehand, Anthony moved away from his side. Passing through the lobby with the Imperial Crown Prince’s attendant, Chase lightly scanned the people around him.

All the most prominent young nobles of the Empire had gathered here. A night ball held only once a year. A night hosted by the Imperial Crown Prince, filled with pleasure and indulgence. But this ball was not merely for that.

This was a place where the Imperial Crown Prince filtered those who were on his side and those who were not, in other words, those he could use as his hands and feet and those he could not. Since being appointed Imperial Crown Prince at the age of twenty-three, this ball had been held twice a year, consistently for several years.

Because of the current Emperor’s debauchery, there were many Imperial Princes in the Empire with large age gaps between them, and Kyle was the eldest Imperial Prince. Though he had been invested as the Imperial Crown Prince, considering the distant future, it was a situation where he could easily gain many enemies, so he used occasions like this ball to grasp various pieces of information and solidify his position.

Not the things that could usually be uncovered through spies, but the inner circumstances of nobles loosened by alcohol and music. A place where they were freely let loose, where relationships and information among the nobles were gathered, and their true intentions probed. Chase did not particularly like this method, but here, Kyle selected those who would lead the next Empire together with him, and cast others aside.

Did they know? That the maids carrying wine glasses and biscuits right beside them were well-trained informants.

As Chase lazily surveyed his surroundings, his gaze made a full circle of the first floor and moved to the second floor. Then, by chance, their eyes met.

With a woman who had bright blonde hair similar to Nita Grace, Vivian Grace.

The woman, wearing a pure white dress filled with shimmer as if sprinkled with ground jewel dust, stood at the second-floor railing.

At that perfect timing when he raised his gaze and their eyes met, it meant that woman had been looking at him as well. Looking at Vivian Grace, Chase subconsciously thought of Nita Grace.