Chapter 16
Felice held her breath.
Her mind was full of thoughts about her grandfather, but it would be disastrous if the ladies were to come in here now.
“Why won’t it open?”
“Is this the lounge… or was it?”
“Hmm, maybe not? Now that I think about it, I don’t hear any voices.”
“…Ladies!”
Just then, the butler’s voice echoed down the hallway. The sharp click of his footsteps grew louder as he hurriedly approached and blocked the ladies’ path.
“This is not the lounge. The lounge is located on the opposite side. This way, please.”
At the butler’s words, Felice couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the ladies followed the butler’s guidance without further questions and moved to the other side.
“If they’re talking about the sword that caused a stir two years ago, that must be Grandfather’s sword…”
Felice shifted her gaze toward the door.
Her grandfather’s sword was practically a treasured heirloom of Barony Kelton.
For generations, the Keltons had passed down this sword, and even if the blade broke, they would preserve the pattern on the hilt and forge a new blade—making the sword a tremendous honor for the family.
Her father… was the one who never inherited that sword and had to let it go.
“Could it be that Claude has Grandfather’s heirloom?”
Since the debt was now 10,000 francs, the thought of retrieving her grandfather’s heirloom was far from her mind…
* * *
“Hmm.”
In the quiet glow of the study during the early morning party hours, Claude was illuminated softly.
Though he had gone to his room heavily drunk after losing a drinking game with a few men at dinner, he was now sitting in the study with a man, looking perfectly sober.
Claude focused on some documents and ignored the noise outside but frowned at William’s anger across the table.
“These are all rumors spread by the Conste party!”
“…Indeed.”
“Those who should be serving Her Majesty and leading the Empire are sullying the royal family’s reputation internationally with their factional fights!”
William, known for his fiery temper, couldn’t hide his frustration. Though it wasn’t a major issue, he seemed particularly upset that one newspaper had turned against them.
Finally, Claude set down the documents and pulled out a cigarette.
“Lower your voice, Viscount.”
Claude put the cigarette to his lips and took a long inhale.
Though the Viscount had a fiery personality, fortunately, he was not a man without rank or manners. He pursed his lips, shooting a resentful glare downward. Even without looking, Claude knew exactly where his gaze landed—most likely on the newspaper headline laid on the table.
Claude couldn’t help but think it was impressive that the Viscount was facing that headline head-on without trying to hide it.
“How dare I, to speak to Her Majesty… how…”
Muttering to himself, the Viscount’s eyes flicked to the newspaper, and Claude’s gaze followed.
[The Queen is but a woman beyond help. Viscount Barott instead…]
“…Viscount Barott.”
Claude paused reading and called out to William.
William Barott, former prime minister and leader of the Wigar faction, had been a great help to Claude’s mother when she ascended the throne.
He and Claude’s mother discussed pressing issues daily without fail.
This strengthened her political stance and qualities as a monarch—but also became the perfect opportunity for a scandal involving William.
So last year, to curb the queen supported by the Wigar faction, Robert, head of the Conste faction, exploited Viscount Barott to dig up scandals about Claude’s mother.
The plan was a complete success.
From then on, the queen’s political path was stained by accusations of romantic frivolity, a mark unlikely to be erased.
Robert, the current prime minister and leader of the Conste faction, was no easy man who would let go of prey once caught.
They seized the chance to turn the notoriously neutral Justice newspaper to their side.
According to William, the queen was now so entangled with the Wigar faction that an article exposing her lack of political neutrality was soon to be published.
Claude exhaled smoke and narrowed his eyes.
“Come to think of it, I heard the prime minister has a daughter…”
He smiled slyly.
After all, both his mother and aunt were eagerly awaiting some kind of love or marriage for him.
What had been an unthinkable marriage might now serve as a valuable political pawn.
He couldn’t help but imagine the prime minister’s shocked face when his precious daughter fell right into the trap Claude set.
“A few days ago, I made my aunt regret her words. If I publicly proclaim myself prince after courting Elise, Robert’s face will be worth seeing.”
Claude lit another cigarette.
“The ‘political neutrality’ that the prime minister valued so highly, will be secured through his daughter.”
Suddenly, Claude recalled that the next lesson with Felice was about his ‘ideal type.’
“All that’s left is to get rid of that tutor.”
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