Chapter 23
2. One Step
The head of the Duchy of Spencer.
The master of the family that had stood at the center of the scandal that shook the Empire, and a staunch supporter of the Emperor who had drawn even more attention for remaining loyal to the imperial family even after the scandal.
And beside this handsome middle-aged man, with black hair streaked with gray and black eyes marked by the passage of time, stood the very person who had caused that scandal.
The Duchess, with her pink hair and violet eyes that made her look at least ten years younger than her actual age, rarely left the ducal estate unless it was for an official event she absolutely had to attend.
It was only natural, then, that people’s attention would be drawn to her when she finally appeared in public after so long.
Especially those who had recently heard the rumors spreading from the temple.
“Have you heard? About that man, I mean.”
As soon as one person broached the subject, the other nodded as if it were obvious.
“Heard? I’ve already seen him standing right behind the Herald of God several times.”
Those who had arrived at the temple before the high-ranking nobles had already confirmed the truth of the rumors with their own eyes.
“Do you think the Duke and Duchess know?”
“How could they not?”
“And yet they still came.”
People’s gazes drifted toward the Duchess, who normally avoided appearing in public. No matter how much the Duke had forgiven her, the looks directed at her were far from kind.
Many still resented the fact that, unlike the prince who had been exiled from the capital, she had received no punishment whatsoever.
“Perhaps they thought not attending would draw even more attention.”
“But what about the young master, the duke’s son…?”
The young master had always taken it upon himself to act as the Duchess’s protector. So it was odd that he was nowhere to be seen. Looking around, people began to whisper among themselves.
“It seems the rumors about the duke’s son disliking his younger brother are true. This must be his way of making his feelings known.”
“Tsk, isn’t that a little too emotional?”
When someone criticized the future duke for being unable to control his personal feelings, another looked at the Duke and Duchess with something like sympathy.
“Well, it’s understandable. They’re constantly being made the subject of gossip like this.”
“Even so, isn’t it far too immature to display those feelings at a gathering like this? He clearly didn’t inherit any of the Duke’s magnanimity—”
But the conversation never reached its conclusion.
At the sound of a sudden commotion, the nobles looked up and fell silent, their mouths parting slightly.
“…He’s here.”
The product of the scandal that had shaken the Empire, and the subject of the shocking rumors that had been spreading recently, had arrived.
* * *
Before going any further, it should be said in advance that bringing Felix along in the end had not been Abel’s idea.
Looking at the impeccably dressed Felix, Abel tilted his head.
“It doesn’t look bad on you, but is this your taste?”
There did not seem to be a single part of him, from head to toe, that had been left untouched. Even Abel, who was usually completely oblivious when it came to matters of appearance, could tell that something had changed. That alone was enough to imagine just how different Felix looked now.
His brilliant blond hair, neatly swept back from his forehead, gleamed more brightly than usual. His already flawless skin looked even clearer and fairer, and his pink lips were soft and moisturized.
Looking more closely, even his eyes seemed deeper and more alluring than usual, and it looked as though he had had his hair trimmed as well.
And that wasn’t all. The clothes Felix was wearing were the very height of luxury and extravagance.
It was unlike him, who normally stuck to nothing but the attire issued to holy knights by the temple.
‘I feel like I’ve seen clothes like these before.’
He distinctly remembered seeing an outfit not long ago that had been entirely white, yet had obviously cost a fortune.
“…His Eminence sent them.”
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