The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 9 Part 5 - The Eve of the Festival

Many nobles were already jealous of the friendship between the Calix Ducal House and the Imperial Family, eager to tarnish it. A seeming clash between the Duchess Calix and the Empress would be a delight to them.

“Anyway, I’m off. I’m a busy man!”

With a cheerful expression, Emilio stood up. Declaring that there was no need to see him off, he vanished into thin air with magic.

He was likely being truthful about being busy. He had mentioned that after briefing them on the situation today, he would depart immediately for the dragon’s palace and wouldn’t be returning to the capital for some time.

“The dragon’s palace… I want to see it too!”

“Try asking Emilio about it later.”

He didn’t want to recommend asking Rahil. They were no longer children, and even just Rahil granting her a request could spark rumors.

Theodore had no intention of suggesting she ask Rahil. They were no longer children, and any favor Rahil granted her would inevitably spark rumors.

Her resignation had been inevitable. Wielding a sword as a noblewoman was already risky, but continuing to serve as an Imperial Knight while holding the position of Duchess of Calix would have been burdensome for many.

If she had held the title of Knight Commander, things might have been easier, but Angelica knew herself well enough.

She couldn’t manage both the role of Duchess and the duties of a knight commander. Honestly, she would have fumbled with even one of them, let alone both. Even now, she was struggling with the responsibilities of being a Duchess.

Her friends who had married around the same time as her, were all grappling with similar concerns. However, none of them seemed to have as heavy a workload as Angelica, who was now a Duchess.

‘I suppose the higher one’s status, the more responsibilities come with it… I thought Her Majesty the Empress might share similar struggles and even provide some guidance.’

But the Empress had already made it clear that she wouldn’t be getting close to her. She had even gone so far as to say that Angelica shouldn’t think of approaching her, as she herself would keep her distance. While it could have been a warning, Angelica didn’t take it that seriously.

Both Rahil and Her Majesty the Empress were good people. There was no harm in keeping them close. She thought she could become friends with her, just as she had with all her other friends.

All they needed was an opportunity to get closer. Maybe this incident could provide that chance.

“Angelica, you’re not entertaining unnecessary ideas, are you? Remember what Her Majesty the Empress said last time. For now… right, it’s better to keep your distance until The Emperor and The Empress have a child.”

Theodore believed it would be best if Rahil and Angelica avoided meeting until after the Empress had given birth to her first child and that child reached the age of three or four.

Regardless of the Empress’s feelings, with Rahil clinging so closely to her side, it seemed only a matter of time before a child was conceived. However, if the Empress, who had already collapsed once, became so on edge because of Angelica that she couldn’t conceive, or if something unfortunate happened to the child, all the blame would undoubtedly fall on Angelica.

“What did I even do? I wasn’t thinking anything special.” Angelica protested.

But her sparkling eyes and the humming she couldn’t suppress made her seem nothing but suspicious. Although Theodore loved Angelica deeply, moments like this filled him with concern.

Not everyone adored her. The whole world wasn’t as favorable to her as she believed. Theodore had always pointed this out, but Angelica always dismissed his words as needless worry. After all, she had never truly faced any overwhelming malice that could instill fear in her.

Still, Theodore couldn’t shake his fear that one day, something terrible might happen to her.

***

The pursuit of the dragon was left to Emilio, Rodrigo, and Arken, so the imperial palace appeared peaceful on the surface. Preparations for the Harvest Festival were progressing smoothly. The social circles were already abuzz with speculation over which young nobleman and noblewoman from which families would be chosen as the Maiden of Abundance and the Knight of Autumn.

As the faces of the festival, the candidates were expected to possess a certain level of appearance and were typically recommended by prominent families representing their respective regions before traveling to the capital.

Once in the capital, these young nobles usually stayed with their patron families while preparing for the festival.

The candidates for the Knight of Autumn had to enter the royal forest to undergo a series of trials. These trials included simple tests involving bows, spears, and swords. For the final trial, they were required to confront and slay a monster confined to the edge of the forest and return with its severed head.

Supervisors were present during these trials, but their role was limited to ensuring the candidates’ safety—they were forbidden from assisting in any way. Those who passed the final trial would gather at the coliseum.

While the Knight of Autumn candidates engaged in these fierce challenges, the Maiden of Abundance candidates would undergo their tests inside the coliseum. Dressed in attire symbolizing autumn, each candidate had to enter the arena accompanied by representatives of their region’s farming community.