Chapter 210
I slowly opened my eyes again. Lately, I’ve been so tired that I might have just imagined it.
[ Are you getting married to that Duke’s son? ]
Nope, that’s exactly what it says.
‘Oh my.’
A sinking feeling washed over me again. I had definitely heard that titles like Duke are granted by the Emperor. What on earth was the current Emperor thinking, giving a title like “Wise Duke” to someone like this?
If the Emperor had any sense, he would have gone with something like “Drunk Duke” or “Dunce Duke” instead. Maybe after battling with his desires, he settled on “Wise Duke.” For the love of all that’s good, at least act according to your title.
‘Well, the name fits a bit…’
Remembering this drunken fool—no, Duke—made me sigh again. Unfortunately for the Emperor, the “Wise Duke” was a monster with both intellect and a penchant for alcohol.
Actually, I wonder if his tendency for drunkenness is some sort of balance. From what I can see, Enen probably put too much intelligence into making him a “Wise Duke.” He should have shoved in “alcoholic” as a passive ability to find the right balance.
“This child will amaze the Empire when they grow up.”
In the past, when the Wise Duke was just a little kid, a visiting cardinal at the Salon Duke’s residence made that proclamation about him.
Of course, it could’ve just been lip service because the Wise Duke’s father, known as the Pious Duke, was a devout member of the Dawn Sect, but in the end, the Wise Duke did end up shocking the Empire. Just not for the reasons one might expect.
A bit odd, but hey, as long as they were surprised, right? Cardinals surely have their own cleverness.
[ Did you really not reply? ]
‘Damn it.’
I was trying to clear my complicated thoughts, but this cruel Wise Duke wouldn’t let this poor civil servant stray from the path. Just because I wandered for a moment, he’s haunting me like a ghost.
Moreover, noticing that his texts were getting clearer, it seemed like he was sobering up. If this keeps up, he might continue to bug me until I respond.
‘Guess I have no choice.’
Choose between a temporary annoyance or days of torment? Clearly, it was the former.
Letting out a small sigh, I activated the communication unit. No way I could decipher a drunk’s messages, so I might as well just see his face.
– Jo-oh-oh-o─kaah!
And the moment I connected, I was greeted by a loud, obnoxious voice that wouldn’t let me rest!
‘Wha…?’
The uncanny pronunciation between “Jo” and “Ka” made me flinch every time I heard it.
Moreover, I’m your husband’s nephew, not your nephew!
“The successor of the Krasius family, the Treasurer—”
– Ah, ah, stop it! Who cares about that between us?!
The Wise Duke giggled and chugged down a whole bottle of wine.
I thought he was sobering up, but nope, he was just deepening his drunkenness! Did he miraculously send that bothersome message while wasted?
I subtly lowered my gaze. I couldn’t bear to look at that madness.
‘Our relationship?’
And now he’s saying something ridiculous. I don’t want to be related to you at all! Don’t go around telling people I’m family!
…Though, given how rare it was to leave the territory, I doubt I’d have anyone to tell anyway.
– Nephew, nephew!
“Yes, Your Grace. I’m listening.”
– Nooo, don’t call me that!
“…Yes, aunt.”
At that, he nodded rapidly, looking quite pleased.
It was exasperating. He’s relatively young and good-looking, so why did he end up with such a cursed personality?
With his jade-green hair and golden eyes, he had all the makings of a mysterious beauty but ended up battling alcohol addiction.
– My dear nephew! It’s been so hard to see you that I had to reach out!
“I saw you last at the New Year’s Ball, so it hasn’t been that long.”
What I wanted to say—”You’ve only been cooped up in your territory since then. What are you talking about?”—I kept it nicely wrapped up.
But my noble drunk wouldn’t take it. Was he too drunk to comprehend or just pretending not to understand?
– Hehe, right? I thought I wouldn’t see you again until next year—But I’ve been hearing hot gossip about you lately?
I was left speechless. It wasn’t even a policy issue but rather social gossip? If the backroom drunkard was aware of it, then the entire Empire must be ablaze with rumors.
As I fell into silence, the Wise Duke cackled and guzzled down more wine.
– The Marcilio is just as shy!
“Yes?”
I opened my mouth involuntarily at the confusing statement. Who’s being shy here?
‘Where’s the evidence for that?’
A public confession at the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet. The whole Empire heard the rumors.
That’s far from shy behavior. Anyone full of courage and confidence would hesitate in such a situation.
– I’m too shy to talk to my dear nephew. Just running around aimlessly~
But regardless of my outrage, the Wise Duke continued.
– While confessing, I can’t look my nephew in the eye, and all I can do is hang around the lady. You know I like you, right?
As he laughed and slammed the table, I caught a glimpse of his madness. His laugh was so unhinged it almost made me feel bad for him.
Anyway, it was nonsensical, lacking any solid ground. Had it been someone else, I would have thought they were just rambling in a drunken haze.
‘But it’s the Wise Duke…’
The credibility of messages relies on who the messenger is. Unfortunately, with the Wise Duke’s words, no matter how ridiculous they sound, I can’t just brush them off.
Can I really dismiss the rambling of a drunk? This guy has a notorious reputation for being drunk since he rarely does anything sober, save for his parents’ funerals and his own wedding ceremony.
While inebriated, he deftly leads the Duchy of Cheness, the Empire’s agricultural mecca with a plethora of concerns and the species protection zone. He’s a seasoned pro at handling it all. So naturally, I can’t dismiss his words.
“Aunt, forgive me, but what exactly do you mean by that…?”
– Hehe, are you curious too, nephew?
That nearly made me blurt out, “Didn’t you make me curious?”
The Wise Duke, who had been giggling for a while, took a deep breath and released it slowly. Then, from the other side of the communication device, a reddish smoke spewed from his mouth.
The only person capable of doing that in this world. The Wise Duke’s unique magic that burns out intoxication using mana.
‘What a world we live in.’
I squeezed my eyes shut. A world where such magic exists is genuinely terrifying.
– My nephew~ Marcilio keeps spreading rumors and meeting folks—scaring you, right?
“No, it’s not that intense.”
His tone was a bit more collected now, shifting from the drunk frenzy to something resembling clarity.
Honestly, I almost admitted it, but I stopped myself. There’s too much shame in that.
– But nephew, do you think a Duke would just let things slide like that?
“No,” I replied quickly.
– Right?
That one was easy to answer. No way!
The power a Duke possesses in the Empire is absolute. If they want something, they’ll get it by any means. But us taking down everything around me? That’s not sure-fire; it’d take way too long.
– Sure, there was the public confession, but after that, nothing happened, just dangling around. It’s so obvious!
Nodding sagely, the Wise Duke smiled and extended his index finger.
– He wants your attention. He’s embarrassed to take things further.
And then he silently extended his middle finger.
– But he also worries that if he stays passive, all the other noble ladies will swarm.
The Wise Duke, having made that last statement, collapsed over the table and erupted into laughter.
– Our dear Marcilio is too girl-like! You’d believe he’s twelve instead of one hundred twenty if you didn’t know!
The comment made a shiver run through me. The courage to say something like that, even the Emperor wouldn’t dare!
Is it true that alcohol is the potion of courage? I doubt that the Wise Duke’s remarks would reach Marcilio’s ears, but he might hesitate to speak such things in front of him.
“…You’ve given him time to sort out his feelings, didn’t you? He said he’d wait until the New Year’s Ball.”
– That’s just him running away. Trying to buy himself some time.
I mustered the courage to speak, but the Wise Duke replied sternly.
– He’s probably just rationalizing it for your sake—keeping his distance—since he’s an elf and a mage, he can probably control his own thoughts well enough.
It was something I hadn’t considered at all. So was he really just delaying seeing me?
– Nephew, if you feel you’re being dragged along by Marcilio, give him a little nudge. He’ll tumble for joy!
Me, nudge an elf?
The Wise Duke’s point left me staring blankly at the communication device.
The crazy talk washed over our conversation, which ended just as the Wise Duke popped open a new whiskey bottle.
– The movement of Jo-ka will proceed to marry!
Chugging half the new whisky without pause, he drenched the remaining half over the communication device.
‘This is… Wisdom?’
I was genuinely perplexed, but sometimes, the flashes of wisdom I caught made me tolerate it all.
Right now is one of those moments. Surrounded by the eyes of a drunken madman, possible thoughts unfold.
‘Marcilio is hesitating.’
To sum it up: that proud Marcilio might also be in turmoil, taking a moment to breathe, just like me.
‘Maybe?’
Thinking under the premise that the Wise Duke’s words have merit starts to make some sense.
Why didn’t Marcilio make any move toward me after the confession? I thought he was gearing up for the New Year’s Ball, but surely he doesn’t need to wait for me to prepare my heart. What if that time was really for him to gather himself?
Meanwhile, he spreads all sorts of rumors? It seems like pressure to deter anyone else from bidding on what he wants. Technically, Margherita bid first, but still.
– He’s probably just rationalizing it for your sake—keeping his distance—it’s a trick he’s playing on himself as an elf and a mage.
And Marcilio is likely pretending to have his own space but is actually just justifying it to himself.
– Nephew, if you feel you’re being dragged along by Marcilio, give him a little nudge. He’ll tumble for joy!
So, if I approach him first, I might toss him into chaos?
‘Is that real?’
Confusion swirled in my mind. It feels plausible, yet could also be nonsense.
The way to confirm it is straightforward. I can just visit the Magic Tower and meet Marcilio myself.
If what the Wise Duke said is true, I’d likely see him in a daze—
‘Or not.’
Maybe it would be like strolling right into the tiger’s den. He might think, “Given that you came all this way, you must like me too!”, and swoop me up in a grip.
Let’s think this over. Regardless of the Wise Duke’s words, it’s not an easy decision to make.
…And honestly, heading to the Capital anytime soon gives me jitters.
*
I shifted my eyes around, feeling the harsh stares pointing at me.
This is odd. How can I feel their gaze when I’m just on a communication device?
– Eri.
“Yes, yes, Crown Princess.”
– Don’t start being formal all of a sudden.
“…Alright, senior.”
Slightly sulking at my response, senior Aria let out a deep sigh. Instinctively, my shoulders slumped in.
– Eri, are you not thinking about marriage?
I hung my head lower at that question.
‘As I expected.’
I had once sought senior Aria’s help for the beautiful love I shared with the Executive Manager.
And from that moment, this situation had been inevitable.
– Are you just going to work in the Information Department? Are you going to live your whole life as the second manager? Don’t you want to become a Countess?
I couldn’t lift my head further at senior Aria’s voice, filled with a hint of anger.
She… is really scary when she’s mad…
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