Chapter 195

On the way to Lombardy's villa.

There was an awkward silence in the carriage where Emperor Jovanes and Empress Rabini rode together.

The two, who are rarely in one place other than a tea party, did not even speak a word.

Especially, Jovanes's face, looking out of the window, was worth seeing.

He thought if he could get out of this carriage right away, he could give out any number of gold bars.

"Hmm."

In the end, Jovanes coughed uncomfortably.

The reason why he was so anxious about the Empress was the pressure to appoint the Crown Prince, which began recently.

Of course, there have never been occasions when the Empress has spoken directly to the matter.

However, there is no doubt that Angenas and the Empress are behind those who urge Jovanes to appoint the Crown Prince at the conference.

Sure enough.

"Your Majesty."

The Empress called Jovanes in a soft voice.

"I've heard that there have been suggestions recently about the appointment of the Crown Prince at the conference."

As expected.

Jovanes distorted his mouth uncomfortably.

"Your Majesty is still in good health, but you should understand the hearts of the nobles who are worried about an unforeseen death, just in case."

Just in case.

Those words broke Jovanes' silence.

"Is it the Emperor they're worried about, or the future of Angenas?"

"Of course, it is the well-being of His Majesty and the Empire of Lambrew."

"You think I'm a fool."

The Emperor has no longer hide his discomfort.

His eyes that stare coldly make her retreat.

Today Empress Rabini pushed a little harder.

"Let me say something, Your Majesty."

At Rabini's words, Jovanes snorted as if to give it a try.

Emperor Jovanes glanced at the Empress with his side-eyes.

At first glance, it seemed to be friendly and earnestly faithful, but there was only greed for herself and her family in it.

It's always been like that since the first day they met.

Rabini was not the Empress of the Empire, but was just 'Rabini of Angenas'.

"Now, Your Majesty is just delayed what you need to do someday."

"I know."

"Why did you delay any longer? Don't tell me you're going to make the Second Prince the Crown Prince."

Emperor Jovanes's eyebrow wrinkled when Rabini poked a question with a pointed spear.

"Because of her mother's low blood, it is impossible to become the heir of this Lambrew Empire."

Rabini's voice was calm.

She didn't mean to rush it.

"Hmm."

There was another whiff coming from Jovanes.

Astana is not enough.

But Jovanes had never once thought of handing over the throne to Perez.

The red eyes and black hair reminded him of the former Emperor.

Even now, when he closed his eyes, the scene that day comes to mind as vividly as yesterday...

"You will die at the hands of your son like him, Jovanes."

The scene, which was mocked him when the former Emperor cursed him with bloody eyes, still bothered Jovanes.

"Later."

The Emperor opened his closed eyes and said.

"Let's talk about this later, Empress."

Just in time, the carriage stopped.

Jovanes walked out of the carriage as if he had waited for the door to be opened.

"Hahaha!"

Empress Rabini, who stared coldly at the back of the Emperor who laughing loudly as if he had never been upset, followed him way out of the carriage.

It was the same with Rabini who smiled brightly.

* * *

With everyone politely bowing their heads, only Grandfather faced Emperor Jovanes calmly.

However, no one considered it.

The Lord of Lombardy was always like that.

"Come on, everybody, raise your head."

As if something good happened, Jovanes said without losing his grin.

I lifted my slightly bowed head to look more closely at the face of Emperor Jovanes.

It's definitely a smiley face, but it's awkward.

As if he were forced to smile.

And I felt a gaze at me and turned my head.

It was Perez.

As it was an official appearance that everyone looked at, Perez bowed in small silence when he met my eyes.

Likewise, I looked up and listened to the conversation between my grandfather and Emperor Jovanes.

"But a hunting contest in the Forest of Madman. Did the Lord of Lombardy try something different?"

"This hunting competition was prepared not by me, but by my granddaughter, Florentia."

"Oh, really?"

Jovanes's curious eyes were on me.

"I did my best despite my insufficient skills, Your Majesty."

I grabbed the hem of my skirt slightly and bent my knees.

Then winked at Lombardy's employees waiting next to me.

At the sign I sent, the attendants delivered two protective gear to the two princes.

The red one was for Perez and the yellow one for Astana.

"What is that?"

Emperor Jovanes asked me.

"It's a protective gear for the contestants. Other than the two princes, the other participants will wear the same protective gear."

"I think the color is a little dark. Wouldn't that be unsuitable as hunting gear?"

"Of course it is. However, the Madman Forest is famous for its foggy weather, so it was a way to seek the safety of the participants. If you ever go missing... We'll have to find it in the dark forest."

I said so and secretly looked at Astana.

I could see a very frightened pathetic man flinching.

Flinch.

On the contrary, Emperor Jovanes seemed more interested in my words of danger.

"That makes me even more curious. Why do you have to hold a hunting contest in the Forest of Madman?"

"In the spring, monsters often strike a place close to the Forest of Madman, Your Majesty."

I spoke in a clear voice so that everyone could hear.

"So while everyone is here to enjoy the hunting competition, I thought it might be helpful for the people of the Empire."

"That's a great idea!"

Emperor Jovanes shouted loudly.

Then he rubbed his bearded chin and said.

"I can't be left out if it's for that good idea. I will also participate."

What the hell is this?

It was a remark by Jovanes that was so admirable that I thought I might have misheard it at the moment.

Originally, the Emperor should have induced him to enter the forest on his own feet.

I sneaked a look at Perez.

This is what you wanted, right?

Perez's eyes were slightly thinned, quite pleasantly by the unexpected windfall.

I looked at Emperor Jovanes again and said.

"But, Your Majesty, you may be in danger, so why don't you try participating in the last day of the competition after the hunt has progressed to some extent? I will also prepare a protective gear for Your Majesty."

"Hahaha!"

At my words, the Emperor burst into laughter again.

"Yes, you are the only one who cares about me!"

The surrounding Royal Knights, who did not stop the Emperor from attending the hunting competition, immediately hardened their complexion.

"Let's do it!"

Emperor Jovanes tapped me on the shoulder and said.

What an inconsiderate touch.

His thick hands had been hurting my shoulders, which were heavily tamped down, but I said without losing my smile.

"And we've prepared a lot of other things to enjoy for those who don't go hunting, so I hope you enjoy your stay at the Lombardy villa."

Especially you, Empress Rabini!

"Then let's go inside now."

My grandfather intervened between me and the Emperor and said.

"Let's go, the Lord of Lombardy."

As my grandfather and Emperor began to walk in the lead, the crowd split and a road opened up to the front door of the villa building.

After that, the Empress, Shannanet, and others began to walk along.

Before I knew it, Perez was approaching me.

"Hi, Perez."

"Hi, Tia."

After a short greeting, we looked forward.

Perez's gaze caught the Emperor's back and I caught the Empress' back.

Not knowing what was coming, they were excited to see the splendidly decorated mansion and the surrounding scenery.

Yeah, enjoy it while you can.

It won't last long.

Watching them walk toward the mansion from behind, I felt like a sheepdog was hunting.

I and Perez were now driving the prey into a trap.

* * *

The eve banquet began.

It was different from the crude banquets usually held with hunting competitions.

I can't do that under Lombardy's name, it is a banquet hosted by Florentia Lombardy.

As it is an eve festival held at night, an outdoor banquet using the wide plains around the mansion, it has a rural atmosphere and bright and beautiful lights everywhere.

Thanks to this, the space where the eve festival was prepared felt more colorful than the banquet held during the day.

Also, the food and drinks served were prepared only as top quality.

"Everything seems to be going smoothly."

I took a seat in front of the banquet and looked around.

The Emperor and my Grandfather had already moved to other places.

"Where did you hide?"

There was only one object I was looking for.

"Oh, I found it."

Astana is in the distance.

And Belsach that's stuck together like a gum.

I called an employee who was passing by with a drink.

"Instead of this wine, take Caloga and don't stop providing drink on the side of His Highness First Prince."

Caloga was Astana's favorite solo that Bate had known in advance.

"Yes, Lady."

The servant, who answered me politely, prepared Caloga wine on a silver platter and walked toward Astana.

Astana's face, which was listening to Belsach with a very annoying face, turned bright.

He discovered the Caloga wine.

"Right, right..."

I watched Astana with a little nervousness.

Drink, drink, drink.

And all too easily, without a bit of trouble, Astana picked up a glass of Caloga wine.

"Oh, look at that?"

Having tasted a cup, Astana was seen taking the tray away from the servant.

This time, I couldn't hide the corners of my mouth that turned upward.

"Dring alcohol, glup glup glup."