Salon
An important social venue and implicit battlefield where ladies gather to share social, political, and sometimes private stories.
Women from the upper aristocratic class are the main focus, and the issues were mostly family marriages, aristocratic love rumors, and scandals.
“Will Count Rahardt and Princess Laryana really marry?”
“Wouldn’t it? It was announced by the imperial family.”
“Then what about Princess Ferbache? I heard they’re dating….”
The ladies wore delicate lace gloves, clasped their teacups with their fingertips and talked in a low voice.
In the salon, the names of the three were already being spoken, saying that it was a day away.
If this is the case, most of the ladies are unable to use their own words, so they did not come down from the topic from the moment the article spread.
“From Ferbache’s quietness, I think it was just a rumor that the Count and the Princess were in a relationship.”
“I think so too. It’s already been a week since the article was published, and there’s no word, right?”
One side was questioning Ferbache, who remained silent.
“Your Majesty is announcing it herself, so maybe it’s already been decided?”
“That’s right. And, I don’t think Count Rahardt will refuse.”
“It’s a marriage proposal from the imperial family. There’s no way you can refuse it.”
On the other hand, Yohan’s choice was taken for granted, emphasizing the imperial authority.
The emperor’s direct engagement is heavy. Refusing his offer is no different from implicitly challenging Rogino’s authority.
“But… might Ferbache be staying quiet on purpose?”
When a lady whispered with subtle eyes, the eyes around her were focused on her.
“What does it mean?”
“No one knows. Sometimes silence harbours a bigger story.”
“At least a confrontation between Ferbache and the imperial family could be formed.”
When she finished speaking, there was a moment of silence.
“…Ay, that can’t be right. Ferbache is a family of four generations?”
A lady shook her hand with a small smile.
“It’s more likely because it’s a family of four generations.”
The lady who spoke first continued in a subdued voice.
“Let’s say Count Rahardt and Princess Ferbache are really lovers. Then they must have been engaged.”
“…right?”
“It’s a fact that has spread secretly in the social circle.”
The ladies’ eyes were on her in an instant.
“We know it, but the imperial family can’t be unaware. However, they ignored it and pushed for a marriage between Count Rahardt and Princess Lariana in the imperial family.”
“Oh…”
“…Ferbache can’t help but be angry.”
In her words, the imperial family clearly ignored the co-writer Ferbache.
“There’s one thing for sure. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we just have to watch quietly.”
A black fan was opened. The lady covered her mouth and drew a line around her eyes.
“That’s right.”
“It’s going to be a buzz again.”
“It hasn’t been long since I closed the cave.”
It is a conflict between the four generations of the family, which can be seen as the center of aristocratic society, and the imperial family, which boasts the absolute authority of Ferbache and Rogino.
It was none of your business. Nothing could be done, nothing could be done.
“Huh, it’s going to be fun.”
“How will it flow?”
At the time when they giggled, the footsteps of the user approaching from somewhere got closer and closer. A lady folded her fan and looked at her head
I turned it around.
The conversation was interrupted for a moment, and the sound of putting down the teacup clearly rang.
“…what?”
Upon receiving the news from the user, she asked back with her large eyes wide open. Her voice trembled quietly.
“What’s the matter with you?”
“That’s…”
The lady said with a stunned look.
“I heard that the Duke of Ferbache announced his engagement?”
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
Soon after the Duke of Ferbache arrived at the Imperial Capital.
“I’ve sent a letter to the imperial family, and I’ll hold your engagement right away.”
The first thing he did was Yohan and Francia’s engagement.
Originally, getting engaged requires family consultations, official announcements, and agreements related to it, but…
Yohan, who became independent from the Harssen Household, was already the owner of the family, and because it was prepared by the Duke before, it proceeded quickly.
The engagement was reported to the imperial family and the news was announced to the world. The emperor’s approval was all that remained.
“…Will the imperial family approve it?”
Sitting on the sofa, Francia tilted her teacup. Her mouth was drawing a line, but her eyes were moving ferociously.
In general, the Ferbache and the Rahardts needed imperial approval because of their significant national importance.
This is because the union with the family greatly affects other countries or empires.
“You don’t have to worry about that, because it’s a stubborn decision by Rahard and Ferbache.”
The duke spoke without an inch of expression. His voice was calm. It was as if he had known that the imperial family would come out like this.
“We gave the imperial family a chance. Let’s not blush for no reason, but settle it quietly.”
Yohan said.
Ferbache’s quiet request for approval, instead of responding to rumors that are currently prevalent in the social circle, meant that he would let it slide.
The imperial family couldn’t have known.
I shouldn’t have known.
“Um… I don’t think I’m going to give up easily.”
However, Francia did not stop doubting. It was obvious that the imperial family was at a disadvantage at the moment, but they had a reason why they couldn’t give up.
“Francia, the initiative in this political dispute lies with Ferbache. You don’t have to worry too much.”
“…more of a tantrum than a worry.”
As Yohan’s lover, it was natural that Francia felt unpleasant.
The imperial family is trying to force a gap between them.
The Duke of Ferbache smiled small at Francia, who was full of grumpiness.
“First of all, let’s watch this side. There’s a lot of other things going on.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, Duke Ferbache’s eyes sank coolly.
“Isn’t there also the work of Grand Prince Renokhonan and the Crown Prince?”
As emotions soared, a ferocious life rose around him. Even the air in the mansion seemed to cool down.
Both said there was no direct damage to Francia, but the intention was to pursue her clearly.
“Without a son-in-law, the arrows of the Grand Duke of Renokhonan and the Crown Prince would have been directed at you, Francia. I never forgot that.”
There was one reason why the Duke had been quiet all this time in order to make sure to deal with it.
The most important virtue for a high-ranking aristocrat is not to make an enemy even at some loss.
You don’t know when the action at that time will fly as a boomerang.
So the Duke of Ferbache did not have many enemies.
Because I didn’t make an enemy.
However, that did not mean that the act of not making the enemy would only be treated like a pushover.
“I will demand from the imperial family this time. I hope for the death penalty of the Great Master Renokhonen.”
The words from the duke’s mouth were quite unconventional.
“It seems that Grand Duke Renokhonan has prevented the death penalty by putting forward the credit he has made, but now that I have come, it will be completely different.”
And this was also the reason why there are not many people who are hostile to Ferbache’s co-authors.
“I never intend to move on quietly with what happened this time.”
Because once it was made, it sank disastrously.
“…What are you going to do with the prince?”
Yohan asked, noticing. The Duke’s skin was numb. It was the energy of a transcendental wizard few in the empire.
“I know what he did, but… it’s a problem because I don’t have any evidence to prove him.”
Duke Ferbache let out a small sigh.
“For Ferbache to reveal his sins, the imperial family and other aristocrats see it as just a psychosis. I see nothing but groundless speculation.”
In fact, since he is about Ferbache, he knows the dark side of the crown prince, and most nobles know him as the perfect crown prince.
If there was no perfect evidence that could not be escaped, it was just a crime of rebellion and a crime of contempt of the royal family.
“But… we must find a way. If we get to know His Majesty this time, we will then bring up the Crown Prince.”
But the Duke of Ferbache had no intention of giving up. It was clear that he would do something again if he left it like this.
“…I think it’s better to look at the prince a little longer.”
Francia said quietly. Her lips were closed in a straight line.
“Yes, but he will never ascend to the throne. Our Ferbache never leaves the enemy as it is.”
Yohan was lost in thought as he narrowed his eyebrows.
“…It’s physical evidence.”
In most cases, Fedelian does not move directly. Because there is a shadow of blind loyalty to him.
It was difficult to find shadows and conciliate them. There is a problem with knowing where they are, but they have been brainwashed.
There’s also a confidentiality pledge at stake in the first place, so you can’t extract information.
While the wrinkles on Yohan’s forehead were deepening.
Knock, knock, knock.
The knock on the office door rang at regular intervals. The duke’s eyes turned toward the door.
Soon after, the voice followed.
-Duke, correspondence has arrived from the imperial family.
“Come in.”
Click.
When the door opened, the owner of the house came into the office to greet him politely. There was a letter tied to a black string in his hand.
The Duke’s gaze, which opened the letter, moved slowly.
“…how will it be?”
With those brief words, a mix of anger and bitter laughter flickered in his expression.
“Are you going to come out like this?”
Francia, who inferred the contents of the correspondence from the Duke’s response, spoke quietly.
“…I guess it’s not approved.”
“Yes.”
The engagement ceremony cannot be held unless the imperial approval is granted. This is because it is considered illegal from that moment on.
However, it was impossible to ignore and enforce it. It was like the imperial family gave Ferbache a justification to put pressure on him.
“But… I didn’t refuse. I’m thinking of dragging my feet.”
Shrug
The Duke, who folded the letter, continued with a small sigh.
“The imperial family is going to host a party for high-ranking aristocrats.”
Yohan and Francia’s faces cooled down. It was one thing that they would hold a party at this point.
“…you’re going to call the high aristocrats and announce their engagement, so you can’t say no.” Francia said.
To reject his proposed marriage at a party held by the emperor himself.
It was no different from the sound of rebelling against the imperial decision and opposing it.
If the conflict intensifies, families who are wary of the imperial family will cut off exchanges, and if it continues, Ferbache may be isolated from society. Political pressure.
But it’s a story when there’s no justification.
It was none of Ferbache’s business.
“I didn’t expect you to ignore the compromise when you suggested it like that. You have no choice but to force yourself out.”
The Duke crumpled his face at the correspondence sent by the imperial family.
“…confrontation seems to be definitive, so I’ll have to clarify my intentions at the party.”
Yohan smiled slightly.
“The imperial family, now, is making me very unpleasant.”
If you let it go once and it comes out like this, it will only give you the corresponding answer.
“I’ll do it.”