Episode 38
“Is my approval really necessary for this matter?”
Antonio asked back with a puzzled expression, as if wondering why something like that even needed to be asked.
The lady didn’t respond for a while, as if trying to gauge his true intentions. Like earlier, she simply observed his complexion slowly, as though studying a stranger.
> “Ah, does the Duke have another child hidden away somewhere?”
Antonio tilted his head and asked the lady again. To ask something so directly—she would be well within her rights to call him rude.
> “……My father has no illegitimate children.”
> “Then why ask? You could just continue acting as the lord like you are now.”
His reply made me feel uneasy. I clenched my fists under the table.
I wanted to jump in and say, “Antonio, your country’s laws don’t work like that.”
Why had no one explained the necessary details to him? Shouldn’t the Emperor have assigned him a tutor to educate him about the Empire’s social system as soon as he returned?
It seemed like I would have a lot to explain to Antonio once dinner was over.
> “So, Your Highness, do you truly want me to become the Lord of Cassia?”
The lady asked again, this time with more emphasis, as if seeking reassurance.
Antonio’s expression hardened. He seemed a bit irritated by her repeated questioning.
> “What does it matter whether I want it or not? It’s all up to you. I have no desire to interfere in your family’s affairs.”
Antonio calmly answered as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. He didn’t seem to realize it, but those words could be interpreted very politically.
And he would likely have to take responsibility for them.
In the midst of that complexity, I noticed a flicker in the lady’s eyes. A subtle ripple moved through the center of her blue irises.
Antonio’s ignorance might have unintentionally drawn her in.
> “And in return… what do you want?”
> “What return are you talking about?”
> “You protected the people of Cassia from the hippogriff attack.”
> “That wasn’t me.”
Antonio straightened his back and looked in my direction.
As he wiped his mouth with a napkin, our eyes met. Why was he looking at me mid-sentence? I blinked at him in confusion.
Now even the lady’s gaze shifted toward me. With both of them staring, the silence stretched long enough to make me want to crawl under the table.
> “……Lady Theodora.”
Still focused on me, Antonio called out to the lady.
> “Yes, Your Highness.”
> “Cassia is the third-largest city in the Empire. There must be a number of local newspapers.”
> “Six or seven, I think. But why do you ask…?”
> “There are probably many questions from the citizens about the hippogriff incident. We should hold a press conference to explain what really happened.”
> “Very well. I’ll prepare everything so we can hold it tomorrow.”
The lady accepted Antonio’s suggestion without hesitation. She seemed relieved that his demand wasn’t greater than expected.
“That’s not drinking water.”
Antonio scolded the knights he had gathered.
This was a lounge area in the ducal estate reserved for VIP guests.
They were likely to meet more lords in the future, and it wouldn’t do for them to drink cleansing water at every formal dinner.
> “The water came in a clear glass—if it’s not for drinking, then what is it?”
Kallen asked with a frown.
> “……Ha.”
Antonio sighed and stared into space, as if unsure where to begin explaining.
> “Lady Josephine, do you know what’s going on? What is that water, really?”
Kallen turned to me.
> “At formal dinners hosted by Tristram’s nobility, a crystal glass of water is served first for washing hands. Don’t drink it—dip your fingers in it.”
> “But they handed out wet towels too.”
> “That was the lady being considerate—she noticed Antonio’s reaction and had the towels brought out for the knights.”
Kallen pressed his palm to his forehead. He finally seemed to understand.
> “I didn’t know. Thank you for telling me.”
The knights retreated, embarrassed.
Antonio glanced my way and gestured toward the terrace.
It meant he had something to say in private.
I followed him out. We stood side by side, leaning on the marble railing. A warm summer breeze brushed against my forehead.
Antonio took a deep breath, and then began to speak slowly.
He explained that the members of Scorpio were descendants of Tristram immigrants who had left for Saragot decades ago.
> “They left because of famine caused by the long wars. Most were commoners. They grew up in the Mage Tower, so naturally they know nothing of the Empire’s customs. No one ever taught them.”
> “……I see.”
> “I didn’t plan on coming back even when my father summoned me. I changed my mind only because the knights kept pushing for it. They’re driven by this idealistic desire to protect the homeland their grandparents always missed.”
Antonio sighed, staring into the distance.
He hadn’t been eager to return—but the knights had insisted, and so here he was.
> “To be fair, even royalty in Saragot follow simpler dining customs. Even lavish meals don’t involve a dozen different utensils.”
Antonio clearly had complaints about the Empire’s complicated dining culture.
> “Ugh. It seems knowing chivalry isn’t enough. Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you.”
He added.
> “Me? What work?”
I blinked, surprised by the sudden assignment.
> “The knights should at least know the basic etiquette of their homeland. We won’t be leaving anytime soon.”
> “So… you want me to teach them manners?”
Antonio nodded once.
> “I may have grown up in the wild, but I don’t want my men to come off as savages.”
He seemed more concerned about his men’s dignity than his own.
Oh right—there was something else I needed to tell him.
It was actually more important than the incident with the washing water. This involved the political scene Antonio would inevitably be pulled into.
> “Antonio, actually… you can’t call Lady Theodora a viscountess.”
> “What now?”
Antonio ran a rough hand through his bangs and replied.
I tried to explain the Empire’s inheritance laws as simply as I could. While I talked, Antonio’s mouth slowly fell open, his face full of disbelief.
> “I had no idea.”
> “…I figured.”
> “So she can’t inherit her father’s title, and it all goes to her political spouse? What kind of insane law is that?”
That insane law exists—right here, in your homeland.
I only answered in my mind.
The Emperor likely intended to give the valuable southern territory of Cassia to Antonio by marrying him to the lady. Upon the Duke’s death, the title would pass to Antonio.
Unlike the Crown Prince and other princes, Antonio didn’t have any strong political or economic base of power. I didn’t know the full power structure of Tristram’s nobility, but the Duke of Cassia and the Marquis of Fernandez were considered key figures in the noble class. The Duke had even served as the Emperor’s advisor during better health.
> “The lady seemed pleased with your answer. She might already view you as a suitable political partner.”
It was only my guess, but I felt it was worth explaining how his response might have been interpreted.
> “……Ha.”
> “If she ends up marrying you, she might assume you’d let her hold full authority as the Lord of Cassia.”
> “That’s a big misunderstanding. I have zero intention of playing lord over someone else’s land.”
Antonio frowned, clearly frustrated by the political mess.
> “I don’t think it’s a bad match. The lady has a lot to offer you.”
From a purely political standpoint, this was true.
Lady Theodora of Cassia was known as a wise acting lord. She was also beautiful, which likely made her an appealing candidate for the Emperor’s youngest son.
I briefly pictured Antonio and Lady Theodora standing side by side.
They would make a good pair. Both tall, and with that cool, distant aura.
> “You’ve been staring at your wine this whole time.”
> “Huh?”
Maybe I had zoned out for a moment, but I didn’t quite catch what Antonio said.
> “You keep jumping to conclusions. Don’t assume things when nothing’s happened yet.”
