~Chapter 21~
“They say even a worm squirms when stepped on, but why does it keep writhing no matter how many times I crush it? I wish it would just die.”
“It’s because he’s of royal blood. You know better than anyone how tenacious they are, Lady Livia.”
“Even the Emperor stays silent, yet the Crown Prince dares interfere with my work.”
It was natural for her to be annoyed, as she was the master of divine power whom even the Emperor could not control.
“Please calm yourself. The Joubert Merchant Guild has arrived from the East, and everything is proceeding smoothly.”
Livia, flushed with anger, sighed irritably and changed the subject as if she’d just remembered something.
“I hear… there’s a suitor being discussed in the Valandier Marquis family. They wouldn’t already be arranging a marriage for that young girl, would they?”
It was news that had stirred up Rajan for days. It was shocking enough that someone had been suddenly adopted into the Marquis family, but now the Marquis himself was openly seeking a suitor.
The public proposal was creating a storm significant enough for Livia to mention it herself.
“It’s probably noisier because the Valandier family never had ties like that before. The Marquis doesn’t seem to have any other intentions yet.”
“Keep a close watch. The Marquis’s power is significant. If that power flows to the Crown Prince, things will become more troublesome.”
“I’ll find an appropriate candidate to send their way from our side as well.”
“A change from the Valandier family, which has always hidden its claws… it’s worth observing.”
Livia’s lips curled into a smile, as if she’d never been irritated.
That seductive smile made Edmund’s heart race. Though he was already kneeling and supporting her feet, he wanted to be closer to her still.
Like petting a beloved animal, Livia lightly stroked Edmund’s chin and spoke.
“The Crown Prince always aiming at my back, and now the sudden change in the Valandier family… The ball will be quite entertaining.”
“Do you intend to attend the Imperial Palace ball?”
“Yes. I need to go find children who will become excellent nourishment for the future… and to see the face of that lucky girl adopted by the Marquis.”
“Lady Livia’s attention… I feel jealous already.”
At his sweet words, Livia shook her shoulders lightly and laughed.
“Especially at times like this, we must be careful not to let our tails get stepped on. The Crown Prince’s rats have been scurrying around more actively lately. Don’t give them any gaps. Don’t even feed them.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Edmund carefully caressed Livia’s smooth leg and kissed the top of her foot.
***
The Imperial Academy Graduation Ball.
In the past, it had begun when a princess, an Academy graduate, invited her close friends to the palace for a grand party. Over time, it became a regular event.
The starlight embedded in the ceiling was more beautiful than any chandelier, and the jewels adorning the walls glowed softly, glittering luxuriously.
The dazzling scenery of the ballroom was enough to excite the hearts of newcomers to high society.
It was also a place where nobles competed to secure the talents of the future, and for those hoping to be noticed, it was an opportunity to enter such circles frequently. For those who understood these hidden motives, this glamorous ballroom would not appear simply beautiful.
“Sister, do you see over there? That’s her. The Joubert Merchant Guild’s daughter.”
At Serel’s quiet grumble, I maintained my expression and slowly scanned the ballroom.
That was when I noticed a fiery glare directed straight at me.
When I looked back at them, Serel came closer and whispered softly.
“The one next to her is her second sister, and the one beside her is her eldest sister.”
They were like carved dolls arranged by size, similar in appearance despite their age differences.
Even without Serel’s explanation, it was obvious they were sisters.
‘Why is she glaring at me like that when I haven’t done anything?’
They frowned so openly. It didn’t seem like they had learned proper social etiquette. Balls were meant for interaction, after all.
Despite glaring so intensely, the three sisters didn’t approach me. If Serel was right, they should have come over to pick a fight by now.
Perhaps they were conscious of being in the palace. Or maybe they were wary of me standing beside Serel.
In the end, the sisters showed no special action. Serel, perhaps deflated, soon disappeared to meet her friends.
Left alone awkwardly, countless gazes fell upon me, but the Marquis of Valandier soon approached, blocking all those stares.
“Have you finished greeting everyone?”
“How many people do I really interact with anyway?”
“For someone saying that, quite a few came to greet you.”
“They’re not interested in me. They’re curious about you. A man who only ever cared for his dead wife and daughter suddenly adopting a foster daughter? Of course they’re curious about where, how, and why she came.”
“To become friends with the Marquis of Valandier, they need to start as business partners. But you only ever cared for your wife, so remarriage is impossible, and your daughter Serel is still too young for marriage.”
“Exactly. But now, a foster daughter of marriageable age appears, and their desire is strong enough to claw up their throats.”
The Marquis frowned, clearly displeased by the nobles’ schemes.
“That’s why we spread the rumor. That we’re searching for a good groom for the foster daughter who has suffered so much.”
Though it was a subtly released rumor, there were so many eager to form ties with the Marquis family that it spread rapidly without effort.
“The more interest, the better. That way, it will reach that woman’s ears, and she’ll start paying attention.”
“I worry it might become dangerous. You don’t need to draw her attention like this…”
“It’s necessary. Livia is a woman who believes only she is noble in this world. If she cannot have something, she ensures no one else can.”
“Hm… I can’t understand it, but I see your point.”
“Yes. The Valandier family is currently neutral. If news of a sudden proposal comes from them, it might signal a shift in power. That would force Livia to act.”
If Livia couldn’t have the Valandier family, she would ensure no one else could.
Though the family’s power wasn’t overwhelming compared to other nobles, it was enough to sway the neutral factions significantly.
That was why Livia couldn’t help but watch them closely. If neutral powers moved towards Crown Prince Khalid, it would be a major problem for her.
Currently, the Epernia Empire’s power structure was an unstable triangle: the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Livia, the master of divine power.
The current Emperor was old, incompetent, and now ill, practically a puppet. Yet he hated Khalid intensely, never handing him the throne, because he was the son of the Empress whom he’d married for political reasons rather than love.
Officially, the Emperor claimed he hated Khalid because he lost his beloved to the Empress, but rumors suggested it was jealousy and inferiority, as the Empress was more capable than he ever was.
Either way, it was clear the Emperor was unfit for the throne.
Addicted to luxury and pleasure, the Emperor stubbornly clung to power, allowing Livia to grow her influence swiftly, surpassing even his.
The Emperor became a puppet, and Khalid, suppressed by his father, could not act freely. Livia had thus taken the lead by several steps.
Khalid possessed legitimacy, authority, and qualifications befitting the next Emperor, but he remained hidden away. Meanwhile, Livia held divine power and public trust close to absolute.
There was no need to weigh whose power was greater.
Therefore, Livia watched the movements of neutral nobles with sharp attention.
Khalid needed to grow his power, while Livia could not allow that to happen.
I planned to use that very fact.
