PMLYP 21

Chapter 21

---

“My fiancé is from a weak noble family. That’s probably why.”

“Yes. If I had known he was your fiancé back then, I would’ve called Al and scolded him right away.”

If it had been Count Elpheus, maybe it would be understandable. But the fiancé of Marchioness Blair? The Second Prince shouldn’t have approached or clashed with someone like that.

That’s why the Emperor was now scolding her—asking why she had hidden her fiancé’s identity so carefully and caused all this trouble.

“But Your Majesty, how could I possibly say, ‘That man became my man today, so please protect him’?”

Irenea couldn’t bring herself to say that the engagement happened just this morning. Her voice was quiet and discouraged, and her eyebrows drooped.

Besides, she wasn’t wrong. Saying something like that would sound like she was abusing the Emperor’s favor and acting arrogant.

“Sigh…”

The Emperor rubbed his aching temple. Looking at the newspapers stacked on the table only made his headache worse.

‘That brat Al… When was the last time I scolded him properly?’

Even though he knew the Second Prince caused trouble everywhere, the Emperor hadn’t punished him harshly. He figured anyone sane wouldn’t want a troublemaker like Al as the next Emperor. So he half let him ruin his own reputation, and half out of guilt, he had spoiled the prince.

But now… it was time to take control again.

‘Of all people, he just had to mess with Marchioness Blair.’

If it had been an experienced political heavyweight, they could’ve negotiated with strategy and exchanged gains and losses. But Irenea was different. She had risen so quickly and was still expanding her influence—and the Emperor still didn’t know how to handle her.

She was blindly loyal to the royal family, so he couldn’t suppress her with force either.

Whether good or bad, wherever Marchioness Blair went, people talked. The media always exaggerated her actions or made things up.

But honestly, in the past three years, she hadn’t caused any real scandals.

This was the first time. And it involved the royal family.

‘Even if there was no proof… did she really have no choice but to make such a scene?’

If it were Irenea, she probably could’ve handled things more cleverly. The fact that she didn’t meant only one thing.

‘It’s a warning.’

A warning to control his son better before something worse happened.

For many reasons, the Emperor couldn’t punish Irenea harshly. And she probably knew that and planned accordingly.

‘How sly.’

The Emperor stared at Irenea, who looked so wronged and pitiful.

He wanted to smack her lightly on the head, but considering her loyal service to the royal family, he held back.

Besides, in the long run, this wasn’t a bad thing. He now had a solid piece of leverage over Marchioness Blair.

“I will apologize for my son’s behavior. I’ll call him immediately and scold him thoroughly, so let’s forget about this incident.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. How could I hold a grudge over just one mistake?”

Meaning: she’d let this one slide, but not a second time.

Now the Emperor was truly curious about Count Elpheus. What kind of charm did he have that Marchioness Blair protected him this fiercely?

“You said some things publicly, so we’ll cover up the prince’s wrongdoing for now. In return, if there’s anything you want, tell me.”

“There’s nothing, Your Majesty. I’m satisfied just clearing up your misunderstanding.”

“No need to be shy. If I don’t punish you, I must reward you.”

Even if it wasn’t true, in the eyes of the public, Irenea looked like a woman who dared to toy with love using the First Emperor’s sacred sword. With the media already talking about the royal family’s honor, the Emperor couldn’t leave her unscolded.

Knowing that, Irenea didn’t cry or plead but calmly made a request.

“Please attend my wedding next month in person.”

“In person?”

“Yes. If Your Majesty celebrates our wedding personally, no other noble will dare mock my fiancé.”

“Hmmm…”

She knew well that Elpheus was often treated like a black crow among white swans.

“Alright, I’ll do that.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t thank me. I’m about to yell now, so lower your head for a while.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Then the Emperor began shouting at the top of his lungs, making sure anyone nearby could hear.

He scolded her about disrespecting the royal family. Irenea cried and apologized dramatically. The Emperor shouted louder, saying he didn’t want to hear it.

“Until the wedding, stay home and reflect for one month. Got it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so.”

After Irenea bowed and left, the Emperor asked the head maid for alcohol and drank a glass in one go.

“What a mess, and it’s not even noon. Madam Roam, Lloyd Matthias has a palace entry pass, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I believe the prince signed it.”

“Go to the Matthias house and—no, forget it. Just give the order: If Lloyd Matthias comes to see the Second Prince, don’t let him through and confiscate his pass.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

While the head maid stepped out, the Emperor turned to the chief attendant.

“Bring the Second Prince here. I don’t care if he’s in his pajamas. Don’t waste time—bring him now!”

“At once, Your Majesty.”

Ironically, at that very moment, the Second Prince had just run into Leonard, who was waiting for Irenea in the garden of the Sun Palace.

---

Since only Irenea had permission to meet the Emperor, Leonard was guided to the garden instead.

A maid served him tea and snacks, keeping him company with light conversation so he wouldn’t feel bored.

After finishing his tea, she offered to show him around the garden.

“Am I allowed to walk around?”

“Of course. Just don’t go inside the building.”

The maid was kind and respectful. Looking at how he was treated, Leonard felt assured that Irenea wasn’t being mistreated either.

But his relief was short-lived.

“Well, well, who do we have here? If my eyes aren’t playing tricks, that guy standing there looks like a low-born mutt, doesn’t he?”

With that much open disdain, it didn’t even sting.

‘Of all people to run into… just my luck.’

Leonard brushed it off.

But the maid didn’t. She quickly stepped in front of Leonard to block the Second Prince.

“Greetings, Your Highness. Are you on your way to see Her Majesty?”

“Yes. I was on my way to see my mother… But tell me, am I wrong, or is that man standing there someone who doesn’t belong here?”

The Second Prince glared at Leonard.

“Please, Your Highness, mind your words. This man is a guest of His Majesty.”

“Oh, my mistake. I didn’t realize he was a royal guest. Should I get on my knees now and bow?”

“Your Highness! You mustn’t!”

The Second Prince bent as if to kneel, but his attendants quickly stopped him.

They gave the maid a look—clearly telling her to apologize. Their coordination was so perfect that it seemed rehearsed. The maid was speechless.

“Sigh…”

What did she even do wrong?

Leonard stepped in to end the awkward moment. He knelt on one knee before the Second Prince.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Hmph, finally lowering that precious knee of yours.”

The Second Prince sneered.

But he had never intended to kneel in the first place—he pushed away his attendants roughly.

“So, how did someone like you get invited by my mother? You’d better answer well. If you lie, I’ll cut out your tongue.”

Technically, Leonard wasn’t the Emperor’s guest—Irenea was. But the maid had lied to protect Leonard from being insulted.

Still, a lie was a lie, and the maid turned pale.

Before the prince could focus on her, Leonard answered calmly.

“Thanks to my fiancée.”

“Fiancée? Oh, you mean that wonderful Marchioness Blair.”

“Yes. The truly wonderful Marchioness Blair.”

Twisting sarcasm into praise made the prince angrier.

Ignoring his attendant’s warning to calm down, the Second Prince raged.

“Your fiancée’s arrogance is sky-high now that she has the Emperor’s favor! You dare to use the Emperor’s name for your pathetic romance?”

“A romance, Your Highness?”

“Yes! I saw it with my own eyes, so don’t deny it!”

So now he wanted to pretend like the agreement didn’t exist?

Leonard stared at him. The Second Prince’s cheek twitched nervously, as if he knew he was in the wrong.

Then, with burning eyes, he growled again.

“The Emperor is furious. That’s why he called your fiancée. Her reputation will finally come crashing down. I can’t wait!”

“With all respect, Your Highness.”

“What? Are you scared your precious fiancée is about to lose everything? Even if you beg now—”

“From now on, you won’t be able to hire mercenaries again.”

“…What did you say?”

 

Just then, a soft white light shimmered under the sunlight and landed gently on the Second Prince’s trembling lips.