Chapter 129 – A Fresh Stimulation
I looked up at Loic and was taken aback.
The intense gaze he had while looking at Lucion sent a chilling wave through me.
The oppressive pressure was so thick it made my shoulders instinctively shrink.
“Loic?”
I called his name softly, surprised by his expression. He met my gaze calmly, as if nothing had happened.
He gently lowered my wrist, entwining his fingers with mine.
“Did you enjoy the performance?” he asked.
“Yes, it was enjoyable.”
I hurriedly tried to introduce Lucion, not wanting Loic to make any mistakes in this tense situation.
“This is… well…”
But how should I introduce Lucion? The head of the Cariso troupe? The prince of Rondoris?
I was fumbling with my words when Loic suddenly growled toward Lucion.
“I’ve heard that Lucion Tarkal has been hiding in my land like a rat.”
A rat?
‘We haven’t even signed the contract with the prince yet…!’
I wasn’t sure if I should stop Loic when he spoke like that.
“They must’ve thought I wouldn’t notice. But it seems there’s still someone here with a brain,” Loic sneered.
Lucion, who I thought would be flustered, retorted with even harsher words.
Seeing him, Norton and the knights stood in a defensive posture, and a few of Lucion’s guards quickly positioned themselves behind him.
‘So, he really does have a guard with him.’
I wasn’t too surprised to see Loic and Lucion clashing like this.
The Duke of Blenheim and a prince of another kingdom—these were two figures who were naturally proud. Even if there had been talks about a marriage alliance between their families, it wasn’t guaranteed that they would be friendly.
Lucion, with his golden hair and slender build, looked completely different from Loic, whose black hair and sturdy frame made him seem imposing.
But the two could not afford to clash any further.
‘I really need the Cariso troupe.’
I gently shook Loic’s hand, trying to calm him down.
“Duke, I believe Blenheim will be able to host an opera performance this summer.”
“Is that so? Well, that’s good news,” Loic replied.
At that moment, Lucion flashed a proud smile.
“Your Grace, I think we need to add a condition.”
“A condition?” I asked, confused.
“I believe the Duke of Blenheim should personally thank the head of the Cariso troupe, with proper respect,” Lucion added.
“Thank?” Loic chuckled.
“You’re mistaken. It’s I who should be thanked. It’s thanks to the generous Grand Duchess that you have any use at all,” Loic shot back.
Lucion hesitated for a moment.
“What? Did you think I didn’t know your true identity?” Loic continued, mocking him.
Lucion froze again.
“Your little troupe, it’s nothing to me,” Loic said dismissively.
‘Wow… Loic really knows how to talk down to someone.’
This was all fine, but Duke, we’re in a situation where we need this, you know?
“Duke.”
I gently tapped his leg with the hand I held to indicate he should stop.
When Loic looked at me, I quickly tried to steer the conversation.
“You know I’ve been working hard to invite the troupe, right?”
“I know,” Loic replied.
“Then let’s just thank them politely and move on.”
I expected him to nod immediately.
“…If you call me Loic.”
Loic murmured while brushing his thumb against my wrist, looking as if he wouldn’t move until I complied.
‘Seriously, what’s with him?’
I couldn’t help but find him cute despite my frustration.
Eventually, I raised my voice, making sure both Lucion and Loic could hear me.
“Loic. Shouldn’t we let the prince go now?”
Loic, seemingly pleased with my words, held my hand tightly before lifting his head to put on an overly formal expression.
“Good choice to bring the troupe to Blenheim,” he said with a soft smile.
Lucion’s face was contorted in displeasure.
I could understand why. Having someone whisper in your ear while standing right in front of you would definitely be annoying.
“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll give you my full support,” Loic added generously.
Lucion’s lips tightened at the offer.
“Your Grace, shall we go now?” Loic asked, pulling my hand.
“Prince, let’s discuss the details later. Take care on your way,” I said, smiling politely.
“We’ll meet again soon,” Lucion said, forcing a smile.
Lucion watched the Duke and Duchess leave, his expression darkening as Loic glared at him until the carriage drove off.
“Ha.”
Once the carriage was far enough, Lucion let out a long breath.
“I can’t believe I’m seeing this.”
He thought back to his earlier meeting with Count Paccio.
Just recently, Lucion had been harshly rejected by Princess Felianes when he tried to arrange a meeting.
The princess had been in a foul mood after receiving a report about the diplomatic delegation’s progress.
— “What did Count Paccio say to upset my sister? Did the Duke of Blenheim reject a marriage proposal?”
— “…”
— “Is it true?”
Princess Felianes had been in a fierce competition with her brother, Alberin Tarkal, for the throne. She needed the Duke’s support to solidify her position.
For Lucion, it didn’t matter much, but for her, the Duke of Blenheim was the perfect match.
The Duke was of noble status, and unlike other royals, he didn’t seem eager to take the throne of Rondoris. Most importantly, he promised never to leave Blenheim after marriage, which was exactly what the princess needed.
She had been overjoyed when the Duke promised not to meet his new wife after marriage.
— “The gods are arranging everything for me.”
But now, the Duke of Blenheim wasn’t planning to marry her.
— “It seems he has no plans of leaving his current Duchess,” Paccio had said.
Lucion swallowed, unsure why the Duke had made such a commitment.
But what Paccio said next was even more surprising.
— “The Duchess is the perfect match for the Duke. No one else could fill that role.”
— “Is that what you mean by her beauty?”
— “Well, she’s beautiful, but it’s not just about her looks. Her knights and servants say she’s like the sunshine.”
Lucion was still perplexed by this, but Paccio didn’t stop there.
— “The Duchess has already sent Samuel three requests for a performance.”
Samuel had been working on a regular performance for Rondoris, but none of the troupes had agreed to perform in Blenheim due to the strict conditions.
Lucion had been joking about how persistent the Duchess was, when Paccio responded with unexpected seriousness.
— “The Duchess is very talented in business. If you ever have the chance, I’d recommend meeting her.”
— “You want me to meet the Duchess?”
Lucion had been known in Rondoris as the charming, good-looking prince who liked to drink and sing, but few knew how capable he was in business.
— “You’ve been struggling with the troupe’s stagnant earnings, right?”
— “You don’t expect her to solve that for me, do you?”
Lucion had joked, but Paccio had responded seriously, saying the Duchess had a remarkable intuition.
— “Her business sense is impressive. She can see opportunities that others miss.”
Lucion didn’t understand at first, but then he realized that the Duchess’s words had given him a new perspective.
He had never received such a direct and constructive opinion before, and it intrigued him.
Standing outside the theater, Lucion replayed the conversation in his mind as he recalled the Duchess’s hand being taken by Loic.
‘What a lucky man,’ he thought, clenching his jaw.
If he had a wife like the Duchess, he would never dream of divorce.
His thoughts wandered as he stared at the Duke’s strong hand holding the Duchess’s delicate one, and a feeling of inexplicable defeat washed over him.
With a heavy heart, Lucion turned and walked away.
