Chapter 137

Full-bloomed cherry blossoms would call forth people’s attention.

If there were crowds gathering, naturally, that place would become a hub for conversation.

That’s why nobles would gather in groups to discuss various stories.

So, it was no surprise that a group of nobles would gather here as well.

It seemed like they were going to talk about mundane topics, but the complaints coming from their mouths weren’t surprising either, sounding like old grudges.

“Now what kind of nonsense is this? The fault lies with me for the tea party incident!”

Hemnan rose from his seat with a look of denial on his face.

Then, one of the noble ladies casually replied with a fan in hand.

“It’s true, isn’t it? You sprinkled ash on the food prepared by Lady Pitea.”

“That’s absurd! I did everything I could to push Carsein! It’s your fault for not catching the mood and abandoning me!”

“Isn’t it all your doing that ruined the atmosphere? You made us look less dignified than commoners!”

“Ah, no… That was because the servants in his territory deliberately tampered with the carriage!”

“And we successfully shifted the conversation to the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. Didn’t you fail to manage even the knights, making the situation worse?”

“Even if that’s so…”

*Bang.*

As Hemnan tried to defend himself, one of the noble ladies closed her fan and cut him off.

“You have to accept it, Prince Hemnan. Your mistake is the biggest. Are you saying you won’t admit it?”

“H-Hellie!”

“Thanks to you, we’re all stuck too. Lady Claire is furious, and we’re all suffering as a result!”

“That’s right!”

“Plus, didn’t you say you were confident? You said Ruismaier will soon fall, so don’t worry!”

As the noble ladies spoke in unison, Hemnan started to feel cornered.

He couldn’t find any words to defend himself. They were all involved in the corruption at the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, after all.

In other words, these were the very people who knew the whole secret.

“So, what am I supposed to do now?”

Sweating profusely, Hemnan asked.

“Are you seriously asking us that now?”

“There’s no way to undo the past. With Lady Claire finding out, the opponent is the House of Bargrand, and I can’t do anything alone!”

“Do something! You should take responsibility and fix your mistakes!”

“How can Hellie be so unreasonable! I won’t just let myself be pushed aside!”

“What did you say?”

“You’re not the only one with secrets! The plan to feed Kelbia Fruit was not just the House of Gelgetten’s doing, but yours too. Isn’t it your fault for getting caught by Lady Claire?”

Both sides raised their voices as if they were trying to devour each other.

This place had already split into Hemnan’s faction and Hellie’s faction.

At that moment—

The door creaked open.

Who dared to enter without permission?

Naturally, the nobles’ eyes turned to the unexpected visitor.

They should be kicked out immediately!

Either side might have said such a thing.

But neither of them issued an expulsion order.

“Everyone seems to be having fun. Can I join in?”

The reaction to the man walking steadily toward them was sharply divided.

“Who is that person over there?”

“I’ve never seen this person before…”

“Who invited them? They seem to have some class…”

“They’re tall, at least?”

A few women blushed or rolled their eyes excitedly as they looked at the man.

Hellie, who also asked who the stranger was, felt the same way.

He seemed to be a noble, but she had no idea who he was.

Another reaction was:

“What are you all talking about?!”

“The idiot doesn’t know who that is?!”

“Wake up!”

When Hemnan nudged her, Hellie let out a puzzled “Ah?”

“This isn’t the time to fight among ourselves. Do you understand?”

“…”

“It’s that guy, Carsein. We should deal with him first, whether he becomes our ally or enemy. Do you get it?”

We can manipulate public opinion here. This is the den of nobles.

Hemnan started the confrontation first.

“Why are you here? I thought you didn’t like going out.”

“Oh. I came because they wanted to make a new family portrait at the Duke’s Mansion.”

“Aha. For a portrait? Indeed, the weather is nice!”

Hemnan gave a sneaky smile and glanced at Carsein’s attire.

Family portrait.

That means nothing should happen to his clothes.

One of the noble ladies noticed this and ordered a maid to bring down a new outfit.

Soon enough.

“Oh no.”

The sound of *clatter* as tea spilled onto Carsein’s clothes.

His garments were stained with a strong color, ruining the perfect setting for a portrait.

“I’m sorry. I accidentally spilled the tea. My apologies.”

Hemnan put on a show of insincere apology.

There was a box next to him.

It caught his eye.

It seemed like a perfect target.

Surely, it was purchased to attract the family’s attention.

With a sinister smile, Hemnan nudged the box with his elbow.

And then—

*Crack!*

He trampled on its contents and crushed it openly.

“Oh no! Another mistake. I’m truly sorry.”

Of course, it was no accident.

Despite this, Hemnan smiled broadly.

This is the den of nobles.

No matter how much a commoner like Carsein struggles, he can’t escape.

Even if he escapes and speaks up, Carsein has no allies. Everyone knows he’s the adopted son of the Duke’s House and is ostracized by his two sisters and younger sister.

That’s why he dared to do such a thing.

After all, the power of the Duke’s House won’t reach them.

“Hmm. He’s not reacting as expected.”

It would have been better if he had reacted immediately. It would have made it easier to frame him.

How should he torment him? Hemnan began to ponder.

“Pfft.”

Carsein chuckled.

“Huh?”

“An accident, huh? Sure, it could be.”

Then, he picked up the teapot.

He started pouring the remaining tea precisely on Hemnan’s head.

*Splash!*

“Gwah! Hot! Ahh! Haaah!!”

Panicked, Hemnan jumped up and flailed around.

His voice sounded like he was being scalded alive.

“Such disgraceful behavior!”

“How could someone act so undignified!”

The nobles criticized his sudden action, but Carsein simply smiled and replied briefly.

“Oh, my apologies. It was an accident.”

“What?!”

“Accident? Clearly, you did it on purpose!”

“Oh, come on. My actions were intentional, but Hemnan’s were not?”

“Enough!”

Hemnan shouted.

After letting the steam rise from his head cool down, his eyes were bloodshot.

“Ha…! You…! Fine. If that’s how you want it!”

With renewed anger, Hemnan clenched his teeth.

Realizing this, the nobles slowly stepped forward.

“You should have known better. Acting like you own the place despite being a commoner.”

“Letting you run wild makes this place look like your domain?”

“Let’s give him a proper beating this time!”

Like a tiger attacking a fearless dog, they intended to tear him apart.

With this confidence, Hemnan yelled,

“Let’s make him regret coming here!”

The nobles attacked Carsein collectively.

The noble ladies were filled with anticipation.

However,

“Gwaah?!”

“Guh!”

“Eugh!”

Unexpectedly, the men started crumbling under Carsein’s strength.

The women, who were smiling, watched the men fall and gradually lost their color.

Carsein wasn’t just different in appearance.

***

Today, things kept going wrong for some reason.

Before even leaving, he fought with his sister, ruining the mood.

When he tried to have a conversation alone with her in the carriage, she suddenly rode away.

Upon arriving in the East, when he tried to speak, the situation was delayed. And it got even worse, with Carsein being separated from the rest due to the four-person limit.

It was a frustrating situation.

But Claire had her own worries.

While she could talk to Carsein later, she felt uneasy since she decided to go see the cherry blossoms during her rest period.

Since then, she felt like she was missing something crucial.

“What is it? What did I miss?”

She could almost grasp what it was, but it kept bothering her.

“Clare. Clare!”

“Yes? Ah, Sister?”

“Why aren’t you focusing?”

Claire snapped back to reality when her sister shook her shoulder.

“Oh no!”

She remembered—she was meeting with the Second Prince!

“Haha. Lady Clare seems preoccupied today.”

“No need to apologize for such rudeness…”

“It’s fine. I would have done the same.”

“Your Highness.”

“Come on, Arina. Be honest. On a day like this, shouldn’t we enjoy family time instead of being bored with audiences?”

The Second Prince brushed off her concern with a carefree laugh.

“But… it’s a shame. Due to the strict personnel restrictions. Tsk.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Only allowing four people is such a shame. Carsein is left out, so I can’t give him a gift. The attendants are too stiff too.”

“Huh?”

Claire’s shoulders tensed.

“Your Highness. Did you say something about the attendants being stiff?”

“Ah, yes. I wanted to give Carsein a gift after so long. It’s been years since we last met.”

“…”

A gift for Carsein, who was left out?

Her mouth slowly opened.

Claire realized the seriousness of the situation.

Why hadn’t she noticed this unease before?

Nothing had changed.

“Your Highness. May I leave for a moment?”

“Clare? Why are you acting strange today?”

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t mind. But your expression suggests you remembered something important. Go ahead.”

“Thank you. And thank you, Your Highness.”

Claire bowed and left the audience chamber.

Once the prince’s gaze disappeared, she hurried away.

Why didn’t she notice this before?

There were similar situations in the past.

“Impossible. Could Carsein be hurt again like back then…?”

Thinking of Carsein returning battered, holding out a cherry blossom hairpin, Claire’s steps quickened.