Troublesome Prince (1)
“What’s going on?”
“Well, the thing is…”
The attendant hesitated for a while before speaking in a dazed manner as if announcing an enemy invasion.
“His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince Justin is coming here.”
At the mention of the Fourth Prince, the faces of the attendants gathered in the dining hall turned pale, as if they had heard something unspeakable.
Who is the Fourth Prince?
Duha tilted her head slightly and looked at the Duke. It seemed Leonhardt was equally unpleased by the news, as his frown deepened considerably.
It appeared that the visitor was someone with whom Esbaden had a less than amicable relationship.
*** *** *** *** ***
“He’s a complete scoundrel.”
That evening, Duha’s eyes widened at her maid’s blunt words.
“A scoundrel?”
Leila, who had paused her sewing, quickly explained herself when she saw Duha’s gaze.
“Yes! I asked the maids working here, and it turns out the Fourth Prince is very famous for being a complete scoundrel.”
Prince Justin von Bentrum, now 23 years old, was known for his charming looks, inherited from his mother, but also for his notorious temper.
From a young age, he was known to kill small animals for no reason, torture his subordinates, and indulge in drinking and gambling.
That was the common reputation of Prince Justin the Fourth.
“Why would such a person come to the Duke’s residence?”
“I heard they have some sort of acquaintance.”
Duha raised an eyebrow, recalling the Duke’s face during lunch.
No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t seem like the face of someone welcoming a familiar guest.
“Despite his temper, he’s second in line to the throne. Maybe that’s why the Duke maintains a friendly relationship with such a scoundrel?”
“He’s quite high in the succession line for a Fourth Prince.”
“Apparently, he got lucky because his three older brothers all died. As a result, he’s enemies with the First Princess, who is first in line for the throne.”
A scoundrel prince who rose in rank by sheer luck.
Just hearing about him made Duha not want to encounter such a person.
“The maids say he’s coming to congratulate the Duke and his wife on their marriage.”
“The Prince himself? That doesn’t seem necessary.”
Since it was a marriage for alliance, the Duke and his wife would soon have to travel to the capital to greet the Emperor.
It was strange for the Prince to come all the way to this border region personally.
“For his succession to the throne, the Duke’s support is crucial. He’s practically the leader of the nobles defending the border. I don’t know how great the Duke is, but that’s what they say.”
Leila grumbled, still displeased with the Duke’s treatment of her mistress.
“What’s so great about the Duke? Our lady is recognized even in Bashar…”
“Leila, have you found out anything else about the Fourth Prince?”
“Hmm, oh right! Despite being a scoundrel, he’s apparently very devoted to his wives.”
“Devoted?”
“Yes. His first wife died in an accident, and after his second wife also died in an accident, he’s been living in seclusion ever since.”
A scoundrel prince living in seclusion. It was an oddly contradictory image.
“He’s quite handsome, so despite his temper, he seems to have many female admirers. They call him a rough romantic. Isn’t that funny?”
Although it wasn’t particularly useful information, Duha nodded contentedly and stood up.
“Alright, now that we know who he is, we should prepare.”
“Prepare? For what?”
“What do you mean? We have to prepare to welcome the Prince.”
Even if he was a scoundrel, a prince was still a prince.
If someone as high-ranking as a prince was coming to congratulate their marriage, they needed to prepare accordingly.
“Leila, bring the head maid. We need to ask how to properly entertain guests in the Empire.”
*** *** *** *** ***
“I would prefer if you stayed out of sight tomorrow.”
Duha blinked slowly at her husband’s incomprehensible words. After thinking for a while, she slowly opened her mouth.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I mean you don’t need to leave this room tomorrow.”
“But tomorrow is the day the Prince arrives.”
She had spent the past fortnight preparing to welcome the troublesome Fourth Prince, worrying that being Bashar might be a disadvantage, and studying Imperial culture and royal etiquette diligently.
And now, on the day of the guest’s arrival, she was being told not to leave her room. It was completely incomprehensible.
Leonhardt, who had called her to his study, simply repeated the same words with a cold expression.
“I clearly said you should stay out of sight tomorrow.”
“Why should I do that?”
“I don’t think I need to explain myself to you.”
“What did you say?”
“You’re no longer a princess; you’re my wife now.”
Duha’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the implication that she should know her place. She couldn’t find any words to retort for a moment.
Leonhardt, indifferent to her emotions, continued speaking while keeping his eyes fixed on his documents.
“I will tell the Prince that you are ill. So, don’t come out of your room tomorrow.”
“I’m perfectly healthy.”
“Don’t worry. You don’t need to be healthy for just one day.”
“…Is it because I’m from Bashar that you’re embarrassed to present me to the imperial family?”
Leonhardt finally lifted his head at her low, calm voice. He looked at his wife with emotionless blue eyes and spoke dryly.
“Our marriage was personally overseen by the Emperor. There’s no reason for you to be ashamed in front of the imperial family.”
“Then what are you thinking?”
“You don’t need to know what I’m thinking.”
“Maybe not, but I need to know why you’re giving me such an unreasonable order.”
“I told you, I have no reason to explain myself to you.”
“You do.”
Duha spoke with a voice tinged with anger.
“As the ‘Duchess’ who has been preparing for this day for the past fortnight, I am very displeased.”
She was unwilling to let her hard work over the past two weeks be in vain due to one word.
She didn’t seek praise, but it was her first event as the Duchess.
She couldn’t imagine being excluded from such an event. However, Leonhardt seemed equally unwilling to change his mind.
He stared at her for a long moment before repeating the same words.
“Let’s not see each other tomorrow.”
“…You’re quite an unpleasant person.”
Duha coldly left the study, having nothing more to say.
Leonhardt’s gaze followed her retreating figure, now tinged with a hint of turmoil, reflecting his complicated emotions.
*** *** *** *** ***
The day of the Fourth Prince’s arrival dawned.
The Esbaden Duchy was bustling since dawn, preparing to welcome their noble guest.
However, amidst the busyness, there was an odd sense of unease.
Duha, who had been directing the preparations for the day, was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, the head maid Sylvia had taken her place.
“A delegation is also coming, so ensure there is enough food prepared.”
“Yes, head maid.”
“I will personally attend to the Fourth Prince when he arrives. The less experienced maids should stay out of sight. Understood?”
Prince Justin was like a powder keg, unpredictable and easily angered. The head maid’s personal attendance was to prevent any possible mistakes by inexperienced maids.
“The Fourth Prince has arrived!”
At that moment, an attendant announced the Prince’s arrival, and the staff of the duchy lined up in two rows in the lobby.
Standing between them was the Grand Duke of Esbaden in full uniform.
Finally, the door opened, and a man walked in with a lively gait.
“Well, well, it’s been a while!”
The man with dark auburn hair and light brown eyes greeted the Duke with a bright smile.
“How have you been, Duke?”
“I greet the Fourth Prince.”
“Oh, come on, don’t be so formal. Let’s be comfortable! Between us.”
Prince Justin casually placed his hand on the Duke’s shoulder.
Leonhardt’s expression twisted slightly, but Justin paid no mind and continued to laugh heartily.
“The Duke is practically my savior, isn’t he?”
Leonhardt hesitated at the word savior, then subtly shrugged off the Prince’s hand and changed the subject.
“I have prepared a banquet. Shall we move to the dining room?”
“Ah, yes. I am quite hungry. But…”
Justin patted his empty stomach and looked around.
“Where is the new Duchess?”
The Prince’s fierce eyes gleamed with amusement.
“I would like to greet her first, considering we were once discussed as potential marriage partners.”
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