Chapter 17

The count, who had stopped for a moment with a bewildered expression on his face while trying to figure out the situation, quickly became angry.

“What are you doing now…?!”

“C-Count. This is Princess Rubetria Diollus.”

Sarah spoke in a hurry and the count stiffened as it was.

There are many people who do not know my face because I rarely go out, but at least there must be no one in this country who doesn’t know “House Diollus”.

It is a great family that stands shoulder to shoulder with the imperial family.

I tilted my head and said to Count Erghetti, who blinked blankly as if his brain circuit had stopped.

“Nice to meet you, Count Erghetti. But…”

“…”

“Didn’t you just hear Sarah’s introduction? That I’m a Diollus?”

“Ah!”

Soon after, the count hurriedly took off his fedora, bowed, and put his hand over his chest.

“It is an honor to meet you, Princess. Call me Noven Erghetti.”

“Mm, nevermind. It’s a little embarrassing to be greeted so politely by the count, who is well over my father.”

“…”

“Looking at the situation, it seems that Count thinks that ten or twenty years difference in age isn’t worth mentioning either.”

When I said sarcastically about him flirting with Sarah, who was almost the age of his granddaughter, the count’s face turned red.

As his embarrassment deepened, he opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know you were seeing a guest first. Finish your conversation, I’ll be back in the evening…”

“Wait a moment.”

I caught the count who was about to leave, secretly giving Sarah a look.

“You don’t have to. I don’t want Count to come back here again.”

“… What?”

“Aah. Actually, today, I came to see a play with my father. And, I have something to suggest to Sarah, so I came to her like this.”

As I spoke with a broad smile, the startled count’s eyes shook.

I said I came to the play with my father, Duke Diollus, and have a suggestion for Sarah.

This, without any other interpretation, would have sounded like Duke Diollus had come to Sarah Hugo to make a proposal to make her a mistress, because it’s something that is very common in this world.

“Well, I’m sorry if I’m mistaken, but if Count comes to Sarah because you have something you want…”

“…”

“…I’m afraid you’ll have to let go of her.”

It’s not anyone else, but Duke Diollus, whose eyes are caught by Sarah. How could an old count, who is far less than that, continue to flirt with Sarah?

The count understood what I was saying, but he couldn’t take his foot off and firmly stood there.

‘You’re thinking of the time wasted trying to make Sarah your mistress, aren’t you? What a disgusting old man.’

Displeased, I urged.

“It’s obvious what an aristocrat want from the actors on this floor, isn’t it? I don’t have to say anything more just to hurt my mouth, do I?”

I didn’t say anything specifically about what I wanted Sarah to be, but no one would think it meant anything else.

I smiled haughtily and pointed to the waiting room door with the fan I was holding.

“Then say your farewell, and get out.”

***

‘This is crazy! How much work did I put on Sarah!’

After being insulted by an aristocratic lady who was much younger than him, Noven Erghetti couldn’t hide his anger.

‘Damn it!’

His blood boiled every time he imagined the beautiful actress Sarah walking by his side through the capital.

He also expected envious gazes to look up to him, saying he was an old but still a capable aristocrat.

But all of a sudden, there’s Duke Diollus?

House Diollus  is a family whose power is comparable to the imperial family. This means that although he had never seen the face of the young lady before, he had no choice but to turn away tremblingly after hearing the name of the family.

‘What kind of thunderbolt is this all of a sudden?!’

He grinded his teeth without leaving the hallway in front of the waiting room, and the servant who heard the whole story whispered to Noven.

“Count, by the way, is what the young lady said true?”

“What?”

“No, it’s a little strange. Count has never seen her before, right? And doesn’t she look different from the young lady of the Diollus Duchy that everyone knows?”

“What do you mean…?”

Noven, who had frowned, stopped.

As he pondered, he recalled the rumors: Although she is still young, the young lady of the Diollus Duchy is famous for her beauty.

The young lady, called the ‘swan of Diollus’, is said to have golden hair and is as beautiful as an angel.

“Yes, I remember. I’ve heard of it. You mean she is completely different from that swan girl, don’t you? But her eyes are golden, so she is of House Diollus…”

“Yes, she’s probably the Duke’s real daughter. Unlike the Swan Lady, I’ve heard that she’s not famous, but she’s being talked about a lot. On top of that she rarely comes out of the house.”

“What do you mean she’s being talked about a lot?”

“Did you not know? The Diollus is a famous family of spirits, she’s the only one who doesn’t have a spirit. A lot of people don’t know the young lady’s face, but everyone knows that she’s incompetent.”

Noven, who had been silently listening to the chattering servant, soon lost interest and clicked his tongue.

“So what? Did anyone say that she’s kicked out of the duchy because she’s not a spirit contractor? She’s on such good terms with her father, they even go on a trip together. Tsk.”

“But is it true Duke Diollus came with her? What if she’s just bluffing?”

“What else does that mean?”

The servant looked around, put his mouth near Noven’s ear, and whispered.

“Rumors are spreading that Duke Diollus is sick. It is said that he’s been stuck inside the house after the death of his wife, so why would he come to a play so carelessly? I don’t think he even knows Sarah Hugo’s face, but now he wants to make a proposal?”

“What? He’s sick?”

Now, interest turned to Noven’s eyes.

“Yes, Count. Everyone knows it. It’s been a few years since the eldest son of the family has been in charge of all official events and outside receptions. People even say that he is already dead…”

“This is crazy. So you’re saying the Duke’s daughter lied to me?”

“Isn’t that more likely? She’s just a short-lived daughter who is desperate to hide that she’s not treated sincerely even in her own family. Why should Count give up on Sarah because of that kid’s bluffing?”

An insidious desire that had been completely abandoned rose again in Noven’s eyes.

“…”

That time when he was about to turn his feet to return to the waiting room.

Noven paused at the large shadow of someone who appeared around the corner of the hallway.

‘What?’

The silhouette came from such a big man that Noven felt as if it was the silhouette of a tall tree.

With a face that looks like it was carved on purpose and the frighteningly expresionless…

‘Duke Diollus?’

Noven, who looked up blankly at the man, became contemplative.

Red hair like the young lady of Diollus Duchy, whom he just met a while ago, and the golden eyes that are a symbol of the spirits.

An arrogant attitude that reveals the life of a powerful man who was born and lived powerful.

Without question, this man is Duke Diollus.

Upon realization, Noven took off his hat and hurriedly greeted him.

“Y-Your Grace Duke Diollus, I’m Noven Erghetti…”

The greeting from Noven, who had been bowing his head, was cut off. It was because the duke, who didn’t even greet him back as if he wasn’t interested, brushed past him.

Slowly raising his bent back, Noven looked back.

The duke’s destination after passing Noven, was Sarah’s waiting room.

The theater officials who were guarding the door were also very nervous and flustered.

“D-Duke Diollus, it’s an honor for you to be here.”

“I came to find my daughter. Is she here?”

“Yes, yes… Young Lady Diollus said she would like to talk with Sarah, so I prepared a seat in the waiting room. Would you like to come in too?”

The duke slowly glanced at the waiting room door and shook his head.

“No, I’ll wait outside. I don’t want to interrupt.”

The duke leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

Noven, who was staring blankly in the overwhelming atmosphere, turned around in surprise when his eyes met the duke’s, who turned his head as if he had sensed his gaze. It must looked ridiculous to anyone who witnessed the scene.

His face was full of shame and anger, but the steps he took were polite, just in case the duke was paying attention.

Soon after, Noven quickly left the theater.

“What was that, you punk!?”

“M-My apologies… Ack!”

He struck the servant on the back with the staff he was holding.

“What’s with the duke? Sick? He’s just fine!”

“W-Wait a minute…! Count!”

“What about the daughter? Not treated sincerely? Desperate to hide it?”

“Ah, wait! It hurts! Ack!”

“Do you think someone who treats their daughter half-heartedly will bring her on a trip? Huh?”

“Argh!”

Count Noven’s, who lost his chance with Sarah and was ignored by the duke and the young lady of Diollus Duchy, anger continued for a very long time after that.

***

After the count left, once again, only Sarah and I remained in the waiting room.

Sarah, who had been looking at me with a flustered look, turned her head when my gaze met hers.

Then she said in a slightly resentful voice.

“S-So, you came to see me…because you have another reason.”

Her face was so sad as if she was sick and tired of the situation.