What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 58

#058 Frederick Liester (3)

“Your Highness.”

“Hello, Cedric.”

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“······.”

His attitude was as awful as ever.

The Prince just glanced at me once and didn’t even offer a short greeting.

It was no surprise, so I simply stood next to Cardinal Boutier and waited for my turn.

The attendant, who was checking the guest list, gestured to the knights without further ado.

Two knights, encased in silver armor from head to toe, moved in perfect synchronization, pushing open the massive doors.

-Clang!

“His Highness Prince Cedric, His Eminence Cardinal Orelli, and His Highness Prince Yeser Venetian, are entering!”

With the sound of the doorknob turning, the attendant loudly announced our arrival.

Only then did the tension slowly creep back in.

In just a few tens of minutes, I would be meeting the master of this empire.

I couldn’t help but glance at the Prince and Cardinal’s attire.

Neither of them was wearing particularly formal attire.

“It’s alright, Your Highness. Everyone has a positive interest in you.”

The Cardinal, sensing my anxiety, whispered softly.

-Creak······

The doors opened, and the expansive scenery of the banquet hall filled my vision.

It was beyond just catching a glimpse.

I struggled to close my involuntarily opened mouth.

It was also quite difficult not to roll my eyes around.

The Imperial Palace was a place where everything was large and luxurious, and the banquet hall was no exception.

The chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling numbered over ten, I’d wager.

The massive pillars supporting both ends seemed to be entirely made of marble, and between them, I could see an orchestra positioned for the performance.

The center of the hall was empty, so it seemed someone would be dancing.

The atmosphere and scale were completely different from the welcoming banquet held in the Marquisate of Dhiem.

The entire interior gleamed with a platinum-white radiance.

“They are all great nobles who are close to Frederick or maintain good relations with him.”

The Cardinal whispered with an elegant smile.

We began to walk side by side, with the Prince leading the way.

Beyond the clicking of our footsteps, I could see the nobles rising from their seats in unison to pay their respects.

There were roughly around 200 of them.

It was a suffocating number for me, but it must have been a small social gathering for the Emperor.

They were seated at three long, wide tables, and the Carrara marble dining tables, as well as the chairs, were adorned with splendid gold trim.

“Don’t feel pressured, just think of good things. Like what you can get out of Frederick today.”

“Your Highness.”

The Prince quietly called out to the Cardinal.

I knew she was saying that to ease my mind, so I just laughed it off.

Before I knew it, we had reached the front of the central table.

The nobles were deeply bowing without making a sound. The Cardinal added.

“Your birthday is coming up soon, isn’t it? Is there anything you want?”

“Pardon?”

My birthday was soon? I widened my eyes at the completely unexpected information.

The attendants quickly approached and pulled out our chairs.

The seat of honor, which looked like the Emperor’s seat, was vacant, with the Cardinal’s seat to the right and the Prince’s seat to the left.

I ended up sitting right next to the Cardinal. The Emperor was so close that I was already feeling dizzy.

I’m at the same table as the CEO, so there’s no escape.

“Shall we have the music again?”

The Cardinal said softly into the air.

Then, an attendant dressed smartly bowed and waved his arm once.

-♬♪♩······

At the same time, the orchestra’s beautiful melody burst out in surround sound.

It was as if someone had pressed the play button on a playlist that had been paused.

The nobles sat back down as if they had made a promise.

Then, as if it had never been quiet, the hall instantly became noisy.

It seemed like it had been this atmosphere all along.

“Greetings, Your Eminence Cardinal, Your Highness Prince, and Your Highness Prince Yeser.”

Then, a familiar jade-like voice landed on the opposite side.

It was the person who was assigned to Prince Cedric’s side today.

Her pink hair fluttered slightly as she smiled brightly as if she had turned on a light.

*

“That monster’s name is ‘Illusionary Parasite Insect.’ It was the winning offering from the ‘Great Monster Subjugation’ seven years ago, and I almost got badly hurt too!”

Marquis Francois Dhiem, sitting to my right, appealed loudly.

The moderately drunk nobles laughed and chattered loudly throughout the banquet hall.

It was past 7 o’clock, but the Emperor showed no signs of appearing.

Cristel was expertly mixing brandy into the Marquis’s dark beer.

That’s just a straight-up bomb······.

“His Eminence the Cardinal said that its hallucinatory mist wasn’t intended for ‘killing’.”

I said hastily. I felt like I needed to clear up my questions while the Marquis was still in his right mind.

Cristel, who had pushed the glass of bomb drink to the Marquis, now began to feed a piece of beef bourguignon [beef stew] to Lady Elizabeth, who was sitting to her left.

As expected, the protagonist was a good person.

The young Count’s right arm still had a simple splint on it, but he said that if he was careful for about a week, it would heal completely.

“That’s right. The illusion I saw was sad, but it was also joyful. One of my three younger sisters suddenly brought a guy she was going to marry.”

The Marquis said, pretending to cry. He has three younger sisters? I didn’t see them in the Marquisate.

“Brother loves his sisters very much. He cried for an hour after seeing that illusion.”

“Herve! How can you tell lies in front of such distinguished people? It was two hours.”

Commander Herve Dhiem of the Royal Guard, sitting to Lady Elizabeth’s left, chimed in, and the Marquis corrected him with a pointed tone.

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

I had imagined the victory celebration hosted by the Emperor would be a dignified and difficult occasion, but it was surprisingly comfortable.

Perhaps because those who had been active in the subjugation were seated near the head table, there were many familiar faces.

“To see such a joyous occasion, it seems the mist was just meant to cause confusion. It’s easier to understand His Eminence the Cardinal’s teachings.”

“Because Your Highness is a good student.”

The Cardinal replied kindly to my words and took a spoonful of Dauphinois potatoes [thinly sliced potatoes baked in milk or cream].

The comforting scent of potatoes tickled my nose. It’s a taste that can’t fail.

I nodded and reached for the cassoulet [a rich, slow-cooked bean stew] in the center of the table.

“Speaking of which, Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

The Marquis turned his body slightly towards me and sat down.

“My eldest sister is entering into a Sacred Covenant next week. Thanks to His Majesty’s heavenly grace, the ceremony will be held at the Imperial Palace Temple.”

“I see, congratulations.”

I piled a spoonful of kidney beans, pheasant, and goose meat onto my spoon and put it all in my mouth.

Then, while enjoying the melt-in-your-mouth texture like gratin, I tried to recall the definition of ‘Sacred Covenant.’

The formal name of the Sacred Covenant was the ‘Pledge of the Twin Stars,’ which was a contract between a member of the Liester Imperial Family or its collateral bloodline and a priest.

It was an act of swearing before the chief god that the two would become soulmates, or ‘religious partners.’

The Imperial Family solidified their religious standing and support by establishing influential priests as partners, and the priests were provided with wealth, honor, and privileges by becoming partners of the Imperial Family.

At least recently, I read that it was an agreement that was only used for that purpose.

I heard that the Dhiem Marquisate was a collateral branch of the Imperial Family, so it wasn’t strange for them to enter into a Sacred Covenant with a priest.

Emperor Frederick and Cardinal Boutier were also connected by a Sacred Covenant.

Of course, the two seemed to have built a deep friendship even before that.

There was a rumor that those who entered into a Sacred Covenant could feel each other’s emotions and even hear each other’s voices······. I don’t know if it’s true.

Anyway, that’s how it was depicted in the romance novels serialized in [unspecified platform name].

“But there is one witness missing. The covenant is made in the presence of one noble of Marquis rank or higher, and two priests of bishop rank or higher.”

The Marquis continued. I nodded and ate the cassoulet clean.

Cristel and Lady Elizabeth, intrigued by the story of the Sacred Covenant, were also fixing their gazes this way.

“If you don’t mind, would Your Highness be willing to fill the witness seat?”

“Me?”

I blinked for a moment.

If it wasn’t going outside the Imperial Palace, and it wasn’t a role like officiating or hosting, it wouldn’t be difficult.

Since the parties to the Sacred Covenant were ultimately the two people, not the family or the diocese, there would be no troublesome issues for the witness later on.

The Dhiem Marquisate was clearly a close aide to the Emperor, but Eunseo had never mentioned them, so they wouldn’t play a big role in ‘Toegyeong’ [likely a reference to a future event or strategy].

I looked back at the Cardinal.

If she allowed it, I would do it, and if not, I would just be playing that day, so I had nothing to lose.

“It seems like it would be a good experience for Your Highness. I’m in favor of it.”

She replied readily.

“Then I’m fine with it too.”

At my answer, the Marquis was overjoyed and covered his face with both hands.

Lord Dhiem across from me also greeted me with a bright face.

“Antoinette will be very happy that a noble royal priest is becoming a witness.”

So, his sister’s name is Antoinette. It was a dramatic family in many ways.

The Marquis’s voice rose a tone.

“Is there anything you desire in return? I heard that your birthday is on the 31st. I will grant you everything as a gift. Anything I can do, however humble!”

“Well.”

So, May 31st was Prince Yeser’s birthday.

My birthday was last February, so I hadn’t even thought about it.

I realized anew that there was so much I didn’t know about the Prince.

I just found out about his birthday, and I still didn’t know his middle name. It must exist.

“Your Highness, ask him to send you on a vacation.”

At that moment, Lady Elizabeth interjected softly. I turned my head to the opposite side.

Cristel and the young Count, sitting side by side, were looking at me with sparkling eyes.

I averted my gaze because it was burdensome, and this time I made eye contact with the Prince.

This seat is definitely not good.

“I’m sorry to say, but it doesn’t seem like it’s up to the Marquis to decide whether I go outside the Imperial Palace.”

“That’s true. But if you wish, I will earnestly ask His Majesty.”

Doesn’t that seem like it would backfire?

“No, the vacation is fine.”

“June in Liester is hot, Your Highness. Think carefully.”

Lady Elizabeth chuckled and shook the green apple juice glass in her left hand.

Even if it’s hot, can it compare to the Korean summer where the asphalt melts?

“Lady Elizabeth and I have decided to go to the north when the June heatwave hits.”

Cristel said cheerfully.

It seemed that the two had become much closer while going through the Great Monster Subjugation, and they had already made summer vacation plans together.

Then I should stay cooped up in the Imperial Palace even more.

“Or ask him to give you a palace. Didn’t you play a big role this time?”

At Lady Elizabeth’s subtle words, Cristel playfully slapped her back, saying, ‘Oh my, oh my.’

The young Count winked at the Prince with a playful face. Why are these people like this?

“The mustard is very spicy. The Princess would like it.”

I tried to change the subject.

Cristel smiled suspiciously, but at the word ‘spicy food,’ she quickly received the lamb chop plate that I had given her.

Even if she’s mischievous like that, she’s a righteous protagonist, so she’ll keep the secret.

I don’t know how much the Emperor and Cardinal know about the situation, but there was absolutely no reason for me to admit with my own mouth that I knew the Prince’s ‘identity.’

“Why are you doing that?”

Then I made eye contact with the Prince, and this guy’s expression was very serious.

“······Do you really want a palace?”

No, why are you going that far on your own again?

-Clang!

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

At that moment, a powerful voice echoed loudly from the direction of the head table. The orchestra’s performance stopped abruptly.

The bustling hall froze instantly.

All the nobles quickly composed their expressions and rose from their seats.

The only one who seemed relaxed here was the Cardinal.

I quickly wiped my mouth with a napkin and followed her, rising to my feet. Then······.

“Looks like you were having fun.”

A slightly low and husky voice broke through the silence from the front like an icebreaker.

It wasn’t the direction we had come from. I only raised my face halfway and looked ahead.

Beyond the head table, the massive marble wall was slowly opening its mouth.

I could see a middle-aged man standing a little crookedly in the center. I didn’t know there was an entrance there too.

“As you all know, my son won the Great Monster Subjugation.”

It was a languid tone. Between the pearl-colored jacket, I could see a long, sleek sword.

She was the only one who could wear weapons in the Imperial Palace.

The short silver hair sparkled white in the light. Strangely, my breathing became manual.

“So keep drinking. Don’t think about going home early.”

Emperor Frederick declared that and shot his gaze like a hornet.

The sharp cherry-colored eyes pierced me straight through.

The back of my neck turned cold. I’m not going to get away with it today.