I turned around and look at the table of the highest ranking nobles in the empire. The young duke, heir to the duchy of Theano, was looking at me whilst in secret.
I gave a smile to Sir Aiden as I knew he heard our conversation despite the distance.
Though his fie senses are sensitive, especially his sense of hearing, he was able to fully control it in command when he was twelve.
So I doubt this much noise would be a problem for him to eavesdrop on someone.
"May I seat here?"
"Go ahead. As you can see, my table is empty, I doubt anyone would be triggered if you sat down"
Actually, there are at least three people who will be triggered but he doesn't need to know that, does he.
"I am Charles Miller, son of marquis Miller"
The house of Miller? If I remember, they were just side characters who ultimately never wanted to be caught onto troublesome things. But they are loyal to the pope as much as they are loyal to the empress.
"What does Sir Charles want to ask me? I doubt that you are here to simply exchange greetings with me"
"Yes, I do have something to tell you. The next time you treat priestess Margaret like that, I will use my family's status to make it hard for your duchy to operate"
Why would he- oh, so the Millers are the anonymous family who treats Margaret as a family. Sigh, I can't believe they are being tricked by that woman.
"I don't know what she told you, but I don't think that simply listening to the so called 'victim' would be correct. If you want you can ask a witness later to prove my innocence"
"I doubt they would utter the truth"
"So you are doubting the young duke of Theano? My, I thought that the Millers and the Theanos had a strong bond. I guess not"
Of course, even he can't refute the Theanos' loyalty towards the imperial family as they are a family of knights and honor.
"Well?"
"I will ask you about this some other time"
"No need to. I will send a letter to the Millers after the prince's coming of age ceremony. I hope you would be open minded enough to understand and won't be blinded by her words"
"...."
"Again, I don't know nor do I care what she said to you about that day. However, I will not allow you to tarnish my name or threaten my family. I hope that the future marquis of Miller is at least capable of judging things correctly while not being bias without any concrete evidence. You may now go"
"I-"
"I said, you may now go. I will not repeat it again, Sir Charles"
Without saying anything any more he left and went back to his seat.
An hour pass and the banquet was nearing its climax where nobles would talk about political and business matters. And of course, the hottest topic would be for young noble ladies wooing the first prince's heart.
"Lady Emond, you seem to be alone"
"Sir Frederick, thank you for your concern but no need to. I am enjoying this day because I am literally raking in gold coins every second"
"...'Frederick'? Not 'Aiden'? How harsh of you my lady"
He sat down beside me.
"My, Sir Frederick, being with me alone in the corner of the banquet hall despite being in a relationship with her majesty, I don't think people would be able to stop themselves on creating false narrative and scandals here and there"
It sure stings.
I thought that the prince would be able to attract the attention of the nobles and yet there are still other nobles who are mad at me for stealing the future duke of Theano's time.
If looks could kill I'd be dead already.
"I don't think it would be good for you to stay here any longer. People are dying to talk with you, rather, flatter you up"
"I am here because I wanted to escape those hungry hyenas"
One step. Two steps.
Two noble ladies approach us. They were obviously wearing high end brands and their family is wealthy enough to afford all the sickening amount of jewelries on her.
"Greetings, Sir Frederick and lady Emond. I am Anna Rolfe"
"And I am Belle Rolfe"
"You two are the twin daughters of count Rolfe, right?"
"Yes, that is correct, Sir Frederick"
The noble lady said with delight.
"Hear that, she called you Frederick and not by your nickname"
"That is because she doesn't know but you do"
The twins frowned as they heard our conversation about Frederick's nickname. Of course they don't know what his nickname is so they were curious.
But they had to do it with grace.
"Nickname? May we know what it is?"
"I'm sorry but no. I don't tell my nickname to other people I am not close with"
"But we aren't close though"
"You say that after doing 'that'?"
Huh?
"Don't tell me you don't even remember?"
"After I fed you when you idiotically broke both your arms when you fell down the stairs by thinking whether women's menstruation actually hurts?"
"What...?"
"Of course I remember that" I turned towards the two ladies who were listening, "Do you ladies want to know more? I would be more than willing to tell you guys the detailed explanation the event"
Sir Aiden frowned and got visibly angry which scared the twins. The twins then went back to their seats after saying their goodbyes.
"What was that for, my lady?"
"Didn't you said that you wanted to stay here and avoid other's attention. I am doing you a favor you know"
"That is true but still"
"Speaking of favors, I need a favor as well"
"And that is?"
"I need your voice as leverage against Charles Miller a week from now. I'm sure you heard what we talked about just now as well as what I told the priestess back then, no?"
"Why should I?"
He cocked an eyebrow, folded his arms and smiled mischievously.
I took a notebook from my bag which drew his attention. I flipped the page to page number five, skipping the introductions and table of contents.
"Let's see, Four years ago at the cathedral incident, your worst incident in life. Ha, haha"
"...!"
"Shall I continue narrating your most humiliating day ever?"
His confident smile disappeared. He was flustered that other than his mother knew that dark history of his.
I never though Jessica's ranting about the backstories of the characters in the novel would turn out useful like this. If only I knew I was going to be transferred here into this world I would have took notes about all the characters' backstories.