"Her Highness is a really nice person, isn't she? She is very friendly. She is also gorgeous when seen up close. I don't think anyone would be able to hate her."
Chas took a sip of his tea, listening to Chloe's chatter beside him. Since greeting Luciell earlier, this woman beside him has been praising Luciell incessantly.
Very sincerely.
Chas had to admit, he was getting tired of Chloe's chatter. But he knew she was simply admiring Luciell for nothing without the demond's influence. Chloe was different from other nobles who praised Luciell for fawning over her. Chloe praised Luciell sincerely as if she wished she could become close friends with her.
"Lord Chas didn't go say hello to Her Highness?" Chloe asked suddenly.
"Lady Chloe herself came right back after greeting her for a while," Chas teased, intending to change the subject.
"Oh, that," Chloe muttered nervously. "Somehow… I feel the other ladies looking at me displeased when I talk to Her Highness."
Chas snorted in amusement. "Of course it is. Lady Chloe has just appeared at the gathering and Princess Luciell has been very kind to you," he said. "They envy you."
"But I didn't do anything…"
"Lady Chloe, I didn't do anything either." Chas pointed at the men. "But look at them, throwing me hateful and piercing glares."
"So… that's why Lord Chas didn't go say hello to Her Highness?"
"Well, let's just say so."
"Geez, I didn't know there were so many men who liked Her Highness until they competed like women."
"Only few of them liked Princess Luciell with their feelings, Lady Chloe. Most of them wanted to get her because of her position. They're after Her Highness for a position," explained Chas.
"What? But…"
Chloe looked at Luciell who was still serving the people around her. Her clear eyes suddenly flashed a sadness. Chas was stunned by himself.
How can there be a woman as good and sincere as this? Chas thought. He felt like he was meeting the female version of Axelle.
"Is… is Lord Chas also one of those people?" Chloe asked carefully.
"Not." Chas stared at his reflection in his teacup. "I just wanted to avoid Princess Luciell."
***
"Oh? Finally Lord Chas has time to say hello to me?"
Chas paid her respects. "I can't just walk through the crowd, Your Highness," he said. "You've been busy since then."
Luciel snorted. "I think it's because Lord Chas is too busy with Lady Chloe," she said as she looked at the Wyntons' carriage that had just left.
"Don't do anything bad to her," Chas warned.
"Why not? Can't you see I'm jealous?"
"For God's sake," Chas grumbled. He wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to Chloe just because she talked to him for a while. "You can't be jealous of everyone I talk to, Princess Luciell."
Luciell was facing Chas now. "I know what you think of Lady Chloe," she said. "She is a kind and gentle woman, beautiful and fragrant, and innocent enough to make you want to protect her. If Axelle had a sister, she would be like Lady Chloe."
Exactly what Chas had thought. "Well, but that still can't be a reason to be jealous of her."
"I'm still jealous. The other ladies feel the same way."
Chas shook his head. Women are terrible. "I'm sure this conversation will continue to go round and round, so I'll allow myself to excuse first. Well then, please excuse me, Your Highness Princess Luciell."
Luckily Luciell didn't hold him back. Chas got into his carriage easily.
But then there was a knock on the carriage door. When Chas opened the curtain of his window, Luciell was seen smiling.
"If Lord Chas doesn't protect her as the woman you like, then you protect her as the daughter of Marquess Wynton," Luciell said, then walked away.
Chas almost shouted at Luciell to get her back.
Damn. Luciell knew that the Wyntons were members of Axelle's faction.
***
Nobles are not stupid. Ever since the coup 10 years ago, they knew something was and was about to happen. They just weren't sure. Most of them finally accepted what had happened to maintain their position and power. Never mind that, there are even some of them who get a better position.
But not all nobles are like that. Some then questioned what was really going on even though it was secret.
The culprit was, of course, the Coltons. Followed by the Tarquin family which is the family of the late queen and several other nobles.
When they finally reached their initial guess, they formed support for Axelle, which unfortunately always refused until his recent arrest.
Now, as soon as Axelle left the Palace, the nobles began to circulate public secrets regarding the list of names of Axelle's supporters.
The Wynton family is on the list.
"My sincere apologies, Marquess Wynton," Chas said earnestly.
"Never mind, Lord Chas," said Marquess Wynton. "From the start, everyone knew which side I was on. Any of my children could be targets, not just Chloe. I expected this to happen sooner or later."
"I really didn't expect Princess Luciell to care so much about me."
"No, no. It's also my fault for letting Chloe accept the invitation," sighed Marquess Wynton. "I think it will be good for Chloe who hasn't socialized in a long time after undergoing treatment outside. Who would have thought that in the end will turn out like this." He smiled weakly at Chas. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Chas. If you don't tell me soon, I definitely won't know. Chloe seemed to really like Her Highness. I was confused about how to convey all this."
Your daughter is too kind, Chas thought. "As long as Marquess Wynton and Lady Chloe are here, you can ask me for help–though there probably isn't much I can do."
"Thank you for the offer. It means a lot to me," said Marquess Wynton sincerely. "But for now I will work on it myself first."
This meant Chas couldn't carelessly approach or mention any woman's name in front of Luciell.
Damn it! Who the hell is she to make me like this?! Chas thought in annoyance as he exited the pub where he had met Marquess Wynton.
Chas walked quickly, unconsciously, angry with all the circumstances that had befallen him. Since his arrival to the Ozera Capital, nothing has gone right. From Rheannon's in and out, Axelle's exile, his separation from Duke Colton, and now Luciell is acting up.
Was it because Chas was stupid or weak? He does not know. He really had nothing because he was nothing. Should Chas start taking the title of candidate for duke or knighthood so he has some power?
"Ouch, sorry! Are you okay?"
Chas glared at the person who bumped into him angrily. "What are you doing here?!" he asked, removing the hood of his robes.
"Oh, Lord Chas!" Chloe stifled a shriek. "I was out for a walk because my father went out. Why… Lord Chas is mad at me?"
The question immediately struck Chas. Chloe didn't know the danger that lurked in her yet because of Chas' fault. It was only natural that Chloe was still roaming free. Chas shouldn't be mad at Chloe.
Chas took a deep breath. "Forgive my rudeness just now," he said.
To his surprise, Chloe smiled. "It doesn't matter. Lord Chas seems to be in a hurry, it's only natural that you're angry that I hit you," she replied. "Then I'll excuse myself. See you later, Lord Chas."
"No, wait!" Chas grabbed Chloe's hand subconsciously. "Where are you going alone?"
"I'm embarrassed to say this, but there are some street foods I want to try while I'm here," Chloe said with a blush. "Lord Chas wants to join me?"
"Yes," Chas answered without hesitation. "I will accompany you, but please go back home soon."
"Well, I didn't expect to get such an answer from Lord Chas," said Chloe happily. "Then please, Lord Chas."
This innocence and low level of self-defense resembled Axelle, Chas thought to himself in amazement. How can people like them survive in this cruel world?
Even with such a surprise, Chas was immensely enjoying his time with Chloe. They go around the market and try a lot of food. Chloe wasn't a very talkative woman, but if something caught her eye, she would ask and comment on it until she was satisfied.
Maybe this is what it feels like if Chas has always had a good relationship with Axelle. Maybe this is what it would feel like if Chas had a friend to hang out with.
So was Chas's choice of life wrong all this time?