Ran consciously ignored the Marquis's daughter and moved on. As I left the hallway, Ran relaxed. Only then did my fingertips tremble.
She must have been surprised by the unexpected situation. After seeing it, Eustaf lightly held Ran's hand.
"Are you alright?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm a little surprised..."
Mumbling, Ran glanced at him. His blue eyes look after her.
"What about, Eus?"
"What?"
"So..."
The high voice of 'Murderer!' made Ran flinch without realizing it. Is it okay for Eustaf to hear that?
"the lady swears..."
Eustaf said with a smile at her words.
"I remember she didn't say a word of abuse, but I know what she's talking about. And it's okay. Because it's truth."
"Truth..."
When Ran murmured, Eustaf noticed that her tremors had stopped and replied, letting go of her hand.
"It's true that I killed a man. I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not bragging about it. But it's true."
I was speechless and closed my mouth, and I lightly suffered from dry lips and Ran opened her mouth.
"If Eus is okay, I'm also fine."
"Really?"
"Huh?"
"You don't mind if I'm a murderer?"
"It's..."
Ran chose a word.
"It's not like you wanted to. The other guy attacked first. You had to protect Commoners, too. So, if Eus is okay, I'm fine, too."
The back of the word raised its voice bravely. Eustaf thought for a moment.
If he had to kill because the situation demands it and if he asked if he could have moved on without it, he could have.
But I didn't want to tell you that, and I don't have to tell you that I enjoyed the battle of territory.
"I'm glad if you don't mind."
Eustaf answered so and opened the door to the carriage that had just arrived. Ran got in the wagon first, and Eustaf looked around Blaine just before he got on.
"Let's talk later."
Blaine bowed his head without saying a word.
********
What happened in the hallway remained the subject of gossip.
Some thought that Marquis's daughter, was acting in a dirty way, and others thought it was pitiful.
And they all agreed on how cold 'Eustaf Laban de Lazia' was.
In addition, there was a story about him taking care of his sister.
'How sweet he would be to his future fiancée?'
Strangely enough, public opinion flowed, and the number of women gathering in front of Crystal Hall increased.
Most of the public opinion was in favor of Eustaf's position. Not only women but also men raised their voices about the behavior of the Marquis's daughter.
'It's a pity, but it's a duel, so I can't help it.'
'Marquis Cameron's argument is far-fetched.'
In the end, the emperor quickly ruled in favor of the Duchess of Lazia, following public opinion and heartache.
Marquis Cameron had to pay the Duke of Lazia a substantial war compensation even after the loss of his eldest son.
It was the conclusion of the 15th day since Eustaf came up to the capital.
********
"If I hadn't married the Marquis, I would have fallen in love with Master Eustaf."
Marchioness Cyrus said with a smile. Ran burst into laughter and said.
"The Marquis will be disappointed if he hears it."
"I guess so, right?"
The Marchioness Cyrus giggled. Ran invited Marchioness Cyrus to the Green Arch as a friend, and now they were in intimate relations.
How difficult is it to find a friend to open up in this society? Ran valued Marchioness Cyrus.
"How long are you going to call me Marchioness? Just call me Lizzie."
Marchioness Cyrus, named Elise, asked for her nickname in a friendly manner.
"Please call me Ran."
"Okay, Ran."
Ran and Elise faced each other and burst into a cheerful laughter. Elise said with a slightly reminded cheek.
"Actually 'Marchioness', it's too much of a burden to me. Katy, I mean, the Marquis, I'm telling you not to mind."
"I agree with you, Marchioness. You don't have to worry about it. But the Empress likes Liz, doesn't she?"
"Is that so? It's too hard for me."
Sighing, Elise said. Ran shook her head thinking, 'You were good for that.'
"No, you're doing great."
"That's a relief."
Elise said so, holding her hands tightly.
"And Ran. I didn't expect Lazia's owner to ask me to be friends. I never dreamed of it. Is the ice wall really as high as a razor? Is there really an animal? What about the door?"
"It's really high. There's also a magic spell. The door is real, of course."
"Amazing! The story in the legend is real. It's romantic."
Elise had an ecstatic look with her pumpkin-colored eyes glistening.
"And the sky castle? Are you sure it's made of marble without joints?"
"I haven't checked if there are no joints, but it's made of white marble."
Elise sighed.
"That must be so beautiful."
"Yes"
Ran replied with emphasis, recalling the sky castle.
"Beautiful."
The sky house, which was built with white marble, shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
"Please invite me next time."
Ran replied with a smile to Elise's words.
"If the Marquis allows it."
Elise's face turned red at the words. Oh, they must be in really on good terms, this couple.
For no reason, Ran smiled and filled Elise's teacup. At that time, Elise suddenly remembered and lowered her voice.
"And now you're in trouble with the Crown Prince, aren't you?"
Ran's shoulders drooped by itself.
"Yes"
Everything was included in the simple answer, so Elise frowned.
"I really don't know what's wrong with him. He can find someone more than the likes of you, that Crown Prince, and he can't be bothering you, Ran."
"Right"
Moreover, as Ran continued to refuse, the Emperor gaze grew sharper and sharper.
Of course, his son is a married man, but how can she refuse so coldly when he's obsessed with his son?
It was obvious that it was such a psychology.
"I'm going to ask you a favor. I'm done with Marquis Cameron."
"I see"
Elise looked up and nodded.
"I think it's better to watch out for the Crown Princess."
Ran nodded at the words she added anxiously.
"Yes, I know."
Elise's face brightened.
"That's a relief. And this is a different story."
"Yes"
"Would you like to go on a picnic with our couple next time?"
Ran nodded gladly at Elise's words.
"That's good."
********
Eustaf squinted and looked at the documents. The document, which is written in the black slogan of The Viridescent Shadow, was not read in the usual way - from left to right.
Eustaf read a short story and burned the paper in the candle.
'Contraception.'
It was a note containing that the Crown Princess continued to have contraception even after marriage.
'That's what it was.'
What is the simplest way for the Crown Princess to gain power?
Give birth to a son.
It will give birth to the next emperor.
With that, the Crown Princess can hold onto a solid position and power.
'But she's using contraception.'
Eustaf leaned against the backrest and tapped his finger on the special armrest. Then the Crown Princess has a different mind. There was nothing to say about not having children for three years, even though rumors spread that the prince's body was flawed. What about the pressure?
But he ignored all of them. She secretly had contraception.
Although The Viridescent Shadow spent a lot of money and personnel to get this information, it was worth it.
'What's she thinking?'
Is there someone else she loves?
Unexpectedly, people make absurd conclusions in front of their emotions. However, I don't think there are people who meet separately.
One thing was for sure, the Crown Princess never had a good feeling for the Crown Prince. Beyond that is just the bad feelings between couples.
With that information in his hand, Eustaf opened the second document.
It was a document about the second prince.
At that time, a light knock on the door was heard, and Eustaf flipped the document and said.
"Come on in."
The butler, who came in after the door opened, had a face full of difficulties, which was very rarely.
"Master..."
As he couldn't speak, Eustaf stood up and asked.
"What's going on? What's the matter with Noonim?"
"No, it's not that. You have a visitor."
"Guest? For me?"
"Yes"
Rolf quickly approached and said.
"His Highness, the Crown Prince."
Eustaf's eyes were distinctive.
"Now? In the mansion? His Highness?"
"Yes"
"Where is he?"
"We've brought him to the fourth parlor."
It's the best guest room.
"Let's go right away."
Eustaf said so, then patted the butler on the shoulder and left the room.
There are four reception rooms with green arches, and from the first to fourth, they were named simple and practical. And it's a better reception room as it goes back.
The crown prince, sitting in the drawing room, was obviously dressed in dark clothes. So, it wasn't really a dark act, but it was a costume that should be named "The Prince of Darkness."
"Greetings, Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
Regardless of his feelings for the other person, Eustaf greeted him politely. The prince, who was sitting on a chair, raised his hand and laughed.
"Let's not say such a formal greeting. I'm not here as a prince, I'm just an ordinary man."
"I see"
If he had come as an ordinary person, the guard wouldn't have opened the door. Thinking about it, Eustaf asked.
"Do you want a cup of tea?"
"No, I'll take the hard one. Or do you want a tea for this little prince?"
"I will do as you wish."
Eustaf said so and opened the cabinet in the parlor to take out the liquor.
Eustaf filled a third of the crystal cup and handed it to Ruth, and he also sat down.
Ruth said with a round mouthful of alcohol.
"You wonder why I came suddenly."
"It would be an honor for you to visit the mansion."
"I'm here to let you know that I'm on your side."
Ruth grinned. Eustaf blinked as if he were embarrassed.
'If Ran saw it, how could Eus be a genius in acting?'
It was a natural look.
"On my side?"
"Yes, do you know that the Duke of Lazia is more famous than you?"
"Because Noonim is the Patriarch."
"Yes, but how long will that last, huh? You should take your share, too."
Laughing and taking a sip of alcohol, Ruth said lower.
"Of course, how long will my father be emperor?"
At the words, Eustaf suppressed the laughter. Now that remark was a remark that was good enough to be taken for treason.
'You're making fun of your lower body, and you're stupid.'
To further downgrade his assessment of the crown prince, Ruth began to talk without knowing what was going on inside of him.
"So, I'll help you, I mean..."
"How do you say that?"
"Well, the Duke of Lazia must be doing a great job."
Ruth shrugged his shoulders.
"Isn't she just a normal girl when she gets out of Lazia."
It was surprising that Eustaf could describe Ran as a "normal girl."
However, he nodded and sympathized with her.
"That's right"
"So, with a little help from you, I'll take care of the Duchess Lazia."
'Yeah, well, if she's full, she can't stay on the house.'
Ruth said with a wicked smile. Eustaf smiled, grinding inside the flesh that almost stretched out.
"I suppose so."
As the same man, Eustaf was even amazed by this way of thinking.
Baron Lindbergh, the Crown Prince, simply thought that since Ran was a woman, she would be his own if they lay her down in bed.
Eustaf thought of his dead cousin. It's an unpleasant family, but even if Ran was left alone, she'd say, 'Yeah. I couldn't even imagine you saying, 'You're my husband from now on and I'll obey you.'
'Well, I guess that's a stupid piece of junk.'
Eustaf concluded so and looked at the Crown Prince. The blood didn't mix, but the family register is still siblings, but the head of the family is kind enough to tell the younger brother that they will rape his sister and clean her up.
On the contrary, the crown prince himself could do so for power.
-You shouldn't trust no one. Never, never, never, never trust anyone.
My mother's voice seemed to be heard again from my ear.
"Your Highness' offer will be engraved in my heart."
Eustaf bowed his head, saying so. Ruth burst into a hearty laugh with a satisfied smile at his words.
"Okay, let's go to the shop that I like sometimes, okay? You have to be a real man."
The prince stood up as if he were friends with Eustaf, pouring out dirty words.
"I'll see you next time."
"Take care."
The prince put on his hat and patted Eustaf on the shoulder several times before leaving the reception room.