Chapter 154.1

Rumors spread among the nobles that the Duke of Laslo Arpad had become insane.

“I heard he hadn’t even held a funeral”

“I heard he sleeps with the dead princess’ body every night.”

They gathered in twos and threes and whispered.

“Will the Duke come to the king’s enthronement ceremony?”

“Would he want to come? If the princess hadn’t died like that, he would have been given the Grand Duke position as the king’s husband.”

“I know. Who knew that Prince Chavolti would suddenly be crowned?”

“The people who laughed at him when he became crippled by the fall can’t even breathe now.”

“Oh, I didn’t expect Princess Agnes to go like that.”

An old woman shook her head with excitement.

“Did you hear that? She didn’t have a heart when she was found.”

“Oh my, that’s terrible. Rumor has it that she sold her soul to the devil…….”

The endless chatter stopped at the appearance of a woman. 

“You must have been talking about something funny. Let’s do it together.”

“Marquis Kiske.”

Erica Kiske was the youngest marquis in Nirseg’s history. No one knew that she had helped the princess and joined the rebellion. The ladies covered their mouths with fans and awkwardly turned their heads.

“Ho-ho, it wasn’t a big deal. Marquis rather than that. Congratulations on your wedding.”

“Your fiancé is a royal from Leana, isn’t that, right?”

Erica accepted their story with a smile. Her fiancé, who was now the center of the conversation, emerged from behind.

“May I borrow Marquis Kiske for a moment?”

“Oh, of course.”

Enrico asked politely, and the ladies glanced at him curiously. Erica walked between them, arm in arm with Enrico. She opened her mouth as silence fell around her.

“There are all kinds of crazy rumors circulating around about your Excellency.”

“Isn’t that how the social world is?”

“But I can’t leave it like this.”

Erica bit her lip. After Agnes died, everyone around her was shocked because no one expected her death.

Laslo Arpad is undoubtedly the most shocked among them, without any doubt. But it’s already been a month since Agnes died.

It may be difficult to completely move on, but it is time for the living to walk the path of the living.

“Why on earth is he not having the princess’ funeral yet?”

“How can I understand his heart? He must have been shocked because they were so close.”

“When you get to Sutmar, have a word with your Excellency. And he has to come to the enthronement ceremony. That way, these strange rumors will be shut down.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll tell him everything.”

Enrico took a look around and quickly left a kiss on the back of her nose.

Erica glanced at her fiancé.

“I guess the Leana royal family teaches you how to seduce women? You’re very good at it.”

“Fortunately, I’ve never tried it on other women, so don’t worry.”

He smiled softly and whispered in her ear.

“I’ll leave early tomorrow morning, so you don’t have to see me off.”

“I was going to see you off from bed, but since you don’t want to….”

“……Please forget what I just said.”

Enrico said with an eager look.

***

Because of how hot the summers are in the west, he doesn’t like to visit frequently. Even though summer had not even officially arrived yet, his entire body was already sweating profusely.

Under the intense sun, Enrico reached Sutmar. He addressed the servant while wiping his sweaty forehead.

“We will get to Estar Castle soon.”

“Great job.”

As the servant said, after about half an hour, he could see Estar Castle. He got off the horse and looked around, and Niall appeared.

“Count Dentarike. Welcome to Estar.”

“How have you been?”

Enrico laughed and walked into the castle with him. Estar Castle had a very different atmosphere from last year. The faces of the servants passing through the hallway were full of dark clouds.

“How’s the brothers?”

“…… they’re getting a little better.”

Niall remained silent for a long time and spoke with difficulty. The atmosphere quickly became heavy. Enrico coughed a few times and then changed the subject.

“Yes, I heard you were getting married. When are you going to do it?”

“I’m not quite sure. My fiance was shocked by this occurrence.”

“Oh, dear. She must have been close to the Duchess, huh?” 

“Yes.”

Niall evasively avoided Enrico’s question about when he could meet Laslo. Instead, Enrico could meet Zoltan in the evening.

“Zoltan.”

“Here you are.”

“I guess there are a lot of ‘beasts’ these days, right?” 

“What? No. There are very few beasts lately.”

“But what about all those bandages and wounds?”

Enrico asked, pointing to Zoltan’s left arm. Zoltan hurriedly covered his arms behind him and glossed over them.

“It’s nothing. I got hurt fighting the knight down there.”