CH 59

Just eat quickly and go home. I’m never going to eat with you two again. Nothing is going my way.

Fortunately, the two men followed my opinion without a word. However, their opinions differed on the dessert menu.

“From now on, Daphne will eat strawberry cream cake…”

“No, she will like an orange mousse cake.”

“I know my wife’s dessert tastes better.”

“Really? Then you don’t even know what Daphne’s favorite cake is, I don’t think you deserve to be her husband.”

Why are the two of you growling and fighting again?

I shook my head.

And you both are wrong. My favorite cake is the Blueberry Cheesecake. It’s so hard to eat just one dessert.

Well… I had a guess.

When I was in the Duchy Burstoad, the one I ordered the most for dessert from the chef was the strawberry whipped cream cake.

But it was Gabriel’s favorite food, so I just did it to win his favor.

I have to be ready to give a cake to catch his heart whenever I get a chance.

At that time, it was not a big deal because it was when I was trying to win the favor of the main character and escape from the original novel.

The orange mousse cake Gabriel is talking about is probably because I told him I ate it the last time…

Both of them paid attention to me, but the hit rate is really low.

Anyway, it was time to order a blueberry cheesecake as a sign to stop fighting.

“Daphne. What are you going to order?”

“Yes?”

“Of course it would be strawberry whipped cream cake.”

“Daphne. Orange mousse cake is delicious here.”

You… Why are you suddenly forcing me to choose?

And when they’re telling me to pick a cake, they were actually asking me which side I would choose.

It’s not even an elementary school fight, why are you being childish?

I looked back at Cesare and Gabriel. Both of them have fierce eyes.

‘What should I do…?’

Of course, it would be right to choose her husband, Cesare, but… He thought that ignoring Gabriel wouldn’t be a good thing.

After all, Gabriel is the Crown Prince of this country, and according to the original story, he is the person who will become Emperor in the future.

What should I do if Gabriel hates me for nothing, and then even causes damage to the Burstoad?

As I shook my head, a good idea came to my mind.

“Is there any strawberry mousse cake?”

“Yes, it is. Shall I take it up for you, Duchess?”

“Yes, please.”

Cesare and Gabriel looked displeased, but they didn’t argue with my choice.

It also contains ‘strawberry’ and ‘mousse’, so you might think it’s a tie.

Actually, the orange whipped cream cake seemed a little strange.

I praised myself for giving a wise answer that would make someone cry, and destroyed the cake at once.

Tea is omitted!

“The Duke seems to be having a good time.”

After dinner, Gabriel threw a word to us as we were about to get on the carriage.

Cesare stared at Gabriel with a face that seemed like some kind of bullshit. Either way, Gabriel was relaxed.

“Good luck. Daphne, please enter carefully.”

“Ah yes… … Gabriel too.”

“Daphne, come on.”

Cesare urged me. As soon as I got on the carriage, the door was closed.

Cesare shouted without looking at Gabriel.

“Let’s go.”

I saw Gabriel waving a little through the window.

I think I heard Cesare next to me muttering that he was an unlucky man, but I pretended not to hear it because I was too tired.

Haha, it’s over… Today was a really long day. Now I can go back and rest.

But when Cesare and I arrived at the Burstoad Townhouse.

“Duke… this.”

The order to attend the trial, which fell in front of Cesare Burstoad, was waiting for us.

*****

Is this what Gabriel was hiding?

Cesare laughed.

The title of the trial was ‘burning the hunting grounds’. Cesare was blamed for the arson.

Gabriel, who had been uncomfortable throughout the mealtime, came to mind. Cesare’s anger was fueled by his cheeky smile.

It was not Cesare who set the hunting ground on fire. Rather, it was Gabriel who could be suspicious.

He had a grudge against the hunting groundskeeper, and he was a stranger who suddenly visited.

The reason Cesare has kept his mouth shut about the suspicion is because Gabriel was the next ruler of the throne.

‘But you hit the back of my head like this.’

Cesare’s eyes turned to Daphne, who was turning white. The reason is probably because of Daphne.

Those greedy eyes were shining with longing for Daphne.

Daphne said with a pale face.

“… I think I have an upset stomach…”

Cesare supported Daphne, who staggered. Daphne held onto Cesare’s clothes.

“What should we do? Suddenly a trial… There’s no way Cesare set the fire!”

Daphne said with a look full of confidence.

“Yes, Daphne. I couldn’t have done that.”

“But why is this happening…”

“For now, you should take a break.”

Cesare gave Daphne a hug.

The order to attend the trial fell to the floor like fallen leaves. Cesare trampled on it.

With a worried face, the butler picked it up.

Either way, Cesare headed to the second floor with Daphne in his arms. Then he put Daphne on the bed and ordered the head maid to call the doctor.

“Daphne is not feeling well, so call the doctor.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Cesare ruffled Daphne’s hair as she lay on the bed.

Daphne’s warmth permeated him.

Cesare exhaled slowly and straightened her bent back.

“It will be fine, Daphne. Do you believe me?”

Daphne nodded with trembling eyes.

“… Are you really okay?”

“Of course.”

Even if it wasn’t okay, I thought I’d make it that way. There were several cards that could be presented to the Emperor.

Crown Prince Gabriel’s position is now precarious.

Growing up outside, he was being questioned as to whether he belonged to the royal family. So soon the time will come when you will need the power of the Burstoad.

Burstoad was a family that had been holding swords from generation to generation.

Although he had no interest in politics, he spent more time in the duchy, but many followed them.

The knights who held the sword, or the families associated with the martial arts, all admired Burstoad.

The old great aristocrat, Burstoad, was able to form a faction just by being there.

Will such a Burstoad support the Crown Prince?

It was definitely going to be a huge boost.

Daphne hinted at the possibility by attending the book club of the Countess Madrina. The Emperor would have read it too.

The Emperor wants Gabriel to take over the throne, so there will definitely be room to dig into this matter.

Cesare came out of the bedroom and called his assistant. Joseph, who was still waiting for the sudden change, came running.

“What the hell is this…!”

“Well. It could be someone’s prank. Send a letter to the elders of Burstoad right now. If you eat and play with the family’s money, you have to work.”

Cesare murmured.

“Come up to the capital right now and gather the nobles.”

“Yes, Duke!”

Joseph bowed his head.

“And send a letter to the nobles who have had friendly relations with the Burstoad. I mean, the head of Burstoad wants to pay off his debts.”

“Yes!”

As soon as Joseph received the command, he left his place.

Cesare walked around the office and sat down at his desk.

I don’t think this is really going to be judged as his fault.

Gabriel isn’t an idiot and he wouldn’t think he’d really be the culprit.

I’m sure it’s Daphne that he’s aiming for…

‘A cheeky bastard.’

Cesare asked this far away. I don’t like Gabriel’s act of greed for his person.

It would be nice if I could teach the habit properly with this opportunity. How can you do that to the Crown Prince who is being carried by the Emperor…

Cesare called the butler.

“Strengthen Daphne’s escort. Don’t let anyone approach Daphne while I’m away. Even if it’s the Crown Prince.”

“But Your Excellency…”

Cesare knew that no one could do that. For contempt of the Imperial family, his head could be cut off on the spot.

The clever Gabriel couldn’t do such a thing in front of Daphne, but he could pretend.

Cesare rubbed his face with his palm.

“I mean, do your best. Whatever the outcome.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

The butler shook his head.

No one could have guessed that something like this would happen.

As soon as they arrived at the capital, they did an investigation to find out what the Imperial family meant to call Cesare.

But someone interrupted Cesare’s investigation.

It must have been Gabriel. Cesare must have done something to prevent him from being prepared in advance.

Cesare laughed coldly.

I’m sure Gabriel will pay for this in some way.