Chapter 25
The grand banquet hall, adorned in gold as if recreating an ancient palace, welcomed the nobles.
Everywhere one looked, lavish decorations filled the space.
Even the fresh flowers decorating the tables were dusted with gold powder.
Nobles accustomed to luxury stared wide-eyed at the spectacle.
“Baron Rothen must be exceedingly wealthy.”
“Even so, this level of extravagance seems excessive.”
The opulent banquet firmly impressed Dietrich Rothen’s wealth upon his guests. Yet this display concealed another purpose.
“Now I understand.”
“What do you mean?”
“This explains why the haughty Calyphe Offensa is marrying a mere thug of a baron.”
The nobles sneered.
“She’s selling herself for coin, plain and simple.”
“All that boasting about her lineage—soon it’ll be replaced.”
“You mean by Marquis Kaiman?”
Even Calyphe’s reliance on her prestigious bloodline had become a joke. Dietrich, having learned of these whispers through his servants, smirked crookedly.
With her status so diminished, she’d struggle to remain in high society. She’d have no choice but to obey and marry him. Everything was proceeding perfectly.
“Baron, it’s time for your entrance.”
“Good.”
Dietrich adjusted his attire and strode into the hall.
“Welcome, honored guests. Thank you for gracing this occasion. Of course—”
He paused mid-sentence, spotting Calyphe standing with arms crossed nearby. Her sharp, wide-eyed gaze kept others at bay despite her silence.
She doesn’t even realize she’s out of her depth, Dietrich thought, smiling.
Aloud, he declared:
“The most radiant presence here is undoubtedly our bride-to-be, Lady Offensa.”
All eyes turned to Calyphe—half anticipating chaos, half dreading it.
She’ll surely throw a tantrum!
But instead:
“True enough.”
Calyphe smiled brightly, stunning the crowd.
“As a bride-to-be, I’ve been blissful lately.”
Her smile—worthy of her title as society’s Golden Rose—left even her mockers speechless. Yet Dietrich felt an uneasy chill.
Why has she acted so strangely lately?
The spot where she’d flicked his forehead throbbed like a warning.
Calyphe stepped forward.
“As the bride-to-be, I too have an announcement.”
“An announcement? Now?”
“Yes.”
She ascended the podium, shoving Dietrich aside.
“Move.”
“Wh-what? Hey!”
Though taller, he stumbled back like discarded husk. Calyphe claimed the spotlight.
“My thanks to you all for attending my engagement celebration.”
The nobles murmured uncertainly at her blunt tone. One oblivious guest asked:
“Are you truly happy about this marriage?”
Silence fell. Even the music halted.
Dietrich tensed.
She’s milking the suspense! What madness will she spew now?
Before he could act, Calyphe replied:
“Of course I’m happy. I pursued him first.”
“Lady Offensa chased Baron Rothen?!”
She dropped her bombshell:
“But my fiancé isn’t Baron Rothen.”
“……!”
“It’s another man I’ve secretly met for years.”
She turned to Dietrich.
“Stop clinging to me.”
“What nonsense is this?!”
“And quit sending dawn letters asking if I’m asleep.”
“When did I ever—?!”
Dietrich’s shouts went ignored. The crowd buzzed, more enthralled by drama than truth.
“Y-you’re lying to humiliate me!” he hissed, finger trembling.
“No lies.” Calyphe swept her hand across the room.
“He’s here tonight.”
Nobles erupted into chaos, scanning the crowd. Among them, Lainen Ortega sipped champagne, amused.
Who’s the poor soul enduring her whims?
“Everyone, calm yourselves!” Dietrich’s pleas drowned in the uproar.
Calyphe descended, winking at him before vanishing.
“That madwoman!”
Dietrich ground his teeth. His ruined banquet demanded salvage.
I must accelerate the plan.
He slammed his glass thrice.
“There’s been a misunderstanding! Ignore her ramblings—I am Lady Offensa’s true fiancé!”
The crowd’s pitying stares followed as he hurriedly pressed on.
As an apology for the confusion!
Clap clap.
As Dietrich lightly clapped his hands, the large curtain on one side of the hall slid open with a swish.
What was revealed was a passage leading to another location.
"We have prepared a very special performance, so please enjoy it."
Only then did the nobles who had shown interest begin to move.
Dietrich, who had been wiping sweat from his brow, also hurried along.
He then informed the mercenaries waiting behind the stage that the schedule had been moved up.
The mercenaries wore uneasy expressions.
"But we haven’t finished feeding the monsters yet. They need a little more to keep them from rampaging."
"We can control them with magical tools anyway. What’s the issue?"
Dietrich snapped sarcastically.
"When the largest one’s turn comes, fake a retreat and drive it toward Calipe Offensa’s side. I’ll handle the rest. What, you scared?"
"...No. We’ll just do it."
"Good."
Dietrich grinned smugly at the mercenaries’ half-hearted reply.
"The monster gladiator match will begin shortly!"
I was startled by the announcer’s words.
A monster gladiator match? That barbaric sport belonged to ancient times—where humans fought monsters while spectators bet on the outcome.
Such danger required a proper arena, yet all I saw before me was an overly ornate theater stage.
'Wouldn’t the front-row spectators be in the most danger?'
The seats were alarmingly close to the stage.
A servant guided me to my seat.
"Lady Offensa’s seat is at the very front for the best view."
"...I’ll sit in the back."
"Pardon? But your seat has already been assigned—"
"Then I’ll stand in the back."
"But if the Baron discovers you’re standing, he’ll reprimand me—"
That’s when it happened.
"Do you enjoy tormenting servants?"
A smooth baritone voice brushed against my ear.
I turned to find Duke Ortega already standing beside me.
"Causing a scene won’t help your secret lover over there."
"Ugh."
I instinctively stepped back.
"...What?"
"Let me clarify—my relationship with my secret lover is entirely proper. Remember that."
I recalled Duke Ortega clearly from our first meeting. He was noble enough to support a child sponsored by a woman he disliked, yet relentlessly strict with me as my guardian.
'Did he come to lecture me?'
Being scolded by Lainen would sting—like getting chastised by a walking textbook.
"Noah always comes first for me," I declared.
"......"
Lainen stared at me with an unreadable expression before bluntly stating:
"I didn’t ask."
"Jerk."
