The Grand Duke’s Fox Princess

Episode 57: Precious Things (V)

In fact, there was a debate about the war which was the background of this donation event.

“We shouldn’t have gone to war.”

“It was a negotiable situation. I was surprised that it suddenly turned out like this.”

“Even if we win, there is no benefit to the empire.”

“I heard something…”

The nobles were whispering carefully so as not to be heard by the families of the knights who were participating in the war.

This war on the border was the result of the emperor’s forceful push. 

As a result, the attention towards the emperor at this event was different in many ways.

Eristella was also somewhat aware of the conflict in the Norrent region.

It was a problem even before her disappearance. However, it did not look like the situation would escalate to this extent, so it was shocking that war had been declared.

“It’s just frustrating that His Majesty’s ears have been closed lately. By all means, this charity event should pass safely.”

“There has been a lot of backlash here and there. I’m worried about today.”

“I am forcing myself to donate this time. I had a hard time choosing the items.”

“I only picked one item from my warehouse.”

Hence, those participating in the donation had passive attitudes. Eristella was worried that at this rate, the event might fail as soon as it started.

‘Anyway, if it’s a war that needs to be fought, the least they should do is to make the families here feel a little more comfortable.’

Eristella couldn’t let the charity event sink like this.

However, the nobles in the venue were merely whispering their dissatisfaction or preoccupied with other things.

The donation party was open to all ages, so a variety of people gathered. New nobles or merchants with enormous wealth gathered to expand their connections. They were financially successful, but lacked prestige. 

And the nobles, who were of a reputable family but now lived in decline, also searched for people who would become their source of money.

Thus, it was a donation party only in name, with each individual focused on his/her own interests.

As expected, on one side of the hall, there was already a lot of talk surrounding a new nobleman, who had been the most discussed among the emerging nobility in recent years.

“You recently started a new business, Are the rumors I heard true?”

“Haha. Have you heard it already?”

“It sounds like a great undertaking, can you tell me more?”

“Haha. We’ll be announcing it soon. Please wait until then.”

“You have a knack for making people impatient. Anyway, it’s amazing that you succeed in whatever you do.”

“This is only possible thanks to those who protect the empire.”

He pretended to be modest but showed off his wealth.

“I should do what I can.”

“It seems that the protagonist here is Viscount Diaklen. Hahaha!”

“That can’t be true. I never thought I would become someone important.”

A friendly but pretentious laughter.

Every time there was a charity event, a new face would stand out, but Viscount Diaklen appeared particularly unusual.

It was when Eristella was keeping an eye on him.

‘There is still one. Someone who will change the mood of the event.’

Another uproar emerged.

“She’s really here. She’s going to perform this time.”

“Has she restored her relationship with the imperial family?”

“Is that possible? It’s the other way around. The relationship was completely cut off, so the imperial family would not care.”

“Is Charlotte going to attend even after hearing that?”

“I can’t believe she is going to perform in front of so many people. I don’t know how the imperial family got such a shame.”

As soon as Charlotte appeared, the stories surrounding her circulated.

The reaction was so explosive as it was the first time Charlotte attended an imperial event since she abandoned her status as a member of the imperial family and left.

Charlotte was aware of the whispers and pointing fingers, but she walked very proudly toward Heinricion without paying any attention.

“Talent is the most valuable and precious donation. I’m sure I’ll be the one who solicits the highest amount at today’s charity event.”

It was a rebuttal to anyone who thought her performance was cheap.

The lady who had stated that earlier became nervous, covering her mouth. But Charlotte raised her corners of mouth without sparing the lady a single glance.

Charlotte’s confidence was incredible. She wasn’t bluffing. 

Definitely. She worked tirelessly to produce results.

“I’m sure it will. I’ll pay the right price.”

“Oh, no. I didn’t mean to hear that. Still, I won’t decline your bid. After all, it’s money for those who go out to defend the empire, so the more money I get, the better.”

“Of course.”

It was when the conversation between Charlotte and Heinricion reached its purpose.

The servant’s roaring voice resounded throughout the hall.

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

Everyone stopped and faced the door on the second floor.

Eristella stuck her head out to observe the emperor’s face more closely.

His eyes were the first thing that caught her attention; they showed he couldn’t sleep properly. Above all, the pale, ghastly skin clearly indicated his condition was not good by any means.

Eristella’s eyes darkened looking at the emperor who looked like he was about to fall.

The emperor began a speech from the second floor to announce the official start of the event.

“The national defense must always be impenetrable, and land is power, so it’s a natural duty for all members of the empire to fulfill their roles.”

It differed significantly from the speeches before, which were generally about mourning for the victims and condolences to their families.

And this wasn’t something that the emperor Eristella knew would say.

As the speech continued, Eristella’s face darkened further.

A member of a knight’s family suddenly appeared before the emperor.

“Your Majesty. Hear my request! Please!”

With a desperate gesture, he stretched out his hand toward the emperor, whom he could not reach no matter how hard he tried, and cried out earnestly.

“The life or death of my son who is at the border cannot be confirmed! Please, my son…”

The emperor nervously waved his hand, sending a signal to the knights. At the same time, the knights escorting the emperor pointed their swords at the appealing citizen.

The venue became cold at the emperor’s contemptuous gaze that was as if he was looking at a worm.

“Clean it up.”

‘Something is definitely wrong.’

The man who was being dragged away by the knights desperately cried for help, but the emperor paid no heed and ended his speech as is.

“A big thanks to the knights going to Norrent.”

Behavior that undermined the essence of this donation event. Moreover, an indifference attitude that he could not hide.

A look of lethargy that could not be considered normal.

And a face as bleak as if he had forgotten how to express himself.

Like he had lost something.

‘Brother…’

Eristella couldn’t keep her composure.

It was clear. Without a doubt, something was going on with the emperor.

But she couldn’t do anything but watch.

As the emperor concluded his speech with a declaration that he would make a huge donation, the event officially began.

“There were many donations this time as well. I am very excited to be able to introduce all of these special items.”

The host tried to lighten the atmosphere, but the emperor’s contribution, which was to start the auction, did not meet everyone’s expectations this time.

So in turn, other nobles’ participation would also decrease.

Naturally, the total amount donated would also decrease, which meant less money for armaments.

If war was to be waged, military funds were absolutely necessary.

Hence, a change was needed.

Heinricion tried to come forward himself to lift up the stagnant atmosphere, but it was Viscount Diaklen who unexpectedly took the role first.

“This time, Viscount Diaklen has donated a special item.”

When Viscount Diaklen’s name was mentioned, people’s attention was focused.

Viscount Diaklen took out his item, refusing to have the host introduce it.

“This is the item I’ve prepared this time.”

What he showed people was a transparent glass bead. Inside the marble, cherry blossom petals were fluttering as if they had just fallen from a recently bloomed tree.

It was a very beautiful object, but in the eyes of the high-ranking nobles who would have encountered all kinds of rare objects, it was simply an unusual ornament.

Seeing the disappointment on the people’s faces, Viscount Diaklen smiled triumphantly and inserted a small device under the glass bead.

“Now I will show you why these cherry blossoms are special.”

At that moment, as if the banquet hall had suddenly been sucked into a glass marble, the cherry blossom petals swaying inside the marble swept over the entire banquet hall.

It was an enchanting scene, like raining cherry blossoms.