The nobles who belonged to the Upper Nobles Association, to put it nicely, came from long-standing prestigious families who placed importance on dignity and etiquette.

To put it badly, they were classists who had become inured to pure elitism.

It was obvious to tell just from the conversation going on at a table.

“Do you know the name of the man Marquis Bogut has personally invited, Sir?”

“I don't quite remember… Was it Campbell? That should be his family’s name, so I heard.”

“...This is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a name. By any chance, their rank…?”

“They are a Viscount Household, I believe.”

The men who were having such a conversation managed to maintain their dignity, but failed to conceal the sneer on their faces.

Meanwhile the people from other prestigious noble families who were sitting near that table also expressed their mockery in their own ways.

Some of them even took a step further and expressed something close to contempt.

“A Viscount Household… Then he must’ve come from a family who works in industries like farming or mining. He must have not been accustomed to… high society.”

Someone said as such.

Though he spoke those words with a concerned tone, he wore a dubious smile that didn’t match such a tone.

It was as if he was trying to show how a country bumpkin, who did not know their place and stepped into a place like this, would be treated.

“For inviting such a mannerless person, don’t you think Sir Bogut is also being excessive? Hopefully, that person won’t end up embarrassing himself. I’m genuinely worried for him.”

"Hardships do help people grow."

One of the men replied gently.

However, his following sentence was one that even discarded the last vestiges of dignity they had maintained.

“He must think he is a hotshot since he managed to associate himself with Her Imperial Majesty and the Chancellor without knowing his place as a member of a Viscount Household.”

“...You somehow sound resentful?”

“Well, I often think that I cannot hold Her Imperial Majesty or the Chancellor’s hands from a political standpoint… But, I do admire both of them as individuals. After all, they are the two pillars that supported the Empire.”

“I… Cannot deny that. Both women are also beautiful enough to cause the downfall of a country.”

“Her Imperial Majesty has the beauty that is akin to a bunch of roses blooming on a cliff, while the Chancellor has the elegance of an ice sculpture, always proud and cold—”

When the conversation turned to the Chancellor and the Empress, the atmosphere changed in an instant—it was as if the grown men were discussing their first love.

It was as if they were being sincere when they said that they ‘admired’ the Empress and the Chancellor earlier.

And so, the conversation, which was filled with compliments on the two women’s beauty, continued.

Until that person from a Viscount Household…

Showed up with the two women who held the most power throughout history in his arms.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Both the Empress and the Chancellor.

The two of them.

Were clinging to one man.

As if they did not want him to be taken away by the others. Each of them claiming ownership over the man.

“...Her Imperial Majesty?”

“...Her Excellency the Chancellor?”

The men uttered in disbelief.

Since they had just been extolling the Empress’ and the Chancellor’s beauty and noble purity just now, they seemed more shocked than they should be.

The Empress, who usually exuded a noble aura like a glass doll with her expressionless face, looked lively as she clung to the man’s arm.

Both the women whom they had just praised as overwhelming beauties...

Were clinging to a man, trying to win over him.

As if they were trying to make him love them even for a bit.

“...”

“...”

As the men's expressions stiffened upon feeling an unknown sense of defeat…

“How have you been, members of the Upper Nobles Association?”

In the silence that felt as if even the sound of someone swallowing dryly could be heard loudly, the Empress’ voice made through the Speech Synthesizer softly echoed.

“I came here because I heard my male ‘close friend’ is making his debut in society. No need for unnecessary formality, so enjoy your evening.”

“...”

“...”

Close— what?

After she made such a statement that made the listeners doubt their ears, the place was filled with silence once again.

The fact that the Empress, who was of marriageable age, used the term 'close friend' to refer to someone of the opposite gender suggested a lot.

Because she was practically declaring that he was a ‘consort candidate’.

At that moment, someone interjected with a cold voice, clearly affected by that statement.

“...Your Imperial Majesty.”

Sullivan, whose cheeks were twitching uncontrollably, said, sounding as if she was suppressing something.

“Please mind your choice of words. I implore you.”

“Is there any problem, Sullivan?”

“This situation itself is a problem.”

It was obvious that she was being ‘wary’ of the Empress.

“I am the first one who ‘has an eye’ on him, your words could cause misunderstandings.”

Those words sent everyone into a shock once again.

Even the Chancellor?

Has her eye on him?

“...Hmm.”

Hearing that, the Empress stroked her chin for a moment.

“What kind of misunderstandings exactly?”

“...”

“I was being sincere, Sullivan. This man is indeed my close friend.”

At the same time as Sullivan's expression stiffened very quickly…

People around them began to turn pale.

One thing came to their mind.

The Empress.

And the Chancellor.

Over one man.

…They're fighting over him?

Surely enough.

Such a thing was a topic that could turn the society and politics of the Empire upside down.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Everyone was gazing at me silently. It was so burdensome.

Some had dilated pupils, some had their mouths open, some even slapped themselves to see if they were dreaming.

Keep in mind that they were the nobles who belonged to the Upper Nobles Association.

This whole ‘getting the drop on them’ thing, seemed to be working better than expected.

The problem was…

“...Do you have to go this far?”

I asked Her Imperial Majesty the Empress first, who occupied my left arm.

Honestly, I broke out in a cold sweat.

The way she held my arm made it look as if she was sticking to me instead of hugging my arm.

Seeing how she even rested her head on my shoulder, we looked like a couple on a date more than anything.

“Were you not the first one who suggested we do this?”

“...”

“Why are you acting like this over something this trivial? After all, it was your first ‘command’. It is only right that it should be celebrated as a momentous day.”

“...”

That was when I realized once again.

This person loved to put me in a difficult position while teasing me.

“...Your Excellency the Chancellor. At least you, Your Excellency…”

“No.”

“...”

Her response came out less than a second, making me shut my mouth promptly.

With how her eyes were ablaze with anger as she glared at the Empress while replying to me, I figured that saying anything to her would be meaningless.

Seriously, things weren’t this bad before we entered the banquet hall…

I just want to make a cool and dignified entrance…

My plan was to try and play the role of ‘someone who knows both these women’ by following behind or next to the Empress and Chancellor as they made their entrance first.

And at first, they really were just standing next to me as the three of us walked side by side.

Then the Empress stealthily held my hand…

-...Your Imperial Majesty.

-Yes, Sullivan?

-What are you doing?

-My hands are cold. Isn’t it normal to seek someone's warmth when your body is in this kind of state?

-...

Following that, the Chancellor also held my hand, as if declaring that she wouldn’t lose to her.

After that, the Empress took it a step further by linking our arms and the Chancellor followed suit.

Then it developed further in that direction until the moment when both of them stuck close to me with no intention of getting off me.

By then, things had already strayed far from my plans.

Dignified entrance, my ass.

This is just…

[You’re an absolute professional at seducing women. One that even attracts the leaders of the country.]

…Mister, please.

[Prove me wrong, then.]

‘...’

I couldn’t even retort.

As I went quiet after being smashed by Caliban, I could hear whispers coming from here and there.

“...Scum…”

“...He needs to be hanged...”

“…Crazy fucker… Cancer of the country…”

“...”

What do I do?

I was just here and my enemies were multiplying for some reason!

“Actually, if viewing you only from an outside perspective, it might not seem entirely wrong.”

Holding a pipe in her mouth, the Empress spoke, seemingly aware of the atmosphere.

“It appears that, soon enough, someone might actually intend to cause you harm.”

“...”

As I stayed silent, the Empress grinned and continued.

“Do not worry, though. I’ll protect you when it happens. Afterwards, I can completely capture your hea—”

At that moment, she promptly shut her mouth.

Maybe she felt what I was feeling as well.

This aura coming from my other side.

“...Sullivan, I was kidding. You don’t need to exude such a threatening attitude.”

“Are you really joking, Your Imperial Majesty?”

“...”

Instead of answering, the Empress took a whiff of the pipe while grinning. Seeing this, Sullivan’s frown grew deeper.

It’s a mess.

A total fucking mess.

While walking into the banquet hall, I broke out in a cold sweat.

To be exact, I was walking to a certain table.

There…

“As expected of you! This is why I’m your number one fan!”

Despite all this fuss.

Marquis Bogut clapped his hands while still wearing his usual expression.

“...”

He didn't even seem flustered.

As if he had predicted ‘of course he’ll do this much’.

“However, our esteemed guests here, please forgive me, but—”

His gaze lingered on the Empress and the Chancellor respectively before going back to me again.

As if I was more important than the two of them.

“I have something to say to you privately. Can you spare me some time?”

“...”

“...”

He said with a wink. Hearing that, the Empress’ and the Chancellor’s expressions turned serious at the same time.

They seemed to be trying to figure out what he was up to.

“...Your Imperial Majesty, Your Excellency the Chancellor.”

But I held them back.

“I’ll be okay.”

Not sure why…

But, I had a feeling that I needed to have a private conversation with this bastard right now.

The feeling was so strong.

Because I could sense something that was close to conviction in his gaze.

“Aiyaa, I was so surprised!”

That was what he told me when we got outside, at the terrace.

“So, when did you manage to seduce the two of them, Dowd Campbell? That was amazing—”

“...What do you want to tell me, Marquis Bogut?”

I cut him off before he could continue his cheerful words.

Now I could feel it.

The Empress said that this bastard had been interested in me.

But, even so, there was something that felt off.

There was just this weird anxiety. As if this bastard knew something I didn’t.

“Ahaha, don’t you think it’s a little bit too much and cold if we just get to the point immediately? Why don’t we talk about our lives first and—”

“...If you’re just going to talk about weird things, I’ll just leave.”

Well…

If he refused to say what he wanted, then he wasn’t worth dealing with.

I turned back towards the direction of the banquet hall. With that, I shoulda made my intention clear.

However…

“...Is Armin doing well?”

After I heard those words…

My footsteps halted.

“...”

This bastard.

What did he just say?

I looked at the Marquis with a stiff expression.

This was only our second meeting, but his usual grin was missing from his face.

Instead, he was wearing a rather serene smile.

As if he was recalling ‘nice memories'.

“...You.”

However…

When I saw that face, a chill ran down my spine.

I unconsciously let out a growl.

“Do you know my father?”

“Of course I do.”

The Marquis let out a grin.

“How could I forget about my dearest friend in this world?”

And such a sentence…

“After all, we used to compete over the same woman.”

Was what followed after.