Valentin looked at him with an incredulous expression. Judging by his attitude so far, this person clearly didn’t know when to butt in or stay out. He was truly the epitome of rudeness.

Clifton snapped his fingers, ordering the servant to pour more wine as he continued speaking.

“No, we might all be gone from this world before anyone notices the effects. It’s such a long-term plan, you see.”

He implied that the people present wouldn’t be able to properly confirm its effectiveness. The wine, red as blood, flowed smoothly into the glass. A hint of mockery was visible in his handsome smile with one corner of his mouth raised.

“As you know, they’re always drunk, making their young children beg and live off handouts, and as soon as they get money they buy cheap absinthe to get drunk again… Aren’t they that kind of people? Such people changing through education? I doubt it.”

What do you know, you bastard who only cares about money and honor? Valentin felt anger rising at those words.

“You’re too pessimistic.”

Perhaps that’s why. Those words burst out of his mouth before he knew it.

Valentin straightened his back more and faced Clifton directly.

“People often see the world based only on what they’ve seen and experienced. The poor have lived seeing their parents like that, so they repeat the same life. I don’t think showing them a different direction in life won’t have an impact on such people.”

Clifton twisted his lips crookedly and interjected at Valentin’s clear argument.

“Isn’t that an overly hopeful thought?”

“Your Highness was born in the highest position in this empire and grew up receiving such excellent education. But if we assume that wasn’t the case, if by chance your birth had been closer to the ground like them, would you truly be the same as you are now…”

“How disrespectful!”

Clifton slammed his fist on the table and warned Valentin with a fierce expression.

Only then did Valentin realize he had gone too far. He had just tried to explain with an appropriate analogy, but he had forgotten the boundaries of status again. How dare he compare a prince who might become the next master of the empire to a beggar from the slums. He had crossed the line due to excessive emotion.

Reynard’s smooth voice melted the suddenly stiff air over the table.

“My consort loves each and every citizen according to the teachings of the Father and Son like this.”

Reynard leaned forward slightly and sent the flustered Valentin back.

“The Lord also said all people are equal. Whether foreigner or Greek.”

Reynard theatrically smiled and made the sign of the cross across his forehead and chest at the Princess’s words, who had suddenly interjected as if to help. Thanks to this, Valentin suddenly became someone boasting religious devotion rivaling the Archbishop. According to these words, to prevent the truth from being revealed that he was actually someone who always wore a veil at mass but thought about other things, he would have to enter a monastery or something to disguise his faith.

“…Being devout within the church is a good thing.”

Perhaps thinking to wrap up the heated situation, the Emperor took a sip of wine and spoke quietly.

He wanted to take his son’s side, whose thoughts were exactly the same as his own, but he couldn’t openly interrogate the heir of Dennox and his consort carrying their descendant. His effort to take a neutral stance was plainly visible.

Valentin pushed Reynard, who was slightly covering him, back to his place and bowed his head towards Clifton.

“I apologize for my excessive words, Your Highness.”

He decided not to hide behind anyone anymore.

He resolved to stand proudly in his own place.

What was so difficult about apologizing? What was so bad about lowering his head and apologizing?

Apologizing wouldn’t hurt his pride, nor would it lower his value. So Valentin had no problem bowing his head before Clifton now. It was clear that he had made statements that crossed the line.

“…”

Clifton gave no answer to Valentin’s willing apology. He just turned his gaze to his wine glass without saying anything more, still looking displeased.

And as if on a predetermined schedule, the topic turned to Second Prince Roman, and the luncheon concluded while pretending to be peaceful.

*

After lunch, the Emperor led them all to an annex, saying he would show them the recently developed collodion photographic technique. Everyone except Valentin marveled at the new technology that finished shooting in just 5 seconds, unlike conventional cameras.

‘With that temper…’

As they came out after taking a strange family photo combination, Valentin was lost in his own thoughts while trying to hide his pouting mood. Clifton had thoroughly ignored him after Valentin’s apology. And he had spoken even sharper words towards the First Princess and Second Prince until the meal ended.

‘He seems to disregard consequences even more than before, probably because his business is doing well…’

Valentin speculated inwardly as he moved slowly at the very back of the group.

The Emperor was now noisily introducing them to the inventor who discovered the new technique. Everyone shook hands with him, exclaimed in admiration, and moved to watch the developing process. As Valentin watched people following the inventor’s assistant to the darkroom, he gently grabbed Reynard and whispered:

“I’ll go to the restroom for a moment.”

It was content he roughly knew all about in theory anyway. There wasn’t much novelty for Valentin, a reincarnator.

“Will you be alright alone? I’ll go with you.”

“No. You stay and be a support for Her Highness the Princess. Especially now…”

Valentin glanced sideways at the Emperor entering the darkroom, almost flanked by the Third Prince and Lady Akal. Reynard looked that way once and frowned. Valentin soothed him and drove the point home.

“Don’t forget our purpose for being here now. I want to be by Her Highness the Princess’s side, but I think I’ve already upset His Majesty with what happened earlier.”

So the meaning was for him, whom the Emperor liked and was mindful of, to at least keep his place.

If I had known it would become this awkward, I wouldn’t have strongly argued and clashed with Clifton earlier… Forgetting the importance of being in the Emperor’s good graces, he had acted rashly and messed things up again. But it was too late for regrets now. Valentin gestured for Reynard to quickly follow them and slipped away.

Valentin headed to the farthest restroom, guided by a servant. He wanted to be away for as long as possible.

But how long can a person stay in the restroom? Valentin soon washed his hands and came out, pacing blankly. He decided to look around and take a walk before going back. Fortunately, the annex’s garden was also an excellent place that captured the autumn mood well.

‘But where exactly am I…?’

He had certainly taken a walk and entered the same building again, but was it because he lived his life with “Is this the right mountain?” always written on his forehead? Why did this inner sense of poor direction suddenly visit him from time to time… Valentin sighed and kept walking.

‘I’m sure it was around here.’

He was guessing while wandering down the long corridor that all looked the same.

Then, a familiar voice began to be heard from somewhere.

“…So you’re deliberately making that kind of expression?”

It was Clifton. His voice was leaking from the open door in the corner of the corridor Valentin was passing through.

He didn’t know who he was talking to, but it was a sharp voice that was unpleasant to hear even from a third party’s perspective.

‘How on earth did I like such a person in the past…’

Valentin, not wanting to get involved with him, tried to quickly pass by unnoticed, muffling his footsteps.

“…It’s not that, I’ve just been feeling unwell continuously…”

It was Evener.

‘He was talking to his own partner…?’

Surprised by the content of that conversation, Valentin unconsciously stopped.

“So? Are you protesting to me now because you miscarried? No, this is too much, happening over and over.”

“…”

“Is that something to be proud of, looking like you’re dying in front of His Majesty? If that’s your wish so much, don’t come to these events anymore! Go in and rest, forever.”

Valentin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. No, he understood the meaning, but how could a person, not even a beast, say such things…?

“If I gave you the seed, you should at least carry it well. Losing it every time, I’m really sick of it now…”

“Your Highness…”

“The other side is walking around with a swollen belly, pregnant right after marriage, and oh my. It’s embarrassing to face His Majesty, really.”

His tone was full of disgust. Clifton clicked his tongue in front of his partner, thoroughly fed up. Soon after, footsteps were heard.

‘Oh no! It seems they’re coming out this way…!’

He absolutely couldn’t be caught eavesdropping on their conversation. Valentin hurriedly hid his body behind one of the large statues placed here and there in the corridor. Fortunately, the statue was large and cast a deep shadow behind it, so he wouldn’t be discovered if he didn’t move.

Slam!

The enraged Clifton forcefully opened the door and came out. Though their figures were hidden by the sculpture, it could be heard from the sound.

Soon after, the sound of shoes walking down the corridor in the opposite direction was heard. Valentin held his breath behind the statue until those footsteps completely disappeared.

‘They must both be gone now…?’

Everywhere was quiet. When he was certain he was alone as no sound could be heard, Valentin very carefully straightened his bent body and came forward…

“What are you eavesdropping on like a little mouse?”

“Aaaahhh!”

Valentin’s scream echoed in the corridor. He nearly fell backwards on his bottom from the shock.

“E-Evener!”

“Call me Your Highness, Valentin. How dare you be so impudent.”

Valentin fumbled, unable to look straight into Evener’s eyes, and turned his body awkwardly.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness the Prince Consort. Oh my, I dropped something here and was picking it up… Well then, I’ll be going now…”

“Stop right there, Valentin.”

“No… I’m very busy…”