If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 29

Chapter 4. Talons of the Silver Bird

A fortnight had passed since the first competition. Heinz and Yulis managed to survive their five-day punishment, while Jerom still had half a month left to serve.

 

Jerom’s master, Sehera, was confined to her quarters under a restriction order for the same duration. Meanwhile, the remaining seven princesses who survived were granted the privilege to return to the hellish palace. As one of them, I diligently attended to my social obligations as a princess.

 

Today, I hosted a tea party, inviting daughters from prominent noble families. The most popular spot in the palace this season is the Camellia Garden. Amidst the pristine white snow, the vibrant red camellias stand out beautifully. The pavilion at the center of the garden was specially designed as a glass greenhouse, allowing us to enjoy the scenery without shivering from the cold.

 

“I thought only Princess Golden Deer could host a tea party in the greenhouse pavilion at this time of year.”

 

“Princess Silver Bird seems to be gaining more favor with His Majesty by the day.”

 

“Winning first place in the recent competition was significant. You were so impressive when you saved Princess Golden Deer.”

 

The guests chattering in the greenhouse were four in total: the two ladies from the House of Duke Arondit, the lady of Marquis Osbond, and the lady of Count Gawain.

 

Duke Arondit is Dominic’s father and the second most powerful figure in the political arena after the mad emperor.

 

Marquis Osbond is the mad emperor’s cherished jester.

 

Count Gawain is currently making a name for himself as the head of the capital’s guard, serving as the Arondit family’s hunting dog.

 

Even with these ladies of sycophantic families before me, I could smile like a flower without feeling disgusted. After all, as the mad emperor’s daughter, I belonged to the worst bloodline of all.

 

“The first competition was a vote, wasn’t it? If you think about it, my first place is thanks to all of you.”

 

The atmosphere at the table became awkward. It was because none of them had voted for me. I had never openly clashed with them, but like beasts recognizing their natural enemies, they had known better than to support me. With uneasy smiles, the guests continued their conversation.

 

“Sir Heinz and Sir Yulis have returned, but there’s still no word about Sir Jerom. Should we assume that no news is good news?”

 

“What would happen to Princess Early Summer if something happened to Sir Jerom?”

 

The younger lady of Duke Arondit and the lady of Count Gawain exchanged words and then turned their gaze toward Lady Osbond.

 

Lady Osbond, Mebril, who had been blowing on her teacup, widened her eyes before breaking into a bashful smile. “Well, I wouldn’t know. I have no interest in politics.” If her brother, Marquis Osbond, was a jester, then she was a fool living in a garden of flowers.

 

Annemarie, the eldest daughter of the Arondit family, cleared her throat to steer the conversation away. Discussing Sehera’s situation in front of me was inappropriate, and it seemed she was the only one at the table with any sense. Her gaze shifted toward Regen, who stood behind me.

 

“Sir Regen, how did you use your first-place reward? You were granted the right to claim a treasure from the imperial treasury, weren’t you?”

 

“I chose a sword.” Regen slightly lifted the sword sheathed at his waist to show it.

 

“It looks ordinary.”

 

“It may appear so, but its balance and center of gravity are exceptionally well-crafted.”

 

“Wow! Sir Regen, you really embody the spirit of a knight.” The last remark came from Rosemarie, the younger daughter of the Arondit family.

 

Telling a knight they seem like a knight might have been intended as a compliment, but in reality, it was an insult. Her comment revealed her belief in the rumor that I had chosen Regen for his looks, which was quite thoughtless.

 

Before Annemarie could signal her sister, Rosemarie made another blunder. “I’m envious of the princesses. I wish I had a knight like that.”

 

“Wish you had one, huh.”

 

“Y-Yes. I heard a personal knight obey their princess’s very command, right? How far do they obey? Would they kiss your foot if ordered? If you told them to die, would they gladly comply? It’s so romantic!”

 

I looked at Rosemarie silently. Silence was a very effective way of expressing oneself, and Annemarie’s face turned pale due to her sister’s rudeness.

 

Even if the Arondit family was influential, I was the third princess in line. As long as I remained in the Silver Bird room, no one from the Arondit family could treat me carelessly except for the duke and Dominic.

 

Besides, I had originally invited only the eldest daughter, Annemarie. She had asked permission to bring her younger sister because Rosemarie had wanted to see Regen so badly. But since she couldn’t watch her younger sister’s words, the responsibility would fall entirely on her.

 

Annemarie hurriedly tried to manage the situation. “Your Highness, my deepest apologies. Rosemarie seems unwell and should head to the carriage first.”

 

“Si-Sister?”

 

“I permit it.”

 

Ignoring the flustered younger sister, the conversation continued solely between Annemarie and me. Rosemarie was practically dragged away by the attendants, and after she disappeared, Annemarie sat on the floor instead of a chair.

 

“Your Highness, I deeply apologize. Rose acted rudely due to her immaturity.”

 

“She’s seventeen. Isn’t that too old to blame on immaturity?”

 

“I beg your pardon, but my family’s education has been lacking.” From here, Annemarie’s tongue became unnecessarily long. “As Your Highness knows, Rose lost her mother early, and our father, being the empire’s chancellor, is always busy and hasn’t given her much attention or love. He only found out about her catching the flu a week after she did. Her lack of attention led to her rebelliousness, but she is inherently a good child, so I ask for your generosity.”

 

The other two ladies chimed in to support Annemarie.

 

“Oh my, I had no idea Lady Rosemarie had such a sad story.”

 

“The duke is so heartless. His indifference must have deeply hurt Lady Rosemarie.”

 

What a ridiculous fuss.

 

I calmly remarked. “What’s so wrong about a father being indifferent to his child?”

 

“…”

 

My father is the mad emperor.

 

The table fell silent as if cold water had been poured over it. I savored their embarrassment like enjoying tea, then added. “I’m just joking.”

 

“Ha, hahaha.”

 

“Hohoho!”

 

Power is wonderful. Even a serious remark can be turned into laughter.

 

Joining in the laughter, I deliberately singled someone out. “Lady Gawain, don’t be so tense. Am I making my guests uncomfortable?”

 

“N-No, Your Highness. It’s just that this is my first time at Your Highness’s tea party, and I’m worried about making a mistake.”

 

“Mistake? Nonsense. You are a distinguished guest I invited through Lady Arondit, so please make yourself comfortable. Come, sit a little closer.”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness. Please feel free to call me Nadia.”

 

“Very well, Lady Nadia.”

 

While we were building camaraderie, Annemarie’s expression was quite a sight. It must have irked her that I showed more interest in a hound of their household than in the lady of Arondit herself. But when our eyes met, Annemarie quickly masked her displeasure with a smile.

 

“The Gawain family is like a rising star these days. They’ve accomplished so much recently. Isn’t that right, Lady Osbond?”

 

“I’m not very interested in politics, so… In fact, it was only through today’s gathering that I learned of the Gawain family…”

 

It was clear that Annemarie intentionally sought Mebril’s opinion. Nadia’s expression hardened at Mebril’s blunt rudeness.

 

And when it comes to cunning, I’m no less than Annemarie. I stepped in, feigning to protect Nadia’s dignity. “It’s a good opportunity to know. Gawain was recently elevated to a count family for their major role after rooting out a large-scale rebellion. One of those rebels, I believe, was… from the Viscount Belpha family, wasn’t it?”

 

“…”

 

Watching Nadia flinch, I continued. “Your older brother was engaged to Lady Belpha, wasn’t he? It must have been a truly painful decision. Your loyalty to His Majesty rivals that of Marquis Osbond.”

 

“…”

 

A ravenous hunting dog and a ruthless human butcher. Their titles couldn’t be more fitting. I branded their sins.

 

“Though the count is reputed for his resourcefulness, it’s widely acknowledged that Lady Nadia played a significant role in rooting out the traitors. I hope you’ll continue to serve the empire in the future.”

 

“I will keep that in mind, Your Highness.”

 

I straightened up from leaning toward Nadia and cast my gaze into the distance. “Regrettably, it seems we must let Lady Nadia go now. It appears someone has come to fetch you.”

 

“Pardon?”