Chapter 363 – 104. After the End of Grius’ Rebellion (2)
“Oh, it must be Count Julian.”
The Marquis Gerard greeted the young Count first. Blonde blue eyes. And he is so handsome that anyone would look at his face inadvertently.
‘Hmm. To the point of bewitching Chloe.’
As he was his own daughter and a potential successor candidate. The Marquis Gerard was clearly aware of the extent of his daughter’s male preference.
‘Chloe never liked any man.’
I’ve heard that with just a few words for fun, he has broken up other aristocratic lovers. In fact, even Gerard knew that Chloe had no interest in the nobles.
Even after more than a year had passed since she became an adult, she still hadn’t had a formal relationship with a man.
The man Chloe fell in love with is the Count in front of her. At that moment, Julian said.
“The richness of the ripe ears of wheat in the plains of Locerne. Julian from the Reinhardt family will see His Excellency, Marquis Gerard.”
Equipped with high manners that matched his appearance, Yulian greeted him. As the heir to the Grand Duke, he was an aristocratic figure who did not deviate an inch.
‘And the fiancé of the prospective emperor.’
Inadvertently, the Marquis Gerard is a young Count in front of his eyes. He thought about the value of Yulian.
As Lillia’s fiancé. And as the number one contributor who made a big contribution to suppressing this rebellion. The value of that young count will skyrocket.
‘I’d rather be taller than Princess Lilia.’
The public always wants something to talk about.
Even Gerard appreciates the political power of Princess Lilia, who actively organized the rebels as her former princess.
The person most famous for suppressing the rebellion in the imperial capital was Count Yulian.
The Empire controlled by the rebels. And the most dangerous and impregnable fortress in the imperial capital was Baekhwagung, the main palace of the imperial palace.
‘Since the Count directly invaded the place where witches and demons are infested…’
A few elite who risked their lives. And Count Julian, who led the elite, directly cut the head of Grius, the leader of the rebels.
Even the count is the grandson of the hero of the Great War, Grand Duke Wilhelm the Lion, and the real son of the Great Saint Agnes.
Following those two heroes, Yulian, who rose to the throne as a new hero. In the future, he was sure to become the most famous person not only in the ecliptic, but also in the empire.
“Count Julian! In the meantime… I… Have you been at peace…”
For a moment, Gerard stopped thinking about Count Julian. Chloe, who met eyes with the Count, shyly lowered his head and said.
Because I know the character of a daughter who is very arrogant and has high self-esteem. To her marquis, her daughter’s modesty seemed quite different.
‘Hmm. It’s the look of a woman in love no matter who sees it.’
People of the Aethern family. And his vassals know Gerard’s character very well.
Like a merchant, he is a great aristocrat with a thoroughly calculating and ruthless reason. And that cool-headedness is the same even to his own children.
However, there was one fact that even their aides did not know. That even such a Marquis Gerard cherishes his daughter, Chloe, who resembles him the most.
‘I can’t believe my daughter can make a face like that.’
At that moment, even the Marquis Gerard felt strange enough to surprise himself. The sentimental feeling of having his cherished daughter stolen by some bastard did not suit Gérard.
He himself keeps his mind calm again. He spoke to the Count.
“The Count must have come to attend this banquet too.”
“That’s right. Sir Gerard.”
“But I’m sorry. A person of the level of a count would be able to attend the imperial palace meeting in person. Isn’t it?”
“No. I am still only the heir to the Marquis Command. And I’m just a cadet at an academy. So representing Essenmund is not enough for me.”
“You also know how to play humility.”
“It would be nice if you could say it’s noble etiquette.”
The Marquis quite liked Julian’s answer that he responded so boldly.
Like I said a little while ago. The reason Julian came here was for the nongong business after the imperial palace meeting. There, first-class contributors will receive the highest medal, the Imperial Medal of Honor. And there are banquets after that.
‘Well, that’s why I brought Chloe.’
Even though Chloe probably didn’t like Count Julian. The Marquis must have brought Chloe to this great temple.
In the opinion of Marquis Gérard, the greatest subject of the Empire. Because right now, the most valuable being in the Empire is Count Julian right in front of you.
‘Even when you suggested that I move the privates, I noticed it. What happened after that convinced me.’
But Gerard hides his inner thoughts. He said to Count Julian.
“Then I have to attend the imperial palace meeting. Let’s go.”
“All right.”
“Ah. And Chloe will also attend the banquet today. It wouldn’t be bad for two people who are already friends to spend time together until then.”
“You mean Lady Chloe? Let’s do that You and the young lady are Pantheon’s mates…”
Of course, I already knew that there was more than that. The Marquis said no more. And he whispered in a whisper to his daughter, who was busy following the count’s gaze.
“Family teachings. You’d better think carefully about that count.”
And, as expected, Chloe, who understood Gerard’s words immediately, nodded vigorously.
“Yes, Father!”
The corners of the Marquis’ mouth rose very slightly. And inwardly he cheered for his daughter’s love.
***
The spacious banquet hall of the Daeshinjeon.
At first glance, it would be strange if there was a banquet hall before the Great Hall to praise God. Corrupt priest Grius really liked banquets, so there was a banquet hall here too.
And this place, touched by Grius, was luxurious. Unfortunately, Grius, who made this banquet hall, is dead to me, so he will never enjoy the banquet again.
I was busy greeting the attendees in the banquet hall. As much as identity is identity. Without stopping for a moment, nobles came to visit me.
‘Phew. I guess I can catch my breath now.’
Unless nobles are fools, there’s no way they don’t know my value right now. Attendees constantly praised my contribution to suppressing this rebellion.
Hearing that compliment over and over again made me sick of it. All the princes and ministers who attended this banquet belonged to the anti-Grius faction.
So, they are loyalists who worked hard for the empire. It was also my duty as a nobleman to get along with them.
And at that moment, the most important seat of the banquet. I met eyes with Lilia who was sitting on the throne.
‘It looks like it wants to come running to me.’
But Lillia couldn’t. A crown symbolizing the imperial emperor worn on her head. And she sits on her throne in a fancy dress that only a female emperor can wear.
Today’s banquet is a banquet for Lillia, before a banquet for meritorious subjects.
The emperor, no, her older brother who has now become the sun emperor. Although the funeral of the former emperor was scheduled for her, the official coronation was not yet held.
For that reason, Lilia was not in a position to freely roam around the banquet like she did when she was the princess. Even now, before her, a certain feudal lord was kneeling before her, showing an example of loyalty.
I smiled at Lilia and answered instead. I could see Lillia’s cheeks turning red as if she liked that answer.
But just then. Lillia frowned.
‘Hmm? What’s going on?’
Though inadvertently worried about my fiancée. Soon she figured out why.
Cheak-
I heard the folding of a fan. And at the same time, I met eyes with a person who came close to me. It was Chloe.
“Yulian! Looks like the intruders are pretty much gone now. Whoops. Isn’t it?”
Like she said It was because all the nobles who were going to greet me had already finished their greetings. She approached me without missing a second when I was free.
“You seem to be pretty busy too. Looks like you’ve got some free time now.”
Like I said. She, who attended the banquet, was also very busy.
Chloe tried to stick by my side the whole time. Now, as the heir to the Marquis Gerard, Chloe attended this banquet.
So, like me, many of her nobles spoke to her incessantly. Marquis Gerard, who was awarded the title of duke in this non-professional performance. Chloeni, the successor of the Marquis.
‘I don’t even have a fiance yet.’
Of course, Chloe is my future wife, and therefore her lover. That’s from my standards as a demon dragon.
From the eyes of the nobles here, it is no different from having an affair with me, the fiancé of the emperor. Can’t tell you that
Anyway, Chloe had such a busy time as the daughter of a great empress. She clung to me and gave me hot eyes.
“Whoa… That’s right. But from now on, there are so many things I want to share with Yulian-nim.”
I glanced at the atmosphere of the banquet hall. As expected, the aristocrats seemed to be very busy talking to each other.
Chloe, noticing the atmosphere, gently tugged at my arm.
“Since I came here, I drank quite a bit, and it seems hot… Shall we get some fresh air?”
For a moment, I felt a strong gaze from above the throne. And the owner of that gaze was the owner of this empire.
That’s why I can’t let this Chloe get cold. Even Lilia now would know.
‘Because the Aitern family played a huge role in suppressing the rebellion.’
And in a full-scale battle with the Confederates in the future. The power of the Aitern family, which can supply not only the soldiers but also the supplies needed for war, is very important.
I shyly avoid Lilia’s gaze. She left the banquet hall with Chloe.
***
When I came out, it was already dark.
The schedule for the imperial palace meeting and the merit award ceremony was very long. It was only natural that the banquet had already started in the late afternoon.
So, in the orange light outside the Great Hall, Chloe’s expression looked quite strange.
‘This would be the exact opposite of the last banquet.’
At the emperor’s birthday banquet last time, Lilia ended up monopolizing me instead of Chloe.
“There are too many eyes to see in this place. Isn’t that a bit like enjoying a tryst with Yulian-nim?”
“Is it. I don’t really care.”
I’m sure he came out to get some fresh air. Chloe subtly changed his words to say that they had a tryst before he knew it. In fact, I knew that she was very excited, even if she didn’t say it herself.
I don’t know if it’s because of my awakening as a demon dragon. Because I could feel the excitement of the female very sensitively.
‘And I think I know why he was so excited.’
Just like I thought a while ago. It’s a golden opportunity to avenge the loss of me to Lillia at the last emperor’s birthday banquet.
I forgot about it because it became a gentle sheep to me. Chloe was actually a woman with a fierce personality and a model of a very arrogant villainous young lady.
‘Well, even if the two of them have a tryst. Because even Lilia can’t help it.’
If it’s clever Chloe. The moment she entered my harem, she must have figured out that Lilia wouldn’t be able to harm her.
Because the laws of the emperor who governs the empire cannot be applied to demon dragons. And Chloe, if only to raise her own rank in her harem. She will use all means and methods.
‘Come to think of it, Harem. Her first wife was…’
The time spent with the prospective wives of Harem is different. Saying that you love everyone the same because the feelings are different for that time is the same as self-deception.
However, as my companion as a human being is currently Lillia. The companion as a demon dragon is different. Demon dragon’s desire for dominance.
Because the person who can most satisfy that desire for dominance will be her first wife. In other words, that she is a woman worthy of my domination. They had to prove themselves.
For me in that respect, her father. Chloe, who personally persuaded the Marquis Gerard. She was quite commendable.
‘Well, I have no intention of telling Chloe about that fact.’
Even if it wasn’t so, after the Marquis Gerard left in the morning. As she talked with her, Chloe seemed to be secretly hoping for her praise and reciprocation from me.
And just in time, a very wide garden was created behind the Great Hall.
It must have been the place where Grius lived.
It’s very good to enjoy a tryst after a banquet, which is popular among the imperial aristocrats. Everywhere in the garden was made like a maze, filled with leafy trees.
Like, I took Chloe’s maiden. Like the garden behind her mansion.
“Hmm, but it’s a little bit in front of the entrance of the Great Hall… Oh, why is it so hot all of a sudden?”
That’s why Chloe couldn’t stop fanning herself as if she was secretly excited. She said her
“But the garden behind here… Would be very cool, wouldn’t it?”
