n

n

nChapter 101

nProofreader: somnium

nLawrence was handsome and was easily favored by men as well as women. The same was true not only of people his age, but also of people of older age.

nHowever, it was hard to believe that his charm would work at the Empress’ Palace. It was even more so because his appearance resembled Miraila.

nSo he called in his friends to embrace the ladies-in-waiting.

nLawrence’s friends liked to play among the children of the influential family.

nSome of them enjoyed hunting and horseback riding, while others enjoyed refining their appearance and enticing women as a hobby.

nLawrence thought that even if his charm didn’t work here, one or two of his friends would be able to show off their charisma as handsome men.

nHe did not expect them to properly seduce the Empress’ ladies-in-waiting. Just enough to be likable, and to be spoken positively to the Empress.

nHowever, the Empress’ ladies-in-waiting were much more loyal than he expected. Lawrence’s achievements were, at best, only a few of the maids.

nRather, a positive reaction came from a different direction.

nAs the young men who had been prodigal became neat and followed Lawrence to calmly take part in the literary salon, the gaze around them quickly changed favorably. In particular, the court chiefs were pleased.

nEven the Emperor had a subtle face, but called him in and praised him.

n“You have a plan, so I won’t say anything about going to Countess Martha’s salon. Try to do well.”

n“Yes, Father.”

n“And I thought about it well in many ways. It’s a good thing for a young man to play with prodigality, and it’s good to be active and to be favored by his peers. It’s also nice to have a good influence on one’s friends.”

n“Yes.”

n“You don’t have to worry about your reputation every day, but you shouldn’t have too much backlash or be overly repulsive. I’m not saying to scare people. However, learn how to buy faith of the people.”

n“Yes.”

n“You have to let someone tell you how the world is changing. You only have two eyes and two ears, but don’t forget that there are thousands or tens of thousands of eyes and mouths in the lower people. A person’s mouth is also a way to break rocky mountains.”

nThe Emperor said so. Lawrence knew that it was teaching.

nHowever, he couldn’t get rid of his frustration.

nHe didn’t think that he would be able to capture the Empress’ heart in a short time, but Lawrence was by nature impatient and couldn’t tolerate things that didn’t go his way.

n“I can’t guess what Her Majesty wants. Perhaps, as you really said, I wondered if she wanted to entrust her old age to your couple.”

nLawrence said.

nArtizea replied softly.

n“There is only one thing Her Majesty the Empress wants.”

nLawrence looked at Artizea’s side face.

nThe nuances of the words were ambiguous. He couldn’t figure out if she was trying to help him or if she was hoping for a price.

nHe thought it could be the latter.

nIt made Lawrence feel unpleasant to be thinking that way against Artizea.

n“Is that what you say as my younger sister or as the lady-in-waiting of the Empress?”

n“My brother must understand what I can’t tell you for sure. Her Majesty has never explicitly revealed it.”

nArtizea continued her words.

n“Her Majesty the Empress has a salt crystal in her bedroom, the ornament from Riagan Duchy.”

n“Salt crystal…”

n“It’s a very beautiful blue color. They said that the color of the South Sea is like that.”

nLawrence was silent at the words. Artizea left him alone so that he could think through it.

nAfter a while, Lawrence asked.

n“Then you mean,…”

n“Then, does Brother have any plans to get married? It would be good if you were engaged.”

nArtizea opened her mouth. Her words cut off Lawrence’s.

nLawrence raised his eyebrows, revealing displeasure. Artizea pretended not to know it.

nAs his younger sister, she gives information that she can give, but she keeps her duty as the Empress’ lady-in-waiting, so she does not become an active discussion partner and can pull out her feet.

nLawrence wasn’t an idiot. He was upset that his words were cut off for a moment, but he noticed Artizea’s intention and turned his expressions mildly.

nIt was Artizea who held the sword now. It took her cooperation to win the Empress’ favor.

n“You are Grand Duchess Evron.”

nLawrence said quietly. He remembered her saying that she wanted to establish herself as Artizea, Grand Duchess of Evron.

nHe was convinced, and he had taken her for granted as Grand Duchess Evron.

nHad it not been for her being his younger sister, he would have had to pay for this information, or undergo a long process of gaining trust.

nBecause of his younger sister, the long process was omitted. This is because when he becomes the Emperor, Artizea will, of course, become the Emperor’s sister.

nAnd at the same time he could also be sure that Cedric wasn’t leaning on her yet. It would be bad for him to show that he cooperated with the Empress.

nIt is natural when you think of blood ties. The Empress will know too, but she wouldn’t like to overplay her hand outright.

nLawrence turned his gaze forward on the road. And settled on the topic Artizea brought out.

n“Marriage ….. It’s not bad to do it when there’s the right person.”

n“Because there was a problem with mother’s so far.”

nIt was because of Miraila who kept the throne within sight, but also kept the valid card of the marriage alliance.

nLawrence didn’t even think about getting married behind Miraila’s back.

nMarriage was different from having multiple lovers. His obsessive mother will intervene. He was tired just thinking about it.

nBut he had no reason not to.

n“Is there anyone you want to introduce?”

n“I’m not saying that with anyone in mind. However, I don’t think there are many families that can give birth to the future Empress. If I didn’t have one or two people in mind, I thought I’d ask the Empress.”

nLawrence nodded with satisfaction at the last words.

nThere are few better relationships. The family that joined in marriage has no choice but to share the destiny in quarreling over the throne.

nAlthough Artizea became the Empress’ lady-in-waiting, the relationship was not made with Marquisate Rosan or Lawrence in mind, but because of Cedric.

nIn the meantime, it’s better to have a real good relationship other than that. It is even better if it is a two-layer relationship.

nDid the Duchy of Riagan have a marriageable young woman? It was when Lawrence thought so.

n“Because Brother has a lot of great acquaintances and friends, please discuss it with them.”

nSaid Artizea.

n“Okay.”

nLawrence gave a positive answer.

n***

nOn the way back, Lawrence met someone he knew, greeted her, and went outside again.

nWhen Artizea returned alone, Lysia was again at the table.

nCountess Marta has not yet returned to the salon.

nInstead, Lysia was talking with another man. He may be a junior official or poet-like sort, as Artizea seemed to be unfamiliar with the face.

nShe saw Lysia smiling lightly. It didn’t look so bad or unstable from her condition.

nAfter checking, Artizea closed her eyes tightly.

nWasn’t it what she expected? Lawrence frequently enters this salon. She had a good chance of running into him.

nBut the moment she saw Lysia with Lawrence, she felt nervous. She momentarily didn’t know how much she had regretted.

nNeither Lysia nor Lawrence is a “returner.”

nStill, it was just in case. Maybe Lawrence was interested in Lysia because his memories remain faint?

nHow about Lysia? Even if she can’t remember, wouldn’t there be something like a wound on her soul? Could it be the painful result of the latter?

n‘Would not bringing her to the capital be a good idea?’

nShould she have left her in the mansion?

nCountess Martha’s salon was a perfect place to quietly introduce Lysia to the society. She brought Lysia even though she knew.

nLysia can’t completely avoid Lawrence as long as she’s socializing anyway. Even if it was not today, he will see her face someday as long as they were in the capital.

nThen she had no choice but to come up with a way to prevent them from meeting.

nBut then there’s no reason to not let her come to the capital.

nArtizea wanted Lysia to settle in advance before she received her divine message. That way she will be at ease after she becomes the saintess.

nShe hoped that she would get used to it, be able to look after her with power in the social world, meet with her supporters, and build acquaintances first. She does not want Lysia to jump into the world with her bare body like before.

nThat was something she had to do for Evron Grand Duchy.

n‘However… .’

nNo. Nothing will happen between her and Lawrence.

nIf possible, she’ll send Lysia to another place as soon as possible without having to meet with and talk with Lawrence.

nShe was thinking so, and she heard a voice calling.

n“Your Grace, are you not in good health?”

nArtizea came to her senses. Lysia was looking at her with anxiety.

n“Was everything all right?”

n“I’m okay.”

nArtizea muttered in a cracked voice. Lysia carefully checked her complexion.

nThen she smiled reassuringly as the clear light returned to Artizea’s eyes.

n“I was worried. I wondered if something had happened with your brother.”

n“No. What’s going to happen to me? You’re the one…… nothing happened, right?”

n“It was me who caused something to happen. I’m… I’m sorry.”

n“Sorry?”

nArtizea blinked her eyes. It was because she didn’t know what Lysia was apologizing for.

n“Yes. Your Grace told me not to mix words with Sir Lawrence as much as possible. He is in a very sensitive position to Your Grace…… “

nLysia added as her excuse.

n“I didn’t forget it, but I didn’t notice who he was. I’m sorry. I’m so stupid.”

nLysia should have been more careful, she herself regretted so.

nSomething was gritty like a thorn in her throat.

nHowever, she calmed her mind without revealing the slightest excitement, or the anxious trembling that crept her back. She did not want to embarrass Artizea.

nIt is this person, not that man, who she should hold hands with.

n‘…..?’

nLysia felt uncomfortable with her own thoughts.

nArtizea exhaled a long sigh. Lysia asked, rolling her eyes anxiously.

n“Am I hurting Your Grace’s honor?”

n“It’s okay, you can hurt that honor.”

n“It’s not okay.”

nLysia’s face turned red.

nArtizea smiled at her. Her long tension was released all at once, making her feel rather laughable.

nLysia carefully reached out her hand. It was against decency and manners, but she wanted to do that for some reason.

nArtizea stared at Lysia in amazement. Lysia held her hand tight. And she laughed with a reddish face.

n