Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 81
Before the official events at the Imperial Palace, House Arcturus was as bustling as any noble household. This was indeed a time for forging or breaking new relationships.
From tea parties to banquets running until the early hours, various kinds of invitations flew into the mansion.
After spending a considerable time sorting them, Izar scoffed at a few that specifically mentioned ‘couples invited.’
‘Their ulterior motives are crystal clear.’
With a crooked smile on his lips, Izar could see through the blatantly obvious intent of seeing the living blemish of the duke’s household.
The shepherdess had indeed managed herself surprisingly well so far, but she was not accustomed to the subtly cultured conversations typical among nobles.
‘Far from it, she might not even catch on and could end up being ridiculed.’
He was already annoyed at the thought of people laughing at him, but the thought of the shepherdess being surrounded and subtly mocked by others made his stomach churn.
As Izar’s expression darkened, Charles picked up an invitation with a purple envelope sealed with a golden wax stamp.
“How about a visit to the Magus Academy, my lord?”
“They contacted us from such a place?”
“Yes. It would be a good opportunity, wouldn’t it?”
The Academy was a place any nobility with an interest in magical studies would gladly accept an invitation from, and Arcturus was no stranger to such circles.
“His Highness the Imperial Grandson is personally involved with this institution. It seems like a good opportunity for a discreet meeting.”
“Indeed.”
The institution was a place the Imperial Grandson visited without the emperor’s entourage, under the guise of verifying academic progress. Coordinating a meeting with him there should be no challenge.
‘Under this damned emperor, no matter what feats Arcturus achieves, it’s ruined.’
It was crucial to secure favor for when the next in line ascends the throne as quickly as possible… and to make sure he doesn’t carry on his twisted father’s grudges.
However…
Izar took the letter while masking his displeasure.
‘I wonder who really initiated this, seeing only the institution’s name on the sender’s address.’
That damned Albireo Deneb. Wasn’t he affiliated here?
‘That women-obsessed bastard.’
While he was dealing with the Imperial Grandson and others, Albireo Deneb would surely be sneakily circling the shepherdess. Probably thrilled to be by her side, like a fly buzzing around its territory.
And she would just smile politely in return…
‘I should ignore it.’
There were more urgent matters to deal with than to fuel such imaginations. It was time he really started practicing not to pay any attention to the shepherdess.
“We’ll visit the academy. Arrange a suitable date.”
“Yes. But… my lord, I have something to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“By any chance, have you developed any affection for the Madam after the monster attack?”
Having seen Izar distance himself from Freesia after the attack, Charles found it difficult to gauge his lord’s feelings. As far as he knew, it was the first time his lord had ever been close to a woman.
Izar frowned slightly at the question.
“What an interesting question, Charles. Are you that curious about my personal feelings?”
A question that could border on disrespect, not about the flaws of the marriage but about his personal feelings?
Charles bowed deeply, taking this as his last chance.
“Please forgive me for making such a statement… However, rumors are starting to spread among some knights that you are bewitched by the Madam.”
“Absurd.”
“Still, if Your Grace does bear feelings for her, wouldn’t she have been of a status to be kept as a concubine?”
“…”
“Due to her status, I fear it could further tarnish the family’s reputation.”
Izar turned away indifferently at Charles’s advice.
A bastard was indeed against the doctrines of Adamant, so even if she hailed from Antares, Charles wasn’t wrong. But…
‘Bewitched?’
Was that how one describes being irresistibly drawn to her?
Moreover, a concubine? The shepherdess as a concubine after taking another woman as his proper wife?
“Ha.”
Izar let out a cold scoff unwittingly.
In his imagination, neglecting a ‘wife’ while searching only for the shepherdess meant for a concubine’s quarters and favoring only the children born between them.
It was no different from those who disdainfully used a bastard for convenience only to complicate things later, much like his own mother and the previous Duke Antares.
“Charles, I will not make that woman my concubine.”
“However…”
“There has never been a change in my plans to expel her. Is that answer sufficient?”
“…Yes. Please forgive my impertinent question.”
Relieved by Izar’s firm response, Charles internally sighed.
‘Maybe there’s no need to use the drug the Elder Madam entrusted to me.’
Izar opened up, more to reassure Charles than to cut off his own hesitations with words.
“Don’t worry. I’ll speak to that woman soon when the time is right.”
“May I ask what you intend to say?”
“…”
The necessary words were clear.
‘Our marriage was void from the start, and we have no relation whatsoever.’
He had never desired to have her as his wife, and he did not want to be swayed by foolish thoughts of holding on to her while bearing the dishonor she brings to his family name.
So, just stay quiet here until you leave.
‘Given all the restrictions I’ve placed on her role as a wife, what could she possibly do?’
…Yet, there was no need to spell it all out so thoroughly.
Izar’s gaze momentarily shifted towards the door.
“It’s obvious how much of a burden she is to this family.”
“…”
“She is not a foolish woman, so that alone should suffice.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Charles accepted that explanation and quietly left the room.
However, Izar knew without looking that there was someone else lingering by the door.
