For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 41
While Eugenie Norton and her five husbands enjoyed a peaceful newlywed life, the capital’s social scene was in an uproar.
A woman had swept away all the most eligible suitors in high society!
The fact that she had crashed the wedding of a former lady-in-waiting to the Empress only added fuel to the fire. The tragic bride, Apollin, who had her wedding interrupted, was now pleading with the empress.
“Your Majesty, please help me!”
“Haa… Apollin.”
“Even if she isn’t my blood relative, what Eugenie Norton did is the worst! Shouldn’t she be severely punished to serve as an example?”
Peter Lamburg, who should have been the groom, was still missing, and even the Lamburg family had no idea where their son was. The reason they hadn’t been able to search more diligently was that they were currently struggling under immense financial pressure due to undisclosed business troubles.
Apollin and her mother, Agatha, bit their lips until they bled. At this rate, they would not only fail to gain the Norton family’s wealth. But even if they found the groom, they would be buried in debt.
They needed to at least punish Eugenie and collect a fine.
However, their lifeline, Empress Silvea, looked reluctant.
“…We cannot touch that woman right now.”
“What?! Why not?”
“First, there’s Duke Troys.”
He was the man who had fought on the front lines 1,875 times for the Emperor. Even the Empress couldn’t easily pressure the judges to punish the wife of such a celebrated hero. And it wasn’t just the Duke’s family.
‘Wilberforce was a key player in the recent southern pirate suppression. If we recklessly intervene, it would bring disgrace upon the imperial family.’
Additionally, the wealthy Napier family, known for introducing esteemed works of art to high society, was involved as well. Anyone who sought revenge on Eugenie Norton would likely be crushed by financial power.
‘And even Carter Livingston.’
The family that had been passing down their roles in the capital’s priesthood for generations was now entangled in this situation.
While the Schroder family had had a rocky relationship with the capital’s temple up until a few hundred years ago, they had finally established a foothold after much effort. Disrupting the peace that had only just been achieved was not something anyone was keen to do.
‘We could threaten to cut off the supply of magical ores through the Schroder family.’
But upsetting not just several influential families but also the religious community could lead to dangerous situations. No matter how sympathetic one felt toward the beloved lady-in-waiting and her daughter, they didn’t need to resort to such drastic measures.
‘At least we need to stay safe until Tristan takes his place.’
Crown Prince Tristan, the son of Empress Silvea, was now twenty years old.
True to his age, he caused various troubles, but he remained an invaluable treasure to the Empress. He was someone who would lead her to the most glorious position, surpassing even the husband who had no accomplishments beyond crawling between women’s legs.
However, the Empress couldn’t simply overlook the embarrassment faced by her long-time confidante.
“Agatha. Apollin. Just wait a little longer.”
“Your Majesty…”
“There will soon be a grand birthday banquet for Tristan. Once the major announcement is made there, we will show Eugenie Norton what she’s truly worth.”
“…! Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The mother and daughter bowed their heads repeatedly, overwhelmed with gratitude. But Agatha, while smiling, was gritting her teeth in anger behind the facade.
‘The Empress may be offering her help, but I have to keep my temper in check!’
Could she really just let her obstinate stepdaughter be until the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet? She would find some way to ruin that ridiculous marriage of hers.
But the Empress, unaware of Agatha’s inner turmoil, continued with her jest.
“Hehe, if you need a fiance, should I pair Apollin with Tristan? She is Agatha’s daughter, after all, so it wouldn’t be too much to ask.”
“Th-Thank you, Your Majesty. But that would be too much praise for Apollin.”
In stark contrast to her daughter’s joyful exclamations, Agatha’s face quickly drained of color. Having witnessed the young ladies-in-waiting who had stood beside Silvea die during their youth, Agatha found even a joke about this topic unwelcome.
The thought of the Crown Prince’s true nature made it even worse.
However, the Empress was lost in her own thoughts and did not pay much attention. She recalled the man who had given her the most unsettling feeling among the grooms who had crashed the wedding.
‘Cassius Lysander. There’s something ominous about him.’
Silvea had seen the pests that had been brought in to run the magical ore mines since her childhood. And Cassius Lysander reeked of them.
Having seen it every year until she became the Crown Princess, the feeling whispered that something was amiss.
‘…But those who entered there never came out alive.’
If something felt off, she would simply need to uncover the source.
