A Captive Prince Awaiting Execution Falls In Love With A Young Lady - Episode 16

“Wow. There are so many! Chef, you really worked hard.”

On the table lined up against the west wall, there were trays and plates, light snacks and fruits arranged on the tea stand, as well as cakes and baked goods.

“The chef who made that pudding?”

Sirius took the champagne glass from the nearby butler and downed it.

The fine bubbles burst in his throat as they went down. The refreshing scent of white grapes wafted through his nose, and for a moment, Sirius savored that aroma.

“Yeah! After that, I thanked them. I said it was definitely better than the pudding that didn’t turn out right.”

Judith smiled, holding the plate she received from the butler, her eyes sparkling as she wondered which one to eat.

I think Judith’s good points are things like this.

Things that made me happy, things that went well, things that I enjoyed.

Directly convey your thanks to the person who prepared and organized it.

There are hardly any children of high-ranking nobles.

Just like Timothy and Douglas earlier. They look for others’ flaws, use others’ failures as gossip, and try to attack someone without even stepping into the ring themselves.

Regarding parenting, Prince Kunchi often faces criticism for being permissive, but seeing that no one speaks ill of his sons and daughters, it can be said that the couple’s parenting has been successful.

“Let’s go with this one!”

What Judith placed on the plate were waffles generously topped with raspberry jam and cheesecake cut into bite-sized pieces.

Receiving the fork, I move to a relatively less crowded space with Sirius.

“By the way, what about the Minister of the Imperial Household?”

Looking around the venue, Sirius asked.

So far, I haven’t seen a glimpse of them.

“I think she’ll probably be here soon. I think she’s changing into her costume for the next dance.”

“Oh, the first dance.”

“The host will dance, right? Mom is in the middle of changing costumes too. This jam is delicious!”

Hmm, squinting my eyes.

Honestly, I was just admiring how cute she is, and then I noticed blueberry jam on Judith’s mouth.

“Judith. Here, jam.”

“Huh? Is it on? Here?”

“No, that’s not right.”

“Over here?”

“No, that’s not it. You’re so frustrating.”

Sirius bent down.

“Just stay still for a moment.”

“Yeah”

Sirius cradled Judith’s face with both hands. He then wiped the thick purple jam from the corner of her lips with his thumb.

“That’s enough. …Oh, you’re right. This jam is really good.”

“Hey, don’t just lick that. If you eat it yourself…”

Judith’s words of “It’s fine” are drowned out by the yellow voices.

Apparently, the girls from earlier were watching Sirius and the others from a distance.

“I did something childish.”

“Geez! It’s all Sirius’s fault!”

In a hurry, Judith finished the remaining cake, returned the plate to the butler, and took Sirius’s arm.

Sirius quickly took her arm and blended into the crowd.

“If my mother had seen that scene earlier, she would have gotten angry. Oh, right.”

Judith blinked and looked up at Sirius after speaking.

“You have something to discuss with Father, right? Don’t worry, I’ve already informed him. I arranged for a little time after the ball.”

“Oh, I see. That’s good.”

I thought even a brief chat would be enough, but with Judith talking like this, it seems we can have a proper conversation in the room.

While thinking like that, I tilted my champagne glass and suddenly glanced around the venue.

And then.

I couldn’t help but stop.

No.

It felt like all the bl00d in my body froze instantly, and I became a statue.

(That person…)

The lady who came as a substitute caregiver.

I felt like I saw that lady at the venue.

“Sirius… Adam Jones?”

Asked with a puzzled expression, Sirius finally comes to his senses.

And while keeping Judith’s arm in her grasp, she quickened her pace towards the place where the lady was likely to be.

“Huh, what’s wrong?!”

Even though I was pressed for time to respond to the questions, I kept moving forward.

She was nowhere to be found.

(Was it just my eyes playing tricks on me?)

I thought so, but I quickly changed my mind and thought, “No.”

It’s a lookout.

It might be a lookout sent by my brother-in-law.

Sirius thought about consulting with the Marquis today. About his reckless brother-in-law’s plan.

That.

Didn’t she come to scout in order to stop it?

If that’s the case, it might be dangerous to mention my brother-in-law today.

“Are you okay? You look pale.”

Before I knew it, Judith was peering at my face with a worried expression.

“Oh… Sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew, but now that I think about it, there’s no way someone I know would be here.”

Deliberately act silly and show a laugh.

Judith was still gazing at Sirius with concern, but she lightly tugged at his arm.

“Let’s go over there. I want to see the orchestra perform up close.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Sirius nodded, and it was when he began to walk through the venue again with her.

I noticed that the entire venue had started to buzz.

“Ah”

Stopping in her tracks, Judith squinted her eyes with delight.

“Here come Father and the others.”

I see, Sirius also agreed.

The participants are bowing in order from the entrance area.

Walking towards us while politely greeting everyone is Count Cornelius and his wife.

Aside from the Marquis of the Imperial Court, it is rare for Sirius to see his wife.

She said she changed into a dance dress, but her beauty and youth are such that they rival the splendor of the dress. She has a graceful and slender figure that makes it hard to believe she has given birth to five children, including Judith.

“Judith’s mom is incredibly beautiful.”

I ended up saying something like that, and Judith laughed at me.

“It’s tough every day. Applying beauty cream, doing mud packs for my hair. If my clothes feel even a little tight, it’s a huge fuss. Apple diet, whatever diet method, they all love that stuff. Since all the maids who like that kind of thing gather together, they all have fun and giggle about it.”

“Is Judith not joining in?”

“Boring. I’d rather be competing against Mr. Sanders.”

This time, it was Sirius’s turn to laugh so hard he held his stomach.

“Huh? Something… is coming this way?”

The Cornelius Marquis and his wife, after greeting several high-ranking nobles, walked straight towards Sirius and Judith.

“That can’t be true. Because you said you would spend time with Sirius after the ball.”

Judith had a puzzled expression, but the couple eventually came before Sirius and the others, smiling cheerfully.

“Hey, Adam Jones. It’s a nice night, isn’t it?”

At the words of Count Cornelius, the lady furrowed her neatly groomed eyebrows and looked up at her husband.

“Well, what a bland name. You could have chosen something better. Right, Judith?”

He opened the fan and looked at Judith as if seeking her approval. Judith shrugged slightly and then looked back and forth between her parents.

“More importantly, what’s wrong? Wasn’t it after the ball?”

“About that, I’m sorry. It seems I won’t be able to find the time after all.”

Count Cornelius surveyed his surroundings.

There were a few nobles who seemed like they wanted to say something, but perhaps sensing something, they bowed and walked away.

At least it seems that by speaking in a low voice, we were able to keep people from eavesdropping.

“If there’s anything you can talk about right now, I would like to hear it.”

Cornelius, the Marquis of the Imperial Court, said, and Sirius was bewildered.

Should I say it?

About my brother-in-law.

I almost opened my mouth.

I intend to inform you about my brother-in-law’s rebellion.

However.

Suddenly, something caught the corner of my eye: the lady’s fan. Watching her fan as she swayed it gently to cover her mouth.

I realize, “Oh, right.”

That lady is at this venue.

Even if the voice can’t be heard, they might notice through lip reading.

Sirius is trying to expose it to Duke Cornelius.

If that happens.

That brother-in-law might act quickly, and I don’t know what he might do to Judith or Duke Cornelius.

Things like this are definitely more advantageous if you take the initiative.

“…Um, I haven’t quite sorted it out in my mind yet.”

Reluctantly, Sirius broached the subject.

“Could you please make time for us to talk again?”

When I conveyed that, Count Cornelius of the Imperial Court silently looked at Sirius for a while. However, he smiled gently and nodded.

“Got it. Sorry for today, I couldn’t find the time.”

“No, not at all.”

“Well then, from my side…”

“Huh?”

Cornelius, the Duke of the Imperial Court, deepened his smile at Sirius, who blinked in confusion.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Me…?”

“It’s more of a request than something I want to convey.”

“What’s that, Father? I won’t allow you to make unreasonable demands of Sirius.”

“Judith says that, huh? Aren’t you always asking Sirius for impossible things?”

“I didn’t say anything. Hey, Sirius?”

“Why are you silent?”

With a sulky expression, Judith spoke, and Lady Cornelius, the court lady, laughed out loud. Watching this with a satisfied look, Lord Cornelius said to Sirius.

“Two days later, I want you to go to the royal capital with me.”

Sirius stared blankly at Count Cornelius for a while, and then finally asked, “Huh?”