Published at 23rd of September 2019 01:20:06 PM
Chapter 58: 58
Chapter 58 – Duke Elgy’s Warning (1)
The stronger the light, the more visible the shadows .
Duchess Tuania had reigned as a pillar of high society for twenty years, and as such had accumulated many enemies . However, with all her laurels and repute, even they couldn’t speak ill of her . They remained quiet, but were always anxious to talk about her faults .
Rashta’s comments in front of Duchess Tuania yesterday afternoon had given them the ammunition they needed . Those who secretly hated the duchess gathered in Rashta’s reception room to laugh and gossip .
“Actually, Miss Rashta complained a little after hearing Duchess Tuania’s words . ”
“To be honest, does she truly have only five lovers? How many men chase after her? Are they all unrequited loves?”
“The duchess does get around . ”
“The real Empress always sits quietly, while Duchess Tuania always carries her head as if she were the queen of society . ”
To them, Rashta was like a shield—someone who could speak out plainly and badly against Duchess Tuania, but who would not be ignored by society . All they had to do was to air their catty remarks behind the shield that was Rashta .
“Rashta only said what she heard…”
“To be honest, the rumors have been around for a while . I couldn’t speak about them because I didn’t have the right words, and I was afraid of being caught by the duchess’ followers . ”
“Aren’t those followers strange too?”
The nobles whispered with Rashta in the middle, and it was not until three or four hours later that they stood up .
“How did Rashta do?”
As soon as they left, Rashta approached Duke Elgy, who had been watching the conversation from the sidelines . He smiled, lowering his eyes .
“Well done, Miss . ”
Rashta twisted her body back and forth at his compliment .
“It’s alright?”
“Yes . Nice start . ”
“But…will people turn away from Duchess Tuania?”
“No, not too much at the moment . ”
“Right now, just this . Checking to see if there are any complaints . Stirring things up . ”
“Oh…then what should I do now?”
As Duke Elgy looked at Rashta’s naive expression, he burst into laughter and rose from his chair .
“You can do it all by yourself from now on, right?”
“Rashta doesn’t like this—”
“As I said, Miss . ”
He approached Rashta, then leaned down and whispered in her ear .
“You’re cute, but I told you it’s hard to deceive me in areas like this . ”
“Tch . ”
Rashta shot him a look of loathing, and Duke Elgy chuckled .
“I’m not insulting you, so don’t be upset . ”
Rashta pouted and raised her eyebrows . Duke Elgy opened the door of the reception room and walked out into the hallway .
“Where are you going?”
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Rashta ran to his side, and he turned and shook his head .
“I’m going out for a while . You don’t have to come . I’m not going for a stroll . ”
“Where?”
“Just…wait . ”
About four to six times a year a massive public ball was held, an event where even commoners could attend . I was in the middle of a long conversation with the culture minister to decide on the date . He hurriedly excused himself to go the bathroom, and I stepped outside the office for a moment to relieve my fatigued eyes .
‘I’ll take a walk . ’
I stared down the long corridor and began to walk slowly, hoping to relax . After only a few steps, however, I noticed Duke Elgy leaning on a pillar not far away . Why was he standing there? When I stopped and looked at him, he smiled and straightened himself to bow to me .
“I’ve been waiting here for three hours . You must be very busy . ”
His wavy, golden hair swayed with his bow . I became all the more curious—he waited three hours just to see me? I tried to remember if he had a prearranged meeting with me . If it was urgent, he should have sent someone to give a report…
“How can I help you?”
Duke Elgy smiled and murmured, “Ah . Straight to the main point . ”
“Very good . Quick . Do you happen to know I’m a friend of Heinley’s?”
“I heard . ”
“You heard . ”
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“You heard it . ”
What on earth did he come here to say? Duke Elgy mumbled ‘heard’ to himself and suddenly frowned and looked down at the floor . An awkward silence passed . He stood there for about three minutes before he spoke again .
“I’ve heard from Heinley a few times about you, Your Majesty . Did Heinley say anything about me?”
Not often, but once . And it wasn’t flattering .
“I haven’t heard much . ”
I answered him honestly, and he fixed me with his gaze as he took a couple steps closer .
“Did he say anything strange?”
“Strange…?”
“Anything unpleasant . ”
Heinley did, but I couldn’t answer that . I shook my head and said no, while Duke Elgy sighed and placed his hand on his forehead .
“It’s just the way he is . He always says bad things about me to someone he likes . ”
Prince Heinley?
“He’s been telling people I’m a cursed doll or a living ghost story…”
“It’s a lie, so there’s no need for you to pay attention to it . ”
” …I don’t know why you’re saying this to me, or your intentions . ”
“When I saw you yesterday, I didn’t think you would socialize with people like Heinley . ”
“What kind of person is that?”
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“The same kind as Heinley and me . Someone who’s frivolous . ”
Yesterday I had only smiled and nodded my head, and barely opened my mouth to say hello . When the tea party was cut short, I left . He had barely seen me and decided what kind of person I was from that?
“But if there is a difference, Heinley is a man who wants someone to be his complete opposite, and as for me, I’m a frivolous man who wants to get along with frivolous people . ”
“Does that mean I’m not fit to be the prince’s friend?”
“No, I’m here to give you some advice . ”
Advice?
“Heinley is a two-faced man, Your Majesty . He says one thing in front of you, and does something different from behind . He can both smile and hurt people . ”
“Don’t trust the sweets he offers . ”
“Aren’t you Prince Heinley’s close friend?”
Why would Prince Heinley and Duke Elgy speak ill of each other? As soon as I spoke, Duke Elgy smiled nonchalantly .
“It was Heinley who called me here in the first place . Didn’t he say that?”
He shook his head and continued .
“For a few years Heinley’s been setting up—”
Before he could finish speaking, there was a knock on the wall . I turned around, and saw Sovieshu staring at me and Duke Elgy .
“Another foreigner again . ”
Duke Elgy bowed at Sovieshu and left with an innocent smile .