Chapter 27: A Frenzied Party (3)

“...So that’s what happened.”

Sushia explained the whole situation to Ascal.

How a simple tea party had blown up into such a grand event.

Who ended up attending the party.

Throughout her explanation, Sushia looked close to tears.

With the Duchess declaring a strike, Sushia had to take over the responsibility of hosting the party. Even if the servants and the Duke helped to some extent, it was clear she was overwhelmed.

But what if Ascal, whose stock had recently skyrocketed, became the face of the event?

It would be a breath of fresh air for Sushia as the organizer.

Hearing this, Ascal nodded in understanding.

“You must’ve had a tough time, Sushia.”

“Do you understand?”

Sushia’s eyes glistened with tears.

As expected, the only one who understood her was Ascal.

“Then, work hard. I believe in you, Sushia. Let’s meet again with smiles later.”

“Director-nim! Please don’t leave!”

The young noble lady clung to his leg, crying.

Ascal was taken aback.

“Let go!”

“No, no! I won’t let go! Didn’t we promise to be together till the end of hell?”

“I never made such a promise.”

It was more than just making a fool out of oneself.

It felt like showing everything, scraping even the bottom of the barrel.

But no matter how much Sushia pleaded, Ascal had no intention of attending the party.

It was because there were more than one or two landmines.

The Crown Prince alone was enough pressure. Add to that the 2nd Princess Serena, whom he met as the Prince of the Night, and even Lia, who was now in a ‘Third Imperial Princess mode’.

While he could avoid Serena, he had doubts about how to behave the moment he met Lia.

To put the situation in perspective, it was as if his younger sister, who usually lounges around at home, was all dressed up with full makeup and hanging out with notorious friends.

It was like accidentally making eye contact with her on the street.

-“Hey, who’s that?”

-“I don’t know. Why are you looking?”

‘Just thinking about it is horrifying.’

After much thought, the best option was not showing up at all.

“Well, I should be going then...”

“Ahem.”

A bigwig had arrived.

The one who revealed himself in the reception room was Duke Senestia.

Ascal quickly stood up from his seat.

“Your Grace, it’s an honor to meet you...”

“Enough with the formal greetings.”

The Duke waved it off, but Ascal didn’t buy it. Fully immersed in the Oriental Confucian spirit and familiar with the class culture of the administration, Ascal perfectly understood the hidden message behind those words.

To interpret it:

-I don’t want to be the old man who demands greetings first, so you better greet me properly on your own.

Maintaining impeccable manners, Ascal greeted the Duke.

“Haha, the youth nowadays are quite bright in their greetings.”

‘Success.’

With his mood significantly lifted, the pleased-looking Duke sat opposite Ascal.

“I heard that my daughter has been relying on you a lot at work lately.”

“Well... That’s not true...”

Or was it?

Could he confidently say that it really wasn’t?

Ascal, of course, often made empty remarks.

But wasn’t this more than just a frivolous statement? Wasn’t this a lie that shouldn’t ever appear in the imperial history? As he pondered deeply, the Duke lowered his head.

“I truly am sorry, Ascal.”

It was an unexpected apology.

Surprised, Ascal bowed his head in return.

“She’s always been a handful, and now she’s even burdened with this party... Truly, I have no face to show as a father.”

'...!'

'So that was why he was acting this way.'

Ascal realized the Duke’s intentions.

Undoubtedly, the Duke had overheard the conversation with Sushia.

But pretending not to know, he smoothly established the fact of his participation in the party as a given.

No matter how amiable he looked, he was the Duke of the Empire. Such political maneuvering came as naturally to him as breathing.

“I’m the one who’s truly without face.”

“...Why is that?”

“As her superior and close friend, I can’t help Sushia in her distress and must leave. If only my relative wasn’t seriously ill... Damn it!”

However, Ascal wasn’t about to be taken advantage of either.

He employed a skill honed over a long time, the ‘sick relative’ card.

What could he do about a relative having a serious illness? What if he didn’t go and they died?

‘How are you planning to handle this lie, Duke?’

Upon hearing Ascal’s words, the Duke responded as if sympathizing.

“As one gets to my age, friends and relatives often fall ill. I understand. That’s why you can’t just ignore it. You mentioned an ill relative? Tell me the exact location. I’ll send the best clergyman I know.”

‘Damn it.’

This was a countermove unheard of in modern times.

Not wanting to be caught in a lie, he gave the actual address of his relative. He felt a slight regret for his relative who might now receive an unexpected visit from a clergyman.

Ascal felt powerless.

Could he really not outsmart the Duke? What could be the way out of this predicament...

Wait.

There was one way.

“Honestly, I don’t want to attend the party.”

“…!”

Sometimes, honesty is the answer.

“It’s intimidating. How would a mere Grade 5 official fare in a gathering where the Crown Prince and all the Princesses attend? If I commit any impropriety, the consequences would be dire. This party is well beyond my league.”

“If that’s the case, there’s not much to be done.”

The Duke easily conceded.

It seemed there was no counterargument to Ascal’s logic.

It was a victory.

He had just won a verbal duel against Duke Senestia, a heavyweight who had maneuvered in political arenas for decades. Ascal had to resist the urge to celebrate.

“Then we should prepare for your wedding with Sushia. What date works for you?”

‘…What in the world is he talking about?’

“What do you mean by that?”

“Didn’t my daughter cling to your leg earlier? Many have witnessed it. If rumors spread, she won’t be able to marry elsewhere. Wouldn’t you have to take responsibility then?”

Was this a medieval marriage attack?

Facing such an attack for the first time, Ascal’s head spun.

“I’ll just attend the party.”

“Good decision.”

****

Ascal was getting made up.

His hair and eyebrows were meticulously groomed by the Duke’s personal stylist, while the tailor took his measurements for the outfit. They even applied powder to brighten his complexion.

“Stop! I have had enough…”

“We’re almost done. Please bear with it.”

An hour after that, the makeover was finally completed.

The beautician showed Ascal a mirror.

There was a completely different man reflected in it.

It felt as if his original self had been spread with a spoonful of butter and then lightly topped with caviar.

“Wow. Might this be somewhat to my taste?”

Sushia remarked from behind with an air of admiration.

“For the record, you’re not my taste.”

“That’s harsh.”

While Sushia, donned in a dress, could easily be described as beautiful, Ascal, knowing her true nature, couldn’t bring himself to pay a compliment.

“It’s about time for the party to start. I’ll go ahead. Make sure you come later, okay? You can’t run away. I’ll chase you to the end if I have to.”

“Alright.”

The graceful heiress of the Senestia Ducal House, Sushia, left her spot.

It was almost time for the party to begin.

As the host, even ten pairs of legs wouldn’t be enough.

‘As for me... I can take my time. Maybe I’ll bake some cookies?’

Ascal decided to borrow the kitchen.

****

Serena Barba was waiting.

She was the type who valued practicality to the extreme. Even if it was a renowned party at the esteemed Senestia Ducal House, she wouldn’t attend if there was no benefit.

There were two reasons she willingly set foot here.

Firstly, to keep an eye on the Crown Prince.

She needed to know who Kain was having secret talks with and whom he was getting close to.

Secondly, to scout for valuable talents.

Serena’s information network was second to none in the empire. If someone had a vulnerability, she’d exploit it; if they had a desire, she’d provide for it.

That was Serena’s way.

However, there always seemed to be exceptions.

‘Ascal Debrue.’

No matter how thoroughly investigated, not a speck of dirt was found on him. She even wondered if he could be linked through bribery, but all such assets, it seemed, had been donated.

What kind of anomaly was this?

‘I want to understand you.’

Was he truly the Sleeping or hidden Dragon as the citizens of the empire claimed? Or was he just a commoner with extraordinary luck?

“Sir Ascal Debrue has arrived!”

A servant’s announcement echoed through the hall. Serena’s eyes shifted, spotting Ascal walking in from a distance.

Here, it was customary for the elders and superiors to greet first. The first was the host, the Duke Senestia, followed by Crown Prince Kain.

****

Serena assessed Ascal.

‘B-rank.’

He was quite handsome. If rumors were to be believed, he had significant capabilities. However, his background was scant, and understanding his true foundation was challenging.

In Serena’s current assessment, Ascal Debrue was B-rank.

Of course, even being B-rank held significant worth. Most of the nobility, in Serena’s eyes, barely scraped C or D-rank.

The nobles were keenly observing Ascal.

But for now, they were on edge, waiting for Serena’s lead.

Taking a step forward, Serena approached Ascal.

“Would you honor me with a dance?”

Serena’s eyes sparkled.

‘I will be your backbone, raising you to A-rank.’

Serena never thought her proposal would be declined.

That was, until a moment ago.

“I apologize. My leg’s troubling me. Excuse me.”

Ascal simply vanished.

Serena Barba stood alone on the dance floor.

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