Chapter 51: Royal Scandal (Part 2)
“Darling. Ah~”
Ascal reflexively chewed on the strawberry that entered his mouth. The sweet pulp spread inside, a testament to its quality.
These strawberries, supplied exclusively to the royal family, were grown on prime land, carefully selected for the best variety, and nurtured with songs and care.
“No need to feed me directly, though.”
“But isn’t this necessary to keep other ladies at bay, by showing we are lovers?”
Serena, not bothering to listen, pushed another strawberry into Ascal’s mouth. She was determined not to waste this opportunity.
From the day she found out that Ascal was the Prince of the Night.
Serena had stolen a kiss from Ascal’s lips.
That was fine up to that point.
But after that, Serena confined herself.
The reason was simple.
On a cold night, wandering outside had led her to catch the worst cold of her life, a flu resistant to healing magic.
For a whole week.
She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, only recently able to move again. Despite the doctor’s advice for a period of rest, the news of Ascal’s arrival at the palace had her leaping out of bed.
There were even rumors of thieving cats clinging to Ascal.
At first, Serena felt her blood boil upon hearing this, but then realized it was an opportunity.
And the plan flowed as she thought.
“We’ve already had our first kiss, haven’t we?”
“...You stole it.”
“Hmm, I was testing. So, it was indeed the first? Haven’t gone that far with Yulia?”
“With her...”
It was a close call.
Ascal spoke coolly.
“Access to further information requires authority beyond the level of a department Director.”
“What a shame.”
Serena smacked her lips. Anyway, judging by the reaction, it seemed that Ascal and Yulia weren’t that deeply involved.
‘After being by his side for so long, is that all you have, Yulia? If it were me, I would have already had his child.’
Serena scoffed at Yulia.
Then.
“Miss Serena! Urgent news!”
“What is it?”
Her maid and confidant, Rosa, hurried in.
In front of her beloved.
Serena elegantly lifted her teacup in response.
“Princess Yulia is heading this way, furious! And she’s even carrying a sword!”
Pff!
She choked.
Serena spat out her tea.
‘Oh, what a disgrace.’
First, Serena wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and then looked up to see if any tea had splashed on Ascal.
“You always make a mess, don’t you?”
And what she saw was Yulia, who had already arrived in the royal garden, wiping the tea off Ascal with a handkerchief.
“I heard you were busy with official duties. Must be something urgent to neglect your superior’s request to come here?”
“Thanks to someone.”
Yulia sat down.
So at the table, Ascal, then Serena, and Yulia sat in that order.
An uncomfortable atmosphere lingered.
“Did you hear? Yulia? About us dating.”
Of course, she knew.
She must have heard the news and rushed to the palace. Serena smiled a Victor’s smile. But Yulia said.
“Who do you think you’re fooling? Obviously, it’s a fake relationship.”
“Hmm. Fake relationship? We’re actually in love.”
“I heard about the ladies throwing themselves at Ascal. And after you declared your relationship with him, Serena, it stopped. Quite obvious, isn’t it? He just went along with it, no choice.”
“Sounds like a plausible theory.”
“And Ascal, he doesn’t like women of your type.”
Crack.
It sounded as if a fissure had formed on Serena’s forehead.
Ascal tried to sneak away from his seat, but Yulia didn’t let him escape.
“Ascal.”
“Yes.”
“If you’re going to have a fake relationship, do it with me.”
Serena interjected.
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t your superior be labeled a playboy? Isn’t it more stable to continue with me?”
“You can’t be trusted.”
“Hmm. Maybe I should.”
And then Serena turned to look at Ascal.
“You’ll continue the fake relationship with me, right?”
“Ascal. Trust me. It’s better to pretend with me.”
Caught between the intense gazes of both women, Ascal coughed awkwardly.
“Well, I...”
****
----
◆The Empire’s Hidden Dragon, or should we say, the Empire’s Playboy! Now spotted in a secret rendezvous with the Third Princess!
Count of Erindale, Ascal, recently revealed to be in a romantic relationship with the Second Princess, was seen last evening in an informal conversation with the Third Princess...
----
“What’s this now?”
Ascal, reading the newspaper, commented in disbelief.
Last night, he had returned to his room, pondering over his dilemma, only to wake up to such an article this morning.
He had thought the imperial newspaper, with its cultured journalists and esteemed commentators, wouldn’t publish such falsehoods. It was a great disappointment.
‘I should formally protest.’
With that thought, Ascal stepped outside.
Just then, the young ladies were enjoying an early brunch.
Ascal instinctively tried to avoid them, but ended up making eye contact.
“Oh my! Lord Ascal!!! Who are you planning to date today?”
“The cold Second Princess! Or the mysterious Third Princess!?”
But the ladies’ reactions were slightly different.
It was as if they were watching the male protagonist of the latest popular daily drama.
Ascal passed by the ladies without a word.
“How can he be so aloof, no wonder he can charm the princesses simultaneously...”
“Even his back is cold, feels like I might freeze...”
It was absolutely maddening.
Even Count Saynan couldn’t help but say to Ascal,
“Wouldn’t you share your secret with me? How on earth do you manage to charm both princesses at the same time... Count! Count!”
Ascal hurried to Serena.
.
.
.
“It seems we have a problem.”
Ascal showed the newspaper article to Serena.
She laughed.
“Why is this a problem? It’s rather something to be thankful for.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll understand soon. Look.”
Serena kissed Ascal on the cheek.
Passing young ladies screamed in excitement.
“Congratulations on becoming the Empire’s most popular figure.”
.
.
.
-----
◆The Empire’s Playboy, now receiving a kiss from the Second Princess...
-----
“...Is this really a newspaper?”
Ascal felt like he understood what Serena meant about becoming popular.
He protested to the imperial newspaper, but only got a response saying the higher-ups would review it. In other words, it was utterly ineffective.
The Empire had no TV or dramas. The only media available were newspapers or Magistone Receivers, accessible only to a few wealthy individuals.
Virtually all citizens read the imperial newspaper, giving it tremendous authority.
And constantly on the front page of this influential paper were news about Ascal’s love life.
“Kyaa!!! It’s Lord Ascal!!! Please, sign here!”
The reaction of the young ladies had intensified even more, as if they were seeing a celebrity.
“We shouldn’t approach Lord Ascal, we can only silently admire him from afar.”
“Of course, Lord Ascal and the Second Princess are a perfect match.”
“What are you saying? Were you always for the Second Princess?”
“Huh?”
The young ladies’ argument escalated, even coming close to physical confrontation, forcing Ascal to intervene.
Ascal sighed.
How did things end up like this?
****
“Oh, Ascal. You’re hard to spot these days.”
“Your Highness! You shouldn’t approach me!”
“What are you talking about? It’s a beautiful day, why not go hunting together?”
“...I did warn you.”
“?”
.
.
.
.
-----
◆The Empire’s Playboy, Ascal. Was his love life not just about women? Is he pursuing a forbidden love?
-----
“What is this...”
Prince Kain, lost for words, stared at the newspaper. The imperial newspaper was enjoying its heyday, thanks largely to the royal scandals.
And now, even the Crown Prince was caught in its grasp.
“This is absurd, even for a free press like the imperial newspaper... I must demand a correction immediately...”
Ascal calmly responded to the agitated prince.
“It’s too late.”
“Kyaaa! Your Highness! Look this way, please!”
The Crown Prince had become part of the royal scandal.
Cast: Ascal Erindale, Serena Barba, Yulia Barba, and Kain Barba.
Popularity: 80%
“It’s easier to give up. It’s not so bad enjoying this.”
****
Fortunately, as quickly as the public’s interest flared, it faded. After a few months, the royal scandal thankfully subsided, and rumors even began circulating that it was all orchestrated by the royal family.
However, during this time, the royal family, previously seen as strict and rigid, became more relatable to the citizens, earning newfound respect.
“I wonder who Ascal ended up dating~”
Sushia giggled.
Amidst the chaos, Ascal, having returned to his desolate office at the Evaluation Department, stood up from his chair.
Thud!
“Ah, ah! Minister-nim?”
Ascal cornered Sushia, her heart racing.
“You should choose your teasing targets more wisely, Sushia.”
Ascal laughed and sat back down.
Thump.
Sushia collapsed, her legs giving out.
“Indeed, the Empire’s greatest playboy. His name will forever be synonymous with it...”
To calm her racing heart, Sushia consumed five cups of cocoa and ten cookies in the office.
Ascal regretted.
.
.
.
In a dark room.
The leader of the Spider whispered in a sinister tone.
“Ascal... What a terrifying man. Not only has he eliminated two of our legs, but he’s also concocted such a scheme...”
Despite their numerous machinations spreading rumors about the imperial family, public opinion had completely reversed.
“To think a single scandal could turn around the plummeting reputation of the royal family... We’re utterly defeated.”
The forger conceded defeat.
Ascal Debrue, or rather Ascal Erindale.
He had become the greatest threat to the Spider.
