C63
“Oh, the hero of Sevran. Welcome, Count Arno.
Despite the hospitality of the once handsome king, Zachary remained silent. Seeing that he was neither friendly nor flattering, the king rejoiced saying that a warrior should have that kind of atmosphere.
Bianca, who was behind Zachary, also bowed to the king. As soon as she did, the king's eyes strayed from Zachary and focused on Bianca. The blue eyes covered with crinkled eyes flashed coldly.
-That is new. He brought his wife.
Bianca smiled slightly and nodded awkwardly. A graceful profile and a relaxed and elegant attitude. But what lurked in her was the anxiety that she might make a mistake. Bianca said quietly, her lashes slightly lowered.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.
“When I learned that the Count was engaged to the Blanchefort family, this old man asked to see the Countess, but he refused. Show it now. Is it her last consideration before my death?
The king's gaze on Bianca was full of favor. As much as he thought of Prince Gautier as his successor, the King was delighted with the Blanchefort family, who supported Prince Gautier.
When Zachary, who was emerging as a hero, married Bianca, the king was as happy as if a member of the royal family had married.
Contrary to the king's excited attitude, Zachary, who had always maintained his nonchalant attitude, answered bluntly.
“My wife's body is weak, so she has been recovering at the estate. And Her Majesty is perfectly well. Please don't joke like that.
“He certainly looks weak…. Health is the most important…
The king muttered to himself and burrowed deep into the throne. It wasn't clear if he was talking to Bianca or to himself.
Bianca, who was overwhelmed by the king's favor, closed her mouth even more.
What could the king like in a young woman he met for the first time? A favor to Zachary, or a favor to the ancient Blanchefort family. One of the two.
Bianca knew she wasn't very attractive or likeable. If she opens her mouth, she will only undermine the affection she has built for others. She prefers to be considered shy. She chose silence and smiled awkwardly. She was a forced smile because she had to keep her mouth shut, since this was a king, and she shouldn't give him the feeling that he didn't like her.
Meanwhile, Bianca felt a lingering gaze on her. That gaze was so deep it prickled her skin. Sweat trickled down Bianca's back, instinctively sensing where that look was coming from. She doesn't know why "he" is looking at her so tenaciously, but if she pretends not to, she'll pass by just fine...
But Bianca's thoughts were shattered to no avail. Because the king spoke to him.
"By the way, this is the first time the Countess has seen my children." This is my oldest son, Prince Gautier, and on the left is my second son, Prince Jacob.
-… Nice to meet you.
Forced to introduce herself, Bianca had no choice but to greet the princes. The reasoning that Bianca distinguished princes by the atmosphere that emanated from her outward appearance was correct. Prince Gautier, who had a soft impression and seemed to like poetry and playing the lute, smiled at his vassal's wife, Bianca. Since Bianca was nothing more than a stepping stone between Arno and the Blancheforts, there would be no reason for Prince Gautier not to treat her kindly.
“Prince Jacob, on the other hand….”
As soon as her eyes met Jacob's, goose bumps broke out on her skin. Jacob, who inherited the blood of the Sevran family, was handsome with bright blonde hair, but the menacing atmosphere around him made him forget about his appearance. Bianca's face hardened at the warning that sounded like a scream that ran up her spine.
They must have been the same blue eyes as Prince Gautier, but Prince Jacob's eyes shone like a beast about to hunt its prey. Even without asking, she could tell that he was the owner of the tenacious gaze that looked at her. Bianca, who felt uncomfortable with her gaze, had no choice but to turn her head first, although it was not polite.
"He's just looking at me because he doesn't like me, it's nothing. For him, Blanchefort and Arno are a thorn in his eye…”
Bianca managed to shake off her anxiety, but her thoughts didn't fade easily. As if he ridiculed Bianca's thoughts, Jacob rolled his eyes, smiled softly, and spoke to Bianca. Contrary to Gautier's soft smile, pretense dripped from him.
"Since you've come all the way to the capital to celebrate Albert's engagement, feel free to let me know if you feel uncomfortable while you're here."
The faces of everyone in the reception room, except the king, hardened at Jacob's remarkably soft words. Jacob's words should have come from Albert's father, Prince Gautier. First of all, he doesn't know if Jacob cared about his nephew Albert or not.
But Albert should be an eyesore to Jacob as he waged a cold war with Gautier for the throne.
Bianca's head swam.
"Tell me something awkward, which must not be true, why the hell is he doing it?"
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't think of anything. Bianca wasn't the only one who couldn't understand Jacob's intentions, Gautier looked at Jacob with questioning eyes. But Jacob just looked at Bianca unashamedly.
Only the king did not realize the subtlety of this situation. The king leaned toward Jacob, who was standing on the left, and asked playfully.
-What are you doing?
“Our hero from Sevran came here early with the young countess, who had been hiding in secret, for my nephew's engagement, as an uncle I must treat them as such.
“I'm proud of you for thinking that.
“Your Majesty, I am now over thirty years old. I am beyond my commendable age.
Seeing the king and Jacob speak in a friendly manner, Prince Gautier laughed awkwardly. When the king laughed, he laughed too, but it was not a situation where he could really laugh.
If he had been a king in the past, he would have quickly read the dispute between his two sons, but now he is old and without energy. Is it because he doesn't want to magnify the situation by turning it upside down? Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know? The king chuckled and said to Zachary.
“The journey must have been difficult, so go inside and rest. Prince Jacob said that, so if you have any trouble, you can always tell the prince.
“…understood, Your Majesty.
Zachary responded with an unflinching and forceful attitude. It was a short reply, but Bianca read the displeasure in it. Perhaps because of the same indifferent expression as always, Bianca was the only one who recognized her innermost thoughts.
Bianca sighed inside. She knew that Zachary was pretty involved in the political fight, but she didn't know that he was involved enough that Jacob would attack her directly.
She would not have come to the capital if she had known she would be scrutinized so openly. Life in the capital did not seem easy.
* * *
Bianca walked out of the reception room and let out a breath she'd been holding. Her fingertips were cold because she was still nervous.
Zachary kept his mouth shut and walked around looking straight ahead. Bianca also chose to remain silent since he seemed uncomfortable. It would do no good to irritate him.
As if he had escaped from the reception room to some extent, as he passed through the hall, Zachary suddenly said.
“…If you need anything, just tell me.
Zachary's words were sudden, and Bianca was lost and silent. It wasn't until a moment later that Bianca realized that Zachary's story was due to Jacob's words.
Zachary turned to Bianca. Her black eyes even looked anxious. He maybe he thought Bianca was silent because of her worries, Zachary continued to warn.
"You must never call him."
"I, too, am Blanchefort's daughter." I know very well that you and I should not be close to the second Prince, since our marriage was to support the first Prince
—……
Did Zachary really think he was going to call Prince Jacob? So he must have thought of her as an idiot. Bianca herself knew how the political situation worked and what was correct in such a situation.
Bianca tried to reassure Zachary by reminding him of the political situation she had sensed, instead of getting angry with him. But Zachary's face still looked troubled.
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