Chapter 38: Icarus Acting Differently Than Usual

A scream?

Young Viscount Belkain briefly replayed the earlier situation in his mind.

Then he realized that the conversation had turned to the fact that Lady Seiren, the Marchioness’s daughter, had mistaken a ginkgo leaf for a bug.

“Ah…”

“Why? Thinking about it carefully, I suppose it stings a little, doesn’t it?”

Icarus’ sneer made Young Viscount Belkain let out an awkward chuckle.

“I was only trying to remove a ginkgo leaf that had stuck to her dress, nothing more.”

“A ginkgo leaf?”

Icarus looked at Reneve, as if seeking confirmation.

“It seems certain that there was a serious misunderstanding.”

Reneve let out a sigh of relief, then briefly cast her gaze somewhere before speaking.

“I think it would be better if we moved somewhere else to talk.”

‘A lovers’ quarrel, perhaps.’

The Marchioness of Dürenburg furrowed her brow. It looked like a fight between men over a single woman.

This made Princess Solti’s situation seem quite ridiculous.

A few nobles, including herself, were watching the three of them.

Among them, some had probably regarded Princess Solti as the Emperor’s lover, or even as the future Empress.

The Marchioness of Dürenburg glanced at Princess Solti.

The princess seemed aware of this and was trying hard to maintain her composure, which looked rather pitiful.

At least, thanks to the tall trees, only a limited number of tables could see the three, giving some cover.

‘I’ll need to change my plans…’

The Marchioness pursed her lips and reconsidered.

Even if she stayed close to Princess Solti, it didn’t seem like it would benefit her family anymore.

She hadn’t expected the Emperor’s feelings to be so fickle, swayed like reeds in the wind.

‘…!’

Then a sudden thought struck the Marchioness, and she bit her lip.

It had been her suggestion that the princess not invite the young lady of Paradium to this tea party.

‘This is going to be troublesome.’

What if the Emperor doesn’t change his mind and continues seeing the young lady of Paradium?

That would mean the young lady of Paradium could become the next Empress.

‘And if she holds a grudge for not being invited to the tea party later…’

Only then did the Marchioness realize the seriousness of the situation, her face going pale.

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

Princess Solti suddenly stood and addressed the guests.

The nobles, whose attention had briefly been on the three, turned their heads toward the princess.

She twisted the pink hair resting gently on her slender shoulders and smiled shyly.

Her charming demeanor was more than enough to capture the nobles’ attention.

“Solti may be small, but it’s customary to give a small gift to our guests.”

Whispering to a nearby maid, the princess picked a flower from the vase on the table.

“So that everyone present can remember today fondly…”

The maid handed her a small knife.

With it, the princess cut the pink ribbons decorating the table and quickly made a bouquet.

“…Using what’s available right here.”

With her trademark adorable smile, she handed the freshly made bouquet to a middle-aged noblewoman nearby.

“Oh my… how lovely. Thank you, Princess. I don’t know when I last received a bouquet.”

The noblewoman glanced at her husband beside her and inhaled the fresh scent of the flowers.

“It’s just a small gesture, but I’m glad it brings you joy.”

The princess moved to the next table, picking flowers from the vase and making bouquets.

The nobles at the tea party watched her, almost hypnotized.

Her movements were a little more dynamic than ordinary flower arranging, but the princess’s ingenuity enlivened the slightly dull atmosphere.

Though somewhat unusual, Bashker nobles loved novelty, freshness, and boldness.

Thanks to the princess, the nobles would surely remember this day for a long time.

‘She’s quite quick-witted.’

The Marchioness of Dürenburg silently evaluated the princess.

She reconsidered her earlier thought of dismissing the princess so easily.

The Emperor had not yet publicly declared the young lady of Paradium as his lover.

This meant he could still change his mind at any moment.

Especially since no engagement had been made.

The Marchioness realized she could no longer underestimate Princess Solti.

‘I wonder… what’s happening over there?’

Pulling her gaze away from the noblewoman happily receiving a bouquet, the Marchioness glanced over.

But the three were already gone.

“It’s better to cool the wound before it bruises further.”

Reneve placed a cold towel on the swollen cheek of Young Viscount Belkain.

He let out a faint groan and slightly twisted his eyes in discomfort.

“Ugh…”

“Oh, does it hurt?”

Reneve bit her lip, unsure of what to do.

“Hah… I…”

Icarus, watching the scene, let out a dry laugh of disbelief.

Reneve shot him a sharp glare.

“Your Majesty, this is not something to laugh about.”

“Don’t exaggerate. Anyone watching might think your arm was ripped off.”

Icarus sat comfortably on the sofa with his long legs crossed, and Reneve’s stomach twisted in frustration.

After hitting an innocent person, how could he be so calm?

“Why did you do that?”

Icarus, staring straight at Reneve, suddenly turned his head.

“…”

Reneve’s frustration deepened at his behavior. She tried to ask calmly, though her anger bubbled inside.

“You must have had your reasons, Your Majesty?”

There should be a reason. A valid one. Even with a great reason, assault is unacceptable.

In the past, in Bashker, even non-royals could challenge for the throne through duels.

That culture still lingered, making Icarus effectively the strongest man in Bashker.

And Reneve had been hit by his fist…

Depending on Young Viscount Belkain’s reaction, this could have escalated into an international issue.

Icarus must have been aware of that.

Yet, he remained unnervingly calm.

“Perhaps you simply displeased me.”

Young Viscount Belkain muttered in a low voice.

Reneve furrowed her brows and turned her head toward him.

Though he spoke softly, his broad shoulders looked unusually downcast today.

Seeing him like a forlorn puppy made Reneve feel guilty.

Naturally, her gaze toward Icarus turned less friendly.

Just as Reneve opened her mouth to speak again…

“I’m fine. Seeing you upset over me is far more painful.”

Young Viscount Belkain’s large hand covered the back of Reneve’s hand resting on the table.

The sudden touch startled her.

Before she could pull away, his hand was gently removed.

“How careless of a gentleman to touch an unmarried lady’s body,” Icarus said, his tone dismissive.

A slight smile tugged at his lips, but his eyes were like a predator eyeing raw meat.

Reneve swallowed hard.

She had forgotten for a moment, but Icarus was indeed dangerous.

“If you won’t explain why you hit Young Viscount Belkain, I think it’s best we end this here.”

Reneve indirectly asked Icarus to leave.

She didn’t expect an apology.

If he didn’t even intend to explain, there was no point in arguing.

Icarus furrowed his brow slightly, perhaps understanding her intention.

“At Lady Seiren’s place previously…”

He muttered quietly, uncharacteristically so.

“Pardon?”

“I thought it was the same situation…”

After that, Icarus suddenly stood up.

He glanced at Young Viscount Belkain, then walked toward the door.

Just before leaving, he added:

“We will ensure full compensation for this matter.”

And then he left the reception room.

Reneve, too stunned, stared blankly at his departing figure.

“…What happened at Lady Seiren’s place?”

Young Viscount Belkain asked, and Reneve finally understood why Icarus had hit him.

‘Could it be…?’

Icarus walked through the palace corridor expressionless.

He wandered down the long hall to clear his mind, eventually entering an empty bedroom used for guests.

And he murmured:

“All I did was remove a ginkgo leaf from her dress?”

Icarus had long taken the previous tyrannical emperors as a lesson.

Even as Emperor, he would not attack or harm others without a valid reason.

Today, he had broken that promise.

Icarus wiped his dry face.

‘Why… did I do that?’

He felt heat rising to his ears.

It was undeniably uncharacteristic.

Starting with a punch…

He must have lost control when he thought Young Viscount Belkain was forcing a kiss on Reneve.

And recalling the Prince of Paradium kissing Reneve at Lady Seiren’s place had sent a sharp pang through his chest.

He touched the side of his chest where the pain had risen.

“Could it be an illness?”

Otherwise, his actions were inexplicable.

“It seems to hurt.”

Yes. That would explain it.

Icarus left the room and continued down the corridor, soon encountering a servant.

“Bring the royal physician.”

“Eh? Y-Yes, Your Majesty.”

The servant looked surprised, then bowed deeply and left.

Icarus walked toward his office, thinking:

I must expedite the creation of a mental illness research facility.

‘What happened at Lady Seiren’s place?’

Reneve recalled what Young Viscount Belkain had said. Her face flushed.

‘Icarus saw the whole thing…’

Thinking that he had witnessed the moment she had been forcibly kissed by Lucius made her feel uneasy.

She hadn’t done anything shameful before him.

Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that he had seen her vulnerability.

“Lady, are you feeling warm?”

Kyeren asked, noticing Reneve fanning her flushed cheeks.

Having no better excuse, Reneve nodded.

“It’s a bit hot today…”

“Is that so? I’ll open the window slightly, then.”

Kyeren opened the tightly shut window.

The cool early evening breeze quickly refreshed Reneve’s heated cheeks.

She rested her chin on the table, gazing out the window.

But her attention on the beauty of the sunset was brief.

Soon, the image of Icarus throwing a punch at Young Viscount Belkain replayed vividly in her mind.

Even without acting imperiously, Icarus exuded an aura that made him completely untouchable.