In the bustling banquet hall, a freckled youth with a flushed face and a beer gut glared with wide, angry eyes. He shouted abuses without a shred of grace.
Before him, a spirited youth dressed in hunter's garb grit his teeth, shielding a frail, teary-eyed girl.
“Do you have any idea who I am?”
“I am the second young master of the Lagut family, a vassal Viscount house of Count Gunier's domain! In other words, I am a future imperial Viscount!”
“It'll scare you to death if I say it. Even Lynn, the eldest son of Grand Duke Reinhardt, drinks and chats merrily with me!”
“You're nothing but a commoner. It's your honor that I've taken a liking to you!”
He let out an ugly, alcohol-laden burp, staggering forward with large strides.
The pungent stench of alcohol was enough to make one's eyes water.
Sneering vulgarly, he shoved the hunter youth aside and reached his large hand toward the delicate girl.
“My manor is very big, little beauty. Come...”
...
On the second-floor balcony, Veronica scoffed as she looked down at the ugly scene. “Is this how Count Gunier treats his guests?”
“Welton Gunier, your subordinates and your methods make me laugh.”
Beside her, the upright young noble's face turned livid.
As the next heir of House Gunier, even before the banquet had begun, he had rushed to Veronica's side in an attempt to leave a good impression on this future Saintess.
Perhaps, if he could win her heart with his 'humorous' conversation, the position of Count Gunier's family would undoubtedly become even more secure.
Not to mention, the Saintess was a rare, top-tier beauty.
But now, hearing Veronica's thorny sarcasm, Welton clenched his fists.
He glared with a dark expression at the drunken fat man acting like a clown in the hall.
That useless, trouble-making bastard! How could he be so stupid? Doesn't he know how many eyes are watching on an occasion like this?
Heh, he was just the second young master of a mere Viscount family, and not even the primary heir.
Without a moment's hesitation, Welton immediately chose to make a clean break.
He chuckled awkwardly. “Lady Pera said...”
“I don't recall giving you permission to address me as Pera.”
“Right... right... my apologies for being presumptuous, Lady Veronica.” He rubbed his hands together. “As for the management of my subordinates, it is indeed my oversight.”
His eyes darted around as he racked his brain for a way to shift the blame.
Right, hadn't that Lagut kid shared the same filthy tastes as that playboy from the Reinhardt family before?
He had heard that... the Saintess's relationship with Lynn was extremely poor, which was perfect...
With that thought, he immediately put on a conflicted expression, looking as if he had something difficult to say.
He sighed, giving a stellar performance. “To tell you the truth, Lady Veronica, I actually have no way of keeping Lagut in check.”
“Oh?”
“Because... that Lagut kid has clung to the coattails of that person from the Reinhardt family. I've even heard him call that person 'big brother'.”
Welton smiled bitterly. “As you know, I am also a member of the North, and the Reinhardt family is...”
His unfinished words were rudely interrupted.
“Are you talking about... Lynn?”
The girl, who had been completely indifferent until now, suddenly spun around.
For the first time, Welton saw the girl's face clearly.
Golden hair cascaded down, and her soft features carried a hint of spirited grace. Her snow-white skin further accentuated her ethereal aura.
Veronica smiled faintly.
Welton was instantly captivated, and he stammered as he tried to reorganize his words.
“Y-yes...”
At a loss, he turned his head to look around, just in time to spot Lynn walking toward the commotion.
As if grasping at a lifesaver, he cried out, “Look! He's going over!”
Veronica looked over in response.
She stopped Lisa, who was about to step forward, and narrowed her beautiful eyes.
You...
Don't disappoint me.
Rate on N.U.
