Eugene was no longer in the mood for afternoon tea after Harold left.
"I have something I need to do, so I can't accompany you any longer."
Eugene stood up and entered. "You can open the gift the Marquess sent if you want," he said as he passed through the door.
Cheryl, who was left alone, also lost interest in taking advantage of the afternoon's free time. She looked at the stack of gift boxes that the Baldwin Mansion's servants had just delivered.
"It appears that the only thing I can do is disassemble you all. Just be cautious if the content isn't up to par." Cheryl used a threatening tone when speaking to the boxes.
Cheryl chose one of the smallest boxes, which was roughly the size of a palm. The girl carefully opened the beautifully carved wooden box.
It was lined with red velvet on the inside, and in the centre was a bracelet with an engraved circle and a beautiful blood-red gemstone.
Cheryl liked the bracelet at first because the carving was artistic and charming. She even attempted to hold it in her hand. But when she touched the bracelet, she felt a strange vibration. Cheryl was taken aback as she stared at the engraved bracelet. There's nothing wrong with it; it's just that the red gem colour irritates her. Cheryl even imagined that the gemstone was made of crystallised blood drops.
"It's terrifying. But that's also a good idea. When I get back, I'll write a story about magic."
Cheryl re-placed the bracelet in the box before moving it to another. Another box holds clothes, jewellery, make-up, shoes, and other items. Nothing noteworthy. Cheryl called up the maid to clean up and moved everything to her room.
--
Harold was already back at the Baldwin Mansion. That man detailed everything to his master.
Edgar was attentive. On his flat face, there was no discernible ripple.
It wasn't until Harold mentioned that Cheryl was staying at Eugene's house that I realised what was going on. Edgar only responded after that.
"Are you staying at the Crown Prince's residence? Why? Isn't she supposed to have her own room?"
"According to the Crown Prince, the fifth princess' residence is being renovated."
"Renovated house? So she's not a resident of the main palace?"
"It appears not, my lord."
Edgar thought as he held his chin.
Eugene's seemed to be the only proper residence in the vicinity of the palace, he remembered. Lounging pavilions in the middle of the garden and garden maids' quarters do not count either. So, where does Claudia call home?
By the way, why did that girl choose Eugene's home over the main palace? Is there a connection between them?
Edgar became unsettled and distracted by his own thoughts. He didn't say anything for a while, wondering what was causing his discomfort after learning Claudia was staying at Eugene's house.
Why bother thinking about it? Of course, the answer is only one, because Claudia is his future wife. No man enjoys learning that his future wife is living in the home of another man.
But there's no way Claudia would have stayed if Eugene hadn't invited her, right?
After years of observation, Edgar knew exactly what Eugene was like. That man was heartless and cold toward women.
When Edgar tried to recall Eugene and Claudia's interactions on the day of the banquet, he remembered Eugene approaching the girl and teasing her with a sweet smile. When he was in front of Claudia, he spoke in a different tone.
They were even holding hands in front of him at the time!
Edgar laughed.
His male instincts detected a problem. If he guessed correctly, Crown Prince Eugene had a crush on Claudia. But what puzzles Edgar is, if Eugene likes it, why doesn't he say so first? Did the king object to it?
No, it is not possible. However, the king does not want to risk disappointing the Emperor's Son. The king's personality, which adores his position, would not mind if Eugene liked one of his daughters. The king might even willingly give up another princess.
Eugene, in fact, took no action. Instead, he acted ambiguously with the girl when he, the Marquess, chose her to be his future wife on purpose. What is Eugene's ambition?
Edgar's head throbbed. It was the first time he'd worked his brain so hard just thinking about a woman.
Harold didn't dare to say anything after repeatedly seeing his master frown. He wouldn't even leave the room. Just standing there like a statue in the middle, waiting for orders.
After a while, Edgar finally opened his mouth and gave him an order.
"Reschedule the engagement party for a week later."
Harold's brow furrowed. Change? Did the master finally eventually get bored of his future wife?
Harold smiled, congratulating himself on correctly guessing his master's thoughts. But Edgar's next words took him by surprise.
"I want the engagement party to be changed into a wedding reception. Go handle everything for me."
Harold could only nod stiffly because he couldn't refute it. "Agreed, my lord."
Edgar was lost in thought after Harold left the room, speculating on things.
Edgar was thinking about something between Claudia and Eugene, but he was also wondering why he chose that girl over the much prettier third Princess. Claudia, after all, was clumsy and innocent, despite her cuteness. Yvette, on the other hand, was exactly the type of woman Edgar desired: beautiful with a sexy body.
Only when he saw Claudia did he get an obsessive feeling. His heart was pounding, as if telling him he had to choose the girl over the other.
Edgar was still perplexed by this sensation.
He had been daydreaming for a long time without realising it. A maid called and asked when Edgar wanted to eat dinner. Edgar let the maid set and serve the table. But his appetite was almost non-existent that night. His thoughts were still jumbled.
Edgar went back to his room.
Edgar had the most luxurious and spacious room. The outside is divided into two sections, with lounge chairs and tables that are rarely used. There was also a glass display case with some of Edgar's favourite items. He noticed an empty spot as he passed the display case.
He forgot for a moment that he had taken one item from there to send to Claudia.
It was a bracelet with ruby-red gemstones engraved on it. Edgar had purchased it years ago while travelling to the north. He happened to walk into an antique shop and saw the bracelet. When Edgar first saw him, he was immediately intrigued. He also didn't understand why he was so taken with such an object that he had to bring it with him when he moved to the capital.
He questioned himself once more. There were many other valuable items that women would have preferred, but he chose to send Claudia something so old. Why?
Edgar briefly touched the empty space before turning to face the inner room.