Chapter 276Previous


    <strong>Side Story 4  Liloas Chapter 2: Mortus Castle</strong>


    Of course, regardless of Josephs ns, Liloa was excited to be able to leave the exhausting Obernyu and head to Sesbron, a cultural centre where nobles from all around the world gather together. Henrietta, her mother, also loved Sesbron and always spoke about how much she missed it.


    From then on, Liloa sat by the window every day and imagined the city of Sesbron. All while the moon waxed and waned


    ***


    There was an obvious reason why the people of the empire unanimously praised Sesbron. Even Liloa herself was astounded by the capitals pce, so much so that her jaw dropped. Large and small banquets were held every day, and operas and ys for the emperor were immensely popr. The people were excited and sensitive about thetest trends and exotic styles as if they werepeting for extravagance.


    The neer Liloa heard Sesbron courtiers endless praise every day.


    You are beautiful, Miss


    You definitely stand out at todays banquet


    Even the goddess of beauty will cry with envy when she sees you


    Whenever she stood still in the banquet hall, people woulde up, observe her, and praise her. Liloa, however, merely perceived them as a bunch of Josephs. Because anyone who came to see her, would first and foremost, check whether she was a worthy bride.


    Liloa gradually realised that Sesbron was no different from Obernyu. No one truly cared about her, no one cared what she was thinking or how she was living. All these people were only obsessed with whether she was beautiful, whether she would be obedient to her husband, and whether she would be good at bearing children.


    Joseph constantly emphasised in his letters the need to win the emperors favour, and only after Liloa started visiting Ates salon did she learn why her father mentioned the emperor and never the prince himself.


    The emperor was still furious about the early death of his sister, Henrietta, and he med the harsh treatment of the Obernyu court. Such thoughts werent false, so Liloa felt a faint bond with the emperor.


    Despite the fact that the emperor openly showed his hostility, Joseph I held his head high. Causing the people gathered at salons to chatter quietly.


    I wonder if this will lead to the fall of the historic principality. As Obernyu is a royal family with a history dating back to the ces name, changing their surname means its extinction


    Dont pay attention to all the gossip.


    ..?


    Ate, lying down on a couch, picked up a green grape and ate it. She was Philip IIs only mistress, wearing a white wig with her hair billowing out with an extravagant fondant on top of it.


    Liloa was sitting on the chair next to her.


    No matter how hostile His Majesty may appear to be, he cannot and will not attack Obernyu. The White Confederation is raging in Pontenbach and he cannot afford to have two battlegrounds. Besides, if we lose the battle with Obernyu, what will happen to the supply of officers and horses? It will result in us being unable to train the Karabinae unit, and we cannot let that happen. That is what is making him so angry


    ..!


    Liloas shoulders shook upon hearing Karabinae. Ate ced her hand on the back of Liloas hand, perhaps mistaking it for fear.


    It is okay. His Majesty cares about you. He appreciates that you grew up as a well-behaved child and he even told me to treat you well.


    Liloa thought of herself as gloomy and broken rather than well-mannered. Lately, shed been seeing the dark undertaker or hallucinated so much that she doubted whether she was even sane. Even yesterday, she saw Mortus shadow in the middle of the ballroom.


    Liloa couldnt bear her suddenly chilling chest, so she quickly grabbed one of the fruits and ate it. Not at allprehending what it tasted like.


    Henrietta was a bright and lovely child who made those surrounding her smile. When Henrietta danced, everyone at court would be mesmerised as if they were seeing a fairy. I guess His Majesty secretly hoped that you would be simr to Henrietta, as that is not the case, he must be feeling a little sorry as well. But do not worry dear, if it bes known that you are treated well in a pce that has so many eyes on you, even the arrogant Joseph will crawl up soon, so there is no reason to escte the situation. In addition, Obernyu is a powerful enough principality even to this day. Nothing can be won with an all-out battle. So, do not worry.


    Although Ate was the emperors mistress, she was a skilful politician who reigned as a powerful figure in the court for many years. Even Philip II didnt hesitate to ask her for advice. And it wasnt because his rtionship with the empress was bad, but because the empress chose to live in a separate pce and only showed her face during ceremonies or important banquets. When Liloa visited, she only outwardly weed her without disying any real interest in the child.


    It was even said that the empress herself had introduced Ate directly to the emperor, as she was not feeling well and tired of world affairs, and Ate was clever enough to assist the emperor in her stead.


    This was also part of the adult world that Liloa didnt understand yet.


    Ate held out a grape to Liloa. When she tried to take it, Ate shook her head. In her confusion, Liloa hesitated, but eventually, she opened her mouth as the other person had hoped. After Ate pushed the grape between the childs lips, she ate some herself while wrinkling her nose, causing the mole on the bridge of her nose to shake as if it might fall off.


    Is it delicious?


    Yes.


    Looking around, Liloa saw the rest of thedies gathered in the salon looking at her with envy. It seemed like she was the only one who was embarrassed. Everyoneughed when Ate jested that Liloas awkwardness was so cute. It was as if she had be a character in a y. Now, Liloa understood how Henrietta, who grew up in such a lively atmosphere, couldnt endure the Obernyu court.


    Ate, still smiling with a fan covering her face, leaned towards Liloa.


    Oh, the most diligent man in the Empire ising in.


    The third prince Robero and the Duke of Mireille.


    Liloa couldnt tell which of the two Ate referred to as the most diligent. But Ate quickly borated, as if she had read Liloas thoughts.


    Ren Mireille is truly an interesting person. During the reign of his father, an epidemic broke out on their estate that almost caused their bankruptcy. It was even said that the IOUs* handed to his father, whenpiled altogether, could make up a book the size of the Great Law. So, can you imagine how much money had been borrowed? Anyway, the former Duke had to sell everything, including vis and farms, just to pay off the majority of those debts. Still, he must not have had enough money aster on, in a way of grasping straws, he even invested in a tradingpany. He ended up losing everything. But, do you know what makes this more interesting?


    ..?


    Mireille was a prestigious family that even Liloa was familiar with.


    <em>I have heard that it isnt that rare for noble families to fall, but to think that even an old, established family like the Mireilles was on the verge of extinction due to debt And even now, the rumours going around the capital about them are no small feat</em>


    There is no debt left at all now.


    Howe?


    Look at your cute face. Yes, I know what you are curious about, and I will give you the answer. The current Duke, Ren Mireille, personally took over the management of the ruined business. Sesbron was turned upside down when the news came out, no one could believe that the head of a prestigious ducal family would position himself as a sleazy merchant. But I was different. I was so amused that I even bought some of the Garni top bonds*. Why you may ask? Well, the current Duke has an unusual resourcefulness to him


    Ate


    Ate lifted the fan that covered her mouth.


    The attention subtly focused on the unmarried prince and duke. Ate, still stretched out on the couch,zily held out her hand holding her fan.


    Robero.


    While the two men took turns and kissed the back of Ates hand, Liloa was rather amazed by Sesbrons tendency to allow such a close rtionship between the empresss children and the mistress. Nheless, she held her breath because she didnt know what political intentions there might be.


    Robero looked at Liloa and patted Mireille on the shoulder.


    Liloa. This is the Duke of Mireille.


    Mireilles impression was extraordinary. His hair was so light that it almost looked white.


    <em>Ive heard that people in the central and southern regions sometimes can have hair that colour, but this is the first time seeing it in person.</em>


    It was said that the more the colour faded from blond, the more unique it was. That was also the reason why flour-sprinkled white wigs came into fashion or why someone like Mireille, who has natural white hair, was so popr at the royal court.


    Hello, Miss.


    <em>Footnote:</em>


    <em>IOU: An IOU, a phic acronym of the words I owe you, is a document that acknowledges the existence of a debt. An IOU is often viewed as an informal written agreement rather than a legally bindingmitment. Dating as far back as the 18th century, at least, IOUs are still very much in use. </em>


    <em>Bond: Bonds are issued by governments and corporations when they want to raise money. By buying a bond, youre giving the issuer a loan, and they agree to pay you back the face value of the loan on a specific date, and to pay you periodic interest payments along the way, usually twice a year Bonds will typically pay a regr ie to the investor through interest payments while shares usually offer more capital growth with the possibility of ie from dividends. Bonds are usually less risky than shares.</em>