See her smile

"Marquess Gauthier has come to request an audience with you, Your Majesty."

Marquess Gauthier bowed respectfully, waiting for King Vallotton to order him to stand. He stayed long enough for her to finally say it.

"Thank you for the opportunity you have given, Your Majesty," said Marquess Gauthier.

"I think I know what you're trying to say," muttered King Vallotton.

Marquess Gauthier watched King Vallotton. This is the second day since the king finally returned from his break. He thought King Vallotton would return refreshed, but it was quite the opposite. Marquess Gauthier felt he had come at the wrong time.

"If you don't want to hear about it, I can ask for your availability at another time," said Marquess Gauthier as calmly as he could.

"No." King Vallotton massaged his temples while closing his tired eyes. "Better make things clear now."

"So it is true that something happened to my son because of you," Marquess Gauthier said carefully. "I noticed that my son's mood was constantly changing. Some time ago, he was despondent and devastated, even my wife could not persuade him. Then yesterday, he suddenly became very happy."

"But Sir Elroy decided not to tell you anything," continued King Vallotton.

Marquess Gauthier nodded. "Even Sir Ferdinand deliberately kept me from being questioned."

"What I am about to say is a mortal sin which you must keep secret, Marquess Gauthier," said King Vallotton. Beside him, Count Lavaud looked worried. "I've been thinking about it for the past few days and I'd understand if you were angry or even resentful of me."

Marquess Gauthier also waited anxiously for every word that came out of King Vallotton's mouth.

From Elroy, who turned out to take an additional job as a book translator, to King Vallotton, who almost drew him with a sword. For Marquess Gauthier, it was enough for his youngest son to love a woman who could make him die. Who would have thought that this person in front of him had almost killed him.

But in the end, it was Mariette who saved his son.

"I apologize profusely," concluded King Vallotton in his explanation.

Marquess Gauthier clenched his fists tightly, trying to hold back his anger. "Your actions are extremely reckless and outrageous, Your Majesty. You know I won't sit idly by if my son gets hurt," he hissed. "You also know what I can do to this kingdom if that happens."

"Marquess Gauthier—!" scolded Count Lavaud.

But King Vallottin immediately cut him off, "It is only right for you to think so, Marquess Gauthier. I would also do the same if something happened to my children."

"Please don't question my son's loyalty to the kingdom, Your Majesty. Elroy doesn't even dare to step on ants on the ground."

"I know that clearly," said King Vallotton in a slightly dreamy tone. "Your son—Sir Elroy… his heart is very sincere and very broad. I envy him who can love someone so big and sincerely."

Marquess Gauthier let out a long breath. "He's always been like that, Your Majesty. That's why he became the sun in our family."

King Vallotton tried to smile. "Viscountess Mariette will be resigning and going into seclusion after this. Sir Elroy must not be able to see her again after this."

But Marquess Gauthier doubted that Elroy would give up so easily. He knew his son best, so he knew Elroy would chase Mariette to the ends of the earth even if his heart broke.

The problem is, is Marquess Gauthier willing to see his son hurt?

***

Elroy sat looking down at his father. He didn't even dare to make eye contact with his father, who was sipping his tea.

A few minutes ago, somehow, Ferdinand and Louie returned from their training with Marquess Gauthier. At that time, Elroy was about to catch up with Louie who was very late for the next class. It turned out (seemingly) that the cause of Louie's delay was due to Marquess Gauthier.

Judging by the frightened expressions of Ferdinand and Louie's grinning grin, the arrival of Marquess Gauthier at the Prince's Palace was not a good thing.

But why did Father come here? I'm busy coming home! thought Elroy frantically.

"I just met His Majesty the King and heard everything–everything," said Marquis Gauthier calmly.

So before talking to Prince Louie, Father also spoke to His Majesty the King?! Elroy panicked even more.

"No wonder every time you come home your expression is like that," he added.

"Your Majesty the King… didn't mean–uh–hurt me," Elroy stammered. "I'm fine. The one who got hurt is…"

Mariette.

On second thought, Elroy felt ashamed that he had to be protected by a woman. Where were his good reflexes as a knight?

"Elroy, you know, the aftermath of being close to Viscountess Tierney?" asked Marquis Gauthier. "You haven't married her and there's already an incident of this magnitude. How about when you two get married?"

"Father, in the first place, I have no plans of marrying Viscountess Mariette yet," said Elroy with a red face. "For me right now... the important thing is that my feelings are accepted by her and can remove the curse."

"By sacrificing the soul being born?"

"No, I will not kill anyone. I promised not to sacrifice anything ridiculous." Elroy tried to smile at his father. "I want to try anything I can do. Do you want to bless me?"

Marquess Gauthier let out a long breath. "Of all the women out there, I don't know why it has to be Viscountess Tierney. Since when were you two really close?"

Elroy laughed at that. "Well, maybe this is what fate calls. I don't understand why it has to be Viscountess Mariette either. All I know… I want to see her smile."

"Elroy, you are a blessing to our family. You were born in the toughest times, but your presence brings happiness. Because you're still a baby… you don't know how it was at that time. How sad and how happy we are."

Elroy paused, waiting for his father to continue his sentence. He waited anxiously.

"My hope is for all my children and especially you, that you will be happy and that you can make the people around you happy. So if your happiness lies with her and you want to make her happy… I can't do much."

That sounded like a good omen until Marquess Gauthier added sharply, "But you must remember that your elder brother and I will keep an eye on you. So whatever you want to do, you must not forget your responsibility."

"Of course, Father," said Elroy quickly. "I will work well and be responsible."

"We will see later. Don't think I don't know how the knights here don't like you," snorted Marquess Gauthier in disgust. "They will become even more so if Prince Louie makes you his knight."

"H-how did you know about the appointment?!"

"What do you think I was talking to Prince Louie just now, young man?"

No wonder Ferdinand's expression like that earlier...