The ballroom was engulfed in a heavy silence. People glanced at each other, still looking heatedly at the two of them.

“Christoph.”

An awkward plea escaped from Marianne’s lips. It was only then that Christoph slowly released her hand, his face filled with lingering regret.

As her steady hand slipped away, Marianne let out an unconscious sigh of relief. At that moment, a stranger’s voice intruded between the two.

“It seems, contrary to rumors, that you two get along quite well. I suppose rumors aren’t to be believed, are they?”

Marianne turned her head slowly.
A man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a striking appearance stood by her side. He was undeniably handsome, with a refined face that anyone would praise, yet it somehow gave off a frivolous vibe. It could have been because of his thin blond hair or his mischievous smile, but it was hard to tell.

“Prince Reginald, Your Highness.”

Christoph uttered his name. Marianne silently gazed at the man. Articles about him, labeled as the royal troublemaker, had appeared in newspapers along with rumors about complicated romantic entanglements.

Especially about his complicated love life.

Reginald, who was sipping champagne, cast a fleeting glance at her with a sly smile. His eyes narrowed momentarily, showing interest in her cerulean irises.

“Marianne, could you please check on the Marquis? He seemed unwell earlier, and I’m worried. It’s probably nothing.”

“…Of course.”

Marianne nodded quietly. She keenly noticed Christoph’s intention to distance himself from Reginald’s attention. So, she exchanged a brief glance with Reginald and quickly left the area.

As she moved away, Christoph once again looked at the Crown Prince. Reginald was still watching Marianne’s retreating figure.

“What brings you here?”

Surprisingly, Christoph broke the silence first, appearing like someone trying to divert attention.

Reginald slowly turned his head as if he had finally understood Christoph’s intention.

“Don’t you see? I’ve come to congratulate the Schneider family patriarch on his birthday.”
Christoph stared at him with emotionless eyes.

The Crown Prince had come all the way to Blauberg to congratulate the Schneider Marquis on his birthday?

Reginald, who sensed Christoph’s suspicion, raised an eyebrow nonchalantly. His glamorous face quickly adopted a dramatic expression.

He seemed more suited to be an actor than a Crown Prince. The entourage that followed him seemed to match.

“On His Majesty’s orders.”

Or else, what reason would I have to come here?

His unspoken words seemed to echo. Reginald pulled the corners of his mouth, laughing lightly.

He emptied the half-full champagne glass in one gulp and then turned his gaze toward Christoph.

“Not too long ago, you cleared the name of an unjustly accused boy, didn’t you? Your reputation is rising not only in the capital but also in the kingdom. Reporters are constantly covering news about Blauberg, and people are rallying behind you. Your illustrious reputation seems to pose a threat to the royal family.”

His voice sounded slightly intoxicated, but his eyes, staring at Christoph, were sharp as daggers.

Christoph moved slowly toward the table, reaching for a champagne glass. He responded with a dry tone.

“Even if it’s on His Majesty’s orders, seeing Your Highness, Reginald, come all this way makes it seem like those rumors are true.”

“Those rumors?”

Reginald raised one eyebrow, a sly expression on his face.

“I wonder what kind of rumors they are. As you know, there should be at least a couple of rumors following someone like me.”

“I heard a rumor that if you cause trouble one more time, they’ll send you to the military.”

“Hahaha.”
Reginald chuckled nervously. The nearby nobles ceased their chatter, their attention captured.

“You, on the other hand, remain the same. Arrogance is your middle name, isn’t it? I’ve never liked you from the beginning.”

Christoph responded with a mere lift of his eyebrow. Reginald set down his empty glass and reached for a fresh one.

Without delay, he brought the second glass to his lips. Or perhaps it wasn’t the second; it might have been the third or even fourth.

Reginald recited his words as if singing a tune.

“People make this much noise just by our presence. They say someone as capable as Christoph Schneider should ascend to the throne, not a royal troublemaker like Reginald. They argue that’s the only way to restore the kingdom’s former glory. So, what do you think, Christoph Schneider?”

Christoph sensed that Reginald was scrutinizing him. He spoke with a measured tone.

“There’s one fact Your Highness seems to have overlooked.”

Reginald nodded, as if urging him to continue. Amidst a broad smile, a sharpness gleamed in his eyes.

“No matter what people say, I can never become king.”

Tch.

A soft chuckle escaped from Reginald’s lips. His voice sounded sweet, akin to coaxing a child.

“It’s not entirely impossible, you know. If you were to marry my sister, Princess Nadia, you might have a shot at the throne.”

“I’ve already told you, Your Highness, I have a wife. Marianne Schneider.”
“So, as I mentioned, Your Highness, there’s something you seem to have forgotten.”

“…….”

“I have a wife. Marianne Schneider.”

As if to dismiss it as a trivial matter, Reginald let out a light chuckle. He swirled his empty glass and muttered in a casual tone.

“There have been rumors that the two of you are having marital issues.”

“It’s just rumors.”

“Just rumors?”

In response to Christoph’s assertion, Reginald raised an eyebrow subtly. Christoph nodded in acknowledgment while looking at him.

“As you can see, there are no issues between Marianne and me.”

Reginald stared at him intensely with his piercing blue eyes, as if trying to discern the truth of his words.

Reginald was known for causing all sorts of scandals, but he was never to be underestimated or taken lightly. At least, he was cunning enough not to let anyone easily take his throne.

In a moment when his deep blue eyes sank deep.

“Oh my, Reginald. What brings you here?”