Anelly’s gatherings were held once a week at most, or once every two weeks at the least.

This had been the rule since the group was formed, but the members often held their own private meetings apart from the official ones.

There was no particular reason for it. Unfortunately, due to their individual circumstances and reasons, these young people who were unable to mingle with the mainstream noble families and had lost their voice could do little else.

And today, they were chatting about various topics while having tea together.

In none other than Ryan Henad’s study.

“…So, the viscount’s father never gave up until the end? About leaving our group, I mean,” carefully brought up the topic while sipping tea was the child of Duke Denhel, who had also greeted Elaina in a friendly manner.

Voltaire Denhel.

Despite his family, including his father, having held the position of prime minister for generations, he was unable to hold any position in the imperial palace for some reason.

“Today we were able to gather here because the duke is not at the mansion, but it seems we’ll have to meet at a different location from now on. It’s a pity, as I’ve grown quite fond of this study.”

“The one who will be most disappointed is probably Young Master Ryan,” Dwain Marquis remarked as he set down his teacup. He had also welcomed Elaina very warmly.

And he had become the head of the family at a young age due to his father’s death… but suffered greatly after expressing political views completely different from his father’s.

“From now on, he won’t be able to openly attend the meetings as he has until now, so he’ll have to lie as if he were a child deceiving his parents.”

“……”

“You’re not thinking of leaving the group as your father said, are you?”

“No, I have no intention of doing so.”

Ryan, who had been quietly listening to Voltaire and Dwain, finally shook his head and answered.

“As expected.”

Voltaire smiled.

“But if your father had heard, he would have fainted. You’ve always been a son who listens well to his parents.”

“Since I’ve listened well until now, that should be enough. Sometimes I should move according to my heart. I didn’t give you much trouble even during my adolescence, so if I think of it as giving you all that trouble at once, it’s not such an unfilial act, is it?”

To think that Ryan would say such a thing. Voltaire and Dwain looked a bit startled, but they burst out laughing at his unexpected heartiness.

“Anyway, the movements in the imperial palace are unusual, so that’s also worrying in itself.”

“Marquis, is it only the imperial palace that’s the problem? Even the street gypsies are talking about how the emperor was attacked.”

“So, what does Voltaire think about this matter?”

“Well.”

Voltaire shrugged and chuckled.

“No matter what happened, one thing is for sure: Prince Hister’s position has become very unstable.”

To think that Hister would end up like this. Voltaire laughed sneeringly.

“That’s right. If the emperor dies like this, the person who could testify will disappear, so that will be a problem in itself. Even if he somehow becomes the next emperor through insistence, Prince Sinclair won’t let this incident be resolved easily.”

At the name Sinclair that quietly slipped out, Ryan set down his teacup and stroked his chin with his fingers.

It was his habit that appeared whenever he was deep in thought.

And regardless of what action Ryan took, Voltaire and Dwain began to continue their conversation.

“What do you think will happen if he regains consciousness?”

“It will probably be the only chance for Prince Hister. But I don’t think Prince Sinclair is foolish enough not to consider that possibility.”

…How chaotic must the imperial palace be right now?

How is Sinclair, who has endured and persevered through discrimination all his life and obtained a golden opportunity, moving now?

And…

In that chaotic situation, are you well?

Could it be that you, so delicate, are suffering alone, unable to adapt at all amidst the fights of those beasts?

Ryan had no way of knowing.

“Anyway, if there’s a way to deal with the emperor waking up, something unexpected may happen.”

At Dwain’s words, Ryan flinched slightly.

“It could be good news for us as well.”

“……”

“Prince Sinclair will have to take a completely different approach from the current imperial family. He’ll have to drive out all those who are close to the current imperial family and win over those who have been pushed aside.”

“Isn’t it a bit much to call ourselves those who have been pushed aside?”

“Does it matter? It’s the truth.”

Although Voltaire frowned slightly, it didn’t change the fact that what Dwain said was true.

Unable to find a suitable rebuttal, Voltaire got up from his seat and brought back the most expensive-looking wine among the ones Ryan had displayed in one corner of the study, along with three wine glasses.

“Anyway, Marquis, you have a special talent for making people drink in broad daylight.”

“Is it entirely my fault? Don’t hold me responsible for turning you into an alcoholic. Oh my, to think such a great alcoholic would come from the esteemed Denhel ducal family.”

“Oh please. You’re going to drink with me anyway, so why call me an alcoholic?”

Voltaire grumbled as he held out a glass filled with red wine.

“I never said I wasn’t an alcoholic.”

“Hah. How comforting.”

With Ryan still lost in thought in front of them, the two began to have a drinking party.

But unfortunately, before they could properly drink the wine…

“Is this where you all are after hearing the rumors?!”

The door swung open with a bang.

“My goodness, you startled me.”

“I was surprised too. I thought Young Master Ryan’s father had returned and was about to run to the window.”

“Why are you like this again? In broad daylight like this.”

Voltaire, who was startled by the loud noise and dropped his glass, muttered while looking down at the shattered wine glass.

“…Lady Perin.”

Sensing that something was off, Ryan lifted his head and looked at her.

Perin Ilaine.

The only blood of the marquis family that had been devoted to Edenbell for generations.

The lady who had also gone to the previous war with Sinclair.

The lady who had liked Elaina, saying they got along well.

“What’s the matter?”

At Ryan’s question, Perin shouted back angrily.

“It’s really absurd! To slander like this!”

“…Pardon?”

“It must be Hister’s doing. Since he can’t directly touch Prince Sinclair, whose reputation is improving and gaining supporters, he targeted the crown princess!”

Crown princess.

At that word that suddenly popped up, Ryan’s face stiffened.

“Moreover, the tactic of attacking a woman is always like this! They spread some useless, vulgar rumors! Because they think there’s nothing easier to tarnish a woman’s reputation! Damn it, it’s really petty and despicable!”

Perin was furious.

“But it’s of no use at all! I won’t believe a single one of those filthy words! Voltaire, you feel the same way, right!”

Perin suddenly grabbed Voltaire’s collar and shouted as if threatening him.

“I… I’m certainly of the same opinion as the lady…”

“Answer clearly! You too, Marquis!”

“I… also feel the same way.”

“Lady Perin!”

What stopped that chaos was Ryan’s loud shout.

The three of them had never seen Ryan raise his voice like that before, so they all looked at him with dumbfounded expressions.

“Speak properly and clearly. What happened to Her Highness the Crown Princess!”

“……”

“And vulgar rumors? What in the world are you talking about!”

Perin seemed to hesitate for a moment, but with her face still filled with anger, she slowly parted her lips.

The longer she spoke, the more Ryan’s hand resting on his knee trembled, clenching into a tight fist.

As he listened to Perin’s story, Ryan’s eyes, staring at the red wine soaking the white carpet like blood, were filled with an intense anger he had never shown before.

There was no possibility that the rumor that had spread enough for Perin to hear had not crossed the walls of the imperial palace.

“……”

Sinclair, sitting in the drawing room of the crown prince’s palace, showed no emotion on his face.

If he had gotten furious like he had until now, at least Schuler would have felt more at ease, but seeing him sit there with such a cold expression made Schuler feel uneasy.

“…So.”

Not long after, Sinclair parted his lips in a voice as chilling as the snow piled up in the middle of winter.

“Elaina is actually the daughter of a vulgar prostitute.”

Still with no expression on his face.

“And Melvin, unaware of that fact, was fooled by Elaina’s mother’s claim that she was carrying his child and took them in, and even after learning the truth, he turned a blind eye to it?”

“…Yes.”

“But that wasn’t enough… Coveting the Aswald family’s wealth, she sold her body like her mother and looked for someone to fulfill her schemes, and she seduced me.”

“……”

“So, the scoundrel who fell for the prostitute’s seduction took the wealth as she wished and even framed Melvin and his family, turning them into commoners.”

Even though he wasn’t the one who had spread the rumor, Schuler felt a chill run down his spine for some reason. So he hesitated for a moment, but judging that it would be wise for Sinclair to know everything, he continued.

“Also… there’s a rumor that Lady Elaina’s leg injury was because of that.”

“…What?”

“Since she was young, she… engaged in such acts with nobles, and one day she was caught in the act by a noblewoman and was beaten, resulting in her condition…”

“……”

“Not only has such a v… vulgar woman taken the position of crown princess, but just as she dealt with the Aswald family… now she’s using you, sir, to aim for the position of empress…”

“……”

“Because of such a crafty crown prince and princess… Prince Hister has fallen into a predicament…”

With those words, Schuler bowed his head deeply, and Sinclair remained in his seat without moving a muscle.

Just…

With eyes that seemed to be burning like fire, filled with an anger incomparable to anything until now.