Recently, Duke Javier's mood had been very unpleasant. This discontent stemmed from the stripping of the title of Baron Miteron, who had been his right-hand man. Since more than half of his business was intertwined with Baron Miteron's, his financial situation was not good. He needed immediate funds to operate, but all he had were properties like mines, mansions, and villas. Even if he tried to sell them, they were such valuable real estate that they wouldn't sell easily. Due to these circumstances, the atmosphere in the Javier mansion grew increasingly tense day by day. This affected the heir, Enrique Javier, as well.
"Didn't Father say that he had put out the urgent fire recently? He said that borrowing a large sum of money would be fine for a while."
If he had borrowed money from the Information Guild, why was he suddenly struggling financially? The butler sighed and explained.
"That issue was resolved, but another one has arisen. It seems he plans to sell the southern villa at a low price."
Although he was the heir, the Duke disliked his son taking a deep interest in his affairs, seeing it as overstepping his authority.
Enrique laughed at his own situation and finished his usual education and training. Just as he had finished bathing, the Duke called him and abruptly took him somewhere in a carriage. The Duke, looking displeased at Enrique's still damp hair, clicked his tongue.
"Tsk. What a sight. We need to stop by the wardrobe first."
"You don't need to know. Just smile."
A sense of unease crept over Enrique. But asking his irritable father another question would only result in a slap, so he kept quiet. Soon, the carriage arrived at Ricavelli Street. The Duke took Enrique to a tailor's shop and had him change into new clothes. The more he was dressed up, the more uneasy Enrique felt.
"Are you just standing there? Hurry up, Enrique."
The next destination was a high-end café not far from the tailor's shop. Enrique, still clueless, followed his father to a corner seat. The Duke, addressing the waiter who came to take their order, said,
"We'll order when the others arrive."
Enrique sat next to his father, his head bowed, staring at the table.
He didn't know why his father had brought him out, but he wanted to leave as soon as possible. After a short wait, the Duke greeted someone with a rare bright smile. Enrique stood up and looked at the person approaching. It was a well-dressed middle-aged man. A man of some means, he smiled warmly and greeted the Duke.
'Who is he? He looks familiar...'
Though he had never seen the man before, he felt as if he had met him somewhere.
"Hehe, it's an honor to be called by you, Your Grace."
"Honor? Nonsense. This is my son, Enrique. Enrique, greet him."
The Duke smiled affectionately and patted Enrique's head. Enrique forced a smile and introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you. I am Enrique Javier."
"Oh, so this is Enrique."
The man's words, as if he already knew Enrique, made him feel awkward.
At the Duke's invitation, the three of them sat down. Enrique, with a steaming teacup in front of him, watched the two men converse. The Duke never introduced the man to him. The conversation was about investment.
"I can lend you as much as you need. How much do you require?"
"Recently, I've found an interesting business opportunity. It seems promising."
"Don't worry. I'll do my best."
The atmosphere was very good. The man's attitude was positive, and the Duke felt confident he could secure the investment. But Enrique felt very uncomfortable. He didn't understand why his father had brought him here, and why the man...
'Why does he keep glancing at me?'
Feeling bad, but knowing that showing it would anger his father, Enrique silently sat there, hoping to leave soon.
"Then I'll send someone soon."
"Yes, I'll be waiting, Your Grace."
The conversation seemed to be wrapping up. As the Duke stood up, Enrique tried to follow, but the Duke pressed his shoulder down.
"Enrique, stay and keep this gentleman company."
Confused, Enrique looked at the man, who smiled kindly at him. The creeping unease reached its peak.
"Don't be rude to Baron Calipe. Understand?"
At his father's words, Enrique felt all his strength drain from his body. Why did this man, whom he had never met, feel so familiar? It was because he was a well-known figure in society. Baron Calipe. A man who had been expelled from society for his taste in young noble boys. He was infamous for his claim that he enjoyed taming well-bred young nobles. The thought of being his companion made Enrique's face pale with shame. This was unacceptable.
The Duke's low voice made Enrique freeze. Baron Calipe's gaze was extremely unpleasant.
'How could Father do this to me...'
Enrique's thoughts stopped. No, his father was capable of such things. For the family's honor and wealth, he would sell anything, even his own son. Born as the eldest son of the Javier family, Enrique had defied his father's orders only once. To become the emperor's favorite. And Enrique was certain he would defy his father's orders again today.
"Sorry, Baron. I'm not a good conversationalist."
Baron Calipe's eyebrows furrowed.
"What do you mean, Enrique? Don't be rude-."
Enrique cut off the Duke and left the café.
"Wh-what about that boy?"
The Duke was flustered, and Baron Calipe, looking displeased, stroked his beard.
"It seems Enrique and you have different thoughts."
"Baron, I'll bring Enrique back immediately."
Baron Calipe, with a formal smile, left the café after a brief farewell. The Duke was furious. He had thought he could secure the investment and avoid the crisis, but Enrique had ruined everything. Grinding his teeth, the Duke set out to find Enrique. He found his son in an alley between shops. Smack! A large hand struck Enrique's white cheek.
"Enrique Javier. How could you disappoint me so much?"
Enrique clenched his teeth.
"Baron Calipe is known for his love of young boys. Did you intend to sell me to him for an investment?"
"Sell? Who's selling? Even Baron Calipe wouldn't dare lay a hand on a noble's son. I just told you to smile!"
Enrique sneered. How could it matter if he was a noble when his father was trying to sell him?
"I am not a tool for you."
The large hand struck Enrique's cheek again. His cheek began to swell. The Duke, fuming over the failed investment, took out his anger on his son. He didn't even notice Enrique's battered state.
"Useless. Can't even do this right?!"
Just as he was about to strike again, thud! Something ran into the Duke, causing him to stumble and fall clumsily.
Enrique, watching the flustered Duke, turned his head. There, Mabel was sitting on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Calling out to Mabel, she didn't look at him. Frowning, she suddenly grabbed the back of her neck.
"My neck hurts! Ouch, my arm is broken!"
She then began to cry pitifully. Enrique was startled.
'Why is her neck... after falling?'
Worse, the knights and Larima, who had accompanied the emperor, rushed to Mabel's side.
"Are you okay, Your Majesty?"
"Ugh! Duke Javier, Duke Javier...!"
"What did Duke Javier do?"
Pointing at the Duke, Mabel was flustered. It was so unfair. He had been standing still when she ran into him and fell.
"No, Your Majesty fell on your own."
"Ugh! It hurts so much! It's swollen!"
Mabel cried as if she was about to suffocate, and Larima, trying to calm her, was also flustered. Mabel had never cried like this before, even from birth. Lisandro knew this well.
'Daring to hit the emperor...! What part of that small body can be hit!'
Lisandro's eyes turned red. He didn't even consider that Mabel might be acting.
"Arrest Duke Javier for attempted regicide!"
The Duke's resistance was futile against the knights. In an instant, he was dragged away from the alley. Suddenly, his father was arrested as a criminal. Enrique stood there, stunned. Then he snapped out of it.
"Your Majesty, are you okay?"
Mabel, in Larima's arms, wiped her tears and grabbed Enrique's hand.
"Stop crying. So, Enrique, don't cry."
Unconsciously touching his eyes, he found no tears. Mabel patted his hand.
"Enrique looks best when he smiles."
The warmth of her small hand made Enrique feel strange. Just a few minutes ago, he had felt like dying, but now he didn't. Mabel's presence had pushed away his despair with light.
'Great Hollywood action acting.'
I smiled inwardly with pride. The impromptu insurance