I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 188

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 188
* * *
On the day of the birthday party,
I had been bustling about since dawn. There was so much to prepare for the party. Thanks to all the commotion, I was able to momentarily forget the complicated and subtle conversation I’d had with Kaiden yesterday.
Even though Vanessa and I hurried through the preparations as quickly as possible, it was already afternoon.
“Oh, that’s right. How are the party preparations coming along? You left the kitchen’s back door open like I asked, didn’t you?”
Despite my cryptic question, Vanessa understood exactly what I was asking and smiled.
“Yes. I’m proceeding as you instructed.”
At her words, I nodded. When the preparations were nearly finished and I had a moment to breathe, Vanessa brought me the newspaper.
“You asked me to bring today’s paper, didn’t you?”
I took the newspaper from her and quietly sipped my coffee while reading through the day’s headlines.
[Progress on the search for Alea Island?! The island still shrouded in mystery. Does the island truly exist…!]
I skimmed the headline and carefully examined the article below.
The search for Alea Island seemed to have made no progress. The Southern Langrid Sea, where the Warp Gate coordinates had been marked, was a place with currents as fierce as the Bermuda Triangle. The Diego brothers hadn’t even managed to approach that area yet.
A sigh escaped me. The Peony Faction must be delighted. The one saving grace was that public attention was currently focused entirely on the southern seas of Langrid, so they couldn’t recklessly approach Alea Island either.
I turned the page with a heavy heart.
[Which leaders of various nations have Crown Prince Enoch and Prince of Asdal identified as the masterminds behind the seven-person kidnapping incident…? Emily’s in-depth analysis!]
Previously, Enoch and the Prince of Asdal had said that ‘the force leading this war was likely the mastermind behind the kidnapping incident,’ so it seemed they had analyzed who the leaders at the forefront of the war were.
A journalist named Emily had revealed the identities of those suspected as the kidnapping masterminds, and she had narrowed down the candidates quite plausibly—the Empress, the Papal Court, Marquis Rohade, and others.
…Won’t they get arrested? There’s room for charges of insulting the Imperial Family and nobility.
However, the Benneton Newspaper wielded considerable influence not only in the Langrid Empire but in other nations as well. Moreover, since the Alea Island issue was now a matter of continental attention, neither the Empress nor Marquis Rohade could easily pressure them.
Still, it seemed they would fear repercussions. By now, the Benneton Newspaper office was probably in chaos from people sent by the Empress and the Papal Court.
Journalists truly have no fear.
[The talk of the town—Margaret Rose Flone’s birthday party! We’ve urgently obtained part of the guest list…!]
I frowned at the article that followed.
‘They really love gossip. They’re writing articles about this?’
Suddenly, my trust in the Benneton Newspaper plummeted. The paper reported that not only Crown Prince Enoch but also the Prince of Asdal, the Magic Tower Master, and even the Saint—whom people rarely see—would be attending my birthday party.
They expressed anticipation for scandals that might occur at the party. They really had nothing better to do. Moreover, they had publicly declared their intention to infiltrate the party in the newspaper.
Furthermore, the article specifically detailed how they planned to infiltrate my birthday party.
Where on earth did they get this information?
Just then, someone came looking for me.
Knock, knock.
“Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“Please open the door.”
At my response, the salon door opened and Enoch entered, dressed in the Crown Prince Uniform.
His movements were rigid with not a hint of looseness, and his cool gaze swept briefly across the salon before landing on me. He paused for a moment as if startled. I felt embarrassed and hunched my shoulders slightly.
Today, I had piled my hair high with elaborate ornaments. However, the neckline of my dress had slipped down excessively, exposing bare skin that felt somewhat chilled.
The puffy Mameluke sleeves, rounded like sausages, evoked an antique and elegant feeling, and the dress was overall made of blue fabric matching my eye color, interwoven with pristine white lace.
It was the most elaborate dress I had worn thus far. The dress I wore at the Imperial Return party hadn’t been nearly as ornate since it was prepared in such a rush.
Did it not suit me?
The silence stretched on for so long that I felt a bit awkward, and finally Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid spoke.
“You’re beautiful.”
I don’t think Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid had ever told me directly that I was beautiful before.
‘Certainly, on the island, words like that could never have come up.’
Just then, Eun-ji with a ribbon tied around her neck crawled toward me.
“My goodness, how adorable.”
I picked up Eun-ji and placed her on my shoulder. She seemed to understand my praise, rubbing her cheek against my neck and displaying her affection.
“Margaret Rose Flone.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid drew closer to me.
His golden eyes gazing at me carried a raw, primal intensity—as though a beast were barely restraining its instincts. The fierce, devouring intensity of his gaze left me flustered.
Unable to withstand the oppressive weight he emanated, even the air seemed to grow heavy, and my breath caught in my throat.
Vanessa, who had been standing nearby, sensed the atmosphere and hurriedly left the salon. Damn it, don’t go!
“Margaret Rose Flone, you always provoke me.”
“I… what?”
What had I done? I looked up at him with an aggrieved expression, and he slowly extended his hand toward me.
“I’d like to be your partner for tonight’s party. Would you allow that?”
Neither Kaiden nor Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid had proposed to be my party partner beforehand this time. So I had been thinking of attending alone.
I gazed at the hand extended toward me for a moment, then thought of Kaiden. My heart suddenly grew heavy.
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, who had been quietly waiting for me, withdrew his hand. Only then did I realize my mistake, but suddenly he took my hand first.
“If you dislike it, say so. I’ll let go.”
It was like watching a crude beast suppress its savage emotions and play the part of a gentle gentleman.
My heart pounded.
Dislike it? I didn’t. It wasn’t a fleeting emotion that would pass in an instant.
From the moment I first opened my eyes on the island, I had carefully built up this feeling, and only now, as this tower of devotion had grown visibly tall, did I realize that such an emotion had always been there.
I didn’t want to avoid this bewildering emotion I had only just recognized.
I took Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s hand. My heart tingled. A satisfied smile appeared at the corners of his lips as he gazed at me.
Of course, I didn’t know then that when Kaiden saw me entering the party hall with Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid, he would simply retract his words about keeping his distance and come rushing toward me.
* * *
As I headed toward the party hall, I heard about the recent events at the Imperial Palace.
First, the execution of Rodban had been decided. The date was roughly a month away. Because of this, I heard that the Empress had spent several days and nights weeping and pleading for clemency in front of the Emperor’s office.
“According to the Archbishop, all those who possess Magic Stones will attend this party. In that situation, wouldn’t the Empress skip it? It seems certain that Her Majesty the Empress possesses a Magic Stone.”
“The Empress might well attend. Didn’t we say they’re gathering to eliminate all the survivors? If I’m gone, she believes His Majesty will restore my brother’s position. She’s always been that way.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid answered matter-of-factly with an expressionless face, but somehow hearing those words made me feel melancholy.
“If the Empress were to come to the Flone Territory herself, my mother would face her directly.”
“I see.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid nodded.
“The Saint and Archbishop Luzef said they would come directly to the banquet hall.”
“Everyone will gather except Diego Bastian Vilterheim.”
“That’s right. We’ll all be together for the first time in a while.”
I never thought I would grow so fond of everyone, even back when we were struggling together on the island. Of course, that doesn’t mean I have any desire to return to the island.
“I thought everything would be over once we rooted out the Peony Faction at this party.”
I murmured this to myself, glancing ahead for a moment. The long corridor leading to the banquet hall felt oddly longer than usual.
“But it won’t be over if Jenas doesn’t disappear.”
“Once we capture all of the Peony Faction this time, he’ll disappear too.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid answered calmly. However, I remained skeptical of his words.
Jenas was definitely scheming something. That much seemed certain. I worried that perhaps Kaiden’s distance from me stemmed from the burden of dealing with Jenas growing increasingly unbearable.
Could the Magic Stone on Alea Island that Jenas mentioned be his trump card?
“I’m worried about Kaiden.”
Suddenly, Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid stopped walking. I turned to him with a puzzled expression.
“I understand.”
“What?”
“So it’s fine. If you hadn’t accepted that man, I would have abandoned you on the island long ago.”
“Wait, Enoch. What are you saying? Explain so I can understand.”
“Even if you choose the Lord over me, as long as you let me stay by your side, I’m fine with—”
“No, wait. Hold on.”
Was that really something the Crown Prince of the Empire should say? It sounded like he was saying he’d be fine being my second choice as long as he could stay by my side. But I hated that kind of thing!
I covered Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid’s mouth. Then I glanced cautiously around. Fortunately, no one was passing through this corridor.
Eun-ji, who had been resting her head quietly on my shoulder, tilted her head curiously, sensing something was amiss.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m genuinely worried about Kaiden because… well… before coming down to Flone Territory, Jenas came to find me, and I had sent you a letter, remember? He said something significant—”
“Young Lady, there you are.”
I stopped mid-sentence and closed my mouth. The butler had come looking for me personally because I hadn’t appeared even when it was time.
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid nodded at me. Everyone was waiting for me, so I couldn’t waste any more time.
With no choice, we followed the butler into the banquet hall.
* * *
Far more people attended the party than expected. It seemed every family that had received an invitation was present without exception.
Emily from the Benneton Newspaper adjusted her monocle and stood in a corner, quietly observing the interior of the banquet hall.
All eyes were drawn to one particular spot, and at the center stood a beautiful Saint with short hair in a pale khaki-brown shade.
She was a high-ranking figure so veiled in secrecy that few within the Papal Court had ever seen her face.
‘Well, she is a Saint with special Holy Power who appeared for the first time in a hundred years, after all.’
Emily quietly observed the man standing beside her. A man with beautiful water-colored hair that fell to his waist and delicate, flower-like features stood with a cold expression, his gaze sweeping across the gathered crowd.
It was Archbishop Luzef Cain Dipherthe.
He was quite famous within the Papal Court. Among the twelve Archbishops, he possessed the strongest Holy Power and was the most skilled at wielding that strength.
She had heard his temperament was extremely difficult and temperamental, but seeing him stand quietly beside the Saint made her wonder if that wasn’t entirely accurate.
‘Or perhaps there’s some reason he’s suppressing his nature for now.’
Judging by how he continuously swept his surroundings with an irritated expression, the latter seemed more likely.
And the one who appeared and immediately captured everyone’s attention was none other than the Magic Tower Master of the Langrid Empire.
One of only four Magic Tower Masters across the entire continent. He was praised as the most exceptional among them and was spoken of as a genius destined to succeed Jenas Igran Rohade.
“My goodness, what kind of Magic Tower Master is so sexy?”
“Oh my, it seems Lady Harriet didn’t attend the last homecoming party.”
“That’s right. We’ve already met before. Your appearance remains as enchanting as ever.”
I noticed the Young Ladies nearby fawning over the Magic Tower Master.
“It was worth traveling for a week to attend this party. To think we’d see the faces of such influential figures all in one place. Prince Hestia is attending, isn’t he? And I heard His Highness the Crown Prince came in person.”
“Since Her Majesty the Empress is attending, that says it all. And His Holiness the Pope is coming directly as well? His Holiness didn’t attend the last homecoming party, so this is quite remarkable. This is practically no different from an Imperial Family party.”
Emily heard this and quietly pulled out her notebook to jot down notes.
Yes, this was as lavish and grand as an Imperial Family party.
It was a gathering that demonstrated not only the influence of the Flone Family, but also how tremendous the influence of Lady Margaret Rose Flone—the subject of current gossip—truly was.
And at that moment, word came that the birthday celebrant was entering the Banquet Hall.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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