The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 243

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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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Part 2, Episode 48
Maximus marveled to himself as he played chess with Hilberry in one corner of the banquet hall.
‘Indeed, only Nogen could pull off something like this.’
All around the reception hall, things unfolded that defied imagination. There was no formality, no pretense.
The maids were sharing anecdotes about young Brisa and Alpheus, while Delmia and Shania listened intently.
Valerie was perusing a jeweler’s catalog as a gift for Brisa, and pressed right against her side was Aibella, who had just crashed through a window to get inside.
The princess being hunted by Alpheus had ultimately saved her life by hiding behind Valerie.
“I couldn’t help it! I was the weakest one in that situation!”
Remarkably, the word “weakest” struck something in Alpheus’s heart.
“Ah… I see. I was venting my frustration on the weak, wasn’t I? Leopold is stronger than you, after all.”
“Exactly! I’m old and sickly now! Go over there and beat Leopold!”
Aibella breathlessly threw her companion under the bus and secured her freedom.
Of course, the duel between Leopold and Alpheus never came to pass. Brisa had made the decision of the century.
“If you don’t attack Leopold, I’ll be on your team in the card game.”
And so Brisa proved her devotion to her fiancé before everyone’s eyes.
In one corner, Sears’s knights were arm-wrestling. The prize was Delmia’s handkerchief. The knights truly gave their all.
‘If another family had thrown a party like this, everyone would have wagged their tongues at them for being uncouth.’
But Nogen stood firm. No one dared speak to them of honor or propriety.
After all, Leopold himself, the Grand Duke, had crossed to Sebon and brought an end to the Monster Wave on the Continent.
The Emperor made no particular comment about it, but the entire Continent sang Nogen’s praises.
Maximus gazed at Leopold and reflected.
‘…Would the Continent itself fracture if he were to declare he would establish the Nogen Imperial House?’
A sturdy frame, striking features, an ability that commanded universal awe, impeccable bloodline, and accomplishments born of sacrifice.
Of course, Maximus himself bore the Beviano Imperial name and worked tirelessly for it, but he harbored a weakness in his bloodline.
And should Leopold even use Air Strike against him now, his head would fly clean off in an instant.
His gaze drifted slowly toward Brisa, who was playing cards.
Their card game was exceptionally entertaining. Leopold and Harrison formed one team, while Brisa and Alpheus formed the other.
“You’re playing that here? Alpheus, why did you play the joker then? Do you still not know the rules?”
“Ah, Harrison… doesn’t this add up? No, don’t calculate it. Better not to.”
Brisa and Leopold were each so out of sync with their partners that no strategy between the two of them could take hold. It was a remarkable game in every sense.
Yet one thing was certain: Brisa was happy.
Maximus moved a chess piece and confirmed his bitter certainty.
The two of them were well-matched, and there seemed to be no gap between them. The feelings that had bloomed without his knowledge would have to be carefully disposed of before anyone noticed. But…
“You will have ample opportunity, Maximus.”
Days ago, when he had gone to report on the development of a magical circle to broadly suppress the Vampire Bait Flower, the Emperor had said this in passing.
“Nogen’s fortress will soon crumble.”
At first, Maximus could not fathom what the Emperor meant.
He had not immediately grasped the connection between the Vampire Bait Flower and Nogen.
“The Grand Duke will eventually release his fiancée with his own hands.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“Then you take your woman.”
“That is… I don’t understand what you mean, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor did not answer Maximus’s question. He simply nodded as he reviewed the report on the magical circle development.
“Very well. Handle this matter as follows. We shall need to request cooperation from the Magic Tower again.”
In that moment, Maximus wondered briefly if he had fallen into a daydream.
The Emperor’s words had begun so abruptly and ended so suddenly. Even now, he could not be certain the conversation had actually happened.
‘Nothing seems amiss.’
He glanced at Leopold’s peaceful face and reflected.
‘Truly… nothing at all.’
Then it happened.
“Oh.”
Hilberry sighed.
“I made a mistake. Can’t take back a move, can I?”
Maximus started and looked down at the chess board. Indeed, he could see that Hilberry had placed his piece on a wrong square.
It seemed that the person staring at the chess board while thinking of something else was not only himself.
* * *
I lost all sense of time as I played until sunset.
Surprisingly, the birthday party turned out to be tremendously fun. Honestly, I hadn’t expected much, but with everyone at ease and enjoying themselves, there was so much to talk about and watch.
Not a formal reception or party—just a gathering of the people most precious to me.
‘Actually, putting together something like this must have been even harder.’
With no set program, they would have had to think carefully about content so everyone could enjoy themselves.
Indeed, one could see the meticulous care taken throughout the entire hall—the comfortable arrangement and diverse refreshments alike.
“It’s been such a long time since everyone had such a pleasant gathering, all thanks to you, Brisa.”
As we wrapped up, Hilberry smiled warmly.
“These are people who might never have come together if not for you.”
My cheeks flushed slightly. I had always thought such personal compliments were Alpheus’s domain.
But Alpheus was busy overseeing the loading of my birthday gifts onto the carriage and couldn’t manage a touching speech.
So I had to respond instead.
“Thank you so much, Your Grace.”
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything embarrassing, so I simply spoke from the heart.
“I’ll never forget this day.”
Even as I said it, I felt a pang of guilt. Leopold had to spend his coming of age in Sebon instead…
As if reading my mind, Hilberry reached over and stroked my hair.
“Leo looked truly happy today too. That’s all thanks to you.”
It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
By the time everyone was heading to Warp, the early evening star was rising.
Leopold saw everyone off at the Warp point. Harrison was pulled away to the Southern Region by his sisters.
“Why are you saying you’ll stay longer at the Grand Duke’s Residence? That’s a nuisance, you fool!”
“I said the Magic Library, not the Residence! The Western Magic Library! Stop pulling my ears!”
The guests departed one by one, and at last we remained.
I sent all the maids and knights ahead to Sears, and Alpheus and I stayed behind to face Leopold.
“Take care, Brisa.”
Leopold waved his hand plainly.
“Congratulations again on coming of age.”
I examined his neat face. As always, he looked serene and composed.
“When we were in Behila and you said you had business in the Western Region—did you get that settled?”
“Yes. It was nothing much.”
Leopold shrugged his shoulders.
Alpheus glared at Leopold and grumbled.
“After that you must have been busy preparing for this event. Well, everyone enjoyed themselves.”
I gazed at Leopold for a moment, then asked.
“So when do we see each other next?”
Leopold seemed momentarily taken aback.
And with reason—though we had known each other for a long time, we had rarely made specific plans to meet again.
But Leopold soon smiled gently and replied.
“Well… we’ll see each other soon enough, I suppose?”
“All right. Go on.”
I waved my hand.
“I’ll watch you leave.”
“What—you’re my guest.”
“It’s my birthday. You have to do as I say.”
At my firm words, Leopold’s brow furrowed slightly. Then he leaned close to my ear and whispered.
“Are you really setting a precedent like this? What trouble will befall me on my birthday?”
“Better watch yourself. I’m building a relationship with Lea right now. Apparently, his type is men who kneel and cry.”
“I never cared for him anyway. I knew he’d cause trouble between us someday.”
Leopold let out a long sigh.
Unable to resist me, he finally mounted his horse first.
“Then I’ll be going, Brisa. Take care. Please be careful on your way back, Lord Marquis.”
“Hmph!”
Alpheus snorted, proving his stubbornness with that single sound.
After Leopold’s figure vanished from sight and I was left alone with Alpheus.
I spoke to him.
“Before we return to Sears, there’s somewhere I need to stop by.”
In truth, I had already noticed.
The Western Region was far from normal. Leopold and Hilberry were clearly putting on an act with all their might.
“Let’s go to Baron Forman Territory.”

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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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