HTTRPIAO Ch 7

“Haha! I won this game!”

“Tsk. Let’s play one more round.”

The social gathering hosted by Reyan was closer to a party, just without dancing to music. Of course, there were no constructive discussions or debates about current affairs.

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The sweet melody played by the pianist had long been drowned out by the conversation and laughter of people drunk on excitement.

The invited guests enjoyed food and drinks brought by servants while conversing or playing card games.

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“Even the marketplace would be quieter than this.”

Etienne muttered to himself as multiple sounds pierced his ears.

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Maybe it’s time to leave.

Etienne contemplated as he tilted his wine glass. He hadn’t moved once since sitting down.

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Some noble youth glanced at Etienne occasionally but couldn’t approach or start a conversation.

Though they wanted to build a relationship with Etienne, who had rarely left the palace, they seemed worried about giving him any reason to find fault with them.

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There was a reason for the noble youth’s cautious attitude. Etienne was famous among nobles for being rude.

‘I don’t recall giving permission to speak to me.’

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‘Where did you learn such manners, touching so casually a member of the imperial family?’

Last year at the New Year’s gathering, a young noble who didn’t know Etienne’s temperament well approached him and was severely reprimanded. Just a few months ago, a certain lady from a Count’s family tried to seduce Etienne at the royal ball and was humiliated.

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Etienne clearly despised mingling with people. He didn’t tolerate anyone speaking to him or acting familiar without his permission.

This was partly due to his sensitive nature, but more importantly, it was to hide that he was an Omega.

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Though there were many Betas who had risen in status through military achievements in recent years, nobles were still mostly Alphas and Omegas. Especially Alphas.

Therefore, he naturally had to be careful. If his heat cycle were triggered by an Alpha’s pheromones, it would be a disaster.

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For this reason, Etienne minimized contact with people. The Empress Leona also didn’t let Etienne out unless it was for important matters.

However, to those who didn’t know the truth, Etienne’s behavior appeared different. They thought Etienne was prickly and arrogant.

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‘A germaphobe who lacks social skills.’

‘The rogue prince of the imperial family is addicted to alcohol and tobacco.’

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‘The Beta prince who stays locked up in his palace due to his poor health.’

‘A pretty doll who does nothing but hide under the Empress’s skirts.’

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Those who loved to gossip spread all sorts of rumors about Etienne. Almost none of them were positive.

Ben felt sorry whenever he heard negative rumors about Etienne, but Etienne himself didn’t care. He was used to and comfortable being alone.

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Rather, Etienne hoped his reputation would fall even further so that Leona would be disappointed again and again until she abandoned the idea of making him emperor.

“Come to think of it… tomorrow is the triumph ceremony.”¹

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Etienne’s hand, which was bringing the wine glass to his mouth, paused at someone’s words. No one in this place was unaware of who tomorrow’s triumph ceremony was for.

“I heard crowds are already gathering to watch the ceremony… There’s fierce competition for good spots.”

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“That’s to be expected! He’s a hero who saved our empire from crisis, a hero!”

A loud voice came from the opposite table. Etienne’s gaze naturally turned in that direction. A man who was quite drunk praised Grand Duke Eckhardt with an excited face.

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“When our Grand Duke returns… hic! A new wind will blow through the capital!”

“The young lord of House Namia is quite drunk.”

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“Leave him be. He’s from the military faction. Must be feeling good these days.”

As the drunk young lord of House Namia recited Grand Duke Eckhardt’s achievements, several people glanced at Etienne’s reaction.

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In recent years, Grand Duke Eckhart’s reputation has risen dramatically. He became a powerful figure in the military through his own strength and earned merit by saving the empire twice from crisis.

Both nobles and commoners alike respected Grand Duke Eckhart. His popularity was especially big among young nobles.

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Moreover, he was favored by the Emperor. Everyone knew that the Emperor cherished Grand Duke Eckhart, his distant nephew.

The Emperor had even tried to adopt the Grand Duke, who had lost his parents at a young age. If it weren’t for the Empress’s opposition, Grand Duke Eckhart might have become a prince long ago.

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Though from a distant branch, he was a member of the imperial family with succession rights, and a young dominant Alpha praised as a hero.

Those versed in politics predicted that when Grand Duke Eckhart returned, a full-fledged succession battle would begin between Etienne, backed by the house of Herace and the Empress, and Rishar, supported by the empire’s military and the Emperor.

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“I heard from a source in the military that His Grace the Grand Duke has already arrived in the capital. They say he’s waiting outside the city walls because of tomorrow’s ceremony, so he wasn’t allowed to enter yet.”

“Her Majesty is really… Why keep someone tired from a long journey? He’s returning after several years, they should let him rest comfortably.”

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Once the conversation started flowing, the topic shifted to Grand Duke Eckhart. People eagerly shared stories about him.

Etienne pretended not to be interested but listened carefully. Even when trying not to, he kept hearing people’s voices talking about Rishar.

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“Are you pleased too, Your Highness?”

At that moment, Marquis Namia’s son approached Etienne. His sudden action made the voices of people nearby stop abruptly. Etienne put down his wine glass, feeling the sudden silence around him.

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“About what?”

“About the Grand Duke’s return, hic!”

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Marquis Namia’s son’s lips twitched as he hiccupped in response to Etienne’s question.

“When you were young, you two were close, weren’t you? So close that people thought you were real brothers… I remember it well.”

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“So?”

“Well, it’s just that… Your Highness doesn’t seem happy at all, hic. While everyone’s talking about the Grand Duke, you’re just drinking… I wondered if something is bothering you?”

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Marquis Namia’s son grinned with a drunken face. His glistening gaze fell on Etienne. His voice carried a subtle mockery.

“Marquis Namia’s son, His Highness has not given you permission to address him.”

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“Hey! Who are you to interrupt, mere attendant!”

When Ben stepped forward, sensing Etienne’s mood worsening, Marquis Namia’s son shouted angrily. Then he continued his drunken pestering.

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“Surely you’re proud of the Grand Duke too, Your Highness? Right?”

“I don’t feel this deserves an answer.”

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Etienne responded coldly. The pheromone scent and strong alcohol smell from the drunk Marquis Namia’s son was unpleasant.

“If you’re drunk, just go home quietly and sleep. Don’t ruin others’ drinking mood.”

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“Hic, what?”

Marquis Namia’s son had a blank expression. He blinked his eyes as if trying to fight off the effects of alcohol.

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“What did you just say?”

“Are you deaf rather than drunk?”

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Etienne sneered while looking contemptuously at Marquis Namia’s son’s dazed face.

“Well, it’s not like I said anything wrong, hic. I just wanted to know if you were happy and proud…”

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“Why are you curious about that?”

“What?”

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Marquis Namia’s son hesitated at Etienne’s counter-question. Etienne didn’t give him time to answer before snapping back.

“Do I have an obligation to answer your questions? Do you have the right to demand answers from me?”

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In fights like this, establishing dominance early was important.

Etienne glared at Marquis Namia’s son with a cold expression. He knew why Marquis Namia’s son had picked a fight with him.

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Marquis Namia was a prominent supporter of Grand Duke Eckhart. He was also someone who believed that Alphas and Omegas were superior to Betas.

His son likely shared the same beliefs.

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It was evident from the way he had looked at Etienne earlier, his subtly mocking attitude, and his tone that lacked any respect.

Marquis Namia’s son had clearly been looking down on him all along.

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Etienne was certain of his thoughts. In fact, people like Marquis Namia’s son were quite familiar to him.

Many nobles held the belief that Alphas and Omegas were superior to Betas.

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Naturally, they disliked Etienne.

The reason was that it hurt their pride to serve a Beta as their lord.

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Of course, Duke Herace and the Empress wouldn’t just stand by and watch this.

In fact, several people who had spoken carelessly to him in the past had suffered greatly for it.

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After that, nobles were all careful with their words in front of Etienne.

However, it was difficult to completely hide deeply rooted beliefs.

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While experienced nobles in politics might manage it, young noble heirs were still inexperienced in many ways.

Though they couldn’t express it openly because of the house of Herace and the Empress, their subtle disdain for Etienne showed through in their gazes, tone, and actions.

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Just like Marquis Namia’s son now.

“You dare demand answers from me, the prince?”

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Etienne didn’t hide his displeasure. When he raised his voice, the noble heirs around them flinched. They sensed the situation was becoming serious.

Should they intervene, or not?

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The noble heirs around Etienne and Marquis Namia’s son looked at the two with troubled expressions.

“Well, um…”

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Marquis Namia’s son seemed to sense the strange atmosphere too, as his eyes darted around.

“Not answering? You were demanding answers earlier, but now you’re ignoring my question?”

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“N-No, that’s not it!”

This isn’t what I meant. Marquis Namia’s son shook his head with a panicked expression. He couldn’t understand how the situation had turned out this way.

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