'But this old man has energy...' sighed Kaiser, as he had finally gotten the chance to slip away.
At first, he had just thought about leaving a good impression in the duke's eyes. You never know what might happen; being able to use a duke's authority isn't something negligible. But he hadn't expected to spend all that time.
'I need a break; this is starting to get really tiring...' Standing in a corner rather far from the crowd, Kaiser let his gaze wander over the courtyard through the window.
Smiles, words used in very specific contexts, masking real intentions, flattering when necessary... for some devout people, that would be enough to condemn a man, categorizing him as dishonest, a type of man one would avoid. But did it really matter?
It was all a question of skill. The church using religion to establish its power, these nobles unscrupulously using the pretext of funerals to probe their rivals and extend their influence. Were their actions good? The answer was simple: as long as the mask didn't fall, they were good people, heroes the world revered.
That was politics. The dialectical ability that allowed the weak to dominate much stronger opponents.
"Only the result matters in the end..." murmured Kaiser to himself.
"I see you've slipped away quietly, Lord Kaiser..."
While he was still lost in his thoughts, a very sweet voice brought him back to reality. Turning around, Kaiser almost swore. Before him stood a beauty, the kind that could cause the fall of an empire. Cascading red hair perfectly framing her round face while matching her amber eyes.
She was about 1m70 but captivating attention with her natural charm, accentuated by the black dress she wore that followed every curve of her body.
She might have small breasts, but the combo of a slim waist plus wide hips supporting two huge buttocks more than compensated for that lack.
"Lord Kaiser!" she resumed, noticing Kaiser's evasive gaze.
"Lady Isabella, forgive my behavior," Kaiser finally replied, smiling. "Your beauty had somehow... dazzled me."
She arched an eyebrow, then smiled. She didn't seem to expect Kaiser's words, but it didn't seem to bother her either. Compliments and women have always gone well together.
"I see that since the last time we saw each other, you've become quite the smooth talker, Lord Kaiser..."
"Smooth talker? I'm only expressing the truth with the politeness it deserves, Lady Isabella," he replied. "If my words seem too clever, then it's because your presence inspires them despite myself."
She let out a small laugh that didn't go unnoticed.
"And you master the art of responding with grace... I wonder if you're like this with all the ladies, Lord Kaiser."
"Hm~ You should be careful with your words; the Crown Prince has ears everywhere."
"I agree with your fiancée's caution; after all, I would be paranoid too with such a noble lady as a spouse..."
Many were those who wanted to know the secrets of the young Paragon's words to draw that laugh from Isabella Donoghan.
Kaiser had noticed them well and didn't give a royal fuck about what they might think. He was in mourning, and who else but him deserved this good company in such a difficult moment?
Especially since Isabella seemed to really enjoy how the situation was unfolding. Unlike Katrina, who was a yandere and hated him? The conversation with Isabella was... soothing. And that's exactly what Kaiser needed right now.
"You seem to be quite the seducer, Lord Kaiser..."
"Being a seducer with all the ladies? I wouldn't have the time... nor the motivation. Some presences naturally demand a bit more attention," Kaiser replied calmly.
After hearing his response, Isabella paused. She seemed to be questioning herself, probably about the likely reasons that could have changed a talentless bastard into someone so confident who had even attracted her father's attention.
This question also seemed to torment the duke's son a great deal. In the middle of a conversation with a baron's daughter, he seemed completely elsewhere, far from the conversation, and was even starting to show signs of breaking.
He couldn't stand it much longer. That the duke liked Kaiser was one thing; anyway, he couldn't bother his father, especially not in a public place. But seeing his sister smile and enjoy the company of this asshole was driving Kris mad. Especially since he hadn't hesitated to threaten him using his sister last time.
"If I'd known, I might have just killed him," muttered Kris, leaving the girl in front of him in awkwardness. Originally, she had approached Kris with the idea that he seemed like a good guy. Plus, he was a duke's son... but reality was much harsher.
She had been completely ignored, appearing like a simple NPC whose only usefulness was to entertain the young Lord Donoghan. The worst part was that she could do nothing but endure it; offending the young boy in front of her could only bring misfortune to her and her family.
She could do nothing but hope that this bastard would leave on his own.
On his side, the conversation with Isabella continued smoothly; she smiled sometimes, always keeping that dignified side.
'I'd love to see her facial expression while taking her doggy style... the most proper ones are often the most perverted, as they say...'
Her well-rounded ass in her dress kept haunting the young Paragon lord, already visualizing the perfect turn things could take.
But too much haste could ruin everything, and Kaiser knew that perfectly. In the jungle, the central element that guarantees a successful hunt for a predator is timing. Good timing allows you to catch the prey for sure nine times out of ten.
"Lady Isabella, I sincerely wanted to thank you; your presence honors the Paragon family. It certainly wasn't easy for you to leave the academy," Kaiser resumed, this time with a serious face, expressing the sincerity of his words.
It seemed to have an effect given Isabella's expression. She was already eighteen and was indeed at the academy, but before she could respond, like a rabid dog, Kris forced his way to them, interrupting the discussion.
"So, Lord Paragon, I see you're having fun with my sister..."
'Look at this little son of a bitch...' thought Kaiser, annoyed.
"Kris, what do you think you're doing?" exclaimed Isabella, a bit shocked and embarrassed by her brother's actions.
But before she could speak again, Kaiser intervened. He knew exactly why this bastard was acting like this: his dubious sense of justice... but maybe he was a sis-con too.
"Lord Kris, I see you're still in great shape and bursting with energy," always with a smirk, that same smile that had the gift of driving Kris up the wall.
It reminded him of his first meeting with Kaiser, how he had been just a pawn, simply dancing in his palm. He knew the truth yet was unable to reveal it...
"You hypocrite...!" he exclaimed, unable to keep his calm; it had even started to attract attention. Why was Kris Donoghan suddenly attacking Kaiser during his brother's burial ceremony? Did the Donoghans have no scruples?
"Lord Kris, I see you still have that unfortunate tendency to lose control like that time..." said Kaiser, his face falling as if he were deeply indignant at Kris's behavior.
"Poor child!"
Murmurs even started to be heard.
The duke, for his part, seemed to notice the scene and was visibly not proud of it.
"Kris!" resumed Isabella, her voice losing its usual warmth, becoming cold and sharp, seeing the situation degenerating. "How can you tarnish the Donoghan name like this!? Apologize now."
The young guy seemed to understand now; this was the second time he could do nothing against this asshole, and now he would have to apologize.
"I believe my brother's death has deeply affected Lord Kris, much more than it should..." Kaiser intervened again, this time displaying a compassionate face. But only Kris understood the meaning of his words.
"Maybe, but he still has to apologize..." resumed Isabella.
Under his sister's threats, Kris Donoghan had no choice but to apologize and support Kaiser's words. He then disappeared from the room like a ghost.
"I'm so sorry, Kaiser..." expressed Isabella sincerely.