Chapter 19: A Small Favor

Sylvain’s expression soured when he learned that Ephraim was in the waiting room just outside his study. After a brief pause, he turned his attention back to Lydia.

"His Highness is waiting?"

"Yes, he is."

"There are some matters concerning House Valendorf that I wish to discuss with you. I would prefer that this remain a family matter."

Brother Sylvain stood by the window beside his enormous desk when Lydia entered.

"Honestly, Lydia, do you ever go a single day without causing trouble for House Valendorf?" He turned to face her, his expression full of disappointment. "Your Guide abilities have barely improved, and now you’ve managed to pick another fight with House Fielyn. Remarkable. Absolutely remarkable."

He paused, as if giving her a moment to appreciate the full extent of her incompetence.

"Tell me, what exactly have you been doing all this time? Collecting scandals? Because if that was your goal, I must admit you’ve been making excellent progress."

His expression was calm, but Lydia immediately knew that calmness was not a good sign.

"But Emily was the one who started it. Then why are you blaming me?"

"Because I am talking about your actions, Lydia."

His voice remained controlled, but his patience was clearly wearing thin.

"You are a member of House Valendorf. Every action you take reflects upon this family."

It was the same tone Sylvain always used when he had already decided she was guilty.

"You’re such a disgrace to our House! Even Father was furious when he learned you’d burned the invitation to next month’s Monster Hunting Competition. It bore the Imperial Seal, for heaven’s sake!"

A faint memory from her previous life surfaced. No wonder Brother Sylvain was so upset.

Back then, Vincent had taunted her for being useless and claimed she would only bring shame to House Valendorf if she participated in the competition.

In a fit of anger, Lydia had burned the invitation without thinking about it. Only later had she realized the consequences of her actions.

"Do you have any idea what you’ve done, Lydia? That invitation was signed by His Majesty the Emperor Regulus himself! And you burned it just because Vincent upset you?"

The Monster Hunting Competition was one of the Empire’s major annual events. As the Empire’s Sword and its only Ducal House, their absence would raise questions.

Burning an invitation personally issued by the Emperor was even worse.

I really did cause a huge scandal.

She couldn’t even defend herself, because the worst part was that Brother Vincent was right.

Lydia had only come home for a signature. Instead, she was being forced to face the consequences her past self had left behind.

Before Sylvain could continue, a polite knock came from the doorway.

"Pardon the interruption. May I come in?"

Ephraim entered without waiting for an answer, his gaze settling on Sylvain.

"Fortunately, the matter can still be resolved."

Duke Valendorf." Ephraim inclined his head slightly. "I hope I haven’t caused you any inconvenience."

"Not at all, Your Highness."

"Brother-in-law Sylvain," Ephraim added with a polite smile.

The polite exchange was somehow colder than an argument.

"I understand House Valendorf’s absence was due to an unfortunate incident. Allow me to resolve the matter."

"How?" Sylvain’s eyes narrowed.

"As a Crown Prince, I can issue a personal invitation to House Valendorf."

Silence fell over the study before he continued in his usual formal tone.

"The Imperial Palace can issue a new invitation under my name. That should settle the matter."

Well, well. Having a Crown Prince for a fiancé does come in handy.

The problem that had seemed impossible a moment ago suddenly had a solution.

"House Valendorf will still be able to attend."

"House Valendorf appreciates Your Highness’s generosity." Sylvain’s tone was impeccably polite, though there was no warmth in his voice. "But what do you expect in return?"

As expected of two predators of Adelstein. Both are baring their fangs and talons at each other.

"Just a small favor." Ephraim walked toward Lydia and calmly took her wrist. Before she could ask what he was doing, he tapped her bracelet and reached for the application form.

"Please kindly give my fiancée your approval to join Belfort Academy’s Student Committee, brother-in-law Sylvain."

With a courteous smile, he set the document on Sylvain’s desk.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

As a Guide, Lydia could feel the suffocating Resonance pressure of two high-ranking Sentinels clashing throughout the room.

Sylvain continued glaring at the Student Committee application as though the document had personally offended House Valendorf.

"Your Highness is certainly taking your duties as Lydia’s fiancé seriously."

The words were perfectly polite, but the faint pause before the fiancé made the remark sound less like praise.

"Of course. I intend to be a good fiancé to Lydia, after all."

Oh, good grief! Look at that smug face! He knows exactly what he’s doing! Someone please tell this man that being a Crown Prince doesn’t give him the right to be this punchable!

Sylvain had known Ephraim for years. Surely, he should have been used to the Crown Prince’s infuriatingly polished manners by now.

Unfortunately, knowing someone for years didn’t make that person any less irritating.

Lydia could practically see her brother’s patience thinning by the second, while Ephraim stood there looking as though he had just said something perfectly innocent.

Oh, you shameless hypocrite. You know exactly what you’re doing!

The worst part was that Ephraim didn’t even need to raise his voice or say anything particularly rude. Somehow, being perfectly polite made him even more annoying.

Sylvain’s expression darkened as he stared at the application sitting on his desk.

He clearly wasn’t happy. Not even a little.

Unfortunately, there was only so much he could say when the person standing in front of him was the Crown Prince of Adelstein.

Sylvain picked up the application and examined it with the grim concentration of a man reviewing a declaration of war.

It’s just a Student Committee application, Brother. Not a treaty with a hostile nation.

Yet Sylvain showed no sign of hurrying. By the time he reached the section requiring his approval, Lydia was beginning to suspect he was deliberately making her suffer.

His eyes narrowed at the bottom of the page.

Oh, come on. What did you find now?