Chapter 81
“We are ready.”
After finishing our meal, Zhang Qian, the owner of Eastern Pearl, brought us a porcelain dish with an antique painting. Inside was a familiar snack.
“Let me demonstrate. The method is simple. Just think of either O or X in your mind, then infuse the magical snack with your magic power. After that, break the snack like this….”
*Crack.*
A note fell out from the broken snack. When Zhang Qian unfolded it, a clear “X” was written.
“This is how you vote. Each person will receive one snack.”
Though called a magical snack, it was unmistakably a fortune cookie. The only difference was that instead of a daily fortune, it contained a voting slip.
“Hmm! What a fascinating snack! Ouch?!”
Leon, intrigued, accidentally crushed the snack in his large hand.
“Can’t we just skip this hassle?”
Colin yawned as he took the snack.
“Exactly. The result is obvious anyway.”
Laura grumbled as she accepted hers.
“Thanks, old man.”
Patrick smiled as he took his.
“……”
Mondri silently accepted his.
“Thank you.”
Odell took his with grace.
“Hmm….”
Finally, Bella took hers. She glanced at me briefly before infusing her magic into the snack.
The outcome of this vote was already decided. If not Bella, no one else would side with me. The Seven Stars’ gazes were far from friendly—filled with disdain, suspicion, and distrust.
My earlier remarks must have struck a nerve. So… I don’t see the point of this vote.
I glanced at Odell, the one who proposed the vote. Sitting there with a solemn expression, his thoughts were inscrutable. It dawned on me why he was such a formidable opponent for Tristan.
Odell, head of the Riumin Family and the Empire’s Prime Minister. His competence and popularity allowed the Imperial Family to keep the Ruelberta Family in check.
If Ruelberta had Arthur, the Imperial Family had Odell. In the original story, after Arthur was killed by Tristan, the Imperial Family’s temporary decline was solely due to Odell’s competence.
Thus, Odell was a target Tristan had to eliminate. Of course, Odell wasn’t an easy target. Despite assassination attempts from the Ruelberta Family, he stood firm, upholding his principles for the Imperial Family. But Tristan was a genius in villainy, and he eventually succeeded in eliminating Odell.
‘Of course, I won’t resort to Tristan’s underhanded methods….’
I was worried Odell might become an obstacle to my plans. His current actions were clearly a variable. Depending on his moves, I’d have to adjust my strategy. I hoped he’d cooperate, as he was a valuable asset I didn’t want to lose.
As I sipped my tea, the voting concluded. Zhang Qian collected the magic-infused snacks into the porcelain dish.
“Let’s begin the count. Votes in favor of the Ruelberta Family joining the Seven Stars will be marked as O. Opposing votes will be X. First one.”
*Crack.*
“X.”
Zhang Qian took another snack from the dish and broke it.
*Crack.*
“X.”
I stifled a yawn.
*Crack.*
“O.”
Hmm. Bella’s vote must have come in. Everyone expected this much. The real issue was what came next.
*Crack.*
“Another O.”
Huh? Another O?
Laura frowned.
“Ugh… I know one is Bella’s, but who’s the other?”
“Ah… might be mine.”
“What?!”
Colin, head of the Rishuzet Family, yawned as he spoke.
“I was too lazy to think, so I just picked randomly. Might’ve been O.”
“Ugh, seriously! Colin! There’s a time and place for laziness…! Ugh… I shouldn’t even bother.”
Laura tried to hold back her temper. Well, Colin might’ve messed up, but it wouldn’t change the outcome.
The counting continued.
*Crack.*
“X.”
As expected. Only two votes remained. No surprises here.
*Crack.*
Zhang Qian paused as he broke the next snack. Oh, no way…
“…O.”
“No way!”
Laura finally stood up. If the second O was a mistake, a third O changed everything. It meant someone else supported me.
“Who was it this time?!”
“Hmm! It was me, voting for the Count!”
“Leon?!”
The last person I expected stepped forward.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Hmm! I’m perfectly sane!”
“Then why?!”
“After some thought, the Count’s words made sense! This is a golden opportunity to strengthen our Imperial Army! If the Count joins the Seven Stars, even His Majesty, who’s been hesitant about military expansion, will have to agree!”
Well… I never thought Leon would think like this. I always saw him as just a strong guy, but he’s the general leading the Imperial Army. He’s sharp when it comes to military matters. Still, I didn’t expect him to show such strategic thinking.
“Count! If you join the Seven Stars, how about we go together to petition His Majesty for military expansion?”
“I’ll pass.”
“Hahaha! Tougher than you look!”
Yeah, he’s still just a musclehead. As Leon laughed, Laura glared at me as if I’d pulled some trick. I didn’t do anything, though…
With this unexpected turn, the atmosphere among the remaining Seven Stars grew tense. Bella looked shocked, Mondri’s expression darkened, Patrick watched with interest, Colin just yawned, and Odell…
“Only one vote left.”
As Odell said, it was now 3:3. The final vote would decide.
“Let’s check the last vote….”
*Crack.*
Zhang Qian’s hands trembled as he broke the last snack. He swallowed hard upon seeing the note, then slowly opened his mouth.
“……O.”
The unexpected had happened.
“It’s decided.”
Odell spoke calmly. Looking at his composed face, I had a guess who cast the final O. But… why?
Laura couldn’t accept the result either.
“This is invalid! Invalid! Let’s vote again! Colin! This time, vote properly. If you do—”
“Hmm! That’s not happening! Accept the result, Laura!”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Colin messed up!”
Laura desperately looked at Colin, but he seemed unfazed. He even cut her off.
“Ah, Laura. Don’t look at me like that. I’m too lazy to vote again.”
“Colin!”
Ignoring Laura’s outburst, Colin stood up.
“Princess. Since the meal’s over, may I leave? I want to go home and sleep.”
“Uh…? Sure. Go ahead.”
“Thank you. I’ll take my leave.”
True to his Rishuzet Family nature, Colin came and went like the wind. Laura’s face turned red with frustration at being ignored. Following Colin’s departure, the other Seven Stars began to leave one by one.
“Then, Princess, and Chairman. I’ll take my leave.”
“I’ll go too. At my age, sitting too long is hard.”
Mondri and Odell bid us farewell, donned their coats, and left. The Seven Stars Union meeting was over. I had suddenly become a member of the Seven Stars.
Though not everyone would fully accept the result, the majority had already voted in favor. Staying longer would’ve been a waste of time, so the meeting naturally concluded.
“Ugh! I can’t accept this! If Count Ruelberta attends the next Seven Stars Union meeting, I won’t participate!”
“Hmm! Then we won’t have to rename it the Eight Stars Union! Seven Stars is a nice, clean name!”
“Leon! You’ve always been…!”
Laura, who couldn’t accept the result, had no choice but to leave, bickering with Leon.
Only Bella, Patrick, and I remained. Patrick clapped his hands.
“Congratulations, Count.”
“Hmm.”
“Haha… I never expected you to truly become one of the Seven Stars.”
Patrick muttered as he looked at me.
“Though… you must’ve anticipated this result.”
Huh?
“Honestly, I’m surprised. To think you’d sway over half the Seven Stars so calmly.”
I didn’t do anything…
“I’ll admit it. You always had a plan. I didn’t expect you to prepare so thoroughly. Your meticulousness is admirable.”
Uh… Hmm… Thanks, but…
I could only respond in a way Tristan would.
“Good that you know.”
“But that’s that. Princess.”
“Yes?”
Before Bella could react, Patrick took her hand. It happened in an instant. Before Blanshe could intervene, Patrick kissed the back of Bella’s hand.
“……!”
“Such a beautiful hand. Until next time.”
Despite what happened, Patrick showed no signs of giving up. If anything, it fueled his competitive spirit. He left with a triumphant air.
And… Bella was left frozen in place. Upon closer look, goosebumps had formed on her arm.
Chilling, indeed. Bella, trying to appear composed, spoke heavily.
“Count….”
“…?”
“Can I ask for one more charge?”
I chuckled and replied.
“Not a chance.”
